US2492533A - Dispensing device for collapsible tubes - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 27,1949 E. F. OLSEN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 12, 1948 INVENTOR W5 OLSEN Dec. 27, 1949 Filed Aug. 12, 1948 E. F. OLSEN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'III IIIIIIIIIIIlIlIIII HTTH! Dec. 27, 1949 E. F. OLSEN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 12, 1948 mm a //v VEN ran. [10F FRnNTs oLsEn Patented Dec. 27, 1949 DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Elof F. Olsen, Brantford, Ontario, Canada Application August 12, 1948, Serial No. 43,867

13 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing devices for collapsible tubes of the type generally used for containing liquids or pastes such as toothpaste, shaving cream and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dispensing device of this character which is sanitary, dependable, simple to operate, inexpensive to manufacture, of compact construction, of pleasing appearance, and economical to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing device so constructed and arranged that the operation of its mechanical components is independent of gravity, the device being therefore adapted to be used in any position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing device having pressure plates arranged to receive a tube therebetween, and which will fully collapse the tube by gradual increments, means being provided in the device to index downwardly the pressure plates as the tube gradually flattens.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a device of this character a mechanical action whereby the pressure plates will automatically open to allow the empty tube to be removed from the device after its contents have been thoroughly ejected.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a dispensing device of this character a discharge valve which will conveniently fit over the neck of tubes of any of the conventional designs and sizes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a discharge valve which will normally remain closed and which will open only when the user applies sufiicient pressure to the tube, by means of the mechanical components of the device, the said valve closing as soon as the pressure is released.

It is still another object of the invention to provide in a dispensing device of this character a casing which houses and supports the mechanism and which is also constructed for easy loading and reloading.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating particularly the outside appearance of a dispensing device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, viewed from the rear, of the main mechanical components of the device shown in Fig. l, the casing being removed.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, showing also a collapsible tube and a valve mounted therewith.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the casing being removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 are views similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts of the squeezing mechanism in various positions.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of the squeezing mechanism in its lowermost position when the finger bars are brought together as closely as possible; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, of the squeezing mechanism in its lowermost position when the finger bars are finally released.

For a better understanding of the invention, it should be mentioned at this stage that exactly the same apparatus is shown in Figs. 5 through 11, the sole difference in these figures being merely a change in the relative position of the parts. A horizontal reference line is drawn through each of Figs. 5 through 9, there being a point of discontinuity in the said horizontal line to indicate the advance of the squeezing mechanism. In Fig. 5 are indicated the paths followed by the finger bars as they are squeezed by the operator, the reference characters 6, 1, 8 and 9 in the said Fig. 5 indicating the positions of the finger bars when the various components of the squeezing mechanism are in the position shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, the dispensing device comprises a hollow casing made of two die-cast or molded half- shells 20 and 2|, the bottom walls of the said half-shells being provided with cutaway portions so that when the half-shells are in assembled relationship, there is an opening in the said bottom wall in which may be inserted a valve retaiining cover 22. In the front half-shell are provided vertically disposed slots 23 and 24 through which extend the operating levers of the squeezing mechanism. The two half-shells are secured in assembled relationship by suitable spring clips 25, the two lower spring clips also providing tension which when transmitted through the casing halves 20 and 2! retains the cover 22 in its opening.

Removably mounted inside the casing are indexing bars 26 having notches 32. The upper and lower ends of the indexing bars fit into recesses provided in the top and bottom walls respectively of the half-shell 22, and they are securely held therein when rear half-shell 2| is securely mated with the front half-shell 2t.

Reciprocably mounted on the indexing bars are carriages El, 2 the said carriages being provided with guides 28, and the carriages being secured to each other for greater rigidity by bars 29 and 38. Adjacent the edges of each carriage are indexing springs 3i the bent tips of which are adapted to engage any one of the notches 32 provided in the indexing bars. Mounted in a manner hereinafter described, between the carriages, is a front pressure plate 33 and a rear pressure plate at, the said pressure plates having oppositely facing plano-convex surfaces, which are serrated or otherwise treated so that they will engage the tube inserted therebetween with a high degree of friction or traction. Secured to pressure plate 33 by means of knock-outs 35, is an indexing rod 35, and a similar indexing rod 31 is secured to pressure plate 34 by means of knock-outs 33. The extremities of the indexing rods 36 and "l engage in cam-shaped apertures and is providedat the front and rearrespectively of each of the carriagesfl, 21. The point of discontinuityor 'notch39 and 40 in the lower edges of the cam-shaped apertures 39 and so should be particularly noted.

