EP1018375A2 - Appareil à main pour délivrer un produit visqueux - Google Patents

Appareil à main pour délivrer un produit visqueux Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1018375A2
EP1018375A2 EP99310590A EP99310590A EP1018375A2 EP 1018375 A2 EP1018375 A2 EP 1018375A2 EP 99310590 A EP99310590 A EP 99310590A EP 99310590 A EP99310590 A EP 99310590A EP 1018375 A2 EP1018375 A2 EP 1018375A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pawl
plunger
trigger
rack
dispensing device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99310590A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1018375A3 (fr
Inventor
Peter Gruendeman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tah Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Tah Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tah Industries Inc filed Critical Tah Industries Inc
Publication of EP1018375A2 publication Critical patent/EP1018375A2/fr
Publication of EP1018375A3 publication Critical patent/EP1018375A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B05C17/01—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes with manually mechanically or electrically actuated piston or the like

Definitions

  • This invention relates to product dispensing devices, and more particularly to devices for manually dispensing viscous liquids.
  • Tools, containers, or devices for dispensing viscous liquid or semi-liquid products or materials are common and widespread, and find use in many applications, both commercial (end consumer) and industrial. Such product dispensing tools or containers ideally allow the product to be applied in an accurate, mess-free, and waste-free manner.
  • mechanical hand dispensers are used.
  • these manual dispensers have been metal or metal/plastic and have incorporated numerous components, such as springs, levers and guides.
  • Such mechanical dispensers are typically designed to be used in conjunction with sealed cartridges containing the product to be dispensed (sealing caulk, adhesive, lubricant, etc.)
  • the cartridges are typically tubes having a sealed dispensing outlet (a conical tip for example) disposed on one end, with the other end being open for receiving a plunger mechanism or the like from the dispenser.
  • a slidably-sealed, axially-movable piston, disc, or the like Just inside the cartridge's open end is a slidably-sealed, axially-movable piston, disc, or the like.
  • the cartridge is placed in a retaining/dispensing section of the dispensing device, and the plunger is brought into contact with the piston.
  • the cartridge's dispensing outlet is unsealed (typically the closed tip of the dispensing outlet is cut off), and the plunger is forced against the piston through whatever actuation mechanism is employed by the dispenser (frequently a trigger/spring/rod mechanism.) This forces the piston axially down the tube and against the product, which in turn is dispensed through the dispensing outlet.
  • the above disclosed caulking gun and similar dispensing devices are still frequently used, they are disadvantageous in many respects. For example, as mentioned above, they contain many separate moving and non-moving parts, and are therefore relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture and assemble. Also, with many designs, even after the desired amount of product is dispensed the plunger mechanism may still exert force against the cartridge piston, thus causing drooling (that is, further unwanted product to be expelled though the dispensing outlet.) This frequently results in wasted product, and may also result in a substantial mess if the user does not anticipate the additional dispensed product.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a low cost ergonomic dispenser with a reduced number of parts. As shown below, acceptable function can be achieved with as little as one multi-function drive component which incorporates the functions of a trigger, a pawl, a feature to release the pawl and required return springs.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a low cost dispenser with a reduced number of parts that still has a long useful lifespan.
  • the presently disclosed invention is a new mechanism for the operation of a manual liquid product dispenser or caulking gun.
  • the dispenser is intended for dispensing pasty, viscous, semi-fluid products that must be applied with control and accuracy.
  • the device incorporates a unique integral trigger and pawl drive mechanism, in which the drive is activated by a trigger or other actuator.
  • a product dispensing cartridge, syringe or other product container is attached to the front of the dispenser via a cartridge holding mechanism.
  • the pawl drive mechanism engages and advances a plunger into the product container, contacting and advancing a piston within the cartridge which in turn advances and expels product from a cartridge dispensing outlet.
  • the trigger is released and the drive mechanism disengages the plunger, the disengagement interaction between the drive mechanism and the plunger causing the latter to move rearwards.
  • a floating gripper disposed on the plunger, limits the amount of this rearward movement, the effect of which is to decompress the product cartridge and thus prevent drooling after the completion of dispensation.
  • FIGs. 1A-1E a detailed description concerning a first embodiment of the present invention will now be provided. This design is most suitable for applications requiring the minimum of cost, for example, single use applicators.
  • a first embodiment of a liquid product dispenser 10 comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body 12 having a handle extension 14 and a product cartridge holding mechanism 16. Furthermore, the dispenser 10 has a multi-function drive component 20 incorporating the functions of a trigger 22, a pawl 24, a pawl release feature 26, a trigger return torsion spring 28, and a pawl bias spring 30.
  • the multi-function drive component 20 is an integral, unitary construct, preferably made from a resilient, semi-flexible material such as plastic.
  • the drive component 20 is pivotally connected to the dispenser body 12 via a trigger pin 32. If the pin 32 is integral with the body 12, as is preferable, then the drive component 20 is provided with a complementary shaped hole for engaging the pin.
  • the trigger return spring 28 is biased in place via a spring stop 34 integral with the handle 14.
  • a plunger 40 having an underside provided with a rack (a plurality of rachet teeth) 42 is supported by and extends axially through the body 12, with a plunger head 44, integral with the plunger 40, disposed on the end of the dispenser proximate the cartridge holding mechanism 16.
  • the plunger 40 may be further supported by a guide 64 integral with and internal of the body.
  • the multi-function drive component 20 includes the integral pawl 24, which is connected to the remainder of the drive component 20 via the pawl bias spring 30.
  • the pawl bias spring 30 is simply a non-rigid, resilient thin portion in the plastic material of the drive component 20 between the pawl 24 and the trigger 22.
  • the pawl bias spring 30 biases the pawl 24 against the underside of the plunger 40, and causes a plurality of pawl teeth 46 disposed on the pawl to engage the rack 42 upon trigger actuation.
  • a pawl release feature should be provided. This is because the pawl size may vary due to manufacturing tolerances, resulting in pawls that might interfere with the rack/plunger even when the device is unactuated. Variation in pawl size might also result from heat or steam sterilization required for some medical applications.
  • the hollow body 12 is preferably manufactured as two separate, matching halves.
  • the cartridge holding mechanism 16, with the plunger 40 already inserted therethrough, is placed in the first half.
  • the drive component 20 is placed over the pin 32 while the pawl 24 is depressed against the action of the pawl bias spring 30 (if necessary.)
  • the second half of the hollow body is brought into contact with the first half, and the two are attached via fastening means such as screws or rivets.
  • fastening means such as screws or rivets.
  • the pawl release feature 26 is in the form of a cylindrical pin or other shaped extension 48 integral with and extending laterally from the pawl 24, and passing through the exterior of the dispenser via a slot 50 provided in the dispenser body 12.
  • An additional slot and extension may be provided on the other side of the body 12.
  • the slot 50 may be configured to further act as a pawl guide, helping to disengage the pawl when the trigger 22 is released.
  • the front portion of the slot 50 could be horizontal (as shown in Figs. lA-lE), and the rear portion of the slot could slope downwards.
  • the pin extension 48 Upon the release of the trigger, the pin extension 48 would eventually strike and slide down the top of the downwardly sloping slot, and the pawl would be drawn down and out of engagement or interference with the rack.
  • the plunger 40 For use, before a product cartridge is attached to the dispenser via the cartridge holding mechanism 16, the plunger 40 must be retracted. With the pawl 24 disengaged from the plunger 40 (either by ensuring the drive component 20 is in its unactuated state or by using the pawl release feature 26, as necessary, and as discussed above), the plunger is manually pulled back until the plunger head 44 is proximate the cartridge holding mechanism 16. Then, the product cartridge (not shown) is attached. Upon actuation of the trigger 22, the pawl 24 is moved into engagement with the rack 42 and the plunger 40 is advanced.
  • the plunger head When the plunger head contacts a fluid piston within the cartridge, the fluid is pressurized inside the cartridge and expelled out a product outlet provided in the cartridge (in the form of a nozzle, for example.)
  • the trigger is released. The pawl slips back over the rack in preparation for engaging new teeth for the next dispensing cycle.
  • the trigger Upon the completion of dispensing, the trigger is released and returns to the rest position by the integral trigger return torsion spring 28.
  • the force of the pawl teeth 46 in resilient contact with the rack 42 tends to drag the plunger 40 rearward as the pawl teeth slide over the rack. This is a result of the complementary, rachet-like shape of the rack and pawl teeth.
  • FIG. 1B A complete dispensing cycle is shown in Figs. 1B-1E.
  • a user has not yet actuated the dispensing device 10.
  • the pawl 24 has not yet engaged the rack 42, and both the pawl bias spring 30 and the trigger return spring 28 are in a relaxed state.
  • Fig. 1C the user has just begun to actuate the drive component 20 by depressing the trigger 22, which thereby pivots about the trigger pin 32 counterclockwise.
  • the pawl 24 rotates up and forward, and the pawl teeth 46 begin to engage the rack 42.
  • Fig. 1D the user has completely depressed the trigger 22. All the pawl teeth 46 have engaged the rack 42, and the plunger 40 has thereby moved forward. Meanwhile, the pawl bias spring 30 has flexed downwards to allow and ensure that the pawl 24 fully engages the rack 42. Without the pawl bias spring 30, the pawl 24 would not be able to fully engage the rack 42, and the dispensing cycle would be much shorter (i.e. the user would have to depress the trigger many times to dispense a suitable amount of product.) Also, the action of depressing the trigger 22 has fully flexed the trigger return spring 28.
  • Fig. 1E the user has begun to release the trigger 22, with the drive mechanism 20 pivoting clockwise about the trigger pin 32 under the action of the flexed trigger return spring 28.
  • the pawl teeth 46 slide rearwards and over the rack 42 as described above, and eventually disengage from the rack 42.
  • the drive component 20 and the pawl 24 return back to their position as shown in Fig. 1B.
  • a floating gripper 52 is placed onto the plunger to limit its rearward motion.
  • the floating gripper 52 is a friction device dimensioned to slidably engage the top guide of the plunger 40.
  • the gripper 52 is located within a pocket 54 inside the dispenser body 12.
  • the pocket 54 defined by a rear pocket wall 56 and a forward pocket wall 58, is slightly longer than the gripper.
  • the plunger moves rearward via the effect of the pawl teeth sliding over the rack, as described above.
  • the gripper travels rearward along with the plunger for about 0.040 to 0.080 inches, which is the total distance between the gripper and the pocket walls 56, 58. Once the gripper hits the rear wall 56 the entirety of the gripper and plunger stops. This is because the friction force of the gripper is greater (by design) than the rearwards force exerted by the sliding pawl. This slight rearward motion of the plunger allows rapid decompression of the fluid product within the cartridge.
  • the floating gripper 52 may be fashioned in any manner, as long as it provides a slidable friction contact with the plunger 40.
  • the friction force of the floating gripper on the plunger must be such that it is greater than the rearwards force of the pawl sliding over the rack and less than a reasonable user actuation force.
  • a typical suitable friction force applied by the floating gripper is 1 to 2 lbs.
  • a friction feature in the form of integrally molded fingers or ridges can be incorporated into the body of the dispenser. This would result in a further reduction in the number of components and therefore a reduction in assembly costs. However, this would increase the possibility of drooling with some low viscosity products.
  • Figs. 2-4 show embodiments of the present invention using two and three drive/release components, instead of the single multi-function drive component 20 of the embodiment of Figs. 1A-1E. These embodiments offer either more intuitive operation and/or longer life before device failure.
  • the device shown in Fig. 2 uses the same multi-function drive component 20 as the device in Figs. lA-lE. However, instead of the pawl extension 48 extending through a slot provided in the body 12, the pawl extension remains internal to the dispensing device, and no slot is provided.
  • the pawl release feature 26 comprises an external pawl release button 60 extending through and located at the top of the device body 12. The button 60 is held in place via a button bias spring 62. The button, extending down through the device on one or both sides of the plunger 40, is positioned above the pawl extension 48.
  • the force of the button bias spring 62 is overcome, and the button comes into contact with the pawl extension. This pushes the pawl 24 down, against the force exerted by the pawl bias spring 30, thereby spacing the pawl teeth from the rack and allowing the user to freely move the plunger.
  • FIG. 3 Another embodiment having two drive/release components is shown in Fig. 3, where the pawl 24 is separate from the trigger 22.
  • the pawl 24 is pivotally coupled to an integral trigger mechanism 63 comprising a trigger 22 integral with a trigger return spring 28.
  • the pawl 24 is maintained in place by a pawl bias torsion spring 31 in contact with the guide 64.
  • the pawl bias torsion spring 31 is a thin, resilient, flexible extension of the pawl 24, and biases the pawl 24 against the rack 42 even when the trigger mechanism 63 is unactuated.
  • the pawl bias torsion spring 31 moves with the pawl and is quided and supported by the spring guide 64, for movement with the pawl, at an end remote from the pawl.
  • Releasing the pawl from the rack 42 is accomplished by exerting force downwards on the pawl extension 48, which is preferably two extension pins integral to and extending laterally away from the pawl and through two slots 50 (not shown) provided in the device on either side of the body 12 (as was shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1.)
  • the advantages of this device include a greater life expectancy under higher loads (due to the non-rotating manner in which the pawl teeth contact the rack), and a low manufacturing cost.
  • Fig. 4 A final embodiment using three drive/release components is shown in Fig. 4, which incorporates the separate pawl of the device of Fig. 3 and the push-button pawl release feature similar to that of the device of Fig. 2.
  • This device also offers substantial reductions in cost while requiring no compromises in ease of use or life expectancy.
  • the pawl extension 48 is not a lateral, pin-like extension, but rather an integral feature that extends up and over at least one side of the plunger 40.
  • the pawl bias torsion spring 31 functions in a manner similar to that as described above for the embodiment of Fig. 3.
  • the plunger is driven forward by the pawl teeth engaging and pushing the rack.
  • Multiple fine teeth are used to transmit the required force to the plunger since the forces can be high and a small tooth spacing is thus desirable. Larger tooth spacing requires unacceptably low mechanical advantage, or results in no advancement of the plunger with successive pulls of the trigger.
  • the device of the present invention can be provided with any number of cartridge holding mechanisms 16.
  • the mechanism illustrated in the Figures is a bayonet holder.
  • the cartridge which would have ear flanges, would be pushed onto a centering hub and then twisted 90 degrees.
  • the centering hub would have an o-ring or other resilient centering feature to allow for proper centering of the cartridge.
  • the cartridge ears would twist into place behind the bayonet lugs, and would thus be securely locked into place. Different diameter cartridges would require different bayonet holders.
  • drop-in designs could be used (an open tube with cup ends, for example), or a holding mechanism could be provided that holds cartridges having lugs or threads, externally or internally.
  • plastic torsion bias and return springs have been illustrated as having integral plastic torsion bias and return springs, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other application specific spring types could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
  • steam or heat sterilization (as required for some medical applications) may result in the plastic bias and return springs annealing. This could possibly destroy or reduce these plastic springs' effectiveness.
  • metal torsion springs could be provided.
  • a long, thin piece of semi-flexible metal could be attached to the trigger 22 in place of the integral plastic trigger return spring 28, either by inserting the metal spring into the plastic trigger while it is still molten, or by providing a small slot in the trigger into which the metal spring could be inserted.
  • Other, similar metal springs could replace the pawl bias springs 30, 31. Although these metal springs would increase the cost of the dispensing device, the overall cost would still be low because of the relative design simplicity and ease of assembly.
EP99310590A 1999-01-06 1999-12-24 Appareil à main pour délivrer un produit visqueux Withdrawn EP1018375A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11493699P 1999-01-06 1999-01-06
US114936P 1999-01-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1018375A2 true EP1018375A2 (fr) 2000-07-12
EP1018375A3 EP1018375A3 (fr) 2003-05-21

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EP99310590A Withdrawn EP1018375A3 (fr) 1999-01-06 1999-12-24 Appareil à main pour délivrer un produit visqueux

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012098335A1 (fr) * 2011-01-20 2012-07-26 A Raymond Et Cie Dispositif d'introduction d'éléments dans un corps
CN104959275A (zh) * 2015-06-22 2015-10-07 定远县安卓电子科技有限公司 新型二极管引线封胶装置
CN104992913A (zh) * 2015-06-23 2015-10-21 定远县安卓电子科技有限公司 可实现引线定位加工的二极管引线封胶装置
CN110650665A (zh) * 2017-03-29 2020-01-03 克里奥瓦克公司 分配系统及其制造和使用方法

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4509662A (en) 1983-01-13 1985-04-09 Weiss Sherman L Caulking gun

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7817873U1 (de) * 1978-06-15 1978-09-28 Teroson Gmbh, 6900 Heidelberg Pistole zur Verbindung mit Kartuschen
DE3047312A1 (de) * 1980-12-16 1982-07-29 Hilti AG, 9494 Schaan Geraet zum verfuellen von bohrloechern
US4744494A (en) * 1986-12-01 1988-05-17 Calumet Manufacturing Co. Ram gun

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4509662A (en) 1983-01-13 1985-04-09 Weiss Sherman L Caulking gun

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012098335A1 (fr) * 2011-01-20 2012-07-26 A Raymond Et Cie Dispositif d'introduction d'éléments dans un corps
FR2970654A1 (fr) * 2011-01-20 2012-07-27 Raymond A & Cie Dispositif d'introduction d'elements dans un corps
CN104959275A (zh) * 2015-06-22 2015-10-07 定远县安卓电子科技有限公司 新型二极管引线封胶装置
CN104992913A (zh) * 2015-06-23 2015-10-21 定远县安卓电子科技有限公司 可实现引线定位加工的二极管引线封胶装置
CN104992913B (zh) * 2015-06-23 2018-02-16 定远县润声电子有限公司 可实现引线定位加工的二极管引线封胶装置
CN110650665A (zh) * 2017-03-29 2020-01-03 克里奥瓦克公司 分配系统及其制造和使用方法
CN110650665B (zh) * 2017-03-29 2022-06-03 克里奥瓦克公司 分配系统及其制造和使用方法

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Publication number Publication date
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