Seal for a dosage dispenser tube

Claim 2

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a rod disposed in said cylindrical tube and having a plurality of transversely extending ridges spaced along a longitudinal direction of said rod; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger, said plunger having a general H-shaped cross-section, for cross-sections taken along radial-longitudinal planes in said tube through said plunger, said plunger comprising an outer tubular section which sealingly contacts and is movable along said interior surface of the tube, forming said first seal, an inner tubular section which sealingly surrounds said rod and forms said second seal and a ring-shaped rib extending radially in said tube and connecting said outer and inner tubular sections to one another; and catch means connected to said plunger and engageable with said ridges on said rod for moving said plunger, in ratchet-like manner, on said ridges of said rod in a direction toward said discharge end.

Claim 3

A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said outer and inner tubular sections have respective longitudinal centers and wherein said rib is connected to said outer and inner tubular sections at the longitudinal centers thereof.

Claim 4

A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein and said plunger and said catch means are comprised of a single integral piece.

Claim 5

A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said dispenser contains a nail polish.

Claim 6

A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said dispenser contains a lipstick.

Claim 7

A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said dispenser contains make-up.

Claim 8

A dispenser according to claim 2, further comprising gripper means, secured to said plunger and engageable with said interior surface, for preventing said plunger from moving in a direction toward said actuating axial end.

Claim 9

A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said gripper means comprising an annular ring which extends around said inner tubular section and resilient arms which extend from said annular ring toward said interior surface.

Claim 10

A dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising plunger inserting means for holding said resilient arms in a position away from said interior surface to enable said plunger to be inserted into said cylindrical tube.

Claim 11

A dispenser according to claim 9, in which said plunger inserting means includes a respective leg connected to each said resilient arms and a pilot pin hole formed in each respective leg, said respective leg and pilot pin hole being effective for temporarily holding said resilient arms away from said interior surface.

Claim 12

A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said outer tubular section has a center region which is spaced away from said interior surface of said tube and first and second cylindrical walls which extend obliquely from the center region to said interior surface.

Claim 13

A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein said first and second cylindrical walls are resiliently biased against said interior surface.

Claim 14

A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein said rib is connected to said outer tubular section in a manner which is effective for enabling the resiliently biased first and second cylindrical walls to press said inner tubular section against said rod.

Claim 15

A dispenser according to claim 13, wherein each one of said first and second walls comprises a respective annularly extending projection, said projections constituting said first seal.

Claim 16

A dispenser according to claim 1 further comprising a brush disposed adjacent said discharge end for receiving the viscous material and for facilitating application of the material to a receiving surface.

Claim 17

A nail polish pen for dispensing metered portions of a nail polish, said nail polish pen comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the nail polish may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a rod disposed in said cylindrical tube and having a plurality of transversely extending ridges spaced along a longitudinal direction of said rod; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end that said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger, said plunger having a general H-shaped cross-section, for cross-sections taken along radial-longitudinal planes in said tube through said plunger, said plunger comprising an outer tubular section which sealingly contacts and is movable along said interior surface of the tube, forming said first seal, an inner tubular section which sealingly surrounds said rod and forms said second seal and a ring-shaped rib extending radially in said tube and connecting said outer and inner tubular sections to one another; and catch means connected to said plunger and engageable with said ridges on said rod for moving said plunger, in ratchet-like manner, on said ridges of said rod in a direction toward said discharge end.

Claim 18

A nail polish pen for dispensing metered portions of a nail polish, said nail polish pen comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the nail polish may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a rod disposed in said cylindrical tube and having a plurality of transversely extending ridges spaced along a longitudinal direction of said rod; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end that said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger, said plunger having a general H-shaped cross-section, for cross-sections taken along radial-longitudinal planes in said tube through said plunger, said plunger comprising an outer tubular section which sealingly contacts and is movable along said interior surface of the tube, forming said first seal, an inner tubular section which sealingly surrounds said rod and forms said second seal and a ring-shaped rib extending radially in said tube and connecting said outer and inner tubular sections to one another; and catch means connected to said plunger and engageable with said ridges on said rod for moving said plunger, in ratchet-like manner, on said ridges of said rod in a direction toward said discharge end.

Claim 19

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger, said plunger having a general H-shape cross-section, for cross-sections taken along radial-longitudinal planes in said tube through said plunger and said plunger comprising an outer tubular section which sealingly contacts and is movable along said interior surface of the tube, an inner tubular section which sealingly surrounds said rod and a ring-shaped rib extending radially in said tube and connecting said outer and inner tubular sections to one another; a gripper secured to said plunger and having a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly with said rod and a second gripper arm for biting into said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to its second position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving with said rod toward said actuating end.

Claim 20

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger, said plunger having a general H-shape cross-section, for cross-sections taken along radial-longitudinal planes in said tube through said plunger and said plunger comprising an outer tubular section which sealingly contacts and is movable along said interior surface of the tube, an inner tubular section which sealingly surrounds said rod and a ring-shaped rib extending radially in said tube and connecting said outer and inner tubular sections to one another; a gripper secured to said plunger and having a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly with said rod and a second gripper arm for biting into said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to its second position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving with said rod toward said actuating end.

Claim 21

A dispenser according to claim 17, in which said first arm of said gripper includes a first main section which lies generally flat against said second seal and a first finger extension which extends toward and engages said rod.

Claim 22

A dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the second arm includes a second main section and a second finger extension.

Claim 23

A dispenser according to claim 19, in which said gripper is formed of a single integral piece.

Claim 24

A dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said push button means is effective for controlling the size of the reciprocation path of said rod on each actuation of said push button means.

Claim 25

A dispenser according to any one of claim 21, wherein said push button means includes delay means for delaying forward movement of said rod with respect to forward actuation of said push button means.