Generally triangular-shaped operating levers M are disposed transverse to the surface of the pressure plates andare secured to each other at one apex by a rod 42 which is .journalled in knock-outs 33 provided inipressure plate't i adjacent the lower edge thereof. Another pair of somewhat similar triangular-shaped operating levers 36 are similarly secured to each other at one apex by a rod :45 which in turn is journalled in knock-outs '45 provided in pressure plate '33 adjacent the lower edge thereof. The'triangularshaped operating levers are effectively bell-crank levers, one apex ofeachoneoi the pairs of triangular-shaped operating levers 4i and 44 being journalled as previously mentioned adjacent the lower edge of the respective pressure plates, and

a second apex of each one of thepairs of operating levers being joined by finger bars and 48 respectively. The third apexes of operating levers "3! are joined by a bearing rod which comprises rod 49 around which is rotatably mounted a roller so adapted to roll against the rear face of pressure plate 33, the movement of the said roller being limited by knock-out 51 provided in the said pressure plate which provides a stop. The third apexes of operating levers 44 are similarly joined by bearing rods comprising rod 52 around which is rotatably mounted a roller 53 which is adapted'to'roll against the rear face of pressure plate 3 5, themovement of the said roller being limited by knock-out 54in the saidipressur'e plate which provides a stop.

As will be 'observed'from the drawings and from the foregoing description, the mounting of the operating levers to the pressure plates 'efiectively provides'a scissor action, the fulcrum-of the-scissors, namely therollerstc andfit, being movable.

The pressure plates normally tend .to close against oneanother due to the provision of pairs of U-shaped springs the ends of which are respectively secured to pressure plates *33 and 34 by means of knock- outs 55 and 5?.

In a circular opening provided in the valve retaining cover 22 is inserted a hollow discharge valve 57 which ismade' of rubber orsimilarresilient material.

Thisdischarge valve has an an- 1 i 4 nular groove in its side walls to retain it in the cover 22 and is provided with a circular opening at one end which is expandable to receive the usual neck 58 of a toothpaste tube or the like as shown in Fig. 3, the other end of the valve being provided with a narrow slit 59. When sufiicient pressure is applied to the tube 58, thereby forcing out the contents, the said contents will be ejected through the slit as shown at (it in Fig. 1, but as soon as the pressure on the tube is removed the slits will automatically close due to the natural resiliency of the rubber, thereby cutting oil the ribbon of paste being ejected.

Having described the mechanical components of the device, its operation will now be described in detail with particular reference to Figs. 5

through 11 in numerical sequence.

In Fig. 5 the squeezing mechanism is shown in its normal position at rest, or in other words in the position which it assumes at all times when the finger bars '4! and 43 are not subjected to any pressure. The mechanism is held in this position due to the tension provided by U-shaped springs 53;; acting on the upper ends of the pressure plates 33 and 34 causing the said upper ends to tend to close towards each other, this closing tendency being limited by the upper ends of the springs coming to rest against the top ends of the carriages 21, 21.

It should be noted that when the mechanism is at rest, the tips of the indexing rods 36 and 37 are each resting in one of the notches 32 of the indexing bars 26. Moreover there is a fulcruming action of the pressure plates about these indexing bars. Since the upper ends of the pressure plates have a tendency to close towards each other, the lower ends will have a tendency to spread apart due to the aforementioned fulcruming action, this spreading apart action being limited by the tubular rollers 5e and 53 journalled on the rods 39 and 52 respectively, which tubular rollersare limited in their travel by the knockouts 5i and 54 provided in the pressure plates 33 and t i on which the said rollers travel. It should also'be noted that each one of the four indexing springs 35 are'in th'is position in engagement with one of the notches 32 in the indexing bars 26.

The engagement of the springs 3! with the notches of the indexing barand the engagement of the ends of the indexing rods '36 and 31 with other notches of the indexing bars holds the squeezing mechanism firmly in its normal at rest position. The -mechanism being securely held by the several indexing springs 3i, the carriages 2?, 2? cannot move by gravity or by shock and therefore there isno danger of there being an untimely discharge of the contents of the tube. Moreover since the pressure plates are spread slightly apart when they are in the normal at rest position, the tube of tooth paste or the like may be removed from the dispenser if it should be so desired, whether the said tube is fully discharged or not; moreover since the tube is free between the pressure plates there is no danger of the contents of the tube untimely discharging.

