GB2199774A - Applicator for crease setting compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid dispensing applicator 10 for crease setting compositions comprises a fluid reservoir 12, an applicator nozzle 14 connected to the reservoir to deliver fluid therefrom and means for urging the fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle. The nozzle 14 comprises, at its operative end, an elongate dispensing slit 24 preceded by a guide fin 26 and followed by a presser foot 28. The guide fin is mounted to precede at the dispensing slot and serves both to locate the nozzle accurately in the crease line and to prepare the fabric by smoothing it out and preventing it rucking up immediately prior to the application of the crease setting composition. The presser foot follows the nozzle and serves to press the composition into the surface layer of fibres of the fabric being treated. <IMAGE>

Description

FLUID DISPENSING CARTRIDGE This invention relates to a fluid dispensing cartridge for applying crease setting compositions and more particularly relates to an improved dispensing nozzle or nib therefor.

In order to render preformed creases in textile articles more durable, for example the creases in trousers or slacks, a setting composition may be introduced into the formed creases, for example according to UK patent No.

1603252 or European patent publication No. 67528. The creases are made durable by curing the composition. In the specification a hand operated applicator has a nozzle at one end of a cylinder for dispensing the composition into the crease. The composition within the cylinder is compressed by a piston within the cylinder and is forced through the nozzle. The piston is moved by rotation on a rotary member mounted on the cylinder in response to movement along the crease line.

In European patent publication No. 0059413 there is disclosed a modified form of cartridge for dispensing crease setting composition. This has a nozzle which fits a bore in the end of the cartridge. The bore intersects the end of a cavity within the cartridge containing setting composition so as to give a small area of intersection. Composition is forced out of the cavity through the nozzle by a suitable mechanism.

One problem encountered with the latter form of mechanism is that the crease setting composition left in the bore eventually solidifies rendering the applicator inoperable.

Furthermore, owing to the design of the bore, the blockage therein cannot be readily cleared. The result of this is that a new cartridge is needed thus wasting unused composition.

Another problem encountered with apparatus of this type concerns the depth of application of composition into the fabric of which the textile article is made. Too great a penetration is undesirable since the setting composition (usually a curable resinous material) would then be visible on the front of the garment rendering it unsightly. Conversely, too light an application results in the line of the setting composition lying on top of the fibres from where, after setting, it can easily be peeled off. Furthermore, sometimes rucking up of the fabric in the area of the nib or nozzle interferes with correct and accurate application of the setting composition within the crease line.

The invention seeks to provide a form of applicator nozzle or nib improved in the above respects.

According to the present invention there is provided a fluid dispensing applicator for crease setting compositions which comprises- a fluid reservoir, an applicator nozzle connected to the reservoir to deliver fluid therefrom, and means for urging fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle characterised in that the nozzle comprises, at its operative end, an elongate dispensing slit preceded by a guide fin and followed by a presser foot.

While the provision of a nozzle having an elongate slit is not, in itself, new, the provision of the guide fin and -presser foot are both new and improve the performance of the device. The guide fin is mounted to precede the dispensing slot, that is, in use, the guide fin will be the portion of the nozzle which first comes into contact with the fabric. The guide fin serves both to locate the nozzle accurately within the crease line and, more importantly, to prepare the fabric by smoothing it out and preventing rucking up immediately prior to the application of the setting composition throught the nozzle. The presser foot follows the nozzle, that is, in use, the presser foot comes into contact with the fabric after the setting composition has been dispensed and serves to press the composition into the surface layer of fibres of the fabric of the textile article.This ensures that the crease is durable and that the setting composition, once cured, cannot be peeled off the surface. However, of course, the presser foot is so designed so as not to cause the setting composition to 'strike through' to the front face of the fabric.

Preferably, the elongate slit is located somewhat above the line of the base of the guide fin and presser foot so that the composition is dispensed through the slit a small distance above the surface of the fabric rather than directly into the fabric. This again assists in ensuring that the composition does not 'strike through' to the front face of the fabric: the composition is laid into the crease line from the slit and pressed into the surface fibres by means of the presser foot.

The operative part of the nozzle, or 'nib', is preferably detachably mounted on the cartridge for ready replacement should it become blocked or damaged. Preferably the means of attachment includes location means so ensure that the nib is correctly aligned with the cartridge.

