Screw Means Through Piston Patents (Class 401/175)
  • Publication number: 20020011499
    Abstract: A dispensing container which has an operating mechanism for dispensing a product in the container, and which has a cap which locks onto the container and which seals the product within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Jennifer O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6299369
    Abstract: A dispenser for a solid or soft solid mass has a barrel, a piston within the barrel, and a mechanism for advancing the piston axially within the barrel including a rotor wheel. A boss having an inwardly tapered profile (tear drop) and a sump dimensioned to receive the boss seats the rotor wheel at a predetermined angular position relative to the barrel. The boss is preferably formed on the rotor wheel and the sump in the base of the barrel. The dispenser is provided with a pair of bosses and sumps, symmetrically arranged around the rotor wheel and barrel base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Anthony Baines, Martin Christopher Bunce, Robert David James, Russell Jones
  • Patent number: 6276857
    Abstract: A product dispenser including a product cylinder having a cylinder wall defining a cavity for holding a product, and a housing having a flexible wall defining an inner space for releaseably holding the product cylinder wherein the flexible wall is configurable between a dispensing configuration, wherein the product cylinder is held within the housing, and a refillable configuration, wherein the product cylinder can be removed from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: The Plastek Group
    Inventor: Alex S. Szekely
  • Patent number: 6269982
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a product from a body having a pivot flange formed on the external surface thereof. A trigger is mounted on the pivot flange to be pivotal thereupon by a user's hand wrapped about the body with the user's finger digits positioned on the trigger. A product engaging platform is mounted upon a screw gear positioned within the body and is movable to dispense the product from the body when the screw gear is turned by pivotal movement of the trigger and engagement thereof against the screw gear. The product to be dispensed may be retained in a cartridge which is removable and replaceable within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Courtesy Corporation
    Inventors: Walter J. Kreiseder, Thomas C. Stoneberg, William C. Schmeisser
  • Publication number: 20010002962
    Abstract: A dispensing package for a cosmetic stick comprising a barrel having a generally open end and a generally closed end, a central longitudinal axis which run between the generally open end and the generally closed end of the barel, a piston slidably located within the barrel for advancing product contained within the barrel towards the generally open end, the package having a cross-section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis which is ellipsoidal, the generally open end of the package ending in an opening through which product contained in the dispenser can be dispensed, characterized in that the opening, when viewed in the direction of the minor axes of the ellipsoidal cross-section, is concave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Applicant: UNILEVER HOME & PERSONAL CARE, DIVISION OF CONOPCO, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Anthony Baines, Jonathan Justin Moore
  • Patent number: 6234698
    Abstract: An applicator for a product of viscous consistency includes a product reservoir on top of which there is a dispensing head equipped with a rigid application element provided with pores which communicate with one another in all directions. The product has a viscosity chosen so that passage of the product through the pores under gravity and/or capillary action is prevented. The applicator includes a device for compressing the product and producing a sufficient pressure on the product to push it through the pores when a dose of product is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Vincent De Laforcade
  • Patent number: 6231259
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising an antiperspirant salt suspended in a carrier vehicle thickened with a silicone latex. The composition typically comprises about 50 to 90% carrier vehicle, which is advantageously substantially comprised of a volatile silicone, about 3 to 30% antiperspirant salt, which is typically an aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum-zirconium chlorohydrate, and about 3-25% silicone latex. Preferably the composition will contain an auxiliary thickening agent such as a fumed silica, typically in an amount of 0.01 to 0.1%. The composition will preferably have a viscosity of about 12,000 to 50,000 cP. The present invention also embraces an apparatus for delivering the above-described composition, said apparatus having a porous dome with a porosity of about 150&mgr; to 400&mgr; through which the composition is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Matthew F. Murgida, William E. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6213662
    Abstract: A toothbrush with paste dispenser for brushing teeth. The toothbrush with paste dispenser includes a housing with a reservoir portion and a head portion extending from the reservoir portion. The reservoir portion has toothpaste therein. The head portion has a plurality of bristles coupled to a bristled portion thereof. The head portion has a tube extending therethrough an opening in the bristled portion and in communication with the reservoir portion. The toothpaste is forced through the tube such that a portion of the toothpaste and dispensed onto the bristles. An ejection assembly ejects the toothpaste from the reservoir portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Mohdsameer Y Aljanedi