When the finger bars 4! and 43 are moved towards each other by the pressure of the users finger so as to discharge the contents of the tube, the finger bars of the mechanism will gradually reach the position shown in Fig. 6. During the movement of operating levers M and 44 from their position in Fig. 5 to their position in Fig. 6, the pressure plates 33 and 34 are subjected to pressure-by rollers 50 and 53, causing the lower part of the plates to gradually close against the tube in a swinging motion. This swinging motion of the pressure plates takes place about the indexing rods 3'6 and 31 as fulcrums, and the mo-- tion is resisted by the tension of the springs 55 acting on the upper ends of the pressure plates. The scissor action of the operating levers 4| and 44 causes the rollers 5i and 53 to bear against the pressure plates, the said rollers gradually moving upwardly on the curved back surfaces of the pressure plates. When finally the mechanism assumes the position shown in Fig. 6, the tube is subjected to a definite squeezing action between the pressure plates. It should be noted that in this position, the indexing rods 36 and 31 still engage the same notches 32 of the indexing bars 26 which they were engaging in the position shown in Fig. 5, and moreover the indexing springs are still in engagement with their respective notches.

Under a continued finger pressure by the operator on the finger bars 41 and 48, the parts of the squeezing mechanism will gradually move from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, the relative operation of the parts being as hereinafter described.

Since the pressure plates are now'in contact with the tube, the tube causes greater resistance to the closing of the jaws than do the U-shaped springs 55, and thus the pressure plates will no longer fulcrum about the indexing rods 36 and 31 but will fulcrum about their constantly changin line of contact about the tube. Thus the pressure plates start a rolling motion causing their line of contact with the tube to move a slight distance towards the discharge end of the tube, thereby flattening out the tube by a distance equal to the distance the said line of contact has moved. Simultaneously with this action of the pressure plates 33 and 34 and as a result of the continued pressure by the operator on the finger bars 4'! and 48, the indexing rods 36 and 31 will swing out of engagement with the particular notches 32 in the index bars 26 and they will bear against the lower edges of cam-shaped apertures 39 and 43 which are provided in each of the carriages 21, 21.

During the motion of the squeezing mechanism from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, it should be noted that the rollers 50 and 53 travel further up along the back faces of the respective pressure plates while theyof course continue to press against the pressure plates as result of the pressure of the operator's fingers on the finger bars 41 and 48. Thus the resulting force of the operators finger pressure causes the finger bars to close more towards each other, and with the said rollers acting as fulcrums the lower ends of the pressure plates which are connected to the operating levers 4| and 44 by means of rods 43 and 45 will be brought closer to each other. However, it is not the lower extremities of the pressure plates which bear against the tube of paste, but it is a higher part.

of the pressure plates which have this bearing action; thus a good leverage action is provided.

When the mechanism gradually moves from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8, the indexing rods bearing against the lower edges of the cam-shaped apertures will strike the points of discontinuity or notches 39 and 40 in the said edges, and since the pressure plates are frictionally gripping the tube whereas the carriages are merely prevented from moving due to the engagement of the indexing springs 3| in some of the notches 32 of the indexing bars 26, the tension of the indexing springs will be overcome and the in'dexing' rods striking the notches in the cam-shaped apertures will cause the said carriages to move downwardly. Each of the four springs 3| will thus come to rest in engagement with the next lower notches 32 in the indexing bars 26.

Throughout the aforedescribed operations, the squeezing action of the pressure plates has been compressing the tube and therefore its contents were being ejected in a narrow ribbon through the slit 59, as shown at in Fig. 1.

Assuming that after the operator has squeezed the finger bars to the extent shown in Fig. 8 he releases the said finger bars, the pressure on the tube is immediately released and therefore the discharge of paste is interrupted. Under the infiuence of the springs 55, the pressure plates 33 and 34 and all the other parts of the mechanism are returned to their original position with respect to the carriages 21, 21 with the eXception that the indexing rods-35 and 31 will now be engaging notches 32 one step lower than the notches that they were engaging prior to the operator having ejected some paste from the tube. The mechanism will therefore now be in the position shown in'Fig. 9. In this figure, the mechanism is one step lower than it was as shown in Figs. 5-7, but the parts of the mechanism are in exactly the same relationship towards each other as they were in the position shown in Fig. 5.

The subsequent operations of the mechanism are identical to the aforedescribed operations, each substantial squeezing of the finger bars by the operator causing the mechanism to move downwardly by one notch. However should the operator not squeeze the finger bars to an extent sufficient to make the mechanism assume the position shown in Fig. 8, or in other words should he interrupt the squeezing operation, the squeezin mechanism will return to the position which it originally assumed prior to the interrupted squeezing operation. Assuming therefore that the operator releases the finger bars 41 and 48 when the squeezing mechanism has reached the position shown in Fig. '7, the indexing rods 35 and. 3'! will not have reached a position where they will cause the carriages 21, 2! to move downwardly. Therefore as soon as the operator's finger pressure is released from the finger bars the indexing rods will relocate themselves in their previous position. It should be noted that during the period of time however short after which the operator has released the finger bars and the mechanism is returning to the positions of rest shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 9, the indexing springs 3! are the controlling factors which hold the mechainsm in a definite position.

