AU721871B2 - An applicator - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 404554

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

I.

9

C

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: N.J. Phillips Pty. Limited 44 Gindurra Road Somersby New South Wales 2250

AUSTRALIA

Glen Walter Bunyan and Keith Graham Rymer Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia An Applicator ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL [31] Application No(s) P07424 APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country

AU

[32] Application Date 18 June 1997 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815 An Applicator Technical Field The present invention relates to applicators to deliver a relatively viscous liquid including relatively thick liquids such as cream, mayonnaise, mustard, sauce, etc.

Background of the Invention In fast food outlets it is not unusual to have teenagers (particularly young girls) working in food preparation areas. Frequently their tasks will include the application of the above mentioned viscous liquids.

Previously known applicators have suffered from the disadvantage that they are 10 typically designed for adults having considerable hand strength. These previously known devices are therefore most unsuitable to be used in instances where the liquid to be °"pumped is viscous.

*e •e Many manual operated applicators, such as those used in delivering a medication E to animals, include a cooperating piston and cylinder, with the piston being spring-urged is to a position maximising the volume within the cylinder. Operation of the applicator compresses the spring which in turn provides a resistance from the view point of the operator. This resistance can be considerable.

9*o S. Object of the Invention S• It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate S 20 the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a hand held and hand dperated applicator to deliver a relatively viscous liquid such as cream, mayonnaise, mustard and sauce, said applicator comprising: a body having a handle portion; rR:\L1BT120RRdnv*1--tcPF t an interacting piston and cylinder member mounted on the body and enclosing a first chamber from which the liquid is delivered by the applicator and a second chamber to receive liquid to be delivered to the first chamber, the cylinder member having a cylinder which receives said piston; an operator manipulated trigger operatively associated with the piston and cylinder to cause delivery of said liquid, the trigger being position relative to the handle portion so that a user grips the handle portion and trigger in a hand to cause movement of the trigger relative to the handle; a liquid outlet extending from said first chamber; a liquid inlet extending to said second chamber; a conduit extending to said inlet to deliver said liquid thereto, the conduit being provided to connect the applicator to a supply of said liquid; a one-way valve in said piston connecting said first chamber with said second chamber for the transfer of liquid from said second chamber to said first chamber while g.1 5 inhibiting flow from said first chamber to said second chamber; and wherein said trigger causes relative reciprocating movement between the piston and cylinder to vary the volume of said second chamber and said first chamber to deliver liquid from said first chamber when the volume thereof is decreased, while allowing liquid to enter said second chamber as the volume thereof increases, and delivering to said 20 first chamber from said second chamber liquid as the volume of said second chamber 05*0 decreases and the volume of said first chamber increases.

Preferably the one-way valve includes at least one passage in the piston to provide for the flow of liquid from said second chamber to said first chamber, and a °,oresilient valve member operatively associated with said passage to effectively close said 25 passage when liquid is being delivered from said first chamber, the valve member being resiliently deflected with respect to said passage to permit flow through said passage when liquid is passing from said second chamber to said first chamber. In a further preferred form said trigger is pivotally mounted on the body and operatively associated with the piston and cylinder to cause said relative reciprocating movement.

Preferably the cylinder member is fixed with respect to said body, and said trigger is operatively associated with said piston to cause movement of the piston relative to the cylinder and body.

Preferably the applicator further includes a spring operatively associated with the piston to urge the piston to a position maximising the volume of said first chamber, and ,therefore minimising the volume of said second chamber.

[R:\LIBTT]02088.doc:lam:KEH 3 Preferably the applicator includes an outlet one-way valve at said outlet, permitting flow from said first chamber out through said outlet but inhibiting reverse flow.

Preferably said inlet extends from said cylinder member to communicate with said second chamber.

Preferably the applicator includes a push rod extending from said piston through said second chamber, and wherein said push rod is provided with a passage allowing liquid to be delivered via the push rod passage to said second chamber.

In an alternative construction, said trigger includes a trigger lever manipulated by the operator, and a pivot member entering the body and engaging with the piston so that upon movement of the lever, said piston is caused to reciprocate relative to said cylinder.

In a further preferred construction the lever extends generally in the same direction as the handle and said pivot member is generally normal to the lever.

In a still further preferred form the second chamber is closed at an end of the is second chamber, opposite said outlet, by a plug mounted in said cylinder member; and ooo, said piston has a push rod extending from said piston, through said plug, to said trigger so that operation of said trigger causes movement of said piston.

S""Preferably the cylinder member is removably attached to the body.

In a still further construction the cylinder member, including said cylinder and 0 20 piston is an assembly removably attached to said body.

Brief Description of the Drawings 0 •A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic part section side elevation of an applicator to deliver a 25 viscous liquid; Figure 2 is a further schematic side elevation of the applicator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of an applicator to deliver a liquid medication to an animal; Figure 4 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of an applicator to deliver a viscous liquid; and Figure 5 is a further schematic sectioned side elevation of the applicator of Figure 4.

[R:\LIBTT02088.doc:Iar:KEH 4 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an applicator 33 to deliver a viscous liquid such as cream, mayonnaise, mustard or sauce.

The applicator 33 includes a body 23 upon which there is mounted an interacting piston and cylinder assembly 25. The assembly 25 includes a cylinder member 34 having a cylinder 2 which receives and cooperates with a piston 4 to generally enclose a first chamber 24 and a second chamber 26. The first chamber 24 communicates with a delivery valve 1 via which the liquid is delivered. The valve 1 is a one-way valve inhibiting material being drawn back into the chamber 24 through the valve 1. The 1o chamber 26 is closed at one end by the piston 4 and at the other end by a rear cylinder plug 8. The assembly 25 is attached to the body 23 by means of an adaptor 7. The delivery valve 1 is resilient and expands under pressure to provide an outlet opening (slot) at the tip 36.

o:The piston 4 includes a piston body 27 which receives and supports a piston seal s15 ring 19. The piston body 27 is provided with one or more apertures 28 via which the 6060 ,o o liquid can pass from the chamber 26 to the chamber 24. Associated with the aperture 28 is a one-way valve 3 which in essence is a sheet of resilient material which is deflected e° °from the aperture 28 when liquid is flowing from the chamber 26 to the chamber 24.

However, the valve 3 prevents reverse flow by being forced back against the valve body ••co 20 27 and therefore effectively closing the aperture 28. The valve 3 is held in position by .in means of an inlet valve plate 20 and retaining nut 21. A retaining screw extends from the So nut 21 through the plate 20 and valve 3 to be fixed to the piston rod 5. The piston rod extends through the plug 8 and is sealing engaged therewith by means of a push rod seal ring 17. Surrounding portion of the piston rod 5 is a piston rod sleeve 18.

Communicating with the chamber 26 is an inlet 29 to which fluid is delivered via a flexible conduit 30. To reduce resistance to flow, there is no valve in the inlet 29.

The plug 8 is sealing connected to the cylinder member 34 by means of a seal ring 16.

The adaptor 7 is provided with a socket 31 which receives a return spring 9 which abuts the plug 8 and a flange 32 on the extremity of the piston rod 5. The spring 9 urges the piston rod 5 to move to a position maximising the volume of the chamber 24.

When the chamber 24 is at a maximum volume, the chamber 26 is at a minimum volume.

When the chamber 26 is at a maximum volume, the chamber 24 is at a minimum volume.

[R:\LI BT]02088.doc:Iam:KEH The adaptor 7 is secured in position by means of a retaining clip 6, by the operation of which the assembly 25 may be removed from the body 23.

The body 23 includes a handle 13 which pivotally supports a trigger lever 14 by means of a screw or pivot pin 15. The trigger 14 is provided with a lever 34 provided with a roller 10. The roller 10 abuts the end flange 32 of the push rod 5 so that upon movement of the trigger 14 towards the handle 13, the roller 10 causes movement of the piston 4 towards the valve 1 thereby decreasing the volume of the chamber 24. Under the influence of the spring 9, upon release of the trigger 14, the trigger 14 is pivoted to its start position and the piston 4 moved to a position at which the chamber 24 is a maximum.

The travel of the piston 4 is determined by a volume adjustment mechanism which includes a threaded shaft 12 threadably engaged with the body 23 and having an extremity to abut the trigger 14 to define its rest position. A lock nut 11 secures the shaft 12 in the desired position.

