Dispensing – With discharge assistant – Fluid pressure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-27
2001-01-30
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
Fluid pressure
C222S321500, C222S321900, C222S321400, C222S383100, C222S385000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179170
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a dispenser assembly and, more particularly, to an insert tank member which allows for inverted and upright use of the dispenser, without the use of a dip tube extending to the bottom of the dispenser.
Dispensers are widely used for dispensing various products such as household cleaners, hair spray, perfume, deodorant products, and the like, to name a few. Such dispensers typically employ either a trigger or finger pump assembly for directing a stream of fluid, or pressurized gas for forming an aerosol upon depression of a button spray nozzle. In either case, it is common for the pump or spray assembly to include a dip tube which must be immersed in liquid product to be dispensed in order to provide proper dispensing of the liquid. This leads to frequent problems when using the dispenser in an inverted position, since the tip of the dip tube can be exposed extending upward out of the liquid supply.
A number of efforts have been made in order to attempt to address this problem. Despite these efforts, however, the need remains for a reliable and effective mechanism whereby a dispenser can be operated in an inverted position.
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which can be operated in inverted and other non-upright positions as well as in the upright position.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a dispenser having a simple and reliable structure.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an insert member which can be employed in a wide variety of conventional dispenser assemblies so as to allow such dispenser assemblies to be operated in inverted and/or non-upright positions.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.
In accordance with the invention, a dispenser is provided which comprises a container defining a main reservoir for holding a liquid product; a nozzle assembly connected to said container for dispensing liquid from said container; and an inner tank member disposed in said container and defining an active reservoir for holding said liquid product, said inner tank member including an inlet communicating said active reservoir with said main reservoir, said nozzle assembly being communicated with said active reservoir.
In further accordance with the present invention, an insert is provided for a dispenser, which insert comprises
a substantially cylindrical member having a sidewall defining an inner space and having an open end and a closed end; an inlet in said sidewall for allowing flow from exterior of said member to said inner space; and a valve in said closed end for selectively blocking and allowing flow through said closed end.
The insert and dispenser of the present invention are readily useful for trigger-operated pumps or spray assemblies, finger pumps, pressurized aerosol dispensers and the like.
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Bachman & LaPointe P.C.
Jacyna J. Casimer
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