It should at this point be explained that one particular feature of the construction of the device disclosed and claimed herein is that with each squeezing operation the pressure plates au-' tomatically retrace part of the previously fiattened tube. This feature is the result of the initial fulcruming of the pressure plates 33 and 34 about the indexing rods 36 and 81. Therefore at the initiation ,of a squeezing operation the pressure plates will contact the tube at a location slightly short of the extent to which the tube was flattened in the previous squeezing operation. This feature insures a complete ironing out of the tube and therefore a thorough ejection of its contents.

Fig, 8. HQwever shouldt user so desire he may pr s t em totheext nt sh n nFis- 10, c usin the. indexing rods 36, and 3 1 to reach the extreme position of the cam shaped apertures 33 and 30. If the finger bars are squeezed to that extent, a large quantity of tube content will be discharged in. one. s ueeze, but this amount willv be greatly in. excess of; that. normally required. by the user. Thus, this extreme squeeze ing actionis therefore rarely if ever needed during the normal progressive dispensing of the contents of the tube, However this. maximum squeezing action insures the user being able toeject from the tube its. complete contents when it. is squeezed the last time. During this last operation. lips 6| provided. atthe lower edges of the pressure plates. will grip the tube against its neck and therefore any tendency that the pressure platesmight have to slip back will be minimized;

When after the final, squeezing operation to collapse the tube tothefiullest extent practicable, the operator releases; the finger bars 41 and 48 the, mechanism will assume, the position shown in Fig. 11, and it will be notedthat the pressure plates. are spread open to an extent greater than normal. This is dueto the fact that the indexing rods 36 and 3] come torest at 32 against theindexing bar 26; it will be noted that at 32 the indexing bars, have n notches, and there. fore the pressure plates cannot close to their normal position; This. feature enables the empty tube to be more easily removed from the dis-. penser. Moreovenwhen, a new tubeis inserted in the dispenser its upper end, will engage the pressureplates and: if thetube is pushed further the carriages 21, 21 will; be pushed back into the dispenser by the end of, the tube and the mechanism will be located at the correct position for use.

It is thought that, the construction and use of the invention willbe; apparent from the above description of'the; various parts and their purpose.- It is to be-understood. that the form of theinventionherewithshown and described is to be taken as a-preferred' example of the same and that various changes in. the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be'resortedto, without departingfrom the spirit of; the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim asm-y invention is:

1. A dispensing.- device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates disposed face to faceand arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one lever-of each pair being atopposite' sides ofthe plates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of eachof. the two levers at one side ofthepress-ure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two levers attheotherside of the pressureplates, another apex ofone pair of levers beingpivotally connected to thelowerend of one of the pressure-plates, another apex-of the other pair of; levers being pivotally connected to the lower; end of the other; pressure plate, and the re-. m-a-ining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate; to the lower; end of which the levers 0f? the other pair are-- connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lowerends of the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tube therebetween.

2. A dispensing device for collapsible, tubes somethin apai c lie d. pre sur p ates d nosed. fac o. race. and. arran d. o. receive a C0 lapsible. tube therebetweem a pair of, triangular* shaped levers, one. at. each, side of, the pressure, plates, each. lever having one apex. pivotally con, nected to the lower end of one of the. pressure. plates, another apex connected by. a finger bar tothe corresponding apex of the other lever, and a third apex connected by a. bearing rod to the corresponding apexoi the other lever, the said. bearing rod engagingthe back, of the other pressure, plate; another pair of triangular levers, one at each side of the, pressure plates, each lever having one apex pivotally connected to the lower endof the said other, pressure plate, another apex connected by a finger. bar. to the corresponding, apex of the other lover of the. pair, and a third angle connected by a, bearing. rod to the corresponding angle oi v the other lever, said bearing, rod engaging the. back oi the. pressure plate. to the lower endofiwhich thefirst mentionedpair of. pressure plates is connected; the, bearing. rod. of each, pair or levers providing a fulcrum about. which the levers pivot, wh n the. two finger barsv are pr ssed.towar sfeacn other. hereby. bringin the lower edges of the pressure plates closer to each other to collapse the tube therebetweem 3. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates dis.- posed face to face and arrangedto receive a colap i l ube h r b tw en, two. pairs. oi trian l lar levers, oneleyer of'eaoh pair being at opposite. sides o t piate nnse bars onnec in one oi; the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure plates to thecorresponding apexes. oi the two levers at the oth r side of the pressure plates, another apex of each of one pair ofjlevers.

being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, another apex of. the other, pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end, of the other pressure plate, and the remaining apex of'eachof' the levers, of each pair being connected by a bearing rod Whichis adapted to engage and fulcrum against the back of the, pressure plate to the lower end of which, the levers of the other. pair are connected, so that. when the two finger bars are pressed towards eachv other the pressure plateswill roll on each other as their lower ends close towardseach other.

4. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes. comprising apair of; curved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two.pairs of triangular leveraonelever of eachpair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure platesto the corresponding, apexes of the two lovers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex of'one pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, ano ther apex of the other. pair of levers being pivotally connected to the, lower end of theother pressure plate, the remaining apex of, the levers of; each pair being connee-te a arin wh ch. s. ad pted to. enga e. d f r m a ain t the. ack f the pressure. plate, to the lower end of which, the levers of the other p ar n e ted. so. that when. the two. fi e bars are. pr ss d: w rds. ea h. ther then ure la es w ll roll. on, each. other as. their lower, endsclose towa ds each her. and a op.

onthe back, of each, pressure plate adapted to; engage the, lower edge. of the bearing rod; so as.

to, limit the. extent. to which the lower ends of he pr ssu e plates. can. spread apart- A, dispensing dev ce, for; collapsible tubes cnmprising apa r. o curved pressure plates dis? posed face to face and arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one lever of each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two levers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, another apex of the other pair oflevers being pivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tube therebetween, and a spring connecting the two pressure plates at a point above the region where the bearing rods fulcrum against the pressure plates, the said spring being adapted to normally urge the upper ends and therefore the lower ends apart.

6. .A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one lever of each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, fingers bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two levers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, another apex of the other pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tube therebetween, an indexing rod secured to each pressure plate and extending transversely thereof beyond at least one side thereof, a carriage at each side of the pressure plates having therein two spaced apart apertures in which the ends of the indexing rods are loosely mounted and by which the pressure plates are connected to the carriage, indexing bars on which each carriage is adapted to travel, and a casing to which the indexing bars are secured.

'7. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one lever of each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two. levers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, another apex of the other pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tube therebetween, an indexing rod secured to each 10 pressure plate and extending transversely thereof beyond at least one side thereof, a carriage at each side of the pressure plates having therein two spaced apart apertures in which the ends of the indexing rods are loosely mounted and by which the pressure plates are connected to the carriages, notched indexing bars on'which each carriage is adapted to travel, and indexing springs secured to the carriages and adapted to engage the notches of the indexing bars thereby frictionally retaining the carriage in its various indeXed positions.

8. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one lever of each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two levers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, another apex of the other pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tube therebetween, an indexing rod secured to each pressure plate and extending transversely thereof beyond at least one side thereof, a casing, indexing bars secured to the casing, and a carriage at each side of the pressure plates adapted to travel on one of the indexing bars, each carriage having therein two spaced apart apertures in which the ends of the indexing rods are loosely mounted and by which the pressure plates are connected to the carriage, the indexing bars having on their operative edges an elevated portion with which the indexing rods engage when the pressure plates are at their lowermost position in the casing, the said elevated portions limiting the extent to which the indexing rods of each pressure plate may approach each other and thus preventing the pressure plates from closing against each other beyond a predetermined limit when they are at their lowermost position in the casing.

9. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one lever of each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressure plates to the corresponding apex of the two levers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure'plates, another apex of the other pair of levers being, pivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tube therebetween, an indexing rod secured to each pressure plate and extending transversely thereto beyond at least one side thereof, a casing, notched indexing'bars secured to the casing, and a carother to collapse the tube therebetween, the pressure plates having on their inner face at their lower edge a ridge adapted to grip the shoulder of the tube to prevent the plates from slipping on the tube and sliding back when the plates attempt to collapse the tube around the region of the firm shoulder.

ELOF F. OLSEN.

REFERENCES CITED Number 14 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Clegg Sept. 2, 1924 Bishop et al Nov. 9, 1926 Bishop et a1 Jan. 29, 1929 Lawton Feb. 3, 1931 Prick Feb. 17, 1931 Glaser Oct. 11, 1932 Mills May 23, 1933 Brehm June 26, 1934 Johnner July 16, 1935 Spenser Oct. 28, 1941

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