  • Patent number: 6210061
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cream products such as deodorants and the like from a concealed product tube. A rotatable propeller drives a threaded spindle having a piston elevator mounted thereon. As the spindle rotates, the piston elevator rides upward, pushing the product toward an application surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Robbin Lee Johnson
  • Patent number: 6152632
    Abstract: To make full use of a rod-like glue contained in a cylindrical dispenser main body of a glue dispenser to its final portion, a spiral member of a rotary operator element of the glue dispenser has a spiral outer diameter which is set to be equal to or larger than 30% and equal to or smaller than 80% of the outer diameter of rod-like glue, and a spiral pitch which is set to be equal to or larger than 50% and equal to or smaller than 300% of the spiral outer diameter. The spiral member is directly screwed to the rod-like glue integrally attached to a slider coupled with a bottom portion of the glue by elastic retaining pieces by which it is not necessary to form a top face of the slider in a recessed shape. The rod-like glue can be extracted and retracted from and to a dispenser main body by moving up and down the glue by rotating the rotary operator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Tombow Pencil Co., LTD
    Inventors: Humio Shimakage, Yoshio Sumita
  • Patent number: 6129472
    Abstract: A mechanical twist-dispenser having a plurality of product compartments within a housing, a rotatable screw member axially disposed within each product compartment, and a piston axially slidably disposed within each product compartment. The piston has a central threaded aperture which cooperates with the screw member to move the piston axially within its product compartment with the relative rotation of its associated screw member. A master gear is positioned between and contacts each screw member gear such that the rotation of the master gear causes the screw member to rotate and subsequently move the piston axially within the product compartment so as to dispense the product within each compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Color Access, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Thayer
  • Patent number: 6129474
    Abstract: A toothbrush and dispenser for toothpaste is provided. The toothbrush and dispenser includes an elongated one-piece handle and a plurality of substantially parallel bristles disposed along a side of the elongated one-piece handle proximate a first end orthogonal to a predominant axis of the elongated one-piece handle. The toothbrush and dispenser also includes a toothpaste reservoir disposed within the handle predominantly at a second end of the handle and a toothpaste discharge orifice disposed to discharge the toothpaste from the side of the first end of the elongated one-piece handle among the plurality of bristles. First and second substantially parallel toothpaste passageways are provided which communicates the toothpaste from the reservoir to the discharge orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Mitchell, Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 6116803
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying extrudable product to an application surface while avoiding breakdown of the product into its constituent parts or avoiding undesirable product weeping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The Plastek Group
    Inventors: Alex Szekely, Joseph J. Prischak
  • Patent number: 6089774
    Abstract: A container (1) for applying a spreadable product (4) such as an adhesive, having an inner tube (3) that is removably mounted in an outer tube (5). A piston-like plunger (12) is disposed in the inner tube (3) and is moveable axially within the inner tube (3), for moving the spreadable material therein to a position projecting from the tubes, for application to a surface. A removable closure cap is provided to enclose the spreadable material within the two tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignees: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Henkel Raycap Produktie B.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Franken, Marie-Claude Bossert, Johannes H. J. M. Kelders, Roy E. van Swieten
  • Patent number: 6071028
    Abstract: An elevator cup configured for vertical sliding movement and for retaining a portion of a solid stick-form product within a dispensing container. The dispensing container has an internal surface, an open top end, a closed bottom end, and means for selectively reciprocally moving the elevator cup in a piston-like manner between a retracted position adjacent the closed bottom end and a fully advanced position adjacent the open top end. The elevator cup includes a horizontal base with top and bottom portions. The top portion is configured for retaining an end portion of the stick-form product. A ductile flange extends along a perimeter of the base for sealing against the internal surface of the container to prevent seepage of liquid product and product volatiles, and to substantially absorb and distribute shock associated with handling of the container, away from the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Carter-Wallace, Inc.
