Dispenser having a roller for squeezing amounts from a tube

A dispenser is provided that includes a housing that embodies a base portion and a hingedly mounted cover. A service unit comprising a collapsible bag or package for holding the material to be dispensed is positioned within the housing or cabinet, and an operating lever or handle is provided for actuating and dispensing predetermined, controlled amounts of material from the package.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
Heretofore various types of dispensers have been provided such as those 
shown in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,066,832, 2,113,022, 3,768,704, 3,930,761, 
and 3,881,641. It is pointed out however, that neither these prior patents 
nor any others known to applicant provide the advantages and features set 
forth and accomplished by the present invention. 
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for fluidic 
materials, and wherein the dispensing system includes a cabinet that can 
be mounted on a wall, or a pedestal or the like. The fluidic material may 
be liquid, semi-liquid, or the like. 
The present invention is especially suitable for use in an institutional 
environment because it offers a low cost bulk package of product. The bag 
or package is disposable and the material within the bag does not contact 
the operating mechanism so that a highly sanitary method of dispensing the 
product is provided which complies with today's rigid environmental 
requirements. 
An important object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing 
system for fluidic materials wherein a metered amount of product can be 
released or dispensed upon each actuation of the dispensing mechanism, and 
wherein the dispensing mechanism can be manually actuated or wherein power 
means can be provided for actuating the dispensing mechanism. 
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing 
system wherein the fluidic material is dispensed from the bag without air 
being introduced back into the bag or container as the expelled product is 
dispensed. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing 
system that has improved characteristics and advantages as compared to 
previous apparatus or devices. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 
in the following specification when considered in the light of the 
attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 30 indicates the dispenser 
of the present invention that includes a cabinet or housing 31, FIG. 1, 
and the cabinet or housing 31 includes a base portion or back portion 44 
as well as a cover member 32. The base portion 44 includes a back well 43 
that can be secured to a suitable supporting structure such as a vertical 
wall 33 by means of securing elements or screws 34, FIG. 3. It is to be 
understood however, that the cabinet can be secured to a pedestal or 
mounted in other suitable manners as desired or required. 
The base portion 44 includes spaced parallel side walls 35 as well as a top 
wall 36 and a bottom wall 37, and the bottom wall 37 has a slot or opening 
38 therein for a purpose to be later described. 
The cover member 32 includes a front wall section 39 as well as inclined 
bottom and top wall sections 40 and 41, and spaced apart side wall 
sections 42. 
Removably mounted within the cabinet 31 is a service unit that comprises a 
bag or container 45 that includes a flexible or collapsible body portion 
46 as well as a container top 47, FIG. 6. A neck 48 is formed integral 
with the container top 47, and the container top 47 and collapsible bag 
portion 46 have flanged portions secured together as at 50, and such 
flanged portions may be secured together by means of heat sealing, 
ultrasonic welding, suitable adhesives or the like. A dispensing tube 49 
has one thereof arranged in engagement with the neck 48 as shown in the 
drawings. 
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, there is provided a check valve which is 
indicated generally by the numeral 51, and the check valve 51 includes a 
plug 52 that has a passageway or conduit 53 therein. The plug 52 is 
mounted in the lower end of the tube 49, and the plug 52 includes ports or 
passageways 54 which communicate with the passageway 53. The tube 49 
includes a portion 55 that surrounds a barb 57 of the plug 52, and the 
tube 49 further includes a portion 56 that, because of its elastomeric 
nature can move from the closed position shown in FIG. 7 to the open 
position as shown in FIG. 8 so that material such as the material 58 can 
be dispensed in metered quantities through the ports 54, then through 
ports 18, and then through passageways 19, when the device is properly 
actuated. 
Mounted in the cover portion 32 of the cabinet is a pair of lugs or bracket 
members 59 which have a pivot pin 60 extending therebetween, there being 
one or more spring members 61 mounted on the pin member 60 for a purpose 
to be later described, as shown in FIG. 4. A pair of spaced parallel bars 
62 are pivotally mounted on the pin 60, and spring member 61 urge or bias 
the bars 62 in the proper direction. Carried by the pair of bars 62 is a 
pin or shaft 63 which has a roller 64 mounted thereon, and the roller 64 
is adapted to selectively engage the dispensing tube 49 so that as later 
described in this application, the material 58 will be dispensed when the 
device is properly actuated. 
Stop member 82 limits stroke of roller 64 and allows memory of elastomeric 
tube 49 to provide an opening to allow product to flow down the tube. 
The dispenser further includes an operating lever or handle 65 that 
includes a support portion 66, FIG. 6, as well as a curved open portion 67 
that defines a clip and there is further provided a projecting end 68 that 
can be conveniently manually engaged as shown in FIG. 5 by the user's 
fingers 78 so that the device can be actuated or operated. Fixed to an end 
of the lever 65 or formed integral therewith are spaced parallel ears or 
lugs 69 which have apertures 70 therein, and a pivot pin 71 extends 
through the apertures 70. The numeral 77 indicates a stop pin for limiting 
movement of the lever 65 as shown in FIG. 3. Suitable shelf means and 
support pieces or braces 72, 73 and 74 are arranged within the cabinet as 
shown in the drawings. The numeral 75 indicates a hinge whereby the cover 
39 can be swung open about the hinge 75 as for example when the bag 45 is 
to be removed and replaced. One or more latches 76 are provided for 
selectively retaining or maintaining the cover 39 in its closed position 
on the base portion 44 of the cabinet 31. 
From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a 
dispenser for fluidic materials, and in use with the parts arranged as 
shown in the drawings, when the device is being used, the package 45 
containing the material to be dispensed is positioned in the cabinet 31 as 
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Initially, the operating lever 65 is in the 
position shown in FIG. 1 and then when it is desired to dispense material 
from the bag, the user's fingers 78 engage the projecting portion 68 of 
the lever so that the parts are moved from a position such as that shown 
in FIG. 3 to a position such as that shown in FIG. 5. As manual pressure 
is applied to the lever 65, the lever 65 will pivot on an axis about the 
pin 71. This will cause the roller 64 to co-act with the lever 65 so that 
the fluidic material that is in the tube 49 will be squeezed downwardly 
through the tube 49 as shown in FIG. 5, and as pressure is applied between 
the roller 64 and the lever 65, the check valve 51 will open so that the 
parts will move from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in 
FIG. 8. That is, due to the pressure being applied, the fluidic material 
will flow downwardly through the passageway 53, and then through the 
passageways 54 to cause the section 56 of the tube 49 to expand or move 
away from the plug 52 whereby the material 58 will be dispensed in the 
desired manner. When manual pressure is released from the portion 68 of 
the lever 65, the parts will return to their initial position due to the 
provision of the spring members 61. The stop member 82, FIG. 5 serves to 
limit the stroke of the roller 64 and permits the memory of the 
elastomeric tube 49 to provide an opening that permits product to flow 
down the tube. The pin 77 functions as a stop member to limit 
counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the lever 65 as shown in FIG. 3. 
Varying the location of pin 77 will vary the quantity of product 
dispensed. The clip 67 holds the tube tip so that the product is dispensed 
in a manner so that it always is deposited in the palm of the user's hand. 
It will be seen that with this contruction, a metered quantity of material 
from the bag 46 will be dispensed from the bag out through the lower end 
of the tube 49 and this material can be used for any desired purpose. 
The parts can be made from any suitable material and in different shapes or 
sizes as desired or required. 
It will be noted that the bag or package 45 is of the disposable type. 
Thus, when the bag 45 is empty, it is only necessary to disengage the 
latch 76 whereby the cover 32 can be pivoted about the hinge 75 so that 
the cover 32 can be swung open whereby the empty bag 45 can be replaced 
with a new bag that is full of material to be dispensed. 
When manual pressure is released on the lever 65, the parts, including the 
check valve 51 will return to the closed position as shown in FIG. 7 so 
that material will only be dispensed when the mechanism is actuated. 
