CA1327187C - Dual liquid cartridge dispenser - Google Patents
Dual liquid cartridge dispenserInfo
- Publication number
- CA1327187C CA1327187C CA000580450A CA580450A CA1327187C CA 1327187 C CA1327187 C CA 1327187C CA 000580450 A CA000580450 A CA 000580450A CA 580450 A CA580450 A CA 580450A CA 1327187 C CA1327187 C CA 1327187C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge
- dispenser
- pump portion
- compression member
- exit orifice
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
- A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
- A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
- A47K5/1211—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston
- A47K5/1215—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston applied by a peristaltic action
Landscapes
- Public Health (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- External Artificial Organs (AREA)
- Detergent Compositions (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
- Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
- Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
- Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Non-Biological Materials By The Use Of Chemical Means (AREA)
- Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
- Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A dual cartridge dispenser. Each cartridge has an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a pump portion of the cartridge is compressed. A movable compression member in the dispenser can be located at a first position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge or at a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second cartridge. A knob extending outside the dispenser is connected to the compression member for moving the compression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge to be dispensed from.
When a movable dispensing member of the dispenser is operated, it causes only the cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member to be compressed between the compression member and an opposed pinch surface in the dispenser thereby dispensing fluid from the cartridge.
A dual cartridge dispenser. Each cartridge has an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a pump portion of the cartridge is compressed. A movable compression member in the dispenser can be located at a first position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge or at a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second cartridge. A knob extending outside the dispenser is connected to the compression member for moving the compression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge to be dispensed from.
When a movable dispensing member of the dispenser is operated, it causes only the cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member to be compressed between the compression member and an opposed pinch surface in the dispenser thereby dispensing fluid from the cartridge.
Description
- 1327187 ~ ; ~
: . :
DUAL LIQUID CARTRIDGE DISPENSER
': ' ':.~ ' TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to viscous liquid dispensers and, in particular, to a dispenser containing at least two disposable cartridges of the viscous liquid with means for selectively dispensing only from a single cartridge at any one time.
BACKGROUND ART
:: ... .
Within the past ten years, it has become fairly common to package certain viscous liquids, such as 80ys, shampoos and like ~;
products, in disposable cartridges and to dispense such liquids from dispensers in places like public washrooms, and hotel and motel bathrooms. Although the detailed construction of the disposable cartridges may differ, they generally includè a compressible pump portion and an exit orifice for the liquid. - When pressure is applied to the pump portion of the cartridge, liquid is forced through the exit orifice, into the user's hand. The dispensers that accept such disposable liquid~ cartridges have a manually operated dispensing member, such as a pivoted lever, for pressing the pump portion of the cartridge against a compression surface in the dispenser. A typical prior art viscous liquid dispenser is disclosed in U . S . Patent 4 ,130, 224-Norman, et al . ~
assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The dispenser - ~ of Norman, et al. is used to dispense liquids such as soap from a ~; ~single disposable cartridge. The ~Norman, et al. dispenser has a sig~ht window located adjacent to the bottom of the disposable -- ~ -cartridge so that a maintenance person can see that the cartridge -`
h ~ needs to be replaced. One problem with the single cartridge dispenser is that when the maintenance person looks at the window, - -the level of the fluid may be only slightly above the window with the result that the cartridge is completely used up before the ~-maintenance person returns to service the dispenser.
Another common occurrence is that if the maintenance person observes that the liquid level in the cartridge is just below the top edge of the sight port, the maintenance person may replace the cartridge rather than take the chance that the cartridge will empty before the dispenser is next serviced. This, of course, can lead to a considerable waste of the liquid soap or other ~
product. Thus, it would be desirable to have a - -dispenser that holds two disposable cartridges so that the user can completely exhaust one cartridge and them begin immediately dispensing from the second cartridge.
One approach for dispensing from two cartridges is suggested by U.S. Patent 4,513,885-Hogan which discloses packaging two single cartridge dispensers side by side to form a dispensing system. One problem with adopting this concept for a liquid soap dispenser is that since the user can dispense from either dispenser it i8 possible for both cartridges to empty at the same time.
Thus, it can be seen that it would be desirable to have a dual cartridge dispensing system which prevents the user from dispensing from one cartridge until the other ;
cartridge is completely empty.
U.S. Patent 2,619,386-Dalrymple discloses a trigger ~;
operated spray gun for simultaneously spraying two liquid solutions onto an object. At column 5, lines 49-68, Dalrymple describes a trigger operated mechanism ~;:
that simultaneous opens or closes a pair of fluid passages. At column 6, lines 33-40, Dalrymple provides for individual adjustment of the fluid flow through each fluid passageway.
