United States Patent (19)
`Horstman et al.
`
`USOO5851079A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,851,079
`Dec. 22, 1998
`
`54 SIMPLIFIED UNDIRECTIONALTWIST-UP
`RSESING DEVICE WITH INCREMENTAL
`
`75 Inventors: Richard L. Horstman, Cincinnati,
`Ohio; Reuben E. Oder, Union, Ky.,
`Robert L. Prosise, Cincinnati, Ohio;
`Kathleen A. Pieper, White Hall, Md.;
`Genevieve R. Smith, Fairfield; Robert
`S. Dirksing, Cincinnati, both of Ohio;
`Susan B. Baggott, Owings Mills, Md.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0258799 8/1987 European Pat. Off. ........ B65D 83/OO
`0434326A1 12/1990 European Pat. Off. ........ B65D 83/OO
`2.
`R E. Kingdom
`2229791 10/1990 United Kingdom ................... 401/174
`2 208471 3/1991 United Kingdom.
`2211 081 7/1991 United Kingdom.
`WO
`91/O15135 A1 3/1991 WIPO ............................ A45D 34/04
`9115135 10/1991 WIPO .................................... 401/174
`
`73 ASSignee: The Procter & Gamble Company,
`Cincinnati, Ohio
`21 Appl. No.: 738,129
`22 Filed:
`Oct. 25, 1996
`6
`51
`Int. Cl. ............................ A46B 11/02; A45D 40/06
`52 U.S. Cl. .......................... 401/174; 401/172; 401/194;
`401/266; 401/288
`58 Field of Search ..................................... 401/174, 194,
`401/288, 266, 172
`
`Primary Examiner Steven A. Bratlie
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rodney M. Young
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A unidirectional twist-up dispensing device with incremen
`tal dosing for dispensing a product is provided. This twist-up
`dispensing device includes a hollow housing defining a
`chamber having an open dispensing end and an open actu
`ating end having a interior Surface. A piston located within
`the chamber being limited to translational movement within
`the chamber. The piston having a top Side facing the
`dispensing end of the housing forming a variable volume
`portion of the chamber for Storing the product. The piston
`also having a threaded rod extending therefrom opposite the
`top Side. An actuator having a threaded aperture there
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`through that engages the interior Surface at the actuating end
`Re. 30,659 6/1981 Otake et al. ............................ 401/209
`of the housing is also provided. The threaded aperture is
`D. 175,548 9/1955 Kane ............................................ D9/2
`concentric in the actuator and the actuator is adapted to
`D. 299,973 2/1989 Campello et al.
`... D28/7
`rotate with respect to the housing in only one direction. The
`D. 306,354 2/1990 Konose .........
`... D28/7
`threaded rod engages the threaded aperture Such that
`D. 306,355 2/1990 Shinohara .....
`... D28/7
`advancement of the piston toward the dispensing end occurs
`D. 306,914 3/1990 Shinohara ...
`... D28/7
`D. 325,264 4/1992 Shinohara .................................. EZ be dispensed. An applicator can be attached to the dispens
`D. 330,442 10/1992 Fukazawa .....
`... D28/7
`D. 353,397 12/1994 Banik ....................................... D106,
`ingend of the housing in fluid communication with the
`835,606 11/1906 Frimand.
`variable volume portion of the chamber wherein the product
`1,599,660 9/1926 Little et al..
`is dispensed through the applicator. The applicator com
`1,644,173 10/1927 Carr.
`prises a ferrule and an application portion. The ferrule is
`1919,859 7/1933 Phillips.
`attached to the dispensing end of the housing and the
`1950,324 3/1934 Powers ...................................... 206/56
`application portion has at least OC orifice located therein.
`1994,890 3/1935 Kallenbach ............................... 15/133
`Several versions of the applicator are illustrated, including a
`2.2. C. E." M.E. fiber brush and a flocked application surface.
`(List continued on next page.)
`17 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`
`D. 318.538 7/1991 Shinohara - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - D28/7
`
`when the actuator is rotated, thereby causing the product tO
`
`
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`Ex. 1024, p. 1 of 16
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`5,851,079
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`35. y R. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22
`
`15/139
`2314,536 3/1943 Hollenbeck
`... 15/137
`2,374,065 4/1945 Worthington
`132/88.7
`2,442,503
`6/1948 Melnikoff ...
`132/88.7
`2,604,104 7/1952 Kruck ......