It will therefore be seen that there has been provided a dispensing system 
for fluidic material wherein the fluidic material in the bag 45 can be 
liquid, semi-liquid, or other desired form. There is provided an outer 
cabinet or housing, together with an actuator, and arranged within the 
cabinet is the service unit type package 45 which is in the form of a bulk 
container that is collapsible. The portion 46 of the bag 45 is flexible, 
and the end piece 47 is rigid so that the desired results can be 
accomplished. 
The present invention is adapted to be used in a wide variety of 
applications where it is required that a metered amount of product be 
released upon each actuation of the dispensing mechanism. The device or 
system is especially suitable for use in an institutional environment 
inasmuch as it offers a low-cost bulk package of product. Also, the 
package is disposable. The device can be actuated through very simple 
means and occupies a minimum amount of space in its emptied condition, and 
it is especially suitable for today's rigid environmental requirements. 
Further, the product contained within the package never contacts any of 
the operating mechanism so that there is provided a highly sanitary method 
of dispensing the product. The dispensing system can be in the form of a 
wall mounted unit, or the device can be mounted on a pedestal, or it can 
be console mounted or suspended in an otherwise suitable location. The 
dispenser can be actuated by hand pressure on the operating lever, or a 
foot lever can be used or the device can be power operated by air pressure 
or an electric motor, or similar linear actuator. 
The tubing 49 is made of a material that is characterized for its recovery 
characteristics. The tube 49 can be folded during the shipping cycle and 
unfolded when the package is ready for use. The container 45 and the pump 
tube 49 constitute the service unit with the exception of a printed 
box-board sleeve or boxed as the customer may require or desire. The parts 
can be adjusted so that different pre-measured amounts can be dispensed. 
The coaction of the roller 64 and the movable lever causes product to be 
expelled so that the product will be released through the lower end 
portion of the tube 49 in an action similar to peristalsis. The 
elastomeric tube 49, having a memory, returns to a rounded shaped tube 
causing a slight vacuum in the tube, and because the portion 46 is 
collapsible and due to the force of atmospheric pressure present, the 
product will be squeezed into the tube 49 from the container 45 so that 
the system is then ready for the next cycle. Inasmuch as the amount of 
tubing squeezed is uniform for each operating stroke, there will be 
produced a precise amount of product from each dispensing stroke. Further, 
the recovery of the tube and refill is accomplished rapidly so that fast 
cycling of the system is accomplished. 
The container 45 includes the portions 46 and 47. The portion 46 is made of 
soft flexible maerial, such as a suitable plastic, including polyethylene, 
and the like. The piece 47 is made of rigid material. It will be seen that 
the service unit includes the check valve 51, pump tube 49, container top 
47, and container base 46. The lever 65 can be remotely powered. FIGS. 7 
and 8 illustrate the internal check valve. The pump tube 49 can be made of 
latex, PVC, or other suitable elastomeric material. It will be seen that 
there has been provided a dispenser which consists of a container which 
can be made in two pieces by a thermo-forming process, and wherein the 
cover is of a relatively rigid material and the container base is of a 
relatively flexible material. The dispenser is especially suitable for 
metered dispensing of the fluid product. It will be seen that there is 
provided a novel method and means for accomplishing the dispensing. An 
important feature of the present invention is the check valve used in 
conjunction with the elastomeric tube 49 as a peristaltic pump. The 
container 45 comprises two pieces, namely the base 46 which is 
thermo-formed from a flexible polymer appropriately alloyed to provide the 
essential physical characteristics whereby there will be provided a 
sufficient barrier or barrier properties for the fluid product contained 
in the bag. Further the material will provide sufficient strength for the 
normal distribution cycle for which the product is intended, and will be 
sufficiently soft or free of memory so that as the product is extracted 
from the container, it will collapse from the force of atmospheric 
pressure and the slight vacuum effect created by the extraction pump. The 
portion 46 includes a dome shape with a transverse axis. 
The container 45 further includes the part 47 which in use in the dispenser 
becomes the bottom, since the package is inverted in its in use position. 
