Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of dispensers for dispensing the contents from cans having an aerosol spray nozzle. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of dispensers for dispensing shaving cream or other aerosol dispensed products from cans having different heights and diameters. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In general, devices for dispensing the contents from cans having an aerosol spray nozzle are known in the prior art. 
     The following seven (7) prior art patents are found to be pertinent to the field of the present invention: 
     1. U. S. Pat. No. 2,948,308 issued to Regina on Aug. 9, 1960 for “Dispensing Of Pressurized Material” (hereafter the “Regina Patent”); 
     2. U. S. Pat. No. 3,032,081 issued to La Cotta on May 1, 1962 for “Dispensing Apparatus” hereafter the “La Cotta Patent”); 
     3. U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,065 issued to Gross on Aug. 6, 1963 for “Holder For Pressurized Toothpaste Dispenser” (hereafter the “Gross Patent”); 
     4. U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,613 issued to Palmer et al. on Nov. 30, 1965 for “Remote Control Holder And Actuator” (hereafter the “Palmer Patent”); 
     5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,338 issued to Cheng et al. on Sep. 5, 1978 for “Wall Mounted Actuator For Aerosol Can” (hereafter the “Cheng Patent”); 
     6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,083 issued to Gutierrez on Dec. 6, 1988 for “Aerosol Operating Device” (hereafter the “Gutierrez Patent”); and 
     7. U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,051 issued to Wells on May 21, 1996 for “Adaptive Holder Extension Handle And Toothbrush Guide For A Toothpaste Dispenser” (hereafter the “Wells Patent”). 
     The Regina Patent discloses an apparatus for dispensing pressurized material. The device contains a vertically adjustable base and a vertical unit that can be pressed down to dispense material. While accommodating cans of different heights, the device does not easily adapt to accommodate cans with different diameters and is not a device which can be easily mounted to a wall or a shower stall for easy access and use. 
     The La Cotta Patent discloses an apparatus that is arranged to be mounted fixedly on a wall, and that includes means automatically operable to apply toothpaste to a toothbrush brought into contact with the device. 
     The Gross Patent discloses a holder for a pressurized toothpaste dispenser. The device includes a handle equipped with a lever which can actuate the can so that its contents are spent. The device does not include means to accommodate cans of different heights or different diameters. 
     The Palmer Patent discloses a remote control holder and actuator. The container can be supported by a flange which is adjustable in height to accommodate different sized cans. The device also includes a horizontal lever attached by a pivot pin and placed to activate the can. However, the device is cumbersome and the user has to pull on a cord to be able to dispense contents from the can. 
     The Cheng Patent discloses a wall mountable holder to dispense the contents of an aerosol can. 
     The Gutierrez Patent discloses an aerosol actuator which employs an outer box-like housing, can be mounted on a door or the like and has an inner space divided by an internal horizontal wall with a wide semicircular notch into which an aerosol container neck fits. 
     The Wells Patent discloses an adaptive pump-style dispenser including a holder base and at least two converging side rails slanted from top to bottom and connected to the holder base. 
     While the prior art discloses numerous variations on dispensing units, none of the prior art patents disclose dispensers for dispensing shaving cream or other aerosol dispensed products from cans having different heights and diameters. There is a significant need in the marketplace for such a device which can be easily mounted on a wall or retained on a counter for easy dispensing of the can&#39;s contents through the use of only one hand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a dispenser for dispensing shaving cream or other aerosol dispensed products from cans having different heights and diameters. The dispenser can be easily mounted on a wall or retained on a counter for easy dispensing of the can&#39;s contents through the use of only one finger of a user&#39;s hand. 
     The dispenser comprises a circular bottom having an interior cavity and a lip surrounding the cavity which extends upwardly from a side ledge. There is also a vertical post with a hinged transverse member having a downwardly extending peg member. There is a disk insert which can be fitted into the cavity in the bottom of the dispenser. The dispenser can be easily mounted on a wall and in particular on a shower wall so that a person who is shaving in the shower can press down on the transverse member which in turn will cause the peg member to press down on the dispensing unit and dispense shaving cream into the person&#39;s hand with the entire motion being done with one hand. 
     For a conventional standard sized shaving can, the can is fitted into the interior cavity and the overall design of the present invention is such that the downwardly extending peg member comes directly into contact with the dispensing unit of the can so that shaving cream can be dispensed from the can by pressing down on the transverse member so that the peg member presses down on the dispensing unit. 
     For a shorter can of the same diameter, the sized disk insert is inserted into the cavity to increase the overall height so that the downwardly extending peg member comes in contact with the dispensing unit so that when the transverse member is pressed down, the extending peg member presses on the dispensing unit and shaving cream is dispensed. 
     In the case of a can with a wider diameter, the can itself does not fit in the opening or cavity, but instead, fits around the opening so that it is secured by an extending lip and the bottom of the can is supported by the transverse ledge on the dispenser and once again, the downwardly extending peg member comes in contact with the dispensing unit so that shaving cream can be dispensed from the dispenser. 
     The dispensing apparatus also includes a means for holding a safety razor when it is not in use. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient dispensing apparatus to dispense the contents of aerosol cans with one finger and which dispensing apparatus can be easily mounted on a vertical surface such as a shower wall. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple mechanical dispensing apparatus which can accommodate cans of a given diameter and different heights and can also accommodate cans having a shorter height and wider diameter, and which is configured so that each specific can is brought into alignment so that its dispensing nozzle is aligned with the downwardly extending peg member on the transverse member of the dispensing apparatus. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing shaving cream or other aerosol dispensed products from cans having different heights and diameters wherein the design of the dispensing apparatus can accommodate these different cans with only minor modifications. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing shaving cream from a can which is able to accommodate different heights and diameters of shaving cream cans, which can also hold a safety razor, and which can be easily mounted on a shower wall so that a user can dispense the shaving cream with one hand while using his other hand to shave with the safety razor. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention dispensing apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective View of the present invention dispensing apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view in partial cross-section of the present invention dispensing apparatus; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention dispensing apparatus; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the three conventional sizes of shaving cream cans with which the present invention dispensing apparatus can be used; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention dispensing apparatus in use with the tallest conventional sized shaving cream can; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention dispensing apparatus in use with a shorter can having the same diameter as the can in FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention dispensing apparatus in use with a wider and shorter shaving cream can. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is illustrated at  10  the present invention dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus  10  comprises a base  12  and a vertical wall  14  which extends upwardly from the base  12  and terminates at its top with a horizontal ledge  16 . The base  12  has a circular opening  20  which extends into a cylindrical cavity  22  which is surrounded by the interior of the vertical wall  14  and which forms a vertical interior sidewall  24 . The vertical interior sidewall  24  extends above the horizontal ledge  16  and forms a lip  26 . The cavity  22  has a lower base surface  30 . 
     Attached to the base  12  is a vertical post  40 . The vertical post  40  is attached at one end  42  to the base  12 , and at its other end  44  is attached to a hinged transverse handle  50 . The transverse handle  50  is hingeably attached to the top end  44  of the vertical post  40  by hinge means  60 . The transverse handle  50  comprises a horizontal beam member  52  which at one end  54  is attached to or adjacent the top end  44  of the vertical post  40  by hinge means  60  and at its other end terminates in a circular member  62  having a circular depressed portion  64  on the upper surface  66  of the transverse handle  50  to accommodate the end of a user&#39;s finger. The hinge means  60  enables the transverse handle  50  to extend in a horizontal direction so that it is approximately parallel to the horizontal ledge  16  and extends above the cylindrical cavity  22 . A, lower surface  68  of the transverse handle  50  has a downwardly extending peg  70  attached to it. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the downwardly extending peg  70  is approximately aligned with the center  21  of cavity  22 . 
     The base  12  also has an outwardly protruding portion  8  located to one side of horizontal ledge  16  which the protruding portion  8  has an opening  6  in which the end of a handle of a safety razor (not shown) can be inserted when the safety razor is not in use. 
     The dispensing apparatus  10  also further comprises a circular plug insert member  80  which has a diameter that is slightly less that the interior diameter of cavity  22  so that the plug insert member  80  can be inserted into the cylindrical cavity  22 . When inserted into the cylindrical cavity  22 , the lower surface  82  of the plug insert member  80  sits on lower base surface  30 , and the upper surface  84  of the plug insert member  80  now forms the lower interior surface of cylindrical cavity  22 . 
     The intent of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for cans of various heights and diameters so that the cans can be retained by the dispenser and the contents of the cans discharged through the use of one hand. In its most preferred embodiment, the present invention is intended for use with shaving cream cans. Shaving cream cans come in three standard sizes. FIG. 6 is an illustration of the three conventional sizes of shaving cream cans with which the present invention dispensing apparatus can be used. The first size of the shaving cream can  100  which is the tallest is approximately two (2) inches in diameter and approximately seven and one-quarter (7¼) inches tall from the base to the dispensing nozzle. The second size of the shaving cream can  200  is approximately two (2) inches in diameter and six and one-quarter (6¼) inches tall from the base to the dispensing nozzle. The third size of the shaving cream came  300  is approximately two and one-half (2½) inches in diameter and approximately six (6) inches tall from the base to the dispensing nozzle. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the diameter D 1  of the cylindrical cavity  22  is approximately 2.110 inches. The diameter D 2  of the circular ledge surrounding the cylindrical cavity  22  is approximately 2.385 inches. Referring to FIG. 4, the interior height H, of the cylindrical cavity  22  is approximately 0.99 inches. The height H 2  from the horizontal ledge  16  to the lower surface  68  of transverse handle  50  is approximately 6.34 inches. The height H 3  from the horizontal ledge  16  to the lower tip of the downwardly extending peg  70  is approximately 6.06 inches. The height H 4  of the circular plug member  80  is approximately 0.495 inches. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a perspective view of the present invention, dispensing apparatus  10  in use with the tallest conventional sized shaving cream can  100 . The tallest sized can is inserted into the cylindrical cavity  22  with no circular plug insert member  80 . Based on the dimensions just given, the dispensing nozzle  102  sits just below the lowermost tip of downwardly extending peg  70 . When a user desires to dispense shaving cream from can  100 , the user places his finger on circular depressed portion  64  of the transverse handle  50  and pushes downwardly. The downwardly extending peg  70  comes in contact with dispensing nozzle  102  and shaving cream is dispensed from the can  100 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a perspective view of the present invention dispensing apparatus  10  in use with a shorter conventional sized shaving cream can  200  having the same diameter as can  100 . In this embodiment, the plug insert member  80  is inserted into cylindrical cavity  22  and the can  200  sits on top of the plug insert member  80  and within cylindrical cavity  22 . With this can  200  situated as just described, based on the dimensions just given, the dispensing nozzle  202  sits just below the lowermost tip of the downwardly extending peg  70 . When a user desires to dispense shaving cream from can  200 , the user places his finger on circular depressed portion  64  of transverse handle  50  and pushes downwardly. The downwardly extending peg  70  comes in contact with dispensing nozzle  202  and shaving cream is dispensed from the can  200 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a perspective view of the present invention dispensing apparatus  10  in use with the widest conventional sized shaving cream can  300 . In this embodiment, the can  300  is seated on the horizontal ledge  16  and is secured thereon by lip  26 . With this can  300  situated as just described, based on the dimensions just given, the dispensing nozzle  302  sits just below the lowermost tip of downwardly extending peg  70 . When a user desires to dispense shaving cream from can  300 , the user places his finger on circular depressed portion  64  of transverse handle  50  and pushes downwardly. The downwardly extending peg  70  comes in contact with dispensing nozzle  302  and shaving cream is dispensed from the can  300 . 
     The dispensing apparatus  10  also comprises means  96  for mounting the apparatus to a shower wall. The means can be conventional attachment means. 
     The dispensing apparatus is preferably made of plastic or comparable waterproof material. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention may be used with other cans including aerosol cans for dispensing other types of products and with different sized cans. The dimensions of the dispenser and the plug will have to be adjusted to conform to the diameter and height of the specific can with which the invention will be used. 
     Defined in detail, the present invention is a dispenser for holding a can of shaving cream and enabling the shaving cream to be dispensed from the can by using only one finger of one hand, the dispenser comprising: (a) a base having an open cylindrical cavity therein, a horizontal ledge surrounding the cylindrical cavity, the cylindrical cavity having an interior sidewall which extends into a lip surrounding the cavity and rising above the horizontal ledge, and a lower base surface within the cavity and forming a bottom of the cavity, the cylindrical cavity being open at its top; (b) a vertical post attached at one end to the base and hingeably attached at its other end to a transverse handle so that the transverse handle extends above and approximately parallel to the cylindrical cavity; (c) a downwardly extending peg attached to the transverse handle and which extends downwardly toward the cylindrical cavity of the base, the peg approximately aligned with the center of the cylindrical cavity; (d) the diameter of the cavity sized for accommodating the diameter of a first can of shaving cream and the height from the lower base surface to the tip of the peg sized for matching the height of the first can of shaving cream from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; and (e) the diameter of the horizontal ledge sized for accommodating the diameter of a wider can of shaving cream and the height from the horizontal ledge to the tip of the peg sized for matching the height of the wider can of shaving cream from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; (f) whereby, when the first can of shaving cream is placed in the cylindrical cavity and rests on the base, depressing the transverse handle with one finger enables shaving cream to be dispensed, and when the can is removed, and the wider can is placed on the horizontal ledge and is retained thereon by the lip, depressing the transverse handle with one finger enables shaving cream to be dispensed. 
     Defined broadly, the present invention is a dispenser for holding an aerosol can and enabling the contents of the can to be dispensed from the can by using only one finger of one hand, the dispenser comprising: (a) a base having an open cylindrical cavity therein, a horizontal ledge surrounding the cylindrical cavity, the cylindrical cavity having an interior sidewall which extends into a lip surrounding the cavity and rising above the horizontal ledge, and a lower base surface within the cavity and forming a bottom of the cavity, the cylindrical cavity being open at its top; (b) a vertical post attached at one end to the base and hingeably attached at its other enid to a transverse handle so that the transverse handle extends above and approximately parallel to the cylindrical cavity; (c) a downwardly extending peg attached to the transverse handle and which extends downwardly toward the cylindrical cavity of the base, the peg approximately aligned with the center of the cylindrical cavity; (d) the diameter of the cavity sized for accommodating the diameter of a first aerosol can and the height from the lower base surface to the tip of the peg sized for matching the height of the first aerosol can from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; and (e) the diameter of the horizontal ledge sized for accommodating the diameter of a wider aerosol cam and the height from the horizontal ledge to the tip of the peg sized for matching the height of the wider aerosol can from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; (f) whereby, when the first aerosol can is placed in the cylindrical cavity and rests on the base lower surface, depressing the transverse handle with one finger enables the contents of the aerosol can to be dispensed, and when the can is removed, and the wider can is placed on the horizontal ledge and is retained thereon by the lip, depressing the transverse handle with one finger enables the contents of the can to be dispensed. 
     Defined more broadly, the present invention is a dispenser for holding an aerosol can and enabling the contents of the can to be dispensed from the can by using only one finger of a user&#39;s hand, the dispenser comprising: (a) a base having a cavity therein and a horizontal ledge surrounding the cavity, the cavity having an interior sidewall which extends into a lip surrounding the cavity and rising above the horizontal ledge and a lower base surface within the cavity and forming a bottom of the cavity; (b) a vertical post attached at one end to the base and hingeably attached at its other end to a handle which extends above and approximately parallel to the cavity; (c) a peg attached a lower side of the handle and which extends downwardly toward the cavity of the base, the peg approximately aligned with the center of the cavity; (d) the diameter of the cavity being sized for accommodating the diameter of a first aerosol can and the height from the lower base surface to the tip of the peg being sized for matching the height of the first aerosol can from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; and (e) the diameter of the horizontal ledge being sized for accommodating the diameter of a wider aerosol can and the height from the horizontal ledge to the tip of the peg being sized for matching the height of the wider aerosol can from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; (f) whereby, when the first aerosol can is placed in the cavity and rests on the lower base surface, depressing the handle with one finger enables the contents of the first aerosol can to be dispensed, and when the first aerosol can is removed, and the wider aerosol can is placed on the horizontal ledge and is retained thereon by the lip, depressing the handle with one finger enables the contents of the wider aerosol can to be dispensed. 
     Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a dispenser for holding an aerosol can and enabling the contents of the can to be dispensed from the can by using only one finger of a user&#39;s hand, the dispenser comprising: (a) a base having a lower base surface and an interior sidewall extending upwardly from the base surface to form an interior cavity; (b) a vertical post attached at one end to the base and hingeably attached at its other end to a handle which extends above and approximately parallel to the cavity; (c) a peg attached a lower side of the handle and which extends downwardly toward the cavity of the base, the peg approximately aligned with the center of the cavity; and (d) the diameter of the cavity being sized for accommodating the diameter of the aerosol can and the height from the lower base surface to the tip of the peg being sized for matching the height of the aerosol can from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; (e) whereby, when the first aerosol can is placed in the cavity and rests on the lower base surface, depressing the handle with one finger enables the contents of the first aerosol can to be dispensed. 
     Further defined even more broadly, the present invention is a dispenser for holding a wider aerosol can and enabling the contents of the can to be dispensed from the can by using only one finger of a user&#39;s hand, the dispenser comprising: (a) a base having a horizontal ledge and a lip rising above the horizontal ledge; (b) a vertical post attached at one end to the base and hingeably attached at its other end to a handle which extends above and approximately parallel to the base; (c) a peg attached a lower side of the handle and which extends downwardly toward the base, the peg approximately aligned with the center of the base; and (d) the diameter of the horizontal ledge being sized for accommodating the diameter of the aerosol can and the height from the horizontal ledge to the tip of the peg being sized for matching the height of the aerosol can from its base to its dispensing nozzle so that the dispensing nozzle lies immediately below the peg; (e) whereby the aerosol can is placed on the horizontal ledge and is retained thereon by the lip, depressing the handle with one finger enables the contents of the wider aerosol can to be dispensed. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. 
     The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7