Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~W094/27~5 ~1 6 3 7 6 6 PCTIAU94/00275
DISPENSING MECHANISM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a dispensing
,I mechanism and, in particular to a dispensing mechanism
for use in combination with a tooth-brush or an
ethical dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~NlION
Tooth-brushes having integral toothpaste dispensing
means are known. One type of paste dispensing
tooth-brush is described in PCT/AU84/00154
(WO85/00731) and employs a screw threaded central rod
in the cavity cont~;~ing the tooth paste along which a
disc is advanced. With this type of dispensing
mechanism the central rod reduces the volume of
dispensable material that can be accommodated and the
mech~nifi~ is difficult to operate or re-charge.
Another type of paste dispensing tooth-brush is
described in PCT/US91/07153 (W092/05721) but requires
a pressure source to dispense the paste.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~N'l'lON
The present invention seeks to overcome the
disadvantage in this type of prior art dispensing
mechanism or at least to provide an alternative
thereto.
According to one broad aspect of the invention there
is provided a dispensing mech~nis~ including a storage
volume for storing a dispensable material having at
one end a means movable within said storage volume and
at the other end an orifice through which said
dispensable material may be expelled, driving means
exterior to said storage volume and operatively
connected to said movable means for effecting
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--2--
repeatable, uni-directional .l~ovelllent thereof within
said volume to thereby dispense said material from
said orifice.
According to one aspect of the invention the movable t
means preferably comprises a bung and said driving
means in combination with said bung comprises a
ratchet type drive mech~nism while said storsge volume
comprises a bladder.
According to another aspect of the invention there is
a provided a paste dispensing tooth brush including a
handle portion and a brush head portion, the handle
portion further including a barrel cont~i n ing a
bladder filled with a dispensable paste, and having a
discharge orifice, a bung at a distal end of the
handle remote from said brush head having motion
effecting means, a drive mechanism including a
recriprocating member located within said handle
portion adjacent said bladder and having means
operatively connected at one end to said bung by
engaging said motion effecting means, and engaged by a
pivoted member operated by an arm at the other end,
said arm being rotatably fixed within said handle
portion and having a limited rotational movement;
said head portion including a plurality of dispensing
25 elements, each element being connected to said
discharge orifice whereby by said limited rotational
movement of said arm said bung moves a prescribed
increment uni-directionally within said barrel toward
. said brush head portion thereby compressing said
30 bladder and forcing said paste through said dispensing
elements.
The dispensing mechanism can also be used for the
dispensing of liquid or of other suitable flowable
material in fixed quantities, which will be clearer
~ W094l27~5 2 1 6 3 7 G ~ PCTIAU94/00275
from the description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are now
described with respect to the following figures in
which:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the
invention where the dispensing mechanism is
incorporated in a tooth-brush;
Figure 2 shows a variation of the embodiment
of Figure l;
Figures 3 (a),(b) (c) show in greater detail some
of the elements shown in Figures 1 or 2; and
Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the
invention in which the dispensing mechanism is
incorporated in an ethical dispenser.
PREFERRED MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE lWV~NlION
Figure 1 shows in an exploded schematic form the
elements of a re-chargeable tooth-brush incorporating
a dispensing mech~nism according to the invention. A
brush head portion 10 includes a plurality of bristles
12 and embedded centrally of the brush head a
plurality of nipple valves 14 which in turn are
connected to the hollow bore 16 of the brush head 10.
To enable the consumable paste to be replaced the
brush head is detachable from the rear barrel section
20.
The barrel section 20 is comprised of two half
sections 22, 24 which may be joined in any ~-nner
W094/27~5 2 ¦ 6 3 7 6 6 PCT/AU94/002 ~
within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
For example, the two sections 22, 24 may be a sliding
or press fit. Alternatively the barrel may comprise a
hinged shell with the rear of the barrel parts 22, 24
interconnected first and then rotated shut, the
respective parts bearing co-operating members to
engage and hold the parts together in the manner of a
snap fit when so closed.
Similarly, the brush head portion 10 and the barrel
portion 20 are demountable and joined, for example by
being screwed together or by the rear portion 18 of
the brush head portion being a snap fit onto the
leading portion 26 of the barrel 20.
The barrel 20 houses the bladder 30, which, referring
to Figure 3(a), has a rigid disc portion 32 to which
is attached a compressible closed cylindrical sleeve
34. A tube 36 extends from the disc portion 32 and is
designed to connect to the bore 16 in the brush head
portion 10 when the barrel 20 is joined thereto.
A bung 40 having rearwardly directed prongs or
projections 41a, 41b is located hehin~ the bladder 30.
A drive device 42 comprising a reciprocating actuating
member 44 extends the length of the bladder 30 (in its
filled state) to terminate adjacent to the bung 40 and
projection 4lb. Member 44 can be accommodated in a
groove of the barrel section 22.
Projection 41b of bung 40 rests against member 44
while projection 41a rests against the inside of the
upper barrel section 24, the pair 41a, 41b of
projections being provided to better align the bung 40
centrally in the barrel during movement. A s~rip (not
shown) similar to member 44 may be included fixed to
~W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/0027S
_5_ 21 ~3 766
the inside of the upper barrel section 24 to provide a
pathway along which projection 4la can move although
the bung 40 is primarily advanced by projection 41b
engaging the member 44.
Member 44 has at the opposite end a series of
serrations 46 which cooperate with the teeth 49 of the
lower foot portion 48 attached to the hand activated
lever 50 to oscillate member 44 and thereby advance
the bung 40 in one direction (to the left or forwardly
as shown in the figure) as will presently be
described.
To better enable member 44 to grip the bung 40 the
member 44 may be provided with small ramped
projections having forwardly inclined rear surfaces
and abrupt upright front faces as familiar in cable
ties or certain merch~n~ise tags. These latter
projections and the projection 41b would co-operate to
allow only a uni-directional advance of bung 40, for
example in the manner of a ratchet and allowing
substantially free movement in the reverse direction.
Alternatively the projection 41b may be sufficiently
flexible to allow relatively free rearward movement of
member 44 while gripping the member 44 when it is
advanced forwardly, for example by projection 41b
having a knife edge which catches on member 44 when
moving forward.
In place of the co-operation of serrations 46 and
teeth 49 to convey the motion of the hand activated
lever 50 to the member 44, the lever 50 may be
connected directly with the member 44, for example by
being connected therewith by a flexible resilient
bridge or hinge. Alternatively, the bottom of lever
S0 might fit into a funnel shaped cup or a ball joint
W094/27~5 2 ~ ~ 3 ~ 6 G 6- PCT/AU94/0027~
pivot formed on the oscillating member 44, the cup or
pivot allowing the necessary range of movement to
provide the required reciprocation stroke of member
44.
The lever 50 pivots about the pivot point 52 while
rotating between the stops 54, 56 provided in the
barrel casing 24. The lever 50 may move along a
single arcuate path or may be provided with a series
of stepped intermediate stop positions along the
arcuate path between the limits 54, 56.
The number of serrations 46 and teeth 49 need only be
sufficient to accommodate the motion of the lever 50
between the stops 54, 56 (or an intermediate stop
position), to in turn correspond to the movement
required to advance the bung 40 a predetermined
increment to discharge the desired amount from the
bladder 30.
A gain mech~ni fi - may be interposed between lever 50
and member 44, for example an overdrive or a reduction
mechAnism, to zmplify or reduce respectively the
movement of the bung 40 as required. This is provided
most easily by the choice of the position of the pivot
52 as near to or as far away from the member 44 as
required to provide the desired gain by the principle
of leverage.
The nearer to the member 44 the pivot point 52 is
positioned the greater the reduction provided. This
may be required to provide an enhanced force in cases
where a viscous paste or liquid is being dispensed or
to provide the required movement to better specify the
quantity being dispensed. For example, as shown in
Figure 3 (c), by locating the pivot point 52 at a
point one fifth of the total length of lever S0 from
~W094/27~5 21 63 7 6G PCT/AU94/00275
member 44, a 1:4 reduction is produced such that an
8mm. arc movement of lever 50 advances the bung 2mm..
Obviously the discharged volume will depend on the
diameter of the bladder 30.
Locating the pivot 52 nearer the exterior of the upper
barrel section 24 provides an amplified movement of
bung 40 compared to that available through the fixed
arc of movement of lever 50. This may be useful if
the quantity to be dispensed is large and a large
movement of lever 50 is impratical or undesired.
Referring to Figure 3(c) the pivot point 52 is defined
by an aperture (not shown) in barrel section 20 into
which an axle or shaft 53 attached to lever 50 fits.
The aperture may accommodate a ball socket bearing for
smoother operation. Lever 50 has an upst~n~ing
portion 5Oa with finger operated knob 51, a ring
shaped body portion 50b, the central hollow of which
allows a path for discharge of the contents of bladder
30, and a lower foot portion 48 carrying teeth 49.
