GB2343882A

GB2343882A - Apparatus for dispensing a substance from a flexible walled tube

Info

Publication number: GB2343882A
Application number: GB9927323A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Anderson; Adam Timothy Laws
Original assignee: UNIKA
Current assignee: UNIKA
Priority date: 1998-11-18
Filing date: 1999-11-18
Publication date: 2000-05-24
Also published as: DE19955228A1; AUPP719098A0; GB9927323D0

Abstract

A device for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube 50 comprises first 4 and second 6 surfaces which between them define a space for the tube 50, and which may be moved together in order to put pressure on the tube 50 and thus dispense the contents in a controlled manner. A trigger member 3 is rotatably attached to a body part 2 of the device at point 12, and has a cam surface 5 which contacts the first surface 4 and causes it to move towards the second surface 6. The second surface 6 is integrally formed with the body portion 2 of the device. A pin 9 on the trigger may co-operate with a finger 8 on the body portion 2, to provide mechanical engagement between the moving plate 4 and the trigger 3, and to guide the trigger 3. The device is intended for hand held actuation.

Description

TITLE: APPARATS FOR DISPENSING A FLOWABLE SUBSTANCE FROM A FLEXIBLE WALLED TUBE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to dispensing apparatus, and in particular to appararus for dispensing flowable substances from a tube. The invention has particular application to dispensing flowable substances from flexible walled tubes.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Tubes of this type are typically made from a tube of flexible material which is sealed along an edge at one end and provided with an outlet port at the opposing end.

The tube is nonnally provided with a nozzle tip of decreasing diameter that is attachable to the outlet port. In order to dispense a flowable substance from this type of tube the walls of the tube are squeezed so thamhe internal volume of the tube is reduced, thereby forcing the substance f : rom the tube. Flexible walled tubes are commonly used for packaging many types of flowable substances, such as, for example, adhesives and sealants.

Dispensing flowable substances from flexible walled tubes can pose a number of problems. Firstly, it is often difficult to obtain a uniform and continuous flow of material from the tube, especially as the tube is gradually emptied or in situations where the opening of the tube cannot be anale downwardly so as to enable gravity to assist in the dispensing of the flowable material. Furthermore, there is often difficulty in dispensing the final portion of the flowable material from the tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

To this end, the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube, the dispenser including a first member and a second member which define a space therebetween for accommodating said tube, said first member movable relative to said second member, said dispenser further including a trigger which, when actuated, causes said first member to move and reduce the space between said first member and said second member and thereby apply pressure to the tube in order to dispense contents thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube, the dispenser including a trigger which causes a movable plate to move and reduce a gap between said movable plate and a fixed surface of the dispenser to thereby apply pressure to the tube in order to dispense the contents thereof.

In essence, the movement of the trigger causes the movable plate to move towards the fixed surface and thereby reduce the gap between the fixed surface of the dispenser and the movable plate. This causes pressure to be applied to the flexible walled section of the tube in order to dispense the contents of the tube in a controlled manner.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing flowable substances from a tube which may be relative economically manufactured.

The dispenser is relative simple in construction and is easy to use by hand, so that a continuos bead of flowable material can be produced upon a target surface.

One advantageous feature of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube which can be operatcd with a single hand.

A yet further advantageous feature of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube which can progressively squeeze the flexible walled section of the tube from its rearward end toward its forward end with sufficient force to ensure that the tube can be almost totally excavated of its contents without the need to position the tube within the dispenser as the tube is progressively emptied.

Prererably, the trigger member includes a cam surface which acts upon the moving plate.

Preferably, the dispenser includes a body portion to which the trigger is rotatably mounted.

Preferably, the body portion includes the fixed surface.

Preferably, the dispenser can be configure to provide visibility of the dispensing outlet of the flexible walled tube in order to ensure that it is accurately positioned.

Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to thosc skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration, of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realised, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details arc capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention.

Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions arc to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIES DESCRIPTION OF 1TE DRAWINGS The various aspects of the present invention wiU now be described, by way of example only, with refercnce to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 depicts a side elevation of a first preferred embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention, with a flexible walled tube of a flowable substance shown in ghost and positioned within the dispenser; Fig 2 depicts a side elevation of the embodiment of the dispenser shown in Fig 1, with the dispenser having been actuated in order to dispense the contents of the flexible walled tube ; Figs 3a to 3f depict side, top, end, bottom and sectional views respectively of a preferred embodiment of the main body of the dispenser; Figs 4a to 4e depict various side and section views of a preferred embodirnent of the trigger member of the dispenser ; Figs Sa to 5f depict various views of a preferred embodiment of the moving plate member of the dispenser ; Figs 6a to 6e depict various views of an adjusunent plate for use in a preferred embodiment of the dispenser ; and Fig 7 illustrates a cross-sectioned elevation view of an assembled dispenser comprising the components depicted in Figs 3a to 3f, 4a to 4e, 5a to 5f, and 6a to 6e.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS) Referring to Fig 1, a preferred embodiment of the dispenser I according to the present invention is depicted and is shown in an"open" (non-dispensing) position. A tube 50 which includes a flexible walled body 51 and containing a flowable substance is shown in ghost position within the dispenser. Fig 2 depicts the dispenser after having been actuated to dispense the flowable substance from the tube.

The dispenser 1 includes a main body portion 2 to which is mounted a trigger member 3. The trigger member 3 is rotatably mounted on the body of the dispenser around axis 12 and is movable between a first position as shown in Fig. 1 and a second position as shown in Fig. 2 in order to effect dispensing of the contents of a flexible walled tube held in the dispenser.

The dispenser 1 further includes a plate member 4 mounted on the body portion 2 of the dispenser and movable relative thereto. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the plate member 4 is pivotably mounted at one end 7 to the body 2 of the dispenser.

The body portion 2 of the dispenser includes a fixed member, or wall, 6. The fixed wall 6, in conjunction with the movable plate 4, act to define a space therebetween into which a flexible walled tube may be located. More particularly, in the preferred embodiment depicted, the fixed wall 6 and the movable plate 4 are at an angle so as to define a tapered space therebetween for accommodating the flexible walled section 51 of the tube 5Q. Importantly, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the fixed wall 6 and the movable plate 4 are sized so as to define a space therebetween which accommodates the substantial portion of the flexible walled section 51 of the tube so as to enable most, if not all, of the contents of the tube 50 to be dispensed without the need to position the tube within the dispenser as it is progressively emptied.

The trigger member 3 includes a cam surface 5 which, upon rotation of the handle 3, acts upon the movable plate 4 so as to move it towards a fixed wall 6 of the body of the dispenser, thereby reducing the space therebetween and applying pressure to the flexible walls of the tube. Preferably the cam surface 5 is integrally formed on the trigger member 3. Preferably the cam surface 5 on the trigger 3 directly acts on the movable plate 4. Importantly, the cam surface 5 has a curved profile which causes the point of contact on the movable plate to shift towards the from of the dispenser as the trigger is squeezed. Advantageously, this action provides an improved mechanical advantage when emptying the final contents of the tube. When the user recases pressure on the trigger, the pressure on the flexible wall section of the tube is released and there is a near instant cut off in material flow from the tube.

Preferably, the dispenser includes a retaining means, such as a clip or the like, to retain the flexible wallcd tube within the dispenser. For example, the moving plate 4 may include a retaining means for holding the tube. Alternatively, the fixed wall of the dispenser may be configured to retain the tube in position within the dispenser.

In the preferred embodiment of the dispenser shown in Figs 1 and 2, the moving plate 4 is provided with a finger 8 which cooperates with a corresponding pin or lug 9 on the trigger 3 to provide mechanical engagement between the moving plate 4 and the trigger member 3 and guide the trigger as it rotates. The finger 8 may also be configure to provide sufficient friction to lock the trigger in a closed position as shown in Fig 2.

Figs 3a to 3f depict various views of a preferred embodiment of the main body 2 of the dispenser. Preferably, the body 2 is formed from a moulded plastics material such as, for example, glass-reinforced plastic. The body includes a handle portion 10 sized and shaped for hand held actuation of the dispenser by a user. As previously menuoned the body portion 2 includes a fixed upper wall 6 against which a tube is seated whcn held in the dispenser. The body portion further includes a integrally formed mount 11 for the trigger of the dispenser. The mount includes suitably sized holes or recesses 12 into which mounting lugs carried on the trigger member are inserted so as to provide for pivoting movement of the trigger relative to the body of the dispenser. The body of the dispenser further includes opposing apertures 13a, 13b for connecting the moving plate member 4 to the body. The apertures 13a, 13b receive correspondingly sized lugs on the moving plate 4 to provide for movement of the plaie member relative to the fixed wall 6 on the main body. Preferably ; the apertures 13a, 13b are elongated in the manner shown so as to provide for a degree of translational movement for the moving plate 4 in addition to rotational movement. In this way, the moving plate can move relative to the fixed wall in a manner which cnables continuos and even dispensing of a flowable material from a flexible walled tube.

Figs 4a to 4e depict various views of a preferred embodiment of the trigger member 3 of the dispenser. The trigger member 3 is preferably moulded from a suitable plastics material. The trigger mcmber preferably includes lugs 15 for mounting the trigger to the body of the dispenser. The trigger further includes a surface 16 suitably sized and shaped for gripping by the hand of a user. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the trigger includes an integrally formed cam surface 5. As mentioned above, the cam surface 5 has a curved profile shaped such that as the trigger membcr is squeezed and rotates towards the handle of the dispenser, the contact point between the cam surface 5 and the movable plate 4 shifts progressively away from the handle. In use, as the trigger is pulled by a user the cam surface 5 acts upon the moving plate 4 of the dispenser to move the plate 4 relative to the fixed wall 6 of the body of the dispenser, thereby producing a squeezing action on a flexible walled tube position between the moving plate and the fixed wall of the dispenser. In accordance with a further preferred aspect of the invention, the trigger member 3 is provided wilh a pin or lug 9 which engages with a corresponding finger or tongue 17 on the moving plate member 4 to provide a degree of mechanical engagement between the two components.

Figs 5a to 5f depict various views of a preferred embodiment of the moving plate member 4 of the dispenser. The plate member 4 is adapted to be pivotably mounted on the body of the dispenser by means of lugs or pins 16a, 16b which are received in corresponding apertures 13a, 13b on the body portion 2. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the moving plate further includes a tongue 17 which cooperates with a corresponding pin located on the trigger member so as to provide for positive engagement between the respective components.

Figs 6a to 6e depict various views of an adjustment plate 20 which may be used in conjunction with a preferred embodiment of the dispenser. Advantageously, the adjustment plate 20 enables the dispenser 1 to accommodate a range of sizes of flexible walled tubes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the adjustment plate 20 is adapted to be fitted to the plate member 4. More particularly, the adjustment plate 20 is provided with a pair of opposing grooves 21,22 which respectively engage with opposing edges 23a, 23b of an open-ended slot 23 provided in the plate member 4 shown in Figs 5a to 5f. A lower surface of the adjustment plate is provided with a series of recesses or indents 24 into which a matingly-shaped protrusion or lug 25 carried on a tongue 26 of the plate member 4 engages. In this way, the adjustment plate 20 can be moved to a variety of defined positions along the length of the slot 23.

The adjustment plate 20 additonally includes a wall 27 which acts as a stop against which the sealed end of the flexible walled tube abuts when position in the dispenser. In this way, the adjustment plate 20 can be used to enable the dispenser to accommodate tubes of a range of lengths.

Fig 7 is a cross-sectioned side view of an assembled dispenser comprising the components depicted in Figs 3a to 3f, 4a to 4e, 5a to 5f, and 6a to 6c.

Advantageously, the various components of the dispenser can be produced from moulded plastics or the like, thereby reducing the cost of manufacture. This can also provide additional functional and aesthetic advantages, such as improved durability and finish.

In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the dispenser may bc manufactured so as to consist of three principle components; namely, the main body portion including a fixed plate and handle, the movable plate member, and the trigger member.

Whilst the present invention has been described with reference 10 a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many alternative forms.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A dispenser for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube, the dispenser including a first member and a second member which define a space therebetween for accommodating said tube, said first membcr movable relative to said second member, said dispenser further including a trigger which, when actuated, causes said first member to move and reduce the spacc between said first member and said second member and thereby apply pressure to the tube in order to dispense contents thereof.
2. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein the trigger includes a cam surface which acts upon the first mcmber.
3. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein the dispenser includes a body portion to which the trigger is rotatably mounted.
4. The dispenser as defined in claim 3 wherein the body portion includes the fixed surface.
5. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein the dispenser is adapted for hand held actuation.
6. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein the first member is pivotably mounted at one end to the body of the dispenser.
7. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 whercin the first and second members define a tapered space therebetween to accommodate the flexible walled tube.
8. A hand held dispenser for dispensing a flowable substance from a flexible walled tube, said dispenser including a body portion, and a first and second member which define a tapered space therebetween for accommodating said tube, said first member being pivotably mounted at one end to the body of the dispenser and movabi relative to said second member, said dispenser further including a trigger rotatably mounted to the body portion, said trigger including a cam surface which acts upon said first member such that the trigger, when actuated, causes said first member to move and reduce the space between said first member and said second member to thereby apply pressure Lo the flexible walls of the tube in order to dispense contents thereof.