Fluid dispensing device
First Claim
1. A fluid dispensing device for dispensing a fluid product having:
- a dispensing outlet from which the fluid product is dispensable,a supply of the fluid product,a dispensing member mounted for movement in a dispensing direction along an axis from a first position to a second position which causes a dose of the fluid product in the supply to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet, anda finger-operable actuator member mounted for movement in an actuating direction which is generally transverse to the axis,wherein the actuator member has at least one cam surface and the dispensing member has at least one cam follower surface,wherein the actuator member is movable in the actuating direction to cause the at least one cam surface to bear against the at least one cam follower surface to force the at least one cam follower surface to ride on the cam surface to cam the dispensing member in the dispensing direction from the first position to the second position,wherein the at least one cam surface has a concavely arcuate commitment section, and an adjacent convexly arcuate drive section, wherein the concavely arcuate section and the convexly arcuate section define a continuously curved cam surface such that the entire cam surface is continuously curved,wherein the device is configured and arranged such that, in use, the at least one cam follower surface successively rides on the commitment and drive sections of the at least one cam surface, on movement of the actuator member in the actuating direction, to cam the dispensing member from the first position to the second position, andwherein the commitment section is constructed such that a minimum actuating force is required to be applied to the actuator member to cause the at least one cam follower surface to ride on the commitment section onto the drive section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid dispensing device for dispensing a fluid product having a dispensing member mounted for movement along an axis X-X from a first position to a second position which causes a dose of a fluid product to be dispensed, and a finger-operable actuator member movable in an actuating direction generally transverse to the axis to cause at least one cam surface thereof to cam the dispensing member from the first position to the second position. The at least one cam surface has a commitment section, oriented at a first angle to the axis selected such that a minimum actuating force is required to be applied to the actuator member to cause the at least one cam follower surface to ride over the commitment section onto the drive section. The commitment section of the cam surface is arcuate.
94 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid dispensing device for dispensing a fluid product having:
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a dispensing outlet from which the fluid product is dispensable, a supply of the fluid product, a dispensing member mounted for movement in a dispensing direction along an axis from a first position to a second position which causes a dose of the fluid product in the supply to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet, and a finger-operable actuator member mounted for movement in an actuating direction which is generally transverse to the axis, wherein the actuator member has at least one cam surface and the dispensing member has at least one cam follower surface, wherein the actuator member is movable in the actuating direction to cause the at least one cam surface to bear against the at least one cam follower surface to force the at least one cam follower surface to ride on the cam surface to cam the dispensing member in the dispensing direction from the first position to the second position, wherein the at least one cam surface has a concavely arcuate commitment section, and an adjacent convexly arcuate drive section, wherein the concavely arcuate section and the convexly arcuate section define a continuously curved cam surface such that the entire cam surface is continuously curved, wherein the device is configured and arranged such that, in use, the at least one cam follower surface successively rides on the commitment and drive sections of the at least one cam surface, on movement of the actuator member in the actuating direction, to cam the dispensing member from the first position to the second position, and wherein the commitment section is constructed such that a minimum actuating force is required to be applied to the actuator member to cause the at least one cam follower surface to ride on the commitment section onto the drive section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fluid dispensing device for dispensing a fluid product comprising;
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a housing, a dispensing member mounted within the housing, for movement in a dispensing direction along an axis from a first position to a second position, a finger operable actuator member moveably mounted to the housing, for movement in an actuating direction, wherein the finger operable actuator member has at least one cam surface and the dispensing member has at least one cam follower surface, wherein the at least one cam surface is a continuously curved surface comprising a first surface of concave constant radius, an adjoining second surface of constant convex radius, and an adjoining third surface of constant convex radius, and the at least one cam follower surface is adapted to ride sequentially on the first surface, onto the second surface, on the second surface onto the third surface, and on the third surface, such that actuation of the lever causes the dispensing member to move from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuating member and actuator member are adapted such that a threshold force must be applied to the finger operable actuator member to enable movement of the at least one cam follower surface sequentially on the first surface onto the second surface, on the second surface onto the third surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification