Actuating system for a fluent substance dispensing system

摘要

An actuating system is provided for a dispenser cartridge that can be mounted on a frame and that has a reciprocatable product-dispensing hollow stem that (A) is biased to an extended position in which the cartridge is unactuated, and (B) is moveable from the extended position to a depressed position in which the cartridge is actuated for discharging the fluent substance through the stem. The actuating system includes a plunger on the frame, and a discharge conduit located adjacent the frame to accommodate relative movement between the discharge conduit and the frame. The discharge conduit includes (A) ml inlet opening communicating with the dispenser cartridge hollow stem, (B) ml outlet opening from which the fluent substance can be dispensed, (C) a passageway between the inlet opening and outlet opening, and (D) an intermediate opening that is in communication with the passageway between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

主权项

1. An actuating system (4, 4A; 6, 6A) for a fluent substance dispensing system (2) wherein the dispensing system (2) includes (I) a frame (20), and (II) a dispenser cartridge (24) that (A) can be mounted on the frame (2) in communication with a fluent substance; and (B) has a reciprocatable, product-dispensing hollow stem (36) that is (i) biased to an extended position in which the cartridge (24) is unactuated, and (ii) movable from the extended position to a depressed position in which the cartridge (24) is actuated for discharging the fluent substance through the stem (36);
said actuating system (4, 4A; 6, 6A) comprising: (A) a plunger (4, 4A) on the frame (20); and (B) an actuator (6, 6A) that includes
(1) a discharge conduit (41, 42) that is located adjacent the frame (20) to accommodate relative movement between said discharge conduit (41, 42) and the frame (20) toward and away from each other, and that defines
(a) an inlet opening (70) that can be located in fluid communication with the cartridge hollow stem (36) for receiving a fluent substance discharged from the cartridge hollow stem (36) when the cartridge (24) is actuated;(b) an outlet opening (74, 74A) from which a fluent substance can be discharged;(c) a passageway (56, 58, 59) between said inlet opening and said outlet opening (74, 74A); and(d) an intermediate opening (76) that (i) is in communication with said passageway (56, 58, 59) between said inlet opening (70) and said outlet opening (74, 74A), and (ii) can receive said plunger (4, 4A), and(2) a distendable, resilient membrane (60, 60A) that
(a) is located across said intermediate opening (76);(b) is distended by said plunger (4, 4A) during relative movement between the frame (20) and said discharge conduit (41, 42) toward each other to depress the cartridge hollow stem (36) for discharging the fluent substance from the cartridge (24) into said discharge conduit passageway (56, 58, 59); and(c) is less distended by said plunger (4, 4A) during relative movement between the frame (20) and said discharge conduit (41, 42) away from each other permitting the cartridge hollow stem (36) to be biased toward the extended position in which the cartridge (24) is unactuated and whereby ambient atmospheric pressure can force at least some of the fluent substance inwardly from said discharge conduit outlet opening (74, 74A) as the volume in said passageway (56, 58, 59) increases owing to the decreased distention of said membrane (60, 60A).