Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-07-03
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S092000, C222S482000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253958
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to dispensers for squeezable tubes containing viscous pastes, and more particularly, pertains to a new and improved dispenser and method for dispensing pastes, wherein the same utilizes a plurality of color coded dispensing caps selected by the users to designate their personal caps in order to provide for sanitary, economical dispensement of paste. The device is easily cleaned and reusable as it can be reattached to various sized squeezable tubes once their contents are depleted and a new full tube is desired. Certain dental products, cosmetics, medicinal creams, or any product for personal use by different users, may be benefited by the structure and sanitary qualities of the invention.
2. Description of Prior Art
Containers of various structures, with a single or plurality of chambers, and varied dispensing methodologies, are present in the prior art. However, none of the prior art references encompass a structure or method similar to the present invention. The present invention is not a system but rather an integrated, disposable, interchangeable device to be attached to a squeezable tube. The multi-capped, color-coded structure of the present invention, will enable various users to use the same tube while minimizing the potential for cross-contamination. The device can be attached to various sized tubes, due to the threaded connecting cap having a predetermined diameter and thread gauge for matching varied tubes' dimensions. Examples of the prior art include the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:
Smith
U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,819
Issued August 18, 1998
Matt
U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,725
Issued June 16, 1998
Iaia, et. al.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,204
Issued June 7, 1994
Singh
U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,550
Issued November 5, 1991
Green
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,715
Issued January 15, 1991
Britt, et. al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,898
Issued July 5, 1988
Watt
U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,673
Issued April 24, 1979
Simmons
U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,417
Issued April 10, 1979
U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,550, (Singh), discloses a device with divided container walls, and a deformable memory retentent container cap which accommodates varying conduit flow rates to permit selective dispensing its contents. This differs from the present invention, since the present invention has one non-compartmentalized tubular frame, which allows for a reduced amount of paste for economical use, while Singh is concerned with flow rates through conduits to permit selective dispensing of the contents of its container.
In addition to U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,550, (Singh), the prior art has also described containers that separate contents by placing the contents in different or dual chambered compartments. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,417, (Simmons), U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,725, (Matt), U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,819, (Smith), U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,204; (Iaia, et. al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,715, (Green) have dual compartment structures which are distinguished from the present invention.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,898, (Britt, et. al.), describes different sized orifices, wherein the smaller orifice provides for a venting function. In the present invention, the smaller sized dispensing conduits provide for economical paste use, and thus, its purpose differs from that of Britt.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,673, (Watt), references the concept of coding the caps. However, in Watt, the coding is for puncturing a sealed cap; it is not for several or different users. Watt's caps are coded by being differently shaped. Since the present invention's coding is based on color not shape, it is distinguished from Watt. Although Watt discusses health safety, Watt differs from the present invention in that multiple users are disallowed. The present invention's purpose is specifically for multiple users.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide for a multi-capped device to be utilized by various users, while maintaining the sanitary integrity of the device by utilizing color-coded dispensing cap tops and necks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for home, as well as professional use, whenever the need for minimization of cross-contamination is desired.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a device wherein the amount of paste could be decreased for economical use of the paste.
Yet still another object of the present invention is for inexpensive manufacture of a device composed of conventional plastic material which can withstand normal wear.
Still yet still another object of the present invention is to provide for an easily cleanable invention.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide for easily removable and detachable caps.
Finally, still yet another object of the invention, preferably for professional use, is to provide for a dispensing device which creates multiple dispensement of approximately equal amounts of paste.
In accordance with the foregoing objects, the multi-capped dispensing device, comprises a cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame, having a plurality of dispensing cap members with tops and necks forming conduits, for dispensing paste. The cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame also comprises a threaded connecting cap, located opposite the dispensing cap members, and linearly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame, which attaches the device to the squeezable tube by conventional thread means. The threaded connecting cap has two sets of threads: inner threads which attach to the tube's threaded neck, and outer threads which attach to the cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame's threaded conduit. Connecting caps can be manufactured with inner threads having a predetermined diameter and thread size, to match the range of diameter and thread size of various tubes. Thus, the invention can be interchangeable with different sized tubes.
Once the device is attached to the squeezable tube, the tube is squeezed so that its contents will flow through the tube's and threaded connecting cap's conduits, through the cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame, past dispensing cap members which are in a closed position, and out of a desired number of dispensing cap neck's conduits which are in an open position. The device can preferably accommodate up to five dispensing cap members, with two positioned on the ends of the cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame, and the remainder linearly aligned appositionally to each other along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrically shaped hollow tubular frame, and opposite the threaded connecting cap, which is similarly aligned along the longitudinal axis. After the desired amount of paste is dispensed, the user reattaches the dispensing cap top to be ready for the next user.
A plurality of color coded cap members provide for sanitary, economical dispensement of paste. The device is composed of a conventional plastic, which can be easily cleaned. It is also reusable and can withstand normal wear, as it can be detached from various sized squeezable tubes once empty and reattached to a new full tube. Certain dental products, medicinal creams, and cosmetics (or any products for personal use by different users) may benefit from the structure and sanitary qualities of the invention. The color coding of the dispensing cap members maintains the integrity of the sanitary condition of the device, since the users will distinguish their dispensing cap members from the previous users' by the color coding, thus ensuring that numerous users will not use each other's dispensing cap members. The entire dispensing cap member may be color coded, or the neck and the inside of the dispensing cap top may be color coded. If the inside of the dispensing cap top is color coded, this allows for a “clean appearance”, as the surface of the device would appear white when not in use. Color coding is especially useful when the device is used in the health care profession, or home use, where mini
Kaufman Joseph A.
Mary A. Whiting Patent Attorney
LandOfFree
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