Cross-Reference to Related Applications
Technical Field
[0002] The present dispenser relates, in general, to a liquid container suitable for delivering a stored liquid to an applicator.
Background
[0003] Commercially available make-up devices are arranged with operator manipulated product delivery mechanisms and storage structures that make it difficult to efficiently advance a liquid product from a reservoir where the liquid product is stored to an applicator. These commercially available make-up devices have been criticized for requiring an excessive number of operator manipulation cycles before the liquid product is present at the surface of the applicator where it can be applied by the operator.
[0004] WO 01/01813 A1 shows a cosmetic liquid applicator having a two-part applicator body. One part contains a valve system and the other the handle with the activation button and the reservoir. The two parts are connected by screwing in or by friction. A replaceable brush is locked by turning the head on the valve system. The valve part is made of a spring, piston, and a seal placed in a bearing inserted and fixed by friction on the opposite side of the one where the replaceable brush enters the body. The replaceable reservoir is partly situated in the handle and partly connected with the adapter or directly integrates the cap that closes the operational part of the applicator and makes it airtight.
[0005] US 2016/144395 A1 shows a dosing dispenser for delivering pasty or viscous material. An actuation member facilitates movement of a container relative to a pump unit such that the pump unit is activatable by the container for suctioning and dispensing the material. The actuation member is formed by an opening in the dispenser housing which facilitates an in particular manual access to the container supported in the dispenser housing in order to move the container in a linear manner or that an actuation member configured as a slider element is inserted into an opening of the dispenser housing, wherein the slider element is translatorically moveable in the opening and coupled with the container, so that the container is moveable back and forth caused by the sliding movement of the slider element in order to activate the pump unit.
[0006] US 7 309 185 B2 discloses a twist up pen type dispenser with a brush applicator that receives material from a reservoir.
Summary
[0007] The invention relates to a dispenser according to the features of claim 1. An embodiment of a dispenser includes a transfer assembly coupled to a hollow body. The transfer assembly efficiently delivers a liquid from a reservoir in the hollow body to an applicator. A section of the transfer assembly is coupled to a complimentary support section of the hollow body. The transfer assembly is arranged with an adapter, an applicator base, a piston and a bias member. The adapter has a central member with orifices that fluidly couple an inlet of the adapter with an outlet of the adapter. The applicator base is supported by and extends from the adapter. The piston has a head portion that is enclosed within a cavity of the applicator base. The bias member is also arranged in the cavity of the applicator base and is in contact with the head portion of the piston.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] Embodiments of the dispenser can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the structures and principles of operation of the assemblies.
Figures 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate representative top, front, and bottom plan views of an embodiment of a dispenser.
Figure 1D is cross-sectional view in the direction of line 1D - 1D of the dispenser illustrated in Figure 1A.
Figure 1E is a front plan view of the dispenser illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C without a cap.
Figure 2 includes an expanded view of the components of a liquid transfer assembly and a pump assembly of the dispenser illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C.
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate representative top, front, and bottom plan views of the applicator base of Figure 2.
Figures 3D and 3E illustrate separate cross-sectional views of the applicator base in the direction of line 3D - 3D and line 3E - 3E, respectively, as illustrated in Figure 3A.
Figure 3F is a perspective view of the applicator base illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C.
Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the piston of Figure 2.
Figure 4D is a cross-sectional view of the piston illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C.
Figure 4E is a perspective view of the piston illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C.
Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the adapter of Figure 2.
Figure 5D is a cross-sectional view of the adapter illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.
Figure 5E is a perspective view of the adapter illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the base of Figure 2.
Figure 6D illustrates a side view of the base illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C.
Figures 6E and 6F are respective cross-sectional views of the base in the direction of line 6E - 6E and line 6F - 6F illustrated in Figure 6A.
Figure 6G is a perspective view of the base illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C.
Figures 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the driver of Figure 2.
Figure 7D illustrates a side view of the driver illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C.
Figures 7E and 7F are respective cross-sectional views of the driver in the direction of line 7E - 7E and line 7F - 7F illustrated in Figure 7A.
Figure 7G is a perspective view of the driver illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C.
Figures 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the coupler of Figure 2.
Figures 8D and 8E are respective cross-sectional views of the coupler in the direction of line 8D - 8D and line 8E - 8E illustrated in Figure 8A.
Figure 8F is a perspective view of the coupler illustrated in Figures 8A, 8B and 8C.
Figures 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the (optional) sleeve of Figure 2.
Figure 9D illustrates a side view of the sleeve illustrated in Figures 9A, 9B and 9C.
Figure 9E is a cross-sectional view of the (optional) sleeve in the direction of line 9E - 9E illustrated in Figure 9A.
Figure 9F is a perspective view of the (optional) sleeve illustrated in Figures 9A, 9B and 9C.
Figures 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F illustrate respective positions of the pins of the driver of Figure 2 as they traverse a path between the irregular annular recess of the base and the irregular annular surface of the coupler.
Figures 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E and 11F illustrate respective positions of the first cam of the driver with respect to the cam of the optional sleeve of Figure 2.
Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 12E illustrate movement of a stored liquid through the transfer assembly of Figure 2.
Description of Illustrated Embodiments
[0009] In light of shortcomings with inefficient conventional cartridges, namely the inefficiency associated with transferring a liquid product from a reservoir where the liquid product is stored, to an applicator where the liquid product can be applied, improvements are desired.
[0010] As used in this document, the phrase "inefficient conventional cartridges" means commercially available assemblies that as packaged and sold include a liquid product that is accessed or available for application after at least fifty repetitive manipulations by an operator.
[0011] As used in this document, the phrase "cyclical modification of fluidic pressure" means the application of and the subsequent removal of a force against a liquid.
[0012] As used in this document, the phrase "less than about 10 cycles" means a range of an integer number of cycles from 1 to 11 cycles.
[0013] As used in this document, the phrase "less than about 20 cycles" means a range of an integer number of cycles from 1 to 22 cycles.
[0014] As used in this document the term "cycle" means the application of and the subsequent removal of a force.