1~ It is an object of an aspect of this invention to ~-:~ provide a dispenser for two sr more disposable, viscous l~ liquid cartridges wherein the probability that the ¦~ 35 dispenser will empty before it can be serviced is -¦~ grPatly reduced.
`', :,' .' .~ ~' .,:"' ~~ A
2a .
An object of an aspect of this invention is to .
provide a dispenser, having two disposable liquid cartridges, that can only dispense from one cartridge at a time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION -An aspect of the invention is as follows:
An apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid from two disposable liquid cartridges, each cartridge having an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a :
10 pump portion of the cartridge is compressed, the apparatus comprising:
(a) means in the apparatus for supporting the two cartridges;
(b) a movable compression member located in the 15 apparatus having a first position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge and having a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second cartridge;
. (c) a knob extending outside the apparatus and 20 connected to the compression member for moving the compression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge that is compressed; and (d) a movable dispensing member mounted in the -25 apparatus for compressing between the compression member -and an opposed pinch surface in the apparatus only that cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member thereby causing fluid to be dispensed from the exit orifice of the selected cartridge.
: .
:i - A :
: :.. ~-13271~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the objects and advantages of this invention can be more readily ascertained from the following description of a preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accom-panying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the dual liquid cartridge dispenser of this invention:
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the dispenser;
Fig. 3 is a front sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4;
Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation view taken along the line 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3;
Fig. 4a is a partial sectional side elevation view illustrating the compression of the cartridge pump assembly;
Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4: and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
.. :"~' DISLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
-In accortance with the invention there is provided a dispenser that - can support two disposable liquid cartridges, each cartridge having an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a pump portion of She cartridge is compressed. The dispenser has a ; movable compression member located in the apparatus having a first ~- ~ position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge and having a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second car~
tridge. The movable compression member is connected to a knob extending outside the dispenser which is used to move the com~
pression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge that is compressed. The dispenser has .~ ~ . - .-. .
1327187 ~
` ;.,' a movable dispensing member which compresses between the com-pression member and an opposing pinch surface in the dispenser only that cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member .
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
For the sake of convenience, an element depicted in more than one figure will retain the same element number in each figure.
10 Referring now to Fig. 1, the dispenser 10 of this invention has a rear base member 12, a front face 20, a top wall 22, bottom wall 24 and side walls 26, 28. The base 12 is provided with a number of mounting holes, not shown, so that it can be mounted by means of bolts to a wall behind a washroom sink. In a preferred embodi-15 ment, the front wall 20, top wall 22, bottom wall 24, and side walls 26, 28 of the dispenser 10 form a cover 14 that, as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4a, is pivotally connected to the base 12 by means of short hinge pins 30 on the cover 14 which extend into pivot - holes 32 in support member 34 of base 12. Also attached to the 20 base--12 is a shelf 36 for supporting two disposable viscous liquid cartridges 11a and 11b, such as soap or shampoo, side by side in the dispenser 10.
As best shown in Fig. 3, a typical viscous liquid cartridge 11 includes a flexible bag 13, a pump assembly portion 17 and a 25 paperboard box 21 for controlling the shape of the flexible bag 13 ; both in the dispenser 10 and during shipment. The pump assembly - 17 consists of a connector element 23, a flexible tube 25 having one end connected to the connector 23 and the other end connected to a discharge element 27 which includes exit orifice 15 through which 30 the liquid is dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge element 27 includes a normally closed, spring loaded, ball valve as described in the aforementioned patent to Norman, et al. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, a fitment 19b attached to the bottom of the flexible bag 13b provides an outlet port through which liquid 13271~7 `
can flow out of flexible bag 13b. The connector element 23b of pump assembly 17b is inserted into the fitment 19b to provide fluid flow from the flexible bag 13b into the pump ascembly 17b. The filled flexible bag 13b, and attached pump assembly 17b are packaged inside the paperboard box 21b for shipment.
Referring now to Figs. ~ and 4a, a handle 40, or dispensing means, is pivotally connected to the base 12 by means of short hinge pins 42 which extend into pivot holes 44 in support member 34 just below the shelf 36. The support member 34 has a central opening 38 and the handle 40 is mounted ~o that it extends through the central opening 38 with the end 40d spaced a short distance below the bottom of the dispenser 10. Assembled to the handle 40 is a spring loaded, pivoted pinch block 46. Pinch block 46 has a pair of hooks 46a which fit around a bar element 40a of handle 40 so that the pinch block 46 can pivot around the bar element 40a.
Spring 48 mounted between the handle 40 and the pinch block 46 biases two tabs 46b of the pinch block 46 against corresponding stops 40b on the handle 40. A ~pring retaining boss 40c on the handle 40 and spring retaining boss 46d on the pinch block 46 act to retain the spring 48 within the assembly. Assembled to the lower, front part of support 34 is a discharge element holder 50 into which the discharge elements 27 of two cartridges 11 are held.
Referring now to Figs. 4, 4a, 5 and 6, mounted within the cover 14 is a movable compression block 52. A slide plate 54 is affixed to the compression block 52 and a knob 56 to provide a movable compression means. The upper and lower edges of slide plate 54 move in slide tracks formed between horizontal guide walls 58 and inner surfaces 62 of cover 14. As best shown in Fig. 5, the sloping side 66a of ledge 64 cooperate with a raised projection 52a on the upper edge 52c of compression block 52 to fix the loca~
tion of the compression block 52 adjacent to the flexible tube 25b of cartridge llb. When a force is applied to the knob 56 in the direction of arrow 68, the sloped side 66a applies a compressive force to projection 52a and, because of slot 52b, the upper edge :: :
,:
1327~87 52c of the compression block 52 yields to allow the projection 52a to slide along ledge 64. When the movable compression means reaches the position represented by the dashed lines 70, the projection 52a rides up the sloped side 66b which retains the movable compression block 52 in a second position adjacent the flexible tube 25a of the pump assembly 17a of the other cartridge lla.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the dispenser 10 has a viewing window 72 located in the center of the front face 20 of the dispenser. The viewing window 72 is located above knob 56 and even with the lower portion of the cartridges lla and llb supported in the dispenser 10. As best shown in Fig. 3, each box 21 has two small rectangular cutouts 29 at the front lower corners of the box 21. When the cartridge 11 is placed in the dispenser 10, the bottom of the flexible bag 13 of the two cartridges 11 are visible through the viewing window 72.
A typical operating sequence will now be described. The cover 14 is unlocked, or unlatched as the case may be, and pivoted down about hinge pins 30. Spent cartridges 11 are removed and replacement cartridges 11 are prepared by tearing out the vertical front wall strips 31 and the bottom wall strips 33, shown in Fig. 3, from cartridge boxes 21. Removal of those strips 31, 33 allows the pump assemblies 17 to be withdrawn from the boxes 21 so that they extend down from the lower left or lower right portion of the box Zl depending upon whether the cartridge 11 is placed on the support shelf 36 in the left or right position. As best shown in Fig. 4, the rear wall 12 of dispenser 10 has two locating bosses 74 which fit into a locating hole 35 in the cartridge box 21 so that the two cartridges lla and llb are precisely positioned in the dis-penser. Locating bosses 74 also prevent shifting of the cartridges lla and llb in the dispenser 10 when replacing cartridges. The discharge element 27 of each cartridge 11 is placed into the discharge element holder 50. As best shown in Fig. 3, when the discharge elements 27a and 27b of the cartridges lla and llb are fixed in place the bore of the discharge orifices 15 make a slight :-~: : -; ,: . : , ..... ~:.. : . .. .. . :: . .
angle with the vertical so that fluid discharged from the orifices 15 is directed toward a common point at the same level as lower edge 40d of the handle 40.
The cover 14 i8 now pivoted upward to close the dispenser 10.
5 With the knob 56 placed to the right as shown in Fig. 2, the movable compression block 52 will be located adjacent the pump assembly 17b of cartridge llb. Dispensing of the fluid from cartridge llb commences by a user placing his hand palm upward with his fingertips behind the handle 40 and moving handle 40 in the direction indicated by arrow 41 in Fig. 4. As handle 40 is moved to the position indicated in Fig. 4a, pinch surface 46c of pinch block 46 first pinches the upper portion of flexible tube 25b against compression block 52 to seal the tube 25b and prevent any back flow of fluid from the lower portion of pump assembly 17b into the flexible bag 13b. Once the upper portion of the flexible tube 25b has been pinched off, further forward motion of handle 40 results in pinch block 46 rotating about bar 40a and compression of spring 48 so that pinch block 46 builds up fluid pressure in the lower part of pump assembly 17b thereby causing fluid to be expelled through the exit orifice 15b into the palm of the user.
