Dispensing – Collapsible wall-type container – With wall-collapsing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-29
2001-06-26
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Collapsible wall-type container
With wall-collapsing means
C222S105000, C222S135000, C222S336000, C222S387000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250505
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fluid dispensers.
In the field of fluid dispensing, particularly the dispensing of toiletries such as shaving gels, lotions, etc., much of the present-day packaging employs either pressure, provided by fluorocarbons or other propellants, or hand-operated pumps.
Pressurized containers often provide excellent dispensing performance. However, these containers are generally pressurized in excess of 30 psi and at times may provide a seal leak, in which instance the package becomes incapable of expelling its contents. Pressure leaks can occur in many areas, the bottom grommet and container seams being the most vulnerable. Further, the use of propellants in pressurized containers has recently led to criticism due to possible effects on the environment.
Pump systems generally dispense a metered amount, and, because consumers may have different requirements, difficulty arises in providing a proper metered amount that is satisfactory to all users. Thus, the consumer may need to pump the dispenser several times to dispense a desired amount of fluid, which is viewed as an inconvenience by some consumers. Additionally, pump systems may tend to jam or clog over a period of time.
Various other arrangements have been proposed, in which a collapsible container contains material that is forced from an expanded condition to a nonexpanded condition by a spring mechanism that pushes axially on the base of containers to collapse it towards the dispensing end of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides fluid dispensers that operate without pressurization or a pump mechanism. Advantageously, the fluid dispensers are simple to manufacture, and are relatively trouble-free during use.
In one aspect, the invention features a fluid dispenser including (a) a flexible receptacle, having a closed end and an opposed open end, being movable from a collapsed condition to an elongate condition, and having an outer surface defining a helical thread, and (b) a helical spring in threaded engagement with the helical thread to axially compress the receptacle. Fluid introduced into the receptacle moves the receptacle from the collapsed condition to the elongate condition, producing tension in the spring, the tension being effective to move the receptacle from the elongate condition to the collapsed condition to force fluid from the receptacle.
Preferred embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The dispenser further includes a container having a closed end and an opposed open end, the open end of the receptacle being attached to the container adjacent the open end of the container and the receptacle being freely supported within the container. The dispenser further includes a valve constructed to prevent fluid from being forced out of the receptacle until the dispenser is actuated by a user. The receptacle includes an outwardly projecting crest portion and an inwardly projecting root portion. The helical spring is disposed on the root portion. The helical spring is encased within the root portion. The receptacle is formed of a plastic material. The helical spring is formed of a metallic material.
In another aspect, the invention features a fluid dispenser including (a) a first flexible receptacle having a closed end wall and an opposed open end, and an outer surface defining a helical thread that is movable from a collapsed condition to an elongate condition, (b) a second flexible receptacle, disposed within the first receptacle, having a closed end wall attached to the closed end wall of the first receptacle and an open end adjacent the open end of the first receptacle, and (c) a helical spring threadedly received on the outer surface of the first receptacle. Fluid material forced into the first receptacle is effective to move the first receptacle from a collapsed condition to an elongate condition producing tension in the spring, and the tension in the spring is effective to move the first receptacle from an elongate condition to a collapsed condition to force material from the first and second receptacles.
Preferred embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The dispenser further includes a valve constructed to prevent fluid from being forced out of the receptacle until the dispenser is actuated by a user. The helical thread includes an outwardly projecting crest portion and an inwardly projecting root portion. The helical spring is disposed on the root portion. The valve includes a valve assembly constructed to translate between a closed position, in which the first and second receptacles are sealed, and an open position, in which first and second components flow simultaneously from the first and second receptacles to a dispensing head. The dispensing head defines a nozzle through which the product exits the dispensing head, a first passageway between the first receptacle and the nozzle, and a second passageway between the second receptacle and the nozzle. The valve assembly includes first and second valve seats, and a valve stem including a first valve portion for sealing against the first valve seat to seal the first receptacle and a second valve portion for sealing against the second valve seat to seal the second receptacle. The valve assembly further includes a spring that biases the first and second valve portions against the respective first and second valve seats. The valve assembly further includes a valve body, and the spring, valve stem and valve seats are contained within the valve body as a modular unit.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment, and from the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3241722 (1966-03-01), Nissan
patent: 3318488 (1967-05-01), Barnes
patent: 3335913 (1967-08-01), Bouet
patent: 3421661 (1969-01-01), Price
patent: 3454198 (1969-07-01), Flynn
patent: 3482738 (1969-12-01), Bartels
patent: 3606089 (1971-09-01), Chambers
patent: 3721371 (1973-03-01), Doiveck
patent: 3731854 (1973-05-01), Casey
patent: 3791557 (1974-02-01), Venus, Jr.
patent: 3838796 (1974-10-01), Cohen
patent: 3873003 (1975-03-01), Seiferth et al.
patent: 3876115 (1975-04-01), Venus, Jr. et al.
patent: 3940026 (1976-02-01), Kain
patent: 3951310 (1976-04-01), Steinman
patent: 3976223 (1976-08-01), Jass et al.
patent: 4136802 (1979-01-01), Mascia et al.
patent: 4222499 (1980-09-01), Lee et al.
patent: 4387833 (1983-06-01), Venus, Jr.
patent: 4423829 (1984-01-01), Katz
patent: 4492313 (1985-01-01), Touzani
patent: 4964540 (1990-10-01), Katz
patent: 5370250 (1994-12-01), Gilbert
patent: 38 32 938 (1990-03-01), None
patent: 42 13 350 (1993-10-01), None
patent: WO 88/07963 (1988-10-01), None
M. Joseph-Eugene-Baptiste “DE Voyage ET DE Campement, ECT” Dec. 16, 1921.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Nicolas F.
Shaver Kevin
The Gillette Company
LandOfFree
Fluid dispensers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fluid dispensers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fluid dispensers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2476337