WO2014001762A1

WO2014001762A1 - Adhesive applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2014001762A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/051595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Joseph SLEVIN; Adam Michael ROBINSON; Thomas William EALES
Original assignee: Disruptive Adhesives Limited
Priority date: 2012-06-27
Filing date: 2013-06-19
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: GB201211382D0; GB2518574A; GB201501332D0; GB2518574B

Abstract

An adhesive applicator comprises: (i) an outer tube having first and second ends; (ii) an elongate adhesive rod assembly incorporating a rod of adhesive material and being co-axially mounted within the outer tube, said adhesive rod assembly having a first end provided by the first end of the adhesive rod by which adhesive is applied to a substrate, and a second end; (iii) a removable cap for closing the first end of the outer tube, said adhesive rod assembly being slidably mounted in the outer tube so that the first end of the rod may be advanced or withdrawn past the first end of the tube when the cap is removed, wherein the outer tube is adapted to allow direct finder access to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly for the application of finger pressure thereto to advance the first end of the rod pas the first end of the tube.

Description

ADHESIVE APPLICATOR

The present invention relates to adhesive applicators of the type frequently referred to as "glue sticks".

Adhesive applicators of the type known as "glue sticks" comprise a rod (usually cylindrical) of adhesive material located within a plastics tubular body which may be of circular or other cross-section. One end of the body is fitted with a removable cap. The applicator further comprises a screw mechanism providing for axial movement of the rod along the body and retaining the rod at a selected position. Thus, in use of the applicator, the cap is removed and the rod is advanced by rotating the mechanism so that the rod projects from the now open end of the body. The tip of the rod may then be run along a substrate (e.g. a sheet of paper) to which adhesive is to be applied.

Conventional adhesive applicators as detailed above have found widespread use and are produced in their millions every year. However the plastics content of the tubular body together with that of the screw mechanism is comparatively high in relation to the adhesive stick content; so production of many millions of the adhesive applicators each year is associated with a significant "carbon footprint" and environmental impact.

Adhesive applicators with replaceable adhesive rods have been proposed, e.g. disclosed in US Patent No. 5 997 201. One embodiment of this applicator (as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings of U.S. Patent No. 5 997 201) comprises an outer casing in which the adhesive rod is slidably mounted so that an end (the "first end") of the rod may be extended beyond the casing for the purpose of applying adhesive to a substrate. Slidable movement of the adhesive rod is allowed, and provided for, by virtue on the one hand of a narrow, elongate slot extending along the casing in a direction parallel to the axis thereof and on the other hand a "slider" (e.g. in the form of a small knob) which is provided on a removable mounting at the second end of the rod and which projects through the slot. The slider may be moved by the finger or thumb of a user relatively along the slot to advance and retract the adhesive rod as required. A further feature of the applicator construction disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 of US Patent No. 5 997 201 is that the adhesive rod is sheathed along its length with a tubular thin film material and that the first end of the adhesive rod is mounted within the casing such that as the rod is advanced the sheathing originally at the first end of the rod is held and gathered within the casing to allow an unsheathed portion of the adhesive rod to be advanced. Retraction of the rod allows the gathered material to unfurl and recover the previously unsheathed portion.

To allow for replacement of the adhesive rod, the casing is hinged along its length. To replace a depleted rod, the casing is opened to allow the depleted rod (with attached slider) to be removed. The slider is then removed form the depleted rod and fitted to the fresh rod (which has sheathing material along its length) and the combination of the replacement rod and slider inserted in the casing.

Overall, the construction of adhesive applicator disclosed in US Patent No. 5 997 201 is relatively complicated and (whilst having the advantage that the adhesive rod is replaceable) would require a significant "carbon footprint" for the manufacture of large quantities that is similar to current glue stick mechanisms.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide adhesive applicators which are of simple construction and whose manufacture is associated with a significantly reduced "carbon footprint" by comparison with conventional adhesive applicators.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an adhesive applicator comprising:

(i) an outer tube having first and second ends,

(ii) an elongate adhesive rod assembly incorporating a rod of adhesive material and being co-axially mounted within the outer tube, said adhesive rod assembly having a first end provided by the first end of the adhesive rod by which adhesive is applied to a substrate, and a second end,

(iii) a removable cap for closing the first end of the outer tube, said adhesive rod assembly being slidably mounted in the outer tube so that the first end of the rod may be advanced or withdrawn past the first end of the tube when the cap is removed wherein the outer tube is adapted to allow direct finger or thumb access to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly for the application of finger or thumb pressure thereto to advance the first end of the rod past the first end

Adhesive applicators in accordance with the first aspect of the invention are wholly manually actuable by allowing for direct access of the finger of a user to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly. With the cap of the applicator removed, finger pressure applied to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly allows the free ("first") end of the adhesive rod to be advanced out of the tube for application of adhesive to a substrate in the conventional manner. Preferably the adhesive applicator is such that, with the rod in the extended position, there is frictional resistance between the outer surface of the rod and the inner surface of the tube which inhibits retraction of the rod whilst glue is being applied, although it is of course possible to maintain additional finger or thumb pressure on the second end of the rod to ensure no retraction thereof during application of adhesive. The adhesive rod may be returned to within the tube either by applying sufficient pressure to the free end of the rod or by "pulling-back" on the second end of the adhesive rod assembly.

Conveniently, the second end of the rod is provided with an actuator member which is fixed to the second end and to which the finger pressure may be applied to cause the rod to be advanced from the tube. The actuator member may, for example, be in the form of a body (e.g. a disc or disc-like member) having a surface to which the finger pressure is applied. This surface may, for example, be an undersurface (preferably flat) of the actuator to which finger or thumb pressure may be applied to advance the rod. If the aforementioned actuator member is provided at the second end of the rod, then the actuator member may have a finger- (or thumb-) grip portion which the user can employ to "pull-back" on the adhesive rod and effect retraction thereof.

Since no mechanism is required for advancement or retraction of the adhesive rod, there is a considerable reduction in the amount of materials required for the production of the adhesive applicator (as compared to conventional applicators). Thus adhesive applicators in accordance with the invention may be manufactured with a significantly reduced "carbon footprint" as compared to conventional applicators and will also have a significantly reduced environmental impact. For all embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the cap may be a "snap-fit" on the tube or adhesive rod assembly.

The tube may be of circular or other cross-section, as may be the adhesive rod. For many embodiments of adhesive applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the portion of the tube adjacent the first end thereof will (as seen in transverse cross-section) have a continuous wall so as completely to surround the adhesive rod. In other embodiments, this portion of the tube may be split or of C- shaped or other appropriate section. These latter possibilities are particular appropriate for embodiments of the invention in which the adhesive rod assembly is provided as a replaceable cartridge (see below) since they can facilitate insertion of a replacement cartridge.

In preferred embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the wall of the outer tube is formed with an elongate finger access slot extending in the axial direction of the tube. Such a slot permits ready finger access to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly to apply finger pressure thereto for advancing the rod. It is particularly convenient that this finger access slot is open at the second end of the tube so that even with the adhesive rod assembly full retracted it is possible for the user to apply his or her finger to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly without any further manipulation of the applicator.

