Fluid pump dispenser for pharmaceutical use

Abstract: The finger actuated fluid pump dispenser comprises a body (10) with a first cylinder (10A) and a second cylinder (10B), an outer stem (28) having a first enlargement (28A), a main piston (30) slidably disposed in the first cylinder (10A), an inner stem (32) with an upper section (32A) and a lower section (32B) with the space between the upper section (32A) and the outer stem (28) defining a fluid discharge path (34), an inner piston (38) vertically slidably in the second cylinder (10B) and provided with a second enlargement (38A), a first spring (40) disposed in the first cylinder (10A) within the main piston (30) and a second spring (42) disposed in the second cylinder. The lower section (32B) of stem (32) has horizontal channels (37,105) connecting this section (32B) to the fluid discharge path (34). The upper end of outer stem (28) and the upper end of inner stem (32) cooperate with port means (100,102) defining a discharge port (104).

Description: This application is related to the US-Patent No. 5.038.965 issued on August 13, 1991. The above US-Patent is directed toward a finger actuated pump dispenser for pharmaceutical applications which not only discharges fluid at a predetermined pressure but also delivers a predetermined dosage regardless of the method of actuation employed. However, when the dispenser is actuated after it has been stored unused for some period, fluid will have evaporated from the volume within the actuator and the fluid pathway between the chamber seal and the finger controlled actuator. Consequently, the dose delivered by the first actuation will be somewhat less than that delivered by subsequent actuations. In some pharmaceutical applications, it is essential for the dispenser to deliver an accurate dose upon such first actuation. The present invention eliminates this evaporation and thus insures accurate dose delivery at all times. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved finger actuated fluid pump dispenser for pharmaceutical applications which prevents fluid from evaporating from the volume within the fluid pathway between the chamber seal and the actuator. Another object is to provide a finger actuated fluid pump dispenser for pharmaceutical applications which eliminates evaporation of fluid from the volume within the fluid pathway between the chamber by moving the exit chamber seal to the top of the pump. Still another object is to provide a new and improved fluid pump dispenser of the character indicated wherein, in addition to the elimination of fluid evaporation, ambient air is prevented from entering the dispenser. A further object is to provide a pump dispenser having a top disposed exit chamber seal and which is constructed in such a manner that wider tolerances in manufacture can be tolerated, while at the same time, the top seal will not leak during actuation. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will either be explained or will became apparent hereinafter. In accordance with the principles of this invention, a finger actuated fluid pump dispenser mounted on a fluid containing vessel and comprising: a vertical body with an upper section defining a first cylinder having an open upper end and having a first diameter and an integral lower section defining a second cylinder having a closed lower end with a central opening and having a second and smaller diameter, a collar having a central opening and enclosing the upper end of the first cylinder, a hollow vertical main piston having an upper open end and a lower closed end provided with a central opening and being slidably disposed within the first cylinder, an inner stem having an upper vertical section and a lower section, said upper section extending upwardly through the main piston, the inner stem extending through the opening in the main piston with the upper section being spaced inwardly from this opening, the space between the upper section and the opening in the main piston defining a vertical fluid discharge path, a vertical inner piston with an upper end which is adjacent and engageable with the lower end of the inner stem lower section (32B) said inner piston being vertically slidable in the second cylinder and having a second outwardly extending enlargement intermediate its ends which engages the inner wall of the second cylinder, a first spring disposed in the first cylinder within the main piston, a second spring disposed in the second cylinder, and means associated with the inner piston and the second cylinder and, when actuated, establishing a fluid transfer path between the fluid in the container and the pump chamber formed by the space subtended by the inner wall of the first cylinder, the inner stem and the two pistons, wherein the lower section of the inner stem has a cross sectional area which is larger than that of the upper section and smaller than that of the second cylinder and has an upper end which engages the lower end of the main piston in such manner that at least one horizontal channel is formed and disposed between the upper end of the lower section and the lower end of the