The part 47 is formed from a relatively rigid material and includes a 
flange which matches identically with a flange on the portion 46 as at 50, 
and the part 47 further includes a spout 48 which will subsequently become 
the discharge spout. When the parts 46 and 47 are welded as at 50, a 
completely closed container is formed. Such closed containers are adapted 
to be created, filled and sealed and in a highly efficient manner. In the 
process of creating, filling and sealing the containers, the pump assembly 
can be added to the container and can be attached to the previously 
pierced spout 48 on the member 47. The completed assembly of the container 
with its elastomeric pump tube is thus provided. When manufacturing the 
containers, the individual containers are separated and can be 
automatically deposited into shipping cartons and the like. When the 
device is being used, the operating arm or lever 65 is manually moved as 
previously described so that the lever 65 moves in an arc whereby the 
product is dispensed with the motion of the operating handle, and with the 
present invention the operating forces required to operate the dispenser 
are significantly lower than similar mechanisms required to perform the 
same function. 
The dispenser consists of the cabinet with the door appropriately latched 
as 76, and in operation the door or cover 39 is opened and an airless 
collapsible container type of package 45 is placed on the shelf portion of 
the dispenser. The pump tube 49 is extended downward along the operating 
handle 65 through the portions defined by the wall section 66, and through 
the portion 67 so that the portion 67 provides a clamping action for the 
tube. The cabinet is then closed and the unit is ready to operate. 
To operate the unit, the user manually moves the lever 65 and this causes 
the roller 64 to progressively roll down the tube 49 towards the check 
valve 51 against the tension of the torsion spring 61 located on the pivot 
axis of the roller arm. Release of the operating arm by the user, causes 
the force of the torsion spring 61 to return the roller arm back against 
its stopped location and this completes the cycle of operation as the 
roller forces the operating arm back to its starting position. 
On the forward stroke, as the operating lever is advanced, the roller 64 on 
the roller arm creates more and more pressure against the elastomeric tube 
49 until the pressure of the roller has the tube completely closed. 
Thereafter, as the operating arm advances further, the roller arms give 
away and move downward. The roller progresses along the tube, and forces 
the fluid contained in the tube down through the check valve discharging 
through the orifices 54 provided. 
At the end of the forward stroke and the release of the operating lever, 
the roller 64 travels back up the essentially empty tube where, since the 
roller arm is stopped against the pin or the like, the pressure of the 
liquid in the collapsible container combined with atmospheric pressure and 
the memory in the tube is sufficient to cause the liquid to flow down past 
the stopped roller and re-fill the tube. 
The operating cycle then repeats. 
It will be seen that the roller provides a camming action as for example 
due to the provision of the inclined cam surfaces 80 on the lever 60 and 
the straight edged portions 81. Thus, the dispensing action takes place as 
the device is actuated. 
While one form of a handle or operating lever has been illustrated and 
described in the drawings, it is to be understood that such details of 
construction can be modified or changed as desired or required. Similarly, 
the type of valve that is used can be varied as desired or required. 
With further reference to the valve construction shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, 
the numeral 16 indicates the dispensing end of the valve 51. The barb 57 
engages the elastomeric tube 49. The numeral 53 indicates the primary 
in-feed port or passageway. There is further provided on the valve 51 
transverse ports 54, as well as secondary in-feed ports 18. A discharge 
nozzle 15 is defined, and the valve may be provided with a counter-bore as 
well as the dispensing end or tip 16. 
As previously noted, the configuration of the handle can be changed as 
desired or required. A suitable cover can be provided for the check valve. 
When the cover is closed on the cabinet, the service unit is clamped in 
place. The service unit consists of the bag or package which has the pump 
tube 49 molded as an integral part thereof. The check valve is carried by 
the free end of the pump tube. The size of the package can be varied as 
desired or required, as for example the package can be made of a size to 
facilitate vacuum forming thereof. 
While several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated 
herein in particular detail, it will be understood that variations and 
modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope 
of the novel concepts of this invention.