Patent Publication Number: US-6991135-B2

Title: Dispenser for the apportioned delivery of pasty substances

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a dispenser for delivering portions of pasty substances, having a tubular housing in which a plunger is displaced in a stepwise manner, during emptying actuation, in the direction of an emptying nozzle, which is associated with a squeeze head, which can be pressed in in the direction of the plunger and can be actuated via a handle, and is associated with a stationary cover, which closes the opening cross-section of the emptying nozzle. 
   EP-B1 0 051 790 discloses a squeeze head with this associated emptying nozzle. The handle is an integral constituent part of the squeeze head, to be precise it is formed by a top portion of the same. Upon actuation, the tubular emptying nozzle, coming from an oblique position, moves increasingly into an axis-parallel position in relation to the longitudinal center axis of the dispenser, which in this case also has a tubular housing. 
   DE-A1 37 16 822 discloses a dispenser of the generic type in which the squeeze head is actuated via a separate handle which is mounted such that it can be pressed in. The actuating force is introduced into the squeeze head via bending portions. The bending portions are of such a length that they compensate for different movement sequences between the handle and the squeeze head. Upon actuation, the opening cross-section of the emptying nozzle lifts up, for all practical purposes, axially from the stationary cover. The cover and opening cross-section are cut obliquely to run in the same direction in a cannula-like manner. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to form a dispenser of the generic type in a functionally advantageous manner. 
   This object is achieved first and foremost in the case of a dispenser having the features of claim  1 , this being based on the fact that the emptying nozzle, upon handle actuation, pivots away sideways beneath the cover. 
   Such a configuration achieves a functionally advantageous dispenser. The operation of the emptying nozzle being pivoted out via the actuation of the handle results in an excellent free-standing position of the opening cross-section. The transfer of the contents of the dispenser, which are discharged in an extrusion-like manner, to the intended location can thus be effected to be as far possible visible. The squeeze head, which deforms counter to the inherent restoring force, forms, as it were, the emptying-nozzle pivot point. The pivoting-away movement, which takes place in the sideways direction, can expediently be carried out on the relatively hard emptying nozzle. Sideways is intended to mean in the direction of the lateral wall. The opening cross-section is thus not displaced into the less accessible center of the dispenser, as is the case with the generically determinative forerunner. The opening cross-section runs back and forth with excess paste removing action beneath the cover. 
   The subject matters of the rest of the claims are explained hereinbelow in relation to the subject matter of claim  1 , but may also be important in their independent formulation. Thus, the dispenser mechanism is further formed in that the handle, upon pressure actuation, pivots about a point which, in relation to the emptying nozzle, is located on the opposite side to the actuating-button surface, and it has an axially directed tail acting on a drive protrusion of the emptying nozzle. A gear-like function is present, a relatively small pivoting angle being sufficient for the handle. The actuating forces, in addition, are moderate. The actuating/dispenser mechanism is accommodated in a comparatively small space at the top of the dispenser. In respect of the drive protrusion, which can be integrally formed on the emptying nozzle, it is then advantageous if the operating surface of the drive protrusion is configured as a downwardly sloping oblique surface. The angle of slope is approximately 45° in relation to the initial orientation of the tail, which is likewise integrally formed on the handle. With regard to the dispenser configured as a stand-up unit, the tail is initially oriented in the vertical direction. Furthermore, it is provided that the oblique surface ends in a limiting groove. This provides a stop which is very noticeable to the user. In respect of the leverages, it then proves to be advantageous if the free end of the axially directed tail is located approximately level with the pivot point. Moreover, it is a feature of the invention that the lower end of the emptying nozzle is plugged in a flush manner into a neck of the squeeze head. A sealed plug-in connection is ensured, for which purpose the squeeze head usually consisting of elastomeric material is very well suited. A groove/rib engagement can be used in order to arrest the parts securely. In order also for high levels of actuating loading which give rise to displacements between the emptying nozzle and neck to be counteracted in an effective manner, provision is made, in respect of the emptying nozzle, for the bottom edge of the drive protrusion to be supported on the periphery of the neck. This results in the drive protrusion performing a further function. Moreover, a configuration of even independent importance