Apparatus for Dispensing Product
A product dispensing apparatus that may include a container unit, collar unit, plunger, and housing unit, wherein the product dispensing apparatus can transition between all open position and a closed position. In the open position, a product housed in the container unit may be dispensed from a product dispensing unit. In the closed position, the product is restricted from being dispensed from the product dispensing unit. The housing unit is be used to transition the product dispensing apparatus between the open position and the closed position without additional manual intervention. The process of engaging the product dispensing unit to the housing unit causes a physical interaction between the housing unit and the product dispensing unit to transition the product dispensing apparatus from the open position to the closed position.
1 . A product dispensing apparatus adapted to transition between an open position and a closed position the product dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a product dispensing unit adapted to engage with a housing unit, wherein the product dispensing apparatus is in the closed position when the product dispensing unit is engaged with the housing unit and wherein the product dispensing apparatus is in the open position when the product dispensing unit is not engaged with the housing, the product dispensing unit comprising:
a container unit comprising:
a cavity configured to house the product,
a first end including an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and
a first rib provided on an outer surface of the first end;
a collar unit comprising:
a first engagement member adjustably fitted within the opening of the first end of the container unit,
a first channel configured to be in fluid communication with the cavity when the product dispensing apparatus is in the open position, and
a plunger slideably fitted within the collar unit, the plunger comprising:
a second channel configured to align with the first channel when the apparatus is in the open position to allow the product to flow through the plunger, and
a channel stopper configured to engage with the first channel when the product dispensing apparatus is in the closed position to prevent the product from flowing through the plunger, and
the housing unit comprising:
a receiving cavity having an interior surface including a first groove and a second rib,
wherein the first groove is adapted to engage with the first rib of the container unit to securely fit the housing unit to the container unit when the product dispensing apparatus is in the closed position, and
wherein the second rib is configured to frictionally engage with the plunger upon introduction of the plunger into the receiving cavity to transition the product dispensing apparatus from the open position to the closed position.
2 . The product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein second rib is configured to frictionally engage with the plunger upon removal of the plunger from the receiving cavity to slideably transition the apparatus from the closed position to the open position.
3 . The product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plunger further comprises:
a mounting post provided on the top portion of the plunger configured to slidably engage with a dispensing assembly.
4 . The product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing assembly further comprises:
a third channel configured to be in fluid communication with the second channel and slidably engage with the mounting post, and
a dispensing site configured to allow the product to exit the apparatus.
5 . The product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing unit further comprises:
a second receiving cavity having an interior side surface including a second groove and a third rib,
wherein the second groove is adapted to engage with the first rib of the container unit to securedly fit the housing unit to the container unit when the product dispensing apparatus is in the open position, and
wherein the third rib is configured to frictionally engage with the plunger upon introduction of the plunger into the receiving cavity to slidably transition the product dispensing apparatus from the open position to the closed position.