Device for dispensing a medium such as a toothpaste or a gel

摘要

The invention is a device for use by a person to dispense a medium such as a toothpaste or a gel from a disposable container. The device comprises a pump unit having medium and air pistons engaged with medium and air cylinder portions, respectively, thru a compression stroke and an intake stroke. The device further comprises an intake unit engaged with the pump unit. The intake unit comprises an inlet portion engageable with the container. The intake unit further comprises an intake valve operable from a closed position to an open position where the inlet portion is in communication with the medium cylinder portion. The device further comprises an exhaust unit engaged with the pump unit. The exhaust unit comprises a nozzle portion. The exhaust unit further comprises an exhaust medium valve operable from a closed position to an open position where the medium cylinder portion of the pump unit is in communication with the nozzle portion. The exhaust unit further comprises an exhaust air valve operable from a closed position to an open position where the air cylinder portion of the pump unit is in communication with the nozzle portion. The device further comprises an actuation unit engaged with the pump unit. Activation of the actuation unit causes the medium and air pistons to cycle thru a compression and an intake stroke. At steady state operation, the compression stroke of the medium piston causes a portion of the medium to move thru the exhaust medium valve to the nozzle portion and the compression stroke of the air piston causes a portion of the air contained in the air cylinder portion to expand thru the exhaust air valve to the nozzle portion to dispense a consistent and defined amount of medium. The intake stroke of the medium piston causes a portion of the medium contained in the intake unit to be drawn into the medium cylinder portion of the pump unit. The intake stroke of the air piston causes air to be drawn into the air cylinder portion of the pump unit.