Dispensing apparatus

Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a viscous or semi-solid product from a container comprising a base, a deformable portion and an outlet, the apparatus comprising deforming means to engage and deform the deformable portion to discharge product from the container through the outlet, a seating for supporting the base of the container during dispensing of product from the container, an arm carrying the seating and moveable between an operating position and a non-operating position in which the container may be removed from and replaced in the seating, and support means for the arm whereby the arm is moveable between said positions, the deforming means being engageable with the container only in the operating position, the deforming means including locating means moveable to engage with the container to locate the container in the seating, and pressure generating means which engages with the deformable portion of the container to deform the portion towards the base in discharging product through the container outlet, the locating means comprising a locating member slidably mounted relative to the pressure generating means and resiliently urged by spring means towards a locating position, whereby after said member locates with the container the pressure generating means moves against the action of the spring means to deform the deformable portion of the container.

Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a viscous or semi-solid product from a container comprising a base, a deformable portion and an outlet, the apparatus comprising deforming means arranged to deform the container to discharge product from the container through the outlet, the deforming means including locating means moveable to engage with the container to locate the container and a plunger which engages with the deformable portion of the container to deform the portion towards the base in discharging product through said outlet, the locating means and the plunger being relatively moveable so that, after the locating means has engaged the container, the plunger moves relative to the locating means to discharge said product, the locating means comprising a locating member slidably mounted relative to the plunger and resiliently urged by spring means towards a locating position, whereby after said locating member locates the container, the plunger moves against the action of the spring means to deform the deformable portion of the container.

A container for use in dispensing apparatus comprising a base for receiving product to be dispensed, an outlet opening for discharge of product, a deformable member associated with the base, a region of the deformable member arranged to deform upon engagement by deforming means of the apparatus and to be moved towards the base to extrude product from said outlet, the base having a junction between upper and lower parts of the base arranged so that said region of the deformable member extends into the upper part of the base and, upon deformation of said region, said region enters and moves adjacent internal surfaces of the lower part of the base, and at said junction between said upper and lower parts of the base there is an outwardly directed shoulder, and said region has an outer part which extends towards said shoulder, the deformable member having said region inwardly of said outer part so that, in use, said region is engaged and deformed by said deforming means towards said lower region of the base.