    Inventor: Rennold Lodge Klawson
  • Patent number: 6042286
    Abstract: A new lotion dispensing applicator for easily dispensing lotions from a refillable applicator and applying the dispensed lotions to hard to reach areas of the human body. The device includes an elongated hollow handle having a first end and a curved second end, a head member integrally formed at the curved second end, an apertured member for retaining a porous pad, the apertured member being frictionally attachable to the head member, and a lotion dispensing mechanism for forcing a quantity of lotion disposed in the elongated hollow handle from an interior thereof, through the retaining means and into the porous pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Karen M. Pazienza
  • Patent number: 6039483
    Abstract: A dispenser assembly includes an inner housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a wall defining a product space for containing a product to be dispensed; an outer housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a wall defining an inner space, the inner housing being rotatably mounted within the outer housing so that the inner housing can be rotated relative to the outer housing; structure within the housing for advancing product toward the upper end responsive to rotation of the inner housing relative to the outer housing; and a transfer member fixed relative to the outer housing and rotatably associated with the upper end of the inner housing, the transfer member having an applicator surface for applying product to a desired area, and at least one slot in the applicator surface for allowing transfer of product from the product space through the transfer member to the applicator surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Plastek Group
    Inventor: Alex S. Szekely
  • Patent number: 6022163
    Abstract: A gel dispensing hair brush for automatically dispensing hair styling gel from a plurality of hollow bristles. The device includes a handle portion having an open end, a closed end defined by an end wall, and an elongated cavity formed therein. A brush portion is attachable to the handle portion open end and has a reservoir in communication with the elongated cavity, the brush portion further comprising a bottom wall, the bottom wall having a plurality of spaced hollow bristle members in communication with the reservoir. An end portion is attachable to the handle portion closed end and includes a direct current motor for rotating a shaft/piston assembly disposed in the elongated cavity and thereby dispensing the gel from the elongated cavity through the hollow bristle members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Amal Asfur
  • Patent number: 6009886
    Abstract: A toothbrush which dispenses dentifrice and dental floss. More specifically, the toothbrush is an assembly including a tubular handle integrally connected to a toothbrush neck and toothbrush head, over which a protective sheath having a floss dispenser is removably attached. A dentifrice dispensing mechanism is provided to drive a supply of dentifrice contained in the tubular handle through a duct and conduit in the toothbrush neck and head. The dispensing mechanism is comprised of a twistable knob, a threaded screw, and a screw driven follower. When the knob is turned the piston moves up to handle to force dentifrice through the brush head and into a outlet passage exiting the toothbrush head between the bristles. A plug of foam-like material is disposed within the conduit of the toothbrush head thereby occluding the outlet passage when the plug is in a decompressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventors: Robert Labranche, Geoffrey Grenert
  • Patent number: 5997201
    Abstract: A device for holding a stick or rod of spreadable material includes a sleeve or container open on one side, an element co-acting with the stick, and a hand-operated means for varying the distance between the edge of the open side of the sleeve and the stick element. The stick or rod of spreadable material can be an adhesive stick or a wax stick. The stick of spreadable material is packaged separately from the device in an envelope of thin material, and the container includes means for securely holding an envelope of thin material suitable for packaging the stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgellschaft Auf Aktien (KGaA)
    Inventors: Marie Claude Bossert, Joachim Franken, Johan Wouters, Johannes Hubertus Jozef Maria Kelders
  • Patent number: 5967683
    Abstract: The cosmetic container has parts that are interchangeable so that the barrel can be used to contain different fill weights. Different fill weights are used at different times such as during promotions to give about 10 to 25 percent more product. By the selection of different effective length of projections on the lower surface of the cosmetic holder and/or projections and the upper surface of the base portion of the container the distance of the cosmetic holder above the base portion at full retraction can be set to different levels. The effective length is the length that a projection maintains the base portion and cosmetic holder apart. Since the space between the cosmetic holder and the top of the barrel will be filled with product for all product amounts the cosmetic holder setting above the base portion will determine the fill amount. In the technique fewer parts need to be stocked for the differing fill levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Joseph Edward Fattori
  • Patent number: 5961007
    Abstract: A dispensing package for cosmetic creams is disclosed. The dispensing package includes a container body having a first end and a second end. The container body includes a first inner perimeter adjacent the first end and a second inner perimeter adjacent the second end, wherein the first perimeter is larger than the second perimeter. The dispensing package also includes an elevator positioned within the container body for movement between the second end of the container body and the first end of the container body to force material held within the container body out the first end of the container body. The elevator includes an outer surface facing an inner wall of the container body and a sealing bead formed on the outer surface of the elevator. The sealing bead engages the inner wall of the container body adjacent the second end of the container body to form a seal permitting filling of the dispensing package and containment of product volatiles during storage and distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arthur Harold Dornbusch, John Robert Davis
  • Patent number: 5947621
    Abstract: A dispenser for extruding cosmetic gels and cremes including a description of basic sub-assemblies, method of loading the dispenser and method of combining the sub-assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: The Plastek Group
    Inventor: Alex S. Szekely
  • Patent number: 5927889
    Abstract: An automatic dispensing toothbrush is provided including a toothpaste dispenser having a coaxial bore formed along a length thereof for housing toothpaste. A ball screw is rotatably coupled in concentric relationship within the bore of the toothpaste dispenser. A ball nut plunger is screwably coupled to the ball screw and adapted to raise within the toothpaste dispenser upon the rotation of the ball screw. A rotator is rotatably coupled within the bore of the toothpaste dispenser adjacent to a bottom thereof and further coupled to the ball screw for rotating the same. Also included is a toothbrush assembly including a hollow linear rod removably coupled to the toothpaste dispenser. The toothbrush assembly further includes a plurality of bristles extending horizontally from an upper extent of the hollow rod and at least one bore formed therein. The toothbrush assembly is threadedly coupleable to the toothpaste dispenser for receiving toothpaste therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Richard J. La Flower
  • Patent number: 5918996
    Abstract: A new combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser for combining a toothbrush and toothpaste in one compact unit. The inventive device includes a cylindrical handle having opposed open ends and a cylindrical side wall disposed therebetween. The cylindrical handle holds a quantity of toothpaste therein. A toothbrush portion is secured within one of the opposed open ends of the cylindrical handle. The toothbrush portion has a plurality of bristles extending upwardly from an outer end thereof. The outer end has a channel extending inwardly therefrom into communication with the open end of the cylindrical handle. The channel has an open outer end disposed within the plurality of bristles. A toothpaste propelling portion is disposed within the opposed open end of the cylindrical handle opposite the toothbrush portion. An elongated window is disposed within the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Susan A. Coolbaugh
  • Patent number: 5913632
    Abstract: A toothbrush unit allows for storage of a dentifrice within a cavity defined within a toothbrush body. The stored dentifrice is dispensed onto the bristles of the toothbrush head by actuating a bushing drive unit that is also disposed within the body cavity. The bushing drive unit of the toothbrush allows for two-way movement of a compression piston axially along a threaded drivescrew. Upon movement of the piston toward the bristlehead of the toothbrush, in which a plurality of openings are provided, the dentifrice is forced through the cavity, through the bristlehead openings, and onto the bristles. As the supply of the dentifrice is depleted, or at any time refilling is necessary, the piston is moved toward the posterior end of the toothbrush to allow for injection of additional dentifrice into the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Suresh L. Persad
  • Patent number: 5908257
    Abstract: A toothbrush which is adapted to contain a significant quantity of toothpaste therein and to dispense the toothpaste onto the toothbrush bristles. The toothbrush generally comprises a hollow handle having a brush head formed integrally on its top end, a disposable toothpaste containing cartridge supported within its interior, and a piston mechanism threadably attached to its bottom end. The piston mechanism is adapted to force the toothpaste out of the handle into a conduit formed through the brush head. The conduit leads from the interior of the handle to a plurality of outlet holes disposed below resilient valves in a rubber gasket layer which supports the bristles. The valves allow toothpaste to flow from the conduit onto the bristles of the toothpaste while preventing water or other fluids from flowing into the conduit to contaminate the toothpaste supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Todd A. Martin
  • Patent number: 5882134
    Abstract: A dispensing toothbrush for use when cleaning teeth comprises a toothbrush base plate, a plurality of bristles implanted in and projected perpendicularly upward from the toothbrush base plate, toothbrush neck member, a sleeve concentric about toothbrush neck member, a thumb lever coupled to the sleeve for rotating the sleeve when pressure is applied to the thumb lever, and toothpaste wiping trough, coupled to the sleeve, for receiving toothpaste therein from the toothbrush neck member. In operation, as pressure is applied to the thumb lever, the sleeve rotates and the toothpaste wiping trough rotates around the toothbrush base plate and the plurality of bristles for evenly distributing the toothpaste onto the top surface area of the plurality of bristles, in a single wiping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Nigelle V. Hatch
  • Patent number: 5879096