When the user releases the handle 40, spring 48 returns the pinch block 46 to the biased po ition with tabs 46b of pinch block 46 . in contact with stop surfaces 40b of handle 40 which causes handle 40 to be returned to the position shown in Fig. 4. As best ~; ~ Z5 shown in Fig. 6, when the movable compression block 52 is posi-tioned adjacent the flexible tube 25b of cartridge llb, there is a space 76 between the flexible tube 25a of cartridge lla and the nearest inside wall of cover 14. The space 76, which is the thickness of movable compression block 52, is such that the forward motion of the pinch block surface 46c cannot completely pinch off ~; the flexible tube 25a of cartridge lla and will not cause fluid to be - dispensed from cartridge lla. When a user observes that cartridge llb is empty, he can move knob 56 in the direction of arrow 68 in Fig. 6 to position the compression block 52 adjacent flexible tube ,~ - ~. . ...
1327~87 25a of cartridge 11a. Dispensing from cartridge 11a can now take place. When the maintenance person comes to service the dispenser 10, he will observe through the window 72 that the cartridge llb is ~ -empty and can replace it with a new cartridge 11b.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, it i6 possible to mount the spring loaded pinch block 46 on the cover 14 and the movable compression block 52 on the handle 40. This could be accomplished by providing the compression block 52 with a portion that extends behind the handle 40 and by providing the knob 56 with two arms that extend around and behind the handle 40 so that the arms move the compression block 52 from behind the handle 40 when the knob 56 is moved. Also, although the cartridge 11 is compressed with a first pinching action followed by a compression action, that is due to the design of the pump assembly portion 17. The principles of this invention can be used in dispensers for cartridges 11 that have a pump portion 17 that require only compression to cause dispensing of the fluid. It is contemplated in the appended claims to cover all variations and modifications of the invention which come within the true spirit and scclpe of the invention.
' :~
: . :
DUAL LIQUID CARTRIDGE DISPENSER
': ' ':.~ ' TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to viscous liquid dispensers and, in particular, to a dispenser containing at least two disposable cartridges of the viscous liquid with means for selectively dispensing only from a single cartridge at any one time.
BACKGROUND ART
:: ... .
Within the past ten years, it has become fairly common to package certain viscous liquids, such as 80ys, shampoos and like ~;
products, in disposable cartridges and to dispense such liquids from dispensers in places like public washrooms, and hotel and motel bathrooms. Although the detailed construction of the disposable cartridges may differ, they generally includè a compressible pump portion and an exit orifice for the liquid. - When pressure is applied to the pump portion of the cartridge, liquid is forced through the exit orifice, into the user's hand. The dispensers that accept such disposable liquid~ cartridges have a manually operated dispensing member, such as a pivoted lever, for pressing the pump portion of the cartridge against a compression surface in the dispenser. A typical prior art viscous liquid dispenser is disclosed in U . S . Patent 4 ,130, 224-Norman, et al . ~
assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The dispenser - ~ of Norman, et al. is used to dispense liquids such as soap from a ~; ~single disposable cartridge. The ~Norman, et al. dispenser has a sig~ht window located adjacent to the bottom of the disposable -- ~ -cartridge so that a maintenance person can see that the cartridge -`
h ~ needs to be replaced. One problem with the single cartridge dispenser is that when the maintenance person looks at the window, - -the level of the fluid may be only slightly above the window with the result that the cartridge is completely used up before the ~-maintenance person returns to service the dispenser.
Another common occurrence is that if the maintenance person observes that the liquid level in the cartridge is just below the top edge of the sight port, the maintenance person may replace the cartridge rather than take the chance that the cartridge will empty before the dispenser is next serviced. This, of course, can lead to a considerable waste of the liquid soap or other ~
product. Thus, it would be desirable to have a - -dispenser that holds two disposable cartridges so that the user can completely exhaust one cartridge and them begin immediately dispensing from the second cartridge.
One approach for dispensing from two cartridges is suggested by U.S. Patent 4,513,885-Hogan which discloses packaging two single cartridge dispensers side by side to form a dispensing system. One problem with adopting this concept for a liquid soap dispenser is that since the user can dispense from either dispenser it i8 possible for both cartridges to empty at the same time.
Thus, it can be seen that it would be desirable to have a dual cartridge dispensing system which prevents the user from dispensing from one cartridge until the other ;
cartridge is completely empty.
U.S. Patent 2,619,386-Dalrymple discloses a trigger ~;
operated spray gun for simultaneously spraying two liquid solutions onto an object. At column 5, lines 49-68, Dalrymple describes a trigger operated mechanism ~;:
that simultaneous opens or closes a pair of fluid passages. At column 6, lines 33-40, Dalrymple provides for individual adjustment of the fluid flow through each fluid passageway.