`15/137
`2,629,889 3/1953 Lengyel
`15/137
`2,763,881
`9/1956 Riel ............
`15/137
`2,816,309 12/1957 Worth et al.
`15/137
`2,908.925 10/1959 Reitknecht .
`15/139
`2.913,748 11/1959 Felter ......
`15/137
`2,917,765 12/1959 Jakubowski
`132/85
`3,002,517 10/1961 Pitton ......
`15/558
`3.212,120 10/1965 Gentile ...
`... 15/558
`3.226,762
`1/1966 Norman .
`... 128/269
`3,369,543 2/1968 Ronco ..
`... 401/15
`3,459,482 8/1969 Fears ...
`401/174 X
`3,468,612 9/1969 Aston .........
`... 401/134
`3,481,676 12/1969 Schwartzman.
`... 401/174
`3,756,730 9/1973 Spatz.
`... 346/140
`3,771,166 11/1973 Tuilos .
`... 401/175
`3,807,881
`4/1974 Seidler .
`132/88.7
`3,825,021
`7/1974 Seidler .......
`... 401/65
`3.850,531 11/1974 Ackermann
`... 401/199
`3,881,828 5/1975 Jones .......
`... 401/72
`3,917,417 11/1975 Lang ..........
`... 401/198
`3,942,903 3/1976 Dickey et al. .
`... 428/295
`4,119,756 10/1978 Midorikawa ...
`... 222/390
`4,139,127 2/1979 Gentile ...
`... 401/264
`4,201,491
`5/1980 Kohler .
`132/88.5
`4,384,589 5/1983 Morris .....
`... 428/90
`4,421,809 12/1983 Bish et al. ..
`... 206/205
`4,446,965 5/1984 Montiel ......
`4,551,038 11/1985 Baker et al. ............................ 401/265
`4.595,124 6/1986 Duval et al. .............................. 222/39
`4,622,985 11/1986 Jankewitz .......
`132/88.5
`4,624,594 11/1986 Sasaki et al. ........................... 401/176
`4,708.267 11/1987 Sieverding et al. .................... 222/211
`4,749,618 6/1988 Kawaguchi et al...
`428/375
`4,762,433 8/1988 Bergeson et al. ....................... 401/206
`
`
`
`1/1989 Seidler ...................................... 300/21
`4,795,218
`4,844,250 7/1989 Holoubek et al. ...................... 222/107
`
`4.856925 8/1989 Konose ........................ 401/290
`
`... 222/390
`9/1989 Wiercinski.
`4,865,231
`3. 9.
`y al. ............................... ...;
`2Y-a- 2 r.
`4.946,302 8/1990 Uchida .................................... 401/288
`4,954,000 9/1990 Gueret ....................................... 401/68
`4,961,663 10/1990 Iwamoto et al.
`... 401/78
`4,966,479 10/1990 Idec et al. ......
`... 401/68
`4,978.242 12/1990 Konose ...
`... 401/129
`4,987,911
`1/1991 Powers .................................... 132/320
`4,997,299
`3/1991 Ohba ......................................... 401/75
`5,000,356
`3/1991 Johnson et al.
`... 222/391
`5,007,754
`4/1991 Zierhut ...
`... 401/174
`5,007.755
`4/1991 Thompson .
`... 401/175
`5,011.317
`4/1991 Gueret .....
`... 401/66
`5,019,033
`5/1991 Geria ...
`... 604/2
`5,026,195
`6/1991 Kimura
`... 401/283
`5,035,525
`7/1991 Konose ...
`... 401/278
`5,042.955
`8/1991 Moscatelli.....
`... 401/269
`5,073,057 12/1991 Lathrop et al.
`... 401/206
`5,085,352 2/1992 Sasaki et al. ..
`... 222/327
`5,097.853
`3/1992 Nehashi .
`... 132/320
`5,119,838
`6/1992 Nakazima
`... 132/108
`5,123,431
`6/1992 Wilson .......
`... 132/320
`5,124.205 6/1992 Raynolds et al
`... 428/364
`5,131,773
`7/1992 Gueret ........
`... 401/68
`5,137,388 8/1992 Kimura ...
`... 401/278
`5,176.461
`1/1993 Kimura ...
`... 401/279
`5,234,136 8/1993 Kopis .........
`... 222/391
`5.255.990 10/1993 Dornbusch et al.
`... 401/68
`5,299.877 4/1994 Birden ...........
`... 401/206
`5,320,442 6/1994 Yanagisawa et al.
`... 401/172
`5,372,444 12/1994 Lhuisset .................................. 401/175
`5,396.913
`3/1995 Wallschlaeger ......................... 132/320
`5,401,112
`3/1995 Dornbusch et al.
`... 401/68
`5,454,660 10/1995 Sakurai et al. .......................... 401A266
`5,478,552 12/1995 Hasegawa ................................. 424/63
`5,480.250
`1/1996 Birden .....
`... 401/199
`5,556,215
`9/1996 Hori ........................................ 401/199
`
`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 2 of 16
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 22, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`5,851,079
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`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 3 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 22, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`5,851,079
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`Fig. 2
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`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 4 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 22, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`5,851,079
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`Fig. 3
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`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 5 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 22, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`5,851,079
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`Ex. 1024, p. 6 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 22, 1998
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`Sheet S of 6
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`5,851,079
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`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 7 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 22, 1998
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`5,851,079
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`486
`475
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`Fig. 10
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`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 8 of 16
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`

`

`1
`SIMPLIFED UNIDIRECTIONAL TWST-UP
`DSPENSING DEVICE WITH INCREMENTAL
`DOSING
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to twist-up type dispensing
`devices, and more particularly, to unidirectional twist-up
`type dispensing devices with incremental dosing.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Numerous arrangements and configurations of twist-up
`dispensing packages for dispensing a quantity of fluid from
`an internal Storage reservoir are known in the art. Various
`types of twist-up dispensing devices are available for dis
`pensing Spreadable or flowable products which then apply
`these products onto a Surface. Such dispensers have been
`employed for dispensing many types of fluids and various
`other products Such as creams, Semisolids, gels, liquids,
`pastes, and the like. Twist-up as used herein refers to a
`helical advancing or Screw advancing type mechanism.
`Typically, in this type of dispenser, the product is placed
`within a hollow container body having openings in a dis
`pensing end with the other end being closed. The product is
`advanced toward the dispensing end by manual rotation of
`a rotary actuator, which drives a feed Screw and, in turn, an
`elevator. Moving the elevator into the product pressurizes it,
`causing the product to be expelled or pushed from the
`Storage reservoir through the openings in the dispensing end
`and onto an application Surface.
`In typical twist-up dispensing devices, as long as the
`rotary actuator is being rotated, product will be dispensed
`from the dispenser at a uniform rate in a generally continu
`ous fashion. One undesirable effect of this type dispenser is
`that the user may not be able to visually judge the proper
`amount of product which should be dispensed. Applying too
`much product results in product waste and messineSS. Many
`heretofore known and commercially implemented twist-up
`dispensers have attempted to resolve this problem by
`employing unidirectional/incremental dosing type dispens
`erS using relatively complex mechanisms.
`One approach uses a ratchet and a pawl mechanism to
`dispense metered quantities of Semisolid products. For
`example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,124 issued to Duval et al. on
`Jun. 17, 1986, a cylindrical container having a rounded
`closed applicator end utilizes a dial and Screw drive ratchet
`means along with a base and wrench means that restrains a
`drive Screw from rotation while permitting it to move axially
`in order to cause the piston to expel the Semisolid contents
`in metered increments. One drawback with this approach is
`that it creates a twist-up mechanism having numerous,
`Separate and complex Structural elements. Attempts have
`also been made to use unidirectional twist-up dispensing
`devices for the dispensing of liquid products. For example,
`in British Patent 2198037 issued on May 9, 1990, a liquid
`applicator having a rotary control Sleeve rotatable in only a
`Single direction uses a rigid cam projection that acts as a
`detent with respect to a cylindrical cam follower that is
`urged rearwardly under the influence of a resilient force
`generated by a coil spring. One drawback with this approach
`is that the addition of an independent Spring element, in
`order to bias the ratchet mechanism together, increases the
`complexity and cost of the dispensing device making it a leSS
`than desirable alternative.
`While it is important to minimize manufacturing costs and
`Simplify the production process, it is also important that Such
`a dispensing device be convenient and easy for the consumer
`
`15
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`5,851,079
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`2
`to use. One approach for dispensing creams uses a resilient
`pawl with an axial ratchet mechanism. For example, in U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,139,127 issued to Gentile on Feb. 13, 1979, the
`user is only able to turn a rotatory applicator in a direction
`which moves a pusher, having a threaded passageway,
`toward the rotatory applicator thereby dispensing material
`through openings in the rotatory applicator. One problem
`inherent with this approach is that the user must grasp and
`turn the rotatory applicator through which the material is
`dispensed. Thus, the users hands can come into contact with
`the material becoming Soiled and causing a messy dispens
`ing operation. This condition is exacerbated when an exces
`Sive amount of material is unintentionally dispensed. Dis
`penser configurations of the types mentioned are often
`complex and expensive to manufacture and are also often
`difficult or inconvenient for the user to operate.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One of the objects of this invention is to provide a
`unidirectional twist-up dispensing device that is simple in
`design and that minimizes the number of Separate compo
`nents. Another object of this invention is to provide a
`Simplified unidirectional twist-up type dispensing device
`which includes an incremental dosing feature. Most dispens
`ing devices of this type are, unfortunately, made Such that
`only one type of applicator is intended to be used with the
`dispenser. Therefore, still another object of this invention is
`to provide a dispensing device which is versatile enough that
`various types of applicators can be initially installed during
`assembly with a common base portion. Dispensing devices
`incorporating the aforementioned objects can greatly reduce
`production costs, reduce the overall quantity of components,
`and reduce the complexity of Such dispensing devices.
`The present invention provides a twist-up dispensing
`device for dispensing a product. This twist-up dispensing
`device includes a hollow housing defining a chamber having
`an open dispensing end, and an actuating end preferably
`having an interior Surface. Preferably, the interior Surface is
`cylindrical. A piston is located within the chamber and the
`piston is limited to translational movement within the cham
`ber. The piston has a top side facing the dispensing end of
`the housing. A variable Volume portion of the chamber is
`formed between the chamber and the top side of the piston.
`The variable volume portion is for storing the product. The
`piston also has a threaded rod extending therefrom in a
`direction opposite the top side. An actuator is also provided,
`having a threaded aperture therethrough, and the actuator
`engages the interior Surface at the actuating end of the
`housing. The threaded aperture is concentric within the
`actuator and the actuator is adapted to rotate with respect to
`the housing in only one direction. Preferably, a hand wheel
`is provided that includes the actuator being connected to a
`grip portion that extends from the actuating end of the
`housing and, more preferably, the hand wheel is a Single
`piece, unitarily formed from a plastic material. The interior
`Surface includes a lip and at least one detent. The actuator
`includes a groove engaged with the lip Such that the actuator
`is rotatable but cannot move axially relative to the interior
`Surface. The actuator also has a resilient arm extending
`outwardly and engaging the detent Such that the actuator is
`rotatable in an advancing direction but not in an opposite
`direction. Preferably, the resilient arm is inclined radially
`toward the interior Surface and, more preferably, the actuator
`has at least two resilient arms. The threaded rod engages the
`threaded aperture Such that advancement of the piston
`toward the dispensing end occurs when the actuator is
`rotated, thereby causing the product to be dispensed.
`
`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
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`Ex. 1024, p. 9 of 16
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`

`

`3
`The twist-up dispensing device can further comprise an
`applicator attached to the dispensing end of the housing in
`fluid communication with the variable volume portion of the
`chamber wherein the product is dispensed through the
`applicator. The applicator comprises a ferrule and an appli
`cation portion. The ferrule is attached to the dispensing end
`of the housing and the application portion has at least one
`orifice located therein. A cap that is removable is also
`provided. The cap Sealingly encloses the orifice and the
`application portion of the applicator.
`In another aspect of the present invention, the twist-up
`dispensing device includes an annular platform affixed to
`fiber bristles, an interior Shoulder within the applicator, and
`a transition piece positioned within the dispensing end of the
`housing. The transition piece extends through the ferrule
`into the application portion of the applicator. The annular
`platform is captured between the transition piece and the
`interior shoulder of the applicator positioning the fiber
`bristles such that the fiber bristles extend through the orifice
`in the application portion. The transition piece has a pas
`Sageway therethrough placing the orifice and the fiber
`bristles in fluid communication with the variable volume
`portion of the chamber. Preferably, the piston Sealingly
`engages the interior Surface. The dispensing end of the
`hollow housing includes an exterior Surface having a ridge
`and the ferrule of the applicator includes an internal Surface
`having a bead. Preferably, the exterior Surface and the
`internal surface are cylindrical. The bead mates with the
`ridge forming a Snap-fit engagement between the ferrule and
`the dispensing end thereby attaching the applicator to the
`housing. In this most preferred embodiment, the product can
`comprise a fluid and even more preferably, the fluid com
`prises a cosmetic.
`In an alternative embodiment, the application portion
`further comprises a fiber brush. In another alternative
`embodiment, the application portion can comprise a flocked
`application Surface.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`While the specification concludes with claims particularly
`pointing out and distinctively claiming the present
`invention, it is believed that the present invention will be
`better understood from the following detailed description in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like
`reference numerals identify identical elements and wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
`the dispensing device of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the dispensing
`device seen in FIG. 1 without the cap;
`FIG. 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the dispensing
`device Seen in FIG. 1 with the cap installed and having an
`alternative embodiment of the product elevator;
`FIG. 4 is a full cross-section of the dispensing device
`taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first alternative
`embodiment of an applicator according to the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a Second alternative
`embodiment of an applicator according to the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 7 is a partial vertical, cross-sectional view of the
`dispensing device showing the Second alternative embodi
`ment of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a partial vertical, croSS-Sectional view showing
`a third alternative embodiment of an applicator according to
`the present invention;
`
`4
`FIG. 9 is a partial vertical, cross-sectional view showing
`a fourth alternative embodiment of an applicator according
`to the present invention; and
`FIG. 10 is a partial vertical, cross-sectional view showing
`a fifth alternative embodiment of an applicator according to
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`In a particularly preferred embodiment seen in FIG. 1, the
`present invention provides a twist-up dispensing device,
`indicated generally as 10, for dispensing a product, Such as
`a fluid, cream, Semisolid, gel, paste, liquid, or the like.
`Dispensing device 10 comprises, in part, a rotatable hand
`wheel, generally indicated as 51, rotatably connected to a
`housing 20 which is attached to an applicator, generally
`indicated as 80. A cap 14 having a closed end 17 and an open
`end 18 is also provided. Cap 14 is removably connected to
`dispensing device 10 by frictional engagement with appli
`cator 80.
`Referring now to FIG. 2 in which a vertical cross
`Sectional view of dispensing device 10 is Seen, housing 20
`is hollow and elongated and has an axis extending length
`wise therethrough. Housing 20 has a chamber 21 therein and
`includes an open dispensing end 24 located opposite an
`actuating end 26 with actuating end 26 having an interior
`surface 28. Preferably interior surface 28 is cylindrical.
`Cylindrical, as used herein refers to a three-dimensional
`shape that is elongated while also having a generally circular
`cross-section. Preferably, interior surface 28 extends from
`actuating end 26 to dispensing end 24 of housing 20. The
`cross-sectional shape of chamber 21 can alternatively be of
`various shapes, Such as oval, rectangular, oblong, irregular,
`or the like. At actuating end 26, interior Surface 28 includes
`a lip 30 and at least one detent 32. Detent 32 comprises a
`Substantially localized indentation, recessed area, or protru
`Sion in interior Surface 28. Interior Surface 28 can include a
`plurality of detents 32 and preferably these detents 32 are
`radially spaced along interior surface 28. Preferably lip 30 is
`positioned adjacent to and aft of the radially Spaced detents
`32. Dispensing end 24 can include a first reducer 23 which
`acts to reduce or decrease the croSS Section through which
`product passes when being dispensed. Preferably, first
`reducer 23 is frusta-conical in shape. Additionally, dispens
`ing end 24 of housing 20 preferably has an exterior Surface
`34 which includes a ridge 36. Exterior surface 34 is pref
`erably cylindrical. Housing 20 is preferably constructed
`from a material Such as nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene Sty
`rene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE),
`styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), or more preferably, a material
`such as polybutylene terapthalate (PBT) with ABS, or most
`preferably, a rubber modified acrylonitrile copolymer which
`is commercially available as BAREXTM 210 from BP
`Chemicals can be used.
`A piston 40 is located within chamber 21 of housing 20.
`This piston 40 is preferably limited to axial or translational
`movement within chamber 21 and preferably does not rotate
`relative to interior surface 28. Piston 40 has a top-side 42
`facing dispensing end 24 of housing 20 and a bottom-Side 44
`opposite top-side 42. AS piston 40 axially translates within
`chamber 21, top-side 42 of piston 40 forms a variable
`volume portion 22 within chamber 21. This variable volume
`portion 22 is used for Storing the product that is to be
`dispensed from the twist-up dispensing device 10. In a
`preferred embodiment, top-side 42 of piston 40 is provided
`with an upper-Sealing rim 43 which Sealingly engages inte
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`Ex. 1024, p. 10 of 16
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`S
`rior surface 28. Bottom-side 44 of piston 40 can also be
`provided with a lower-sealing rim 45 which sealingly
`engages interior Surface 28. Extending radially outward
`from top-side 42 and bottom-side 44 of piston 40 are
`upper-Sealing rim 43 and lower-Sealing rim 45, respectively.
`Preferably, upper-sealing rim 43 and lower-sealing rim 45
`prevent the product Stored in variable Volume portion 22
`from leaking past piston 40 toward actuating end 26 of
`housing 20 or any other part of chamber 21. The sealing
`engagement and the frictional forces between upper-Sealing
`rim 43 and lower-sealing rim 45 with interior surface 28
`inhibit rotation of piston 40. Thus, piston 40 is generally
`limited to translational movement. These frictional forces
`can be increased or decreased by varying the amount of
`Surface contact between upper-Sealing rim 43 or lower
`sealing rim 45 and interior Surface 28.
`Housing 20, as shown, is cylindrical in Shape having a
`generally circular cross-section. Alternatively, housing 20
`may have a generally oval cross-section or even an irregular
`cross-section. When chamber 21 within housing 20 is non
`circular in cross-section, the contour or cross-sectional
`shape of chamber 21 further prevents rotation of piston 40,
`Since piston 40 preferably has the same contour as chamber
`21. Preferably piston 40 is constructed from a fluorinated
`high-density polyethylene (HDPE) although many other
`flexible polymers can also be used.
`Piston 40 also has a threaded rod 46 extending therefrom,
`opposite top-side 42. Thus, threaded rod 46 extends from
`bottom-side 44 of piston 40 toward actuating end 26 of
`housing 20. Preferably threaded rod 46 is made from an
`acetal. Upper-end 47 of threaded rod 46 is fixedly attached
`to bottom-side 44 of piston 40. Thus both threaded rod 46
`and piston 40 move in unison and that movement is limited
`to axial translation. The combination of piston 40 being
`attached to threaded rod 46 forms a product elevator 48
`which functions to move the product by pushing it out of
`variable volume portion 22 of chamber 21 in housing 20. As
`Seen in FIG. 3, product elevator 48 can be a Single compo
`nent which includes threaded rod 46 being integrally formed
`with piston 40. In the preferred embodiment, seen in FIG. 2,
`piston 40 and threaded rod 46 can be separate components.
`In order to limit the axial travel of product elevator 48, a rod
`stop 49 can be provided on threaded rod 46 at the end
`opposite upper-end 47 of threaded rod 46. The amount of
`travel of product elevator 48 can also be limited by product
`elevator 48 or piston 40 simply bottoming out in the variable
`volume portion 22 of chamber 21. Alternative methods of
`limiting axial travel can be used, Such as, threaded rod 46
`can be partially threaded, threaded rod 46 or piston 40 can
`be made shorter or longer, piston 40 can be provided with a
`protrusion on top Side 42, or various other methods known
`in the art for limiting axial travel of Similar components.
`As illustrated in FIG. 2, an actuator 50 having a threaded
`aperture 52 therethrough is provided on a hand wheel 51.
`Preferably, threaded aperture 52 is concentric within actua
`tor 50. Actuator 50 engages interior surface 28 at actuating
`end 26 of housing 20 and is adapted to rotate with respect to
`housing 20 in only one direction, that being an advancing
`direction. Since the threads on threaded rod 46 mate with
`threaded aperture 52, threaded rod 46 engages with threaded
`aperture 52 such that advancement of piston 40 toward
`dispensing end 24 of housing 20 occurs when actuator 50 is
`rotated, thereby causing the product to be dispensed from
`dispensing device 10.
`Hand wheel 51 is preferably a single integral component
`which includes both actuator 50 and a grip portion 54. As
`such, hand wheel 51 includes actuator 50 having a threaded
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`aperture 52 therethrough and has a grip portion 54 connected
`to actuator 50. Grip portion 54 extends from actuating end
`26 of housing 20 and preferably has a grooved or knurled
`Surface in order for the user to easily grasp hand wheel 51.
`Preferably, a cavity 59 extends axially through grip portion
`54 of hand wheel 51 in order to provide access to threaded
`aperture 52. More preferably, threaded aperture 52 is smaller
`than rod stop 49 while cavity 59 allows rod stop 49 to pass
`therethrough. Actuator 50 includes a groove 56 which
`engages with or is captured by lip 30 on interior surface 28
`at actuating end 26 of housing 20 Such that actuator 50 is
`rotatable but cannot move axially relative to interior Surface
`28. This arrangement allows rotation of hand wheel 51 while
`prohibiting axial movement of hand wheel 51. Preferably
`hand wheel 51 is unitarily formed using an injection mold
`ing process from a plastic material Such as ABS which is
`commercially available as MAGNUMTM 9015 from DOW
`Chemicals or a PP homopolymer or copolymer with a
`calcium carbonate filler having a loading level of from about
`5% to about 40% by weight can also be used.
`Actuator 50 on hand wheel 51 also includes at least one
`resilient arm 58 extending radially outwardly therefrom and
`can be inclined radially toward interior Surface 28. Resilient,
`as used herein, refers to the nature of resilient arm 58 which
`urges it to return to its original position upon being deflected
`from its original position. Resilient arms 58 can be better
`seen with reference to FIG. 4 in which a full cross-section
`of dispensing device 10 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 is
`shown. Resilient arms 58 engage detents 32 located on
`interior Surface 28 Such that actuator 50 is rotatable in an
`advancing direction but not in an opposite direction.
`Preferably, actuator 50 has at least two resilient arms 58.
`More preferably, resilient arms 58 are oriented at an angle
`directed radially outwardly toward interior surface 28 Such
`that resilient arms 58 engage detents 32 and are deflected
`inward by detents 32 when hand wheel 51 is rotated in an
`advancing direction. When hand wheel 51 is rotated in the
`advancing direction, the engagement of threaded rod 46 with
`threaded aperture 52 causes piston 40 to translate toward
`dispensing end 24. Any attempted rotation of hand wheel 51
`in the opposite direction is limited and causes resilient arms
`58 to abut detents 32 which prevents rotation of hand wheel
`51 in an opposite direction. Since hand wheel 51 is limited
`to rotation in only the advancing direction, product elevator
`48 is only allowed to translate in one direction. Thus,
`dispensing device 10 is unidirectional in nature.
`Hand wheel 51 is rotated by the user in order to dispense
`the product in a controlled manner from dispensing device
`10. Preferably, detents 32 are radially spaced about interior
`Surface 28 and resilient arms 58 engage and disengage with
`detents 32 as hand wheel 51 is rotated in the advancing
`direction. Each engagement of resilient arms 58 with detents
`32 provides a certain incremental translational movement of
`piston 40 and thus provides incremental movement of prod
`uct elevator 48. The radial spacing between detents 32 can
`be varied to provide more or leSS axial translation of piston
`40 with each increment of rotation. For example, detents 32
`can be uniformly Spaced apart, irregularly Spaced, or even
`intermittently Spaced at varying distances about interior
`surface 28. The amount of product dispensed from variable
`volume portion 22 is controlled by the incremental move
`ment of piston 40 and an incremental Volume of product is
`dispensed thus achieving incremental dosing of the product.
`This incremental dosing assists the user in dispensing an
`accurate or regulated amount of product and helps avoid
`messy or wasteful over-dispensing.
`One advantage of this configuration is that an audible
`sound is produced as hand wheel 51 is rotated in the
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`PFIZER, INC. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
`
`Ex. 1024, p. 11 of 16
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`advancing direction. This clicking Sound is created when
`resilient arm 58 Springs back against detent 32 and contacts
`interior surface 28 of housing 20 during rotation of actuator
`50. Additionally, a tactile signal is produced as hand wheel
`51 is rotated in the advancing direction. The feel of inter
`mittent resistance to rotation is created when tension is
`created by resilient arm 58 being deflected inward while
`riding over interior surface 28 between each detent 32. This
`tension is released when resilient arm 58 Springs back
`outward toward and into detent 32. For example, an incre
`mental dose is achieved by rotating hand wheel 51 a certain
`number of clicks which can be specified in order to provide
`accurate dosing of the product.
`An applicator 80 can be atta