Assuming the rest position of the lever 50 is forward
then moving the lever 50 rearward will discharge paste
in the following ~nn~r. When the lever 50 is moved
rearward the member 44 is moved forwardly an amount
depending on the position of pivot point 52. This
movement as stated above may be identical, increased
or decreased as the case may be compared to the
movement of the knob 51 between the stops 54, 56. As
the member 44 moves forward it is grasped by the
- projection 41b of bung 40. The movement of bung 40
compresses the material in the bladder 30 thereby
forcing it along the tube 36 to the bore 16 and thence
from the nipple valve members 14 onto the surface of
the brush bristles.
W094/27~S PCTIAU94/002~
21637 ~6 ~
To reset the mechanism the lever 50 is moved forwardly
which forces the member 44 rearwardly and in so doing
it slides past the projection 41b of bung 40 leaving
the bung 40 in its last forward position. This
se~uence may be repeated until the contents of the
bladder 30 are used up, which fact may be indicated by
a gauge, for example a window extending along the
barrel viewing the bung's advance and marked with
"full and "empty" indications, or a suitable stop may
be provided within the barrel.
In addition to the bladder 30 containing toothpaste a
further rear chamber 60 may be provided in the barrel
20 to contain dental floss which may be dispensed from
an aperture 62 provided with a serrated or knife edge
to cut the floss at a desired length. Alternatively,
tooth picks may be dispensed from such a chamber.
Referring to Figure 3(a), the nipple valve 14 is shown
in greater detail as comprising a base 66 and a series
of upst~n~ing discharge elements 68 having a hollow
interior 70 terminating in a narrow gap or orifice 72.
The nipple valve 14 is made of 8 resilient material
such as rubber or plastics material. The area 74
around the gap 72 is provided with more of the
resilient material whereby there is a tendency for the
gap 72 to be closed, the gap 72 being opened by the
pressure of material being forced into the space 70.
The tendency of the gap 72 to be closed tends to
eve~lt desiccation of the paste and consequent
seizure or blockage of the paste within the gap 72.
The nipple valve 14 is designed to issue paste level
with the bristles 12 and in the middle of the brush
head 10, a feature missing from many prior art
arrangements.
In addition, the brush head 12 may be provided with a
,~094l27~S PCT/AU94tOOt75
~ 21 63 7~6
g
cover (not shown) which encloses the volume of the
brush head and nipple valve 14 thereby limiting
desiccation. The cover may be designed to ensure
retention of moisture to further reduce desiccation,
for example to avail of the moisture remaining on the
brush head subsequent to its cleansing after use.
The cover will also protect against contamination of
the brush head by lint or other matter. A cover may
also be provided to ensure sterility of the brush
head prior to sale with the cap being held securely
in place by a locking mechanism which is released,
for example by using the lever 50.
With the construction shown in Figure 1 it would be
possible to replace the bladder 30 by disassembling
the barrel 20 from the brush head portion 10, opening
the barrel 20 by dividing sections 22, 24, removing
the old bladder 30 and replacing with a new bladder of
similar ~ ions filled with paste. With the barrel
20 open and before the new bladder is inserted, the
bung 40 is reset to the start or ~full~ position. The
barrel sections 22, 24 are then reassembled ensuring
the lever 50 is located correctly as the sections are
re-~oined.
The replaceable insert as shown more clearly in
Fig. 3(b) may be provided with a plug (not shown) at
the end of the tube 36 to prevent loss or desiccation
of the material contained in the bladder chamber 34.
A rigid cover or housing may also be provided to be
removed prior to use to ensure esse of transport or
- 30 storage so that the bladder 34 is not stressed or
compressed in a ~nner that would lead to a rupture of
the plug or of the flexible bladder 34 or to prevent
flavour degradation of the paste, as the latter is
provided for in the manufacture of toothpaste in
35 tubes.
W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/002~
~` 216~76~ ,
--10--
The additional floss dispenser in the volume 60 may
also be replaceable in a similar manner, the
replacement floss material being contained in a
sterile contA i ner with a rupturable seal for
dispensing the material when ready for use.
~igure 2 shows a non-refillable version of the
embodiment of Figure 1 where like integers are
identified by like numerals.
In this embodiment the tooth-brush is made in two
halves 100 and 102 which can be joined together, for
example, by clipping. There is no bladder 30, the
volume 104 between the halves 100, 102 forming the
paste storage volume. The bung 106 is adjacent to and
at one end of drive rod 108, the equivalent of
reciprocating actuating member 44. Drive rod 108 is
operated by finger knob 110 and is accommodated in
recess 109 of the upper housing 100. In this case it
is projection 41a that engages the drive rod 108 and
projection 41b of the bung 106 may be accommodated in
a groove in the lower barrel section 102.