1~ It is an object of an aspect of this invention to ~-:~ provide a dispenser for two sr more disposable, viscous l~ liquid cartridges wherein the probability that the ¦~ 35 dispenser will empty before it can be serviced is -¦~ grPatly reduced.
`', :,' .' .~ ~' .,:"' ~~ A
2a .
An object of an aspect of this invention is to .
provide a dispenser, having two disposable liquid cartridges, that can only dispense from one cartridge at a time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION -An aspect of the invention is as follows:
An apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid from two disposable liquid cartridges, each cartridge having an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a :
10 pump portion of the cartridge is compressed, the apparatus comprising:
(a) means in the apparatus for supporting the two cartridges;
(b) a movable compression member located in the 15 apparatus having a first position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge and having a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second cartridge;
. (c) a knob extending outside the apparatus and 20 connected to the compression member for moving the compression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge that is compressed; and (d) a movable dispensing member mounted in the -25 apparatus for compressing between the compression member -and an opposed pinch surface in the apparatus only that cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member thereby causing fluid to be dispensed from the exit orifice of the selected cartridge.
: .
:i - A :
: :.. ~-13271~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the objects and advantages of this invention can be more readily ascertained from the following description of a preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accom-panying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the dual liquid cartridge dispenser of this invention:
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the dispenser;
Fig. 3 is a front sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4;
Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation view taken along the line 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3;
Fig. 4a is a partial sectional side elevation view illustrating the compression of the cartridge pump assembly;
Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4: and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
.. :"~' DISLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
-In accortance with the invention there is provided a dispenser that - can support two disposable liquid cartridges, each cartridge having an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a pump portion of She cartridge is compressed. The dispenser has a ; movable compression member located in the apparatus having a first ~- ~ position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge and having a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second car~
tridge. The movable compression member is connected to a knob extending outside the dispenser which is used to move the com~
pression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge that is compressed. The dispenser has .~ ~ . - .-. .
1327187 ~
` ;.,' a movable dispensing member which compresses between the com-pression member and an opposing pinch surface in the dispenser only that cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member .
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
For the sake of convenience, an element depicted in more than one figure will retain the same element number in each figure.
10 Referring now to Fig. 1, the dispenser 10 of this invention has a rear base member 12, a front face 20, a top wall 22, bottom wall 24 and side walls 26, 28. The base 12 is provided with a number of mounting holes, not shown, so that it can be mounted by means of bolts to a wall behind a washroom sink. In a preferred embodi-15 ment, the front wall 20, top wall 22, bottom wall 24, and side walls 26, 28 of the dispenser 10 form a cover 14 that, as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4a, is pivotally connected to the base 12 by means of short hinge pins 30 on the cover 14 which extend into pivot - holes 32 in support member 34 of base 12. Also attached to the 20 base--12 is a shelf 36 for supporting two disposable viscous liquid cartridges 11a and 11b, such as soap or shampoo, side by side in the dispenser 10.
As best shown in Fig. 3, a typical viscous liquid cartridge 11 includes a flexible bag 13, a pump assembly portion 17 and a 25 paperboard box 21 for controlling the shape of the flexible bag 13 ; both in the dispenser 10 and during shipment. The pump assembly - 17 consists of a connector element 23, a flexible tube 25 having one end connected to the connector 23 and the other end connected to a discharge element 27 which includes exit orifice 15 through which 30 the liquid is dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge element 27 includes a normally closed, spring loaded, ball valve as described in the aforementioned patent to Norman, et al. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, a fitment 19b attached to the bottom of the flexible bag 13b provides an outlet port through which liquid 13271~7 `
can flow out of flexible bag 13b. The connector element 23b of pump assembly 17b is inserted into the fitment 19b to provide fluid flow from the flexible bag 13b into the pump ascembly 17b. The filled flexible bag 13b, and attached pump assembly 17b are packaged inside the paperboard box 21b for shipment.
Referring now to Figs. ~ and 4a, a handle 40, or dispensing means, is pivotally connected to the base 12 by means of short hinge pins 42 which extend into pivot holes 44 in support member 34 just below the shelf 36. The support member 34 has a central opening 38 and the handle 40 is mounted ~o that it extends through the central opening 38 with the end 40d spaced a short distance below the bottom of the dispenser 10. Assembled to the handle 40 is a spring loaded, pivoted pinch block 46. Pinch block 46 has a pair of hooks 46a which fit around a bar element 40a of handle 40 so that the pinch block 46 can pivot around the bar element 40a.