In some embodiments of the applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the interior surface of the outer tube is configured to remove sheath material from the adhesive rod as the first end is advanced past the first end of the tube. Preferably such applicators are further configured such that sheath material removed from the adhesive rod as the first end thereof is advanced past the first end of the tube is replaced onto the rod as the latter is retracted. In other embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the applicator is such that sheath material is advanced beyond the first end of the tube for subsequent manual removal from around the adhesive rod. A still further possibility is that the sheath material is advanced beyond the first end of the tube and may be withdrawn (retracted) along the rod. Such withdrawal (retraction) is preferably reversible. Adhesive applicators in accordance with the invention (which may either be disposable or such that the adhesive rod assembly is a replaceable cartridge) preferably have at least a major portion of the length of the adhesive rod enclosed by a removable or retractable sheath material. In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the interior surface of the outer tube is configured to remove or retract sheath material from the adhesive rod as the first end is advanced past the first end of the tube. The applicator may be such that sheathing material removed or retracted from that end of the rod remains gathered within the tube until such time as that end of the rod is withdrawn back into the outer tube and re-sheathed by the gathered material. This sheathing material (in combination with the cap fitted over the outer tube) serves to prevent "drying-out" of the adhesive material through exposure to air. This is particularly important given that the outer tube is configured to allow direct finger access to the adhesive rod assembly since (without the sheathing) portions of the adhesive rod may be exposed directly to the atmosphere through the access opening and therefore prone to drying out.

For the purpose of removing or retracting sheath material from the first end of the adhesive rod as it is advanced (and gathering the removed material within the outer tube) the interior surface of the outer tube adjacent the first end may be provided with an internal flange around its interior surface with the flange facing towards the second end of the tube and defining an enlarged space within the tube. Furthermore, the end of the sheath is attached to the inner wall of the tube between the flange and the first end of the tube. Since the sheath is attached to the wall of the tube, it (the sheath) is retained within the tube as the free end of the adhesive rod is advanced beyond the first end of the tube. Sheath material removed from the rod is able to gather in the space defined by the flange.

The sheathing material for this embodiment of the invention (in which the sheathing material may be removed and gathered as described) may for example be a randomly foldable material (e.g. a thin plastics film). Alternatively, the sheath may be formed with axially compressible folds (e.g. "concertina-like" folds) whereby the gathered sheath material "collapses" in a pre-defined way (i.e. by closure of the folds), rather than in a random way as obtained by the use of a thin film material. The concept of removing and gathering the sheath material as described lends itself well to an adhesive applicator in which the adhesive rod assembly is in the form of a replaceable cartridge. Such a cartridge may comprise a ring located around the first end of the rod with the ring being removably fixed within the outer tube towards the first end thereof and serving to provide the internal flange that serves to gather sheathing material removed from the adhesive rod. The outer surface of the ring and the inner surface of the outer tube may be configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with each other allowing the cartridge to be removed from the applicator and replaced by a fresh cartridge. Alternatively, the releasable engagement may be means of a screw arrangement, a twist-lock arrangement or a clamp-lock arrangement.

Such a replacement cartridge thus preferably comprises an adhesive rod, a removable sheath material provided along the length of the rod, and a ring provided around one end of the rod and holding sheathing material between itself and the rod, said rod being a close sliding fit within the ring and said ring having on its outer peripheral surface a formation for releasable engagement with a complementary formation on the inner surface of said outer tube. A further possibility is that the ring may additionally be configured for releasable snap fit engagement with the removable cap as to provide for closure of the adhesive rod assembly independently to the outer tube.

In other embodiments of applicator employing a replacement cartridge, the portion of the tube adjacent the first end thereof may (as seen in transverse cross-section) be split or of C-shaped or other appropriate cross-section to facilitate insertion of a replacement cartridge transversely into the tube.

In other embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the applicator is such that sheathing material is not removed from the adhesive rod and gathered within the outer tube but rather is advanced "bodily" with the rod. In these embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the sheathing material is such that it may be removed from around a portion of the adhesive rod projecting beyond the outer tube. Thus, for example, the sheathing material may be a plain material that is readily tearable but other configurations are possible which are designed to facilitate removal of the sheath material. Thus, for example, the sheath may be formed in axially separate subsections that are connected by lines of weakness, e.g. thinner portions of the sheath material, perforations, score-lines or the like. Such lines of weakness facilitate removal of individual sub-sections of the sheath as required. Details of further possibilities of constructions of sheath from which portions may be removed are detailed below in relation to the second aspect of the invention. A further possibility (also disclosed below in relation to the second aspect of the invention) is for the cap to be provided with a cutting mechanism whereby rotation of the cap relative to the sheath performs a cutting operation on the sheath to allow removal of a portion thereof. A still further possibility is that the sheathing material is one that can be withdrawn (retracted) along the adhesive rod so as progressively to expose sections thereof as the rod becomes depleted. Suitable constructions of such sheaths are described below in relation to the second aspect of the invention.

As indicated above, the second end of the adhesive rod may be provided with an actuator element. If desired, the outer tube and the applicator may be co-adapted to provide a locking mechanism for selectively retaining the adhesive rod at a desired position. This prevents unwanted retraction of rod during adhesive application without the need for maintaining any finger or thumb pressure on the actuator. The locking mechanism may incorporate "snap past" points integrated in the tube at intervals along the length thereof.

The second aspect of the invention provides an adhesive applicator comprising:

(i) a rod of adhesive material having first and second ends,

(ii) a tubular sheath provided around the rod and extending along at least a major portion of the length thereof, said tubular sheath having first and second ends adjacent to the first and second ends of the rod respectively, said second end of the sheath and the second end of the rod being fixed relative to each other, and

(iii) a cap removably located at the first end of the tubular sheath and in frictional engagement with the sheath wherein the cap and the sheath are co-adapted such that as the adhesive rod is depleted previously sheathed portions thereof may be exposed for use and the cap is capable of being maintained in frictional engagement with the sheath or an original part thereof. In the adhesive applicators of the second aspect of the invention, the second end of the adhesive rod and the second end of the outer tube are fixed relative to each other. Thus the adhesive rod is not advanced in the same sense as described above for the first aspect of the invention where the second end of the rod is moved relatively along the outer tube. Rather, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the sheath is adapted so that, as the rod is depleted, successive portions of the rod may be exposed (e.g. by removal of successive portions of the sheath) whilst nevertheless facility is provided to ensure that the cap is capable of being maintained in frictional engagement with the sheath (or an original part thereof) to provide for closure of the applicator.

For the second aspect of the invention, the cap may be a "snap-fit" on the sheath or original part thereof. Reference is made to an "original part" of the sheath since, as described below, certain embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the invention involve progressive removal of portions of the length of the sheath. For such embodiments, the applicator is configured such that the cap is capable of being located in frictional engagement (eg as a "snap-fit") with a portion of the sheath that remains.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, the sheath is one which is removed as required from the applicator. The sheath may for example be one capable of being manually ripped, torn or likewise removed as required from around the adhesive rod. By way of example, the sheath may be formed in axially separable sub-sections with adjacent sub-sections being connected by peripheral lines of weakness. These peripheral lines of weakness may for example be thinner portions of the sheath, or perforations, score lines or the like. In such an arrangement, subsections of the sheath may be progressively removed from the first end thereof by tearing along the lines weakness to allow the sub-section to be removed and successive portions of the adhesive rod to be exposed. A further possibility is that the sub-sections are connected by strips of stronger material that may be ripped away to separate the sub-sections they connect. In this case, the strips may also extend in the axial direction along a sub-section of the sheath to allow the strip to be torn across its width to facilitate removal from around the adhesive rod.

A further possibility is that the sub-sections are not connected together around their peripheral edges bur rather there is a tearable strip that extends along the sheath from one end to the other which maintains the sub-sections together. Tearing of the strip allows sub-sections to be separated as required. Further possibilities are described below in the illustrated embodiments of the second aspect of the invention.

A still further possibility in accordance with the second aspect of the invention is to be provided with a cutting arrangement whereby rotation of the cap relative to the tubular sheath performs a cutting operation on the sheath to allow removal of a portion thereof. By way of example, the tubular sheath may have a cylindrical outer surface and the cap (which is relatively rotatably mounted on the sheath) is provided with a cutting edge extending arcuately around its inner surface. The cap and cutting edge are dimensioned to fit over the tubular sheath with a small clearance. However the cap may be squeezed to bring the cutting edge into engagement with the tubular sheath so that relative rotation of the cap and the sheath effects severing of the latter. The tubular sheath may be a plain material or may be formed with external, axially spaced circumferential grooves around which the cutting edge is adapted to sever the sheath.