main piston and connects the region between this lower section of the inner stem and the inner wall of the first cylinder to the fluid discharge path, the first spring causes the discharge port to be closed except during a downstroke movement of the pistons and stems, the port being opened a selected point during the downstroke, said means associated with the inner piston and the second cylinder are actuated during an upstroke movement of the pistons and the stems following the downstroke movement for establishing said fluid transfer path between the fluid in the container and said pump chamber, is characterized in that it comprises: an outer hollow stem which is separate from the main piston and open at upper and lower ends, said outer hollow stem having a first external enlargement intermediate these ends, said enlargement being disposed below the collar, and within the first cylinder, said outer stem having a vertical bore, and in that the inner stem extends through the bore in the outer stem with the upper section being spaced inwardly from this bore, the space between the upper section and the outer stem defining a vertical fluid discharge path, the upper ends of the outer stem and the upper section of the inner stem are engageable with and disengageable from each other and cooperate to define a fluid discharge port which has an open position when these ends are disengaged for allowing fluid discharge therethrough and a closed position when these ends are engaged for blocking fluid discharge therethrough, the first spring bears against the outer stem and the main piston. According to a feature of the present invention, the main piston has an inwardly extending horizontal bead and the upper section of the inner stem adjacent but above the lower section has an inner horizontal recess engaged by said bead, the vertical depth of the bead being smaller than the vertical depth of the recess so that the main piston can be moved vertically up or down with respect to the inner stem although the main piston and upper section of the inner stem always remain engaged. As will be explained in more detail below, during an initial priming operation, air is expelled during the downstroke and the chamber is filled with fluid during the subsequent upstroke. Once the dispenser is primed, it requires no further priming. The fluid is discharged during the downstroke and the chamber is refilled with fluid during the subsequent upstroke. In known constructions, the fluid discharge path is connected at its lower end to a discharge port and at its upper end to the actuator, whereby any fluid remaining in the path after the discharge port is closed is exposed to the atmosphere via the actuator and can evaporate. In contradistinction, in the present invention, the discharge path terminates at its upper end at a discharge port adjacent the actuator, whereby any fluid remaining in the path after the discharge port is closed is sealed in the pump and not exposed to the atmosphere and thus cannot evaporate. It is frequently necessary to prevent the fluid disposed in the container from being exposed to oxygen. In the present invention, the dispenser can be configured by adding an elastomer gasket to the structure, so that after being secured to the container with the fluid therein, the entire structure can be pressurized in the same manner as if it were to be an aerosol package. The resulting internal pressure will prevent ambient air from entering the structure. This pressure will not affect the functioning of the dispenser. Furthermore, the parts of the dispenser forming the seal must be manufactured to very close tolerances to prevent leaking as the areas of engagement are decreased. The present invention will be now described in more detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 in an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 as assembled. Fig. 3 is a view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2 Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the embodiment of Fig. 1 as modified for pressurization. Fig. 6 is a detail view of Fig. 5 illustrating pressurization. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention showing the bead of the main piston engaging the upper surface of the inner stem with the discharge port closed. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical cross sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 showing the bead of the main piston engaging a lower surface of the inner stem with the discharge port closed. Fig. 8A is a cross sectional view through line VIII-VIII in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 is a detail vertical cross sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 showing the bead of the main piston approaching engagement with the upper surface of the inner stem with the discharge port still closed. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the discharge port in open position. Fig. 10a is an enlarged detail view of the open discharge port shown in Fig. 10. and Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but illustrating a modification thereof. Referring now to the embodiment of Figs. 1-4, a hollow body has an upper hollow cylinder 10A having a first diameter and an open upper end. The body has an integral lower hollow cylinder 10B having a second and smaller diameter with a lower end 12 having a central opening 14 which is raised above the remainder of this lower end. (If desired, opening 14 can be lowered below the remainder of this lower end.) The body has a vertical bore which extends completely therethrough. Cylinder 10B has an open upper end with an inner recess 16 in its inner wall which is spaced outwardly from the remainder of the inner wall. The upper end of cylinder 10B is integral with the lower end of cylinder 10A but the outer periphery of the lower end of cylinder 10A is spaced away from the periphery of the upper end of cylinder 10B by a horizontal circular groove or recess 11. A collar 18 snaps over the upper end of cylinder 10A and a has a central opening 20 aligned with the vertical bore in the body. The collar is spaced from the upper end of cylinder 10A by one or more grooves 50 which form air passages. Collar 18 is surrounded by a cup 22 having a like aligned opening. The cup with the collar and body attached is fitted to the neck of a container of fluid. A vertical dip tube can be fitted into the lower end 12 with its upper opening engaging opening 14. A vertical outer stem 28 open at both ends has a vertical bore aligned with the body bore. Stem 28 has an outwardly extending enlargement 28A disposed intermediate its ends. The upper portion of stem 28 above enlargement 28A extends upwardly through the openings of collar and cup with the enlargement 28A and the remainder of the stem 28 disposed in the first cylinder. The portion of this stem below enlargement 28A is smaller in outer diameter than the upper portion of the sleeve. A hollow vertical main piston 30 has an open upper end and a lower closed end with a central opening aligned with the cylinder bore. The lower closed end has outer and inner downwardly extending concentric rings 30A and 30B. Piston 30 is vertically slidable within cylinder 10A. Ring 30A in engageable with groove 11 to limit the downward travel of piston 30. The air space 50 enables air to flow into the region within the first cylinder bounded by the collar and the lower end of the piston 30 to prevent development of a vacuum like condition therein during operation of the dispenser. An inner stem 32 has a solid upper vertical section 32A of relatively small cross sectional area spaced inwardly from and extending upwardly through the piston 30 an the outer stem 28. Section 32A has vertical channels 35 defining a vertical fluid discharge path or channel 34. Section 32A has at its upper end an enlarged head 100. The upper end of outer stem 28 has an inner recess 102 contoured to receive head 100 in sealing relationship. This arrangement constitutes a discharge port 104. When the head 100 engages recess 102, port 104 is closed; when the head is separated from the recess, port 104 is open. The port is normally closed and is opened during a downstroke by causing the upper end of the outer stem to be moved downward relative to the head. The inner stem has a flat base of larger cross sectional area than its vertical portion. This flat base is connected to the top surface of lower section 32B and has horizontal grooves 31, each of which is connected to a corresponding vertical channel 34. The inner ring 30B of the main piston engages the flat base but is spaced above the grooves 31, thus forming with the upper end of section 32B horizontal channels 37 which extend from the region between section 32B and the inner wall of cylinder 10A into the discharge channel 34. Section 32B has a lower open end with a vertically elongated recess 32C therein. This lower end has a downwardly extending ring 32D. A hollow vertical inner piston 38 is vertically slidable in the second cylinder. Piston 38 has an outwardly and upwardly extending enlargement 38A intermediate its ends which engages and seals to the inner wall of the second cylinder at all times except when enlargement 38A is aligned with recess 16 at the upper end of cylinder 10B. When this alignment takes place, the enlargement 38A is spaced from recess 16 and fluid can pass therebetween. The upper end of piston 38 is closed and the upper portion of piston 38 above the enlargement is engageable with the vertical recess 32C. Enlargement 38A has a horizontal circular groove 38C which is engageable by ring 32D when section 38B engages recess 32C. A first compression spring 40 is disposed within cylinder 10A with its upper end bearing against enlargement 28A and its lower end bearing against the lower end of piston 30. When the dispenser is not actuated, spring 40 exerts an upwardly directed bias on the outer stem, forcing it upward to close port 104. A second compression spring 42 is disposed within cylinder 10B with its upper end bearing against enlargement 38A and its lower end bearing against the lower end of cylinder 10B. Finger actuator 33 engages the upper end of the outer stem and communicates with port 104. OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 1-4 AFTER BEING PRIMED When this embodiment is fully primed and at rest, the portion of the cylinder 10A which is subtended by the the inner wall of this cylinder, the inner stem, and the two pistons 30,38 defines a pump chamber and is filled with fluid. The enlargement 38A is aligned with recess 16. When the actuator 33 is depressed, the pistons and stems move downward reducing the volume of fluid in the first cylinder 10A. When the second piston 38 is lowered, enlargement 38A is moved out of alignment with recess 16, forming a seal between enlargement 38A and the second cylinder 10B. The fluid is displaced from the first cylinder 10A into that portion of the second cylinder 10B which is disposed above the enlargement 38A. The volume of fluid remains constant up to the point of discharge. Because of the differences in diameter between the two pistons, piston 38 moves further downward relative to piston 30. This process continues until a predetermined volume of fluid has been displaced into the second cylinder 10B. The pressure within the pump chamber is a function of spring forces which act against the pistons. Due to the increased fluid pressure, the first piston 30 and inner stem 32A travel upward relative to the outer stem 28. The spring gradient (or rate) of spring 40 is significantly higher than that of the spring 42. Consequently, the relative motion of the main piston is significantly smaller than the displacement of the inner piston. The relative motions are mathematically defined and are a function of the cylinder diameters and spring design. These parameters can be so chosen that the relative upward movement of the main piston and inner stem with respect to the outer stem will open port 104 at any desired point during the downstroke. At one extreme point, the port can be made to open at the moment at which all of the fluid has been displaced into the second cylinder. Once port 104 is opened, the inner piston 38 begins to travel upward under the force of spring 42 and expels the fluid in the lower cylinder upwardly through the upper cylinder, channels 37, channel 34 and the actuator 33. Once the port is opened, the second piston 38 begins to travel upward under the force of the second spring 42 and expels the fluid. This expulsion takes place before the the second piston engages section 32B of the inner stem. This engagement defines the completion of the downstroke and the initiation of the upstroke. From this point onward, the inner piston and the inner stem move upward as a unit. When the second enlargement 38A becomes aligned with recess 16, a fluid conduction path is established between the fluid in the container, via a dip tube and the space between the enlargement and the inner wall in the second cylinder, and suction force pulls the fluid upward into the first cylinder. The space subtended by the inner wall of the cylinder, the lower section of the inner stem and the two pistons thus forms a pump chamber. The dosage accuracy can be enhanced by forcing the inner piston to engage opening 14 before the port 104 is opened or by forcing ring 30A of main piston 30 to engage groove 11 before port 104 is opened. One method for accomplishing this action is to increase the biasing action of spring 40. When the inner piston reaches this opening, the reduction of volume in the first cylinder, because of downward actuation, displaces the main piston and the inner stem only, causing the port 104 to open. The motions of both pistons is effectively arrested while the outer stem continue to travel downward. Under these conditions, the dispenser delivers highly accurate dosage, independently of the method of actuation. PRIMING OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 1-4 Before the dispenser is charged with fluid, it contains air. During operation in air, since air is compressible, the inner piston 38 is not displaced into the second cylinder 10B in direct proportion to the displacement of the main piston 30. (The direct proportion displacement ensues after the dispenser has been primed because the fluid is not compressible.) The relative displacement of the inner piston 38 away from the inner stem 32 is proportional to the increase in internal pressure, which is inversely proportional to the reduction in volume. At the end of the downstroke, the main piston 30 then engages the recess 11. This action arrests the downstroke motion of main piston and the inner stem, while the outer stem 28 continues downward travel, opening port 104. Once this port is opened, the air which has been compressed within the dispenser is discharged through channels 37 and channel 34. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 5-6 The embodiment shown in Figs 5-6 does not utilise the collar 18 as shown in Figs 1-3. Instead, an elastomer gasket 200 is disposed horizontally between the cup 22 and the upper end of the first cylinder 10A, this gasket having the same central opening as the collar. A second gasket 202, made of the same material as the collar, bears against the inside of the lower horizontal portion 22A of cup 22. When the cup engages the neck of a container of fluid, gasket 202 provides a seal between the top of the neck and the inner surface of the cup. The upper vertical portion 20B of the cup is crimped against the outer surface of cylinder 10A. Air passages 50 are retained. After the dispenser is secured to the container, pressured inert gas is introduced between the outer stem 28 and the cup 22 via annular region 204. While the outer periphery of gasket 202 remains in position, the inner periphery is pushed dowstroke, allowing the gas to flow into the region of cup and container below gasket 202. Once the gas has been introduced to establish the desired level of internal pressure, the elastomer gasket returns automatically to its flat sealing position as a result of its elastomer characteristic. If necessary thereafter, the cup can be crimped against the cylinder 10A. The dispenser of Figs 5 and 6 otherwise can be primed and actuated in the same manner as the dispenser of Figs 1-4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 7-10 In the embodiment of Figs. 7-10 the pump dispenser has a top disposed exit chamber seal which is constructed in such manner that wider tolerance in manufacture can be tolerated, while at the same time, the top seal will not leak during actuation. In this embodiment the cylinder 10 has an open upper end with a plurality of inner recesses 16 in its inner wall, spaced outwardly from the remainder of the inner wall. The collar with the body attached is fitted to the neck of a container of fluid. The vertical outer stem 28 is open at both ends and has an outwardly extending enlargement 28A disposed intermediate its ends. The upper portion of stem 28 above enlargement 28A extends upwardly through the opening of cup 22 with the enlargement 28A and the remainder of the stem 28 disposed in the first cylinder. The hollow vertical main piston 30 has the bottom of its lower end provided with an inwardly extending horizontal bead 108. The outer portion of the closed end defines a ring 30A which is engageable with groove 11 to limit the downward travel of piston 30. The upper section 32A of the inner stem 32 has at its upper end an enlarged head 100 with outer inclined contours 106A. The upper end of the outer stem 28 has conforming inner inclined contours 106B adapted to receive the contours 106A of head 100 in sealing relationship. This arrangement of mating contours constitutes a discharge port. When the contours are in mating relationship, the port is closed. The inner stem 32 has a lower section 32B of larger cross sectional area than its upper portion 32A. The top surface of lower section 32B has horizontal grooves 105, each of which is connected to a corresponding vertical channel 35. The main piston engages the top surface but is spaced above the grooves 105. The upper section 32A adjacent but above section 32B has an inwardly extending horizontal recess 107 which is always engaged by bead 108. The bead 108 can engage the upper surface of the recess 107 or the lower surface of the recess 107 or be in any position therebetween. OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 7-10 Initially during the downstroke, the bead 108 of the main piston 30 engages the lower surface of the recess 107 and the discharge port 104 is firmly sealed and cannot leak. At a selected point during the downstroke, the biasing action of the first spring means 40 is overcome by the pressure within the pump chamber and the bead 108 of the main piston 30 moves upwardly away from the lower surface in the recess 107. The second stem 32 remains engaged with the first stem 28 until the bead 108 reaches the upper surface in the recess. Once the bead 108 reaches this upper surface, the two stems 28 and 32 separate with the second stem 32 being rigid with the main piston 30 and the discharge port 104 is opened. This selected point can be varied as desired by suitably adjusting the relative dimensions of the main piston bead 108 and the inner stem recess 107. As the downstroke is completed, the bead 108 is moved downward in the recess 107 until it engages the lower surface of this recess. The discharge port 104 is closed firmly and rapidly with no leakage when this engagement occurs. When the adjacent sealing surfaces of the discharge port 104 are constructed to be flat and horizontal, leakage will not occur. However, when these surfaces are not flat and horizontal, but instead are inclined, these surfaces can be constructed more easily while maintaining a leakage free seal. When this embodiment is at rest, the portion of the cylinder 10 which is subtended by the inner wall of this cylinder, the inner stem 32 and the two pistons 30 and 38 defines a pump chamber and is filled with fluid. The enlargement 38A is aligned with recess 16. The pressure which is created within the pump chamber when the dispenser is actuated exerts an upward force F1 upon piston 30 and an upward force F2 acting upon the inner stem 32. These forces are opposed by the downwardly acting bias of spring 40. Since the inner and outer stems 28,32 cannot move relative to each other because of interlocks 113, the discharge port 104 is sealed. The upward movement