US2709024A - Device for the automatic delivery of fluid and pasty material incorporating automatic closing means - Google Patents

Description

May 24, 1955 s. LEMOINE ET-AL ,7

' DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DELIVERY OF FLUID AND PASTY MATERIAL INCORPORATING AUTOMATIC CLOSING MEANS Filed March 17, 1951 INVEN raw- 86: law/1v: PfiNEAiMdl/WS DEVTCE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DELIVERY OF FLUID AND PASTY MATERIAL INCORPORAT- ING AUTQMATIC CLOSING MEANS Serge Lemaitre, Talence, and Ren Lemoine, Paris, France Application March 17, 1951, Serial No. 216,172

15 Claims. (Cl. 222-183) This invention relates to a device for automatically dispensing paste and like substances.

The invention has for its object to provide means facilitating automatic delivery of fluid and pasty material such as pharmaceutical products, hygienic and beauty products, soaps, seasoning material, foodstufi, polishing and like material, household products and the like in predetermined quantities. By way of example and without any limitation being made thereby, the device according to our invention will be hereinafter described as applied to tooth-paste, as a substitute for the universally used and known tube of malleable metal.

As well known, such tubes of malleable metal show the drawback of requiring a removable stopper or cap generally provided with a screw thread, the consequence being that their stopper is often lost and that the user may omit or forget to fit it over the tube with the consequence that, the tube remains open and the paste becomes hard and is spoiled. On the other hand, when the stopper or cap is being' screwed onto the neck of the tube, the paste generally oozes over the thread and dries and hardens thereon. Furthermore, the pressure exerted by the fingers on the tube may not be properly adjusted, whereby the toothbrush is often overladen with paste which leads to waste of material. Lastly, through protracted use, the metal tube that is deformed after a certain time and is folded upon itself has a somewhat untidy and unesthetic appearance which spoils the tidiness of dressing tables or of toilet cases.

The arrangement according to our invention overcomes these drawbacks and provides for the execution of a very simple device wherein the delivery of the paste. the adjustment of its discharge and the final closing of the device are performed automatically, the device, when inoperative, being perfectly fluidtight.

To this end, the automatic delivery of the paste or of the like more or less fluid contents is obtained through the use of a sheath of para gum or sheet rubber that forms a fluidtight container. Said sheath is closed at one end, while its other open end serves for the injection into it under pressure of the tooth paste that expands the sheath until the rubber sheet reaches a point of deformation just underneath the limit of elasticity corresponding to the limit of permanent deformation. It will be readily understood that the material thus introduced under pressure into said expanded sheath will be automatically delivered out of the latter through any pressure exerted by its walls that recede then until the sheath has returned substantially to its original shape and size. The pressure required, that depends on the more or less considerable consistency of the material used will for a given capacity, be readily adjusted through an increase or a reduction in the thickness of the rubber sheet forming the sheath.

In order to retain for the sheath the recognized usual elongated shape it is of advantage to insert said sheath inside a tube of plastic material so that it may not assume a spherical shape that is hardly acceptable for commercial purposes.

nited States Patent 2,709,024 Patented May 24, 1955 A special stopper or closure obstructs the open end of the sheath and allows controlling the automatic delivery of the sheath contents, the adjustment of the discharge and the closing of the sheath.

We have illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing preferred embodiments according to our invention. In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of our improved device.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section taken along line A-B of Fig. 1, the sheath being shown in its closed position.

Fig. 3 is a similar horizontal cross-section showing the sheath in its open position.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the movable cap provided for the closure and shown separately.

Fig. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view of the closure, the section being taken along line C-D of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are, respectively, a longitudinal crosssectional view and a side view of another embodiment of the sheath-closure means.

As apparent from Figs. 1 to 5, illustrating the first embodiment of the device, the latter comprises a onepiece, inflatable container a, which is constituted of a sheath of para gum or rubber sheet closed at its lower end and open at its upper end a This upper end the outer surface of which assumes preferably a conical shape forming an elongated discharge extension piece, as shown at a is fitted inside the central opening of a corresponding conical shape of a stopper b that is made, for instance, of molded plastic material the cooperating conical parts a and b providing for the holding of the sheath without any further retaining means being required. The diameter of said discharge extension piece and its aperture is considerably reduced with respect to the normal diameter of the remainder of said container a.

The stopper b is covered by a cap c adapted to turn over the stopper and provided with a lateral recessed boss 0 as shown in Fig. 4; said boss holds the ends of two small superposed elastic rods d of piano wire for instance, said rods engaging through their other ends a recess 2 inside the actual stopper 1) and acting both as return spring means and a cap-retaining member.

In its normal position, the cap 0 is urged into the angular position illustrated cross-sectionally in Fig. 2 by the elastic or springy rods d for which position said rods compress the upper neck end a of the sheath and urge it against the wall of the stopper b that assumes inwardly the shape cleariy apparent from the drawings; the neck being thus compressed by the pressure of the rods 1) provides for the automatic closing of the sheath. Through a hand rotation of the cap c in the direction of the arrow F, the rods d are deflected into the position illustrated in Fig. 3 and release the neck of the sheath so as to allow the delivery of the paste under the action of the inherent contraction of the elastic material, i. e., through the pressure prevailing inside the inflated container a. At the end of the delivery stage, it is sufficient to release the boss 0 on the cap whereby the latter is automatically returned into its normal closing position (Fig. 2) through the action of the elastic rods d which thus ensure the closing of the neck of the aforesaid container.

It is of advantage to incorporate in the container a a suitable restricted or throttled part, such as a located about midway the length of the container or envelope a (Fig. 1) that produces an expansion in the path of the paste so as to brake the delivery of the latter and to prevent a discharge that is too speedy or too large.

In order to retain its cylindrical shape, it is of advantage to surround the sheath or container 0 by a tubu- 3 lar casing of plastic material f abutting against the downwardly extending flange of the stopper 1:.

The filling of the sheath with paste and its reloading are performed under pressure through the neck of the sheath while the elastic rods are moved away by virtue of this pressure which provides for the necessary opening of the sheath.

The sheath or envelope may also be associated with a spring surrounding it and the elasticity of which cooperates with that of the rubber of the sheath. in order to provide for the return of said sheath into its normal shape and size after a more or less extended time of expansion.

In the embodiment illustrated in 6 '7, the stopper or closure b is provided with an inner downwardly extending tubular flange g on which is secured the neck a of the sheath through the agency of outer binding means for instance. This hollow stopper [1 forms a horizontal nozzle which may be engaged to a more or less considerable extent by a threaded needle valve 11 enclosed inside a fluid-tight cap j of rubber, say of para gum, and that may be caused to move to and fro lOllZOIlittllY inside the upper elongated nozzle forming part of the stopper, this movement being controlled through the outer knob i. The forward movement of the needle valve provides for an expansion or" the cap j that may either completely close the discharge opening k of the nozzle formed transversely of the stopper [2 or else uncover it to a variable extent so as to allow an easy adjustment of the discharge. A return spring (not shown) urges the needle valve into its closing position so that the nozzle is automatically closed under normal conditions. The threaded needle valve may, of course, be replaced by a spring-urged pusher member the part played by which would be the same. Sheath a is contained in a relatively rigid casing f, similar to that described with respect to Fig. l.

The above described device shows the considerable advantage consisting in that the paste or the like material enclosed inside the sheath of para or rubber sheet is completely protected against any oxidation, contamination or sullying which is not the case with the usual tubes of malleable metal as such known tubes retain always, in spite of the inner lining of Bakelite on its walls, some metal portions that are not or are badly protected and that are easily oxidized which leads to damage to the contents of the tube. The device according to our invention shows further the advantage of being easily reloaded many times without any risk of damage or wear.

