US2678754A - Dispenser for creams contained in collapsible tubes - Google Patents

Description

l. KIRSNER May 18, 1954 DISPENSER EoR cREANs CONTAINED 1N coLLAPsIELE TUBES Filed March 25, yi948 INVENTOR. Isaac j'nsner BY Patented May 18, 1954 FFICE DISPENSER FOR CREAMS CONTAINED IN COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved means for dispensing toothpastes, shaving cream, and similar products which are conveniently marketed in collapsible tubes.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a construction such as to enable a radically new method of operation, departing from the trend of the prior art to an extent that will enable, or make possible, its use, not only when aixed to a wall, but to other holding means, including those that are portable, or unattached.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a standard or universal means for ready insertion, or removal, of the device proper. into any of its various holding means, and to be interchangeable among them.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a dispensing means of the character described which expresses all of the contents of a collapsible tube without waste or spoilage, and .in accordance with the accepted principles of sanitation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing means of the character described which has a wholly desirable appearance, so that it is not merely a functional asset to the bathroom in the average home, but it is also an aesthetic asset which enhances its appearance.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is shown on the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. l is a side View thereof, showing a collapsible container mounted thereon in operative (as shown by the dotted lines) and inoperative position, said figure being partly in section on the line l--l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof with some parts in section;

"Fig, 3 is a fragmentary detailed section through the actuating mechanism of the device;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line li-t of 3, with the cover plate removed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section in detail of part of the mechanism of the device;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. is a longitudinal section through a valve mechanism of the device through which the contents of the tube may be dispensed;

Fig. 8 is a similar section through another valve used for the same purpose; and

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical section showing the manner in which the device may be connected to any suitable apertured support available.

The device herein claimed comprises several main parts: A supporting bracket l0; a tube holding mechanism' i a tube locking mechanism l2; an actuating mechanism I3 by which the contents of the tube I4 may be expressed; and a valve mechanism l5 through which the contents may be dispensed.

The device is provided with a supporting means IB, the principal feature of which is a socket 20, adapted to hold a post 2| of the bracket i8. The supporting means, however, need not necessarily be a wall bracket, but may comprise any holding means embodying a socket, including portable means capable of being supported, unattached, on a horizontal surface. An important reason for the post and socket arrangement is that it renders possible the production of the device proper on a uniform basis to be adaptable with any holding or supporting means, which necessarily diifer from each other. The support it may be provided with openings 22 adapted to accommodate a plurality of toothbrushes. This feature is, of course, not essential to the present invention. In Fig. 9 there is shown a suitable support or plate |03 having an opening 22 therein. In order to accommodate the post 2| in association therewith, I provide a tubular member |04 of an inner diameter to accom- `modate the post 2| and provided with a screw thread in its bottom wall. This member is placed over the opening 22 and a screw |05 is extended up through the opening with a washer it@ disposed beneath its head and against the bottom of the support |03 and engages the threaded wall of the member |04. This provides a simple means whereby the post 2| may be accommodated with respect to` any type of support so lcng as there is an opening therein to permit the tube it to be mounted thereon.

The support I6 may be aixed to the bathroom wall be means of screws 2li. In such case the support would be removable. Where the wall is made of tile and it is desired to install the device herein claimed as a permanent fixture, the support I6 may be cemented to the tile wall or it may be made integral therewith during the constructional operation by which the wall itself is made. The post and socket arrangement above mentioned enables the device herein claimed to be removed at will from the wall holder l or support of another kind and to be reintroduced therein when desired. This facilitates cleaning both the wall iixture and the dispensing device, and it also makes it possible to swivel the dispensing device into a desired position so that the contents may be dispensed wherever desired.

