US3870200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valveless dispenser for fluent masses
Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
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Filing: 1973-05-14
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A container for toothpaste, cream or other relatively viscous material has a forward continually open outlet or discharge portion, a one-way piston or follower in the container being disposed at the rear of the viscous or fluent material and sealingly engaging the container wall, the one-way follower being moved automatically by ambient air pressure toward the outlet after each dispensing of the material through the outlet, but gripping the container wall to prevent its retrograde movement during dispensing of the material, such dispensing occurring as a result of squeezing or deflecting a forward head portion of the container. The size of the outlet is so proportioned with respect to the viscosity or resistance to change of the fluent mass that retrograde flow of the fluent mass back through the container outlet is restricted upon release of the squeezing or deflecting action on the head, which results in a partial vacuum being created within the container, causing the atmospheric pressure to shift the one-way follower in the forward direction by a distance corresponding to the volume of the fluent material dispensed through the outlet.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter B Spatz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/76; B65D83/765
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
In a dispenser: a container; a viscous fluent mass in said container; said container having a forward continuously open elongate discharge outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; means for restricting movement of said piston means in a rearward direction away from said outlet at all axial positions of said piston means in said container while permitting movement of said piston means in the container in the forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to dispense a portion of the mass through said open discharge outlet; means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to produce a partial vacuum in said container forwardly of said piston means; the cross-sectional area of said outlet and the length of said open outlet being so related to the viscosity of said fluent mass that said partial vacuum is incapable of effecting significant withdrawal of said mass back into said outlet, whereby air at atmospheric pressure moves said piston means forwardly in said container toward said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a dispenser: a container; a viscous fluent mass in said container; said container having a forward continuously open elongate discharge outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; means for restricting movement of said piston means in a rearward direction away from said outlet at all axial positions of said piston means in said container while permitting movement of said piston means in the container in the forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to dispense a portion of the mass through said open discharge outlet; means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to produce a partial vacuum in said container forwardly of said piston means; the cross-sectional area of said outlet and the length of said open outlet being so related to the viscosity of said fluent mass that said partial vacuum is incapable of effecting significant withdrawal of said mass back into said outlet, whereby air at atmospheric pressure moves said piston means forwardly in said container toward said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a dispenser: a container; a viscous fluent mass in said container; said container having a forward continuously open elongate discharge outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; means for restricting movement of said piston means in a rearward direction away from said outlet at all axial positions of said piston means in said container while permitting movement of said piston means in the container in the forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to dispense a portion of the mass through said open discharge outlet; means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to produce a partial vacuum in said container forwardly of said piston means; the cross-sectional area of said outlet and the length of said open outlet being so related to the viscosity of said fluent mass that said partial vacuum is incapable of effecting significant withdrawal of said mass back into said outlet, whereby air at atmospheric pressure moves said piston means forwardly in said container toward said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a dispenser: a container; a viscous fluent mass in said container; said container having a forward continuously open elongate discharge outlet; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; means for restricting movement of said piston means in a rearward direction away from said outlet at all axial positions of said piston means in said container while permitting movement of said piston means in the container in the forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to dispense a portion of the mass through said open discharge outlet; means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to produce a partial vacuum in said container forwardly of said piston means; the cross-sectional area of said outlet and the length of said open outlet being so related to the viscosity of said fluent mass that said partial vacuum is incapable of effecting significant withdrawal of said mass back into said outlet, whereby air at atmospheric pressure moves said piston means forwardly in said container toward said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said restricting means comprising one-way latch means on said piston means engageable with the inner wall of said container to prevent substantially all movement of said piston means rearwardly in said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said container including a forward pliant, elastic head portion containing said discharge outlet, deformation of said pliant, elastic head portion effecting said reduction in the volume of said container forwardly of the piston meAns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said restricting means comprising one-way latch means on said piston means engageable with the inner wall of said container to prevent substantially all movement of said piston means rearwardly in said container; said container including a forward pliant, elastic head portion containing said discharge outlet, deformation of said pliant, elastic head portion effecting said reduction in the volume of said container forwardly of the piston means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; elongate nozzle means providing said discharge outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; elongate nozzle means providing said discharge outlet, the outer portion of said nozzle means being disposed at a substantial angle to the inner portion of said nozzle means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said restricting means comprising one-way latch means on said piston means engageable with the inner wall of said container to prevent substantially all movement of said piston means rearwardly in said container; said container including a forward pliant, elastic head portion containing said discharge outlet, deformation of said pliant, elastic head portion effecting said reduction in the volume of said container forwardly of the piston means; elongate nozzle means providing said discharge outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said restricting means comprising one-way latch means on said piston means engageable with the inner wall of said container to prevent substantially all movement of said piston means rearwardly in said container; said container including a forward pliant, elastic head portion containing said discharge outlet, deformation of said pliant, elastic head portion effecting said reduction in the volume of said container forwardly of the piston means; elongate nozzle means providing said discharge outlet, the outer portion of said nozzle means being disposed at a substantial angle to the inner portion of said nozzle means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said container having an opening rearwardly of said piston means to allow air at atmospheric pressure to enter said container and act on said piston means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a dispenser as defined in claim 1; said container having an opening rearwardly of said piston means to allow air at atmospheric pressure to enter said container and act on said piston means; said container including a forward pliant, elastic head portion containing said discharge outlet, deformation of said pliant, elastic head portion effecting said reduction in the volume of said container forwardly of the piston means; elongate nozzle means providing said discharge outlet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |