FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to a dispensing nozzle for flowable materials, such as caulk or other viscous liquids or slurries. The nozzle is molded and includes a removable portion for selectively controlling the size of the discharge opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of forms of nozzles for dispensing flowable materials are known.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,085 to Brown shows a flexible pouch having an interior reservoir that is tapered toward one end. A first score line defines a removable portion that opens the dispensing end of the pouch. A second score line defines a closure flap for sealing the pouch after initial opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,029 to Stull shows a nozzle structure for a container having a molded closure end. A number of forms of removable tabs are formed on the closure end. The tabs may be frangibly removed from the nozzle tip to open the closure and define a dispensing opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,692 to Weyts shows a removable tab formed on the closure end of the dispensing nozzle. A tear strip is shown as a means for assisting in the removal of the tab. A secondary dividing line is formed on the nozzle body defining a resealing area.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,267 to Layerdure shows a self-closing valve structure formed on a nozzle for a tube shaped package. A score line is provided in the walls of the nozzle for removal of a top portion and to open the nozzle. The top portion is used as an overcap for resealing the nozzle.
US 2007/0138216 to DeLaossa shows a number of variations of caulk tube nozzles. In one embodiment shown, the nozzle extension includes multiple score lines that serve as break points for removing a portion of the nozzle to vary the overall length of the nozzle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,971 to Tsaur shows a multi-channel cylindrical container with multiple break lines at either end for opening the container and for controlling discharge.
US 2006/0097088 to Wilers et al shows a caulk tube nozzle having a semi-circular or triangular cross section for defining the size of the discharge opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,144 to Marg et al shows a reclosable caulk tube nozzle having various forms of resealing mechanisms attached to the tube. In one embodiment, a cap is tethered to the base of the tube and may be used to close a tube that has been cut open at a desired discharge angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A nozzle is provided for dispensing a viscous material. In one aspect of the invention, the nozzle is attached to a cartridge for storing the material to be discharged through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an elongated nozzle body defining a hollow passage formed between a base and the tapered end. The tapered end being initially formed in a closed condition for preventing discharge of material from within the passage. A removable tip portion is formed within the tapered end of the nozzle body. The removable tip is formed by a tear tab projecting from the tapered end and a removable tear strip formed within the sidewall of the nozzle body and connected to the tab. The tear strip is defined by spaced, longitudinally extending tear lines within the sidewall and includes at least two removable sections along the length of the strip. The tear tab forms a starting mechanism for transferring an opening force to the tear strip to remove the sections of the strip along the tapered end to form a discharge opening. Each section of the tear strip defines a length of the nozzle opening.
In another aspect of the contemplated invention, the nozzle passage tapers inwardly from the nozzle base to the discharge tip.
In another aspect of the contemplated invention, the nozzle body tapers along the nozzle axis.
In a further aspect of the contemplated invention, the longitudinal lines diverge from one another as the lines extend toward the base.
In another aspect of the contemplated invention, the nozzle body has a circular cross-section at positions along its length between the base and the tapered end.
In another aspect of the contemplated invention, the tear strip portion of the nozzle is generally arched between the spaced lines.
In further aspect of the contemplated invention, the tear strip is generally flat between the spaced longitudinal lines.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show forms that are presently preferred. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1 shows a nozzle attached to a storage tube and positioned within an discharge activation mechanism.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the nozzle as contemplated by the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows in the cross section the nozzle embodiment of FIG. 2 as taken along line 3-3.
FIG. 4 shows the nozzle embodiment of FIGS. 2-3 wherein a discharge opening is created by selective removal of a portion of the nozzle tip.
FIG. 5 shows the nozzle embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 wherein a discharge opening is enlarged by selective removal of a further portion of the nozzle tip.
FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a nozzle as contemplated by the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows in cross section the nozzle embodiment of FIG. 6 as taken along line 7-7.
FIG. 8 shows the nozzle embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 wherein a discharge opening is created by selective removal of a portion of the nozzle tip.
FIG. 9 shows the nozzle embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 wherein a discharge opening is enlarged by selective removal of a further portion of the nozzle tip.
FIG. 10 shows a further nozzle embodiment as contemplated by the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a side elevation of the nozzle of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIGS. 13 and 14 show partial cross-sectional views of the tip portion of the nozzle of FIGS. 10-12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the figures, where like numerals identify like elements, there is shown a number of embodiments of a nozzle as contemplated by the present invention. In FIG. 1, the nozzle is generally designated by the numeral 10. The nozzle 10 is molded from a plastic material and is secured at the end of a storage tube 12 or cartridge. The nozzle 10 and cartridge 12 combination are removably retained within a discharge gun 14. These structures are commonly used in the application of caulk, condiments or similar viscous materials. The gun includes a trigger mechanism 16 that functionally causes movement of a piston (not shown) located on the end of a piston shaft 18. The piston movement pushes against a moveable end wall (not shown) located within the cartridge 12, to create a discharge pressure in the direction of the nozzle 10.
In FIGS. 2-5 the nozzle 10 is shown separate from the cartridge. A removable tip 20 is provided on a tapered end 28 of a nozzle body 26 and a flange 22 is provided at a base end 24, opposite of the tip 20. The flange may be used to position the nozzle within an opening at the end of the tube or may be use to form the top end of the tube by being sealed thereto. Alternatively, the nozzle may be integrally molded with the body of the storage tube (or the like). The nozzle body 26 is hollow and tapers inwardly from the base end 24. The passage defined by the hollow of the nozzle 10 is initially closed at the tapered end 28. The removable tip 20 is formed by a projecting tab 30 and a series of removable sections A, B and C. The tab 30 projects from a blunt end wall 32 formed at the tapered end 28. The removable sections A, B, C are aligned with the tab 30 and form a part of the wall of the tapered end 28. The removable sections A, B, C are defined in part by two longitudinal tear lines 36, 38 that extend substantially in an axial direction along the narrowed portion 28 of the body 26. The longitudinal tear lines 36, 38 start at the blunt end 32. Two transverse lines 42, 44 are provided within the removable tip portion 20. The transverse lines 42, 44 also form tear lines and connect to the longitudinal tear lines 36, 38 to define the removable sections A, B, C of the tip 20.
In FIG. 2, the tip 20 is shown in the as molded condition for the nozzle 10. The tab 30 projects beyond the blunt end 32 and the tear lines 36, 38, 40, 42 define thinned or weakened portions of the body wall. In FIG. 3, the tapered end 28 of the body 26 is shown in cross section. The removable tip 20 may be separated from the adjacent sections of the wall along the longitudinal tear lines 36, 38. The tear lines 36, 38 appear to diverge as they extend downwardly from the tab 30 along the wall toward the tapered portion 28. However, the longitudinal tear lines may be parallel, may converge or may be non-linear, as desired.
Initiation of the removal of the tip portion 20 is shown in FIG. 4. The tab 30 is broken away from the blunt end 32 and the tearing of the sidewall is started along the longitudinal tear lines 36, 38. Section A is connected to the tip 30 and is first removed. Transverse tear line 42 allows for section A of the tip 20 to be separated from the remainder of the tip 20, leaving an initial discharge opening 34A. Viewing FIG. 5, the second section B may be removed to make a discharge opening 34B that is relatively larger than that shown in FIG. 4. The sections A and B may be removed sequentially, one at a time, using the separate transverse tear lines 42, 44 or may be removed continuously by tearing straight along the longitudinal tear lines 36, 38 all the way to the second transverse tear line 44, bypassing the first tear line 42. Likewise, section C of the tip 20 may be removed to create a still larger discharge opening (not shown). Section C may be removed sequentially after first separately removing sections A and B, or by continuously removing the entire length of the tip 20. An end tear line 46 at the relatively lower end of section C is provided to permit removal of section C and to create the larger opening. A startup tear line (not shown) may also be provided between the tab 30 and the nozzle end 32 to assist in the initial start-up.
In FIGS. 6-9 there is shown a further embodiment of a nozzle 110 having a removable tip 120 at the tapered end 128 of the nozzle body 126. Opposite the tapered end 128, the nozzle body 126 includes a retention flange 122 for mounting the nozzle within a storage tube (such as that shown in FIG. 1). The removable tip 120 includes three sections A, B, C defined by longitudinal tear lines 136, 138, transverse tear lines 142, 144 and end line 146. The starting tab 130 projects from the end of tapered portion 128. A start line 148 is formed between the tab 130 and the sidewalls of the tapered portion 128 of the nozzle 10. The start line 148 makes it relatively easy for the tab 130 to initiate the separation of the tip 120 by bending the tab 130 relative to the tapered end 128.
In the cross section of FIG. 7, it can be seen that the longitudinal tear lines 136, 138 are formed in the side wall of the tapered portion 128 and are directed towards one another. The two lines 136, 138 are diametrically opposed. The position and direction of the longitudinal lines, 136, 138, as shown, create a wide opening, such as opening 134B in FIG. 8. The edges of the opening may be used to direct the material discharge against the work surface. Further, the three sections A, B, C of the removable tip 120 are arched along the length of the tip 120.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, sections B and C of the tip 120 may be removed sequentially, by tearing along the transverse tear lines 142 and 144. FIG. 9 shows that the removal of segment C is made possible by separation along end line 146. Removal of section C creates a relatively large opening 134C, providing a greater discharge area than the opening 134B in FIG. 8. In the drawings, the sections are shown as being substantially the same in height and width. However, the direction of the longitudinal tear lines 136, 138 (as well as lines 36, 38 in FIGS. 2-5) and the relative position of the transverse tear lines 142, 144 and end line 146 (as well as lines 42, 44 and 46) may be changed as desired. Further, additional segments may be added within a longer tip portion 120 (20) or the size and number of the segments may be adjusted as desired.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10-14. In FIG. 10, a nozzle 210 is shown to have a structure similar to that of nozzle 110 of FIG. 6. However, the removable tip portion 220 within the tapered end 228 of the nozzle body 226, is defined by a relatively flat surface extending between the longitudinal tear lines 236, 238. The contours of the removable tip 220 are more particularly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In the elevation view of FIG. 11, the tab portion 230 is shown projecting from the tapered end 228. In this side view, the tear lines 236, 238 are hidden, as are the removable sections A, B, C. In the cross section of FIG. 12, the relative positions of the sections A, B, C are shown within the side wall of the tapered end 228. The tab 230 is connected to the first removable section A. Prior to removal, the tab 230 is connected to the side wall of the tapered portion 228, with a corresponding starting line 248 being provided. Sections A and B are connected by tear line 242. Sections B and C are connected by tear line 244. Removable section C is connected to the side wall at its lower end along end line 246.
In FIGS. 13 and 14, the tapered end 228 of the nozzle 210 is shown in cross section with the removable sections A and B being removed in sequence. In operation, the tab 230 is broken away from the nozzle end 228 along the start line 248. Pulling the tab 230 in the longitudinal direction, towards the base 224, initiates the tearing action along the longitudinal tear lines 236; 238 and the separation of the first section A. In FIG. 13, the first section A has been separated from the remainder of the removable tip portion, by tearing along the transverse tear line 242. Removal of section A results in a discharge opening 234A being formed at the end of the tapered portion 228 of the nozzle 210. If a larger opening is desired for increasing discharge flow, the second removable section B is also removed from the nozzle 210. Removal of section B results in the formation of discharge opening 234B, which has a length equal to the combined length of sections A and B. Further removal of section C (not shown) will result in an even larger discharge opening being formed. Removal of sections A and B can be performed on a continuous basis. Thus, during pulling of the tab 230, the tip sections A and B can be torn away, along the longitudinal tear lines 236, 238 up to the position of transverse line 244. Similarly, all three removable sections A, B, C can be torn away on a continuous basis by tearing along the longitudinal lines to end line 246.
The creation of multiple sections within the removable tear strip is to provide for a relatively easy way of defining the size of the discharge opening within the nozzle. In typical nozzles used for caulk or the like, a portion of the nozzle tip is cut from the end of the nozzle by means of a knife. Because the nozzle is typically tapered, increasing the amount of the tip that is cut off the nozzle serves to increase the size of the discharge opening. In the present idea, the opening of the nozzle and the adjustment in the size of the discharge opening is preferably achieved by the structures provided within the formed nozzle.
The nozzle may be made of normally used materials for nozzle tips or the like, including low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene. The nozzle may be formed in an injection molding process. As shown in the drawings, the nozzle is formed as a separate component from the cartridge or tube (12). The base flange (22, 122) is formed to be retained within an opening provided at the top end of the tube. Alternatively, the nozzle may be integrally formed with the tube as part of the molding process. The nozzle is preferably formed in a single molding step, although multi-shot molding processes may be used.
A fixed mold cavity is preferred, although movement within the mold structures during the formation or separation is possible. In addition, other structures may be added to those shown in the present embodiments as part of the molding process or otherwise. As illustrated, the tear lines are formed by grooves in the outside surface of the sidewall of the tapered portion of the nozzle. The grooves may be formed on the inside surface of the sidewalls by structures provided on the outside surface of the interior mold member or by some combination of structures on the interior mold portion and (the inside surface of) the outside member of the mold. The form and position of the thinned areas within the nozzle may vary for operation purposes or for ease of molding. In a preferred molding process, the line-of-draw of the inside and outside portions of the mold would be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. Thus, clearance needs to be provided to permit this direction of movement during ejection of the molded part.
The tear lines are preferably thinned areas within the nozzle wall, formed by appropriate structures within the mold cavity. It is contemplated that the ratio of the wall thickness of the tear lines with respect to the wall of the adjacent portions would normally be about ten (10) percent, although a range between about five (5) percent to fifteen (15) percent may be appropriate. Preferably, the maximum wall thickness of the nozzle is about 0.060 inches. The thickness of the tear lines preferably falls within the range of 0.006 inches to 0.008 inches. Changes in the material used to form the nozzle and variations in the operational pressures or materials to be dispensed may affect these measurements as well as the form of the nozzle.
The present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a number of exemplary embodiments thereof. It should be understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, with the scope of the present invention being described by the foregoing claims.
Patent Application
20120037670