Spring 48 mounted between the handle 40 and the pinch block 46 biases two tabs 46b of the pinch block 46 against corresponding stops 40b on the handle 40. A ~pring retaining boss 40c on the handle 40 and spring retaining boss 46d on the pinch block 46 act to retain the spring 48 within the assembly. Assembled to the lower, front part of support 34 is a discharge element holder 50 into which the discharge elements 27 of two cartridges 11 are held.
Referring now to Figs. 4, 4a, 5 and 6, mounted within the cover 14 is a movable compression block 52. A slide plate 54 is affixed to the compression block 52 and a knob 56 to provide a movable compression means. The upper and lower edges of slide plate 54 move in slide tracks formed between horizontal guide walls 58 and inner surfaces 62 of cover 14. As best shown in Fig. 5, the sloping side 66a of ledge 64 cooperate with a raised projection 52a on the upper edge 52c of compression block 52 to fix the loca~
tion of the compression block 52 adjacent to the flexible tube 25b of cartridge llb. When a force is applied to the knob 56 in the direction of arrow 68, the sloped side 66a applies a compressive force to projection 52a and, because of slot 52b, the upper edge :: :
,:
1327~87 52c of the compression block 52 yields to allow the projection 52a to slide along ledge 64. When the movable compression means reaches the position represented by the dashed lines 70, the projection 52a rides up the sloped side 66b which retains the movable compression block 52 in a second position adjacent the flexible tube 25a of the pump assembly 17a of the other cartridge lla.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the dispenser 10 has a viewing window 72 located in the center of the front face 20 of the dispenser. The viewing window 72 is located above knob 56 and even with the lower portion of the cartridges lla and llb supported in the dispenser 10. As best shown in Fig. 3, each box 21 has two small rectangular cutouts 29 at the front lower corners of the box 21. When the cartridge 11 is placed in the dispenser 10, the bottom of the flexible bag 13 of the two cartridges 11 are visible through the viewing window 72.
A typical operating sequence will now be described. The cover 14 is unlocked, or unlatched as the case may be, and pivoted down about hinge pins 30. Spent cartridges 11 are removed and replacement cartridges 11 are prepared by tearing out the vertical front wall strips 31 and the bottom wall strips 33, shown in Fig. 3, from cartridge boxes 21. Removal of those strips 31, 33 allows the pump assemblies 17 to be withdrawn from the boxes 21 so that they extend down from the lower left or lower right portion of the box Zl depending upon whether the cartridge 11 is placed on the support shelf 36 in the left or right position. As best shown in Fig. 4, the rear wall 12 of dispenser 10 has two locating bosses 74 which fit into a locating hole 35 in the cartridge box 21 so that the two cartridges lla and llb are precisely positioned in the dis-penser. Locating bosses 74 also prevent shifting of the cartridges lla and llb in the dispenser 10 when replacing cartridges. The discharge element 27 of each cartridge 11 is placed into the discharge element holder 50. As best shown in Fig. 3, when the discharge elements 27a and 27b of the cartridges lla and llb are fixed in place the bore of the discharge orifices 15 make a slight :-~: : -; ,: . : , ..... ~:.. : . .. .. . :: . .
angle with the vertical so that fluid discharged from the orifices 15 is directed toward a common point at the same level as lower edge 40d of the handle 40.
The cover 14 i8 now pivoted upward to close the dispenser 10.
5 With the knob 56 placed to the right as shown in Fig. 2, the movable compression block 52 will be located adjacent the pump assembly 17b of cartridge llb. Dispensing of the fluid from cartridge llb commences by a user placing his hand palm upward with his fingertips behind the handle 40 and moving handle 40 in the direction indicated by arrow 41 in Fig. 4. As handle 40 is moved to the position indicated in Fig. 4a, pinch surface 46c of pinch block 46 first pinches the upper portion of flexible tube 25b against compression block 52 to seal the tube 25b and prevent any back flow of fluid from the lower portion of pump assembly 17b into the flexible bag 13b. Once the upper portion of the flexible tube 25b has been pinched off, further forward motion of handle 40 results in pinch block 46 rotating about bar 40a and compression of spring 48 so that pinch block 46 builds up fluid pressure in the lower part of pump assembly 17b thereby causing fluid to be expelled through the exit orifice 15b into the palm of the user.