[0015] According to the invention, the dispenser includes a pump assembly coupled to a hollow body. The hollow body includes a reservoir for storing a liquid. The pump assembly includes a mechanism that can be manipulated by an operator of the dispenser to direct a stored liquid in a reservoir within the hollow body in the direction of the transfer assembly.
[0016] The improved dispenser introduced and summarized herein, will be further described in conjunction with example embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. As briefly summarized, the improved dispenser includes a body that supports a transfer assembly and a pump assembly. The transfer assembly is in fluid communication with a reservoir in the body of the dispenser. The transfer assembly efficiently delivers a stored liquid in the reservoir to a surface of an applicator when the pump assembly is manipulated.
[0017] Although the illustrated embodiments of the pump assembly include a pushbutton driven mechanism that resembles a manipulator of a "click" pen or mechanical pencil, it should be understood that alternative subassemblies may be used to push or otherwise advance the liquid in the reservoir toward and through the transfer assembly. For example, an alternative subassembly may include a manipulator that rotates to drive one or more elements into a reservoir to advance liquid toward and later through the transfer assembly.
[0018] The transfer assembly consists of an adapter, an applicator base, a bias member and a piston. The transfer assembly is coupled to the body by a protective and close fitting sleeve or neck. The neck is arranged with an irregular outer surface that supports a removable cap. The cap encloses and protects an applicator that is supported by and in fluid communication with the transfer assembly. The neck is further arranged with an irregular inner surface that engages complimentary features of the body.
[0019] As assembled, the stored fluid in the reservoir is at or near ambient atmospheric pressure. Absent the introduction of external forces acting upon the stored liquid in the reservoir, a bias force provided by the bias member against the head portion of the piston prevents the flow or transfer of the stored liquid from the reservoir past the head portion of the piston and into the tubular member on its way through the applicator base to the applicator. Thus, when initially assembled and packaged, the passage through the piston is dry or devoid of the stored liquid.
[0020] A cylinder portion of the applicator base has a wall including an opening that is arranged to receive the tubular portion of the piston. The tubular portion of the piston includes a channel that enables fluid communication from the inlet of the adapter to an opening in the applicator base. The bias member is located in the adapter. The bias member can be, for example, a helical steel spring. A head of the piston is arranged to closely contact a surface of the applicator base. Specifically, an opening in the head of the piston receives and contacts a central member of the adapter. When fluidic pressure is applied, for example by operation of the pump assembly advancing a threaded rod and a wiper, fluid passes through orifices in the central member of the adapter and contacts the face of the piston head. When the bias force is exceeded, the piston is displaced in a direction toward the applicator allowing the fluid to pass the seal formed by the opening in the head portion of the piston and the central member and enter the tubular portion of the piston. When fluidic pressure is unable to overcome a force exerted by the bias member against the piston head, the piston head reengages or contacts a sealing surface of the central member arranged between the inlet portion and the cylinder portion of the adapter. When this is the case, any fluid that has been displaced past the seal into the cavity of the piston remains in the cavity and is not returned to the reservoir.
[0021] Although the illustrated embodiments of the pump assembly include a pushbutton driven mechanism that resembles a manipulator of a "click" pen or mechanical pencil, it should be understood that alternative subassemblies may be used to push or otherwise advance the liquid in the reservoir toward and through the transfer assembly. For example, an alternative subassembly may include a manipulator that rotates to drive one or more elements into a reservoir to advance liquid toward and later through the transfer assembly. Other alternative pump assembly designs may use one or more rails or guides, pawls and ratchets, worm gears and wheels or other mechanisms alone or in combinations to advance a plunger or seal to advance the stored liquid in a reservoir toward the transfer assembly.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiments, the pump assembly includes a base, a pushbutton, a driver, a bias member and a coupler. The base receives a pushbutton in a first opening and has an irregular annular recess along an inner surface. The driver is located within and extends beyond the base. The driver has a tubular member and an annular member extending from a surface of the tubular member. A set of pins extend from a surface of the annular member. The coupler receives a bias member and a portion of the driver. The coupler has a head end arranged to contact a first end of the bias member and an opposed open end with an irregular annular surface. An opposed end of the bias member contacts the annular member of the driver. The irregular annular recess of the hollow base and the irregular annular surface of the coupler form a path for the pins to traverse.
[0023] In operation, displacement of a pushbutton of the pump assembly advances a wiper, which is mechanically coupled to the pump assembly. Specifically, linear displacement of the pushbutton advances the wiper into the reservoir in the direction of the transfer assembly. A press stroke of the pushbutton advances the wiper by a first distance. A release stroke of the pushbutton further advances the wiper into the reservoir. A bias force completes the release stroke and returns the pushbutton to a rest position. This displacement of the pushbutton cyclically increases and decreases pressure within the reservoir. Under fluid pressure, the piston in the transfer assembly moves toward and compresses the bias member. When the head portion of the piston moves away from a sealing surface in the transfer assembly, any residual air and thereafter liquid stored in the reservoir flows from the inlet of the adapter through a passage or channel in the piston to the outlet of the applicator base. Otherwise, the bias member keeps the piston sealed against a central member of the adapter, which prevents the flow or transfer of additional liquid into the transfer assembly. Accordingly, this arrangement prevents unintended emptying of the contents of the reservoir due to gravity or changes in ambient air pressure.
[0024] The base has an irregular annular recess along an inner surface. The driver has features that are located within and features that extend beyond the base. The driver has an annular member with pins extending therefrom. The coupler receives a respective bias member and a portion of the driver. The coupler has a head end that contacts a first end of the bias member. An opposed open end of the coupler has an irregular annular surface. The irregular annular recess of the base and the irregular annular surface of the coupler oppose each other to form a path for the pins to traverse as the driver rotates in response to linear manipulation of the pushbutton.
[0025] In operation, manipulation of the pushbutton advances the pins of the driver away from the irregular annular recess in the hollow base toward the irregular annular surface of the coupler. When the pins contact the coupler, the driver is rotationally advanced. The driver includes a slot at an open end that rotates a threaded rod. A wiper, connected to the threaded rod, is advanced into the reservoir in a direction toward the transfer assembly.