consists in the cover being seated on a half-shell-like surround of an angled portion of the emptying nozzle. That portion of the emptying nozzle which is accommodated in the surround is thus guided to good effect and is also corrected in position, in order that the basic position is always the same, as it re-enters this covering portion. The cover, in addition, has a stiffening effect on the shell-like surround, so that it is possible to work with relatively thin wall cross-sections. The abovementioned angling is carried out for functionally advantageous orientation of the emptying nozzle. This already achieves advantageous proximity to the plane of the lateral wall of the housing, which is then followed, upon actuation, by the even further-reaching free-standing position. In order to achieve good covering of the space at the top of the dispenser, which accommodates the dispenser mechanism, it is also proposed that a downwardly directed apron extends from the angled portion of the emptying nozzle and reaches beyond the level of the pivot point. The region in which the handle is articulated is thus concealed from view. Finally, it is also proposed that, in the actuating position of the dispenser, the apron covers over a fold furrow of the squeeze head. The fold furrow as such, which is produced in the manner of a crescent moon in the delivery direction, acts, in particular, to facilitate actuation. This handling, at any rate, requires less force to be applied than in the case of the operation of compressing the dome-like squeeze head symmetrically from the apex. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows, in side view, the dispenser realized as a stand-up unit, closed by a protective cap; 
       FIG. 2  shows an illustration like that in  FIG. 1 , but with the protective cap removed; 
       FIG. 3  shows a vertical section through the dispenser in the state of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows the section according to  FIG. 3  as an enlarged detail, showing the basic, ready-for-use position, that is to say with the protective cap removed; and 
       FIG. 5  shows the dispenser in the actuating position, represented merely partially in detail form as in  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
   The dispenser Sp illustrated is realized as a stand-up unit. It has a tubular housing  1 . The latter has, at the top, a dispenser head  3  containing the dispenser mechanism  2 . A standing pedestal  4  is located at the bottom. 
   The dispenser head  3  can be covered by a protective cap  5  when the dispenser is not in use. It can be plugged on with a friction fit and is stop-limited against an annular shoulder  6 , which is achieved by an offset in the wall of the cylindrical housing  1 . 
   Most of the length of the volume of the housing  1  serves as a storage space  7  for accommodating pasty substance  8 . This may be a main substance, for example toothpaste. 
   The pasty substance  8  then has a further pasty substance  9  applied over it. This further pasty substance is located in the dispenser head  3  and forms an additional substance, for example in the form of a mouthwash component. The latter is applied, in known manner, in strip form to an elongate portion of substance which is formed for apportioned delivery. The dispenser mechanism  2 , in this respect, has a pump-like discharging action. 
   The lower termination of the storage space  7  is formed by a plunger  10 . This is a follow-up plunger. It is inserted from beneath and thus simultaneously performs a cover function in respect of the storage chamber  7 . 
   The plunger  10  is displaceable in a stepwise manner only in the emptying direction arrow x corresponding to the emptying actuation. In this case, peripheral lips  11  are guided along the cylindrical inner wall  1 ′ of the housing  1 . 
   On the side which is directed toward the standing pedestal  4 , the plunger  10  carries a so-called clamping module  12 . This has usually radially oriented spikes. Such a ring made of spring steel, moved into one plane, has a circumscribing diameter which is larger than the clear diameter of the cylindrical storage space  7 . Accordingly, the sloping, slightly obliquely positioned spike ends dig, like supporting feet, into the inner wall  1 ′ which, in this respect, is correspondingly capable of interlocking. This gives rise to a steeplejack-like action. 
   The core of the pump for the plunger  10  is formed by a dome-like squeeze head  13 . The squeeze head  13 , which is similar to a pump bellows, consists of elastomeric, resilient material. It is accommodated on the housing side in the transition region between storage space- 7  and dispenser head  3 , in a securing means  14  in the form of an annular groove. The upper termination  15  of the securing means  14  is achieved by the offset in the wall of the housing  1  there, which forms the annular shoulder  6 ; the lower termination  16 , in contrast, is formed by a transversely convexly rounded annular rib  17 . The pumping region of the squeeze head  13  is not incorporated in the securing means  14  itself. Rather, the securing means  14  is a cylindrical sleeve  13 ′ which extends from the lower end periphery of the squeeze head and is turned over to stand freely in the emptying direction arrow x. 