In an alternative arrangement, the cap has a cutting edge extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the sheath, the arrangement being somewhat akin to that of a pencil sharpener blade. The cap is relatively rotatably mounted on the sheath and may be squeezed to bring the cutting blade into engagement with the tubular sheath so that the cutting edge cuts away a band of the sheath. Once again the sheath may be a plain material. Alternatively the sheath may be formed with external, axially spaced circumferential grooves sub-dividing the sheath into sections, each of which may be provided with an axially parallel rib to "catch" the blade as the cap is rotated relative to the sheath.

For all embodiments of the adhesive applicator of the second aspect of the invention as thus far described there is some form of material removal from the sheath. For all of such embodiments where there is material removal, the sheath may be provided with axially spaced ribs or may be formed with axially spaced grooves which are capable of cooperating with an internal formation on the cap to provide for secure (e.g. snap-fit) location of the cap on the sheath to provide for closure thereof. By the provision of axially spaced ribs or grooves on the sheath it is ensured that (as sheath material is removed) there is always facility for the cap to be securely fitted onto the sheath. Further embodiments of applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention do not require removal of sheath material. Thus, for example, the sheath may have an axially compressible body portion to allow the tubular sheath to be retracted by the application of a compressive force thereto to allow successive portions of the adhesive rod to be exposed.

In this embodiment, the axially compressible body portion may be adapted to resile from its compressed configuration once the compressive force is released. Alternatively or additionally the axially compressible body portion may comprise "concertina-like" folds, which may for example be provided by living hinges for the case where the axially compressible body is capable of resiling from its compressed configuration.

For preference, a tubular sheath comprising an axially compressible body portion preferably further comprises a ring coaxial with said body portion. This ring may be of a relatively rigid material and provided with an external circumferential rib co-operable with a rib within the cap to provide for a snap-fit of the cap onto the ring.

A further possibility for an applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention which does not involve removal of sheath material is for the sheath to be constructed in telescopic sections which may be collapsed together to expose a free end of the adhesive rod as required. Subsequently these telescopic sections may be re-extended (and the cap replaced) to provide for closure of the applicator. In this embodiment, the internal surface of the cap and the external surface of a telescopic section may be provided with co-operable ribs to provide for a snap-fit closure of the cap on the telescopic section.

A further possibility for an adhesive applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention where sheath material removal is not required is for the sheath to comprise a tube of flexible material that can be rolled backwards on itself from the free end thereof so as to expose adhesive rod as required. The flexible material may, for example, be rubber or other elastomer. For this embodiment, the cap may be locatable on a rolled-over portion of the tubular sheath. A still further possibility is for the tubular sheath to be comprised of a first body portion formed of a squashable (i.e. a readily foldabie) material and a co-axial second body portion at the free end of the sheath in the form of a ring of a relatively rigid material. The ring may be moved along the rod to allow portions thereof to be exposed as required, this being allowed by "collapse" of the first body portion. In this embodiment the ring and the cap are provided with co-operable ribs which provide for a releasable snap-fit of the cap on the ring.

The cap of the applicator for an applicator in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention may be of the type described in our copending UK Patent Application No. 1205982.0 to facilitate application of a uniform strip of adhesive along the edge of a substrate, eg a sheet of paper. Such a cap is configured to be axially moveable relative to the tubular sheath and has a mouth configured as a transverse slot into which the edge of a sheet material may be inserted. The mouth has a roof surface between which and the first end of the rod the edge of the paper may be held, and the head has a pressure applicator to which pressure may be applied to effect movement of the head relatively towards the second end of the body. To use the applicator, the adhesive rod is advanced to the lower lip of the mouth of the cap. The edge of the sheet is then inserted into the mouth and pressure applied (to the pressure applicator member) to move the cap and the sheet edge together against the end of the adhesive rod. With pressure continuing to be applied to the cap, the edge of the sheet is drawn relatively through the mouth of the cap. As the adhesive is applied to the paper, the free end of the rod does "wear down" to a degree due to the dispensation of adhesive onto the sheet. However the continued application of pressure to the cap ensures that the latter moves axially towards the second end of the body so that the edge of the paper (or other substrate) continues to be contacted by both the roof surface of the mouth and the free end of the rod to ensure that the paper continues to be in contact with the free end of the rod, even as the latter wears down. During movement of the paper relatively through the mouth, its edge is guided by the formation of the mouth so that a straight line of adhesive is applied along the substrate edge.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1a is a front view of one embodiment of adhesive applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention showing the cap in position and the adhesive rod enclosed within the applicator;

Fig. 1 b is a side view of the applicator shown in Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1c is a sectional view of the applicator as shown in Fig. 1a but with the cap removed;

Fig. 1d is a front view of the applicator shown in Fig. 1a but with cap removed and adhesive rod extended;

Fig. 1e is a sectional side view of the applicator shown in Fig. 1a with cap removed and adhesive rod extended;

Fig. 1f is a detail to an enlarged scale of part the applicator in the configuration shown in Fig. 1e;

Fig. 1g is a perspective view of the adhesive applicator in the configuration shown in 1d;

Figs. 2a-e are views corresponding with those of Figs. 1a-e respectively but for a second embodiment of adhesive applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figs. 3a-f correspond with Figs. 1a-f respectively but for a third embodiment of adhesive applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention in which the adhesive rod is provided as a replaceable cartridge;

Fig. 4 shows a replacement adhesive rod cartridge for use in the embodiment of applicator shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows an intermediate stage in the removal of a depleted cartridge of adhesive from the applicator shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6a-f correspond with Figs. 1a-f respectively but for a fourth embodiment of adhesive applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention in which the adhesive rod is provided as a replaceable cartridge;

Fig 7a is a perspective view of replacement adhesive rod cartridge for use in the embodiment of applicator shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 7b shows an intermediate stage in the installation of a cartridge of adhesive into the applicator shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8a is a view of a first embodiment of adhesive applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention showing the cap in position and the adhesive rod enclosed within the applicator;

Fig. 8b is a sectional view of the applicator as shown in Fig. 8a;

Fig. 8c is a view of the applicator shown in Fig. 8a but with cap removed and part of the sheathing in the process of removal;

Fig. 8d is similar to Fig. 8c but showing the portion of the sheathing fully removed; and

Figs. 9 to 27 each show further embodiments of applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention including (for each embodiment) the manner in which sheathing is removed.

Figs. 1a-g together collectively show full details of one embodiment of adhesive applicator 1 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. As will be appreciated from the description given below, the adhesive applicator 1 is one produced with a reduced plastics content as compared to conventional, commercially available adhesive applicators, thus resulting in a reduced "carbon footprint". The principal components of applicator 1 are a tubular body 2, a cap 3 which is removably mountable on the tube 2, and an elongate adhesive rod assembly 4 coaxially mounted in the tube 2. W

14

Tube 2 is of circular cross section and, as clearly seen in Fig. 1c, is depicted as having first and second open ends 5 and 6 respectively (i.e. the upper and lower ends as seen in Fig. 1c). The adhesive rod assembly 4 is also of circular section and is comprised of an adhesive rod 7 (with its peripheral cylindrical surface enclosed within a sheathing material 8 (see fig. 1f) to which further reference is made below) having a composition as conventionally used in adhesive applicators and provided at its lower end with an actuator button 9 provided on its periphery with a semi-circular, "side-grip" formation 9a to which a user may apply his/her finger or thumb or a nail thereof. The mounting of adhesive rod assembly 4 within the tube 2 is such that, with cap 3 removed, the adhesive rod assembly may be moved from the position shown in Fig. 1c to that shown in Fig. 1d whereby the adhesive rod 7 projects beyond the tube 2 and the sheathing material 8 has been removed (in the manner described below) from the projecting portion, so as to allow application of adhesive to a substrate.

