US3268123A - Dispensers for fluent masses - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 23, 1966 w. B. sPATZ DIsPENsERs Fon FLUENT MAssEs 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1964 W44 TER B. Sprz INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,268,123 DISPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES Walter B. Spatz, 11182 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Apr. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 361,465 20 Claims. (Cl. Z22-400.5)

The present invention relates to dispensing devices, and more particularly [to :dispensing types of containers from which uent substances can be discharged.

In United States Patent No. 3,088,636, a dispensing type of container for a fluent mass is disclosed, which is capable of being discharged by decreasing the effective volume of the container forwardly of a follower device, after which the volume is increased to create a partial vacuum that causes atmospheric pressure rearwardly of the follower device to move it forwardly in the container and decrease the effective volume of the container by the quantity of the fluent mass previously discharged.

An object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container of the type indicated which embodies a check valve shiftable to open position when dispensing is desired Without the necessity for first subjecting the fluent mass in the container to pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container of the type indicated in which the initial phase of decreasing the effective Volume of the container forwardly of the follower device automatically opens the discharge or check valve without substantial application of pressure to the fluent mass in the container, after which continued decrease of such volume applies pressure to the uent mass and produces its dispensing through the open valve. Release of the dispensing force on the pressure applying portion of the container is accompanied by prompt closing of the valve, followed by `return of the pressure applying portion to its initial position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container of the type indicated which automatically accommodates itself to increase or decrease in volume of the fluent mass due to its temperature rise or fall, to avoid inadvertent and undesired discharge of any portion of the iluent mass, or damage to the container parts. The increased volume of the mass resulting from rise in its temperature is dissipated each time a portion of the mass is discharged from the container, restoring the container to a condition capable of again accommodating further expansion of the iluent mass resulting from increase in its temperature.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container from which a fluent mass can he discharged through an outlet by subjecting the mass to pressure, in which the mass at the outlet is drawn back into the container automatically as a result of discontinuing the application of pressure thereto, thereby avoiding undesirable drooling at the container mouth.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparrent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is -best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through a container device embodying the invention, with its outlet portion closed;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the upper portion of the container disclosed in FIG. 1, with its valve open;

Patented August 23, 1966 lCe FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, disclosing the position of the parts after the valve has been opened and a portion of the uent mass in the container has been dispensed;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken as indicated by the lines 4-4 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmenta-ry section of a portion of the container device;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 6 6 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along the line 7 7 on FIG. l;

FIG. 8 is an isometric View of the container device disclosed in the other figures, but on a smaller scale.

The container `device A illustrated in the drawings is adapted to hold a fluent or fluid-type mass M, such as toothpaste, sunburn lotion, hand cream, mayonnaise, and the like, the particular mass being controllably dispensed from the container by the application of finger pressure to a portion thereof.

As specifically shown, a container or tube 10 has a rear end wall 11 integral or frictionally held therein provided with a hole or air vent 12 to permit air at atmospheric pressure to enter the rear portion of the container and act upon a one-Way follower device 13 slidable in a forward direction only in the container. This follower device is at the rear of the fluent mass M in the container, the forward part of which is disposed within an inner generally cup-shaped head 14 reciprocable in the forward portion of the container. The inner head or spout portion of the container has a discharge outlet or mouth 15 through which the contents of the container can be expelled, this outlet or mouth being closed by a suitable plug or valve device 17.

The inner head 14 includes a skirt conforming in shape to the inner wall 18 of the container and having a downwardly facing lip 19 adapted to slidably and sealingly engage the inner container wall. This skirt portion merges into `an end wall 20 from which a nozzle 21 projects that has the discharge opening, outlet or mouth 15 at its outer end, the nozzle extending through an opening 22 -in the outer end wall 23 of an outer head 24 having a depending skirt 25 extending slidably along the exterior or periphery 26 of the container or tube 10. The outer end wall 23 has a depending hollow boss 27 integral therewith receiving a pin portion 28 of the valve member 17, which is integral with a transverse a-rm 29 of the latter, the arm, in turn, being integral with an upwardly projecting valve stem 30 integral with a valve head 31 adapted to engage the outer end or valve seat 32 of the nozzle and close its outlet or mouth 15.

The extent of outward movement of the valve head 31 and its appropriate centering and sealing in the outlet mouth 15 is determined by engagement of an inclined surface 33 on the head with the companion inclined surface 34 of its seat at one side of the outlet or mouth, which tapers from the adjacent wall of the nozzle 21 in a direction toward its outlet or mouth 15. The extent of outward movement of the valve head is primarily limited by engage-ment of a shoulder 35, extending inwardly from the outer end of the head 31, with the end 36 of the nozzle at the side of its mouth 15 opposite the inclined surface 34, and by engagement of the arm 29 with the end wall 20.

The outer head 24 and the valve member 17 are secured together, being movable as a unit with respect to the inner head or spout 14. Thus, the boss 27 projecting inwardly from the outer end wall 23 of the outer head projects through a companion opening 37 in the end wall 20 of the inner head and engages the arm 29, the pin 28 extending outwardly from the transverse valve arm, in turn, engaging the inner end of the boss. Separation between the valve member 17 and the outer hea-d 24 is prevented by a circumferential rib 38 on the pin disposed within a companion circumferential groove 39 in the boss. Since the parts are preferably made of an elastic material, as a suitable synthetic resin, the pin 28 can be pushed into the boss socket 40, the rib 38 on the pin deiiecting inwardly and passing into the bore of the socket, then expanding outwardly into the companion groove 39, to thereby rmly secure the outer head 24 to the valve member 37. The outer head 24 and Valve member `17 are movable longitudinally relative to the inner head 14 by a distance sufficient to insure movement of the valve member 17 inwardly away from the outlet or mouth 15, in order to open the latter. When the valve element 17 is in closed position within the nozzle 21 against the tapered seat portions 34, 36 of the latter, a gap or space exists between the inner and outer end walls 20, 23, the inner end wall 20 then resting upon the transverse arm 29 of the valve member (FIG. l). The exertion of finger pressure, or the like, against the outer end wall 23 will move it toward the inner end wall 20, the valve member 17 moving with the outer head member 24 and within the nozzle 21 to shift the valve head 31 inwardly away from its companion seat 32 defining the mouth of the nozzle. The extent of such opening is determined by engagement of the outer end wall 23 with the inner end wall 20, as disclosed in FIG. 2. Continued application of inward for-ce on the outer end wall 23 or head 24 then results in axial inward movement of the inner head 14 and its application of pressure to the uent mass M in the container 10, discharging a portion of the mass through the open mouth 15 of the nozzle 21 (FIG. 3). Leakage of the mass around the exterior of the inner head 14 is prevented by the slidable sealing of its lip 19 against the inner wall 18 of the container, while leakage between the boss 27 and the inner end wall is prevented by an inwardly facing lip seal 4S projecting inwardly from the en-d wall 20 sealingly engaging the periphery of the boss. Release of the inwardly directed force on the outer head 24 permits it to return to its initial position, carrying the valve 17 with it to rst close the nozzle outlet 15 and then returning the inner head t14 in a forward direction to its initial position.

The outer head 24 and valve member 17 are urged in an outward direction by a helical compression spring 46 disposed in an annular space 47 between the inner and outer heads, with its outer end bearing against the end wall 23 of the outer head. The end portion of the spring surrounds a circular rib 48 extending inwardly from the outer end wall 23 to hold the spring in a position adjacent to the outer wall skirt 25. The inner end of the spring is disposed within a U-shaped annular spring seat 49, the outer portion of which is engageable with a upwardly facing shoulder 50 on the skirt 25. The inner wall 51 of the spring seat has a flange 52 extending inwardly therefrom overlying an upwardly facing shoulder 53 on the exterior of the skirt 17l of the inner head. When dispensing of the uent mass M is not occurring, it is preferred that the spring seat 49 engage the shoulder 50 on the outer head skirt 25, and the the ange 52 be spaced outwardly a slight distance from the inner head shoulder 53 such that a spring force is not being imposed on the inner head 14 when the dispenser is not being used. Transmission of such spring force to the head l14 might have the undesired effect of eventually pulling the ribs 38 from the groove 39 and the pin portion 28 from the boss socket 40.