The bracket |0 which supports the device herein claimed has, as has already been indicated, a

post 2| which nts into a socket in the wall bracket I6. Mounted on the post 2| is a yoke 50 which supports the device proper. Its two upper ends are provided with holes through which the tube holding mechanism Il extends and in which it is adapted to rotate. This tube holding mechanism II comprises an outer tubular member 3| and an inner tubular member 32. These tubular members are movable with respect to each other, and they are provided, respectively, with slots 33 and 34 which are located to register with each other when the two tubes are brought into a given position relative to each other. When it is desired to mount the tooth paste tube I4 on the carrying member II, the two slots or openings 33 and 3d; are brought into registration with each other. The closed or flat end of the tube is then inserted into these two openings and the tubes are then caused to move relatively until the slots move out of registration to the extent that the collapsible tube inserted therein will permit. A gripping action is thereby set up which grips the end of the collapsible tube and holds it tightly in place.

Connected to the outer tube 3|, or integral therewith, as desired, is an enlarged portion or collar 36 and an annular flange 31 connected thereto. This collar 3S extends through the bore 38 in yoke 30 and the bearing contact between the outer tube and the yoke takes place between said collar 36 and the yoke at this bore 3B. The collar is not however an essential part of the mechanism. Reference is here being made solely to one end of tube 3| and more particularly to the means l2 for its supporting member II. The inner tube 32 is also provided with an annular flange 39, and it will be seen that annular flanges 3l' and 39 are parallel to and in contact with each other. An integral wall 4|) is formed on the periphery of the flange 39 and extends over the rim of the flange 31 and may be manipulated as aknob when desired. A screw 43 set into the flange 3'1 extends through a slot 44 in the flange 39 and on its end receives a nut 42 Which will clamp the two nanges together when the nut is tightened.

In order to move the two tubes relatively to each other it is necessary to loosen the nut 42 and then grasp either the wall 4e or the .knob 64 at the other end of the inner tube 32. By turning on either of these two elements the inner tube can be turned with respect to the outer tube and the gripping engagement of the elements on the toothpaste tube I4 can be increased or decreased as desired. This operation of course is on the assumption that the pin S is engaged in the teeth of the wheel 60 to hold the outer tube from rotation. When the proper grip is obtained then the nut 42 is tightened to maintain the gripping engagement on the tube I4.

On the opposite side of the yoke 3Q is a recess 50 which accommodates a pawl 5| pivoted at 52 and a ratchet wheel 53 against which the pawl is urged by means of a spring 54. A plate 49 covers the recess and conceals its contents. The ratchet wheel 53 is connected to a collar 55 which is mounted for rotation on outer tube or sleeve 3|. This side of yoke 30 is also provided with a bore 5'1 corresponding to the bore 38 on the opposite side of the yoke. The collar 55 extends through the bore 5'! and its provides a bearing for the outer sleeve 3|. Fixedly mounted on collar 55 is a toothed wheel 69 which moves integrally with the collar 55, and the ratchet wheel 53. The pawl 5| allows rotation of the locking the collapsible tube on.

ratchet wheel and hence of the collar and toothed wheel in one direction but not in the opposite direction. The end of sleeve 3| is provided with a cup-shaped knob 63 fixed thereto in any suitable manner and it has pins 65 inwardly projecting therefrom which are adapted to engage with the teeth of the wheel 60 when the sleeve 3| is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 3. The left hand position thus mentioned is the normal position of the parts.

When it is desired to dispense the contents of the tube I4, with the pin 65 engaging the teeth of wheel 6G, the knob 63 is actuated until the collapsible tube I4 is brought into the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. The tube I4 is then moved forward and over by hand in the direction of the arrow in said gure so that the pressure of its Walls against the holding mechanism results in expressing the contents when the exit valves are operated as will be described. When in the course of use the dispensing end of the tube I 4 has reached a point too low for convenient operation, it is then raised to a more convenient height by actuating the knob 63 as before. The downward pressure by hand upon said tube I4 for expressing its contents, alternated with its upward adjustment by the rotation of the knob 63 for more convenient pressure positions has the.

effect of rolling up the tube I4 upon the sleeve 3| as will be apparent.

It is seen that the pins 65 on the knob 63 occupy such positions that they may be meshed.

with, or released from the toothed wheel 60 when the mechanism is moved to the left or to the right respectively. This longitudinal movement of the holding means I I is accomplished by grasping the knob E3 and pulling the same to the right or pushing it to the left as the case may be. When pulled to the right the pins 65 are automatically disengaged from the wheel 60. It will be seen from an examination of Figs. 3 and 5 that the length of the holding means is such as to permit this left and right movement. When pins 65 are thus released from the wheel 60, holding mechanism I i is then free to rotate in either direction and thus it is possible to unroll the tube I4 with a single pull by hand. For completerelease of the tube I4 the nut 42 must be loosened to remove the grip of the sleeves 3| and 32 on the end of the tube I4.v

Since the pins 65 are normally in engagement with the wheel 60, it is not necessary to engage them and their disengagement is merely for the purpose of moving the holding means in either direction to remove the tube I4 as explained. Nor is it always necessary, except occasionally, to actuate knob G3 to elevate the tube I4, since it is possible to combine a holding mechanism large enough in circumference, with a collapsible tube sufficiently thick in girth as to enable one to obtain several helpings of the contents without resort to any other motion, or eiTort than mere hand pressure upon the collapsible tube I4. Downward, or arc-like pressure either upon the collapsible tube directly or through pressure upon the dispensing valve, as well as actuation of the knob 53 for adjustment to a moi'e con-venient pressing position causes only rotational move-A ment of all the parts affected. Consequently, no

force is brought to bear tangentially upon the de unattached, or port-v vice as a whole so that an ablefsupport would be stable enough to be employed.

To insure controlled dispensing of the contents of the tube I4, valve mechanism I5 is provided. The preferred form of valve is shown in Fig. 7, and comprises a barrel 'I0 which is tapped at one end for engagement with the screw threads of the neck of tube I4. A set screw 'II is provided to prevent rotation of the barrel on the neck of said tube. There is an opening 'VI in the barrel adjacent the neck of the tube I4, and it is through this opening that the contents of the tube may be expressed. A sliding door 'I8 is mounted on barrel le to opening '17. A piston member it is connected to the slidable door 1S through another opening et in the side of the barrel "ill by means ci" web la. A rod t! mounted longitudinally of the barrel is connected to piston 'I9 and said rod extends outwardly from the barrel and is connected at its outer end to a button or knob B2. When said button is pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7, the slidable door I8 is thereby moved away from opening I'I and the `contents of the collapsible tube I4 may be extruded or expressed therefrom. To separate the chamber of piston i9 from the contents of the tube Ifl there is formed a closed partition 85 just below the end of rod Si. It will be noted that the outward movement of button 82 opposed by a compression spring B3 which at one end abuts the end wall 84 of barrel 'iii and at its opposite end abuts piston 59. Since the piston 79, the rod 3l, and the button 82, as well as door iii, move as a unit, it is evident that the spring action will resist movement of these four members in the direction or" the arrow in Fig. 7 and that when the button 82 is released, spring 83 will return said four members to the positions in which they are shown in Fig. '7. To prevent the button S2 from being pulled outwardly beyond a predetermined point, a small head or ange S5 is formed at the inner end of the rod 8 I. This head engages a partition 35 in barrel 'Iii when button 8?. is pulled outwardly to the predetermined limit of its outward movement.

Another form of valve is shown in Fig. S and comprises a housing 9| which corresponds to barrel Iii or" the form just described. Housing 9i has a central opening or chamber 92 formed therein which has a threaded or tapped portion 9i. which is adapted for engagement with the neck ci the tube Ill in the same manner as the other form. Set screw 94 engages the neck of the tube Iii to hold valve Si) thereon. An opening 95 is formed in one side of the housing SI, and it is through this opening that the contents of the tube may be expressed. A door 96 slidable in a groove 96 on the face of housing SI is provided as a closure for said opening 95 and is controlled by means oi' a bell crank 91. Said bell crank is pivoted to housing SI by pin QS and said crank is provided with a notch 99 engaging a flange lil formed at the outer end of the door t. When crank 91 is depressed against or in the direction of housing 9i, an outward movement or" its end 98 will cause an upward movement or" door ed thus uncovering opening 95 whereby the contents of the tube Ili may pass out. There is a coiled compression spring IGI mounted in a bore ormed in housing 9i and a button |02 is on the outer end of said spring and provided with a shank or tail extending into said spring to hold the button in place at the spring end. This button bears against the inner side of lever or crank 91 urges it outwardly as shown in Fig. 8 and tends to maintain it in this position. Thus after the crank is pressed provide a closure for t tatable relative to each and released it springs back into position and` closes the door 9B.

It is clear that these valves function in cooperation with the holding mechanism previously set forth. When the butto-n 82, for example, is pulled out in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7 the same pulling force may be used to tilt or roll the tube around the holding means and thereby compress it to expel the material. Also when crank 91 is depressed the same motion tends to move the tube Ill to compress it and expel its contents.

While the invention has been described in detail and shown with respect to the accompanying drawing, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modiiications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the language and scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device for dispensing paste from collapsible containers which comprises a support, a pair of nested slotted tubes thereon, said tubes being rotatable relative to each other to grip the end of said collapsible container in said slots, means to lock said tubes in gripping relation, said tubes being shiitable axially on said support, and means to latch said tubes against rotary movement in one direction when axially shifted to one position, said latching means being released when the tubes are shifted axially in the opposite direction whereby the tubes as a unit may be rotated in either direction.

2. A device for dispensing paste from collapsible containers which comprises a support, a pair of nested slotted tubes thereon, said tubes being roother to grip the end of said collapsible container in said slots, adjacent anges on respective ends of said tubes, and screw and slot adjustments on said flanges to permit said relative rotation of said tubes.

3. A device for dispensing paste from collapsible containers which comprises a support, a pair of nested slotted tubes thereon, said tubes being shifta-ble axially on said support, and means to latch said tubes against rotary movement in one direction when axially shifted to one position, said latching means being released when the tubes are shifted axially in the opposite direction whereby the tubes as a unit may be rotated in either direction.

Li. A device for dispensing paste from collapsible containers which comprises a support, a pair of nested slotted tubes thereon, said tubes being r0- tatable relative to each other to grip the end of said collapsible container in said slots, adjacent nan-ges on respective ends of said tubes, screw and slot adjustments on said flanges to permit said relative positioning of said tubes, said tubes being shiftable axially on said support, a ratchet and pawl mechanism disposed between said tubes and the support at the other end oi said tubes, said ratchet mechanism being effective when the tubes are shifted axially in one direction and ineffective when the tubes are shifted in the other direction.

5. A dispenser for creams contained in collapsible tubes, said dispenser comprising a frame, a pair of sleeves mounted in said frame for rotation relative to each other and relative to the frame, one of said sleeves being disposed within the other and both being provided with slots which may be brought into registration with each other by rotating the sleeves relatively to each other, said sleeves being adapted to grip the sealed end of a collapsible tube between them in their said registering slots when said sleeves are rotated relatively to each other until stopped by the sealed end of the tube, a set screw for holding said sleeves in such locked position relative to the collapsible tube, a ratchet construction mounted on said frame and engaging said sleeves, whereby the sleeves are permitted to rotate in a single direction only, and a release mechanism whereby the connection between the sleeves and the ratchet construction may be broken to allow the sleeves to rotate in either direction.

6. A dispenser in accordance with claim 5 in which the frame is provided with a vertical post to be received in a vertical socket support, thereby enabling the collapsible tube mounted thereon to be turned in either direction for dispensing purposes.

5 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,783,131 Wou Jan. 6, 1931 1,797,727 La spisa Mar. 24, 1931 '1U 1,913,759 Jacobson et a1 June 13, 1933 1,927,273 clark sept. 19, 1933 1,939,575 smith Dec. 12, 1933 1,961,880 Hine et al June 5, 1934 1,977,796 Klein oct. 23, 1934 l 2,197,256 whine Jan.16,194o 2,307,597 Malouf Jan. 5, 1943

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