As seen in Figs. 1c, e and f, the bore of tube 2 is formed with a downwardly facing annular step 10 in the upper region of the tube 2, the step 10 serving to subdivide the bore into an upper section 11 (Fig. 1f) and a greater diameter lower section 12 (Fig. 1f). Upper section 11 has an internal diameter that permits adhesive rod 7 to pass therealong as a close sliding fit. In contrast, the large internal diameter of lower section 12 causes an annular clearance 13 to be defined between the outer surface of adhesive rod 7 and the inner wall of the tube 2.

Externally, tube 2 is configured to have a reduced diameter upper section 14 on and over which cap 3 locates. Upper section 14 may have one or more circumferential ribs 15 for co-operating with internal circumferential ribs of the cap 3 whereby the latter is a removable snap-fit on the tube 2.

The manner in which the adhesive rod assembly 4 is advanced to cause the adhesive rod 7 to project from tube 2 is by virtue of finger or thumb pressure applied to the underside of actuator button 9 (or to the side-grip formation 9a) to which rod 7 is connected. To permit finger or thumb access to the actuator button 9, the wall of body 2 is formed with a "cut-away" portion defining a window 16 in the length of the tube that extends from its second end 6 almost to the step 10. More specifically, the window 16 extends with parallel edges 17 which lead from the second end 6 and continue into an arch-like section 18 that reaches almost (but not quite) to the step 10. Although the edges 17 have been illustrated as parallel, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. Similarly, section 18 which has been described as "archlike" may also be of an alternative configuration. It will be further appreciated that tubular body 2 may be a moulded plastics component formed during manufacture with the window 16. A still further possibility is that the sheathing material 8 may be formed with the tube as one component with the sheathing material being of significantly reduced wall thickness compared to the tube body.

As will be appreciated particularly from Fig. 1e, the provision of the window 16 allows finger or thumb access to the underside of actuator button 9 so that (with the cap 3 of applicator 1 removed) finger or thumb pressure may be used to advance the adhesive rod assembly 4 to a position at which the adhesive rod 7 itself projects beyond tube 2 (see Fig. 1d). The free end of adhesive rod 7 may now be applied to a substrate (e.g. paper, card etc) to apply a line of adhesive thereto. During this operation, the rod 7 is held in position by friction between the exterior surface of the rod and the inner surface of tube 2. However, finger or thumb pressure may also be maintained on the undersurface of actuator button 9 as a precaution to ensure that adhesive rod 7 continues to project from tube 2 during application of adhesive to the substrate.

In this embodiment, the sheathing 8 is a plain, thin material that is very flexible and its purpose is to prevent the adhesive rod "drying-out" due to the provision of the window 16 in the tube 2. This sheathing 8 is applied to the rod 7 before it is mounted in the tube 2 and is provided as a close fit over the full outer peripheral surface of the rod 7. At its end adjacent the first end 5 of the tube 2, the sheathing 8 is attached to the upper section 11 (of the tube 2) and its opposite end is attached to the peripheral surface of button 9.

As the adhesive rod 7 is advanced to the position shown in Fig. 1d, the portion of the sheathing material 8 that is is fixed to the section 1 of the tube 2 remains so fixed, thus allowing the rod 7 to be advanced so that the portion thereof extending beyond the end of tube 2 is no longer covered by sheathing material. It will be further appreciated that the further the rod 7 is advanced beyond the first end 5 then the greater the length of the rod 7 that becomes unsheathed. The sheathing material that was originally below the step 10 cannot (to any substantial extent) move beyond that step 10 in the direction towards the first end 5 due to the close fit between the outer surface of adhesive rod 7 and the section 11 of the tube 2. As a result, "excess" sheathing material gathers as folds 19 (albeit possibly somewhat "irregular" folds) in the space formed behind the step 10, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1f of the drawings. Thus when the applicator is in use, the only portion of the adhesive rod 7 that is unsheathed is that portion projecting beyond the first end 5.

When adhesive rod 7 is retracted into tube 2, the previously excess sheathing 8 gathered in the folds 19 is now pulled downwards so as to re-sheathe the adhesive rod 7.

Once the cap 3 is replaced, all surfaces of the rod 7 are covered (i.e. by the cap 3 or by the sheathing 8) to prevent the adhesive rod 7 drying out.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the applicator 1 is of simple construction, and can be produced from considerably less plastics material (thus lowering carbon emissions in mass production) than is the case for conventional adhesive applicators that incorporate screw mechanisms for the purposes of advancing and retracting the adhesive rod.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2a-e which illustrate a second embodiment of adhesive applicator 20 in accordance with the invention. There are many similarities between the applicators illustrated in Figs. 1 and Fig. 2 and therefore, for convenience, like parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between the applicators shown in Figs. 1 and 2 lies in the nature of the sheathing material. In the case of the embodiment of Fig. 1 as described above, the sheathing material 8 was a plain, "freely-foldable" thin film material. In contrast, the sheathing material 21 of the applicator shown in Fig. 2 comprises pre-formed "accordion-like" living hinge sections along its length. Therefore as the adhesive rod 7 is advanced, the sheathing material "collapses" at the pre-formed hinges (see Fig. 2e) rather than being "randomly gathered" in the case of the sheathing material 8 employed in the applicator of Fig. 1. When the adhesive rod 7 of the applicator of Fig. 2 is retracted, the compressed sections again open out to the configuration shown in Figs. 2a and 2b.

The embodiments of the adhesive applicator shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are not intended to be re-fillable and are therefore disposed of once the adhesive rod 7 is depleted. It is however possible to embody the principles of the applicator shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in an adhesive applicator for which the adhesive rod, once depleted, may be replaced by a fresh adhesive rod. An embodiment of such an applicator 30 is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The embodiment of applicator 30 shown in Fig. 3 is generally similar to that shown in Fig. 1 (and uses the same type of plain film sheathing material 8) so for convenience like parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3 is that (in the latter) the adhesive rod 7 is replaceable so there is no need to discard the tube 2 and cap 3 when the rod 7 is depleted. Rather, the embodiment of Fig. 3 incorporates a replaceable adhesive rod cartridge 31 as shown in Fig. 4. This cartridge 31 comprises the adhesive rod 7 (within its film sheathing 8). The cartridge 31 further comprises a ring 32 provided formed on its outer peripheral surface with an annular groove 33 of generally semi-circular cross section. Ring 32 has an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of tube 2. The upper end of the sheathing is gripped between the inner surface of the ring 32 and the upper cylindrical surface of the adhesive rod 7. A removable seal 34 is provided over the otherwise unsheathed end of adhesive rod 7 (i.e. the end thereof adjacent ring 32). The ring 32 is a "tight fit" around the adhesive rod 7 but nevertheless permits sliding movement of the adhesive rod 7 through the ring 32.

For the purpose of locating cartridge 31 in the applicator shown in Fig. 3, the upper inner surface of tube 2 is provided with an annular rib 35 of the same cross section as the annular groove 33 in the ring 32 (see particularly Fig. 3f). The configurations of rib 35 and groove 33 are such that the ring 32 and tube 2 may come into releasable snap- fit engagement .

To locate the cartridge 31 into the empty tube 2, the end of the cartridge 31 provided with the ring 32 is inserted into the second end 6 of tube 2 and advanced until the ring 32 and the rib 35 on the inner surface of tube 2 come into snap-fit engagement. During this operation, seal 34 is retained in place to prevent accidental advancement of adhesive rod 7. Cap 3 may now be located in position.

