GB2580712A

GB2580712A - Applicator for receiving a cartridge

Info

Publication number: GB2580712A
Application number: GB1901157.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suzuki Kentaro
Original assignee: Ks Products Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Ks Products Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-28
Filing date: 2019-01-28
Publication date: 2020-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-28
Also published as: GB2580712B; GB201901157D0

Abstract

A retractable applicator 1 for receiving a cartridge (45, figure 5A). The retractable applicator comprises a cartridge reception space 3 defined between a collar 5 and an intermediate body 9. The collar and the intermediate body are interconnected by rails 11. The retractable applicator also comprises a plunger 13 configured to be moved by rotation through the intermediate body towards the collar. The rails are configured to move through the intermediate body bringing the collar towards the intermediate body. The applicator can therefore be retracted to a reduced size for storage. The applicator may be suitable for extruding material such as a sealant.

Description

TITLE

Applicator for Receiving a Cartridge

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the present disclosure relate to an applicator for receiving a cartridge. Some relate to a retractable applicator for receiving a cartridge comprising a viscous fluid, such as a sealant, which can be extruded through a nozzle of the cartridge to create beading.

BACKGROUND

Applicators comprising a spring-loaded plunger which is released by a trigger or which use a ratchet-type mechanism which is again operated by a trigger are known for use in releasing product from a cartridge. A more ergonomic mechanism which is suitable for releasing product from a cartridge and which does not occupy too much space when not in use is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a retractable applicator for receiving a cartridge. The retractable applicator comprises a cartridge reception space defined between a collar and an intermediate body. The collar and the intermediate body are interconnected by rails. The retractable applicator also comprises a plunger configured to be moved by rotation through the intermediate body towards the collar. The rails are configured to move through the intermediate body bringing the collar towards the intermediate body.

The plunger may comprise a shaft and a fixed handle that is cylindrical or conical and extends in a same direction as the shaft. Rotation of the handle by the user causes the plunger to be moved through the intermediate body.

The handle may comprise an exterior gripping surface.

The intermediate body may be cylindrical having a radius corresponding to a size of the cartridge and a length of at least 2 cm.

The intermediate body may comprise an exterior gripping surface.

The handle of the plunger may have a radius less than the radius of the intermediate body and a length greater than the length of the intermediate body.

In some examples a maximum distance that the collar can extend from the intermediate body along the rails enables placement of the cartridge in the cartridge reception space.

The collar may be configured to enable a user to select the maximum distance of the collar from the intermediate body.

The collar may be configured to move on the rails and distal stops on the rails prevent the collar leaving the rails.

The collar may comprise a plurality of different receptacles, at different distances from the intermediate body, for receiving the distal stops. The user may select the maximum distance of the collar from the intermediate body by rotating the collar to align different receptacles with the distal stops.

An interconnect between the rails may provide the distal stops.

The interconnect may be decouplable from the rails to enable disassembly of the applicator.

In some examples the rails pass through apertures in the intermediate body and proximal stops on the rails prevent the intermediate body leaving the rails.

The handle of the plunger may comprise apertures for receiving the proximal stops when the applicator is retracted.

The collar may be tiltable relative to the intermediate body.

The collar may be tiltable relative to the rails.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows an example of a retractable applicator as described herein; FIG. 2 shows an example of a plunger of the applicator as described herein; FIGS 3A to 3C show an example of a collar of the applicator as described herein; FIG. 4 shows an example of distal stops as described herein; and FIGS 5A to 5C show an example of the retractable applicator receiving a cartridge as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a retractable applicator 1 for receiving a cartridge 45 (as shown in FIGS 5A to 5C).

In some examples the cartridge 45 comprises a product such as a viscous fluid which, by use of the applicator 1, can be extruded via a nozzle 49 (as shown in FIGS 5A to 5C) to create beading. The viscous fluid may be a sealant.

The retractable applicator 1 comprises a cartridge reception space 3 defined between a collar 5 and an intermediate body 9. The collar 5 and the intermediate body 9 are interconnected by rails 11.

In some examples, there is a maximum distance that the collar 5 can extend from the intermediate body 9 along the rails 11 and this maximum distance creates a sufficient cartridge reception space 3 to enable placement of the cartridge 45 in the cartridge reception space 3, with the nozzle 49 of the cartridge 45 extending through a collar aperture 7 in the collar 5.

The retractable applicator 1 also comprises plunger 13 which is configured to be moved, by rotation, through the intermediate body 9 towards the collar 5.

The rails 11 are configured to constrain movement of the collar 5 away from the intermediate body 9 such that rotation of the plunger 13 in a first direction within the intermediate body 9 (as shown by arrow 15) advances the plunger 13 towards the collar 5 and through the cartridge reception space 3 (as shown by arrow 17). In so doing, the advance of the plunger 13 controls the release of product from the cartridge 45, when received in the cartridge reception space 3. Rotating the plunger 13 in a second direction, opposite the first direction, halts the release of product from the cartridge 45.

The rails 11 are configured to move through the intermediate body 9 bringing the collar 5 towards the intermediate body 9.

The applicator 1 can therefore be retracted to a reduced size for storage. Converting the applicator 1 between its storage configuration and its ready-to-use, operative configuration is achieved by moving the collar 5 and intermediate body 9 apart from each other, along the rails 11. Advantageously, the plunger 13 does not need to be moved with respect to the intermediate body 9 to convert the applicator 1 between its storage configuration and its ready-to-use, operative configuration.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of the plunger 13 and intermediate body 9. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates cross-sections of the plunger 13 and the intermediate body 9.

In the example of FIG. 2, the plunger 13 comprises a shaft 19 and a fixed handle 21.

In this example, the shaft 19 of the plunger 13 has a male (external) thread 23. The intermediate body 9 has a female (internal) thread 25 conforming to the male thread of the shaft 19 of the plunger 13. The two threads 23, 25 convert rotation therebetween into linear motion. For clarity, the portion of the male thread 23 within the intermediate body 9 is not shown in FIG. 2.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the shaft 19 is coupled to a cup 55 for pressing against a base 47 of the cartridge 45 (as shown in FIGS 5A to 5C). The cup 55 may in some examples be mounted to the shaft 19 via a bearing such that it does not rotate with the shaft 19.

In the example of FIG. 2, the handle 21 of the plunger 13 is cylindrical or conical and extends in a same direction as the shaft 19. The edges of the cylindrical or conical handle may be rounded off. The handle 21 comprises an exterior gripping surface 33 (an example of which can be seen in further detail in FIGS 5A to 5C). Rotation of the handle 21 by a user causes the plunger 13 to be moved through the intermediate body 9.

In this example the intermediate body 9 is also cylindrical, having a radius corresponding to a size of the cartridge 45 and a length of at least 2 cm, and in some example greater than 3 cm. Since the rails 11 move through the intermediate body 9 and the rails 11 must be spaced apart sufficiently that the cartridge 45 can be received in the cartridge reception space 3, the radius of the intermediate body 9 is greater than the radius of the cartridge 45 with which the applicator 1 can be used. The intermediate body 9 also comprises an exterior gripping surface 35 (which can be seen in further detail in FIGS 5A to 5C).

In some examples, the intermediate body 9 and the handle 21 of the plunger 13 comprise the same exterior gripping surface. This exterior gripping surface comprises features that extend in parallel to the length (which can be seen in further detail in FIGS 5A to 5C).

The radius of the intermediate body 9 is greater than the radius of the handle 21 of the plunger 13 and the length of the intermediate body 9 is shorter than the length of the handle 21 of the plunger 13.

In some example, both the intermediate body 9 and the handle 21 of the plunger 13 may be ergonomically sized in respect of their functions. In use, a user may grip the intermediate body 9 to hold it steady against the rotation applied to the plunger 13.

Thus, the intermediate body may be sized in a manner that enable a comfortable but firm grip such as an open-handed pinch. In use, the user grips the handle 21 of the plunger 13 to apply a rotation to the plunger 13. Thus, the handle 21 may be sized in a manner that most comfortably facilitates this action. For example, the handle 21 may be size to enable the user to wrap their hand more fully around the handle 21. It is also to be appreciated that the user may apply a rotation to the intermediate body 9 to provide a wringing action between the intermediate body 9 and handle 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rails 11 pass through apertures 27 in the intermediate body 9. The apertures 27 may be sized to inhibit rotation of the intermediate body 9 with respect to the rails 11.

Movement of the rails 11 through the apertures 27 in the intermediate body 9 enable the applicator 1 to be retracted for storage of the applicator 1 by means of relative movement of the intermediate body 9, along the rails 11, towards the collar 5 to reduce the cartridge reception space 3, in the absence of a cartridge 45.

In some examples the rails 11 are freely movable in at least one direction through the apertures in the intermediate body 9. In other examples, the applicator 1 may comprise means for locking the rails 11 against movement such that in a locked configuration, the rails 11 inhibited from moving though the apertures 27 and in an unlocked configuration, movement of rails 11 though the apertures 27 is enabled.

As shown in FIG. 2 there is provided proximal stops 29 on the rails 11. The proximal stops 29 prevent the intermediate body 9 leaving the rails 11. The proximal stops 29 are sized and/or shaped so as to not fit through the apertures 27 in the intermediate body 9.

In some examples, the handle 21 of the plunger 13 comprises apertures 31 for receiving the proximal stops 29 when the applicator 1 is retracted.

Since the rails 11 have a fixed length, the position of the apertures 31 in the handle 21 sets a maximum distance between the collar 5 and the handle 21 of the plunger 13 when the proximal stops 29 are received in the apertures 31. Furthermore, in some examples, the distance between opposing proximal stops 29 is less than the diameter of the handle 21. Therefore, in such examples, the rails 11 must be flexed outwards away from the handle 21 to enable the proximal stops 29 to be brought into alignment with the apertures 31. This in turn sets a minimum distance between the intermediate body 9 and the handle 21 for storage, because if the intermediate body 9 is closer to the handle 21 than this minimum distance, the rails 11 will not be able to flex enough without sustaining damage.

When the proximal stops 29 are received in the apertures 31 in the handle 21 of the plunger 13, separation of the intermediate body 9 and the collar 5 is inhibited until the proximal stops 29 are disengaged from the apertures 31. The proximal stops 29 and the corresponding apertures 31 are profiled to resist disengagement when the rails 11 are under tension due to a force in a direction which would otherwise separate the collar 5 and intermediate body 9. In the example of FIG. 2, the proximal stops 29 are formed as hooks which extend substantially perpendicular to the length of the rails 11. To disengage such proximal stops 29 from the apertures 31, the rails 11 have to be flexed outwards, away from the handle 21.

FIGS 3A to C schematically illustrate an example in which the collar 5 is configured to enable a user to select the maximum distance of the collar 5 from the intermediate body 9.

In some examples, the collar 5 is configured to move on the rails 11 and distal stops 39 on the rails 11 (shown in more detail in FIG. 4) prevent the collar 5 leaving the rails 11.

The collar 5 comprises a plurality of different receptacles 37, at different distances from the intermediate body 9, for receiving the distal stops 39. In the example of FIGS 3A to C the different receptacles 37 are formed as notches in respective steps in a stepped profile with which a portion of the collar 5 is formed.

The user can select a maximum distance of the collar 5 from the intermediate body 9 by rotating the collar 5 to align different receptacles 37 with the distal stops 39. Rotation of the collar 5 may be enabled by one or more apertures 43 (shown in FIG. 4) in the collar 5 which extend at least partially around the collar 5 and through which the rails 11 extend.

In FIG. 3A, the distal stops 39 are aligned with the receptacle 37 which is the least far from the intermediate body 9 (not shown). Thus, this configuration provides the greatest maximum distance of the collar 5 from the intermediate body 9.

The user can rotate the collar 5 between the configuration of FIG. 3A and the configurations of FIG. 3B and 3C.

In FIG. 3C, the distal stops 39 are aligned with a receptacle 37 which is the furthest from the intermediate body 9 (not shown). Thus, this configuration provides the smallest maximum distance of the collar 5 from the intermediate body 9.

