US2635789A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

April 21, 1953 J. GABLER DISPENSING DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 F/Ty.

s. l f l l n n I I u l l l l l I l l l r a i l n I i r I I I I l l l l i n mms/role. /osff GBLER dumm@ @060mm *dm/mu from/E ys Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in containers for dispensing semi-fluid or pasty substances such as lotions, creams, etc., and has particular reference to containers provided with rell units for the replacement of the material to be dispensed from the container, when the initial supply is exhausted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for dispensing pasty substances embodying a refill lunit which container may be employed only with the rell unit of the invention.

A further object is to provide a rell unit for containers and other devices employed to dispense pasty substances, constructed in such manner that it may be employed only with the container of the invention, preventing the substitution of goods of other manufacturers for use with the container.

A further object is to provide an inexpensively constructed container for dispensing pasty substances whioh upon exhaustion of the initial supply of pasty substance may be resupplied by the insertion of an inexpensively constructed rell unit in the container.

Yet a further object is to provide a rell unit for dispensing mechanisms which is deformed when inserted in the container so as to prevent reuse.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View of the invention in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section of a modified form of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section of a further embodiment thereof;

Figure 4 is a view in vertical section of a, modified form of the embodiment shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a View in vertical section of a further embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are plan views of key devices which may be employed in dispensing pasty substances from the container;

Figure A10 is a cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figure 1, taken along the line Ill-I0;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a refill unit cover device formed with a mechanism for securing the refill unit within the container;

Figure 12 is a view of a modified form thereof; and

Figure 13 is a perspective View of .a further form of cover device for use with the rell mechanism.

In its broadest concept, the invention embodies a container for dispensing pasty substances provided with ta dispensing oriice means for receiving and positioning refill units in the container, and an ejector mechanism in the base of the container cooperating with mechanism in the rell unit to effect the discharge of substances contained in the rell unit, through the dispensing orice. The rell unit is provided with means cooperating with the container to secure the refill unit in operative position for relative rotation with the container, to effect discharge of the contents of the refill unit. In one embodiment of the invention, means are provided on the rell unit which are deformed upon insertion of the container into the refill unit to prevent further use of the rell unit after exhaustion of the initial contents.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1-5 show preferred forms of the invention, like numbers referring to similar parts. The outer container preferably is in the form of an elongated cylindrical casing Ill made of any suitable material resistant to wear and corrosion, such as metal or plastic. The casing Ill is provided with a bottom II formed with an indented portion I2 providing a recess forming a seat I3 for a helical spring I4 positioned centrally of the base plate and extending upwardly along the longitudinal axis of the casing II). The spring I4 preferably is formed of fiat or ribbon metal in helical form, the top helix thereof being shaped as a key I5, possible constructionslofthe key being shown in Figures 6 through 9. The spring I4 may be compressed to provide position resilient pressure available for action upon mechanism in a refill unit which may be inserted in the container, to effect extrusion of the pasty substance contained in the rell unit, in a manner to be described.

Referring to Figure 1, the wall of the container 'I0 is pressed outwardly to form a channel IB extending around the periphery thereof. An inner casing or sleeve Il is provided with a peripheral indentation I 8 adapted to t into the channel I6 in the outer casing I0, supporting the sleeve I1 rotatably in relation thereto, but securing the sleeve against free relative longitudinal movement. The upper extremity or lip I 9 of the sleeve is indented to form a seat 2U adapted to receive and secure a rei-lll unit in the container, the sleeve I1 being slotted longitudinally at 2| from the lip 9 downwardly midpoint of the length thereof at a plurality of points shown as force, to provide a spring action for receiving and securing the renll unit upon insertion.

The refill unit comprises a tubular member 22 threaded at 23 on the inner surface, and provided with a cover Z; formed with a shoulder 25 fitting in the seat 2t of the sleeve il. The cover 2d is provided with protrusions 2t on the edge thereof adapted to iit into the slots 2i of the inner casing il. as shown in Figure l0, to ensure that rotation of the cover Zfl will also cause rotation of the sleeve il. The cover 2li is pressed out to form an extrusion cup 2l having a discharge orifice 28 in the center.

The tubular member 22 is provided with a base member 29 forming a piston, which is also threaded to engage with the threads 23 `on the inner walls of the member 22. Actuation yof the piston 29 is accomplished by `means of a reinforcing member or piston support Sil extending substantially across the under surface of the piston 29 and also engaging with the threads 23 on the inner walls of the tubular member 22 directly adjacent and supporting the peripheral edge of the piston 29, with an extension 30a. The support 3@ is stamped out or otherwise formed to provide a downwardly extending element forming a coupling member 3l. The coupling member 3l is provided with a projection 32 extending through the piston 29 to secure the members in fixed relationship, for mutual axial rotation. The coupling 3l is adapted to be engaged with the key I of the spring E13, upon insertion of the refill unit into the container. Thus, it will be seen that rotation of the refill cover 24 with the hand, rotates the refill unit and the sleeve il of the container. The piston 2Q, being secured against rotational movement by the coupling 3l and key I5, travels upwardly on the threads 2S under the pressure of the spring lll to discharge a desired amount of Ythe pasty substance contained in the refill unit through the orifice 28.

in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the sleeve l1 of Figure 1 is eliminated. The refill unit cover 24 is provided with a downwardly depending shoulder 33 corrugated as at 3d, the shoulder being slotted longitudinally at a plurality of points aroundv its edge as at 35, to provide a series of resilient compressible extensions, which normally are ilared out-upwardly from the longitudinal axis of the container. Four such slots 35 are adequate for this purpose. The container l@ is provided with an inwardly directed edge 35, adapted to engage positively with the corrugations 3A under spring pressure to secure the rell unit in the container in a manner permitting of relative rotation, but preventing free relative longitudinal movement. Operation of the container to discharge the pasty contents thereof through the orifice 28 is as previously described.

In Figure 3, the container lll is provided with a cover 31, and has a peripheral channel 33 indented in the upper edge of the container wall. The reiill unit 22 is provided with a cover 39 positioned inside the container cover 3l in close tting relationship, and provided with a discharge tube d protruding through discharge orifice 23 in cover 2l. The refill cover 39 is formed with downwardly extending anges 4l as shown in Figure 11, shown as four in number, the iianges being normally biased outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the container. At least two of the iianges 4l are formed with extensions 42 having a bead 431 adapted to t into the channel 38 on the container wall, securing the refill unit cover 39 in rotatable relationship with the container. The shorter anges 4l serve to join the refill unit cover 39 to the container cover 37. The flanges il on the refill unit cover 39 are deformed by compression thereof in assembling the container, effecting the necessary adhesion between the lcontainer cover, the container and the rei-lll unit cover.

Operation of the device is the same as has been described, extrusion of the contents of the refill unit being accomplished by mutual rotation of the container cover 37 and rell cover 39, relative to the container l.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4, wherein the rell unit is secured in rotatable relationship with the outer container it by means of a revolving ring dii, see Figure 13, having projections on the periphery thereof adapted to engage with the channel 3B on the wall of the container lil. The ring M is provided with an inwardly extending portion 45 on the bottom thereof which is slotted at il to provide a plurality of resilient arms adapted to engage with and retain the refill unit against free longitudinal movement when inserted in the container lil. A cover i3 for the reill unit is shown in detail in Figure l2, being similar to the construction employed in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 except that depending iiared anges it are of the same length, being adapted to secure the container cover 31 and the refill cover 4B in fixed relationship by engagement with the inner walls of the container cover 37.

In operation, the container cover 3'! is rotated axially by the operator, which in turn rotates the rell unit through frictional engagement with the rell cover 48. The refill unit itself rotates freely with the ring 4l! which rides in the channel 35i in the container lil, to effect operation of the piston 29 by means of the piston advancing threads 23 on the inner walls of the renil unit 22.

In Figure 5, the revolving ring i4 of Figure 4 is shown as a sleeve 5E) longitudinally slotted at 5i, inserted in the container l0 and held in position by a lip 52 formed on the outer container wall. A refill cover 53 includes an outwardly flared flange 54 serving to secure the container cover 31 and the rell unit cover 53 in relatively xed relationship, the ange being slotted longitudinally at several points '55 to impart compressibility and resilience thereto. An extension 56 is provided on the downwardly depending walls of the cover 53 being slotted longitudinally as at 5l to provide a plurality of resilient, cornpressible members adapted to engage frictionally with the inner walls of the rotating sleeve 50, accomplishing rotation of the refill unit relative to the container it, when the cover 3'! of the container I t is rotated.

It will be noted that when it is desired to replace a rell unit in the container for the purposes of recharging the container for further use, in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the refill unit may be removed easily by exerting a withdrawing pressure thereon, snapping `the refill unit free of the retaining members on the container or the rotating sleeve. The used refill unit may be discarded to waste, or recharged for reuse. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 5, the exhausted rell unit is withdrawn from the container, snapped free of the container cover, and a new rell unit substituted therefor.

The invention may be constructed of any materials suitable for use to accomplish the purposes described, such as plastics, light metals and the like. The invention is not to be regarded as limited to the use of any specific materials for this purpose.

While the invention has been described with reference to specic embodiments of the invention it is not to be regarded as limited to the specic details shown for purposes of description, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container for dispensing pasty substances comprising an outer container, a sleeve in the outer container capable of relative rotation therewith, an interchangeable rell unit forming an inner container engaging the sleeve for mutual rotation therewith relative to the outer container, a dispenser forming a part of the reiill unit, and means on the outer container cooperating with the dispensing means for dispensing pasty substance from the refill unit upon mutual rotation of the said refill unit and sleeve relative to the outer container.

2. A container for dispensing pasty substances comprising an outer container, a sleeve in the outer container capable or relative rotation therewith and secured against relative longitudinal movement, a refill unit forming an inner container frictionally engaging the sleeve for mutual axial rotation therewith, the said rell unit being capable of longitudinal movement relative to the sleeve for replacement purposes, a dispenser iorming a part of the rell unit, and means on the outer container cooperating with the dispensing means for dispensing pasty substances irom the rell unit upon mutual rotation of the said unit and sleeve relative to the outer container.

3. A device for dispensing pasty substances comprising a container, a reiill unit containing a pasty substance for insertion in the container, a cover on the refill unit having an extrusion orice, a plurality of downwardly extending members on the reiill cover compressible to permit insertion in the container and irictionally engaging the container for relative rotation therewith upon insertion of the refill unit in the container, and dispensing mechanism in the refill unit actuated by relative rotation of the container and the refill unit.

4. A device for dispensing pasty substances comprising a container, a reiill unit containing a pasty substance for insertion in the container, a cover on the refill unit having an extrusion oriiice, a plurality of downwardly extending compressible flanges on the cover normally ared outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the refill unit, the said flanges compressible to allow insertion within the container and frictionally engaging with the container for relative rotation of the container and refill unit upon insertion of the refill unit in the container and securing the refill unit against free longitudinal movement relative to the container, and dispensing mechanism in the refill unit actuated by rotation of the refill unit relative to the container.

5. A device for dispensing pasty substances comprising a container, an interchangeable rell unit containing a pasty substance for insertion in the container, a cover on the container having an extrusion orice, a cover on the refill unit having an extrusion oricefin register with the orice in the container cover, a plurality of resilient flanges on the rell cover frictioinally securing the container cover to the refill cover, means securing the refill unit in the container for relative axial rotation therewith, and dispensing mechanism in the refill unit actuated by rotation of the refill unit relative to the container.