The applicator of Fig. 3 may be used in a manner entirely analogous to that described for the applicator shown in Fig. 1 until the point where the adhesive rod 7 is depleted. At that point, the depleted cartridge 31 in the applicator of Fig. 3 may be replaced with a new cartridge 31. For this purpose, actuator button 9 and ring 32 are co-adapted such that when in contact with each other they come into a non-releasable snap fit arrangement. Actuator button 9 can then be withdrawn with ring 32 to release the snap fit engagement between tube 2 and cartridge 31. Once the ring 32 has been disengaged from the tube 2, the depleted cartridge 31 may be pushed towards the second end 6 of the tube 2 and removed from that end. For the purpose of clarity, an intermediate stage in the removal of the depleted cartridge 31 is shown in Fig. 5.

Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which illustrates a further embodiment of adhesive applicator 60 in accordance with the invention. There are many similarities between the applicators illustrated in Figs. 3 and Fig. 6 and therefore, for convenience, like parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 6 is that (in the latter) cartridge 31 is inserted into the first end 5 of tube 2 (apposed to the second end 6) and advanced until groves 61 on ring 32 and rib 62 on the inner surface of tube 2 come into a snap fit engagement (see Fig. 6f).

In adhesive applicator 60 of Fig. 6 the upper section 14 and circumferential rib 15 are adapted to be incorporated into ring 32 thus allowing cap 3 to be removably mounted with cartridge 31 independently of tube 2. For clarity Fig. 7(a) shows cartridge 31 and cap 3 mounted together prior to assembly of cartridge 31 with tube 2. Fig. 7(b) shows cartridge 31 with cap 3 removed being assembled with tube 2.

For the purpose of replacing depleted cartridge 31 of applicator 60, actuator button 9 further comprises of arms 63. The configuration of arms 63 and ring 32 are such that when actuator button 9 is advanced to meet ring 32 the snap fit arrangement between groves 61 of ring 32 and rib 62 of tube 2 is released. Cartridge 31 can now be advanced past end 5 of tube 2.

In the embodiment of applicator illustrated in Fig. 6, the replacement cartridge is inserted axially along the tube 2. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the applicator may be one configured for insertion of a replacement cartridge transversely into the tube. For this purpose, the portion of the tube 2 adjacent its first end may be split or formed in a C-shaped or other appropriate section to permit transverse insertion and removal of an adhesive rod cartridge.

Although four specific embodiments (i.e. those shown in Figs. 1 to 7) have been illustrated and described for the adhesive applicator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, it should be appreciated that a number of modifications may be made to these illustrated embodiments. For example, the actuator button 9 may be omitted so that finger pressure (for advancing the adhesive rod 7) is applied directly to the lower end of the rod 7. Alternatively or additionally the cap 3 may be modified to provide a "child proof locking facility whereby a young child would not be able to remove the cap. In a further alternative or additional modification, the cap may be replaced by one of the type disclosed in our copending UK Patent Application No. GB1205982.0 which incorporates a facility for accurately applying a straight line of adhesive along an edge of the substrate.

In a further modification, the actuator button 9 may also include a latching mechanism that helps guide the advancement of the adhesive rod 7 in defined amounts and stops retraction until the latch is disengaged. For this embodiment, there may be some "snap points" provided on one or more of the edges 17 or the inner surface of tube 2 that the button 9 is "snapped past".

A still further possibility relates to the manner in which the adhesive rod is sheathed. In all of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1-7, the sheathing material is held within the tubular body 2 as the adhesive rod 7 is advanced to its use position. In this way, the cylindrical surface of the adhesive rod 7 projecting beyond the body 2 is always unsheathed. However in the alternative embodiment, there is no facility within the applicator for preventing advance of sheathing material beyond the body 2. Rather, the sheathing material is advanced "bodily" with the adhesive rod. The sheathing material (in this modified embodiment) is such that it can be stripped easily from the adhesive rod 7. Therefore the adhesive rod 7 may be advanced out of the tube 2 and any sheathing material on the projecting portion of the rod may be stripped therefrom. With continued depletion of the rod, portions thereof which were previously retained within the tube 2 (and therefore still retain their sheathing) will be extended out of the tube 2 and may have their sheathing removed. Various types of sheathing material may be used in these embodiments and more particularly may, for example, be any of the types of sheathing material described below with reference to embodiments of adhesive applicators in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

All embodiments of adhesive applicator illustrated in, and described so far with reference to, Figs. 1-7 of the drawings are (it will be appreciated) in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and include the actuator button 9 for advancing the lower end of the adhesive rod 7 relative to the lower end of the tubular body. In contrast, Figs. 8 to 27 of the drawings (described below) relate to embodiments of adhesive applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention in which the lower end of the adhesive rod and lower end of a tubular sheath are relatively fixed together and "facility" is provided at the upper free end of the sheath to expose successive portions of the adhesive rod.

Fig. 8 illustrates an adhesive applicator 100 which comprises an adhesive rod 101 , a removable tubular outer sheathing 102 around the rod 101 and a cap 103 locating over the top of rod 101 and with its inner surface in contact with the outer surface of sheathing 102, the inner surface of cap 103 being formed with axially spaced, circumferential ribs 104. In the "as-manufactured" condition, the adhesive applicator 100 is such that with cap 103 removed there is a short length of adhesive rod 101 projecting above the sheathing 102. This sheathing is however progressively removable to expose successive length portions of the adhesive rod 101 as the latter becomes depleted. More particularly, sheathing 102 is formed as a number of axially spaced, circumferential bands 105 encircling the rod 101 with neighbouring bands 105 being connected by thin strips 106 of stronger material extending across the width of a panel 05 (i.e. parallel to the axis of the rod 101) and then circumferentially between two adjacent panels 105 with concomitant formation of grooves 107. When pulled, a strip 106 firstly causes the associated panel 105 to be ripped across its width and subsequently separated from the adjacent panel 105 (see Fig. 8c)

Once the uppermost strip 106 has been removed, the uppermost panel 105 is discarded and the applicator 100 is in the configuration shown in Fig. 8d. With depletion of the adhesive rod 101 successive panels 105 may be removed in the manner described by pulling on the associated strip 106. The grooves 107 between adjacent panels 105 are capable of engaging with the internal rib 104 on the cap 103 (when in place) so as to provide a seal at the top of the applicator. Alternatively, each panel 105 may be formed with a "snap-past" ridge (not shown) that is capable of interacting with an internal rib 104 of the cap 103. It will thus be appreciated that as portions of the sheath 102 are removed there is always facility (either a groove 107 or a rib on a panel 105) for engagement with a rib 104 on the cap 103.

Figs. 9 to 18 illustrate embodiments of adhesive applicator (all conveniently denoted by the reference numeral 100 that work on the same general principle as described for the embodiment of Fig. 8 (i.e. successive removal of sheathing around an adhesive rod), the difference lying in the configuration of the sheathing material and the manner of its "removal" from around the adhesive rod 101. These differences will now be described briefly for each of these figures. For convenience, like parts in Fig. 8 and Figs. 9 to 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment of Fig. 9 the sheathing 102 is formed of bands 105 with neighbouring such bands being connected by thinner and narrower sections 110 of the sheathing material, whereby the sections 110 are weaker than the panels 105. Furthermore each panel 105 is formed with a tab 111 associated with a line of weakness 112 extending transversely across the band. By pulling on the tab 111 , the panel 105 is severed along the line of weakness 112. Continued pulling of the tab 111 causes the section 10 providing the connection to the adjacent panel 105 to be severed, allowing the removal of the panel 105 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9b.

As in the case of the embodiment described in Fig. 8, an internal rib 104 on the cap 103 may either engage in the grooves formed between adjacent panels 105 or with "snap-past" ridges (not shown) formed on these panels.