Claim 26

A dispenser according to claim 22, including a push button well, said push button means being reciprocatingly movable in said push button well, said rod including a rod extension in said well, said push button means having a top and said top being spaced from said rod extension whereby said push button means traverses a predetermined distance into said well before movingly engaging said rod extension.

Claim 27

A dispenser according to claim 23, said rod extension having a reduced diameter section, said push button means having a push button neck depending from said top and terminating in tabs projecting into said reduced diameter section of said rod extension.

Claim 28

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth-faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position, said push button means including delay means for delaying forward movement of said rod with respect to forward actuation of said push button means; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and moveable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger; and gripper means for engaging said plunger with said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end in a manner that is effective to carry said plunger toward said discharge end.

Claim 29

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth-faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position, said push button means including delay means for delaying forward movement of said rod with respect to forward actuation of said push button means; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and moveable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger; and gripper means for engaging said plunger with said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end in a manner that is effective to carry said plunger toward said discharge end.

Claim 30

A dispenser according to claim 25, including a push button well, said push button means being reciprocatingly movable in said push button well, said rod including a rod extension in said well, said push button means having a top and said top being spaced from said rod extension whereby said push button means traverses a predetermined distance into said well before movingly engaging said rod extension.

Claim 31

A dispenser according to claim 25, wherein said gripper means includes a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly and a second gripper arm for biting into said interior surface of said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to a resting position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving toward said actuating.

Claim 32

A dispenser according to claim 27, in which said first arm of said gripper means includes a first main section which lies generally flat against said second seal and a first finger extension which extends toward and engages said rod, and wherein said second arm of said gripper means includes a second main section and a second finger extension.

Claim 33

A dispenser according to claim 28, wherein said plunger has a general H-shaped cross-section, for cross-sections taken along radial-longitudinal planes in said tube through said plunger.

Claim 34

A dispenser according to claim 29, wherein said plunger comprises an outer tubular section which sealingly contacts and is movable along said interior surface of said tube, an inner tubular section which sealingly surrounds said rod and a ring-shaped rib extending radially in said tube and connecting said outer and inner tubular sections to one another.

Claim 35

A dispenser according to claim 28, wherein said gripper means is formed by a tubular cylindrical section which is slit by a plurality of axially extending slit lines spaced circumferentially around a peripheral wall of said gripper.

Claim 36

A dispenser according to claim 31, wherein said slits divide the peripheral wall of said gripper into a plurality of strips, alternate strips of said plurality of strips extending inwardly to engage said rod and other ones of said strips extending outwardly to engage said interior surface of said cylindrical tube.

Claim 37

A dispenser according to claim 32, wherein said gripper is disposed about a trailing portion of said plunger and further including a ring disposed about said first arms of said gripper and around said plunger for securing said gripper to said plunger.

Claim 38

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger; a gripper secured to said plunger and having a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly with said rod and a second gripper arm for biting into said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to its second position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving with said rod toward said actuating end, said first arm of said gripper including a first main section which lies generally flat against said second seal and a first finger extension which extends toward and engages said rod, said second arm including a second main section and a second finger extension, said gripper being formed of a single integral piece, and further comprising a ring disposed about said plunger and said gripper for securing said gripper to said plunger.

Claim 39

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tube and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger; a gripper secured to said plunger and having a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly with said rod and a second gripper arm for biting into said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to its second position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving with said rod toward said actuating end, said first arm of said gripper including a first main section which lies generally flat against said second seal and a first finger extension which extends toward and engages said rod, said second arm including a second main section and a second finger extension, said gripper being formed of a single integral piece, and further comprising a ring disposed about said plunger and said gripper for securing said gripper to said plunger.

Claim 40

A dispenser according to claim 34, in which said gripper is constructed of metal.

Claim 41

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tue and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger; a gripper secured to said plunger and having a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly with said rod and a second gripper arm for biting into said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to its second position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving with said rod toward said actuating end, said push button means being effective for controlling the size of the reciprocation path of said rod on each actuation of said push button means and said push button means including delaying means for delaying forward movement of said rod with respect to forward actuation of said push button means.

Claim 42

A dispenser for dispensing metered portions of a viscous material, said dispenser comprising: a cylindrical tube having an actuating axial end and a discharge end through which the viscous material may be expelled from said tue and an interior surface facing into said tube; a smooth faced rod disposed in said cylindrical tube; push button means operatively coupled to said rod for reciprocating said rod axially within said tube from a first position to a second position closer to said discharge end than said first position; biasing means for urging said push button means and rod toward said first position; a plunger extending around said rod and movable therealong from said actuating end of said tube toward said discharge end, said plunger extending radially from said rod to said interior surface of said tube and being effective to provide a first seal between said interior surface and said plunger and a second seal between said rod and said plunger; a gripper secured to said plunger and having a first gripper arm for engaging and biting into said rod when said rod is moved toward said discharge end to thereby carry said plunger forwardly with said rod and a second gripper arm for biting into said cylindrical tube when said rod is being retracted to its second position to prevent said plunger and gripper from moving with said rod toward said actuating end, said push button means being effective for controlling the size of the reciprocation path of said rod on each actuation of said push button means and said push button means including delaying means for delaying forward movement of said rod with respect to forward actuation of said push button means.

Claim 43

A dispenser according to claim 36, including a push button well, said push button means being reciprocatingly movable in said push button well, said rod including a rod extension in said well, said push button means having a top and said top being spaced from said rod extension whereby said push button means traverses a predetermined distance into said well before movingly engaging said rod extension.

Claim 44

A dispenser according to claim 37, said rod extension having a reduced diameter section, said push button means having a push button neck depending from said top and terminating in tabs projecting into said reduced diameter section of said rod extension.