WO1988006568A1

WO1988006568A1 - Toothpaste dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO1988006568A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/000707
Authority: WO
Inventors: William T. Wilkinson
Original assignee: PACKAGE RESEARCH Corp; PACKAGE RES CORP
Current assignee: PACKAGE RESEARCH Corp; PACKAGE RES CORP
Priority date: 1987-03-04
Filing date: 1988-02-29
Publication date: 1988-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-04
Also published as: AU1599788A; CN88102051A

Abstract

A dispenser for flowable materials such as toothpaste is conventionally constructed with a tube wherein the remote end can be rolled or squeezed to force toothpaste from the dispenser. A rigid barrel dispenser reduces breakage and its attendant mess. A rigid barrel dispenser for flowable materials such as toothpaste includes a hollow barrel (12) containing the material. A dispensing spout (24) extends outwardly from the closed end of the barrel with a cap (26) removably mounted thereon. A plunger (18) is slideably mounted in the barrel (12) in such a manner that the barrel (12) may be pushed downwardly with respect to the plunger (18) to cause the material to flow out of the spout (24).

Description

TOOTHPASTE DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispenser for flowable materials such as toothpaste. The conventional manner of dispensing toothpaste is to provide a tube wherein the remote end can be rolled or squeezed to force the toothpaste from the dispenser. Recently there has been a trend away from such conventional techniques such as by the utilization of rigid tubes with, for example, a pump device for effecting the dispensing operation.

The invention in its broadest sense may be used for dispensing flowable materials other than toothpaste, preferably non-food materials such as soap, creams and pharmaceuticals.

Specific reference is made to U.S. Patent 4,356,935 (Kamin) which discloses a variation from conventional dispensers. The Kamin patent states that the dispenser άs directed to the storing and dispensing of fluid foodstuff. In the Kamin dispenser a piston cylinder action is achieved wherein a sliding piston member is mounted within a tubular enclosure to force the contents from the tubular enclosure. The present invention is directed to variations of the Kamin teachings and is preferably intended to be used with non-food contents and preferably toothpaste. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a

SUBSTITUTESHEET dispenser for flowable materials such as toothpaste which, can be operated in a simple and convenient manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide such, a dispenser which can be economically mass produced due to its simple construction.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser which effectively dispenses substantially all of the contents thereof with minimum waste of the remaining contents.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a dispenser which would be particularly desirable for use by children and may function as a toy after the material has been dispensed.

In accordance with this invention the dispenser includes a rigid sleeve or barrel having a dispensing spout at the closed end thereof. A cap selectively closes the spout. Slidably mounted within the dispenser is a rigid piston. In operation the cap is removed from the spout and the barrel may be pushed downwardly whereby the relative motion between the barrel and piston forces the material to flow through the spout. The rigid materials used for making the dispenser reduce breakage and its attendant mess as with soft dispensers such as conventional tubes.

In accordance with this invention the closed end of the barrel may have ornamentation thereon such as resembling a face to enhance its appeal to children. Such embodiment would encourage the use of the dispenser by the children and would permit the dispenser to be a toy after its contents have been fully expelled.

The present invention also involves various spout structures. One such structure includes a slide spout which moves in a channel from a closed position within the periphery of the top wall to an open

SUBSTITUTE SHξET dispensing position projecting outwardly beyond the top wall. A variation of the spout structure includes a horizontally or alternatively a vertically pivotal spout movable from its closed position to its dispensing position. Further variations are a lever spout or a push button spout.

The invention also includes means for facilitating assembly while preventing disassembly of the parts. Further the dispenser may include a square or other non-circular skirt at the bottom of the piston or cylinder which fits in a complementary shaped wall bracket. Further, a removable band may be formed around the piston and cylinder to prevent their relative movement and then be removed prior to initial use of the dispenser.

THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a dispenser in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the dispenser of Figure 1?

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 2 along the line 4-4; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the dispenser of Figures 1-4 during use;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of a further embodiment of this invention;

Figure 7 is a front elevation view of a portion of the dispenser shown in Figure 6;

Figures 8-9 are top plan views of the dispenser of Figures 6-7 in different phases of operation;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 9 along the line 10-10;

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of the spout of Figures 6-10;

SUBSTITUTE SHEET Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 6 along the line 12-12;

Figure 13 is a side elevation view of yet a further embodiment of this invention; Figures 14-15 are top plan views of the dispenser of Figure 13 in different phases of operation;

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 14 along the line 16-16; Figure 17 is an exploded plan view of the dispenser of Figures 13-16 for mounting to a wall bracket;

Figure 18 is a front elevation view of the bracket of- Figure 17; Figure 19 is a side elevation view of a still further embodiment of this invention;

Figure 20 is a top plan view of the dispenser of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a side elevation view similar to Figure 19 in a different phase of operation;

Figure 22 is a side elevation view partly in section of still yet another embodiment of this invention;

Figures 23-24 are top plan views of the dispenser of Figure 22 in different phases of operation;

Figure 25 is a side elevation view of a still further embodiment of this invention;

Figure 26 is a top plan view of the dispenser of Figure 25; and

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 26 along the line 27-27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1-5 show a dispenser 10 in accordance with this invention. Dispens'er 10 may be used for dispensing any flowable material and preferably non-food contents such as cleaners, soaps,

SUBSTITUTE SHEET creams and pharmaceuticals or ointments. In the preferred embodiment, however, dispenser 10 is intended to dispense toothpaste. The dispensing of toothpaste particularly lends itself to be the contents of dispenser 10 since dispenser 10 is designed in such a manner as to particularly appeal to children. Thus parents would find that the use of dispenser 10 would particularly lend itself to a dental care program because the children would look forward to using dispenser 10. After all of the contents have been dispensed from dispenser 10, the dispenser could function as a toy.

As best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, dispenser 10 includes a rigid sleeve or barrel 12 of any suitable shape and preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder. Barrel 12 has a closed upper end 14 and is open at its lower end provided with a set of spring finger 16. Slidably mounted within and extending from barrel 12 is a rigid piston 18 of a shape conforming to the shape of barrel 12. The upper end of piston 18 has a closed end which functions as a piston head 20. The lower end of piston 18 is outwardly flared about its periphery as indicated by the reference numeral 22. Flared end 22 provides stability whereby dispenser 10 may stand upright on the flared end 22. Piston or plunger 18 is preferably hollow to minimize manufacturing costs and complications. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be broadly practiced with piston 18 being solid. Similarly although the flared end 22 is preferred, the flare may be omitted.

Closed end 14 of barrel 12 includes a dispensing spout 24 which communicates with the interior of barrel 12. A cap 26 is removably mounted on dispensing spout 24.

Piston head 22 includes a grooved peripheral wall 28 having a sealing gasket or 0-ring 30 snapped

SUBSTITUTE SHEET in the groove. The length of piston 18 along its cylindrical surface from the upper portion of flared end 22 to the lower edge of grooved rim or wall 28 is longer than the length of barrel 12 from the lower surface of upper end 14 to the upper surface of fingers 16. As a result piston head 22 would contact the lower edge of closed wall 14 before stop or finger 16 contact flared end 22 during relative movement of the piston and barrel. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, fingers 16 actually comprises four equally spaced fingers. Alternatively, any number of fingers may be used or the fingers may be integral to form a continuous spring ring. Piston 18 and barrel 12 may be made of any suitable materials such as known rigid plastic materials having sufficiently resiliency that piston head 20 may be snapped over fingers 16 and into barrel 12. Such assembly, however, would, of course, take place after the contents T (Figure 5) have been placed into barrel 12.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, dispensing spout 24 is outwardly tapered and is provided with a peripheral groove 32 at any suitable location such as midway of the length of dispensing spout 24. Cap 26 may take any suitable form such as being generally ball-shaped with an internal opening conforming to the outer surface of spout 24 as best shown- in Figure 4 so that the cap 26 may be snapped off the dispensing ^* spout. As shown in Figure 2, upper wall 14 of barrel 12 is preferably provided with some ornamentation such as a happy face wherein cap 26 is the nose of the face.

In the preferred operation of dispenser 10 the child would pull the nose-*of the happy face to remove cap 26 while dispenser 10 is in an upright position on its flared end 2.- - The child would then gently push downwardly either along the sides of barrel 12 as shown in Figure 5 or at the cheeks of the happy face so as to cause the toothpaste T to be dispensed from spout 24. Alternatively, the plunger can be pushed upwardly into the barrel 12. In such alternative piston 18 may be of shorter length than barrel 12. Because of the ornamentation of dispenser 10, the dispenser could be used as a toy after all of the contents have been dispensed. Thus, the sides of dispenser may include other ornamentations carrying out the theme of the ornamentation on upper face 14 and different ornamentations may be used to create a set of toys. A different ornamentation may at the same time distinguish between different types of contents such as regular, mint flavor, etc., types of toothpaste.

The embodiment of Figures 1-5, in general, thus relates to a dispenser for flowable material such as toothpaste. The dispenser comprises three elements. These are a cylindrical barrel having a dispensing spout; a cap removably mounted on the dispensing spout and a plunger slidably mounted in the barrel to force the flowable contents from the spout when the cap has been removed. Although the dispenser includes a minimal number of parts the parts themselves are so structured as to cooperate with each other in providing an extremely effective dispenser which is capable of being mass produced at low costs. As shown in Figures 4-5, the dispensing spout extends outwardly from the top wall of the barrel. This location in contrast to a location lower tha'n the top wall helps assure that there will be a more complete dispensing of the contents. In addition, other features of the spout also maximize complete dispensing. These features include shaping- the spout with a tapered inlet which smoothly merges with the upper end of the barrel. As a result, there .

SUBSTITUTE SHEET are no sharp edges which would interfere with the dispensing, see for example. Figure 5.

A further feature of the spout is that it is narrow and elongated and extends outwardly away from the upper end of the barrel which is particularly advantageous to assure that the actual dispensing occurs relatively remote from the barrel. Thus, for example, when the dispenser is used for toothpaste there is room to place a toothbrush at the dispenser without interference from the barrel.

Another feature of the invention is in the relative proportions of the barrel and plunger. For example, the plunger is of uniform diameter over its major length and is substantially fully telescoped into the barrel in its final position. In Figures 4 and 5 this would correspond to the length which extends from below the upper wall. This feature has multiple functions. One function is that the length relationship is such as to assure that the piston head can be telescoped into the barrel against the barrel upper wall to its full dispensing position. The length relationship (i.e. fully telescoped) , however, would be such as to minimize the amount of material used which would result in lower cost and lighter weight as distinguished for example from the prior art wherein a significant length of plunger extends outwardly from the cylinder in the completely dispensed position. Additionally, by-minimizing the overall length, the invention avoids the possibility of the dispenser being top heavy particularly with a fresh dispenser still having full contents. Further, the length relationship is such as to provide a readily visible indicator of how much contents still remains. A plunger, for example, which is half way inserted would mean that half of the contents still remain. Although the various Figures illustrate the plunger and its piston head to be integral, these

SUBSTITUTE SHEET parts may be separately made and then secured together.

A further feature of the invention is the location of the seal at the extreme upper end of the plunger to further assure complete dispensing and also to permit snap assembly.

The embodiment of Figures 1-5 also includes the provision of stop elements which permit insertion but prevent separation of the components. This is accomplished by the barrel having its stop elements outwardly tapered to function as a cam with a sharp shoulder being at the upper surface so that in assembly the plunger could ride against the tapered surface then snap over the sharp shoulder and be prevented from being withdrawn in the reverse direction by means of the sharp shoulder. This is shown in Figure^" 5 with respect to tapered elements 16.

The provision of a flared skirt for the plunger and barrel also serves a number of functions. por example, the flares provide convenient grabbing surfaces for loading and ultimate use. In addition, the flares add strength and stability.

Other variations of the dispenser which may be used with the present invention are described in parent application Serial No. 900,681, filed

August 27, 1986, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

One aspect of this invention relates to various spout structures with use with the dispenser. Figures 6-11 illustrate one form of spout structure which may be considered as a flip or slide lock spout wherein the spout moves 180° in moving to and from its open and closed positions. Two motions are involved for the operation of this spout. Figures 13-16 show a variation of spout construction which might be considered a swing lock spout, wherein the spout moves horizontally 120° to and from its open and closed

SUBSTITUTE SHEET positions, again involving two motions. Figures 19-21 show an arrangement which may be considered a see-saw or pivot lid spout involving two motions and Figures 22-24 illustrate a snap cap spout involving two motions. Figures 25-27 illustrate a push button spout wherein a single motion is involved for actuating the spout.

Reference is now had to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6-12. As shown therein dispenser 50 includes an outer barrel 52 having an outwardly flared skirt 54. Telescopically positioned within barrel 52 is a sliding piston 56^"which also terminates in a flared skirt 58.

Figure 12 illustrates the arrangement for permitting the piston and barrel to be readily assembled, but for preventing their disassembly. As shown therein, piston head 60 terminates in an outwardly tapered peripheral outer surface 62 having a horizontal shoulder 64. Barrel 52 conversely terminates in an inwardly peripheral inclined side wall 66 having an upper shoulder 68. Because of the resilient nature of the plastic materials the inclined surfaces 62 and 66 act as cams whereby upon insertion of piston 56 into barrel 52 the piston easily rides up the cam surface 66 until its shoulder 64 is located completely within barrel 52. Removal is prevented by shoulder 68 acting as a stop surface for shoulder 64. Figures 6-11 illustrate the details of the slide spout 70. Spout 70 has various features in common with the spouts of Figures 13-16 and Figures

22-24. Specifically, in each of these spout arrangements a dispensing channel is provided, such as dispensinσ channel 72 having a dispensing end 74 for being externally exposed to dispense the material and having a~supply port 76 for permitting the material to flow into the dispensing channel from dispensing opening 73. in the closed end 53 of barrel 52. The

SUBSTITUTE spout 70 is selectively movable to its dispensing position which is illustrated in Figures 6 and 8 wherein the dispensing end extends outwardly beyond barrel 52 so as to provide sufficient clearance to readily dispose, for example, a toothbrush beneath spout 70.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the position of spout 70 when in its closed position. At this time, dispensing opening 78 of barrel 52 is closed by spout 70 because supply port 76 is not in communication with dispensing opening 78. It is to be noted that when in the closed position, spout 70 is completely confined within the periphery of barrel 52 to facilitate shipping, packing and storage of the dispenser. The movement of spout 70 to and from its dispensing position and closed position is facilitated by providing a track 80 on the upper surface 53 of the closed end of barrel 52. Spout 70 includes a pair of outwardly extending flanges 88 which slide in track 80 to achieve this motion. Indexing means or stop elements are provided to assure the spout being in its two selected positions. The indexing means as illustrated includes a dimple 82 mounted on the lower surface of spout 70 for snapping into depression 84 in the upper closed end of barrel 52 and thus hold the spout 70 in its proper closed position. At that time, the rearward end 85 of spout 70 also abuts against upstanding shoulder 86.

Spout 70 also includes lateral extensions 90 t its rearward end which engage the end 91 of track 80 to limit the amount of forward movement of spout 70 whereby extensions 90 abut against the end 91 of track 80 when spout 70 is in its dispensing position. A further feature of spout 70 is the inclusion of a knurled or irregular surface at the rear end of spout 70 to provide a convenient finger grabbing surface which facilitates!,the sliding

SUBSTITUTE S movement of spout 70.

Figures 13-16 show an alternative spout 92 in accordance with this invention. As illustrated therein, spout 92 is pivotally mounted for movement in a horizontal plane on the closed upper end of barrel

52. Any suitable pivotal connection may be used to effect this motion, such as a post 94 mounted to the upper wall or closed upper end of barrel 52 by being snapped into dispensing opening 78. As with spout 70, spout 92 also includes a dispensing channel 96 having a dispensing end 98. Post 94 is hollow and includes a supply port 100 which communicates with dispensing opening 78. Since channel 46 is permanently in communication with barrel 52, dispensing end 98 may include a removable closure, if desired.

Alternatively, opening 78 may be located so that it is closed by spout 90 when in the closed position illustrated in Fig. 15 similar to spout 70.

In this embodiment of the invention the indexing means is in the form of an upstanding ridge 102 having a pair of arms 104, 106 at a 120" angle to each other. Spout 92 is pivotally mounted offset or displaced from the center point of closed upper end

53. Figure 14 illustrates spout 92 rotated to its open position wherein dispensing end 98 extends outwardly beyond the periphery of barrel 52 (see also Figure 16) . In this position, spout 92 rests against arm 106. Spout 92 'can also include a dimple 107 which locks into an appropriately located depression) 108, 109 in closed upper end 53 when spout 92 is in its dispensing and closed positions. Similarly, when spout 92 is in its closed position, such as illustrated in Figure 15, spout 92 rests against arm 104 and its locking dimple snaps into depression 108 in the closed upper end 53 of barrel 52. A knurled surface 110 is provided on spout 92 to facilitate its rotational movement to and from the dispensing and

SUB closed positions.

As with spout 70 when spout 92 is in its closed position, it is located within the periphery of barrel 52 and when spout 92 is in its dispensing position it extends outwardly beyond the periphery of barrel 52.

Figures 13-15 and 17-18 illustrate a further feature of this invention which relates to the ability of the dispenser to be mounted to a wall or other support. In this respect, the lower flare 57 on piston 56 is made of non-circular and preferably square shape for engagement with a wall bracket 112 mounted to the wall by an adhesive layer 114 or any other suitable means. Wall bracket 112 includes a U- shaped slot 116 of a size and shape whereby the square flare 57 may snuggly fit into the wall bracket. The invention may be practiced by having the mounting flare on the barrel instead of the piston.

A further feature of this invention, not illustrated, is the inclusion of a integral peripheral flange at the bottom of the piston head to act as a wiper seal thereby functioning as a secondary seal in addition to the primary seal resulting from the dimen¬ sioning of the piston head with respect to the barrel. Similarly, the inner surface of the barrel 52 may also include an annular ring to act as a tertiary seal.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to forming barrel and piston of circular cross-section. Figures 19-21, for example, illustrate _a dispenser wherein the barrel 52A and piston 56A are of oval shape in cross-section which is more comfortable to hold in the hand.

Figure 19 also illustrates a further feature of this invention which may be incorporated in all of its embodiments. This feature includes a tear-away strip 118 which is formed around both the barrel 52A and piston 56A in the area of their connection. When

SUBSTITUTE SHEET the dispenser is in its fully loaded condition strip 118 serves a double function. One function is to prevent any telescopic movement of piston 56A into barrel 52A during storage and transportation which would otherwise attempt to force material from the dispenser. A second function is to assure that there has been no tampering with the dispenser. Prior to initial use strip 118 would be torn or otherwise removed from the dispenser. Removal of strip 118 could be facilitated in any manner such as by providing a pull tab or a score line across strip 118 in a vertical direction.

Figures 19-21 also illustrate a further spout 120 in accordance with this invention. Spout 120 differs from spout 70 and 92 in that it is permanently fixed at a single location which extends outwardly from the periphery of barrel 52A. Spout 120 however would also include a dispensing channel 121 in permanent communication with the interior of barrel 52A. A closure 122 is provided for selectively opening and closing spout 120. Closure 122 comprises a closure member 123 having depending flanges 124. Closure member also has an upwardly inclined tab 128 at one end and a depending wall 126 at its other end. closure 122 is pivotally connected by pins extending through flanges 124 to spout 120 so that it may be pivoted from its closed position shown in Figure 19 during which base member 123 rests against the top of spout 120 and downwardly extending wall 126 fits flush against the dispensing channel 121 of spout 120 to close the channel. In its open position tab 128 would be depressed until tab 128 rests against the closed upper end 53 of barrel 52A as shown in Figure 21. In this position, wall 126 is displaced from the dispensing channel of spout 120 to permit the material to be dispensed from spout 120. The locking and unlocking.arrangement for spout.120 thus functions in

SUBSTITUTE SHEET a manner similar to a see-saw.

Figures 22-24 illustrate yet another spout arrangement 130 in accordance with this invention. In this arrangement spout 130 includes a dispensing channel 132 having a dispensing end 134 and a supply port 136 for selective communication with the dispensing opening 78 in the closed upper end 53 of barrel 52. Spout 130 is eccentrically mounted or offset from the center point of closed upper end 53 so that it may be rotated in a vertical plane to and from its open and closed position. This motion is permitted by means of cams 138 pivotally connected to upper wall 53 disposed in a recess 131 extending completely across upper end 53 so that spout 130 is flush with the upper surface of upper end 53.

Figure 24, illustrates spout 130 in its closed position when it is confined within the periphery of closed upper end 53. Dimples 133 are engaged in depression 135 in end 53 to lock spout 130 in this position spout 130 closes port 78. Figures 22 and 23, illustrate the dispensing position when the dispensing end 134 of spout 130 extends outwardly beyond the periphery of barrel 52 with dimples 133 snapped into depressions 137. It is noted that the type of dispensing arrangement shown in Figures 22-24 has been used in the prior art for dispensing various creams and other products. Such prior art arrangements, however, generally involve moving the spout to and from horizontal and vertical positions rather than to and from two different horizontal positions wherein one position extends beyond the periphery of the container whereas the other position is confined within the periphery.

Figures 25-27 show still yet another spout 140 in accordance with this invention. Spout 140 - includes a dispensing channel 142 permanently mounted at the upper end of barrel 52 in permanent

SUBSTITUTE SHEET communication with the interior of the barrel. Disposed across channel 142 is a push button 144 in the form of a solid body having a passageway 146 extending completely therethrough. Actuating button 144 is resiliently biased by spring 148 (Figure 27) to urge the button in an upward position so that the solid portion of button 144 closes or blocks communication of dispensing channel 142. When it is desired to use the device, button 144 is depressed and its passageway 146 then creates communication along; the full length of dispensing channel 142 so that the material may be dispensed therefrom.

It is to be understood that various features in the specifically described embodiments may be utilized in combination with each other. In addition, various other features may be incorporated with the invention. For example, a plurality of spaced ridges for guides might be provided on the inner surface of the barrel to eliminate any rocking of the piston as it moves within the barrel. Similarly, the embodiment of Figures 1-5 for example is intended to provide bottom loading of the material in the dispenser whereas the other embodiments permit top loading. It is also to be understood that while specific reference is made to toothpaste as being the dispensed material, other flowable materials may be used in the practice of this invention.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims

C L A I M S 1. A dispenser for a flowable material comprising a hollow rigid cylindrical barrel containing a supply of the flowable material, said barrel having an open lower end and a closed upper end, a narrow elongated dispensing spout extending outwardly from said closed upper end and communicating with the interior of said barrel, said spout having a tapered inlet end which smoothly merges with said upper end of said barrel, a cap removably mounted on said • dispensing spout, a rigid plunger slidably mounted in said barrel, said plunger being in the form of a hollow cylindrical sleeve open at its lower end, said plunger being of uniform diameter for its major length extending from its upper end to its lower end, a generally thin plate-like piston head connected to said upper end of said plunger, said piston head having a diameter greater than said uniform diameter of said major length of said plunger and less than the inside diameter of said barrel, an annular wiping member around the outer surface of said plunger at the extreme upper end of said plunger in wiping contact with the inside peripheral surface of said piston head, said major length of said plunger being of generally the same length as the length of the inside of said barrel whereby the lower end of said plunger is always extended outwardly from said barrel and said major length is substantially fully telescoped into said barrel in the completely dispensed condition of said dispenser, said piston head being of a size and shape conforming to said inside peripheral surface of said barrel whereby when there is relative motion of said piston head toward said dispensing spout said flowable ...aterial is forced through said dispensing spout when said cap is removed therefrom, said piston head being integral and made from the same material as the remainder of said plunger, stop means preventing. said piston head from being withdrawn from said barrel, said stop means comprising projecting means on said inside peripheral surface of said barrel at said lower end of said barrel, said stop

SUBSTITUTE SHEET means having a horizontal upper wall and an inwardly tapered side wall forming a sharp shoulder at the junctuce with said upper wall, said barrel and said plunger being made of rigid plastic having sufficient resiliency to permit said plunger to be snapped into said barrel over said sharp corner, said wiping member contacting said barrel and said projecting means contacting said plunger to provide two spaced longitudinal locations of contact between said barrel and said plunger, and an annular space being between said barrel and plunger over the length between said two spaced longitudinal locations throughout the telescopic movement of said plunger in said barrel.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lower end of said plunger is outwardly flared to facilitate said dispenser standing upright on said flared end and to permit the material to be dispensed when said barrel is moved in a downward direction.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of said closed upper end of said barrel has ornamentation thereon whereby said dispenser may function as a toy after its contents have been fully dispensed.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein said ornamentation is in the form of a face, and said cap comprising the nose of said face.

5. A dispenser for a flowable material comprising a hollow rigid barrel containing a supply of the flowable material said barrel having an open lower end and a closed upper end, a dispensing opening in~said closed upper end, a dispensing spout mounted on said closed upper end, said spout having a dispensing channel having a dispensing end for being externally exposed to dispense the material and having a supply port for permitting the material to flow into said dispensing channel, said spout being selectively movable to a dispensing position when said supply port communicates with said dispensing opening and to a closed position when said spout closes said dispensing opening, indexing means for

SUBSTITUTE SHEET indicating when said spout is selectively in said dispensing position and said closed position, said dispensing end being located outwardly beyond the periphery of said closed upper end when in said dispensing position, said spout being entirely within the periphery of said closed upper end when in said closed position, a rigid plunger slidably mounted in said barrel, said plunger being longer than the length of the inside of said barrel whereby the lower end of said plunger is always extended outwardly from said barrel, the upper end of said plunger being a closed wall of a size and shape conforming to the inside peripheral surface of said barrel whereby said closed wall functions as a piston head when there is relative motion of said closed wall toward said dispensing spout to force said flowable material through said dispensing spout when said cap is removed therefrom, and stop means preventing said closed wall from being withdrawn from said barrel.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said closed upper wall includes a guide track, and said spout being slidably mounted in said track.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein said indexing means includes a complimentary dimple and depression in said spout and said closed upper end.

8. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein said indexing means includes a stop member on said closed upper end in the path of movement of said spout.

9. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said closed upper end includes a center point, and said spout being pivotally mounted at a pivot point displaced from said center point.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein said spout is pivotally mounted to said closed upper end for- movement in a horizontal plane.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein said closed upper end includes an upstanding ridge having a pair of arms at an angle to each other, and said ridge arms comprising said indexing means.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

12. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein said spout is pivotally mounted to said closed upper end for movement in a vertical plane.

13. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said spout includes irregularities in its upper surface to comprise finger grip means to facilitate the movement of said spout.

14. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said stop means comprises an annular ridge on the inner surface at the lower end of said barrel, said ridge having an upwardly and inwardly inclined inner surface terminating in a horizontal shoulder, and said plunger having an outwardly extending flange on the outer surface at its upper end for riding up said inclined inner surface and over said shoulder whereby said shoulder limits the outward movement of said plunger.

15. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein each of said plunger and said barrel terminates in an outwardly flared lower end.

16. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein each of said plunger and said barrel includes one-way cam means for permitting said plunger to be snapped into said barrel and preventing said plunger from being removed from said barrel.

17. The dispenser of claim 5, in combination therewith, a bracket, means for mounting said bracket to a wall, said bracket having a three-sided slot accessible from its fourth open side, and one of said barrel and said plunger having an outwardly extended flange engaged in said slot.

18. The dispenser of claim 5, including locking means for preventing telescopic movement of said plunger in to said barrel when said plunger is in its fully extended condition before use of said dispenser.

19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein said locking means comprises a protective strip around and overlapping the lower end of said barrel and the portion of said plunger juxtaposed said lower end of said barrel.

20. A dispenser for a flowable material comprising a hollow rigid barrel containing a supply of the flowable

SUBSTITUTE SHEET material, said barrel having an open lower end and a closed upper end, a dispensing opening in said closed upper end, a dispensing spout mounted on said closed upper end, said spout being fixedly mounted to said closed upper end, said spout having a dispensing channel with a dispensing end for being externally exposed to dispense the material and having a supply port communicating with said dispensing opening, said dispensing end being located outwardly beyond the periphery of said closed upper end, closure means for blocking said dispensing channel to prevent material from being dispensed from said dispensing channel, a rigid plunger slidably mounted in said barrel, said plunger being longer than the length of the inside of said barrel whereby the lower end of said plunger is always extended outwardly from said barrel, ^'the upper end of said plunger being a closed wall of a size and shape conforming to the inside peripheral surface of said barrel whereby said closed wall functions as a piston head when there is relative motion of said closed wall toward said dispensing spout to force said flowable material through said dispensing spout when said cap is removed therefrom, and stop means preventing said closed wall from being withdrawn from said barrel.

21. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said closure means comprises closure member pivotally connected to said spout, said closure member having a tab at one end for contacting said closed upper end during- the dispensing condition of said spout, and said closure member having a downwardly depending wall disposed for closing said dispensing channel when said closure member is pivoted against said spout with said tab out of contact with said closed upper end.

22. The dispenser of claim 20., wherein said closure member comprises a push button located in said dispensing channel, said push button being a solid body having a passageway extending through said solid body, said passageway being located for selective communication with said dispensing channel, resilient means urging said push button passageway

SUBSTITUTESHEET out of communication with said dispensing channel whereby said solid body closes said passageway, and said resilient means being responsive to a force against said push button to permit said passageway and channel to communicate and dispense the material.

23. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said barrel and said plunger of non-circular shape in cross-section.

SUBSTITUTESHEET