Patent Application
20200407115
Embodiments of the invention relate to a tube holder, and in particular to a tube holder for holding an extension tube of a dispensing system when not in use.
A dispensing system, such as an aerosol spray canister (or the like), typically emits its substances to the ambient environment through an outlet orifice in a diverging pattern. In some cases however, it may be desirable to deliver the substances to a more precise target, such as into a restricted location; and for this purpose dispensing systems sometimes include an extension tube for facilitating delivery of the substances to the desired target.
The extension tube can be several centimeters long with one end adapted to be connected to the dispenser's outlet orifice. These extension tubes, however may get lost in time; and for that purpose, a variety of solutions have been proposed, that are aimed at holding the tube when not in use.
US2003052140 as one example describes a plastic holder for preventing loss of a spray tube, which attaches the tube to the aerosol can. The holder is fitted to the can surface using a double sided tape and the spray tube is held in the holder when not in use and can be removed from the holder by grasping the spray tube and snapping it out of the tube holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,354 in another example describes a tube holder for attachment to the surface of an aerosol can. The holder includes a base with a pair of resilient, tube grasping members for receiving the tube therebetween.
Further examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,558,247, 5,544,783 and 5,988,575 all of which propose various holder solutions for the same purpose of attaching a spray tube to a dispensing system.
The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.
In an embodiment there is provided a tube holder for attachment to a dispensing system, the holder comprising a base and a holding member extending along an axis Y, the base comprising a rear side configured to attach to the dispensing system and a front side where the holding member is located, wherein the base in a plan view of either the front or rear sides has a general quadrilateral shape, for example a rhombus shape.
Such possible shape of the base, at least in certain embodiments of the invention, in the plan view may be defined as including opposite equal acute angles, opposite equal obtuse angles, and four equal sides.
Typically the holding member is configured for detachably holding an extension tube for the dispensing system when the extension tube is not in use.
In an embodiment, the holding member extends a distance H along axis Y and at least a portion of the rear side of the base has an extension W that in the plan view appears to extend along an axis generally orthogonal to Y, and wherein W≥H.
This extension W may span be along a curved section of the base's rear side, wherein a radius of the curve is generally similar to a radius of the dispensing system.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is also provided a dispensing system comprising a holder as aforementioned defined.
In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.
Attention is first drawn to
The extension tube 12 is typically used for dispensing substances from within the dispensing system 10 to more precise targets, such as into a restricted location (or the like); and is typically adapted to be manually fitted at one end when in use to an outlet orifice 9 of the dispenser and manually inserted into the tube holder 14 when not in use.
Attention is drawn to
The base 16 in a plan view of either the front or rear sides has a general quadrilateral shape (e.g., parallelogram, rhomboidal, or the like). Attention is drawn to
The quadrilateral shape of the base can be defined by two imaginary diagonals D1, D2 that are generally orthogonal one to the other and intersect each other at a central region of the base. One of the diagonals, here diagonal D1 at least in the provided plan view appears generally coinciding with axis Y of the holding member 18. The diagonals D1, D2 in addition also intersect merges 21 at vertices regions of the quadrilateral shape of the base. Here the merges 21 are illustrated generally arc shaped (however other shapes for the vertices 21 are also possible, e.g. ‘V’ shape of the like).
Base 16 in addition has four peripheral side flanks S (possibly all of generally similar length but not necessarily) that extend each at least partially along an imaginary flank axis F that slants towards and intersects each diagonal D1, D2 while forming with each respective diagonal an internal acute angle A1, A2. Adjacent flanks S are joined in this example accordingly via a merge 21.
Holding member 18 in this example includes holding regions here in the form of clamps (e.g. two such clamps 181, 182) for holding the extension tube when it is not in use. An extension of the holding member along axis Y is defined by a distance H and its width perpendicular to Y (i.e. generally parallel to diagonal D2) is marked as M. Here distance H marks the full extension of holding member 18 along axis Y, however distance H may also be used in some cases to define the distance between most distant holding regions in the holding member 18.
Attention is drawn to
The holding member in this example projects above the front side of the base a height C and the holding member is configured to hold onto an extension tube (here illustrated by the dashed circle) that has a diameter d. Height C may preferably be designed to have a minimal projection above the base (e.g. to avoid exposure to accidental damage or unintentional hits during use) however while providing sufficient extension to effectively hold onto the tube.
In one embodiment, this can be provided by C and d satisfying a ratio of C≤2×d; and more preferably C≤1.5×d. As seen in the enlargement at the bottom left side of
As seen in this view of
For example, for typical canisters having a radius range of about 25-33 millimeters, a tube holder that is intended to attach to such canisters may be chosen to have a radius R at the rear side of base 16 that is in-between these values, for example equal to about 29 millimeters. In a non-binding example, a sagitta Sg of a tube holder having a radius of about 29 millimeters may be equal to about 2.4 millimeters.
With attention additionally drawn back to
With attention additionally drawn to
The relative smaller sized dispensing system may have a radius of e.g. about 25 millimeters, the relative larger sized dispensing system may have a radius of e.g. about 33 millimeters and the radius R of the holder at its rear side may have a value of about 29 millimeters in this example. Elasticity of the holder's base (made e.g. of plastic) may permit the base to flex during attachment to the dispensing system. In the case seen in
Attention is drawn to
The dotted lines 22 seen also in this figure represent an additional or alternative formation that may be provided for the attachment means in order to attach the rear side 19 of the holder 14 to a dispensing system. In this example, the attachment means may be divided into several segments, for example a vertical segment 22a extending along a direction generally coinciding with diagonal D1 (or axis Y) and a horizontal segment 22b extending along a direction generally coinciding with diagonal D2. Additional possible segments not marked by numerals may also be provided.
In at least certain embodiments, use of only some of the segments, such as also use of only one segment, may be sufficient for securely attaching the holder 14 to a canister of a dispensing system. For example, in certain embodiments horizontal segment 22b alone may be sufficient in order to securely attach holder 14 to such canister. Segment 22b extending along a maximal curvature of the holder's rear side 19 (along the base's diagonal D2) may provide a firm grip for holder 14 on the canister useful for resisting relative movements of the holder in relation to the canister once fitted thereto. Segment 22b in addition ensures attachment/adhesion of lateral sides 99 of the holder to the canister that may act to resist possible moment forces acting to dislodge the holder from the canister during the intended use of the canister/holder arrangement.
It is noted that although the attachment means 20 and/or the segment option 22 for such attachment means, are schematically illustrated not extending to the full perimeter of the base's rear side—it is understood that the attachment means 20, 22 may extend to such full extent along the rear side 19. For example, segment 22b may extend along a curve of the holder's rear side, which in a plan view may be seen to extend alongside diagonal D2 to a full extension of rear side 19 and consequently to an extension generally equal to W that the base has along diagonal D2 in this plan view. In one non-binding example, the attachment means may be generally similar to the VHB registered trademark Tape of the 3M Company corporation based in Maplewood, Minn.
In an embodiment, a width K of segment 22b (and possibly also segment 22a and other segments) may be defined as at least 50% (or possibly 100%) larger than the width M of the holding member in order to better resist moment forces that may be applied upon the tube holder e.g. during insertion or removal of an extension tube and/or undesired forces being applied upon the tube holder e.g. by a user handling the holder or by unintentional contact between the holder and other objects e.g. in a tool box where a dispenser including such tool holder is held.
With attention drawn back to
Forces acting to unstable attachment of the holder to the dispensing system may also be due to unintentional forces applied by a user handling the holder or by unintentional contact between the holder and other objects e.g. in a tool box where the dispenser is stored. Consequently, W≥H may assist in providing a tool holder that is more stably attached to a dispensing system during use.
A further aspect of at least some embodiments that is independent or combinable with the aspect just discussed (of W≥H), relates to the slated side flanks S of the holder's base. This is illustrated by the ‘dash-dotted’ arrows in
Such re-direction of forces along the slanted side flanks (rather than along directions e.g. more orthogonal to the diagonal's D1, D2) has the effect of increasing stability of the holder on the dispensing system during use; since forces acting e.g. along directions parallel to the diagonal's D1, D2 apply larger moment forces that act to destabilize the attachment of the holder on the dispensing system as opposed to forces directed generally along the slanted side flanks.
In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
Further more, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.
In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage.
The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as “about, ca., substantially, generally, at least” etc. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.
Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB18/51902 | 3/21/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62476880 | Mar 2017 | US |