6. In a device for dispensing pasty substances, a rell unit containing a pasty substance to be dispensed comprising a tubular member, a cover on the tubular member provided with an extrusion orifice, a piston member forming the bottom of the tubular member for forcing material from the tubular member through the extrusion orifice, a piston support, and an extension on the piston support having a portion forming a key for operation of the piston and having a second portion passing through the piston to lock the piston and the support against relative rotation.

'7. In a device for dispensing pasty substances, a refill unit containing a pasty substance to be dispensed comprising a tubular member having threaded inner walls, a cover on the tubular member having an extrusion orice, resilient members on the cover for securing the refill unit in a dispensing device, a piston forming the bottom of the tubular member and being in threaded engagement with the inner walls of the tubular member for reciprocation longitudinally of the tube, and a member for securing the piston against mutual rotation with the tubular member to effect longitudinal movement of the piston to extrude pasty substance through the extrusion orifice in the cover of the tubular member.

8. In a device for dispensing pasty substances, a refill unit containing a pasty substance to be dispensed comprising a tubular member having threaded inner walls, a piston forming the bottom of the tubular member and in threaded engagement with said inner walls for reciprocation longitudinally of the tubular member upon relative rotation, a piston support resting adjacent the piston and in threaded engagement with said inner walls, a member on the support securing the support and piston against relative rotation, and a depending projection on the support forming a key for actuation of the piston.

9. A device for dispensing pasty substances comprising an outer container having a cylindrical bore, a circumferential shoulder on the inner surface of the outer container, a reiill unit comprising an interiorly threaded inner container for the pasty substance adapted to be inserted within the outer container, a cover member on the rell unit frictionally engaging the inner container and having a downwardly extending flange cornpressible for insertion into the outer container past the shoulder, said flange adapted to engage the shoulder on the outer container to permit relative rotation between the outer container and the cover member and prevent relative longitudinal movement, an outlet orifice in the cover member, a piston within the inner container in threaded engagement with the inner walls thereof, an opening in the piston, a piston support in threaded engagement with the inner Walls of the inner container, said piston support having a key member adapted to extend through the opening in the piston to cause the piston and follower to rotate as a unit, and compressible means engaging the piston support and the outer container whereby upon turning the outer container relative to the cover member the piston rotates relatively to the inner container to force the pasty substancey therefrom.

le. A device for dispensing pasty substances comprising an outer container having a cylindri cal bore, a circumferential shoulder on the inner surface of the outer container, a refill unit comprising an interiorly threaded inner container for the pasty substance adapted to be inserted Within the outer container, a cover member on the refill unit frictionally engaging the inner container and having a downwardly extending flange compressible for insertion into the outer container past the shoulder, said flange adapted to engage theshoulder on the outer container to permit relative rotation between the outer container and the cover member and prevent relative longitudinal movement, an outlet orifice in the cover member, a piston Within the inner container in threaded engagement with the inner Walls thereof, an opening in the piston, a piston support in threaded engagement with the inner Walls of the inner container, said piston support having a key member adapted to extend through the opening in the piston to cause the piston and follower to rotate as a unit, a non-round boss on the lower surface of the piston support, and compressible means having a key for engaging the boss on the piston support and the outer container whereby upon turning the outer container relative to the cover member the piston 25 Number rotates relatively-to the inner container to force the pasty substance therefrom.

l1. AA container for dispensing pasty substances comprising an outer container having a cylindrical bore',v a circumferential shoulder on the inner surface of the outer container, an inner container having an interiorly threaded surface and adapted to nt Within the outer container, a resilient member interposed between the Walls of the two containers and engaging the shoulder and the inner container to allow relative rotation of the two containers and prevent relative longitudinal movement, paste dispensing means in the inner container in engagement with said threaded surface, and a member on the outer container operating the paste dispensing means along the threaded surface on the inner container when one of the containers is rotated relative to the other.

JOSEF GABLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Stepelton Dec. 2, 1930 Wuest Jan. 3, 1933 Janer July 31, 1934 Calderara July 30, 1935

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