AU2009262526B2

AU2009262526B2 - Expelling device

Info

Publication number: AU2009262526B2
Application number: AU2009262526A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Werner Panter; Ralf Schniedenharn
Original assignee: UHU GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: UHU GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2008-06-23
Filing date: 2009-06-22
Publication date: 2011-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-22
Also published as: WO2009156109A1; ATE490185T1; DE502008001946D1; AU2009262526A1; EP2138405B1; PT2138405E; PL2138405T3; EP2138405A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for expelling a liquid and/or gel-like and/or pasty substance from a pliable tube (29, 63), said device comprising an expelling element (2, 21, 41, 61) with two opposite expelling limbs (6a, 6b; 25a, 25b; 45a, 45b; 64a, 64b) for gripping the tube from which the substance is to be expelled and for expelling the substance from the tube, and a housing (3, 22, 42, 62) for receiving the expelling element, wherein the expelling limbs of the expelling element are exposed at a lower end which is opposite the opening in the tube from which the substance is to be expelled.

Description

Squeezer Dispenser The present invention relates to a squeezer device for dispensing a liquid and/or gel-like and/or pasty substance from a pliant tube comprising a squeezer provided with two 5 opposing jaws for gripping said tube to be squeezed and for squeezing out the substance from the tube and with a casing housing the squeezer. Such squeezer dispensers are known from prior art, with the aid of which a controlled delivery of substances is possible from squeezable metal or plastic tubes by them being 10 squeezed to force the substance from a delivery nozzle. Thus German patent DE 691 18 524 T2 describes such a device comprising a squeezer consisting of a pair of rotary-coupled squeezer jaws for gripping said tube to be squee zed and a casing housing the squeezer. 15 German patent DE 699 05 163 describes a device featuring a squeezer, the jaws of which are mounted at one end on a carrier by means of which they are connected. Furthermore, the cited device features a casing comprising an opening at both its base and top end. 20 In the squeezer dispensers known from prior art the squeezer jaws are hinged intercon nected at a bottom end or connected to a carrier. When inserting a tube into the squeezer it must be inserted top-down, i.e. in the direction of the non-interconnected ends of the squeezer jaws, into the squeezer. 25 The squeezer dispensers known from prior art have, for example, the drawback that there is a limit to the thickness of the tubes being squeezed. Furthermore, integrating the tubes and assembling the individual components of these squeezer dispensers known from prior art is often anything but simple. 30 In addition, the squeezer action with squeezer dispensers known from prior art necessi tates a relatively high force to be applied.

2 The present invention is based on the object of providing an alternative squeezer dispenser which alleviates or overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of prior art. For example, it is desirable to make it simple to insert the tube into the squeezer. It is also 5 desirable, for example, to reduce the force needed for squeezing. Accordingly, there is provided a squeezer device for dispensing a liquid and/or gel-like and/or pasty substances from a pliant tube comprising a squeezer provided with two opposing jaws for gripping said tube to be squeezed and for squeezing out the substance 10 from the tube and with a casing housing the squeezer, wherein the squeezer jaws are now free at a bottom end opposite the orifice of the tube being squeezed. Free, here, means particularly that the squeezer jaws are no longer interconnected non releasably (for example by a hinge) or connected to a carrier. 15 The fact that the squeezer jaws are no longer interconnected non-releasably at a bottom end opposite the orifice of the tube being squeezed now provides, for example, the advantage that a tube being squeezed can be simply integrated in the squeezer by enabling it to be inserted into the squeezer from the bottom end of the squeezer jaws 20 with the top leading. This is not possible, for example, with the devices known from prior art because their squeezer jaws are either directly connected at one end or inter connected via a carrier, resulting in this portion of the squeezer jaws being closed. Engineering the squeezer jaws with free bottom jaw ends now also makes it possible to 25 adapt the squeezer to various tube sizes by simple ways and means. The above-described squeezer device can be put to use for delivering any liquid and/or gel-like and/or pasty substance. More particularly it is especially suitable for use in delivering adhesives which is not easy simply by manipulating a pliant tube containing 30 the adhesive, because it is practically impossible to control the delivery to the necessary amount at precisely the wanted location. 2931214_1 (GHMatters) P85955 AU 3 In one advantageous embodiment of the squeezer device, the squeezer jaws once assembled are maintained positioned at least in the region of the bottom end by means of the casing. Maintaining the jaws positioned by the casing replaces directly hinging the two squeezer jaws as known from prior art. Using the casing to mount the jaws is 5 possible, for example, by snap, latch or keyed connections. Since these connections are releasable, this now also makes it possible to mount the complete squeezer in the casing. In another advantageous embodiment of the squeezer device, the squeezerjaws, at least 10 in their resting position, are arranged vee-shaped, without being interconnected, particularly non-releasable, at the bottom pointed apex of the vee, although it is just as possible that the jaws coming into contact with each other there, but not meaning that the jaws are interconnected. Preferably the apex of the vee is maintained by the afore mentioned means of the casing. It is this point at which the jaws are maintained at the 15 apex of the vee by the casing that functions as the hinge when the jaws are squeezed together. To advantage the squeezer jaws, particularly in the region of their bottom end, feature means which cooperate with the means of the casing to maintain the squeezer jaws in 20 position particularly in the region of the bottom end. These means of the squeezer jaws may take the form of keys and/or tabs and/or grooves. In yet another advantageous embodiment of the squeezer device, the squeezer features actuators, particularly wings connected preferably hinged to the squeezer jaws prefera 25 bly in the top portion e.g. via webs, especially film hinges. These actuators function preferably as levers exponentiating a force acting on the actuators and communicating it via the squeezer jaws to the tube being squeezed. In one preferred embodiment when applying pressure to the actuators, webs ensure that the squeezer jaws are simultane ously converged upwards (in the direction of the tube orifice) to totally empty the tube 30 in being shifted under the shoulder of the tube. This arrangement significantly exponen tiates the force exerted on the actuators. 2931214_1 (GHMaters) P85955.AU 4 The squeezer device may comprise in a top portion a holder having an opening to receive and holding the tube being squeezed. This holder is likewise hinged to the aforementioned actuators. Such a hinged connection is preferably attained by thin, flexible connection films joining the holder to the actuators. 5 The casing may be engineered in one piece. But especially to simplify manufacture preference is given to engineering the casing in two pieces. In all, the squeezer device is preferably configured in three pieces, the squeezer preferably being in one piece and the casing preferably in two pieces. 10 The squeezer device may be made of a plastics material, preferably injection molded to make for simple and low cost production. In one special embodiment of the squeezer device, the casing elements are integrated in i5 the squeezer. This special embodiment is detailed further on (in a description of the FIGs.). Further features of the invention read from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings and sub-claims, it being 20 understood that each and every feature may be achieved just by itself or in any combi nation of the one with the other. In the drawings: 25 FIG. I is a view in perspective of an embodiment in accordance with the invention shown exploded; FIG. IA is a side view of the first casing part of the embodiment as shown in FIG. I; 30 FIG. lB is a top-down view of the casing part shown in FIG. IA; 2931214.1 (GHMatters) P85955.AU 5 FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a further embodiment of a squeezer in accordance with the invention shown exploded; FIG. 2A is a top-down view of the squeezer shown in FIG. 2; 5 FIG. 2B is a side view of a casing part of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a further embodiment of a squeezer in accordance with the invention shown exploded; 10 FIG. 3A is a top-down view of the squeezer shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of a squeezer in accordance with the invention shown exploded. 15 Referring now to FIG. I there is illustrated an exploded view of a squeezer dispenser 1 in accordance with the invention showing it assembled for use. The device 1 comprises a squeezer 2 as well as a casing 3, the casing 3 being composed of a first casing part 4 and a second casing part 5. The squeezer 2 features two opposed squeezer jaws 6a, 6b 20 of a tube to be squeezer for pressing the substance out of the tube which, in FIG. 1, is still to be integrated in the squeezer 2. The squeezer 2 comprises furthermore an opposed arrangement of squeezer wings 7a, 7b hinged by webs 8a, 8b to the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b respectively. It is this special 25 arrangement of the squeezer wings 7a, 7b connected via webs 8a, 8b, in turn acting as hinges, to the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b respectively that achieves a leverage exerting a force on the squeezer wings 7a, 7b exponentiated and communicated to the tube being squeezed. Pressure applied to the squeezer wings 7a, 7b results in the webs 8a, 8b ensuring that the squeezer jaws 6a, 6b are simultaneously converged upwards (in the 30 direction of of the tube orifice) to totally empty the tube in being shifted under the shoulder of the tube.

6 The squeezer 2 comprises furthermore a holder portion 9. The holder portion 9 is hinged to the squeezer wings 7a, 7b. Furthermore, the holder portion 9 features an opening 11 through which in the present case a nozzle 10 extends. This nozzle 10 comprises a screw-thread (not shown) to receive a discharge orifice of a tube. 5 As explained above, the casing 3 comprises a first casing part 4 and a second casing part 5, both of which comprise an intermating structure to hold the two casing parts 4 and 5 together. In the present case the second casing part 5 features keys to mate in corre sponding grooves in the first casing part 4. 10 The first casing part 4 comprises keys 13. These keys 13 hold the vee-shaped arrange ment of the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b together as composed. Keying the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b in this way by means of the keys 13 results in the squeezer jaws 6a, 6b being held together vee-shaped. The apex of the vee at which the two squeezer jaws are held 15 together functions as a hinge. Although the squeezer jaws 6a, 6b may touch at the apex this is not a mandatory requirement. Assembling the device I is itemized as follows: To start with, a tube being squeezed starting with its orifice is inserted bottom-top down, i.e. from the apex of the vee, 20 between the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b already diverged somewhat. Then, the tube, still starting with its orifice, is inserted through the opening 11 in the holder portion 9 as far as it will go and screwed to the nozzle 10. After this, the squeezer, now inregrated with the tube, is positioned in the first casing part 4 so that the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b with the keys 13 latch secure in place. To finish with, the second casing part 5 is then 25 positioned over the first casing part 4 such that the keys 12 in the second casing part 5 engage the grooves in the first casing part 4. Pressing the squeezer wings 7a, 7b moves the squeezer jaws 6a and 6b together squeez ing the content of the tube through the orifice of the tube and the nozzle 10. It is this 30 special geometry of the device 1, particularly the arrangement of the squeezer jaws 6a, 6b and of the squeezer wings 7a, 7b with the webs 8a, 8b that advances the substance to be squeezed out in the direction of the tube orifice, practically eliminating any tendency 7 of it backtracking to the closed end of the tube. Referring now to FIG. IA there is illustrated a side view of the casing part 4 as shown in FIG. 1, clearly disclosing the keys 13 clamping the jaws of the squeezer together. 5 Referring now to FIG. 1 B there is illustrated a top-down view of the casing part 4 as shown in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated a further embodiment of a squeezer dis 10 penser 20 in accordance with the invention. The squeezer dispenser 20 comprises a squeezer 21 as well as a casing 22 including, in turn, a first casing part 23 as well as a second casing part 24. The squeezer 21 features two squeezer jaws 25a, 25b in an opposed arrangement. Furthermore, the squeezer 21 comprises squeezer wings 26a, 26b hinged via the webs 27a, 27b configured as film hinges to the squeezer jaws 25a and 15 25b respectively. In turn, the squeezer wings 26a, 26b are hinged via thin, flexible links to the holding portion 28 of the squeezer 21. As evident from this illustration a tube 29 being squeezed is already integrated in the squeezer 21 by it being clasped by the squeezer jaws 25a and 25b whilst the upper portion of the tube is held by the holding portion 28. It is in this portion that the tube orifice extends through the opening 30 in 20 the holding portion 28. In this example embodiment too, the squeezer jaws 25a,25b are arranged vee-shaped, they not being interconnected at the apex of the vee to thus enable them to be diverged in this portion to make way for insertion of the tube 29 to be squeezed between the 25 squeezer jaws 25a and 25b. Provided in the bottom portion of the squeezer jaws 25a, 25b, in other words at the apex of the vee, are keys 31 arranged to interact with keys 32 in the casing 22 by the stacked arrangement of the keys 32 of the casing 22 clamping the squeezer jaws 25a, 25b in the 30 region of the keys 31 and holding them in position, resulting in the vee of the squeezer jaws 25a, 25b can only be opened and closed from above. This clamping action by the keys 32 in the casing produces hinging at the apex of the vee.

8 In this embodiment too, the squeezer wings 26a, 26b are arranged in the upper portion of the tube 29 being squeezed, this being the portion at which the tube is configured the strongest and thus requiring the most force to be applied. This arrangement of the 5 squeezer wings 26a, 26b in conjunction with the webs 27a, 27b acting as hinges produces in turn, a leverage exponentiating an applied force and communicated to the squeezer jaws 25a,25b. Applying pressure to the squeezer wings 26a, 26b causes the webs 27a, 27b to ensure that the squeezer jaws 25a, 25b are simultaneously converged upwards (in the direction of the tube nozzle) under the shoulder of the tube to totally 10 empty the tube. The two casing parts 23 and 24 mount the squeezer 21 in its assembled condition. The two casing parts 23 and 24 can be simply pieced together by interconnecting pins 33 integrally connected to the corresponding parts of the casing. 15 Referring now to FIG. 2a there is illustrated the squeezer 21 as shown in FIG. 2 (in a side view) shown before the tube is integrated. Referring now to FIG. 2b there is illustrated a side view of the casing part 23 as shown 20 in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a further embodiment of a squeezer dis penser 40 in accordance with the invention comprising a squeezer 41 and a casing 42. The casing 42 consists of a first casing part 43 and a second casing part 44. The 25 squeezer 41 comprises two squeezer jaws 45a and 45b in a vee-shaped arrangement, it, in turn, featuring two squeezer wings 46a, 46b interconnected in one piece via a curved link 47 with a port 48 for guiding a tube being squeezed. The casing parts 43 and 44 comprises a stacked arrangement of the keys 49 serving to 30 key together the squeezer jaws 45a, 45b in the bottom portion (apex of the vee). In this case, however, the squeezer jaws 45a,45b comprise at their bottom end, curved bends 50a, 50b integrally connected thereto. When assembling the squeezer dispenser 40 the 9 bends 50a, 50b are clamped between the keys 49, resulting in turn in the squeezer jaws 45a,45b being held in position in the bottom portion. The casing parts 43 and 44 are engineered with pins 51 and keys 52 for insertion in 5 channels 53 and grooves 54 respectively in the squeezer 41. These elements make it simple to piece together the parts. The casing parts 43 and 44 are configured identical, again simplifying production of the device as a whole. Referring now to FIG. 3a there is illustrated a side view of the squeezer 41 as shown in 10 FIG. 3 in which the vee-shaped arrangement of the squeezer jaws 45a and 45b is clearly evident. In this embodiment too, the squeezer jaws 45a and 45b are not inerconnected at the bottom, i.e. at the apex of the vee, where instead, the jaws translate into bends 50a, 50b which further translate into casing-forming elements 55a and 55b drawing upwards in forming the casings. These elements 55a and 55b forming the casings are mainly 15 reinforced by reinforcements 56a,56b. It is only in a top portion of the elements 55a, 55b forming the casings which are sightly staggered in the direction of the squeezer jaws 45a, 45b that no reinforcements are provided. In this portion the squeezer wings 46a, 46b are located above. This staggered arrangement of the top portions of the elements 55a, 55b forming the casings prevents the squeezer wings 46a, 46b from 20 coming into contact with the casings prematurely when pressed together. In this embodiment too, the squeezer wings 46a and 46b are connected via links 57 to the squeezer jaws 45a, 45b, the links 57 acting as hinges. The squeezer wings 46a and 46b - as already explained - are interconnected by a link 47. The complete element (squee zer wings 46a, 46b and link 47) is configured in one piece, the squeezer wings 46a and 25 46b being engineered pliant so as to converge when squeezing a tube, this likewise converging the squeezer jaws 45a, 45b, again resulting in squeezing an integrated tube. Here too, the geometry of the arrangement ensures delivery of a substance to be squeezed out in the direction of the nozzle of the tube. Pressing the squeezer wings 46a, 46b ensures that the links 57, 57 cause the squeezer jaws 45a, 45b to be simultaneously 30 converged and moved upwards (in the direction of the tube nozzle) in becoming shifted under the shoulder of the tube to totally empty the tube.

10 When assembling the squeezer dispenser 40 - as already explained above - the bottom bends 50a and 50b of the squeezer jaws 45a and 45b are clamped between the keys 49 of the casing 42, urging the bottom bends 50a and 50b together, closing a gap 58 as existing before assembly by the bottom bends 50a and 50b being urged together such 5 that they coming into contact with each other in the region of the said gap 58. In the present embodiment the casing parts 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b are integrated in the squeezer 41, they forming by the casing parts 43 and 44 the casing as a whole. 10 Referring now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated a further embodiment of a squeezer dis penser 60 in accordance with the invention including a squeezer 61 as well as a casing 62 which in this embodiment is configured in one piece. In the present example embodiment a tube 63 being squeezed is already integrated in 15 the squeezer dispenser 60. The squeezer jaws 64a, 64b of the squeezer 61 are likewise arranged in a vee and are bottomed by keys 65a and 65b respectively. Integrated in the casing 62 (shown here with a sidewall removed) are two profiled plates 66 (only one of which is evident in the present illustration). In the front portion 66a the profiled plates 66 are cut out vee-shaped, the rear portion featuring two shoulders 67 adjoining a slot 20 68 closed off at one end. These shoulders 67 serve to latch the keys 65a, 65b of the squeezer jaws 64a and 64b. The slot 68 serves to receive the end bulge 69 of the tube 63 being squeezed. Otherwise the arrangement of the squeezer wings and the background mechanism thereof is substantially the same as in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. 25 Common to all embodiments as described is that the squeezer jaws are arranged in a vee at the apex of which they are not interconnected. Instead, in this portion the jaws are held together by means in the casing of the devices, designed to prevent the jaws from diverging in this portion in which a hinge materializes. 30 One advantage of all embodiments involves, among other things, that the jaws after removal of the squeezer can be diverged in the bottom portion, as a result of which a tube being squeezed can be positioned between the jaws.

II Although the squeezer dispensers described in the example aspects are made of a thermoplastic material, it is understood that any other material (for instance a metal, etc) may be used. 5 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 10 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such refer ence does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 15 2931214_i (GHM8tlers) P85955.AU

Claims

1. A squeezer device for dispensing a liquid and/or gel-like and/or pasty substance from a pliant tube comprising a squeezer provided with two opposing jaws for gripping 5 said tube to be squeezed and for squeezing out the substance from the tube and with a casing housing the squeezer, wherein said squeezer jaws are free at a bottom end opposite the orifice of the tube being squeezed.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said jaws of said 10 squeezer once assembled are maintained positioned at least in the region of the bottom end by means of the casing.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said squeezer jaws, at least in their resting position, are arranged vee-shaped, said squeezer jaws not being 15 interconnected at the apex (bottom end) of the vee.

4. The device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said squeezer jaws, particularly in the region of their bottom end, featuring means which cooperate with the means of the casing to maintain the squeezer jaws in position 20 particularly in the region of the bottom end.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that said means of the squeezer jaws are keys and/or tabs and/or grooves. 25

6. The device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said squeezer features actuators, particularly wings connected to the squeezer jaws in a top portion.

7. The device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said 30 squeezer comprises in a top portion a holder having an opening to receive and hold the tube being squeezed. 2931214_1 (GHMatters) P85955 AU 13

8. The device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured in three pieces, the casing being configured in two pieces.

9. The device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is 5 made by a method of injection molding.

10. The device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said casing elements are integrated in the squeezer. 10

11. A squeezer device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2931214_1 (GHMatters) P85955.AU