US3181738A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

May 4, 1965 L. HARTVIG-JOHANSEN DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1961.

y 4, 1955 L. HARTVIG-JOHANSEN 3,181,738

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Oct. 18. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,181,738 DISPENSING DEVICE Leif Hartvig-Johansen, Elisenbergvein 35A, Oslo 2, Norway Filed Oct. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 145,869 Claims priority, application Norway, Nov. 4, 1960, 137,880; July 5, 1961, 140,798 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-156) This invention relates to dispensing devices of the type which comprises a container for powdered or similar material, which container can be connected with an underlying dispensing device containing a dispensing or feed plunger with an operation arm or the like, whereby suitable portions of the material in the container can be pushed out through a feed aperture.

Dispensing devices are known, wherein for instance, soap powder is charged into a container, the lower part of which is connected to a suitable dispensing device. This dispensing device can for instance be of plunger type and such that each plunger stroke feeds out a certain suitable portion of the soap powder.

The purpose of the invention is to provide such a dispensing device which is very simplified in its construction and use. This is obtained by arranging a dispensing mechanism known per se, forming a partof a housing which is adapted to tightly enclose one end of a substantially parallellepiped machine-filled standard carton or the like, one corner of which is provided with weakening lines or the like, so that the corner may be removed before the carton is mounted in the housing.

In the use of a dispensing device according to the invention it is not necessary to transfer the powder material from the carton to a separate container which is a part of the apparatus, but the carton itself constitutes the container. Thereby the work necessary in transferring the powder to a separate container is eliminated, at the same time as the general inconvenience of dust and so forth is avoided. The carton according to the invention is preferably devised with the one end closure flap made very short. and connected to the side wall of the carton by a folding, wherein a weakening line is contained so that the whole of this flap can be removed as the corner is torn open by aid of the other weakening lines. The material in the carton will thus run down into the dispensing mechanism without being stopped by remaining flaps.

A special housing known per se can be used with advantage for securing the carton to for instance a wall. This housing is then preferably provided with a window for reading the instructions on the standard carton. Further the housing can with advantage be lockable.

The above-mentioned as well as further characterizing features of the invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of some embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective exploded view the lower part of a standard carton with the associated dispensing mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a somewhat modified version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modification being seen in cross-section;

FIG. 3 shows a carton according to the invention as seen from the securing end with side flaps swung out so that the form of the end flaps as well as the weakening lines are seen;

FIG. 4 shows the tearing-off corner of a carton according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows in top plan view the foremost part of the dispensing plunger according to the modification shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view on a smaller scale of a housing wherein the dispensing device is arranged according to the invention; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively show the housing open and ready'to receive a carton and the housing closed.

The arrangement according to FIG. 1 consists of a parallelepiped carton 1 or the like containing for instance soap powder. Dispensing means of a type known per se, having aplunger 3, which moves in a short tray-shaped casing 2, is arranged to be secured to the lower part of the carton 1, thecasing 2 tightly surrounding it with the bottom of the carton 1 in contact with the top surface of theplunger 3. Plunger 3 can be moved by ahandle 4, whereby thefront edge 23 of the plunger pushes the powder which has run down from the carton 1 out through the dispensingaperture 5.

The carton 1 is so devised that a corner thereof can be removed before it is placed in thecasing 2. In the example shown, the corner is made with a curved weakening line 7 andtransverse lines 8, 8 in theside closure flaps 12, 13 at the bottom. Theend closure flap 11 is of usual length, whereas the end closure flap 9 which lies under the tearing-off part-s outside theweakening lines 8, 8' is very short, preferably of the same length as said tearing-off parts. Thisshort flap 9 is connected to the side of the carton with a folding, containing a weakeningline 10.

The device of the tearing-off corner for the finished carton is seen in perspective view in FIG. 4. By a pressing for instance of the thumb against the curved part under the line 7, this part may be pressed in and when thereafter torn outwards, the end flap 9 as well as the parts outside thelines 8, 8' will'follow. Thus, the whole corner can be removed Without leaving any parts that might obstruct the path of the powder from the carton 1 to the space in front of the pushingedge 23 of theplunger 3.

When thus the dispensing device by aid of thecasing 2 is fastened to the end of the carton 1 after the corner has been removed as described, a working dispensing device is obtained. If thecasing 2 is dimensioned .for tight enclosure of the end part of the carton 1 it is not necessary to have special means to secure these two parts together. Such means may of course be embodied in the device if it should'be convenient.

The device according to FIGS. 2 and 5 differs from the one shown in FIG. 1 only by the arrangement of the feed plunger 3' with atransverse member 15 attached to theplunger 3 by theside members 16, so that anaperture 22 is formed, constituting the space down into which the powder from the carton can run. Thetransverse member 15 will in inactive position of the device cover theopening 5 so that the powder cannot run out. When thehandle 4 is pressed in, the plunger 3' will move towards theopening 5, and the amount of powder in thespace 22 will be discharged. Where the dispensing device is used, for instance in wash-rooms, toilets and so forth,

it is advisable to put ashield 17 or the like over the dispensing aperture, so that wet hands will not touch the plunger or the dispensing device, which might spoil the functioning of the device, as moisture could result in the forming of lumps etc. in the powder.

The plunger 3' is spring-loaded at thelower surface 2 of the housing by apressure spring 6, acting on the bent branch 4' of theoperation handle 4. By every stroke of the plunger 3' towards the left in FIG. 2 a portion of thepowder 14 corresponding to thespace 22 of theplunger 3 is discharged. 7

For use where vibration is encountered, for instance in railway wagons, the device shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 is preferable, since the vibration will not cause the powder to spill through theopening 5 when the device is inoperative. For home use or the like the device according to FIG. 1 is very serviceable. The powder under ordinary circumstances will not run out throughdispensery aperture 5, since the resistance to flow of the powder exceeds the pressure exerted by the powder in a full carton. Therefore, it is understood that it is necessary to push the material out with the plunger.

The described dispensing device of FIG. 1, for example, can with advantage be arranged in connection with a surroundinghousing 18 having an aperture 5' in registry with opening 5 of the casing for pernritting the passage of material therethrough under the action ofplunger 3. The arrangement preferably includes aplate 26 fastened to the wall, thehousing 18 havingtrunnions 19 rotatably fastened toplate 26 such that the housing is pivotally movable with respect to theplate 26 between a closed and an open position. Locking means 20 is provided to lock the housing in the closed position. Thehousing 18 preferably has awindow 21, through which instructions on the carton can be read.

In FIG. 7, the housing is shown in perspective view in open position for the mounting of a carton 1. The corner 25 of the carton is first removed and the carton is held with the opening up and then pushed into place in thedownturned housing 18. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the despensing device is secured in thehousing 18. The carton 1 is inserted along the path of arrow P into engagement with theplunger 3 and into the edge of the tray-shaped casing 2 whereupon thehousing 18 is pivoted around the axis of thetrunnions 19 in the direction indicated by the arrow P FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal central section through the device according to FIG. 7 with thehousing 18 in a turnedup or closed position. Therein can be seenplate 26 which by screw-holes 27 andscrews 28 is secured for instance to awall 29. The upper part of theplate 26 is provided with aprotrusion 31 provided with anaperture 32, adapted for cooperating with across bar 33 which is supported inhousing 18 and, which can be pivoted by a key 34. Thehousing 18 will in a locked position be secured to theplate 26 so that the carton 1 cannot be removed by unauthorized persons.-

In FIGS. 1-4, the device is shown based on one corner being removed by the aid of weakening lines for provision of a necessary feed out aperture for the carton 1. In

1G. 3 there are shown weakeninglines 24 which may be arranged in the middle part of the carton, if desired. Usually the end fiap does not extend as far as weakeninglines 24 and to break through the carton it will be necessary only to break through the side flaps 12, 13.

For dispensing devices according to the invention there may further, according to the invention, be arranged means by the aid of which one can see when a soap powder carton is nearly empty. For this purpose the housing, in which the carton is placed, may be provided with avertical slit 40 which is relatively narrow, and each powder carton is provided with a window 41 in registry with the slitlike opening. The window 41 in the carton is usually somewhat broader than theslit 40 in the housing. This slit must be so narrow that one cannot cut the transparent material that covers the window of the carton with a fingernail and thus tear it, so that the soap powder runs out.

Experience has proved that the slit-like aperture which constitutes the window in the housing should not be more than 5 mm. broad, and preferably not more than 3 mm. broad. With regard to the window in the carton there is no limit.

The apparatus may be modified so that the housing itself directly serves as a container for the soap powder. In this case the slit in the wall of the housing must of course be covered by a transparent material.