of the piston 30 compresses the spring 40, eventually reducing the gap 112 to zero. The piston 30 and stem 32 then move upward together opening the port 104 and forming fluid discharge path 120. As the fluid is discharged from the pump chamber, the pressure therein is reduced, and the spring 40 carries the piston 30 downward and the gap 112 begins to enlarge. When the gap is restored to its original position, the piston 30 and the inner stem 32 travel downward together relative to the outer stem 28 and the discharge port 104 is closed. The size of gap 112 is chosen in conjunction with the gradient of both springs to open the discharge port at the desired point in the stroke or at any desired pressure. Once the discharge port 104 is opened, the fluid in the lower cylinder is discharged upwardly through the upper cylinder as piston 38 begins to travel upward under the force of spring 42 and expels the fluid. The pistons 30,38, the outer stem 28, springs 40,42, and the lower section 32B move upward as a unit. When the second enlargement 38A becomes aligned with recess 16, a fluid conduction path is established between the fluid in the container, via a dip tube and the space between the enlargement 38A and the inner wall in the second cylinder 10B, and suction force pulls the fluid upward into the first cylinder 10A thus filling the pump chamber. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGURE 11 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the contours 106A and 106B are replaced by mating flat surfaces 206 of the head 100 and 208 of the outer stem 28. Section 32B has a closed lower end which can engage the lower piston 38 as shown. In the embodiments of Figs 7-10 horizontal grooves 105 are always connected to vertical channel 34. In the embodiment of Fig. 11, horizontal grooves 105 are connected to channel 34 when the port is open, but section 32B breaks this connection when the port is closed, thus providing an additional seal. While the invention has been described with particular reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, the protection thereof is to be limited only by the terms of the claims which follow.

Claims: Finger actuated fluid pump dispenser mounted on a fluid containing vessel and comprising a vertical body (10) with an upper section defining a first cylinder (10A) having an open upper end and having a first diameter and an integral lower section defining a second cylinder (10B) having a closed lower end with a central opening and having a second and smaller diameter, a collar (18) having a central opening and enclosing the upper end of the first cylinder (10A), a hollow vertical main piston (30) having an upper open end and a lower closed end provided with a central opening and being slidably disposed within the first cylinder (10A), an inner stem (32) having an upper vertical section (32A) and a lower section (32B), said upper section (32A) extending upwardly through the main piston (30), the inner stem (32) extending through the opening in the main piston with the upper section (32A) being spaced inwardly from this opening, the space between the upper section (32A) and the opening in the main piston defining a vertical fluid discharge path (34), a vertical inner piston (38) with an upper end which is adjacent and engageable with the lower end of the inner stem lower section (32B), said inner piston (38) being vertically slidable in the second cylinder (10B) and having a second outwardly extending enlargement (38A) intermediate its ends which engages the inner wall of the second cylinder (10B), a first spring (40) disposed in the first cylinder (10A) within the main piston (30), a second spring (42) disposed in the second cylinder (10B), and means (16) associated with the inner piston (38) and the second cylinder (10B) and, when actuated, establishing a fluid transfer path between the fluid in the vessel and the pump chamber formed by the space subtended by the inner wall of the first cylinder (10A), the inner stem (32) and the two pistons (30,38), wherein the lower section (32B) of the inner stem (32) has a cross sectional area which is larger than that of the upper section (32A) and smaller than that of the second cylinder (10B) and has an upper end which engages the lower end of the main piston (30) in such manner that at least one horizontal channel (37) is formed and disposed between the upper end of the lower section (32A) and the lower end of the main piston (30) and connects the region between this lower section (32B) of the inner stem (32) and the inner wall of the first cylinder (10A) to the fluid discharge path (34), the first spring (40) causes the discharge port (104) to be closed except during a downstroke movement of the pistons (30,38) and stems (28,32), the port (104) being opened at a selected point during the downstroke, said means (16) associated with the inner piston (38) and the second cylinder (10B) are actuated during an upstroke movement of the pistons (30,38) and the stems (28,32) following the downstroke movement for establishing said fluid transfer path between the fluid in the container and said pump chamber, is characterized in that it comprises: an outer hollow stem (28) which is separate from the main piston (30) and open at upper and lower ends, said outer hollow stem (28) having a first external enlargement (28A) intermediate these ends, said enlargement (28A) being disposed below the collar (18), and within the first cylinder (10A), said outer stem (28) having a vertical bore, and in that the inner stem (32) extends through the bore in the outer stem (28) with the upper section (32B) being spaced inwardly from this bore, the space between the upper section (32A) and the outer stem (28) defining a vertical fluid discharge path (34), the upper ends of the outer stem (28) and the upper section (32A) of the inner stem (32) are engageable with and disengageable from each other and cooperate to define a fluid discharge port (104) which has an open position when these ends are disengaged for allowing fluid discharge therethrough and a closed position when these ends are engaged for blocking fluid discharge therethrough, the first spring (40) bears against the outer stem (28) and the main piston (30). Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the upper end of the upper section (32A) of inner stem (32) has a head (100) and the upper end of the outer stem has a recess (102) conforming to the head (100), the port (104) being closed when the head (100) engages the recess (102) and being opened when the head (100) is spaced from the recess (102). Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the means (16) associated with the inner piston (38) and second cylinder (10B) includes an enlarged recess (16) disposed in the inner wall of the second cylinder (10B) at its upper end, said fluid transfer path (34) being established when the second enlargement (38A) is aligned with and spaced from said recess (16). Dispenser of claim 1, further including actuator means (33) connected to the upper end of the inner stem (32) and disposed adjacent but above the upper end of the outer stem (28) and the upper end of the upper section (32A) of the inner stem (32). Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the collar means (18) includes a horizontal elastomer gasket (200). Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the top surface of the lower section (32B) of the inner stem (32) contains spaced grooves, the lower end of the main piston (30) being spaced above said grooves, the grooves together with adjacent portions of the inner stem (32) and the main piston (30) defining at least one horizontal channel (37). Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the lower end of the first cylinder (10A) has a horizontal groove (11) adjacent the upper end of the second cylinder (10B) and in that the lower end of the main piston (30) engages said groove (11) during the downstroke motion before the port (104) is opened. Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the inner piston (38) has a lower end which is moved downward during the downward stroke motion to engage the central opening in the closed lower end of the second cylinder (10B) before the port (104) is opened. Dispenser of claim 1, characterized in that the main piston (30) has an inwardly extending horizontal bead (108) and the upper section (32A) of the inner stem (32) adjacent but above the lower section (32B) has an inner horizontal recess (107) engaged by said bead (108), the vertical depth of the bead (108) being smaller than the vertical depth of the recess (107) so that the main piston (30) can be moved vertically up or down with respect to the inner stem (32) although the main piston (30) and upper section (32A) of the inner stem (32) always remain engaged. Dispenser of claim 9, characterized in that the recess (107) has upper and lower surfaces, the port means (100,102) being open when the bead (108) engages the upper surface of the recess (107) and being otherwise closed. Dispenser of claim 9, characterized in that said at least one horizontal channel (105) is disposed between the upper end of lower section (32B) of inner stem (32) and the lower end of the main piston (30), which channel (105) always connects the region between the inner wall of the first cylinder (10A) and the lower (32B) section with the fluid discharge path (34). Dispenser of claim 9, characterized in that the upper ends of the outer stem (28) and the upper section (32A) of the inner stem (32) have conforming contours (106A,106B) which can be moved into and out of mating engagement, the port means (104) being closed when the contours are in mating engagement and being open when the contours are out of mating engagement. Dispenser of claim 12, characterized in that the contours (106A, 106B) are formed by mating flat surfaces (206) of the head (100) and (208) of the outer stem (28), the lower section (32B) of the inner stem (32) having a closed lower end which can engage the inner piston (38), the inner piston (38) being formed of a flat body provided with the enlargement (38A).

Inventors: CATER MIRO S, CATER, MIRO S.
Applicants: SPRUEHVENTILE GMBH
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B05B11
IPC codes: B05B11