    Abstract: An applicator for cream-like or gel-like compounds having an elevator in a container that is advanced toward a dome applicator head at one end of the container by turning a helical ramp that engages ramp follows attached to the elevator, the ramp having valleys therein that allow pressure that is present in the compound after a portion has been dispensed through the apertures to force the elevator away from the dome so as to relieve the pressure and prevent the formation of liquid-phase separation products from weeping through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Carter-Wallace, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence Joseph Franta, Rennold Lodge Klawson
  • Patent number: 5876139
    Abstract: An assembly for the application of a product includes a container (104) which contains a product to be dispensed and is provided with an outlet for the product, and a component (114) for applying the product, which has an application surface (118) and a peripheral edge (122). The component includes a region (126) in communication with the product outlet of the container. The application component comprises a part (127), separate from the application component, which limits the radial diffusion of the product in the application component, this part being located between the region and the peripheral edge of the application component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Vincent De Laforcade
  • Patent number: 5868510
    Abstract: A product dispenser includes a receptacle having a cylindrical body that is open at one of its ends, a piston that is axially movable in translation in the body, and a drive screw passing through an orifice in the piston. The orifice is provided with a link suitable for transforming rotary motion of the screw into axial displacement of the piston. The screw is rotated by a drive member accessible to the user, and the link is radially deformable. The link is organized to deform radially in contact with the thread of the screw when the screw is forced to move axially relative to the link, thereby allowing relative axial movement between the screw and the link even if the screw is not rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Franck Lacout, Vincent de Laforcade
  • Patent number: 5863142
    Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator device for applying, e.g., a viscous fluid or a gel, with the use of a self-tapping piston. The device comprises a piston provided with a blade, the cutting edge of which is inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis of a rod passing through the piston. The cutting edge of the blade projects into a space defined in the piston through which the rod passes and bites into the relatively soft, smooth outer surface of the rod as the rod is rotated. The blade cuts into the surface of the rod during such rotation in a substantial spiral direction, causing the piston to move along the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: LVMH Recherche
    Inventors: Francois Noel Lhuisset, Daniel Foltete, Gerard Normand
  • Patent number: 5857793
    Abstract: The invention is associated with a refill cartridge for a stick which applies product by rubbing onto a surface, comprising a tube-like element, which is designed to be tightly closed at both ends and of which one end is designed to fit tightly onto a tube element of the stick; a longitudinally displaceable plunger with a screwthreaded bore--onto which a screwthreaded spindle of the adhesive stick projecting from the tube element is designed to be screwed--being non-rotatably guided in the tube-like element; and the tube-like element being filled with a product which bears against the plunger at one end and, the product in an extension of the screwthreaded bore, is formed throughout with a bore in which the screwthreaded spindle engages when the refill cartridge is fitted onto the stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Marie-Claude Bossert, Joachim Franken, Tilwin Lepsius
  • Patent number: 5842802
    Abstract: The coating implement of the present invention dispenses solid material from an open-ended body for rubbing contact with a surface by ejecting the material from the open end of the body. The body has a manually operable collar secured near the upper open end thereof. The body has a screw and a screw-mounted elevator therein. The screw includes a knurled knob. The body is located in the tube with the knurled knob in frictional engagement with the inner lower end of the tube. Indicia may be placed on the outer surface of the body where it is protected by the tube, and the tube is transparent so that the indicia may be viewed therethrough. Rotation of the collar causes the body to rotate within the tube and eject the material from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Federal Package Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Lang, Robert W. Chadfield
  • Patent number: 5842487
    Abstract: A self-contained toothbrush construction 10 including a handle unit 11, a brush unit 12, and a cap unit 13. The handle unit 11 comprises a hollow housing member 20 including concentric chambers 21, 22. The inner chamber 21 is dimensioned to receive a toothpaste cartridge 50 and the outer chamber 22 forms a reservoir for liquid such as water or mouthwash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Neil A. Ledet
  • Patent number: 5839622
    Abstract: A dispensing package for cream compositions is provided which includes a container body have a longitudinal central axis. The container body defines a storage chamber for the composition. An opening in the container body is present for discharging the composition. A fixed cam opposite the opening has teeth oriented tangentially to the longitudinal axis. A rotatable cog mounted on the cam has a plurality of ratchet teeth engageable with the teeth of the fixed cam. The cog is provided with external peripheral cams oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis. A spindle mounted on the cog extends along the central longitudinal axis between the cog and the opening. An elevator is mounted on the spindle and is displaceable between the cog and the opening to dispense the composition through the opening. A pawl is oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis and is engageable with the peripheral cams to rotate the cog and spindle on the fixed cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Huw Bicknell, Stephen James Carter, Ron Kartupelis
  • Patent number: 5772347
    Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator nozzle (2) for the dispensing and the application of a product (P) with a liquid-to-pasty consistency, comprising an application surface (5) provided with at least one dispensing orifice (61). This nozzle is provided with a one-way valve (62b) allowing the product to be dispensed and preventing the ambient air from coming into contact with the product. The invention also relates to a dispensing unit comprising such an applicator nozzle (2), a reservoir for the product (P), and system (M) capable of producing the ejection of the product (P) through the dispensing orifice (61) of the applicator nozzle (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 5753212
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a cosmetic product, such as an antiperspirant or deodorant, in stick form includes steps for introducing the product into a container from which the product is dispensed by the user. The product is introduced into the container in molten form and thereafter cooled to produce a substantially solid stick of antiperspirant material. Thereafter, the product is compressed to remove gaseous elements therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: John E. Pescatore, William E. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5746532
    Abstract: A toothbrush assembly comprising an elongated hollow handle defining a chamber for a cartridge filled with toothpaste, a brush head assembly detachably mounted at one end of the handle having a series of flexible valves, an actuator assembly mounted at the opposite open end of the handle including a piston engagable with a rear seal of the cartridge and actuatable axially in the cartridge to displace toothpaste through a channel in the brush head assembly and through the series of valves in the brush head which open to permit release of toothpaste and close automatically to a closed position when piston advance is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Joseph M. Megill, John T. Megill
  • Patent number: 5733058
    Abstract: A container for a compact product including a housing, a stem, and a follower engaged with the stem adapted to move axially within the container in response to rotation of the stem. The follower including a central tube threadingly engaged with the stem that is adapted to flex when the follower is in a retracted position and the stem is rotated, to permit the stem to rotate relative to the follower. A fingerwheel may be included to facilitate rotation of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Blistex Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5727891
    Abstract: The dispenser for lip-salve or similar ointment includes a tube, an elevator axially movable within the tube for expelling the ointment, and a screw rotatable within the cylinder and interacting with the elevator for moving the elevator within the tube. The internal threads on the elevator interact with the external threads on the screw when the screw is rotated. The elevator is generally cup-shaped, and is arranged to prevent relative rotation between the elevator and the tube. A knob is integral with the screw and external of the tube, and a groove in the knob and a collar in the tube permit relative rotation of the knob and screw with the tube but prevents relative axial movement between the tube and the screw. At least one inclined plane is on the bottom of the cup-shaped elevator and interacts with at least one inclined plane on the knob, within the tube, whereby when turning the knob, the inclined planes on the knob forceably push the inclined planes on the elevator axially within the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Federal Package Network, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Lang
  • Patent number: 5725133
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided that includes a container for storing a dispensable chemical product such as an underarm composition, an elevator mounted for axial movement within the container, a rotatable shaft attached to the elevator, a compartment within the container below the elevator and mechanisms for axially advancing and for reciprocating the elevator within the container. Each mechanism is actuated through a depressible button protruding from the housing. A flexible plastic band serving as a biasing spring is unitarily molded with the button as a plastic insert. The advancement mechanism includes a ratchet wheel with a plurality of teeth circumferentially surrounding the wheel and a pawl, attached to the plastic insert, for moving the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The reciprocating mechanism includes an angled ramp attached to an underside of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark John Iaia
  • Patent number: 5697531
    Abstract: Described is a dispensing package for a flowable viscous product which can relieve residual pressure on the product in the package, so as to avoid product weeping out of the package. The package uses an elevator to force product out of the package, the elevator including resilient structure to spring-bias the elevator in a direction away from the product outlet of the package. After dispensing the desired amount of product, this spring bias retracts the elevator so as to relieve residual pressure. Also described is structure for moving the elevator which provides both axial movement and reciprocating axial movement, without creating difficulty for the consumer to cause elevator movement between the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: The Mennen Company
    Inventor: Joseph E. Fattori
  • Patent number: 5573342