In operation of the above described applicator 33, when the trigger 14 is in its start position (with the chamber 24 having a maximum volume defined by the position of "OV 9the mechanism 35) and is gripped by a user and moved toward the handle 13, the roller i •engages the piston rod 5 and moves the piston 4 to reduce the volume of the chamber 24.

Liquid is then delivered via the valve 1. At the same time the volume of the chamber 26 S: 20 is increasing and draws liquid in via the inlet 29. When the trigger 14 is released, action i of the spring 9 returns the piston rod 5 to its start position. While the piston rod 25 is returning to its start position, the chamber 24 is increasing in volume and the chamber 26 decreasing in volume. Liquid is transferred between the two chambers via the valve 3.

The above described applicator 33 has the advantage that the hand pressure S 25 required to operate the applicator 33 is that pressure required to deliver a predetermined volume contained within the chamber 24 (at its maximum volume). At the same time that the chamber 24 is being reduced in volume to deliver the predetermined volume, the reduction in pressure in the chamber 26 draws a liquid in via the inlet 29. The spring 9 which is responsible for the return stroke need only be strong enough to allow the liquid to pass through the valve 3. By having a relatively large opening provided by the valve 3, resistance to flow is minimised.

The above described applicator 33 has the advantage of reducing the pressure required to operate the applicator 33.

In Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted an applicator 50 to deliver a liquid medication to an animal by means of a nozzle 51. The [R:\LIBTT]02088.doc:na:KEHH 6 applicator 50 includes a body 52 incorporating a handle 53 pivotably supporting adjacent its lower end, a trigger 54. The trigger 54 is attached to the handle 53 by means of a pivot shaft 55. Mounted onthe body 52 is a cylinder member including cylinder 56 which internally receives a piston 57. The cylinder member, with cylinder 56 and piston 57 cooperate to provide a pair of variable volume chambers 58 and 59. The chamber 58 communicates with the nozzle 51 by means of a one-way valve 60, which valve inhibits liquid returning back to the chamber 58 from the nozzle 51. The valve includes a valve body 61 providing a passage 62 which receives a movable valve element 63. The valve element 63 is urged towards the valve seat 64 by means of a spring io Pressure within the chamber 58 moves the valve element 63 from a seated position and permits liquid to pass from the chamber 58 to the nozzle 51. When the pressure is reduced, the spring 65 returns the valve element 63 to a seated position, inhibiting reverse flow.

The rear end of the cylinder 5_6 is closed by means of a plug 66, through which a piston rod 67 passes. The piston rod 67 extends rearwardly from the piston 57. The piston rod 67 is hollow so as to provide a passage 68 which communicates with the chamber 59 by means of radial passages 69 in the piston rod 67. The passage 68 extends rearwardly to a connector 70 which enables a flexible conduit to be connected to the applicator 50 and through which the liquid is delivered to the applicator 20 Mounted in the handle 53 is a return spring 72 which is adjusted by means of an adjustment nut 73. The nut 73 is threadably engaged with a threaded shaft 74 attached to the spring 72. Rotation of the nut 73 causes longitudinal movement of the shaft 74 and a change in the length of the spring 72. The change in the length of the spring 72 adjusts the tension in the spring 72 and therefore the return force applied to the piston rod 67 via 25 the trigger 54. The spring 72 is attached to the trigger 54 by an arm 75 of the trigger 54.

The upper end of the trigger 54 is provided with a socket 76 which is engaged with the So piston rod 67 so that upon movement of the trigger 54 towards the handle 53, the piston rod 67 is caused to move toward the nozzle 51. The spring 72 urges the trigger 54 to move the piston rod 67 in the reverse direction to the arrow 71.

Mounted in the lower end of the handle 53 is a dose adjustment mechanism 77 including an adjustment nut 78. The nut 78 is threadably engaged with a threaded shaft 79 having a head 80 engaged with the arm 75. The shaft 79 passes through a passage 81 in the arms 75. In this respect, it should be appreciated that the nut 78 is captively located RA- in a passage 82 in the lower end of the handle 53. Rotation of the nut 78 causes [R:\LIBTT]02088.doc:1arn:KEH 7 longitudinal movement of the shaft 79 and therefore the rest position of the trigger 54 relative to the handle 53.

In operation of the above-described applicator 50, an operator places the handle 53 in the palm of a hand and squeezes the trigger 54 toward the handle 53. This moves the piston 57 in the direction of the arrow 71, decreasing the volume of the chamber 58 and increasing the volume of the chamber 59. As the volume of the chamber 58 decreases, liquid is forced through the one-way valve 60 to exit via the nozzle 51. As the chamber 59 increases in volume, liquid is drawn in through passage 68 into the chamber 59. When the trigger 54 is released, the piston 57 is caused to move in the opposite 1o direction to the arrow 71 under the influence of the spring 72. The volume of the chamber 58 increases and the volume of the chamber 59 decreases. Liquid is transferred through the piston by means of a one-way valve 83. The valve 83 includes a plurality of passages 84 extending through the piston 57 to provide for communication between the chambers 58 and 59. Mounted in the piston 57 is a flexible valve member 85. The valve member 85 has a disc portion 86 and a stem 87 secured within the piston 57. The disc portion 86 is formed of resilient material so as to be deflected from the passages 84 to permit the flow of material from the chamber 59 to the chamber 58. This occurs when the piston 57 is moving in the reverse direction to the arrow 71. However, when liquid is being delivered to the nozzle 51, pressure within the chamber 58 pushes the disc portion 86 back against the piston 57 thereby closing the passages 84.

i •Further to the above, when the piston 57 is moving in the direction of the arrow 71, the volume of the chamber 59 is increasing, drawing liquid in through the passage 68.

In Figures 4 and 5 there is schematically depicted an applicator 100. The applicator 100 is intended to deliver a liquid delivered to the applicator 100 via a flexible S* 25 conduit attached to the end 101.

The applicator 100 includes a body 102 which provides a cylinder member °having cylinder 103. The cylinder 103 cooperates with a piston 104 which is caused to S: reciprocate by a trigger 105. More particularly, the trigger 105 has a lever 106 extending generally in the same direction as the body 102 which provides a handle. Extending generally normal from the lever 106 and through an aperture 108 formed in the body 102 is a pivot member 107. The extremity 109 of the pivot member is arcuate and is received within a correspondingly shaped socket 110 formed in the piston 104. The trigger 105 is pivotably mounted on the body 102 by means of a pivot pin 111.

[R:\LIBTT02088.doc:lam:KEH 8 A spring 112 extends between the body 102 and trigger 105 to urge the trigger 105 to the position shown in Figure 4, that is a position at which the piston 104 is moved rearwardly toward the end 101.

The cylinder 103 receives an end plug 113 providing a passage 114. The plug 113 cooperates with the cylinder 103 and piston 104 to generally enclose a chamber 115.

In this respect, the piston 104 separates the chamber 115 from a chamber 116 formed in the handle 102.

Mounted in the plug 113 is a one-way valve 117 including a valve mounting 118 which receives a resilient valve flap 119 urged to close the passage 114.

Surrounding and generally attaching the plug 113 to the body 102 is a protective cap 120. The cap 120 is provided with one or more passages 121 through which are passes to facilitate placement and removal of the cap 120. The valve 117 operates as a one-way valve restricting liquid to flow from the chamber 115 to the passage 121.

Mounted in the piston 104 is- a one-way valve 122 which includes a mounting is 123 similar in construction to the mounting 118. The mounting 123 is threadably engaged in the piston 104 and secures to the piston 104 a flexible valve flap 124.

Extending through the piston 104 is one or more passages 125 to provide for the flow of liquid from the chamber 116 to the chamber 115.

It should be appreciated that the valve flap 124 is formed of resilient material and 20 selectively closes the passages 125.

In operation of the above-described applicator 100, the cap 120 would be removed and a flexible nozzle attached over the plug 113. When the lever 106 is moved towards the body 102 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure the volume of the chamber 115 decreases, forcing liquid out through the valve 117 and S. 25 then through the passage or passages 121. At the same time, liquid is drawn into the chamber 116. When the lever 106 is released, the spring 112 returns the lever 106 from the position shown in Figure 5, to the position shown in Figure 4. During this movement, g the valve flap 124 is deflected from the passage 125 and permits the flow of liquid from the chamber 116 to the chamber 115. At the same time, the valve 117 prevents reverse flow back into the chamber 115. When the lever 106 is being moved toward the body 102, pressure within the chamber 115 deflects the flap 124 back against the piston 104 so as to close the passage 125.

BTT02088.doc:Ian: KEI

Claims (14)

1. A hand held and hand operated applicator to deliver a relatively viscous liquid such as cream, mayonnaise, mustard and sauce, said applicator comprising: a body having a handle portion; an interacting piston and cylinder member mounted on the body and enclosing a first chamber from which the liquid is delivered by the applicator and a second chamber to receive liquid to be delivered to the first chamber, the cylinder member having a cylinder which receives said piston; an operator manipulated trigger operatively associated with the piston and io cylinder to cause delivery of said liquid, the trigger being position relative to the handle portion so that a user grips the handle portion and trigger in a hand to cause movement of the trigger relative to the handle; a liquid outlet extending from said first chamber; a liquid inlet extending to said second chamber; a conduit extending to said inlet to deliver said liquid thereto, the conduit being provided to connect the applicator to a supply of said liquid; a one-way valve in said piston connecting said first chamber with said second chamber for the transfer of liquid from said second chamber to said first chamber while inhibiting flow from said first chamber to said second chamber; and wherein S 20o said trigger causes relative reciprocating movement between the piston and cylinder to vary the volume of said second chamber and said first chamber to deliver liquid from said first chamber when the volume thereof is decreased, while allowing o. liquid to enter said second chamber as the volume thereof increases, and delivering to said first chamber from said second chamber liquid as the volume of said second chamber decreases and the volume of said first chamber increases.

2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said one-way valve includes at least ione passage in said piston to provide for the flow of liquid from said second chamber to said first chamber, and a resilient valve member operatively associated with said passage to effectively close said passage when liquid is being delivered from said first chamber, the valve member being resiliently deflected with respect to said passage to permit flow through said passage when liquid is passing from said second chamber to said first chamber. [R:\LIBTT]02088.docIam:KEH

3. The applicator of claim 2, wherein said trigger is pivotably mounted on the body and operatively associated with the piston and cylinder to cause said relative reciprocating movement.

4. The applicator of claim 3, wherein said cylinder member is fixed with s respect to said body, and said trigger is operatively associated with said piston to cause movement of the piston relative to the cylinder and body.

The applicator of claim 4, further including a spring operatively associated with the piston to urge the piston to a position maximising the volume of said first chamber, and therefore minimising the volume of said second chamber. 1o

6. The applicator of any one of claims 1 to 5, further including an outlet one-way valve at said outlet, permitting flow from said first chamber out through said outlet but inhibiting reverse flow.

7. The applicator of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said inlet extends from said cylinder member to communicate with said second chamber.

8. The applicator of any one of claims 1 to 6, further including a push rod extending from said piston through said second chamber, and wherein said push rod is provided with a passage allowing liquid to be delivered via the push rod passage to said second chamber.

9. The applicator of claim 6, wherein said trigger includes a trigger lever 20 manipulated by the operator, and a pivot member entering the body and engaged with the S° piston so that upon movement of the lever, said piston is caused to reciprocate relative to said cylinder.

10. The applicator of claim 9 wherein the lever extending generally in the same direction as the handle and said pivot member is generally normal to the lever. S. 25

11. The applicator of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein; said second chamber is closed at an end of said second chamber, opposite said •outlet, by a plug mounted in said cylinder member; and S: a push rod extends from said piston through said second chamber and plug, to said trigger so that operation of said trigger causes movement of said piston.

12. The applicator of claim 11 wherein said cylinder member is removably attached to said body.

13. The applicator of claim 12 wherein said cylinder member, including Ssaid cylinder and piston, are an assembly, removably attached to said body. [R:\LIBTT]02088.doc:am:KEH 11

14. An applicator, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 3, or Figs. 4 and DATED this Twenty-seventh Day of March, 2000 N J Phillips Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON [RALIBTT]02088.doc:Iam:KEH