With such a device, one is always aware of when the soap powder in the container is getting low, so that one in time will be aware that the spent carton must be replaced by a new one. The height of the slit or the win- A dow for controlling the level of the soap powder can with advantage cover a fourth or a third of the height of the carton, measured from the bottom.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and here described, but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing device for powder material comprising a housing adapted to accommodate a self-contained carton containing powder material and having an opening through which said material is dispensable, dispensing means supported in said housing and in turn directly supporting said carton for dispensing quantities of material from the carton which is within the housing, said housing and dispensing means therewith being pivotally movable between first and second positions, support means pivotally supporting said housing and dispensing means for said movement, said housing in the first position being downwardly tilted and permitting insertion and removal of a carton, said housing in the second position being vertically disposed and closed, said carton being insertable with the opening therein facing upwardly into the housing with the latter in the ifirst position thereof, said opening of the carton facing downwardly with the housing in the second position thereof, said dispensing means comprising a plunger and a tray-shaped casing supported within said housing, said dispensing means being disposed in said housing such that in the second position of the housing, said carton rests on the dispensing means with the opening in said carton facing downwardly, said plunger being slidably supported in said casing and including a portion projecting beyond said housing, said plunger being slidable in said casing between first and second positions by engagement of said projecting portion and a moving of the same for dispensing a quantity of material, said housing being provided with an aperture operatively disposed with respect to the plunger such that a quantity of material is dispensed from said dispensing means and then through said aperture as said plunger moves between said first and second positions.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a flat plate adapted for being fixedly secured to a support, said housing being pivotally secured to said flat plate.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is provided with a slit which is in registry with a window provided in the carton to render visible the level of the powder in the carton.

4. A dispensing device for powder material comprising a housing adapted to accommodate a self-contained carton containing powder material and having an opening through which said material is dispensible, a fiat plate adapted for being mounted vertically in a fixed position, said housing being a hollow element pivotally connected to said flat plate for movement between a downwardly pivoted position in which the interior of the hollow element is exposed and an upwardly pivoted position in which the housing is vertical and is closed; dispensing means including a trayshaped casing supported in said housing and a plunger slidably supported in said casing, said dispensing means being disposed in said housing to support the carton therein with the latter resting directly on said plunger and with the opening in the carton facing downwardly into the casing when the housing is in vertical position, the carton projecting beyond said casing and being accommodated within said housing, spring means associated with said plunger to urge the latter to an initial position whereat the opening of the carton is exposed and powder material is deposited into said casing, said casing having an outlet for the dischar e of material by displacement of the plunger, a dispensing aperture being provided in said housing in registry with said outlet of the casing and through which material in said casing is dispensed as said plunger is moved in said casing against the action of the spring means.

5. A device as claimed inclaim 4 wherein said plunger includes a projecting portion including branches arranged in U-shaped manner, said spring means being a spring in contact with one of said branches.

6. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 4 wherein said plunger has a fiat surface, the carton having an edge in which said opening is provided, said edge resting on the flat surface of the plunger.

7. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 4 wherein the carton is provided with score lines for forming said opening.

References Cited by the ExaminerUNITED STATES PATENTS 402, 3 74 4/ 89 Williams 221-264 5 3 0,5 61 1 2/ 94 Thissell 221-264 702,083 6/ 02 Wormwood et a1 222183 X 1,270,510 6/ 18 Goodman 222-461X 6 iMc'Keig 222361 X Guest 222'361 Du Grenier '221-264 Bobrick 2122185 X Moore 222181 Weiss 229-17 Sunderhauf 22917 Altorfer 2'22361 Anderson a 222181 Germano 222-361' FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain.

Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. 4. A DISPENSING DEVICED FOR POWDER MATERIAL COMPRISING A HOUSING ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE A SELF-CONTAINED CARTON CONTAINING POWDER MATERIAL AND HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH SAID MATERIAL IS DISPENSIBLE, A FLAT PLATE ADAPTED FOR BEING MOUNTED VERTICALLY IN A FIXED POSITION, SAID HOUSING BEING A HOLLOW ELEMENT PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FLAT PLATE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A DOWNWARDLY PIVOTED POSITION IN WHICH THE INTERIOR OF THE HOLLOW ELEMENT IS EXPOSED AND AN UPWARDLY PIVOTED POSITION IN WHICH THE HOUSING IS VERTICAL AND IS CLOSED; DISPENSING MEANS INCLUDING A TRAY SHAPED CASING SUPPORTED IN SAID HOUSING AND A PLUNGER SLIDABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID CASING, SAID DISPENSING MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING TO SUPPORT THE CARTON THEREIN WITH THE LATTER RESTING DIRECTLY ON SAID PLUNGER AND WITH THE OPENING IN THE CARTON FACING DOWNWARDLY INTO THE

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