    Abstract: A body lotion applicator system to enable a user to conveniently apply hand cream and other skin preparations to the back and other hard-to-reach areas of the body is disclosed. Such system comprises a reservoir in a tubular configuration with an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a circular cross-section. The reservoir has a closed upper end with a filling aperture therein and a closed lower end with a first bearing aperture therethrough. The reservoir also has an intermediate extent therebetween. A bearing plate is located interior thereof adjacent the upper end with passages therethrough and with a second bearing aperture therethrough. An application box is secured to the exterior surface of the reservoir adjacent to the upper end. The application box includes a common wall with the reservoir and is formed with a plurality of feed holes extending therethrough for the passage of lotion to the application box from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Christine S. Patalano
  • Patent number: 5573341
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided that includes a container for storing a dispensable chemical product such as an underarm composition, an elevator mounted for axial movement within the container, a rotatable shaft attached to the elevator, a housing below the elevator and a mechanism for axially advancing the elevator within the container. The advancement mechanism includes a ratchet wheel with a plurality of teeth circumferentially surrounding the wheel and a mechanism to rotate the ratchet wheel which includes a flexible arm attached to the housing and having a pawl for moving the teeth of the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Iaia
  • Patent number: 5567071
    Abstract: A refill cartridge for a stick product dispenser, for stick products including adhesive sticks, lipsticks, release agent sticks, shaving soap sticks, coloring sticks, and so forth, is provided by molding the stick product material to have a shape substantially the same as the internal shape of the associated dispenser casing or holder, and to fill the free internal volume of the holder. When the stick product originally within the dispenser is used, the refill cartridge is partially inserted into an open end of the empty dispenser holder, and the cartridge is either pushed or drawn into the dispenser, for refilling the same with the desired stick product, and permitting non-consumable portions of the stick product dispenser to be repeatedly reused via such refilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Tilwin Lepsius, Gerhard Gierenz, Klaus Tranelis, Gerd-Ruediger Reinfelder, Joachim Franken, Hans Halm
  • Patent number: 5547302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved product dispensers for various products, including solids, gels, semi-solids, and other substantially solid products. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser is in the form of an improved twist-up type dispenser with an application/distribution surface in the form of a mesh applicator head for covering the exposed end of a solid stick of product. The dispenser includes a force-limiting mechanism to limit the force exerted by the product on the mesh applicator head during pre-loading to prevent extrusion of the product. The dispenser further includes a force-maintaining mechanism to maintain the surface of the product in continuous intimate contact with the mesh applicator head during the application process. The surface of the product exposed via the apertures is sheared off in conventional fashion, and the mesh provides for a more even distribution of the product than conventional solid stick-type dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arthur H. Dornbusch, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 5540361
    Abstract: Described is a dispensing package for a flowable viscous product which can relieve residual pressure on the product in the package, so as to avoid product weeping out of the package. The package uses an elevator to force product out of the package, the elevator including resilient structure to spring-bias the elevator in a direction away from the product outlet of the package. After dispensing the desired amount of product, this spring bias retracts the elevator so as to relieve residual pressure. Also described is structure for moving the elevator which provides both axial movement and reciprocating axial movement, without creating difficulty for the consumer to cause elevator movement between the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Mennen Company
    Inventor: Joseph E. Fattori
  • Patent number: 5529416
    Abstract: A dispensing packing in particular for a stick-shaped cosmetic pasty product, comprising a hollow body, a product-carrying piston axially movable but held against rotation in the hollow body, a screw for the axial displacement of the piston and a knurled member for rotating the screw, the hollow body exhibiting a non-circular for example oval cross-section, the means for rotating the knurled member comprising an endless tape mounted on the lower end of the body and displaceable in the peripheral direction thereof and comprising on its inner surface projecting elements co-operating with the driving elements on the outer surface of the knurled member to rotate the latter upon the displacement of the tape whereas the hollow body comprises at the level of the driving tape openings permitting the engagement of the complementary driving elements of the knurled member and of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Lir France
    Inventor: Bernard Favre
  • Patent number: 5445465
    Abstract: A dispensing container for a viscous fluid or a stick-shaped solidified product comprising a coupling between the driving member and a tight-seal inner body, the container having go grooves and no guiding ribs, and wherein normal axial guide ribs are replaced by a perimetrically continuous elastic friction means that prevent the propelling member or piston from rotating with respect to the inner body so as to slide in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Ennio Cardia