The spring seat 49 engages the outer end 10a of the container or tube 10, or it may be space-d slightly from it by a short distance when the outer head is in its nondispensing position on the tube. At this time, another inner and upwardly directed shoulder 55 of the skirt is disposed below a companion shoulder 56 on an outwardly directed flange 57 at the upper end of the cou tainer 10. When the spring seat 49 engages the shoulder 50, the distance between the base of the spring seat and the skirt shoulder 55 is substantially greater than the distance between the upper end 10a of the tube 10 and its shoulder 56. As a result, the entire head and valve assembly 14, 24, 17, 46, 49 can float as a unit upwardly and downwardly of the container between limits. Upward movement is limited by engagement of the shoulder 55 with the shoulder 56, downward oating movement being limited by engagement of the spring seat 49 with the end 10a of the container. Because of this arrangement, the entire head assembly is movable longitudinally of the tube or container 10 to a signiiicant degree without applying pressure to the fluent mass M in the container, described hereinbelow.

The follower device 13 includes a piston 60 having a forwardly directed annular lip type seal 61 for slidable sealing engagement with the wall 18 of the container or tube 10. Mounted on the rea-r portion of the piston is a one-Way latch device 62 including a central hub portion 63 adapted to t over and be secured to a rearwardly directed .stem portion 64 of the piston, the latch device including generally radial spring-like arms 65 which are inclined outwardly and rearwardly toward the wall I18 of the container, the outer end 66 of each arm engaging such wall. When the head 14 is depressed to dispense the uent mass M from the container, the pressure developed in the mass cannot shift the follower device v13 rearwardly since the outer ends 66 of t'he latch fingers or arms 65 grip the inner wall of the container. However, when the pressure on the outer head 24 is released and it moves in a direction outwar-dly of the container 10, a partial vacuum `is created in the uent mass forwardly of the piston 60 and the atmospheric pressure entering the rear of the container through the hole or air vent 12 acts upon the piston and moves it forwardly -against the fluent mass, the arms l65 sliding forwardly along the wall :18.

Initially, the follower device 13 is disposed adjacent Vto the rear Wall 11, the fluent mass filling the container forwandly of the piston and also being disposed within the -inner head 1.4 and its nozzle 21. At this time, the spring seat 49 may be resting upon or be disposed immediately above Ithe outer end 10a of the container or tube, the spring seat engaging the shoulder 50 of the outer skirt 25, the valve 31 closing the outlet or mouth 15. The parts are then in the condition illustrated in FIG. l. Assuming a portion of the uent mass M is to be dispensed through lthe nozzle 21, inward pressure, as by use of a nlger, is imposed on the outer end wall 23 of the outer head 24. The inner head 14 cannot move inwardly or rearwandly at this time because of the presence of the uent mass. Accordingly, such inward lpressure will first move the plug or valve member 17 inwardly to open the outlet or mouth 15 to the extent determined by engagement of the outer end wall 23 with the inner end wall 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The shifting of the boss 27 within the inner end wall 20 and the interior of the inner head 14 will develop a relatively small pressure in the fluent mass M, but the decreased volume in the inner h ead is relatively small, and Whatever pressure is developed will be promptly dissipated upon slight inward movement and disengagement of the valve head 31 from its companion seat 32.

Additional inward movement of the outer head 24 and its end wall causes the outer head skirt 25 to slide along the lperiphery of the container or tube 10 and shifts the inner head 14 inwardly of the container, decreasing the volume in the latter forwardly of the piston 60 and causing a quantity of iiuent mass corresponding to the decrease in volume to be discharged through the open outlet or mouth 15. During such inward movement of the heads 14, 24 and the valve or plug 17 attached to the outer head, the spring 46 is compressed because of engagement of the spring seat 49 with the end 10a of the tube.