   The operation of discharging the elongate portion of pasty substance  8 / 9  takes place via an emptying nozzle  18  consisting of relatively stiff material. The channel of the emptying nozzle is designated K. The emptying nozzle  18  is made up of an angled portion a, which can be placed in a freely projecting position, and a vertical portion b, which runs coaxially in relation to the longitudinal center axis y-y of the rotationally symmetrical dispenser Sp. The enclosed angle of inclination α is around 40°. 
   The opening cross-section  19 , which forms a dispenser mouth, has a housing-mounted cover  20  gripping over it with closing action in the basic position of the dispenser Sp. 
   The other end of the emptying nozzle  18  is in plugging connection with the squeeze head  13 , which can be pressed in in the direction of the plunger  10 . The correspondingly pluggable end  18 ′ of the portion b of the emptying nozzle  18 , this portion running vertically in the basic position, is accommodated in a neck  21  of the squeeze head  13 , this neck being located at the apex of the dome-like squeeze head  13 . The lower end of the emptying nozzle  18  can be seen to be located in flush association with the said neck  21 . A non-slip plug-in connection is present. For this purpose, use is made of annular bead  22  which is integrally formed at the lower end of the portion b, portion b running vertically in the basic position, and engages in a corresponding annular groove  23 , located in the neck interior, for axial securing action. 
   The lower end  18 ′ is then adjoined by a tube portion  24  which continues the delivery channel K of the emptying nozzle  18 . The tube portion  24  divides up the flow of the so-called main substance, in this case pasty substance  8 , from the additional substance which can be applied in strip form, in this case further pasty substance  9 , which is located in the surroundings of the tube portion  24  and passes out as an elongate portion via feed windows  25 . The device in this respect is known to a sufficient extent and will not be discussed in any more detail here. 
   The operation of pressing in the squeeze head  13 , and thus discharging the pasty substance, takes place by actuation of a handle H realized in the form of a tilting lever. The handle is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a point  26 . For this purpose, an accessibly located actuating contact surface  27  of the said handle H is subjected to a compressive force in the direction of the arrow P. The handle H is a single-armed lever of which the point  26 , which forms a stationary articulation axis, in relation to the emptying nozzle  18  or longitudinal center axis y-y, is located on the opposite side to the actuating-button surface  27 . In the drawing, the point  26  is located on the left-hand side, that is to say in the pivoting-out direction, of the said longitudinal center axis and the actuating contact surface  27  is located on the right-hand side of the same. The movement-transmission means of the handle H here act such that the emptying nozzle  18 , upon handle actuation, pivots away sideways beneath the cover  20 . As a result, the opening cross-section  19  of the emptying nozzle  18 , this opening cross-section, even in the basic position, being located in the vicinity of the lateral-wall projection, is moved into an even more advantageous free-standing position, which even projects outwards beyond the lateral-wall projection. The elongate portion of substance which is to be discharged can thus be deposited in a specific manner, for example on a toothbrush. 
   The corresponding outward-tilting positioning takes place about an imaginary pivot point z, located approximately in the apex region of the, for all practical purposes, hemispherical squeeze head  13 . In this case, an accompanying movement takes place in the direction of the plunger  10 . The opening cross-section  19  is curved in relation to the pivot point z, as is the inner surface of the cover  20 , which grips over the opening cross-section with closing action. This perfects the sealing closure. It is even possible to use an elevated surface, since the point z is capable of yielding movement. 
   In specific terms, the tilting or the pivoting-out movement of the emptying nozzle  18  via the handle H is achieved by means of a tail  28  which, in the basic position of the dispenser Sp, is oriented axially or parallel in space to the longitudinal center axis y-y. The lower, pressure-transmitting end surface  28 ′ of the tail runs over an arcuate path  29 , which is related radially to the point  26 . This path intersects the pivot point z, depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the basic position. The radius is designated R. 