There is a direct connection from knob 110 to rod 108
although a mechanical advantage or gain may also be
provided if required as described above. The bung 106
and arm 108 co-operate to provide a drive mech~nism
advancing the bung 106 uni-directionally as described
above to provide (preferably) multiple discharges.
Without the containment provided by bladder 30 the
paste may ooze from the housing during operation. To
avoid this a retractable seal 112 is included along
arm 108 between it and the paste contained in volume
104. The "O" ring seal 114 at the front of bung 106
is also included for this reason.
W094/27~5 PCT/AU94/00275
21 63 766
As the bung 106 advances the seal 112 is wound into
cavity 116 in the middle of bung 106, peeled off "
with the aid of the forwardly pointed knife edge 118.
Alternatively, the seal strip 112 may pass through
cavity 116 and exit through a rear orifice (not shown)
in bung 106 to prevent the sea~ strip 112 jamming
within cavity 116 and so impeding advance of the
bung.
Once the capacity of the volume 104 has been exhausted
the tooth-brush can be discarded or the tooth-brush
can be used on its own.
In this embodiment the tooth-brush is assembled and
the paste is inserted into the volume 104 after
assembly. To do this a flexible hollow tube is
inserted through an aperture, towards the front of the
barrel section 102, which allows access to volume 104
and is moved to the rear of the volume 104. As the
tube is withdrawn paste is expelled therefrom into and
filling the volume 104. With the volume 104 filled
the tube is withdrawn from the aperture which is then
sealed, for example by glueing or a screw stopper.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in
Figure 4 and comprises an ethical dispenser. The
dispenser may be used for delivering quantities of a
liquid, cream or paste material in measured amounts,
for example as stipulated by a prescription. Figure 4
illustrates an embodiment similar to that described
above with respect to Figure 1.
The dispenser as shown incorporates a replaceable
bladder 30 although a non-replaceable version of the
dispenser as described above with respect to Figure 2
may be used. Equally, it is contemplated that a
W094/27~ 2 ~ 6 3 7 6 6 PCT/AU94/0027~
-12-
combination of features of these two embodiments may
be used, for example a disposable version with a
reduction drive rather than a direct drive as
illustrated in Figure 2.
Like numerals in Figure 4 are used to describe like
features as described above with respect to Figure 1.
In this embodiment in place of the brush head having a
nipple valve member with a number of nipple orifices,
a single nipple orifice 80 is used which may be screw
threaded to the barrel portion 20 as shown at 82.
For convenience the dispensing device may be provided
with a foot stand 84 to enable the dispenser to be
stored in an upright position. A cap 86 is provided
to enclose the nipple 80 and at least the operating
mechanism 88. The cap 86 may also be provided of a
shape such that it forces closed the nipple valve 80
when the cap is in place. In addition, where
applicable, a child proof cap may be employed. The
operating mechanism 88 is of the type described above,
that is such as to advance the bung 40
uni-directionally.
In some applications, the bladder 30 may be provided
with a medicine in powder form to which sterile water
has to be added prior to use. To make this easier
the bladder 30 may be made such that the tube 36 can
be unscrewed from disc 32 to provide a larger hole
than would be available by filling via tube 36.
A window may show remaining contents as described
above and stick-on labels may be used to indicate when
dosages are to be given or can be used to check
~W094/27~5 ~16~ ~6 PCT/AU94/00275
-13-
whether they have in fact been given. For example, if
a medication is required twice daily the label may
have along the window marks corresponding to "a.m."
- and "p.m.", the position of the bung giving when the
last dosage was taken. If a dosage is missed this
will be indicated by the bung position not
corresponding to the time of day.
The dispensing mechanism according to the invention
can be applied in the dispensing of any liquid, cream,
paste or flowable material. Though the above
descriptions have been specific to dental or medical
applications it is also contemplated that the
dispensing mech~ni~ can be employed in other
situations, for example, in place of a tooth-brush,
the dispensing mech~ni R~ may be used in combination
with a floor or shoe brush such that a fixed quantity
of cleansing agent or polish may be dispensed into the
area of the bristles.
Equally the mechanism may be used to dispense artist~s
paints singly or in combinations. In the latter case
~everal dispensers each storing a primary colour may
be combined whereby dispensing colour from each in the
required proportions will provide a given intermediete
colour, for example red and blue to give purple.
Required shades of colours can also be made up in this
way due to the feature of the mech~nism to dispense
fixed quantities of material. To prevent the paint
from drying out a screw cap can be provided.
It is contemplated that the dispensing mechanism and
any associated components are made of a suitable
plastics material with the bladder being made of a
flexible rubber, latex or similar material though
other materials are contemplated within the knowledge
of a person skilled in the art.