Obviously, the details illustrated and described hereinabove have been given only by way of exemplification and no limitation should be attached thereto as the invention is capable of many modifications within the scope of the accompanying claims. in particular, the opening in the stopper may be provided no longer at the upper end thereof but on the side of said stopper and the stopper itself may be executed in many different manners.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided according to the invention a devi e for automatically dispensing paste and like substances comprising, in combination, container means made or elastic, expandable material, which when empty is in non-expanded condition, said substance when filling said container means to predetermined extent causing elastic expansion of said container means, whereby a permanent pressure is exerted upon said substance, which pressure tends to expel said substance from said container means, said container means being provided with a neck extension having an aperture of a diameter smaller than that of: said container means, closure means exteriorly of and displaceably arranged with respect to said extension, said closure means acting in one position as a stop against permanent expelling action exerted upon the substance by said container means due to elastic tendency thereof to contract to nonexpanded condition, and an outer, relatively rigid casing encompassing said container means and limiting said extent of filling said container means with said substance, and further including throttling means incorporated in said container means and positioned about midway the length of said container means, to thereby brake movement of said substance out of said container means in another position of said closure means.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device for automatic discharge of paste, fluid and similar substances comprising an inflatable, onepiece tubular container made of elastic material and closed at one end, the other end of said container being provided with an elongated discharge extension piece forming an integral part of said container and considrably reduced in diameter with respect to the normal diameter of the remainder of said container, said container being inflatable beyond the extent of its normal diameter to thereby hold said substance therein under pressure while said container material is expanded to a predetermined extent, whereby discharge of said substance through said extension may be automatically brought about by inherent contraction of said elastic material, displaceable closing means located adjacent said extension and cooperable with the latter, said closing means in one position permitting discharge of said substance from said container and in another position deforming said extension for preventing said discharge of said substance from said container, and substantially rigid means encasing said container substantially along its entire length.

2. A device according to claim 1, including a relatively narrow passageway within the interior and substantially midway the length of said container and remote from said discharge extension to thereby provide a brake for the discharge of substance from within said container through said extension.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said narrow passageway is formed by a predetermined constriction of the wall defining said container.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said substantially rigid means consists of a casing of sufficient size to permit insertion of said tubular container thereinto.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said closing means encompasses at least part of said discharge extension.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said closing means is spring-actuated to automatically cause return of said closing means to said other position.

7. A device for automatic discharge of paste, 'lluid and similar substances comprising an inflatable, one piece tubular container made of elastic material and closed at one end, the other end of said container being provided with an elongated discharge extension piece forming an integral part of said container and substantially reduced in diameter with respect to the normal diameter of the remainder of said container, said container being inflatable by placing therein a substance to hold the latter under pressure while said container material is expanded to a predetermined extent beyond its normal diameter, the discharge of said substance through said extension piece being automatically brought about by inherent contraction of said elastic material of said container, displaceable closing means located adjacent said extension piece and cooperable with the latter, said closing means in one position permitting discharge said substance from said extension piece and in another position deforming said extension piece for preventing said discharge of said substance from said container, and throttling means connected with and extending within the interior of said container approximately midway the length of the latter to thereby prevent too speedy discharge of said substance through said extension piece.

8. A device for automatically dispensing paste and like substance comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid casing, inflatable, elastic envelope means for said substance accommodated within said casing, said substance being received in said envelope means during expansion of the latter beyond its normal dimension, said envelope means terminating in an extension integral with said envelope means for facilitating automatic discharge of said substance from said envelope means during contraction of the latter, and means associated with said envelope means and positioned in the path of discharge of said substance within said envelope means for throttling said discharge of said substance from said envelope means.

9. A device for automatically dispensing paste and like substance comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid casing, inflatable, elastic envelope means for said substance and smaller in outer diameter than the inner diameter of said casing, in which said envelope means is accommodated, said substance when received in said envelope means expanding the latter, said envelope means terminating in a closed end and in an extension integral with said envelope means and open to facilitate automatic discharge of said substance from said envelope means during contraction of the latter to normal dimension, and throttling means associated with said envelope means, said throttling means being incorporated in the Wall defining said envelope means and being positioned between said closed end and said discharge extension.

10. A device for automatically dispensing paste and like substances comprising, in combination, envelope means made of elastic, expandable material, which when empty is in non-expanded condition, said substance when filling said envelope means to predetermined extent causing elastic expansion of said envelope means, whereby a permanent pressure is exerted upon said substance, which pressure tends to expel said substance from said envelope means, said envelope means terminating in an extension integral with said envelope means, said extension having an aperture and being of a diameter smaller than that of said envelope means, and closure means controlling said aperture of said extension in transverse direction of the latter, said closure means acting in one position as a stop against permanent expelling action exerted upon the substance by said envelope means due to elastic tendency thereof to contract to said non-expanded condition.

11. A device for automatically dispensing paste and like substances comprising, in combination, container means made of elastic, expandable material, which when empty is in non-expanded condition, said substance when filling said container means to predetermined extent causing elastic expansion of said container means, whereby a permanent pressure is exerted upon said substance, which pressure tends to expel said substance from said container means, said container means being provided with an extension terminating in an aperture and being of a diameter smaller than that of said container means, closure means controlling said aperture of said extension, said closure means acting in one position as a stop against permanent expelling action exerted upon the substance by said container means due to elastic tendency thereof to contract to non-expanded condition, and an outer, relatively rigid casing for receiving said container means, said closure means being supported by said casing and extending in crosswise direction to said extension.

12. A device according to claim 11, including throttling means associated with said container means and positioned about midway the length of said container means, to thereby brake movement of said substance out of said container means in another position of said closure means.

l3. A device for automatically dispensing paste and like substances comprising, in combination, envelope means i iade of elastic, expandable material, which when empty is in non-expanded condition, said substance when filling said env ope means to predetermined extent causing elastic expansion of said envelope means, whereby a permanent pressure is exerted upon said substance, which pressure tends to expel said substance from said envelope means, said envelope means terminating in a neck having an aperture of. a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said envelope means, and elastic closure means ext *iorly or said neck. and displaceable to act on said neck and to control said aperture, whereby said closure means in one position abuts against said neck to prevent permanent expelling action exerted upon the substance by said envelope means due to elastic tendency thereof to contract to said non-expanded condition.

14. A device for automatically dispensing paste and like substances comprising, in combination, container means made of elastic, expandable material, which when empty is in non-expanded condition, said substance when filling said container means to predetermined extent causing elastic expansion of said container means, whereby a permanent pressure is exerted upon said substance, which pressure tends to expel said substance from said container means, said container means being provided with a necl: er cnsion having an aperture of a diameter smaller than that of said container means, closure means ex rioriy of and displaceably arranged with respect to said extension, said closure means acting in one position as a stop against permanent expelling action exerted upon the substance by said container means due to elastic tendency thereof to contract to non-expanded condition, and an outer, relatively rigid casing encompassing said container means and limiting said extent of filling said container means with said substance.

15. A device according to claim 14, including throttling means incorporated in said container means and positioned about midway the length of said container means, to thereby brake movement of said substance out of said container means in another position of said closure means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,984 Funk May 26, 1896 645,432 Stohr Mar. 13, 1900 917,442 Hutchinson Apr. 6, 1909 1,166,690 Kahn Jan. 4, 1916 1,588,870 Aulbach June 15, 1926 1,869,594 Johnston Aug. 2, 1932 2,011,742 Weber Aug. 20, 1935 2,113,022 Hefti Apr. 5, 1938 2,135,237 Lewis et al. Nov. 1, 1938 2,245,774 Gregorek June 17, 1941 2,554,570 Harvey May 29, 1951

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