The presser foot is preferably smooth and rounded and may resemble the nib of a fountain pen.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial sectional end view of a dispensing cartridge; Figure 2 is an end view corresponding to figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevational view of a dispensing nib for use with the cartridge of figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front elevational view corresponding to figure 3; and Figure 5 is a top plan view corresponding to figure 3; and Figure 6 is similar view to figure 3 for use with another type of cartridge.

Referring to the drawings a fluid dispensing cartridge 10 of the same general type as that described in our European patent publication No. 67528, comprises a reservoir 12 in the form of a moulded plastics body having a nozzle 14.

At the interface between the nozzle 14 and the interior of the cartridge 12 is a weakened area 16 defined by lines of weakening 18. A detachable nib 20 is attached to the nozzle 14 after opening the cartridge 10 (as hereafter described) and fluid is urged therethrough by piston means (not shown). The nib 20 may be a push fit on the bottom of the nozzle 14 or may be attached by a suitable means such as a clip or screw. The applicator is otherwise generally as described in the above European patent publication.

The nib 20 comprises a hollow tubular body 22 terminating in an elongated slit 24. The nib 20 carries a guide fin 26 and a presser foot 28. The presser foot 28 terminates in a smooth rounded ball like projection 30.

The nib 20 has a cut out portion 32 which corresponds with a projection 34 on the nozzle 14 to locate the nib 20 with respect to the cartridge 10.

In use, the weakened portion 16 is first removed by rupturing with a spike or the like device which may be conveniently positioned on or adjacent to the work station. After the weakened area 16 has been pierced the nib 20 is fitted on to the nozzle 14 ensuring that the cut out portion 32 locates on the projection 34.

The apparatus is used as described in the above European patent publication 67528 and, in use, the guide fin 26 precedes the dispensing slit 24 and prepares the fabric for receiving the setting composition by smoothing it out and ensuring that no rucking takes place. The composition is dispensed through the slot 24 and, owing to the slot being positioned slightly above the line 36 connecting the base of the fin 26 and the base of the presser foot 28, the setting compostion is exuded just above the surface of the fabric rather than directly into it. The weight of the apparatus is thus taken by the fin and the presser foot rather than the flanks of the dispensing orifice .This ensures that there is no possibility of the setting composition striking through to the front face of the fabric and yet adequate penetration is achieved by means of the rounded projection 30 of the presser foot 28 which presses the composition into the surface fibres of the fabric ensuring that when the composition is cured the crease will be extremely durable.

The nib of figure 6 is intended to be used with the device of European patent publication No. 0059413, and like numerals have been used for like parts.

Should the nib 20 be blocked or damaged it can simply be removed and replaced since it will normally be an extremely inexpensive item moulded from, for example, plastics material. A further advantage of the construction of the invention is that if the nozzle 14 becomes blocked by resin solidifying therein it can be cleared by manipulation using a suitable tool which was not practical with the conduit arrangement of the device in European patent publication No. 0059413. When empty, the cartridge is replaced with with a fresh sealed cartridge which is simply introduced and fitted to the applicator. Moreover, the bore of the nozzle 14 is greater than that described in European patent publication No. 0059413 and contains no bend. This ensures that the setting composition is dispensed more easily.

A further advantage of the construction of the invention is that it enables a visual check to be maintained on the application process. Should too much setting agent be dispensed (e.g. by moving the applicator too slowly) visible 'tramlines' caused by the pressure nib appear on either side of the crease line, and remedial action can be taken.

Claims (8)

1. A fluid dispensing -applicator for crease setting compositions which comprises a fluid reservoir, an applicator nozzle connected to the reservoir to deliver fluid therefrom, and means for urging fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle characterised in that the nozzle comprises, at its operative end, an elongate dispensing slit preceded by a guide fin and followed by a presser foot.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the guide fin serves both to locate the nozzle accurately within the crease line and to prepare the fabric by smoothing it out immediately prior to application of the setting composition.

3. An applicator as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the presser foot serves to press the composition into the surface layer of fibres of the fabric of the textile article.

4. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the elongate slit is located somewhat above the line of the base of the guide fin and presser foot.

5. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the operative part of the nozzle is detachably mounted on the cartridge for ready replacement.

6. An applicator as claimed in claim 5 in which the means of attachment includes location means to ensure that the operative part of the nozzle is correctly aligned with the cartridge.

7. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the presser foot is smooth and rounded.

8. An applicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompnying drawings.