FIG. 3B shows a configuration which provides an intermediate maximum distance of the collar 5 from the intermediate body 9.

When the distal stops 39 engage the receptacles 37, the rails 11 are inhibited from rotating with respect to the collar 5. The rails 11 are therefore configured to constrain rotation of the collar 5 relative to the body 9, when the collar 5 is at the maximum distance from the intermediate body 9.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example of the distal stops 39. In this example an interconnect 41 between the rails 11 provides the distal stops 39.

In some examples, the interconnect 41 is decouplable from the rails 11 to enable disassembly of the applicator 1.

The interconnect 41 is formed with a curved profile. This curved profile means that it does not obstruct the opening of the collar aperture 7 whilst performing its function of interconnecting opposing rails 11. Therefore, the nozzle 49 (shown in FIGS 5A to 5C) of the cartridge 45 can extend through the collar aperture 7 unobstructed.

The interconnect 41 is further formed with hooks 40 at either end which provide means for coupling to the rails 11 via apertures 42 through the rails 11. When inserted through these apertures 42, the hooks 40 provide the distal stops 39.

In some examples the hooks 40 are profiled to bend back towards the interconnect 41. This profile and the sizing of the apertures 42 through the rails 11 in combination prevent decoupling of the interconnect 41 from the rails 11 whilst the apertures 42 through the rails 11 are level with each other. By extending at least one of the rails 11 through the collar 5 such that the length of the portions of the rails 11 extending beyond the collar are mismatched and the apertures 42 through the rails are not level with each other, the hook 40 coupled to the more extended rail 11 can be angled with respect to the corresponding aperture 42 such that it can pass through that aperture 42 and thus the rails 11 can be decoupled.

In some examples and depending on the profile of the hooks 40, to enable the aforementioned decoupling method, the rails may be required to flex to maintain or reduce the distance between the apertures 42 as compared to the distance therebetween when the apertures 42 are level with each other.

FIGS 5A to 5C schematically illustrate the insertion of the cartridge 45 into the cartridge reception space 3 and the use of the applicator 1 to control release of product from the cartridge 45.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in some examples, the collar 5 is tiltable relative to the intermediate body 9. Advantageously, this enables the nozzle 49 to be inserted through the collar aperture 7 (as shown by arrow 51) before the cartridge 45 is placed into the cartridge reception space 3. As a result, the collar aperture 7 can be formed as a closed channel, thus giving better support to the cartridge 45 than an open channel, whilst not requiring an increase in the space between the intermediate body 9 and the collar 5 to accommodate for insertion of the cartridge 45 into such as closed channel.

To achieve tilting of the collar 5 relative to the intermediate body 9, the collar 5 may be tiltable relative to the rails 11. The one or more apertures 43 in the collar 5 through which the rails 11 extend can be sized to facilitate the required amount of tilting between the collar 5 and the rails 11 for enabling the nozzle 49 to be inserted through the collar aperture 7.

As shown in FIG. 5B, once the nozzle 49 has been inserted through the collar aperture 7, the cartridge 45 can be placed into the cartridge reception space 3 by tilting the collar 5 back into a position in which it is parallel to the intermediate body 9 (as shown by arrow 53). In some examples, the cartridge 45 can be secured in this position by rotating the collar 5, as per FIGS 3A to 3C, to reduce the maximum distance between the collar 5 and the intermediate body 9. In other examples the plunger 13 may be advanced into contact with a base 47 of the cartridge to clamp the cartridge 45 between the plunger 13 and the collar 5.

To release product from the cartridge 45, the plunger 13 is advanced into the cartridge reception space 3. The cup 55 exerts a force against the base 47 of the cartridge 45, increasing pressure within the cartridge 45. This pressure within the cartridge 45 causes product to be released from the cartridge 45 via the nozzle 49. As the product is released, the pressure within the cartridge 45 deceases. To continue to release product from the cartridge, the plunger is further advanced into the cartridge reception space 3 to maintain increased pressure. The base 47 of the cartridge is therefore moved towards the collar 5 as illustrated in FIG. 5C.

Once the user has finished releasing product from the cartridge 45, the plunger 13 is reversed back through the intermediate body 9 so as to enable the cartridge 45 to be removed from the cartridge reception space 3. The rails 11 are then moved through the intermediate body 9 to bring the collar 5 towards the intermediate body 9 for storage. The plunger 13 does not need to be advanced, again, through the intermediate body 9 to reduce the total length of the applicator 1 (e.g., the length between the end faces of the handle 21 and collar 5).

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

The collar 5 may be formed from metal which provides the advantage of being robust and relatively inexpensive. The collar 5 may alternatively be formed from plastics which can be more easily shaped so as, for example, to provide the different receptacles 37 at different distances from the intermediate body 9 as shown in FIGS 3A to 3C. The collar 5 may be formed from degradable materials including biodegradable plastics.

The intermediate body 9 may be formed from metal which provides the advantage of being robust and resistant to wear, particularly with regards to the female (internal) thread 25. The intermediate body 9 may alternatively be formed from plastics which may cause less wear on the plunger 13 if it is formed of a non-metallic material. The intermediate body 9 may be formed from degradable materials including biodegradable plastics or wood which has low mass.

The plunger 13 may be formed from metal which provides the advantage of being robust and resistant to wear, particularly with regards to the male (external) thread 25.

The collar 5 may alternatively be formed from plastics which may cause less wear on the intermediate body 9 if it is formed of a non-metallic material. The plunger 13 may be formed from degradable materials including biodegradable plastics or wood. Wood provides advantages of low mass, simple manufacturing without concerns regarding molding artifacts or deformation, and is sufficiently robust for the present purpose.

The term "comprise" is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use "comprise" with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one..." or by using "consisting".

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term "example" or "for example" or "can" or "may" in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus "example", "for example", "can" or "may" refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

The term "a" or "the" is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use "a" or "the" with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of "at least one" or "one or more" may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer and exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A retractable applicator for receiving a cartridge comprising: a cartridge reception space defined between a collar and an intermediate body, wherein the collar and the intermediate body are interconnected by rails; a plunger configured to be moved by rotation through the intermediate body towards the collar; wherein the rails are configured to move through the intermediate body bringing the collar towards the intermediate body.
2. The retractable applicator of claim 1 wherein the plunger comprises a shaft and a fixed handle that is cylindrical and extends in a same direction as the shaft, the handle comprising an exterior gripping surface, and wherein rotation of the handle by the user causes the plunger to be moved through the intermediate body.
3. The retractable applicator of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the intermediate body is cylindrical having a radius corresponding to a size of the cartridge and a length of at least 2 cm and comprises an exterior gripping surface.
4. The retractable applicator of claim 3 when dependent on claim 2 wherein the handle of the plunger has a radius less than the radius of the intermediate body and a length greater than the length of the intermediate body.
5. The retractable applicator of any preceding claim wherein a maximum distance that the collar can extend from the intermediate body along the rails enables placement of the cartridge in the cartridge reception space.
6. The retractable applicator of claim 5 wherein the collar is configured to enable a user to select the maximum distance of the collar from the intermediate body.
7. The retractable applicator of claim 6 wherein the collar is configured to move on the rails and distal stops on the rails prevent the collar leaving the rails.
8. The retractable applicator of claim 7 wherein the collar comprises a plurality of different receptacles, at different distances from the intermediate body, for receiving the distal stops, wherein the user selects the maximum distance of the collar from the intermediate body by rotating the collar to align different receptacles with the distal stops.
9. The retractable applicator of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein an interconnect between the rails provides the distal stops, wherein the interconnect is decouplable from the rails to enable disassembly of the applicator.
10. The retractable applicator of any preceding claim wherein the rails pass through apertures in the intermediate body and proximal stops on the rails prevent the intermediate body leaving the rails.
11. The retractable applicator of claim 10 when dependent on claim 2 wherein the handle of the plunger comprises apertures for receiving the proximal stops when the applicator is retracted.
12. The retractable applicator of any preceding claim wherein the collar is tiltable relative to the intermediate body.
13. The retractable applicator of claim 12 wherein the collar is tiltable relative to the rails.