Dispensing container for viscous substances

A dispensing container for a viscous substance comprising a sleeve defining an axis of rotation and having a pair of ends arranged at first and second locations along the axis, the sleeve further defining a helical travel path on an inward facing surface thereof. A dispensing member mounted in association with one of the pair of ends of the sleeve, and, a piston head mounted within the sleeve and defining an outward facing peripheral surface operative to cooperate with the helical travel path and further defining with the dispensing member and a portion of the sleeve extending therebetween a storage volume for the viscous substance. The piston head travels along the axis of rotation when undergoing rotation thereabout relative to the sleeve, a linkage apparatus is integrally formed with the piston head and defining an end portion associated with a predetermined portion of the sleeve. The linkage apparatus permits axial displacement of the piston head relative to the predetermined portion proportional to the distance between the predetermined portion and the dispensing member, and an apparatus is provided for engaging the end portion of the linkage apparatus and thereby preventing simultaneous rotation of the piston head and the sleeve in the same direction to facilitate axial displacement of the piston head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers for 
viscous substances and, particularly, to such containers that are 
operative to prevent the substance contained therein from becoming 
contaminated. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is well known for creams, gels and other similarly viscous substances to 
be sold in small, typically cup-shaped, containers with a protective 
cover. In order to use the substance contained in such a container, a user 
removes the cover and by dipping his finger into the substance may remove 
a small amount thereof. Particularly in the area of cosmetics and 
substances having medical applications, it is desirable to keep the 
substance in the container in an uncontaminated state. 
This is, however, not achieved with containers such as those described 
above, as the finger of a user is unlikely to be totally germ free and by 
dipping his finger into the substance in the container, the user causes 
the substance to become contaminated. 
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,923 and French Patent No. 1,377,658, both 
to Gabler, are containers for receiving and delivering pasty substances, 
each container comprising a jar-shaped container having a cover, an 
inverted cup placed within the container and being attached thereto by 
means of a cylindrical sleeve. The inverted cup defines an extrusion 
aperture in a base portion thereof and a screw thread on an inward-facing 
surface thereof. There is also provided a disk-like element threadably 
mounted within the inverted cup parallel to the base portion and defining, 
together with a portion of the inverted cup, a storage volume for the 
pasty substance. The disk-like element is pressed towards the base portion 
of the cup by a spring provided between the disk-like element and the 
container. The height of the spring is unrelated to the height of the 
container. 
Among disadvantages inherent in the Patents to Gabler are that the 
containers disclosed have relatively complex structures. This is 
exemplified by the disk-like element and the spring being discrete 
members, rather than a single integral member. 
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,642,108 to Geake is a Dispensing Container 
comprising a cylindrical container having an open end, a rotatable cap 
member defining an extrusion orifice and mounted onto the open end of the 
container, a helical member placed within the container and extending 
axially therewithin, the helical member being fixed at one end to the cap 
member while being in rotational contact with a closed end of the 
container, there also being provided a disk-shaped piston member made of 
cork, located between the open and closed ends of the container and 
oriented parallel to the cap member and mounted onto the helical member. 
As the cap member is rotated in a predetermined sense the piston member is 
driven along the helical member towards the cap member, thus causing a 
substance contained between the piston member and the cap member to be 
extruded through the orifice. 
A particular disadvantage of the container to Geake is that although there 
are also disclosed pin members for reinforcing the piston member and for 
ensuring stability between the piston member and the helical member, after 
a relatively short period of time the piston member may suffer from wear, 
not only at its connection location with the helical member, but also at a 
contact edge between the piston member and the container. Moreover, no 
protective cover is provided to prevent contamination of a substance 
within the container. 
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,059,820, also to Gabler, is a Box for Holding 
and Delivering Pasty Substances comprising a shallow cylindrical container 
with a slip-on lid, a disk-like cover portion mounted within the container 
and defining an orifice, a piston threadably mounted within the container 
and parallel to the cover portion and a leaf spring, located between and 
fixed to a rotatable bottom portion of the container and the piston, the 
spring exerting a force on the piston in the direction of the cover 
portion. A pasty substance is contained between the piston and the cover 
portion. As the bottom portion is rotated in a predetermined direction, 
the spring and the cover portion are rotated accordingly and the pasty 
substance is extruded through the orifice. 
A particular disadvantage of the box to Gabler is that due to the use of a 
leaf spring, the full depth of the container cannot be used for storage of 
the pasty substance. In addition, the box has a relatively complex 
structure. 
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,127 to Gentile is a Plunger-Type Dispenser 
with a Ratchet Actuator. The dispenser comprises a cylindrical reservoir 
for a viscous material to be dispensed, a rotatable cover defining 
apertures, a centrally-located screw extending between the rotatable cover 
to which it is fixed and a bottom surface of the reservoir and a plunger 
oriented parallel to the rotatable cover and mounted onto the screw, the 
viscous material being retained between the plunger and the rotatable 
cover. 
As the cover is rotated in a predetermined sense, the screw is rotated 
correspondingly such that the plunger moves along the screw towards the 
cover, thereby causing extrusion of the viscous material. There is also 
provided a protective lid for the container. 
A disadvantage of the Dispenser to Gentile is that, due to the presence of 
the centrally-located screw, the dispenser may not be filled by 
conventional apparatus but it instead requires specialized equipment for 
filling. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an inexpensive, hygienic 
dispensing container for viscous substances in general and particularly 
for such substances as it may be sought to protect from contamination. 
There is provided, therefore, in accordance with an embodiment of the 
invention, a dispensing container for a viscous substance comprising a 
sleeve defining an axis of rotation and having a pair of ends arranged at 
first and second locations along the axis, the sleeve further defining a 
helical travel path on an inward facing surface thereof; a dispensing 
member mounted in association with one of the pair of ends of the sleeve; 
a piston head mounted within the sleeve and defining an outward facing 
peripheral surface operative to cooperate with the helical travel path and 
further defining with the dispensing member and a portion of the sleeve 
extending therebetween a storage volume for the viscous substance, the 
piston head being operative to travel along the axis of rotation when 
undergoing rotation thereabout relative to the sleeve; linkage apparatus 
integrally formed with the piston head and defining an end portion 
associated with a predetermined portion of the sleeve, the linkage 
apparatus permitting axial displacement of the piston head relative to the 
predetermined portion proportional to the distance between the 
predetermined portion and the dispensing member; and apparatus for 
engaging the end portion of the linkage apparatus and thereby preventing 
simultaneous rotation of the piston head and the sleeve in the same 
direction. 
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the 
container also comprises a base for receiving one of the pair of ends of 
the sleeve distal from the dispensing member and apparatus associated with 
the base for removably retaining the sleeve in a fixed position along the 
axis of rotation relative to the base while permitting axial rotation of 
the sleeve therewithin. 
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 
for engaging comprises a first protrusion formed on the base, the end 
portion of the linkage apparatus comprising an anchor member defining a 
second protrusion operative to become engaged with the first protrusion 
such that simultaneous rotation of the piston head and the sleeve in the 
same direction is prevented. 
Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the 
apparatus for retaining comprises adapter apparatus for providing a 
connection between the sleeve and the base and having an inward facing 
surface having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of an 
outward facing surface of the sleeve, the adapter apparatus having an 
outward facing surface having a configuration corresponding to a portion 
of the base with which the sleeve is to be connected. 
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sleeve and the 
dispensing member are integrally formed. 
According to yet a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the 
apparatus for retaining is integrally formed with the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Reference is made to FIG. 1, in which is shown a dispensing container, 
referenced generally 10, for viscous substances, such as cosmetic creams. 
As will become apparent from the ensuing description, container 10 is 
particularly characterized by its relatively simple design, and by its low 
production cost, the container having a small number of parts and 
typically being made from any suitably rigid plastic, such as 
polypropylene. The separate components of the container are preferably 
made by an injection molding technique. 
Container 10 comprises, typically, a cylindrical sleeve member 12 closed at 
an exposed end 14 by a dispensing member 16, inserted into sleeve member 
12, as shown. Member 12 comprises typically a single aperture 18 through 
which the viscous substance stored in container 10 may be dispensed. 
Sleeve member 12 is rotatably retained in a base 20 by means of an adapter 
ring 22. There is also provided a cover 11, which fastens onto ring 22 
such as by being screwed thereon. 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A to 7, which illustrate the various 
components of container 10. Sleeve 12 (FIG. 3) defines a screw thread 24 
which extends substantially along its entire height and is configured to 
receive a piston head 26 (FIG. 4), which has on an outer surface thereof a 
screw thread 28, configured to cooperate with screw thread 24. Defined by 
an upper surface 25 of piston head 26, dispensing member 16 and an 
intervening portion of sleeve 12 is a viscous substance storage volume. 
It will be appreciated that relative rotation between piston head 26 and 
sleeve 12 causes relative axial motion of the piston head and the sleeve 
along a common axis of symmetry, referenced 30. According to the shown 
embodiment, sleeve 12 has hand grips 32 arranged along an upper edge 
thereof, so as to facilitate turning thereof. FIG. 2B shows piston head 26 
in a position defining a maximum storage volume and FIG. 2A shows piston 
head 26 adjacent to member 16, in a position defining a negligible storage 
volume. 
Sleeve 12 is constructed, as mentioned, so as to rotatably receive piston 
head 26. Connected to piston head 26 by means of flexible links 36 is a 
ring 34, preferably formed integrally therewith. Ring 34 has a diameter 
that is preferably larger than that of sleeve 12, such that when piston 
head 26 travels axially from a bottom end 38 of sleeve 12 to end 14 
thereof, ring 34 is anchored in a fixed position adjacent to end 38 of 
sleeve 12. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, flexible links 36 are 
constructed such that their maximum extension corresponds to the height of 
sleeve 12. Accordingly, when piston head 26 is at the position shown in 
FIG. 2A, the links 36 are almost completely extended. 
As mentioned above, relative axial motion between sleeve 12 and piston head 
26 is achieved by causing relative axial rotation between the sleeve and 
the piston head. It is, therefore, necessary not only to anchor the piston 
head at end 38 of sleeve 12, as described, but also to prevent axial 
rotation of the piston head in order to prevent it rotating simultaneously 
with sleeve 12. According to the shown embodiment, this is achieved by 
mounting sleeve 12 in base 20 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5A and 5B), by means to be 
described. 
Base 20 includes a plurality of protrusions 42 formed on a surface 44 
thereof and sleeve 12 is mounted in base 20 such that protrusions 41 
defined on a bottom surface of ring 34 become locked with the protrusions 
42 as piston head 26 is rotated together with sleeve 12. Once the piston 
head has become locked, as described, only sleeve 12 may be rotated, which 
causes the desired relative axial movement between the sleeve and the 
piston head. 
Sleeve 12 is rotatably mounted in base 20 by means of adapter ring 22 (FIG. 
7). Adapter ring 22 is removably secured to base 20 by a first, typically 
annular projection 46 thereof which engages a second, typically annular 
projection 48 formed on an outer surface of the adapter ring. 
A projection 50, formed on sleeve 12 adjacent to end 14 thereof is engaged 
by an upper surface 52 of adapter ring 22, while annular projection 54 of 
ring 22 helps to retain sleeve 12 in the position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B 
by means of annular projection 56 of sleeve 12. 
It will be appreciated that while base 20 is shown, by way of example, to 
have a particular size relative to the sleeve 12 and the other components 
shown, the base may have any convenient size or configuration so long as 
the external dimensions and, if necessary, shape, of adapter ring 22 are 
in accordance therewith. This feature is of particular importance in the 
field of cosmetics, for example, wherein it may be wished to market 
different products in containers of different shapes and sizes. 
In operation, the viscous substance is dispensed by gripping base 20 and 
hand grip 32 and rotating each in an opposing direction. This induces the 
above-described relative rotation between sleeve 12 and piston head 26. As 
relative rotation is caused in a first predetermined direction, piston 
head 26 is driven axially along axis 30 towards member 16 thereby applying 
positive pressure to the viscous substance. 
Depending on the viscosity of the substance and the size of the aperture 
18, as the applied pressure reaches at least a critical level, the 
substance is dispensed through aperture 18 and may be removed from 
dispensing member 16 by, for example, a finger. As will be appreciated, 
dispensing of the substance in this manner is not only convenient and 
non-wasteful, but it also substantially reduces the chance of 
contaminating the substance by exposure to finger-borne and airborne 
germs. 
As relative rotation is carried out in a second predetermined direction 
opposite to the first direction, piston head 26 is driven axially along 
axis 30 away from member 16 thereby applying a negative pressure to the 
viscous substance so as to withdraw it into the container. 
Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is shown a container 80, 
constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of 
the invention. Container 80 is similar in construction and operation to 
container 10 (FIGS. 1 to 7) and similar components bear similar reference 
numerals and are not specifically described again in detail in conjunction 
with FIGS. 8A and 8B. 
Container 80 is characterized by the relatively small number of parts of 
which it is comprised. In place of sleeve member 12 and dispensing member 
16 (FIGS. 1 to 2B) of container 10, container 80 comprises a single 
integral member 82 having the same general configuration and function as 
members 12 and 16 of container 10. In addition, in place of base 20 and 
adapter ring 22 (FIGS. 1 to 2B) of container 10, there is provided a 
single integral mounting member 84 having the same general configuration 
and function as base 20 and ring 22 of container 10. 
It will be appreciated that due to the very small number of parts of which 
container 80 is comprised, manufacture and assembly of the container is 
relatively inexpensive. Due to the integral nature of member 82, filling 
of container 80 with a preferred viscous substance is carried out through 
hole 18, by use of any suitable apparatus. This is in contrast to the 
easier filling of container 10 in which the container is filled and then 
dispensing member 16 is fitted. 
According to different embodiments of the invention, if preferred, of the 
two pairs of components of container 10 replaced by members 82 and 84, 
only one of the pair of components is replaced with its corresponding 
integral member, while the other pair remains as shown and described in 
conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 7. 
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present 
invention is not limited by what has been shown and described hereinabove. 
The scope of the present invention is limited, rather, solely by the 
claims, which follow: