Repeatedly Refillable Reusable Dispenser

Abstract

A refillable repetitively reusable dispensing apparatus including a dispenser housing having a sidewall, a base and an open top end. A removable cap is placed on the open top end. The cap has a plurality of apertures located therein. The side wall has an aperture located therethrough. There is a movable dispenser base located within the housing, wherein the movable dispenser base creates a seal with the sidewall. A screw rod having a knob attached, wherein when the knob is turned the screw rod is rotated. The screw rod and the knob are rotatably attached within the dispenser housing such that the knob protrudes through the aperture. A scissor lift is attached to the screw rod at one pair of ends. The scissor lift is attached to the movable dispenser base at the second pair of ends.

Claims

1) A repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser, the dispenser comprising: a dispenser housing having a sidewall, a base and an open top end; wherein the sidewall has an aperture located therethrough; a screw rod having a knob attached, wherein when the knob is turned the screw rod is rotated; wherein the screw rod and the knob are rotatably attached within the dispenser housing such that the knob protrudes through the aperture; a scissor lift is movably attached to the screw rod at a first pair of ends of the scissor lift; wherein the scissor lift is attached to a movable dispenser base at a second pair of ends thereof.

2) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a lid, wherein the lid is configured to be placed upon the open top end of the dispenser housing.

3) The refillable dispenser housing of claim 1, further comprising a cap to be placed within the open top end.

4) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 3, wherein the cap has a plurality of apertures therethrough.

5) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first pair of ends of the scissor lift has a pair of threaded apertures configured to attach to the screw rod.

6) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second pair of ends of the scissor lift have an attachment device located thereon, wherein the attachment device attaches to the movable dispenser base.

7) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 6, wherein the movable dispenser base has a pair of attachment apertures located on a bottom side thereof.

8) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 7, wherein the attachment apertures are elongated apertures, such that the attachment device located on the scissor lift are slidably connected to the attachment apertures.

9) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a disposable cartridge filled with a spreadable substance.

10) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 9, wherein the disposable cartridge is dissolvable in an aqueous media.

11) An insert to convert a dispenser housing, the insert comprising, An existing movable base connected to an existing vertical screw rod; A movable attachment base configured to fit within an existing dispenser housing is attached to an upper side of the existing movable base; The movable attachment base has an aperture therethrough, wherein the aperture is configured to fit the existing vertical screw rod.

12) The insert to convert a dispenser housing, further comprising an attachment clip, wherein the attachment clip will secure a spreadable substance to the movable base; and Wherein the attachment clip is dissolvable in aqueous media.

13) A repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser, the dispenser comprising: a dispenser housing having a sidewall, a base and an open top end; a cap removably secured to the open top end; wherein the cap has a plurality of apertures located therein; wherein the side wall has an aperture located therethrough; a movable dispenser base disposed within the housing, wherein the movable dispenser base creates a seal with the sidewall; a screw rod having a knob attached, wherein when the knob is turned the screw rod is rotated; wherein the screw rod and the knob are rotatably attached within the dispenser housing such that the knob protrudes through the aperture; a scissor lift attached to the screw rod at a first pair of ends; the scissor lift is attached to the movable dispenser base at a second pair of ends.

14) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a lid, wherein the lid is configured to be placed upon the open top end of the dispenser housing.

15) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 13, wherein the first pair of ends of the scissor lift has a pair of threaded apertures configured to attach to the screw rod.

16) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 13, wherein the second pair of ends of the scissor lift have an attachment device located thereon, wherein the attachment device attaches to the movable dispenser base.

17) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 16, wherein the movable dispenser base has a pair of attachment apertures located on a bottom side thereof.

18) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 17, wherein the attachment apertures are elongated apertures, such that the attachment devices located on the scissor lift are slidably connected to the attachment apertures.

19) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a disposable cartridge filled with a spreadable substance.

20) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an substance attachment clip connected to the movable base.

21) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 20, wherein the attachment clip is dissolvable in an aqueous media.

22) The repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser of claim 19 wherein the cartridge is dissolvable in an aqueous media.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser in a collapsed position.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser in an expanded position.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the mechanism designed be placed within the housing.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a dispensing mechanism designed to work with an existing container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the refillable dispenser housing. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the refillable dispenser housing. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of an embodiment of the repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser. The refillable dispenser housing includes a housing 101. The housing has a base, a sidewall and an open top end. The sidewall has an aperture 102 located therethrough. In one embodiment, there is a first aperture 102 located through the sidewall on one side and a second aperture is located on the sidewall opposite the first aperture and in alignment therewith. In one embodiment, the sidewall is configured to have a lip 116 located about a top end. The lip 116 is configured to accept a lid 107 thereon. The lid 107 is configured to have a friction fit.

[0021] In one embodiment there is a cap 108 configured to fit within the open top end. The cap is configured to be removably placed within the open top end. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 108 has a lip placed there around. The lip will prevent the cap from being placed too far into the housing 101. The cap 108 has a plurality of apertures 108a located therethrough. The plurality of apertures 108a will allow gel substances to be pushed therethrough. The cap 108 has a smooth upper surface. In one embodiment, the cap 108 has a rounded arch shape. This shape will better conform to and spread deodorant to an underarm.

[0022] In one embodiment there is further a freshness sealing cap 120. The freshness sealing cap 120 is configured to be placed on the top of the container 101. In one embodiment the freshness sealing cap is made from polyvinyl alcohol. This will allow the freshness sealing cap 120 to be biodegradable and disposable. The freshness sealing cap 120 will keep the spreadable substance fresh for an extended period of time.

[0023] The interior of the housing 101 contains a movable dispenser base 103. The movable dispenser base 103 is shaped to movably fit within the housing 101. The movable dispenser base 103 has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the movable dispenser base 103 has a pair of attachment apertures 104. In one embodiment the attachment apertures 104 are elongated apertures. This will allow the attachment device 115a, 115b (described below) to slide horizontally within the apertures. This will better enable the scissor lift 109 (described below) to rise and lower.

[0024] The top side of the movable dispenser base 103 is configured to fit a substance attachment clip 105. In one embodiment, the substance attachment clip 105 is made from a biodegradable substance. In a further embodiment the substance is formed polyvinyl alcohol. In another embodiment the substance is paper covered in polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment the substance attachment clip 105 is dissolvable in an aqueous media. This will allow the attachment clip to eliminate space in landfills.

[0025] The movable dispenser base 103 has a protruding pin 117 located on at least one side thereof. The protruding pin 117 is configured to fit within an aperture 118a located on a tongue 118 attached to the substance attachment clip 105. In one embodiment the substance attachment clip 105 creates a waterproof seal with the sides of the housing 101. This will prevent gel substances from leaking into the housing below the movable dispenser base 103. In one embodiment the substance attachment clip 105 is configured to removably attach to the top side of the movable dispenser base 103.

[0026] The interior of the housing 101 further contains a scissor lift 109. The scissor lift 109 is comprised of a first side 110a and a second side 110b. The first side 110a and the second side 110b are attached with a rotating pin device 112. This device will allow the first side 110a and the second side 110b to rotate. The scissor lift 109 has an attachment device 115a, 115b. The attachment device is configured to slidably connect to the attachment apertures of the movable dispenser base 103. In one embodiment the attachment device 115a, 115b is a hook. At the opposite end of each side 110a, 110b there is an attachment 111 located at the bottom of each side 110a, 110b. In one embodiment the attachment 111 has a threaded portion.

[0027] The threaded portion within the attachment 111 is configured to attach to a screw rod 114. The screw rod 114 has threads located thereon. The threads are configured such that when the screw rod 114 is rotated, both attachments 111 will move towards each other; or away from each other respectively. In this manner, the scissor lift 109 will extend or collapse. In one embodiment the threads are configured to move the scissor lift in a large amount with only a small turn. For example, in one embodiment, one full rotation of the screw rod 114 will move the scissor lift 109 halfway into the extend position from fully collapsed. The screw rod 114 has a knob 113 attached. The knob 113 is configured to be wider that the screw rod 114. In one embodiment the knob 113 has a texture located around the outer edge. The texture will make the knob easier to turn.

[0028] The refillable dispenser is configured to hold a spreadable substance 106. In one embodiment, the spreadable substance 106 is a solid substance. In another embodiment, the spreadable substance 106 is wrapped in a biodegradable container. The container is removed and the spreadable substance 106 is inserted into the housing. In one embodiment the spreadable substance 106 is attached to the movable dispenser base 103 using a substance attachment clip 105.

[0029] In some embodiments the spreadable substance 106 is a gel substance. In this embodiment, the gel substance is located within a removable cartridge. In one embodiment the cartridge is a biodegradable cartridge. In one embodiment the cartridge is dissolvable in an aqueous media. In some embodiments that cartridge is a collapsible cartridge. This will allow for a gel substance to remain the in cartridge and be squeezed therefrom. In another embodiment the cartridges is designed to be removed from a solid spreadable substance and only the substance is placed in the housing 101. The cartridge is placed within the house 101 by attaching the attachment clip 105 to the movable dispenser base 103. The cap 108 is then attached to the open top end of the housing 101. As the spreadable substance 106 is pushed up and out of the cap 108 the cartridge will collapse.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser in a collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the scissor lift 109 is flattened such that it rests directly over the knob 113. In this position the scissor lift 109 will be at the outer edge of the screw rod 114. The movable dispenser base 103 will be lowered into the housing 101. The spreadable substance 106 will be positioned such that it is fully encapsulated within the housing 101.

[0031] In one embodiment the threaded attachment 111 has an elongated member 201 attached to a lower part thereof. The elongated member 201 is configured to allow the threaded attachment 111 to still attach to the screw rod 114. This is due to the fact that the elongated member 201 is located below the threaded attachment 111. The elongated member 201 is long enough that it will reach the bottom of the housing 101. This will take the weight of the spreadable substance 106 away from the scissor lift 109. The weight from the spreadable substance 106 will be displaced to the bottom of the housing 101.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the repeatedly refillable reusable dispenser in an expanded position. In the expanded position the scissor lift 109 is in an extended position. As the movable dispenser base 103 is lifted by the scissor lift 109 the attachment device 115a, 115b will slide within the connection apertures 104. As the scissor lift 109 is pulled closer to the knob on the screw rod 114, the scissor lift 109 will force the movable dispenser base 103 upward. This will push the spreadable substance 106 out of the open top end of the housing 101.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the mechanism designed be placed within the housing. In the shown embodiment, the screw rod 114 is shown to have coarse or large threads. These threads will allow for the scissor lift 109 to be moved a large amount with a small turn. Further, there is shown a side view of the elongated member 201. The elongated member 201 is configured to be large enough to take the weight from the spreadable substance 106. In the shown embodiment the scissor lift 109 has a wide flat first side 110a and second side 110b.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an exploded view of an embodiment of a dispensing mechanism designed to work with an existing container. The existing container 501 has an existing vertical screw rod 502. The vertical screw rod 502 is configured to rise and lower an existing base 503. In this embodiment the movable base 103 is configured to attach to the existing base 503. In the shown embodiment the existing base 503 and the movable base 103 are attached using screws 506. In another embodiment other securement devices may be used.

[0035] In the shown embodiment the movable base 103 is configured to have an aperture 504 placed in the middle thereof. The aperture 504 is configured to allow the vertical screw rod 502 to be placed therethrough. Further, the attachment clip 105 is configured to have an aperture 505 placed therethrough. The aperture 505 is configured to have the vertical screw rod 502 placed therethrough. In this embodiment the spreadable substance 106 is able to be replaced as needed, without replacing the entire container.

[0036] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0037] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.