When the linger pressure on the outer end wall 23 is released, the spring 46 expands and first shifts the outer head 24 and its valve member 17 in an axial outward direction, the inner head 14 at first remaining in the inward -position to which it has been shifted, the valve member head 31 mov-ing outwardly into engagement with its companion seat 32 to close the mouth 15 of the nozzle 21 and the transverse arm engaging the end wall 20 of the inner head. Continued expansion of the spring 46 then causes the outer head 24, inner head `14 and valve member 17 to move outwardly as a unit to return all of the parts to their initial position with respect to the container or tube 10. Dur-ing such outward shifting of the inner head 14, a partial vacuum is created within the container forwardly of the piston 60, inasmuch as the valve head 31 has closed the outlet 15 preventing air at atmospheric pressure from entering the forward portion of the container. Accordingly, the greater atmospheric pressure rearwardly of the piston 60 is effective to shift the latter forwardly against the fluent mass M, the latter being caused to completely fill the container space forwardly of the piston.

When the head 14 has been pushed inwardly to apply pressure to the fluent mass, the one-way latch device 62` on the piston precludes the latter yfrom -moving in a rearward direction. As a result, the mass M is dispensed from the container by an amount corresponding to the Iinward displacement of the inner head 14, which acts as a pump piston in generating a pressure in the fluent mass `and discharging it through the open outlet or mouth 15.

As described hereinbefore, normally there is a longitudinal'space between the skirt shoulder 55 and the tube shoulder 56. As a result, in the event the temperature of the fluent mass M increases, its corresponding increase in volume will -merely shift the heads 14, 24 in an outward direction. The heads act as a movable portion of an expansion chamber to accommodate the increase in volume of the fluent mass. The heads, in effect, function as a floating closure for the container 10. I-f the temperature of the mass M decreases, its volume will also decrease, the heads 14, 24 moving rearwardly or inwardly of the container `to automatically compensate for the reduced volume, the pressure of the fluent mass remaining substantially atmospheric. In this connection, it is important that the friction drag of the inner and outer heads 14, 24 along the inner and outer walls 18, 26 of the container 10 be less than that of the follower device 13 along the inner wall 18. Otherwise, a decrease in temperature of the fluent mass M would result in forward movement of the follower device 13 in the container rather than descent or inward movement of the heads 14, `24 along the container or tube. Assuming a previous rather large increase in temperature has shifted the heads 14, 24 outwardly to substantially their fullest extent, at which the shoulders 55, 56 are on the verge of abutting, a subsequent substantial decrease in temperature of the mass and corresponding reduction in its volume would, if the friction of the heads against the container 10 were greater than the friction of ythe follower device 13 along the container, result in forward feeding of the follower device 13. Subsequent increase in temperature would then cause the volume of the fluent mass to again increase, the heads being incapable of moving outwardly to compensate foir the increased volume because of engagement between `the shoulders 55, 56, the one-way latch device 62 preventing rearward movement of the follower device 13. The result would be dischange of some of the mass M or breakage of the latch fingers 63, or other parts. However, this does not occur, inasmuch as the head 14 float-s inwardly and outwardly of the container 10 to compensate for decrease or increase in temperature of the mass, no movement of the piston 60 resulting because of the temperature change.

Assuming the heads 14, 24 have moved outwardly of the container to compensate for thermal expansion of the fluent mass M, subsequent inward .shifting of the heads 14, 24 to discharge part of the fluent mass dissipates the increased volume, so that release of the inward pumping force from the heads causes them to return to their initial positions disposed further inwardly along the container. Thus, the floating heads can move outwardly a greater distance in the event of later rise in temperatu-re of the fluent mass.

It is to be noted that the inward shifting of the boss 27 relative to the end wall 20 of the inner head results in a slight pressure being developed in the fluent mass M, which is almost immediately dissipated because of the prompt removal of the valve head 31 from engagement with its companion seat 32. Continued inward movement of the boss 27, until the outer end wall 23 engages the inner end lwall 2i) results in some, although slight, displacement of the fluent mass through the outlet or mouth 15. If the cross-sectional area Y of the boss is made larger than that of the mouth or discharge orifice 15 of the nozzle 21, the return or outward movement of the boss relative to the inner head or spout 14, to replace the plug or valve head 31 in engagement with its seat 32, will create a slight vacuum or suction within the container, causing so-me suck-back through the orifice or mouth 15, `thereby clearing the latter of any adherent portion of the fluent mass previously dispensed. Accordingly, the making of the area Y greater than the area of the orifice 15 avoids undesirable drooling upon release of the pressure on the outer head 24 and the reshifting of the valve member 17 to lclosed position. Of course, subsequent outward movement of the outer and inner heads 24, 14 with the valve closed creates a substantially greater suction within the container 10, causing the follower or chaser 13 to move .in a forward direction by an amount corresponding to the volume of the fluent mass previously displaced.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a dispensing container has been provided in which opening of the check valve device 17 occur-s mechanically without the necessity for effecting its opening as a result of applying pressure to the fluent mass. Pressure is imposed on the mass only after the valve has been shifted to its open position, after which the pumping action on the inner head or spout 14 occurs to effect dischange of the contents M of the lcontainer through the nozzle or orice 15. As soon as the pump `force on the outer head 24 is released, the valve 17 promptly returns to its closed position. If the boss has the l.greater area Y than that of the orifice area, a slight back-sucking lor suction action in the orifice 15 will occur to substantially clear the latter of the fluent material. Thereafter, the heads 14, 24 ascend as a unit to return them to their initial posit-ion, creating suction in the container and causing the atmospheric pressure behind the follower device 13 to -shi-ft it forwardly. Repeated dispensing results in a lprogressive forward `shifting of the follower device 13 until it contacts the inner head 14, into which it can fit to be assured of dislpensing substantially `the full contents of the container.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; a valve member movable relative to said closure means to open and close said outlet; said closure means being movable in a direction inwardly of said container to apply pressure to the mass therein and force it through said outlet; and actuating means connected to said valve member for shifting said valve member to open position whereby subsequent movement of said closure means in a direction inwardly of said container applies pressure to the fluent mass therein and forces a portion of said mass through the open outlet.

2. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; movable closure means for the container and having an outlet; a valve member movable relative to said closure means and said container to open and close said outlet; and actuating vmeans operatively associated ,with said valve member and closure means for shifting said valve member to open position and for then forcing said closure means in a direction in-wardly of said container against the mass in said container to apply pressure thereto and force a portion of the mass through the open outlet.

3. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said closure means and against the mass in the container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of the piston means in a forward direction in the container; valve means movable relative to said closure means to open and close said outlet; said closure means being movable with respect to said container to apply pressure to the mass therein and force it through said outlet; and actuating means operatively associated with said val-ve means for shifting said valve means to open position whereby subsequent movement of said closure means relative to said container applies pressure to the uent mass therein forwardly of said piston means and forces a portion of said mass through the open outlet.

4. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said closure means and against the mass in the container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of the pis-ton means in a forward direction in the container; Valve means movable relative to said closure means to open and close said outlet; and actuating means operatively `associated with said valve means and closure means for shifting said valve means to open position and for then forcing said closure means against the mass forwardly of said piston means to apply pressure thereto.

5. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass; movable closure means for the container and having an outlet; a vlalve member movable relative to said closure means to open and close said outlet; actuating means operatively associated with said valve member and closure means for shifting said valve member to open position and for then forcing said closure means in a direction inwardly of said container against the mass in said container to apply pressure .thereto and Iforce a portion of the mass through the open outlet; and means for returning said valve member to outlet closing position and said closure means in a direction outwardly of said container to its initial position.

6. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said closure means and against the mass in the container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of the piston means in a forward direction in the container; valve means movable relative to said closure means to open and close said outlet; actuating means operatively associated with said valve means and closure means for shifting said valve means to open position and for then forcing said closure means against the mass forwardly of said piston means to apply pressure thereto; and means for returning said valve means to outlet closing position and said closure means to its initial position.

7. In a dispenser for a iiuent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; a valve member inwardly of said closure means and movable relative to said container in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; said closure means being movable with respect to said container to apply pressure to the mass therein and force it through said outlet; and actuating means operable from the exterior of said closure means for shifting said valve member inwardly of said closure means to open position whereby subsequent movement of said closure means relative to said container applies pressure to the fluent mass therein and forces a portion of said mass through the open outlet.

8. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; a valve member inwardly of said closure means and movable relative to said container in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; and actuating means operable from the exterior of said closure means and movable relative to said container for shifting said valve member inwardly of said closure means to open position and for then forcing said closure means against the mass in said container to apply pressure thereto and force a portion of the mass through the open outlet.

9. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container and having an outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said closure means and against the mass in the container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of said piston means in the container in a forward direction; valve means inwardly of said closure means and movable in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; and actuating mean operable from the exterior of said closure means for shifting said valve means inwardly of said closure means to open position and for then forcing said closure means against the mass forwardly of said piston means to apply pressure thereto.

10. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container sealingly mounted in said container and having an outlet and movable in a direction inwardly of said container against the mass to apply pressure thereto and dispense a portion of the mass through said outlet; actuating means connected to said closure means and slidable along the exterior of said container; means for closing said outlet; said closure means and actuating means being mounted on said container to be moved bodily therealong as a unit by the mass with said outlet closed and thereby permit automatic change in the effective volume of said container in accordance with variations in volume of the massin said container due to change in the temperature of said mass.

11. In a dispense-r for a uent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container sealingly mounted in said container and having an outlet and movable in a direction inwardly of said container against the mass to apply pressure thereto and dispense a portion of the mass through said outlet; actuating means connected to said closure means and slidable along the exterior of said container; means for closing said outlet; said closure means and actuating means being axially slidable along said container as a unit by the mass with said outlet closed to thereby permit automatic change in the effective volume of said container in response to variation in the volume of the mass in said container due to temperature changes of such mass.

12. In a dispense-r for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container having an outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said closure means and against the mass in said container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of the piston means in the forward direction; means for selectively opening and closing said outlet; said closure means being movable with respect to said container against the fluent mass therein to apply pressure the-reto and force it through the outlet; said closure means being axially slidable on said container with said outlet closed to automatically change the effective volume of said container forwardly of said piston means in response to variations in the volume of the mass in said container due to temperature changes of such mass.

13. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; closure means for the container having an outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said closure means and against the mass in said container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of said piston means in the forward direction; means for selectively opening and closing said outlet; said closure means being movable with respect to said container against the fluent mass therein to apply pressure thereto and force it through the outlet; said closu-re means being axially slidable on said container to automatically change the eiective volume of said container forwardly of said piston means in response to variations in the volume of the mass in said container due to temperature changes of such mass; the frictional resistance to axial sliding of said closure means on said container being substantially less than the frictional resistance to movement of said piston means forwardly in said container.

14. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass; an actuating head having an outlet and being slidable axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein and force it through said outlet; a valve member inwardly of said head movable relative to said head in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; actuating means extending through and shiftable with respect to said head and connected to said valve member to shift said valve member between open and closed positions, said actuating means being movable in one direction to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said head axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein; and means for shifting said actuating means in the opposite direction to iirst move said valve member to close position and then return said head to its initial position.

15. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; an actuating head having an outlet and being slidable axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein and force it through said outlet; a valve member inwardly of said head movable relative to said head in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; actuating means extending through and shiftable with respect to said head and connected to said valve member to shift said val-ve member between open and closed positions, said actuating means being movable in one direction to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said head axially in said container to apply pressure to the uent mass therein; and spring means engaging said actuating means and engageable with said container for shifting said actuating means in the opposite direction to first move said valve member to closed position and then return said head to its initial position.

16. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; an actuating head having an outlet and shiftable axially in said container to apply pressure in the iiuent mass therein and force it through said outlet; a valve member inwardly of said head movable relative to said head in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said head and against the mass in sa-id container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of the pist-on means in the forward direction; actuating means extending through and shiftable with respect to said head and connected to said valve member to shift said valve member between open and closed positions, said actuating means being movable in one direction to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said head axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein; and means for shifting said actuating me-ans in the opposite direction to first move said valve member to closed position and then return said head to its initial position.

17. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass; an inner actuating head having an outlet and being slidable axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein and force it through said outlet; a valve member inwardly of said head movable relative to said head in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; an outer head slidable axially on said container; means extending through said inner head and connecting said outer head to said valve member to shift said valve member between open and closed positions, said outer head being movable from an initial position axially inwardly of said container to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said inner head axially inwardly of said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein; and spring means engaging said outer head and engageable with said container for shifting said outer head axially outwardly of said container toward its initial position to first move said valve member to closed position and then return said inner head axially to its initial position.

18. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; an inner actuating head having an outlet and being slidable axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein an-d force it through said outlet; a valve member inwardly of said head movable relative to said head in an -outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; an outer head slidable axially on said container; means extending through said inner head and connecting said outer head to said valve member to shift said valve member between open and closed positions, said outer head being movable from an initial position axially inwardly of said container to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said inner head axially inwardly of said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein; spring means engaging said outer head and engageable with said container for shifting said outer head axially outwardly of said container toward its initial position to rst move said valve member to closed position and then return said inner head axially to its initial position; stop means on said outer head engaging said spring means when said outer head is in its initial position to prevent said spring means from bearing against said container and to permit said head to iioat as a unit axially of said container in response to changes in volume of the fluent mass due to temperature changes of said mass.

19. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; an inner actuating head having an outlet and being slidable axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein and force it through said outlet; a valve member inwardly of said head movable relative to said head in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; an outer head slidable axially on said container; means extending through said inner head and connecting said outer head to said valve member to shift said valve member between open and closed positions, said outer head being movable from an initial position axially inwardly of said container to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said inner head axially inwardly of s-aid container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein; spring mean-s engaging said outer head and engageable with said container for shifting said outer head axially outwardly of said container toward its initial position to first move said valve member to closed position and then return said inner head axially to its initial position; and coengageable stop means on said container and one of said heads for limiting the extent of shifting said heads in a direction axially outwardly of said container.

20. In a dispenser for a iluent mass: a container for the mass; an inner actuating head having an outlet and shiftable axially in said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein and force it through said outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward said inner head and against the mass in said container; means for resisting movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction while permitting movement of said piston means in the forward direction; a valve member inwardly of said head mov-able relative to said head in an outward direction to close said outlet and in an inward direction to open said outlet; an outer head slidable axially on s-aid container; means extending through said inner head and connecting said outer head to said Valve member, said outer head being movable from an initial position axially inwardly of said container to shift said valve member to open position and to then shift said inner head axially inwardly of said container to apply pressure to the fluent mass therein; spring means engaging said outer head and engageable with said container for shifting said outer head axially outwardly of said container toward its initial position to first move said valve member to closed position and then return said inner head axially to its initial position; stop means on said ISE outer he-ad engaging said spring means when said outer head is in its initial position to prevent said spring means from bearing against said container and to permit said heads to float axial-ly of said container in response to c'h-anges in volume of the fluent mass due to temperature changes of said mass; and coengageable stop means on said container and one of said heads for limiting the extent of shifting of said heads in a direction axially outw-ardly of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,636 5/ 1963 Spatz 222-494 X FOREIGN PATENTS 773,963 10/1934 France.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner.

N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A DISPENSER FOR A FLUENT MASS: A CONTAINER FOR THE MASS; CLOSURE MEANS FOR THE CONTAINER AND HAVING AN OUTLET; A VALVE MEMBER MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID CLOSURE MEANS TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID OUTLET; SAID CLOSURE MEANS BEING MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION INWARDLY OF SAID CONTAINER TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE MASS THEREIN AND FORCE IT THROUGH SAID OUTLET; AND ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID VALVE MEMBER FOR SHIFTING SAID VALVE MEMBER TO OPEN POSITION WHEREBY SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENT OF SAID CLOSURE MEANS IN A DIRECTION INWARDLY OF SAID CONTAINER APPLIES PRESSURE TO THE FLUENT MASS THEREIN AND FORCES A PORTION OF SAID MASS THROUGH THE OPEN OUTLET.

Images