[0026] In an example embodiment, the pump assembly effectively eliminates harsh audible feedback often associated with conventional pushbutton manipulators. In this example embodiment, the pump assembly is arranged absent rotational interference of adjacent surfaces.
[0027] Alternatively, when an optional fixed sleeve is included, the improved pump assembly provides audible feedback when a longitudinal force applied to the pushbutton exceeds a bias force exerted by the bias member. A first "click" or "pop" is generated when the pushbutton is pressed in a direction into the body of the dispenser as the pushbutton directs the pins of the driver into contact with the irregular annular surface of the coupler. The driver rotates a first angular distance as the pins move along the irregular annular surface of the coupler. As the driver rotates highpoints or extensions of the cam surface on the annular member of the rotating driver are forced past highpoints or extensions along the opposed cam surface of the fixed sleeve. A second "click" or "pop" is generated as the pushbutton is released and the bias member directs the pins of the driver into contact with the irregular annular recess in the base. The driver further rotationally advances as the pins move along the surface of the irregular recess in the base. As the driver rotates highpoints or extensions of the cam surface on the annular member of the rotating driver are forced past highpoints or extensions along the opposed cam surface of the fixed sleeve.
[0028] The base and the pushbutton may be made from various plastics or other materials known for mechanical strength such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The base is arranged to receive the pushbutton in a first opening. The base is further arranged with an irregular annular recess along an inner surface.
[0029] The driver and the coupler of the pump assembly can also be made from various plastics, such as polyoxymethylene (POM). The bias member, which can be embodied in a helical spring, can be made from hardened steel. Alternatively, the bias member may be made from nonferrous metals or even plastic.
[0030] In the example embodiment, the pump assembly is fixed to a hollow body that defines a volume of a reservoir (V
res) suitable for storing a liquid product. The volume of the reservoir may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the length and/or the inner diameter of the body between the transfer assembly and the pump assembly.
[0031] Some liquid products that may be stored in the reservoir include cosmetics such as concealers, glosses, mascaras, etc. Other non-cosmetic liquids may be stored in a reservoir of the hollow body. These alternative liquids include paints, sealers, suspensions, etc. Liquid products that react when exposed to air such as paints and sealers may require a cleaning or removal of dried product from the applicator and/or the piston to be suitable for more than a single application from the dispenser. However, liquid products can be prevented from fouling the channel in the piston, openings in the adapter base, and /or pores or respective openings in an applicator by placing the cap on the dispenser when the dispenser is not in use.
[0032] In an example embodiment, the driver has a tubular member with an annular member located between ends of the tubular member and extending from a surface of the tubular member. A set of pins extend from and are supported by the annular member. In this example embodiment, the pushbutton is arranged with a member that contacts the annular member of the driver and a cavity that supports a closed end of the driver.
[0033] In an example embodiment, the coupler has a closed head end and an opposed open end with an irregular annular surface arranged about the open end. The closed or head end of the coupler receives and supports a first end of the bias member a second or opposed end of the bias member is in contact with the annular member of the driver. In an example embodiment, the coupler is fixed to the base. In this arrangement, the irregular annular recess in a wall of the base and the irregular annular surface of the coupler oppose each other and define a path for the pins of the driver to traverse.
[0034] When a longitudinal force applied to the pushbutton exceeds a bias force exerted by the bias member, the pins move from the irregular annular recess of the base to the irregular annular surface of the coupler. In this example embodiment, the tubular driver rotates as the pins follow the irregular annular surface of the coupler. Upon removal of the longitudinal force from the pushbutton the pins, in response to the bias force exerted by the bias member, move from the irregular annular surface of the coupler to the irregular annular recess of the base producing further rotation of the tubular driver.
[0035] In an example embodiment, the pump assembly further includes a wiper arranged to closely contact an inner surface of the reservoir within the body and a threaded rod. The threaded rod has a first end in contact with the wiper and an opposed end. The threaded rod extends through an opening in the head end of the coupler and is engaged in a slot of the tubular member of the driver. The threaded rod may be arranged with an annular stop proximal to the first end. In the example embodiment, the opening in the head end of the coupler is threaded to compliment the threads on the threaded rod.
[0036] In operation, the driver and the threaded rod rotate within the base and the coupler, which remain fixed to the body of the dispenser. The threaded rod advances into the reservoir in the direction of the applicator of the transfer assembly. The threaded rod advances a wiper, which directs a fluid stored in the reservoir toward and through an inlet of the transfer assembly and later to and through the applicator coupled to the transfer assembly.
[0037] Figure 1B shows a front plan view of a cylindrically-shaped dispenser
100. The dispenser
100 includes an elongated cylindrical body
110 generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis
105 with a cap
120 proximal to a first end
111 (see Figure 2) of the body
110 and a portion of a pushbutton
380 extending beyond an opposed end or base end
113 (see Figure 2) of the body
110. The cap
120 (as further shown in Figure 1D and in Figure 2) has an open end and an opposed or closed end with a domed external surface
122. The cap
120 has an inward facing surface arranged with one or more ribs (not shown) proximal to the open end that closely fit a corresponding recess in the hollow neck
260. As shown in Figure 1E, which is a front plan view of the dispenser
100 illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C with the cap
120 removed, the hollow neck
260 is connected to the body
110 and is arranged to receive a portion of and partially support an applicator
250 that extends therefrom.
[0038] The close fit or interference fit between the cap
120 and the hollow neck
260 enables the cap
120 to remain engaged with the body
110 until an operator desires to apply the contents of the dispenser
100. The cap
120 can be removed by grasping the cap
120 and the body
110 and applying an external force in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis
105 of the dispenser
100. In an example embodiment, the body
110, the cap
120 and the hollow neck
260 are made from a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, while the pushbutton
380 is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS.
[0039] As shown in the bottom plan view of Figure 1C and in Figure 1D, which presents a cross-sectional view in the direction of line 1D - 1D of the dispenser
100 illustrated in Figure 1A, a portion of the pushbutton
380 extends beyond the body
110 and a base
310 coupled to an inner wall of the body
110 with a remaining portion of the pushbutton
380 including a member
385 (see Figure 2) extending from the base end
113 into the body
110 where the member
385 (see Figure 2) engages an inward facing surface of the base
310.
[0040] Figure 2 includes an expanded view of the components of the dispenser
100 introduced in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1E. As shown in Figure 2, a transfer assembly
200 and a pump assembly
300 are coupled to opposing ends of the body
110 of the dispenser
100 illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. More specifically, the transfer assembly
200 is coupled to section
112 of the body
110 proximal to opening
111 and the pump assembly
300 is assembled and inserted through the opposed end
113 of the body
110. The transfer assembly
200 includes an adapter
210 and an applicator base
220. In addition, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 1D, which presents a cross-sectional view in the direction of Line 1D - 1D of the dispenser
100 illustrated in Figure 1A, a piston
230 and a bias member
240 are arranged within the applicator base
220 with a portion of the applicator base
220 being enclosed circumferentially by a portion of the adapter
210.
[0041] The transfer assembly
200, including the adapter
210, the applicator base
220, the piston
230 and the bias member
240, is coupled to the body
110 by the neck
260. As indicated in Figure 2 the neck
260 is arranged with a portion including annular surface variations spaced to compliment corresponding surface variations over section
112 of the body
110. In an example embodiment, the applicator base
220 and the adapter
210 are made from a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, while the piston
230 can be made from polypropylene or polyethylene. In the example embodiment, the bias member
240 is a helical spring made from coiled hardened steel. Alternatively, a spring or springs made from metal or plastic may replace the bias member
240 as desired.
[0042] In the example embodiment, the applicator
250 is made from an absorbent, sponge like, compressible material, flocked with fibers and shaped to resemble a tip of a finger. However, it should be understood that the applicator
250 may be arranged in many different shapes and sizes. Alternative applicators may include combs, brushes, pads, etc. arranged with pores or other openings in fluid communication with the applicator base
220 of the transfer assembly
200. However arranged, the applicator
250 is supported by the applicator base
220 and arranged to distribute and or apply a stored liquid in the dispenser
100 to a desired surface.
[0043] In contrast with conventional assemblies that have been criticized for requiring twenty five or more cycles of a manipulator before a stored liquid is present at the surface of an applicator, the transfer assembly
200 dramatically reduces the number of cycles of a manipulator that may be required to advance a stored liquid from the reservoir
150 to a surface
255 of the applicator
250. For a conventional pen-like manipulator mechanism an operator can hear fifty or more clicks as a result of the manipulation of the push and release mechanism before a stored liquid arrives at an applicator.
[0044] Arrangements of the transfer assembly
200 enable the transfer of stored liquid from the reservoir
150 to the surface of the applicator in less than about 15 to 20 cycles of the fluidic pressure in the reservoir. For example, it has been demonstrated that for at least one arrangement of the dispenser
100 with the transfer assembly
200 that less than about 10 cycles of the fluidic pressure in the reservoir
150 resulted in the displacement of residual air and the successful transfer of stored liquid from the reservoir
150 to the surface
255 of an applicator
250. Some tests using the transfer assembly together with a pump assembly as shown in the illustrated embodiments have shown that a stored liquid can arrive at an applicator in about 6 to 7.5 cycles of the manipulator. In these tests liquid arrived at an applicator of a previously unused dispenser in about 12 to 15 "clicks".
[0045] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate representative top, front and bottom plan views of the adapter
210 of Figure 2. Figure 5D is a cross-sectional view of the adapter
210 in the direction of any of the center lines illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. Figure 5E is a perspective view of the adapter
210 illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. As shown in Figure 5B, Figure 5D and Figure 5E, the adapter
210 includes a tubular support
217 and a tubular extension
219 arranged about a longitudinal axis
216. As illustrated in Figure 5C and Figure 5D, the support
217 and the extension
219 are separated by a central member
212, which is domed or cone shaped with an apex
218 proximal to the longitudinal axis
216 of the adapter
210. As illustrated in Figure 5D, the apex
218 of the central member
212 extends in a direction toward the outlet
213 and away from the inlet
211. The central member
212 includes a seal surface
212a and orifices
214 that enable fluid communication from an inlet
211 to an outlet
213. In the example embodiment, four orifices
214 are distributed in 90° increments and are located along an inner surface of the extension
219. Alternative arrangements having more or less than four orifices are contemplated. Such alternative arrangements may include orifices of different sizes or even the same size unevenly distributed about the central member
212 in fluid communication with the inlet
211.
[0046] When assembled in the example embodiment of the dispenser
100, as shown in Figure 1D, a portion of the extension
219 forming the inlet
211 of the adapter
210 extends into and enables fluid communication between the reservoir
150 and the transfer assembly
200. An inward facing surface of a wall of the support
217 and the central member
212 define a cavity arranged to closely receive a portion of the applicator base
220. A section
215 arranged about the outer circumference of the support
217 proximal to the outlet
213 of the adapter
210 provides an annular ledge or stop that contacts an end surface of the support section
112 of the body
110 in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis
216. The section
215 further provides a circumferential surface that contacts a complimentary inner surface of the neck
260 (shown in Figure 2). In an example embodiment, the adapter
210 can be made from various plastics including polypropylene among others.
[0047] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate representative top, front, and bottom plan views of the applicator base
220 of Figure 2. As shown in Figures 3A - 3F, the adapter base
220 includes a guide
228 with an extension or applicator support
221 extending beyond the guide
228. The support
221 partially encloses a cavity
225 surrounded circumferentially by a surface
229. The cavity
225 is in fluid communication with an outlet
224. In the illustrated arrangement, the outlet
224 includes an array of five openings with a centrally located opening that is larger than the remaining openings which are evenly distributed about the center of the outlet
224 and proximal to a diameter of the cavity
225.
[0048] Alternative outlet arrangements are contemplated. These alternative arrangements may include more or less outlets with the same sizes or different sizes. These alternative outlet arrangements may include openings that are evenly spaced from each other or unevenly spaced from each other and/or arrangements where some openings are evenly spaced from each other in a first row and remaining openings have a different spatial relationship between adjacent openings as may be desired.
[0049] The cavity
225 defines a volume V
2. The volume defined within the cavity
225 may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the transition region and/or the length and the inner diameter of the applicator support
221. Such adjustments may necessitate corresponding adjustments in the applicator
250, the neck
260 and/or the piston
230.
[0050] The guide
228 includes an external surface adjacent to an extension or support
211 of the adapter
210 that provides an annular stop for an open end of the applicator
250. The guide
228 further includes a cylindrical wall that contacts central member
212 of the adapter
210. The cylindrical wall of the guide
228 is in close contact with an inward facing surface of the support
217 of the adapter
210 and extends just beyond the outlet
213 of the adapter
210. The guide
228 partially encloses a cavity
223 surrounded circumferentially by a surface
226. The guide
228 is open at an inlet
222 that is in fluid communication with the outlet
224. A reducing wall or partition separates the cavity
223 from the cavity
225. A bevelled surface is arranged in the reducing wall. The cavity
223 defines a volume V
1 that houses or encloses the bias member
240, the head portion
232 of the piston
230 and a portion of the tubular member
234 also of the piston
230. The volume defined within the cavity
223 may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the curved portion of the transition region and/or the length and the inner diameter of the applicator guide
228. Such adjustments may necessitate corresponding adjustments in the bias member
240 and the head portion
232 of the piston
230.
[0051] The extension or support
221 includes an annular holder
227 arranged along an outer surface. The annular holder
227 slopes away from the outer surface of the support
221 toward the guide
228. An outer edge of the holder
227 is irregularly shaped to grasp and hold the applicator
250 (shown in Figures 1D, 1E and Figure 2). The extension or support
221 further includes a collar at the distal end proximate to the outlet
224. The collar separates an interior surface of the applicator
250 from the openings in the outlet
224.
[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, both the annular holder
227 and the annular rib are continuous. In alternative embodiments, one or both of these elements may be arranged with one or more discontinuities along the outer surfaces of the support
221 or the guide
228, respectively. In these alternative embodiments, when more than one discontinuity is present along one or both of the annular holder
227 and the annular rib, such discontinuities may be regularly spaced or irregularly spaced about the perimeter surfaces of the support
221 or the guide
228, respectively.
[0053] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate representative top, front, and bottom plan views of the piston
230 of Figure 2. Figure 4D illustrates a cross-section of the piston
230 in the direction of any of the center lines of Figure 4A, Figure 4B and Figure 4C. Figure 4E is a perspective view of the piston
230 of Figure 2. The piston
230 can be made from various plastics including polypropylene and polyethylene among others.
[0054] As shown in Figures 4A - 4E, the piston
230 includes a head portion
232 at a first end of the piston
230 with a tubular member
234 extending from an opposed surface of the head portion
232. In this example, the head portion
232 of the piston
230 forms an opening
233 that enables fluid communication through passage or cavity
235 of the tubular member
234. As illustrated in Figure 4D, the head portion
232 of the piston
230 is arranged with an annular surface proximal to the opening
233 that is shaped to contact the sealing surface
212a of the central member
212. The shape of the annular surface is complimentary to the shape of the sealing surface
212a to provide a larger contact area than would otherwise be present if the wall of the cavity
235 were to directly interface with the face of the head portion
232.
[0055] As further shown in Figure 4D, the cavity
235 extends through the entirety of the piston
230 and has a diameter D
tube. In this example embodiment, the tubular member
234 of the piston
230 has an external diameter D
ext (see Figure 4B) that is less than a diameter of the head D
head of the piston
230 and that is received in the cavity
225 of the applicator base
220. In addition, the diameter D
head of the head portion
232 of the piston
230 is in contact with the surface
226 partially defining the cavity
223 of the applicator base
220.
[0056] In the example embodiment as shown in Figure 1D, the bias member
240 is located around tubular member
234. One end of the bias member
240 is in contact with a surface of the head portion
232 of the piston
230 adjacent to the intersection of the head portion
232 and the tubular member
234, while the opposed end of the bias member
240 contacts the reducing wall or partition of the guide
228 of the adapter base
220.
[0057] As shown in Figure 4A, Figure 4B, Figure 4D and Figure 4E, appendages
237 are arranged along the tubular member
234 of the piston
230 proximal to an end
236 of the piston
230. The end
236 is opposed to the head portion
232 of the piston
230. In the illustrated embodiment, there are a total of four appendages
237. In alternative embodiments, other numbers of appendages
237 including two, three or five or more may be deployed in accordance with their respective arcuate lengths and distributions about the tubular member
234 as may be desired. The appendages
237 reduce the contact area between the tubular member
234 and the complimentary surface
229 of the interior of the applicator base
220, thereby enabling longitudinal displacement of the piston
230 along the axis
105 of the body
110 when the fluidic pressure in the reservoir
150 exceeds a bias force applied against the head portion
232 of the piston
230.
[0058] As further shown in FIG 1D, the support
217 guides and closely receives the head portion
232 of the piston
230. A surface along the outer circumference of the head portion
232 prevents the passage of significant amounts of air and liquid into the cavity
223. However, when the pressure against the head portion
232 of the piston overcomes the bias force applied by the bias member
240, the piston
230 is displaced toward the adapter
250. This displacement permits residual air, if any, and a portion of the liquid to enter the passage or cavity
235 via the opening
233 in the head portion
232 of the piston
230. When the liquid advances and the pressure on the reservoir side of the head portion
232 is no longer greater than the bias force exerted by the bias member
240, the opening
233 in the head portion
232 of the piston
230 is pressed against the sealing surface
212a of the central member
212 of the adapter
210.
[0059] At rest, as shown in Figure 12C, liquid present in the distal portion of the passage or cavity
235 remains separate from the liquid in the reservoir
150. As further illustrated in Figure 12D, subsequent cycles of the pushbutton
380 repeat the process of displacing the piston
230 and advancing a portion of the stored liquid into the passage or cavity
235 of the tubular member
234 of the piston
230. As previously described, the illustrated and described transfer assembly
200 efficiently transfers a stored liquid from the reservoir
150 in the body
110 to a surface
255 of the applicator
250, as illustrated in Figure 12E, in less than about ten cycles of the pump assembly
300. Even fewer cycles of the pump assembly
300 may be required when the reservoir
150 is nearly entirely filled.
[0060] Those skilled in the art will recognize that one of the transfer assembly
200 and the pump assembly
300 will be connected to or placed within the body
110 of the dispenser
100, respectively, before a liquid may be introduced in the reservoir
150 of the body
110. When the pump assembly
300 is integrated in the body
110, the reservoir
150 may be filled from end
111. Alternatively, when the transfer assembly
200 is coupled to the body
110, the reservoir
150 may be filled from the base end
113.
[0061] As illustrated in Figure 1D and Figure 2, the transfer assembly
200 may be assembled by placing an open end of applicator
250 over the cylindrical support
221 of the applicator base
220 until the applicator
250 abuts the annular stop provided at the transition wall of the guide
228. Such placement will place the inner surface of the applicator
250 in contact with the holder
227 of the applicator base
210. The holder
227 has an annular external surface arranged to engage or hold the applicator
250 on the portion of the applicator base
220.
[0062] Next, the bias member
240 can be placed over the tubular member
234 of the piston
230 and the tubular member
234 can be placed in the cavity
225 of the applicator base
220. Thereafter, the guide
228 of the applicator base
220 can be placed into the support
217 until the wall of the guide
228 contacts the central member
212 of the adapter
210. As a result of this placement, the bias member
240 will be under compression and the head portion
232 of the piston
230 will be in contact with the sealing surface
212a of the central member
212 of the adapter
210. More specifically, the surface that defines the opening
233 of the head portion
232 piston
230 will engage the sealing surface
212a of the central member
212. The components of the transfer assembly
200 are coupled to the support section
112 of the body
110 by placing the applicator
250 through the smaller of the opposed openings of the neck
260 and pressing the complimentary engaging surfaces of the neck
260 over the respective surfaces of the support section
112 of the body
110 and the section
215 of the adapter
210, which extends beyond the support section
112.
[0063] The pump assembly
300 supports and advances a wiper
350 coupled to a threaded rod
360. The threaded rod
360 has a first end
362 shaped to engage a complimentary surface or surfaces of the wiper
350 and an opposed end
364 which passes through the coupler
330 and a significant portion of the driver
320 when the pump assembly
300 is initially assembled. As shown in Figure 2, the threaded rod
360 is arranged with an external thread interrupted by opposed flat surfaces that permit the portion of the threaded rod below an annular stop
365 to pass through a corresponding slot in the driver
320. In an example embodiment, the wiper
350 is made from polyethylene or a compliant and compressible material that is stable in the presence of a stored liquid present in the reservoir
150. In this embodiment, and the threaded rod
360 can be made from a thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, polyacetal and polyformaldehyde, which can be used in precision parts which require high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability or a terpolymer synthesized of carbon monoxide (CO), thylene and propylene commonly referred to as POK.
[0064] As shown in Figure 1D, the wiper
350 separates a stored liquid enclosed within reservoir
150 defined by an inward facing surface
115 of the body
110 of the dispenser
100. In an example embodiment, the stored liquid is a cosmetic product. In alternative embodiments, the stored liquid could be paint, stain, sealer, etc. In operation, the slot in the driver
320 contacts the opposed flat surfaces of the threaded rod
360 and rotation of the driver
320 and the threaded rod
360 advances the wiper
350 into the reservoir
150 in the direction of the transfer assembly
200.
[0065] The pump assembly
300 includes the base
310, the pushbutton
380 coupled to the base
310, as well as, the driver
320 and a coupler
330 with a bias member
340 applying a bias force from the coupler
330 to the driver
320. In an alternative or optional embodiment, a fixed sleeve
370 is further included and is arranged in engagement with the coupler
330.
[0066] As indicated in Figure 6A through Figure 6G, the base
310 is a hollow cylinder with appendages
312 along an outer surface. Opposed slots
316 extend through a wall of the base
310. The base
310 defines an opening
313 at a first end proximal to the slots
316 and an opposed opening
311 proximal to the appendages
312. As further shown in the cross-sectional views illustrated in Figure 6E and Figure 6F, the wall of the base
310 has an annular recess
314 along an inner surface. The annular recess
314 ends at an irregular surface
315, which in the illustrated embodiment includes eight evenly distributed locations where a slope of the irregular surface is discontinuous. Accordingly, points and valleys are evenly distributed about the circumference of the base
310 with adjacent points located at 45° intervals and adjacent valleys located at respective 45° intervals. The slope of transitions from a point to an adjacent valley is not the same as the slope of transitions from a valley to an adjacent point. As previously described, the base
310 may be made from various plastics known for mechanical strength such as ABS.
[0067] As illustrated in Figure 7A through Figure 7G, the driver
320 is an elongate element with an open end or slot
327 opposed to a closed end. As illustrated in Figure 7A, Figure 7E and Figure 7G, the slot
327 is defined by opposed surfaces that are parallel to each other. As shown in Figure 7B, Figure 7D, Figure 7E, Figure 7F and Figure 7G, the driver
320 is arranged with an annular section or member
324 located along a tubular member
322. The tubular member
322 has a surface
323 from which the annular member
324 extends radially away from a central axis of the driver
320. The annular member
324 has a respective surface
325 with pins
326 extending radially therefrom. The annular member
324 further includes an annular surface
328 and an opposed cam surface
329 that are substantially parallel to each other and to respective surfaces at the closed end and the open end of the driver
320. As shown in Figure 7A, Figure 7B, Figure 7D and Figure 7G, the cam surface
329 provides a set of eight highpoints or appendages
321 which extend toward the open end of the driver
320 from the annular member
324. In the illustrated arrangement, the appendages
321 are evenly distributed and shaped like right triangles with a first surface that is substantially parallel to a central axis of the driver
320 and a second surface that returns more gradually to the cam surface
329.
[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the driver
320 has four pins
326 which are evenly distributed about the circumference of the surface
325 of the annular member
324. The pins
326 are located at about a midpoint of the surface
325. In addition, the annular member
324 is located at about a midpoint along the length of the driver
320. As further illustrated in Figure 7A, Figure 7C and Figure 7D, the surface
325 of the annular member
324 defines a gate
400 that extends from the annular surface
328 to the cam surface
329. As described, the driver
320 can be made from POM or POK.
[0069] As indicated in Figure 8A through Figure 8F, the coupler
330 is a hollow cylinder that is partially closed at a head end
332 and open at an opposed end
334. The head end
332 includes an opening
338, the interior surface of which is threaded to compliment or engage the exterior threads arranged along the threaded rod
360. The head end
332 includes a bevelled surface along a leading edge proximal to the opening
338. The bevelled edge guides the pump assembly
300 through the interior of the body
110.
[0070] The coupler
330 further includes an irregular annular surface
336 at the opposed end
334. The irregular annular surface
336 provides a set of appendages which extend away from the head end
332 of the coupler
330. In the illustrated arrangement, the appendages are evenly distributed with respective surfaces that transition from a valley closest to the head end
332 having a first slope and respective surfaces that transition from a point furthest from the head end
332 toward the head end
332 of the coupler
330 having a second slope that is different from the first slope.
[0071] In addition, the coupler
330 is arranged with ribs
335 and elongate ribs
337 that extend from an outer surface the head end
332, as well as a set of radial appendages
331 evenly arranged about an interior surface of the coupler
330. The ribs
335 are opposed to each other and arranged to engage the slots
316 in the base
310. The elongate ribs
337 are opposed to each other, located between the ribs
335 and a head portion of the coupler
330 and arranged to engage complimentary interior surfaces of the base
310. The radial appendages
331 are parallel to a central axis of the coupler
330 and extend from just below the partially closed end to just above the ribs
335. The radial appendages
331 have opposed surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to the interior surface of the coupler
330 with an intersecting surface between the opposed surfaces. As shown in Figure 8D and Figure 8E, the radial appendages
331 are arranged with a pointed end proximal to a midpoint of the coupler
330.
[0072] An embodiment of the pump assembly
300 absent the optional sleeve
370 may be assembled in many different sequences. The following describes an example order or sequence of steps that may be followed to assemble the pump assembly
300. First, the wiper
350 may be coupled to the threaded rod
360 at a first end
362. Next, the opposed end
364 of the threaded rod
360 can be introduced in the opening
338 of the coupler
330 where the threaded rod
360 and wiper
350 can be rotated in a clockwise manner until the annular stop
365 abuts a surface of the coupler
330 about the opening
338. The bias member
340 can be placed over the partially open end of the tubular member
322 of the driver
320 and the combination of the driver
320 and the bias member
340 can be slid over the threaded rod
360. The opposed or closed end of the driver
320 may be inserted into end
313 of the base
310 and one of the base
310 or the coupler
330 rotated relative to the other until the elongate ribs
337 align with the complimentary surfaces in the base
310. Once so aligned, the base
310 and the coupler
330 may be pressed together until ribs
335 of the coupler
330 engage the slots
316 in the base
310. Such arrangement coupled with the bias force applied by the bias member
340 will place the pins
326 in contact with the surface
315 along the annular recess
314 of the base
310. Next, the member
385 of the pushbutton
380 may be pressed into the end
311 of the base
310 until it engages the complimentary surfaces of the base
310.
[0073] Once the pump assembly
300' is assembled, the pump assembly
300' may be inserted into end
113 of the body
110 and pressed into the body
110 until an end surface of the base
310 is flush with an end surface of the body
110.
[0074] Figures 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F illustrate respective positions of the pins
326 of the driver
320 of Figure 2 as they traverse a path
390 between the irregular annular recess
314 of the base
310 and the irregular annular surface
336 of the coupler
330.
[0075] In this example embodiment of the pump assembly
300', the pins
326 are located between a sloped portion of the annular surface
334 of the coupler
330 and a sloped surface
315 of the irregular annular recess
314 of the base
310. For example, the pins
326 are shown schematically in a starting position in the detail illustrated in Figure 10A. The starting position is defined as the dispenser
100 at rest with the bias member
340 applying a force against the annular member
324 of the driver
320. As a result of the bias force, the pins
326 of the driver
320 are located at respective low points of the annular recess
314 in the base
310.
[0076] As a result of a longitudinal force (e.g., F
external) applied to the pushbutton
380 of the dispenser
100 that exceeds the bias force exerted by the bias member
340, the bias member
340 compresses and the pins
326 are displaced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
105 of the dispenser
100 toward a first intermediate position of the pins
326 as illustrated in Figure 10B. Once the pins
326 contact the sloped portion of the annular surface
336 of the coupler
330, the driver
320 starts to rotate anti-clockwise as the pushbutton
380 is further depressed until the pins
326 reach the second intermediate position as illustrated in Figure 10C. The coupler
330 and the base
310 remain stationary within the body
310 while the driver
320 rotates advancing the threaded rod
360 and the wiper
350 into the reservoir
150. Such wiper advancement is a function of the rotation in degrees divided by 360° multiplied by the pitch of the threaded opening
338 of the coupler
330.
[0077] Thereafter, as the pushbutton
380 is released the bias force directs the pins
326 in a reverse direction towards the pushbutton
380 until the pins
326 encounter the sloped surface
315 along the annular irregular
314 recess in the base
310 as illustrated in Figure 10D. As the bias force continues to push against the annular member
324 of the driver
320, the driver
320 further rotates anti-clockwise as the pins
326 are guided along the sloped surface
315 of the annular recess
314 of the base
310 until the pins
326 encounter the stop or substantially vertical surface in the base
310 as shown in Figure 10E.
[0078] As illustrated in the detail of Figure 10F, the pins
326 of the driver
320 traverse a path
390 between the opposed irregular surfaces of the base
310 and the coupler
330 with each depression and release of the pushbutton
380. As a result of the movement from a start position (Figure 10A) to a stop position (Figure 10E) the driver
320 rotates the threaded rod
360 through the threaded opening
338 of the coupler
330, which displaces the threaded rod
360 and the wiper
350 along the longitudinal axis
105 of the dispenser
100 toward the applicator
250.
[0079] It should be apparent that the slopes and lengths of the opposed guiding surfaces of the driver
320 and the base
310 may be adjusted as desired to achieve more or less rotation of the driver
320 and the threaded rod
360. In addition, the pitch of the internal thread of the coupler
330 and the pitch of the external thread of the rod
360 may be adjusted to change the longitudinal displacement of the threaded rod
360 and the wiper
350 that results from each push and release cycle of the pushbutton
380.
[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the pump assembly
300' reduces or substantially avoids the generation of harsh sounds or other audible feedback.
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pump assembly
300 may optionally be assembled with a sleeve
370 concentrically arranged about the tubular member
322 of the driver
320. Figures 9A through 9F illustrate features of the sleeve
370. The sleeve
370 may be constructed of various plastics including polyoxymethylene (POM). When assembled in the pump assembly
300, the sleeve
370 is fixed to or engaged with the coupler
330. The sleeve
370 includes an annular cam surface
375 an opposed annular surface
372 and a set of radially arranged appendages
371 that extend outwardly from the sleeve
370 and configured to closely fit within the channels between the radial appendages
331 of the coupler
330. The annular surface
372 is arranged to contact end
344 of the bias member
340. In this example embodiment, the annular member
324 of the driver
320 includes a respective cam surface
329 opposed to the annular cam surface
375 of the sleeve
370.
[0082] As illustrated in Figure 9A, the radially distributed appendages
371 have surfaces
374, 376, 377 that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pump assembly
300 with surface
374 and surface
376 substantially parallel to each other and extending away from the sleeve
370 and an intersecting surface
377 located between the surfaces
374, 376. As illustrated in Figure 9A, Figure 9C and Figure 9F at least one of the radially distributed appendages
371 defines a gate
378.
[0083] As shown in Figure 9A, Figure 9B, Figure 9D, Figure 9E, and Figure 9F, the radially distributed appendages
371 are arranged with a pointed end proximal to the annular surface
372 of the sleeve
370. The respective pointed ends provide a guide to arrange each of the radially distributed appendages
371 into a corresponding channel between adjacent appendages
331 of the coupler
330.
[0084] As illustrated in Figure 9B, Figure 9C, Figure 9D, Figure 9E and Figure 9F the annular cam surface
375 includes a plurality of extensions or points
379 that extend away from the sleeve
370. The annular cam surface
375 includes a set of sixteen points or extensions
379 that alternate in a respective separation distance from the annular surface
372. As shown, transitions in the annular can surface
375 from the points or extensions
379 in the direction of the annular surface
378 are substantially parallel to the surfaces
374, 376, 377. As further illustrated, transitions in the annular cam surface
375 from discontinuities relatively closer to the annular surface
378 to the respective points or extensions
379 alternate between a relatively steeper slope for transitions toward the points or extensions
379 that are furthest away from the annular surface
372 and a relatively less steep slope for transitions toward points or extensions
379 that are relatively closer to the annular surface
372. In other words, the annular cam surface
375 has appendages that are unevenly distributed with every adjacent transition having a different separation distance along the circumference of the cam surface
375 and every adjacent point or extension
379 having a different separation distance from the annular surface
372.
[0085] As shown schematically in Figures 11A through 11E, in this alternative embodiment of the pump assembly
300, the pins
326 of the driver
320 traverse a similar path
390 between the opposed irregular surfaces of the coupler
330 and the base
310 as presented in Figure 10A through Figure 10F. In addition, as further shown in the uppermost of the two details illustrated in Figure 11A, a first cam surface
329 arranged along the annular member
324 of the driver
320 is in engagement with an opposed cam surface
375 of the sleeve
370, which is engaged to the coupler
330 and the base
310.
[0086] As a result of a longitudinal external force applied to the pushbutton
380 of the dispenser
100 that exceeds the bias force exerted by the bias member
340, the bias member
340 compresses and the pins
326 are displaced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
105 of the dispenser
100 toward a first intermediate position of the pins
326 as illustrated in Figure 11B. Once the pins
326 contact the sloped surface of the annular member
334 of the coupler
330, the driver
320 rotates as the pushbutton
380 is further depressed until the pins
326 reach the second intermediate position as illustrated in Figure 11C.
[0087] As shown in the uppermost insert of FIG. 11A, the first cam surface
329 of the driver
320 engages the complimentary annular cam surface
375 of the sleeve
370. Thereafter, the driver
320 rotates anti-clockwise. As illustrated in Figure 11C, the pins
326 follow the irregular annular surface
334 of the coupler
330 and sliding contact of the respective sloped surfaces of the first cam
329 past the fixed cam surface
375 of the sleeve
370 produce an audible "click" or "pop" as an apex
321 of the cam surface
329 passes an apex
379 of the fixed cam surface
375 of the sleeve
370. As further shown in Figure 11D, subsequent removal of the longitudinal force against the pushbutton
380 causes the bias force to direct the pins
326 to contact the irregular annular recess
334. As the bias force continues to push against the annular member
324 of the driver
320, the driver
320 rotates and the pins
326 are guided along the sloped surface
314 in the recess of the base
310 until the pins
326 encounter the stop surface in the base
310 as shown in Figure 11E. As the driver
320 rotates anti-clockwise with respect to the fixed sleeve
370, the appendages
321 along the first cam
329 create an audible "snap" or "click" as they advance past the opposed points
379 of the second cam surface
375. As the driver
320 rotates the threaded rod
360 advances and translates the wiper
350 into the reservoir
150. Movement of the wiper
350 is a function of the rotation in degrees of the driver
320 and threaded rod
360 divided by 360° multiplied by the pitch of the threaded surface in the opening
338 of the coupler
330.
[0088] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or features and the article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. As also explained, the pump assembly may be replaced in its entirety by one or more elements arranged to advance a stored liquid in the direction of the improved transfer assembly.