Dispenser having variable-volume storage chamber and depressible one-way valve assembly for dispensing creams and other substances

• US 20080105712A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medinstill Development, LLC
• Original Assignee: Daniel Py
• Inventors: Py, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,644,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/321.7
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1015 actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke B05B11/1011 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1032 actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke B05B11/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1047 the pump being preassembled as an independent unit before being mounted on the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1074 located outside pump chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2031 the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure B65D47/2025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/00 Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents dispensing means incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured container closures B65D47/00; for shops, stores, offices, bars, or the like A47F1/04; showcases or show cabinets with dispensing arrangements A47F3/02; magazines for screws or nuts in combination with spanners, wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/06; for use in connection with the handling of sheets, webs, or filamentary material B65H
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0033 the piston being a follower-piston and the dispensing means comprising a hand-operated pressure-device at the opposite part of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0072 the contents of a flexible bag being expelled by a piston or a movable bottom or partition provided in the container or the package
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/02 with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/021 of the piston type G01F11/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A dispenser has a housing, and a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed. A piston is mounted within the housing, and a one-way valve is mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. A compression chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the piston and one-way valve, and at least one of the piston and valve is manually depressible relative to the other between (i) a first position in which the piston is located at least partially outside of the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position in which the piston is located at least partially within the compression chamber for pressurizing substance within the compression chamber above a valve opening pressuring and, in turn, dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising:

a housing;

a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed;

a piston mounted within the housing;

a one-way valve mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber;

a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication between the piston and one-way valve, wherein at least one of the piston and valve is manually depressible relative to the other between (i) a first position in which the piston is located at least partially outside of the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position in which the piston is located at least partially within the compression chamber for pressurizing substance within the compression chamber above a valve opening pressuring and, in turn, dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a biasing member for biasing at least one of the piston and valve in the direction from the second position toward the first position.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the biasing member is at least one of a coil spring and a resilient, elastomeric spring.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the resilient, elastomeric spring is approximately dome shaped.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the one-way valve includes an axially-extending valve seat, an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, and at least one outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the compression chamber and the seam, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of substance from the compression chamber through the seam and out of the dispenser.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein the valve seat defines at least one tapered portion that tapers radially outwardly in the direction from the interior to the exterior of the valve.

7. A dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein the flexible valve cover forms an interference fit with the valve seat.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein the flexible valve cover is responsive to a flow of substance in the outlet aperture exceeding a valve opening pressure to move between (i) a normally-closed closed condition, and (ii) an open condition wherein portions of the valve cover axially spaced relative to each other substantially sequentially move substantially radially relative to the valve seat to allow the passage of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a flexible bladder mounted within the housing and defining the variable-volume storage chamber between the bladder and housing.

10. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a slidable wall mounted within the housing and defining the variable-volume storage chamber between the slidable wall and the housing.

11. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the compression chamber defines a first radial dimension that is substantially equal to or less than a radial dimension of the piston for forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

12. A dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein the piston includes at least one annular sealing surface forming said radial dimension and fluid tight seal.

13. A dispenser as defined in claim 12, wherein the annular sealing surface is formed by an elastomeric sealing member on the piston.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the piston is fixed relative to the valve, and the valve is manually depressible relative to the piston between the first and second positions.

15. A dispenser as defined in claim 14, wherein the valve includes a valve body defining the compression chamber for receiving therein the piston, and an axially-extending valve seat, and the valve further includes an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat.

16. A dispenser as defined in claim 15, wherein the valve body defines a first bore for receiving the piston in the first position, and a passageway between the first bore and piston for permitting the flow of substance therethrough from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber.

17. A dispenser as defined in claim 16, wherein the valve body further defines at least one outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the compression chamber and the valve seam, and a second bore formed between the first bore and the outlet aperture and defining therein the compression chamber.

18. A dispenser as defined in claim 17, wherein the valve body further defining an annular surface that tapers radially inwardly between the first and second bores.

19. A dispenser as defined in claim 15, wherein the flexible valve cover includes a first portion connected to the valve body on one side of the seam, and a second portion connected to the housing on an opposite side of the seam relative to the first portion, and a movable portion extending between the second portion and the seam for permitting movement of the valve between the first and second positions.

20. A dispenser as defined in claim 19, wherein the valve body is manually depressible relative to the piston between the first and second positions.