When the user releases the handle 40, spring 48 returns the pinch block 46 to the biased po ition with tabs 46b of pinch block 46 . in contact with stop surfaces 40b of handle 40 which causes handle 40 to be returned to the position shown in Fig. 4. As best ~; ~ Z5 shown in Fig. 6, when the movable compression block 52 is posi-tioned adjacent the flexible tube 25b of cartridge llb, there is a space 76 between the flexible tube 25a of cartridge lla and the nearest inside wall of cover 14. The space 76, which is the thickness of movable compression block 52, is such that the forward motion of the pinch block surface 46c cannot completely pinch off ~; the flexible tube 25a of cartridge lla and will not cause fluid to be - dispensed from cartridge lla. When a user observes that cartridge llb is empty, he can move knob 56 in the direction of arrow 68 in Fig. 6 to position the compression block 52 adjacent flexible tube ,~ - ~. . ...
1327~87 25a of cartridge 11a. Dispensing from cartridge 11a can now take place. When the maintenance person comes to service the dispenser 10, he will observe through the window 72 that the cartridge llb is ~ -empty and can replace it with a new cartridge 11b.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, it i6 possible to mount the spring loaded pinch block 46 on the cover 14 and the movable compression block 52 on the handle 40. This could be accomplished by providing the compression block 52 with a portion that extends behind the handle 40 and by providing the knob 56 with two arms that extend around and behind the handle 40 so that the arms move the compression block 52 from behind the handle 40 when the knob 56 is moved. Also, although the cartridge 11 is compressed with a first pinching action followed by a compression action, that is due to the design of the pump assembly portion 17. The principles of this invention can be used in dispensers for cartridges 11 that have a pump portion 17 that require only compression to cause dispensing of the fluid. It is contemplated in the appended claims to cover all variations and modifications of the invention which come within the true spirit and scclpe of the invention.
' :~
Claims (6)
1. An apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid from two dispos-able liquid cartridges, each cartridge having an exit orifice through which fluid is dispensed when a pump portion of the cartridge is compressed, the apparatus comprising;
(a) means in the apparatus for supporting the two cartridges;
(b) a movable compression member located in the apparatus having a first position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge and having a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second cartridge;
(c) a knob extending outside the apparatus and connected to the compression member for moving the compression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge that is compressed; and (d) a movable dispensing member mounted in the apparatus for compressing between the compression member and an opposed pinch surface in the apparatus only that cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member thereby causing fluid to be dispensed from the exit orifice of the selected cartridge.
(a) means in the apparatus for supporting the two cartridges;
(b) a movable compression member located in the apparatus having a first position adjacent the pump portion of the first cartridge and having a second position adjacent the pump portion of the second cartridge;
(c) a knob extending outside the apparatus and connected to the compression member for moving the compression member to the first position or to the second position to thereby select the cartridge that is compressed; and (d) a movable dispensing member mounted in the apparatus for compressing between the compression member and an opposed pinch surface in the apparatus only that cartridge pump portion that is adjacent the compression member thereby causing fluid to be dispensed from the exit orifice of the selected cartridge.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pinch surface is located on the movable dispensing member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movable compression member is located on the movable dispensing member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pump portion of each cartridge comprises a resilient tube having the exit orifice at one end, the apparatus further comprising means for holding the exit orifice of both tubes so that fluid pumped out of each orifice is directed to a common point below the orifices.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pump portion of each cartridge comprises a resilient tube having the exit orifice at one end, the apparatus further comprising means for holding the exit orifice of both tubes so that fluid pumped out of each orifice is directed to a common point below the orifices.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pump portion of each cartridge comprises a resilient tube having the exit orifice at one end, the apparatus further comprising means for holding the exit orifice of both tubes so that fluid pumped out of each orifice is directed to a common point below the orifices
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11015187A | 1987-10-19 | 1987-10-19 | |
| US110,151 | 1987-10-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1327187C true CA1327187C (en) | 1994-02-22 |
Family
ID=22331479
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000580450A Expired - Fee Related CA1327187C (en) | 1987-10-19 | 1988-10-18 | Dual liquid cartridge dispenser |
