Tube Roller Dispenser

Abstract

The device is a mechanism for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube. The invention contains a narrow slot inside a body for inserting the end of a tube. A knob is located to the side, which when turned causes the tube to wrap around the body, expelling contents of the tube. A rod is attached to the body on each side of the tube with two loops. The loops allow the rod to remain still while the main body is turned. Once the desired quantity is dispensed, this rod prevents to the tube from unwinding. The rod also guides the tube to prevent it from wrapping to one side. In addition, when the contents are expelled, the rod can be held while the tube is pulled out. The body will spin, unwinding the tube.

Description

BACKGROUND

Collapsible tubes are common to regular household and business use. Typically the contents of the tubes are squeezed out by hand which often results in wasted material stuck inside the tube or extended effort to squeeze out all of the contents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The device is comprised of two parts. The main body contains a narrow slot in which the end of the tube can be inserted. The slot is housed within a bar on the main body in which the tube can be rolled around. To one side of the bar is a knob or handle which is turned to easily roll up the tube. The resulting pressure of the tube being rolled around the bar is what results in the complete emptying of the tube with very little effort.

The second part of the device is a rod which prevents the tube from unrolling. When the desired quantity of the contents has been expelled from the tube, the tube and the device can be left in the existing state until the next use. The rod is wrapped around the bar with a loop on one end near the handle and another loop on the rod at the opposite side of the bar. The length of the bar crosses over the coiled up tube. The loops on the ends of the rod allow the rod to remain in place while the bar rotates with the tube. The normal position of the rod would remain relatively near the dispensing end of the tube so that when dispensing is complete, the tube does not uncoil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the entire invention from the front view

FIG. 2 is the main body

FIG. 3 is the stabilizer rod

FIG. 4 is a cross section of entire invention

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

When viewing the figures, the same numbers correspond to the same part from one figure to the next.

Item number 1 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 display the slot in which the end of a tube is inserted. This slot is housed inside of item 13 as can also be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. Item 13 is a bar in which the tube is wrapped around when 6 and 7 are turned.

Item 4 can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. It is a rod which is suspended beyond the coiled tube. Once the desired quantity is dispensed from the tube, item 4 prevents the tube from unwinding. It can also serve a double purpose for unwinding the tube after the contents are spent. Item 4 can be held by hand while the tube is pulled. The action will quickly rotate item 13 to allow the tube to be pulled out of the mechanism.

Item 4 is bent on each end forming items 11 and 12. These items secure the tube in place so that when being wound, the tube does not stray off to one side or the other. Items 11 and 12 are connected to items 2 and 3. Items 2 and 3 are loops that wrap around 8 and 9 respectively. Items 8 and 9 are located one on each side of item 13 and are recessed areas. These recessed areas extend in a full circle around the unit. The loops that are 2 and 3 allow items 4, 11, and 12 to rotate separately from item 13.

Item 3 is secured in place between items 10 and 13 and around 9. 10 and 13 have a greater diameter than 9 thus preventing 3 from sliding one way or the other. Item 10 also serves as the connection to the handle 6 and 7. Similar to item 3, item 2 is secured around 8 and is held in place by items 5 and 13 where 5 is the end of the unit and is a greater diameter than item 8. Items 8 and 9 can be seen in FIG. 2.

The recessed areas of 8 and 9 are comprised of a series of indentations (item 14) to create a small amount of friction. The loops (items 2 and 3) have small teeth noted in FIG. 3 as item 13. These teeth line up with the indentations of 8 and 9 and the combined action of item 13 rubbing against items 8 and 9 when 6 and 7 are turned would create a small amount of friction. This friction is not too great to prevent the rod from being easily held steady while item 13 rotates. However, the friction created would be great enough to prevent the rod (items 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, and 13) from moving when pressure is not applied.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section where the end of a tube is visible inside the slot (item 1). When items 6 and 7 are turned, the tube would roll around item 13 while passing under item 4 and between items 11 and 12. Items 4, 11, and 12 would be held stationary while items 6 and 7 are turned. They would be held stationary by one hand near the dispensing end of the tube while another hand turns items 6 and 7. Some individuals may find it comfortable to turn 6 and 7 with their index finger and thumb, while using the middle finger on the same hand to steady the bar and dispensing end of the tube, thus allowing one handed dispensing.

Claims

1. A mechanism for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube, the invention contains: a body containing a narrow slot for which the end of a tube may be inserted; a knob on one end of the body which when turned will cause the tube to wrap around the body resulting in pressure in which the contents of the tube are forced out; a rod which is attached to the body, but which moves independently so as not to turn with the main body, whereas, the rod rises perpendicular to the body on one side of the tube, bends at a 90 degree angle to cross over the tube to the opposite, and bends again at 90 degrees to also attach to the opposite end of the body by wrapping around the body, creating a partial encasement to prevent to the tube from unwinding.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said knob is solidly connected with the body so that the two move together.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rod creates partial walls preventing the tub from sliding off the body to either side.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rod is comprised of 2 ends connecting to opposite sides of the body wherein the ends are loops which wrap around the diameter of the body.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said loops contain very small teeth which create friction against the body, preventing the rod from swinging.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a concave design matching the teeth on the rod is also surrounding the diameter of the body facing the rod where the rod meets the body creating complimentary surfaces which will slide when pressure is applied and remain still when knob is not turned.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible tube may be filled will any material with gel like consistency such as toothpaste, acrylic paint, glue, or other such material of similar consistency which may be dispensed from a collapsible tube.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said narrow slot is hollowed out from the body of the invention.