In the embodiment of Fig. 10, the sheathing 102 is formed by a number of rings 120 (each provided with a "snap-past" annular ridge 121 ) connected by "tear-away" strips 122, each such strip 122 having a tab 123. Sheathing is removed from the adhesive rod 101 by pulling on a tab 123 so as to tear the strip 122 away from the two sheathing sections 120 that it connects. The uppermost sheathing section 120 (still in the form of a ring) may then be removed over the free end of the adhesive rod 101. The "snap-past" ribs 121 serve to cooperate with an internal rib 104 of the cap 103 for the removable location thereof.

In the embodiment of Fig. 11 , the sheathing 102 is comprised of rings 130 of a filamentary material, the rings 130 being in contacting face-to-face relationship with each ring being connected to an adjacent ring 130 along a relatively weak annular connection. Individual rings 130 may be removed in the manner shown in Fig. 11b so as progressively to expose the adhesive rod 101. The rings may, for example, be of circular cross-section and be formed of plastics or rubber. The joints between adjacent rings 130 which effectively provide annular grooves 131 serve to cooperate with the internal rib 104 on the cap 103 to provide for closure of the applicator.

As a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 11 , the sheathing 102 may be formed by a helically wound filament with "inbuilt" weakened break points at intervals along its length to facilitate "breaking off' sections of the filament to expose successive portions of the adhesive rod.

In the embodiment of Fig. 12, the sheathing 102 is of a plastics material 140 with embedded fibres 141 (seen as dots in Fig. 12b) extending generally circumferentially around the sheath. Additionally the sheathing is formed with axially spaced, circumferential ribs 142 for cooperation with an internal rib 104 of the cap 103. The circumferential orientation of the fibres enables a user to tear material in the vertical direction (as seen in Fig. 12b) and then tear easily and neatly around the circumference so that a portion of the plastics material 140 is removed as a strip 143 with the formation of a "clean end" for the sheathing.

In the embodiment of Fig. 13, the sheathing 102 is formed of individual strips 150 of adhesive material wrapped in adjacent relationship around the adhesive rod, with the lower marginal edge of one strip overlying the upper marginal edge of the adjacent strip. Each strip 150 is formed with a small grip tab 151 and further formed with a rib 152 for cooperation with an internal rib 104 of the cap 103. By gripping a tab 151 , an individual strip 150 can be peeled away to reveal more of the adhesive rod as the latter is depleted. Fig. 14 illustrates a further embodiment in which the sheathing 102 is formed in sub- panels 160 separated by rings of axially spaced perforations 161 or other lines of weakness. Each such sub-panel 160 may be provided with an annular rib 162 as shown for cooperation with an internal rib 104 of the cap 103. Individual sub-panels 160 may be removed by tearing along the line of perforations 161. If desired, each sub-panel 160 may also be provided with a grip-tab (not shown) to facilitate removal of the sub-panel.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of adhesive applicator 100 in which the sheathing 102 is of a readily tearable thin film 170 that can easily be ripped away by hand. Thus the user is able to tear away the sheathing to expose the adhesive rod 101 as required. Axially spaced annular ribs 171 are provided on the sheathing for cooperation with an internal rib 104 on cap 103.

The sheathing 102 for the embodiment of adhesive applicator 100 shown in Fig. 16 is a multi-layered structure formed by rolling a thin sheet material into the form of a tube which is located around the adhesive rod 101 giving a structure somewhat akin to a so- called "Chinese Marker". Thin strips of the sheathing material can be ripped away in a helical manner to expose the adhesive rod 101 as required. Circumferential ribs 171 are provided on the sheathing 102 for co-operation with an internal rib 104 of cap 103.

In the embodiment of adhesive applicator 100 shown in Fig. 17, the sheathing 102 is formed with a lattice pattern of weakened grooves 180, 181 and 182 in the vertical, horizontal, circumferential and diagonal directions respectively. These grooves aid the tearing away of material with the formation of neat tears. The internal ribs 104 on the cap 103 may cooperate with the circumferential grooves 181 to provide for closure of the applicator.

In the embodiment of applicator shown in Fig. 18, the sheathing 102 is formed of a plurality of rings 190 connected by a tear line 191 running longitudinally of the sheathing (there being no circumferential connection between the rings 190). To expose successive sections of the adhesive rod, a user tears along the tear line 191 to break the connection between two adjacent rings 190 allowing the newly freed ring to be removed. Each ring 190 is provided with a circumferential rib 192 for co-operation with a rib 104 of cap 103. The embodiments of Figs 8 to 18 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention described above all include sheathings 102 that are intended to be removed by some form of tearing or ripping effect by the fingers and thumb of a users hand. In contrast Figs. 19 to 26 show further embodiments of adhesive applicator in accordance with the second aspect of the invention with other facility for progressively exposing successive sections of the adhesive rod.

Figs. 19 and 20 show two embodiments of adhesive applicator 200 with an adhesive rod 201 surrounded by sheathing 202 and provided with a cap 203. In these embodiments, a cutter arrangement is provided within cap 203. In both embodiments the cutter arrangement is in the form of an internal cutting edge 205 which may be annular but alternatively, and more preferably, is formed in two diametrically opposed, discrete sections corresponding with finger grip portions (not shown) on the outer surface of cap 203. In the embodiment of Fig. 19, the sheathing 202 is of plain material and the cutting edge is dimensioned so that the cap 203 may normally be positioned over the end of the adhesive rod 201 with there being a small clearance between the cutting edge 205 and the sheathing material 202. However the cap is formed with two opposed formations 206 which (with the cap 203 is in position) may be squeezed together to bring the cutting edge 205 into contact with the sheathing material 202. The cap may then be rotated to sever a section of the sheathing material from the remainder, the severed section then being removed over the top of the adhesive rod 201. Although not illustrated in Fig. 19, the sheathing material 202 may be provided with axially spaced circumferential ribs for engagement with internal ribs of the cap (again not shown).

The embodiment of applicator 200 shown in Fig. 20 is very similar to that of Fig. 19 but differs in that the sheathing 202 has pre-formed annular grooves 207 around which the cut may be made. These grooves serve not only as weak points along with the cut can be made but also provide guides to ensure an accurate cut. Additionally the grooves may cooperate with internal ribs of the cap (not shown) to provide for location of the latter on the applicator.

Figs. 21 and 22 show two further embodiments of adhesive applicator that incorporate a cap 203 with a cutting facility. For each of these two embodiments, the cutting facility is a cutting blade 210 similar to that of a pencil sharpener. The blade 210 is generally rectangular and is located partially within an opening the wall of the cap 203, this opening extending from the base of the cap 203 towards the top thereof and the blade 210 being mounted with its longitudinal axis parallel to that of the opening 211. The cutting blade 210 is configured so that the tube can be positioned over the sheathing 202 with there being a small clearance between the sheathing and the blade 210. However when the cap 203 is squeezed the blade 210 comes into contact with the sheathing 202 so that the cap 203 may be rotated to remove a portion of the sheathing 202 as a strip 212 and thereby expose a section of the adhesive rod 201. Preferentially blade 210 would be moulded with cap 203.

The difference between the embodiments of Figs. 21 and 22 lies in the nature of the sheathing material. In the embodiment of Fig. 21 , the material is plain although it may be provided with axially spaced circumferential ribs (not shown) for cooperating with internal ribs (again not shown) of the cap to provide a snap closure. In contrast, the sheathing 202 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 22 is preformed with axially spaced, circumferential grooves 221 sub-dividing the sheathing into panels 222. Each sub- panel 222 is provided with a rib 223 extending across the width of the sub-panel. All ribs 223 are aligned as shown. The ribs 223 help "catch" the cutting blade 210 as the cap 203 is rotated relatively around the adhesive rod 201 and in so doing reduces the force required to cut through the sheathing 202.

Internal ribs (not shown) of the cap 203 can be engaged in the circumferential grooves 221 to provide for closure of the applicator.

All of the embodiments of the second aspect of the invention illustrated in, and described with reference to, Figs. 8 to 22 involve removing the sheathing a portion at a time for successively exposing sections of the adhesive rod. In contrast, the embodiments shown in Fig. 23 incorporates a sheath 302 for which no material removal is required to expose successive sections of the adhesive rod 301. The embodiment of Fig. 23 has similarity with the earlier embodiments in that it includes a cap 303 with an internal circumferential rib (not shown). In the embodiment of Fig. 23, the sheath 302 is of circular section and is formed along its length with circumferential concertina folds 305. The sheath 302 is such that it may be axially compressed and then re-extended by pulling its ends relatively apart from each other. In addition to the concertina fold arrangement, sheath 302 has a terminal ring portion 306 over which the cap 303 locates. Circumferential ribs 307 may be provided on this ring portion 306 for cooperation with the internal circumferential rib of the cap 303.

To use the adhesive applicator of Fig. 23, the cap 303 is firstly removed and the sheath 302 then compressed, e.g. by the user positioning his/her thumb of one hand against the base of the adhesive applicator 300 and effecting axial compression of the tube with two fingers of the same hand thereby allowing the required length of the adhesive rod 301 to be exposed. Subsequently the sheath may be manually re-extended to cover the axial length of the axial length of the adhesive rod 301.

In a non-illustrated modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 23, the sheath 302 is of a plastics material and the concertina folds 305 are living hinge sections allowing the sheath 302 to be axially compressible but able to spring-back to its original configuration once the compressive force is removed.

The embodiment of adhesive applicator 400 shown in Fig. 24 is, in effect, a combination of those illustrated in Figs. 8 and 23 in that the sheathing 402 an axially compressible lower section 405 formed with concertina folds 406 (as in the case of the embodiment of Fig. 23) and an upper removable section 407 of the type shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings and having axially spaced circumferential grooves 408 for cooperable with an internal rib of the cap 403 (not shown). The embodiment of Fig. 24 combines the features of a simple tear down sheath 407 with the advantage of being able fully to retract the adhesive rod 401 into the sheath 407 for storage.

Figs. 25 to 27 show further variants for adhesive applicators in accordance with the second aspect of the invention where there is no material removal of the sheathing tube associated with exposure of the adhesive rod.

In the embodiment of adhesive applicator 500 shown in Fig. 25, the sheathing tube 502 is formed in three telescopic sections 505-507 that increase in diameter going from the base to the top of the applicator. To expose the adhesive rod 501 , the telescopic sections 505-507 are collapsed together by a degree sufficient to expose the free end of the adhesive rod 501 as required (see Fig. 25b). Subsequently the telescopic 505- 507 sections may be re-extended so as completely to cover the axial length of the adhesive rod 501. The circumferential rib 508 shown on the upper section is cooperable with internal rib of cap 503 (not shown) to provide a snap-fit for the cap on the telescopic tube.

For the embodiment of adhesive applicator 600 shown in Fig. 26, sheathing tube 602 is formed of a flexible plastics material such that its end adjacent the free end of the adhesive rod 601 can be rolled back from the original configuration (shown in Fig. 26b) as far as necessary (Fig. 26c) to expose the required length of adhesive rod 601. The cap 603 may engage with the rolled back section 605 (which is of increased diameter compared to the remainder of the unrolled sheathing) to effect tube closure. If desired, the sheathing tube 602 can also be rolled back to cover the full length of the adhesive rod for storage.

Finally with reference to the embodiment of adhesive applicator 700 shown in Fig. 27, sheathing tube 702 is formed from two axially spaced rings 705 and 706 of relatively rigid plastics material connected by a tubular length of highly flexible plastics material 707. As it will be appreciated from Figs. 27(b) and 27(c), the free end of the adhesive rod 701 may be exposed as required by moving the upper ring 705 relatively towards the lower ring 706 with consequential "squashing" of the highly flexible material to allow for variation in the overall length of the sheathing tube. The upper ring 705 may be provided with a circumferential rib (not shown) for engagement with an internal rib of the cap 703 (not shown) to effect closure of the applicator.

As a modification for the embodiments of the second aspect of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8 to 27, it will be appreciated that the cap may be replaced by one of the type disclosed in our copending UK Patent Application No. GB 1205982.0 which incorporates a slot in which an edge of a substrate (e.g. a sheet of paper) may be located for accurately applying a straight line of adhesive along an edge of the substrate.

Claims

1. An adhesive applicator comprising:

(i) an outer tube having first and second ends,

(iii) a removable cap for closing the first end of the outer tube, said adhesive rod assembly being slidably mounted in the outer tube so that the first end of the rod may be advanced or withdrawn past the first end of the tube when the cap is removed wherein the outer tube is adapted to allow direct finger access to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly for the application of finger pressure thereto to advance the first end of the rod past the first end of the tube.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wall of the outer tube is formed with an elongate finger access slot extending in the axial direction of the tube, said access slot permitting finger access to the second end of the adhesive rod assembly to apply finger pressure thereto.

3. An applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said finger access slot is open at the second end of the tube.

4. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the adhesive rod assembly is a replaceable cartridge.

5. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least a major portion of the length of the adhesive rod is enclosed by a removable sheath material.

6. An applicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the interior surface of the outer tube is configured to remove sheath material from the adhesive rod as the first end thereof is advanced past the first end of the tube.

An applicator as claimed in claim 6 configured such that sheath material removed from the adhesive rod as the first end thereof is advanced past the first end of the tube is replaced onto the rod as the latter is retracted.

An applicator as claimed in claim 7 wherein the interior surface of the outer tube adjacent the first end thereof is provided with an internal flange extending around said interior surface and facing towards the second end of the tube to define an enlarged space within the tube, the adhesive rod is a close sliding fit within the flange, and the sheath material is attached to the interior surface of the tube between said flange and the first end of the tube, whereby as the rod is advanced sheath material is removed and gathered in said space.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the sheath is of a randomly foldable material.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the sheath comprises pre-formed, axially compressible folds.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the adhesive rod assembly is a replaceable cartridge and comprises a ring located around the first end of the adhesive rod, said ring being removably fixed within the outer tube towards the first end thereof and serving to provide said internal flange.

An applicator as claimed in claim 11 wherein said ring is removably fixed in the outer tube by snap-fit engagement.

An applicator as claimed in claim 11 wherein said ring is removably fixed in the outer tube by a screw arrangement.

An applicator as claimed in claim 11 wherein said ring is removably fixed in the outer tube by a twist-lock arrangement.

15. An applicator as claimed in claim 11 wherein said ring is removably fixed in the outer tube by a clamp-lock arrangement.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 which is such that sheath material is advanced beyond the first end of the tube for subsequent manual removal from around the adhesive rod.

An applicator as claimed in claim 16 wherein the sheath is formed in axially separable sub-sections.

An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein adjacent sub-sections are connected by peripheral lines of weakness.

An applicator as claimed in claim 18 wherein the peripheral lines of weakness are perforations, score-lines or the like.

An applicator as claimed in claim 18 wherein the peripheral lines of weakness are provided by portions of the sheath that are thinner than the sub-sections they separate.

An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sub-sections are connected by strips of stronger material that may be ripped-away to separate the subsections they connect.

An applicator as claimed in claim 21 wherein said strips also extend in the axial direction along a sub-section of the sheath.

An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sub-sections are connected by a tearable strip that extends along the sheath from one end to the other.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the subsections are in the form of panels.

An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sub-sections comprise filaments.

An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sheath comprised bands of material adhered to the adhesive rod and peelable therefrom.

27. An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sheath comprises a freely tearable material.

An applicator as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sheath is a tearable material incorporating fibres oriented in the peripheral direction of the sheath.

An applicator as claimed in claim 28 wherein the sheath comprises a helically wound material from which strips may be removed.

An applicator as claimed in claim 16 provided with a cutting arrangement for effecting removal of sheath material from around the adhesive rod.

An applicator as claimed in claim 30 wherein the sheath material has a cylindrical outer surface, the cap is relatively rotatably mounted on the outer tube and is provided with a cutting edge extending arcuately around its inner surface, the cap and cutting edge are dimensioned to fit over the sheath material, and the cap may be squeezed to bring the cutting edge into engagement with the sheath material so that relative rotation of the cap and the sheath material effects severing of a section of the latter.

An applicator as claimed in claim 30 wherein the sheath material has a cylindrical outer surface, the cap is relatively ratably mounted on the sheath material and has a cutting edge extending in a direction parallel to the axis, and the cap may be squeezed to bring the cutting blade into engagement with the sheath material so that relative rotation of the cap and the sheath material causes the cutting edge to cut-away the sheath material.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 which is such that sheath material is advanced beyond the first end of the tube and may be withdrawn along the rod for removal from around the adhesive rod.

An applicator as claimed in claim 33 wherein the sheath material is tubular and can be rolled back on itself from the free end thereof.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34 wherein, when advanced, the adhesive rod is held in position by friction between the adhesive rod and the first end of the tube.

36. An applicator as claimed in claim 35 wherein the friction can be overcome to allow for retraction of the adhesive rod. 32

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 36 wherein the second end of the adhesive rod is fixed to an actuator to which finger or thumb pressure may be applied to advance the rod.

An applicator as claimed in claim 37 wherein the actuator has a side grip section.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34 wherein the second end of the adhesive rod is fixed to an actuator to which finger or thumb pressure may be applied to advance the rod and the tube and actuator are co-adapted to provide a locking mechanism for selectively retaining the adhesive rod at a desired position.

A replacement cartridge for an applicator as claimed in claim 11 comprising an adhesive rod, a removable sheath material provided along the length of the rod, and a ring provided around one end of the rod and holding sheathing material between itself and the rod, said rod being a close sliding fit within the ring and said ring having on its outer peripheral surface a formation for releasable engagement with a complementary formation on the inner surface of said outer tube.

A replacement cartridge as claimed in claim 40 wherein the ring has on its outer surface a formation for releasable engagement with the removable cap.

A replacement cartridge as claimed in claim 40 wherein the ring is provided on its top surface with a removable seal.

An adhesive applicator comprising: a rod of adhesive material having first and second ends, a tubular sheath provided around the rod and extending along at least a major portion of the length thereof, said tubular sheath having first and second ends adjacent to the first and second ends of the rod respectively, said second end of the sheath and the second end of the rod being fixed relative to each other, and a cap removably located at the first end of the tubular sheath and in frictional engagement with the sheath wherein the cap and the sheath are co-adapted such that as the adhesive rod is depleted previously sheathed portions thereof may be exposed for use and the cap is capable of being maintained in frictional engagement with the sheath or an original part thereof.

An adhesive applicator as claimed in claim 28 wherein the tubular sheath is adapted for removal from the adhesive rod.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sheath is formed in axially separable sub-sections.

An applicator as claimed in claim 45 wherein adjacent sub-sections are connected by peripheral lines of weakness.

An applicator as claimed in claim 46 wherein the peripheral lines of weakness are perforations, score-lines or the like.

An applicator as claimed in claim 46 wherein the peripheral lines of weakness are provided by portions of the sheath that are thinner than the sub-sections they separate.

An applicator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the sub-sections are connected by strips of stronger material that may be ripped-away to separate the subsections they connect.

An applicator as claimed in claim 49 wherein said strips also extend in the axial direction along a sub-section of the sheath.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sub-sections are connected by a tearable strip that extends along the sheath from one end to the other.

An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 51 wherein the subsections are in the form of panels.

53. An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sub-sections comprise filaments. /001762

34

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sheath comprised bands of material adhered to the adhesive rod and peelable therefrom.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sheath comprises a freely tearable material.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sheath comprises fibres oriented in the peripheral direction of the sheath.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sheath comprises a helically wound material from which strips may be removed.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the sheath comprises weakened grooves.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the tubular sheath has a cylindrical outer surface, the cap is relatively rotatably mounted on the sheath and is provided with a cutting edge extending arcuately around its inner surface, the cap and cutting edge are dimensioned to fit over the tubular sheath, and the cap may be squeezed to bring the cutting edge into engagement with the tubular sheath so that relative rotation of the cap and the sheath effects severing of a section of the latter.

An applicator as claimed in claim 59 wherein the tubular sheath is a plain material.

An applicator as claimed in claim 59 wherein the tubular sheath is formed with external, axially spaced, circumferential grooves around which the cutting edge is adapted to sever the sheath.

An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the tubular sheath has a cylindrical outer surface, the cap is relatively ratably mounted on the sheath and has a cutting edge extending in a direction parallel to the axis, and the cap may be squeezed to bring the cutting blade into engagement with the tubular sheath so that relative rotation of the cap and the sheath caused the cutting edge to cut-away the sheath material.

63. An applicator as claimed in claim 62 wherein the tubular sheath is a plain material. 4/001762

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64. An applicator as claimed in claim 62 wherein the tubular sheath is formed with external, axially spaced circumferential grooves sub-dividing the sheath into sections.

65. An applicator as claimed in claim 64 wherein said sections are provided with an axially parallel rib to engage the cutting blade.

66. An applicator as claimed in claim 65 wherein the ribs on the sections are aligned with each other.

67. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 66 wherein the tubular sheath has axially spaced ribs for cooperation with a rib on the internal surface of the cap.

68. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 66 wherein the tubular sheath has axially spaced grooves for cooperation with an internal rib of the cap.

69. An applicator as claimed in claim 43 wherein the intact tubular sheathcan be retracted along the axial rod.

70. An applicator as claimed in claim 69 wherein the sheath has an axially compressible body portion to allow the tubular sheath to be retracted to allow successive portions of the adhesive rod to be exposed.

71. An applicator as claimed in claim 70 wherein said axially compressible body portion is adapted to resile from a compressed configuration once the compressive force is released.

72. An applicator as claimed in claim 70 or 71 wherein said axially compressible body portion comprises concertina folds.

73. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 70 to 72 wherein the tubular sheath comprises said axially compressible body portion and a ring coaxial therewith, and wherein said ring and the cap are provided with co-operable ribs which provide for a releasable snap-fit of the cap on the ring.

74. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 70 to 72 wherein said tubular sheath comprises said axially compressible body portion and a co-axial tear-away portion, said tear-away portion having axially spaced circumferential grooves co-operable with a rib on the cap to provide for releasable closure of the applicator.

An applicator as claimed in claim 69 wherein the tubular sheath comprises telescopic sections.

An applicator as claimed in claim 75 wherein the cap and the telescopic section at the free end of the tubular sheath are provided with co-operable ribs which provide for a releasable snap-fit of the cap on said telescopic section.

An applicator as claimed in claim 69 wherein the tubular sheath comprises a tube of flexible material that can be rolled backwards on itself from the free end thereof.

An applicator as claimed in claim 77 wherein the cap is locatable on a rolled-over portion of the tubular sheath.

An applicator as claimed in claim 69 wherein the tubular sheath comprises a first body portion formed of a squashable material and a co-axial second body portion at the free end of the sheath in the form of a ring of a relatively rigid material, and wherein said ring and the cap are provided with co- operable ribs which provide for a releasable snap-fit of the cap on the ring.