AU4511900A - A cartridge and uses thereof - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: CARTER HOLT HARVEY LIMITED Arthur David GREEN, Ronald George STARNES and Ritchie John WILLIAMS A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 A Cartridge and Uses Thereof The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us -2- The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to containers in particularly although not solely to a cartridge and various combinations, uses and related means and methods applicable to the supply of grease or the like fluid product for dispensing from a dispensing gun (such as the well known "grease gun" having a piston rod and a biased piston that slides on the rod in order to urge the grease towards a collection and pumping zone, the piston rod acting as a means whereby, when desired, the piston against its bias, or after relief from the bias, can be withdrawn.

Traditionally viscous fluids (such as grease) have been supplied in a number of different ways for use in "grease guns" of different types. "Grease guns" traditionally include an outlet nozzle from which the contents of its grease reservoir has been pumped either by use of a pivoted handle or a depression plunger arrangement or the equivalent. With all such systems however, it is usual to load the reservoir for the grease from an end or region remote from the dispensing nozzle. Most "grease guns" utilise a barrel like member down which a piston slidable on a withdrawal rod is biased (eg; by spring) in order to urge the grease contents towards a pick up zone within the reservoir adjacent the nozzle so as to ensure a minimum of air pick during the pumping of grease therefrom.

Some cartridge forms for reloading such "grease guns" have been provided but hitherto no satisfactory cartridge or container for use as a cartridge has been supplied which enables the recharging of a "grease gun" and its use without substantial exposure of the contents of the cartridge prior to closure in the "grease gun". The present invention is directed to such means and methods and to componentry useful in such arrangements.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container, means for providing a container, and related methods and means which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a means defining a barrel of a container for a viscous liquid to be dispensed therefrom, wherein said barrel has an outlet end, a non outlet end, and a means closing said outlet end (or to close said outlet end when said barrel is filled with a viscous fluid to be dispensed) and which includes at least one outward projection formed therein on which inward pressure or forcing in a direction parallel to the axis of said barrel, beyond a frangible limit, will cause dislocation thereof into the barrel to thus present a means of egress for any viscous liquid content therefrom.

In a second aspect the present invention consist in a container for a viscous liquid to be disposed from an outlet means which includes at least one outward projection formed therein on which inward pressure or forcing in a direction perpendicular to the outlet means cross-section, beyond a frangible limit, will cause dislocation thereof into the barrel to thus present a means of egress of a viscous liquid.

In a further aspect the present invention consist in a piston means suitable for use in a container for a viscous liquid to be dispensed therefrom, wherein said piston means, located at the non outlet end of said container, defining as a closure for a piston for said barrel, said piston including centrally thereof a frangible region capable of being penetrated in a direction parallel to the axis of said barrel in an inward direction (for example by the piston rod or the equivalent of a "grease gun" type dispenser which has its own biased piston or piston follower).

.XJ5 In yet a further aspect the present invention consist in a barrel as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

S

In yet a further aspect the present invention consist outlet means substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consist a piston substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In even a further aspect the present invention may consists in a container for a viscous fluid (for example grease) to be dispensed from the container via an outlet end, said container comprising means defining a barrel, an outlet end to said barrel and a non outlet end to said barrel, and one or both of (IIA) means closing said outlet end (or to close said outlet end when said barrel is filled with a viscous fluid to be dispensed) and which includes at least one outward projection formed therein on which inward pressure or forcing in a direction parallel to the axis of said barrel, beyond a frangible limit, will cause dislocation thereof into the barrel to thus present a means of egress for any viscous liquid content therefrom, and (IIB) means at the non outlet end defining as a closure a piston for said barrel, said piston including centrally thereof a frangible region capable of being penetrated in a direction parallel to the axis of said barrel in an inward direction (for example by the piston rod or the equivalent of a "grease gun" type dispenser which has its own biased piston or piston follower).

As used herein the term "barrel" can be of any cross-section that allows a piston of appropriate complementary shape and/or flexibility to travel therein. Only in preferred forms is the barrel cylindrical or a minor departure therefrom.

Preferably said container has both means IIA and IIB.

Preferably said non outlet end of said container has the frangible central region thereof configured such as to provide means that will upon rupture protrude inwardly to assist in the withdrawal of a cartridge from a "grease gun" type apparatus under the withdrawal action of a said piston rod of such a "grease gun" type apparatus.

Preferably said outlet end includes a plurality of said projections.

S;It Preferably each projection is part of a shape adapted to hinge upon a frangible -pushing thereof at least in part into said container.

:"Preferably said means IIA closing said outlet end is moulded separate from said means I but is affixed thereto by welding, adhesive or otherwise.

Preferably both said means I and IIA are of a plastics material although, if 15 desired, means I can be of a paper or laminate which includes paper.

00.° In some most preferred forms of the present invention the means I and IIA are formed integrally by moulding.

Preferably said means IIA is a moulded plastics member.

Preferably there are plurality of outward projections each (when viewed in planes perpendicular to the barrel axis) are of areas which reduce in area outwardly from the area to be frangibly opened.

**(Preferably said area to be frangibly opened is defined by lines of weakening formed by the moulding process but preferably leaving at least one line to act as a hinge line.

Preferably that or those lines of frangible weakening first to be ruptured by axial displacement on said projection(s) is of greater thickness than those regions subsequently to be ruptured (ie; to facilitate full opening after a threshold rupturing pressure or force has been applied, preferably to a preferred hinging axis).

Preferably there are a plurality of such projections and the region to be contacted to achieve the frangible rupturing are in outer lateral regions of said means having regard to the projected area of said barrel, ie; preferably where said barrel is cylindrical said plurality of objections are arrayed such that, if desired, they hinge tangentially from an inward circular area inwardly of that region first to be contacted during frangible opening which are radially outwardly thereof.

Preferably said means IIB is a plastics member (preferably with a cylindrical skirt or a skirt that complements the inner surface of said barrel) so as to be stably locatable therein and capable of being stably urged axially along said barrel under the action of a "grease gun" in use, eg; of a kind having a piston or piston follower slidable on a withdrawal rod under the action of a compression spring or the equivalent.

Preferably the frangible central region of said means IIB is inward of a strengthened outer region adapted to maintain the integrity as a piston of said means

IIB.

Preferably said outer strengthening is by means of radial vanes or the like preferably integrally formed by a moulding process from said skirt but other strengthening configurations are contemplated.

Preferably said means IIB is moulded in a plastics material.

i In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a means JIB suitable for use in a container in accordance with the present invention.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a means IA suitable for use in a container in accordance with the present invention.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a container as previously o: defined when charged with a viscous liquid (preferably a grease for lubricating purposes).

Other viscous liquids that could usefully be encased in a container in accordance with the present invention (so as to provide a rechargeable cartridge for a "grease gun") includes viscous sealants, viscous beading compositions, etc.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination, a containerin accordance with the present invention charged with a viscous liquid and a ""grease gun"" type dispenser capable of discharging the contents thereof in an operative manner.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of recharging a "grease gun" type apparatus having a barrel which comprises loading from the non discharge nozzle end of the "grease gun", a cartridge (being a container in accordance with the present invention filled with a viscous liquid), outlet end first, into said barrel and thereafter closing the barrel with the end closure of the "grease gun", the piston rod of the "grease gun" being forced through said frangible region of means IIB and the piston carried by said piston rod under the urging of a spring bearing on said means IIB, and wherein once so located said means IIA has been opened to allow means of egress for said viscous liquid by a frangible rupturing of said at least one outward projection by a pressure in a direction parallel to the access of said barrel.

-6- Preferably said inward pressure results from either the dropping of the cartridge into the "grease gun" and/or the ramming of the cartridge with said piston rod against the nozzle end of said "grease gun".

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a use of a cartridge as stated and/or a "grease gun" charged with such a cartridge.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred container/cartridge in accordance with the present invention (showing its preferred cylindrical barrel form and its t preferred outlet end with preferably four projections), ":*"iFigure 2 is a similar cartridge to that shown in Figure 1 but showing the non outlet end thereof [preferably with a frangible inner region (the lines of weakening *and/or area of reduced thickening (if any) not being shown but being inwardly of the reinforcing vane like members extending inwardly from the cylindrical skirt of the outlet end closure member)] which is capable of sliding along the barrel under the axial urging of the "grease gun", Figure 3 is a plan view of the outlet end shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a plan view of the non outlet end shown in Figure 2, Figure 5 is a cross section of the barrel and the preferred integrally formed outlet end closure thereof showing inwardly of the two projections shown in side elevation section the inner preferred hinging axes and the outer preferred frangible regions, oFigure 6 is a similar view to that of Figure 5 (insofar as the barrel and outlet end is concerned) but also showing an initial association of the "grease gun" therewith, it being seen that axial pressure under the action of the piston rod of the "grease gun" upwardly with respect to Figure 6 will have the effect of having the nozzle end of the "grease gun" bear on the projections and thus achieve the frangible opening thereof to allow the liquid content egress therefrom, Figure 7 shows the effect of the penetration of the non outlet end member (with its preferred lines of weakening etc. as shown) by the piston rod of the "grease gun" and how the mere act of that frangible entry and/or driving home as shown in Figure 7 will achieve the disruption shown at the outlet end in Figure 7 to allow grease egress from within the barrel of the cartridge, the reducing transverse area of each projection ensuring there is a means of egress at the outlet end owing to their inward dispression as shown, Figure 8 is a plan view of the non outlet end member as shown in Figure 4 but from the opposite side showing the preferred areas of frangibility thereof, and -7- Figure 9 is a cross section of the member shown in Figure 8 along either of the two sectional lines depicted in Figure 8, Figure 9 showing the non outlet end closure in its condition as it appears in Figure 6.

In the preferred form of the present invention the cartridge 1 is preferably made up of a means defining a barrel 2 having the outlet end closure 3. Preferably such a combination is preferably formed as an integral moulded plastics member although not necessarily so as the closure member 3 (even those preferably moulded from an appropriate plastics material) can be associated with a barrel of a similar or different material. A barrel 2 could, for example, be formed from a paper including laminate.

Preferably a projection or projections 4 are provided at the outlet end of a configuration such that they can be provided with tangential hinge lines 5 centrally of their upper extremities 6 which are adapted to contact the nozzle end 7 of a "grease gun" (see Figure 6) so as to achieve the frangible opening as shown in Figure 7 while still allowing an appropriate grease pick up reservoir between the nozzle end 7 of the "grease gun" and the cartridge 1.

oAs shown in Figure 3 therefore, each projection 4 with its reduced area outwardly is such that when depressed as shown in Figure 7 leaves a clear pathway for the viscous liquid. There is the hinge line 5 plus frangible lines 8 and 9. Preferably the frangible line 8 and those regions of the lines 9 closer to the outside of the cartridge are thicker so as to best resist accidental frangible rupture during transit etc. but those regions of the lines 9 more inwardly towards the hinge line 5 are more readily ruptured since they themselves will not take the first effect of any accidental impact. Such a progressive weakening or staged weakening (it could be a taper in the line thickness or some staging thereof) does ensure the more willing full opening of the outlet end in use.

The non outlet end includes the members shown in Figures 4, 8 and 9. This member 10 is preferably a moulded plastics member having a peripheral skirt 11 with any number of continuous seal ribs secured by corresponding continuous or interrupted ribs on the inside of the barrel (cartridge) and inwardly directed strengthening ribs 12 integral from the skirt 11 and from the preferred disc like region 13. The preferred disc like region 13 is provided with lines of frangibility 14 as best depicted in Figure 8 and 9. These are adapted to ensure the breakage open of small quadrants 15 under the action of a piston rod 16 of the "grease gun" which has means at its end 17 which can ensure the rupturing of the projections at the outlet end and also ensure the picking up of the cartridge from within the "grease gun" barrel 18 once the member 10 has been positioned down to (for example) the position 10 indicated in Figure 7 having fully -8discharged (or almost) the contents of the cartridge into the space 19 between the "grease gun" nozzle end 7 and the cartridge.

As is usual with such a "grease gun" the piston member is encircled by a compression spring 20 which acts on a piston follower or a piston 21 which can either be used conventionally in a "grease gun" or can be used as a follower of the piston member 10 depicted in Figure 7.

As shown in Figure 4 the quadrant member 15 preferably remains attached to facilitate withdrawal of the cartridge with the piston rod 6. Therefore preferably the frangible line 14 which is circular in the form shown in Figure 8 is preferably thickened near the centre thereof so as to retain some hinging function to assist withdrawal after the frangible rupturing of the remainder of the lines 14.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how a cartridge charged with grease or other viscous liquid can be packaged in bulk without further protection for use or can !"be provided with a protective end cap or protective end caps if considered desirable against abuse in transit. It is possible however to recharge a "grease gun" with no exposure of the contents of the new cartridge to the environment prior to closure within the "grease gun". In some other situations, if desired, it is possible by simply banging the outlet end on a surface to pre-rupture the cartridge if for any reason a "grease gun" does not lend itself specifically to rupture of the cartridge as required after normal closure.

Claims (7)

1. A means defining a barrel of a container for a viscous liquid to be dispensed therefrom, wherein said barrel has an outlet end, a non outlet end, and a means closing said outlet end (or to close said outlet end when said barrel is filled with a viscous fluid to be dispensed) and which includes at least one outward projection formed therein on which inward pressure or forcing in a direction parallel to the axis of said barrel, beyond a frangible limit, will cause dislocation thereof into the barrel to thus present a means of egress for any viscous liquid content therefrom.

2. A container for a viscous liquid to be disposed from an outlet means which includes at least one outward projection formed therein on which inward pressure or forcing in a direction perpendicular to the outlet means cross-section, beyond a :°oooo :o5 frangible limit, will cause dislocation thereof into the barrel to thus present a means of egress of a viscous liquid.

3. A piston means suitable for use in a container for a viscous liquid to be dispensed therefrom, wherein said piston means, located at the non outlet end of said container, defining as a closure for a piston for said barrel, said piston including centrally thereof a frangible region capable of being penetrated in a direction parallel to the axis of said barrel in an inward direction (for example by the piston rod or the equivalent of a "grease gun" type dispenser which has its own biased piston or piston follower).

4. A barrel as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

An outlet means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

6. A piston substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. Date:

7 July 2000 CARTER HOLT HARVEY LIMITED A PR PaetAtony frteAplcn