Patent ID: 7165699

Claim:
Apparatus for dispensing product from pre-filled containers comprising a product container having an outlet, a moveable portion of the container moveable to reduce the container volume and cause product to be extruded from the outlet, the container being locatable on a support, the apparatus further comprising drive means for engaging said moveable portion to effect discharge of product from container, and the drive means including detecting means for detecting whether product is dischargeable from the container, the drive means including a plunger engageable with a moveable portion of the container, the drive means extending between a fixed member and the container during use, and the detecting means detecting pressure applied by the plunger on the container, whereby, if said pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the drive means is operated to cease an operational drive movements wherein the detecting means comprises resilient means moveable upon a predetermined pressure being applied thereto and the detecting means being associated with switch means, whereby upon movement of the resilient means, the switch means is actuated to cause the drive means to cease operational movement thereof and wherein the resilient means comprises at least one Belville washer which contracts upon the application of a compressive force above a predetermined level, and extends when said force is reduced below said pre-determined level.