   The tail  28  is directed toward a drive protrusion  30  of the emptying nozzle  18 . The transversely projecting drive protrusion  30 , which is rooted in the lateral wall of the portion b of the emptying nozzle  18 , provides the tail  28  with an operating surface which crosses over the arcuate path steeply. The operating surface is embodied by a downwardly sloping oblique surface  31 . The latter is preferably in directional alignment with the angled portion a of the emptying nozzle  18 . The operating surface here need not be straight; a slight convex curvature or concave hollowing of the downwardly sloping oblique surface  31  likewise causes the emptying nozzle  18  to tilt. 
   As can be gathered from  FIG. 5 , the actuating position is stop-limited. For this purpose, the oblique surface  31  ends in a limiting groove  32 . 
   In the basic position, the free end, that is to say the end surface  28 ′, of the axially directed tail  28  is aligned approximately level with the pivot point  26 , located on the tilting side. The pivoting displacement of the handle H which causes the pasty substance  8 / 9  to be discharged covers an angle β of approximately 20° (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   The limiting groove  32  is formed by a nose-like, upwardly directed extension, the flank of which engages closely against the outside of the tail  28 . 
   The bottom edge  33  of the drive protrusion  30 , this bottom edge being horizontal in the basic position, runs in such a way that it is supported on the periphery  34  of the neck  21 . The emptying nozzle  18  is thus additionally secured in the axial direction. 
   As far as the dispenser head  3  is concerned, it should also be explained that the cover  20  formed thereon forms the upper termination of a half-shell-like surround  35  of the angled portion a of the emptying nozzle  18 . The surround  35  and portion a may be cross-sectionally configured such that the portion a is a cross-sectionally round tubelet and the U-leg-like portions of the surround  35  extend some way beyond the circular cross-section of the said tubelet. Such a surround  35  which extends beyond the equator may form a latching means for the purpose of securing the basic position of the dispenser Sp, for example during transportation. 
   Away from the base of the surround  35 , the said portion a of the emptying nozzle  18  continues into an apron  36 , which closes the accommodating space of the dispenser mechanism from there. This apron runs in the manner of part of a bell periphery. While performing its covering function, the apron  36  reaches beyond the level of the pivot point  26 , which may be formed in physical terms by stub pins. It is possible for these stub pins to be of snap-in configuration. 
   In the actuating position of the dispenser Sp (see  FIG. 5 ), the said apron  36 , at the same time, covers a fold furrow  37  of the squeeze head  13 . 
   The fold furrow  37  is produced as a result of the discharge zone of the squeeze head  13  of the dispenser there being folded in the tilting direction. The inward buckling is achieved particularly easily and results in smoother actuation than in cases in which the squeeze head  13  is collapsed via its center. 
   The squeeze head  13  functions as a restoring spring of the dispenser mechanism  2  in order to re-establish the basic position in each case. 
   Functioning is, to summarize briefly, as follows: by virtue of a compressive force being exerted in the direction of the arrow P, the handle H, which is configured as a tilting lever, displaces the emptying nozzle  18 , via the tail  28  and the oblique surface  31 , into an increasingly pivoted-out tilting position. The opening cross-section  19  thereby leaves the cover  20 . At the same time, this results in compression of the pasty substance  8 / 9  due to the reduction in volume in the squeeze head  13 . The substance, passing via the channel K of the emptying nozzle  18 , is forced out in extruded portions. 
   When the handle H is released, the emptying nozzle  18 , as a result of the restoring force of the squeeze head  13 , returns into the basic position which can be seen from  FIG. 4 . As a result of the so-called self-closing effect, the plunger  10  is moved up by one step via the filling column of pasty substance  8 / 9 . In the new plane, it locks against the cylindrical inner wall  1 ′ via the abovedescribed clamping module  12 . Any excess substance is sucked back behind the opening cross-section  19 . 
   The handle has a hollowed contact surface  27 . It continues, moreover, at the back into a cladding  38 , which closes from there the space in which the dispenser mechanism is accommodated. 
   All features disclosed are (in themselves) pertinent to the invention. The disclosure content of the associated/attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby also included in full in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of incorporating features of these documents in claims of the present application.