Country Status (18)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0336953B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2590249B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE93212T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU603018B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8805416A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1327187C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3883373T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK164634B (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2011157A6 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI892477A (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1007728A1 (en) |
| IE (1) | IE61509B1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX170602B (en) |
| MY (1) | MY103430A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO168685C (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ226618A (en) |
| PT (1) | PT88786B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1989003803A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006047881A1 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2006-05-11 | Ll Lafond Intellectual Properties Inc. | Dispensing device with secondary reservoir |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9007441D0 (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1990-05-30 | Unilever Plc | Dispenser for liquid product |
| US5242081A (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1993-09-07 | Lever Brothers Company, Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Dual liquid dispensing system |
| DE4430312C1 (en) * | 1994-08-26 | 1996-03-07 | Fischer Ag | Dosing device |
| FR2735357B1 (en) * | 1995-06-14 | 1997-12-05 | Py Daniel C | DOUBLE EYE INSTILLATOR |
| SE516147C2 (en) * | 1999-06-03 | 2001-11-26 | Holms Trading Ab | Device at holder for application to a wall for containers for liquid products |
| US6910579B2 (en) | 2002-05-28 | 2005-06-28 | Georgia-Pacific Corporation | Refillable flexible sheet dispenser |
| US8276784B2 (en) * | 2008-12-11 | 2012-10-02 | Gojo Industries, Inc. | Pressure activated automatic source switching dispenser system |
| DK2685876T3 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2019-01-28 | Essity Hygiene & Health Ab | A DISPENSER MECHANISM AND A DISPENSER |
| EP2685877B1 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2018-11-28 | Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag | A dispensing mechanism and a dispenser |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3193143A (en) * | 1962-10-18 | 1965-07-06 | Maieli Vincent | Automatic liquid dispensing device |
| US3679331A (en) * | 1970-04-24 | 1972-07-25 | Delta Scient Corp | Metering pump and valve |
| US4513885A (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1985-04-30 | Cole-Parmer Instrument Company | Dispenser having a flexible fluid container and a rotor compressible fluid discharge tube |
| DE3367510D1 (en) * | 1982-12-24 | 1987-01-02 | Cws Ag | Method for the supply of a device for dispensing measured quantities of a liquid soap, and device for carrying out the method |
| US4722372A (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1988-02-02 | Louis Hoffman Associates Inc. | Electrically operated dispensing apparatus and disposable container useable therewith |
-
1988
- 1988-10-13 JP JP63508705A patent/JP2590249B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-10-13 WO PCT/US1988/003493 patent/WO1989003803A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1988-10-13 AU AU26057/88A patent/AU603018B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1988-10-13 EP EP88909437A patent/EP0336953B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-10-13 AT AT88909437T patent/ATE93212T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-10-13 DE DE88909437T patent/DE3883373T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-10-13 IE IE311788A patent/IE61509B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-10-18 ES ES8803160A patent/ES2011157A6/en not_active Expired
- 1988-10-18 PT PT88786A patent/PT88786B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-10-18 CA CA000580450A patent/CA1327187C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-10-18 MY MYPI88001179A patent/MY103430A/en unknown
- 1988-10-19 BR BR8805416A patent/BR8805416A/en unknown
- 1988-10-19 MX MX013481A patent/MX170602B/en unknown
- 1988-10-19 NZ NZ226618A patent/NZ226618A/en unknown
-
1989
- 1989-03-21 DK DK136489A patent/DK164634B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-05-22 FI FI892477A patent/FI892477A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1989-06-05 NO NO892291A patent/NO168685C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1998
- 1998-06-26 HK HK98107017A patent/HK1007728A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006047881A1 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2006-05-11 | Ll Lafond Intellectual Properties Inc. | Dispensing device with secondary reservoir |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| HK1007728A1 (en) | 1999-04-23 |
| IE61509B1 (en) | 1994-11-16 |
| DK136489D0 (en) | 1989-03-21 |
| DE3883373D1 (en) | 1993-09-23 |
| PT88786A (en) | 1989-07-31 |
| EP0336953B1 (en) | 1993-08-18 |
| AU2605788A (en) | 1989-05-23 |
| NO168685C (en) | 1992-03-25 |
| DE3883373T2 (en) | 1993-12-09 |
| DK164634B (en) | 1992-07-27 |
| WO1989003803A1 (en) | 1989-05-05 |
| FI892477A0 (en) | 1989-05-22 |
| NO892291D0 (en) | 1989-06-05 |
| MY103430A (en) | 1993-06-30 |
| IE883117L (en) | 1989-04-19 |
| FI892477A (en) | 1989-05-22 |
| ES2011157A6 (en) | 1989-12-16 |
| EP0336953A1 (en) | 1989-10-18 |
| NZ226618A (en) | 1990-04-26 |
| JP2590249B2 (en) | 1997-03-12 |
| EP0336953A4 (en) | 1990-03-08 |
| AU603018B2 (en) | 1990-11-01 |
| NO892291L (en) | 1989-06-05 |
| NO168685B (en) | 1991-12-16 |
| ATE93212T1 (en) | 1993-09-15 |
| MX170602B (en) | 1993-09-01 |
| JPH02501628A (en) | 1990-06-07 |
| PT88786B (en) | 1994-06-30 |
| BR8805416A (en) | 1989-06-20 |
| DK136489A (en) | 1989-05-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |