Portable gas powered fluid dispenser

• US 7,163,130 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luc Marcel Lafond
• Original Assignee: Luc Marcel Lafond
• Inventors: Lafond, Luc Marcel
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman; Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/629,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20040074927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 222/326, 222/327, 222/380, 222/389, 222/401, 222/402, 222/507, 222/516
• US Class Current: 222/326
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00503 Details of the outlet element B05C17/00523 takes precedence; nozzles for deformable tubular containers B65D35/38
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00553 with means allowing the stock of material to consist of at least two different components
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00559 the different components being stored in coaxial chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00596 The liquid or other fluent material being supplied from a rigid removable cartridge having no active dispensing means, i.e. the cartridge requiring cooperation with means of the handtool to expel the material
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/0146 comprising a valve in the proximity of the nozzle that is not actuated by pressure, e.g. manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/015 with pneumatically or hydraulically actuated piston or the like B05C17/00543 takes precedence

Abstract

A caulking gun has a tubular chamber to surround sleeve-like rigid tubes and compressible sausage type containers containing viscous materials including sealants, adhesives, caulking, mastics and the like. When rigid tubes are loaded into the chamber, compressed gas is allowed to surround the sleeve and a plunger loaded within the rigid tube to equalize pressure around the outside of the rigid tube. If a sausage type container is loaded into the chamber, a removable plunger is also provided to form a tight seal between the perimeter of the plunger and the inner surface of the chamber. Compressed gas introduced into the chamber preferentially acts on the plunger and an underlying end wall of the sausage to expel the material, without imparting any significant pressure to other parts of the sausage. The caulking gun includes a variable flow rate nozzle which may be removed from the device. The nozzle may be replaced with similar or different nozzle pieces of various shapes and sizes, if desired. Hand operated controls vary the flow rate through the nozzle and control introduction of compressed gas when in use. These features may be incorporated into other portable, hand held dispensing devices powered by other pressurized fluids.

Claims

1. A hand held dispensing device comprising:

a cylindrical housing defining a sealable chamber for receiving;

a cylindrical container of dispensable viscous fluid and a plunger unattached to the housing for expressing the viscous fluid from, the cylindrical container, the sealable chamber extending along a longitudinal axis and between a first end and a second end of the housing;

a nozzle adjacent the first end of the housing, the nozzle comprising a variable flow valve operating between a closed position and an open position;

a hand operated first control for operating the valve between the closed position and the open position;

a conduit for communication of a pressurized fluid with the plunger, to move the plunger away from the second end toward the first end when the cylindrical container and the plunger are sealed within the chamber; and

a hand operated second control for introducing the pressurized fluid into the conduit.

2. The dispensing device claimed in claim 1 defining a reservoir for pressurized gas, and the conduit communicating with the reservoir.

3. The dispensing device claimed in claim 2 wherein the reservoir is a prefilled gas cylinder.

4. The dispensing device claimed in claim 2 comprising an air valve for coupling the reservoir with an external pressurized air supply.

5. The dispensing device claimed in claim 2 wherein the reservoir receives a prefilled gas cylinder for fluid communication with the conduit.

6. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reservoir is defined by a handle grip receiving pressurized air from a hand operated pump.

7. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hand operated pump is mounted on the handle grip.

8. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 7, the hand operated pump comprising a pump lever moving between a storage position adjacent the handle grip and a pumping position where the pump lever projects away from the handle grip.

9. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 2, the chamber permitting pressurized gas to surround a rigid sleeve defined by the container and an exposed surface of the plunger.

10. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, the valve operating within a range of selectable positions between the closed position and the open position.

11. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 10, the nozzle defining a channel along a second longitudinal axis for dispensing the viscous fluid, and the valve defining a spindle channel rotating about a third axis transverse to the second longitudinal axis.

14. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 10 comprising the plunger, the plunger forming an annular seal positioned between the plunger and a complimentary inner wall of the housing.

15. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plunger abuts against the inner wall of the housing.

16. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plunger defines a recess for gathering a folded wall of the container, the container defining a collapsible tube.

17. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 16, the recess defining an annular ring adjacent the periphery of the plunger.

18. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 16, the recess defining a concave surface converging at a depression on an inner wall of the plunger, adjacent the first longitudinal axis.

19. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the seal abuts against a rigid inner wall of the container.

20. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 10, comprising a regulator for reducing an operating pressure of the pressurized fluid flowing within the conduit to a pre-selected level, the pressurized fluid being a gas.

21. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the pre-selected level is adjustable by an operator.

22. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 10 comprising a removable chamber cap adjacent the second end, the chamber cap defining a re-closable seal for removably loading the cylindrical container into the housing.

23. In the dispensing device as claimed in claim 22, the chamber cap supports a cutting tool for a preformed nozzle tip projecting from a rigid end wall of the cylindrical container.

24. In the dispensing device as claimed in claim 23, the chamber cap engages the rigid end wall of the container, to center the tool for cutting engagement with the preformed nozzle tip.

25. In the dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, the nozzle extending along the longitudinal axis and defining a path for fluid communication between the first end and a nozzle base, and the nozzle base detachably securing the nozzle relative to the dispensing device for interchangeable replacement with another nozzle.

26. In the dispensing device claimed in claim 25, the variable flow valve comprises a valve spindle rotating within a preformed valve housing extending transversely through the longitudinal axis, and the valve spindle operatively associating the variable flow valve with the hand operated first control.

27. In the dispensing device claimed in claim 25, the nozzle base is received within the cylindrical housing when the nozzle is detachably secured to the dispensing device.

28. In the dispensing device claimed in claim 1, the nozzle detaching relative to the dispensing device by withdrawing the nozzle through the interior of the cylindrical housing and away from the first end.

29. In the dispensing device claimed in claim 1, the dispensing device comprising:

a storage reservoir for receiving a replaceable supply of a pressurized fluid from an external source; and

a handle grip extending from the cylindrical housing, the hand operated first control and the hand operated second control being adjacent to the handle grip.

30. In the dispensing device claimed in claim 29, the external source being selected from the group consisting of (1) a replaceable pressurized gas cylinder received by the storage reservoir, and (2) a hand operated air pump.

31. In the dispensing device claimed in claim 1, the hand operated second control introducing the pressurized gas into the conduit at an effective operating pressure, without a pre-set pressure regulator.

12. The dispensing device as claimed 11, comprising a control element operable by one hand and operatively connected to the first and second hand operated controls.

13. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control element is a trigger.

32. A hand held portable caulking type gun comprising:

a sealable cylindrical housing extending along a first longitudinal axis and between a first dispensing end and a second end;

the housing defining a sealable chamber for receiving (i) a tubular container of dispensable viscous fluid and (ii) a removable plunger for movement along the first longitudinal axis, away from the second end toward the dispensing end, to express the viscous fluid from the tubular container;

a nozzle assembly secured adjacent the dispensing end, for fluid communication with the tubular container, the nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle valve operating within a range of partially open positions defined between a closed position and an open position;

a hand operated first control for operating the valve within the range of partially open positions;

a conduit for compressed gas to communicate with the plunger, to move the plunger toward the dispensing end when the cylindrical container and the plunger are sealed within the sealable chamber; and

a hand operated second control for releasing the compressed gas into the conduit.

33. The caulking type gun claimed in claim 32 wherein the nozzle assembly is a first nozzle assembly detachable from the housing, for replacement with a second nozzle assembly.

34. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 32 wherein the housing is defined by a plurality of modular components comprising:

an elongated sleeve extending between the dispensing end and the second end; and

the nozzle assembly.

35. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 34, the modular components further comprising a removable chamber cap defining a sealable end wall adjacent the second end.

36. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 35, the modular components further comprising the plunger, the plunger defining a recess for gathering a foldable outer wall of a collapsible tubular container.

37. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 36, the modular components further comprising a removable funnel defining a path for movement of viscous material between an open end of the tubular container and an inlet to the nozzle assembly.

38. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 35, wherein the removable chamber cap is a first chamber cap defining a first sealable chamber portion extending a first distance along the first longitudinal axis and the first chamber cap is replaceable with a second removable chamber cap defining a second sealable chamber portion extending a second distance along the first longitudinal axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

39. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 32, the sealable chamber allowing the compressed gas to surround:

(i) a rigid sleeve defined by the container and (ii) an exposed surface of the plunger, the plunger being slide fit within the rigid sleeve.

40. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 32, the conduit being in fluid communication with a reservoir for storing the compressed gas, the reservoir being defined by a handle grip.

41. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 40, the reservoir being a removable compressed gas cartridge.

42. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 41 comprising a regulator valve, communicating with the conduit, for controlling an operating pressure of the compressed gas flowing into the sealable chamber.

43. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 42 comprising a relief valve for exhausting the compressed gas from the sealable chamber when the operating pressure exceeds a preset limit.

44. The caulking type gun as claimed in claim 32, the first hand operated control and the second hand operated control are operatively linked by a common control element.

45. A portable caulking gun comprising:

a sealable tubular housing, extending along a first longitudinal axis, for receiving;

(i) a tubular container of dispensable viscous fluid and (ii) a removable plunger to express the viscous fluid from the tubular container by the plunger sliding along the axis toward a first dispensing end of the housing and away from a second end of the housing;

a nozzle assembly secured adjacent the dispensing end, for fluid communication with the tubular container, the nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle valve operating within a range of variable flow rates;

a hand operated first control for operating the nozzle valve within the range of variable flow rates; and

a hand operated second control for introducing pressurized gas into a conduit for fluid communication with an exposed surface of the plunger when the tubular container and the plunger are sealed within the housing.

46. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, the housing permitting the pressurized gas to surround:

(i) a rigid sleeve defined by the tubular container, and (ii) the exposed surface, to slide the plunger within the sleeve.

47. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, comprising the plunger, the plunger defining a gas tight seal around the exposed surface, to push a collapsible wall of the container toward the first dispensing end.

48. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 47, the plunger defining a recess for gathering a folded portion of the collapsible wall of the container.

49. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the first and second hand operated controls are operatively linked by a common control element.

50. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the nozzle assembly defines a reclosable interior tapered channel for fluid communication between the tubular container and an opening defined at a dispensing tip attached to the nozzle assembly.

51. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 50, wherein the dispensing tip is replaceable with a second dispensing tip.

52. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the nozzle valve comprises a spindle rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, the spindle defining a rotatable portion of a channel for fluid communication between the tubular container and a dispensing tip attached to the nozzle assembly.

53. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the first control operates the nozzle valve between an open position and a closed position at a variable rate.

54. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first control comprises a flexible member operatively connecting a finger activated control to the nozzle valve.

55. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the nozzle valve comprises a rotatable valve spindle defining a channel for fluid communication between a dispensing tip and the tubular container, and the first control comprises a cam operatively associated with a finger activated control, for rotation of the valve spindle at a variable rate.

56. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the first control comprises a biased linkage for operating the nozzle valve between an open position and a closed postion.

57. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 56, wherein the biased linkage comprises a spring for urging the nozzle valve toward the closed position.

58. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, comprising a reservoir for storing the pressurized gas.

59. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 58, wherein the reservoir is a replaceable storage cylinder.

60. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 59, comprising a regulator for reducing an operating pressure of the pressurized gas flowing into the conduit.

61. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 58, wherein the reservoir comprises a storage compartment for pressurized gas defined by the housing.

62. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 61, wherein the housing is replaceable with a second housing.

63. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 58, wherein the reservoir receives pressurized gas from a hand operated pump.

64. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 63, comprising the hand operated pump.

65. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 58, wherein the first control and the second control are operatively connected with a common control element for simultaneously closing fluid communication of the pressurized gas into the conduit and closing the nozzle valve to prevent expression of the viscous fluid via the nozzle assembly.

66. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 65, comprising a relief valve for exhausting the pressurized gas away from the exposed surface of the plunger, the relief valve operating between:

(i) a first position allowing the pressurized gas to communicate with the exposed surface;

(ii) a second position for exhausting the pressurized gas by operator activation; and

(iii) a third position for exhausting the pressurized gas when an operating pressure of the gas exceeds a predetermined pressure level.

67. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, wherein the housing is replaceable with a second housing.

68. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 67, wherein the second housing defines an extendable sleeve for receiving the tubular container.

69. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 45, comprising a relief valve for exhausting the pressurized gas away from the exposed surface of the plunger.

70. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 69, the relief valve operating between:

(i) a first position allowing the pressurized gas to communicate with the exposed surface;

(ii) a second position for exhausting the pressurized gas by operator activation; and

(iii) a third position for exhausting the pressurized gas when an operating pressure of the gas exceeds a predetermined pressure level.

71. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 70, wherein the relief valve is biased toward the first position.

72. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 71, the relief valve comprising a deformable seal for releasing the relief valve from the first position to the third position.

73. A portable caulking gun comprising:

a sealable tubular housing, extending along a first longitudinal axis, between a dispensing end and an opposing end, for receiving a coaxially aligned tubular container of dispensable viscous fluid;

a nozzle assembly adjacent the dispensing end, for viscous fluid communication with the tubular container, the nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle valve operating between an open position and a closed position;

a control for operating the nozzle valve between the open and closed positions;

a reservoir for storing compressed air received from a hand operated air pump; and

a conduit for communication of the compressed air between the reservoir and the housing to express the viscous fluid from within the housing.

74. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 73 comprising the air pump.

75. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 73, the housing permitting the compressed air to surround:

(i) a rigid sleeve defined by the tubular container, and (ii) an exposed surface of a slidable plunger within the sleeve.

76. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 73, comprising a plunger forming a gas tight seal around the exposed surface, to push a collapsible wall of the tubular container toward the dispensing end.

77. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 76, the plunger defining a recess for gathering a folded portion of the collapsible wall of the tubular container.

78. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 77, wherein the recess receives a crimped seal at a closed end of the tubular container.

79. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 73, wherein the nozzle valve operates within a variable range of openings between the open and closed positions.

80. The caulking gun as claimed in claim 79, wherein the nozzle valve comprises a rotatable valve spindle defining a channel for viscous fluid communication between the tubular container and a dispensing tip adjacent the dispensing end.