Spreader

• US 7,314,328 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2004
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mack-Ray Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mack-Ray Incorporated
• Inventors: Liberatore, Raymond A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak; David J.
• Application Number:
  US10/810,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20070189840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 401/266, 401/265, 401/5, 401/123, 401/124, 401/119, 401/118, 401/139, 401/183, 401/262, 222/213, 222/490, 222/527, 222/566
• US Class Current: 401/266
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00506 Means for connecting the outlet element to, or for disconnecting it from, the hand tool or its container
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/00516 Shape or geometry of the outlet orifice or the outlet element
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/10 Hand tools for removing partially or for spreading or redistributing applied liquids or other fluent materials, e.g. colour touchers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/38 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2018 comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/44 combined with slits opening when container is deformed or when pad is pressed against surface to which contents are to be applied pliable tubular containers with valves opening when closure is pressed against surfaces B65D47/2018
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0005 Containers or packages provided with a piston or with a movable bottom or partition having approximately the same section as the container B65D83/0072 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/72 for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials

Abstract

Apparatus for use with a hand manipulable flowable material dispenser, the combination comprising a dispensing nozzle associated with the dispenser to dispense material, and a spreader surface associated with the nozzle whereby the dispenser may be manipulated to cause the spreader surface to spread material dispensed via the nozzle, and the spreader surface can be used to spread material around after it is dispensed.

Claims

1. A nozzle for attachment to a dispenser for dispensing material, the nozzle comprising:

a) a fitting at a first end to facilitate attachment to the dispenser;

b) an opening at a second end opposite the first end through which material is dispensed, a center of the opening being located along a central axis of the nozzle, the fitting being wider than the opening, the opening defining a periphery having a lateral width dimension and a height dimension, the opening further comprising arcuate and concave surfaces at widthwise opposite ends that remain of fixed dimension to define an oval periphery, the lateral width dimension substantially exceeding twice the height dimension of the opening, the opening having a linear edge profile along the lateral width dimension of the periphery when the opening is viewed from the side of the nozzle, the linear edge profile defined at a constant distance from the first end along a central axis of the nozzle; and

c) a forwardly-projecting side wall tapering from the first end to the opening, the side wall having a peripheral outer surface defined by a concave surface that transitions into a convex surface that terminates at the opening;

d) a cap for covering the nozzle during periods of non-use, a portion of the cap extending around the opening and a portion of the cap extending into the opening for plugging the opening;

e) wherein the side wall further comprises an upper wall and a lower wall, each of the upper and lower walls comprising a portion of the peripheral outer surface such that each of the upper and lower walls comprises a concave surface that transitions into a convex surface terminating at the opening,

f) whereby a substantially constant layer of material is dispensed through the opening and having a width of the opening.

2. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the height dimension remains substantially constant throughout the lateral width extent of the opening.

3. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fitting is threaded.

4. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a compressible dispenser attached to the nozzle.

5. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the convex surface of the upper wall has a curvature that is substantially the same as that of the convex surface of the lower wall.

6. A nozzle in accordance with claim 5, wherein the concave surface of the upper wall has a curvature that is substantially the same as that of the concave surface of the lower wall.

7. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the forwardly-projecting side wall tapers gradually from the first end to the opening.

8. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the forwardly-projecting side wall is configured to funnel dispensed material from the first end to the opening along a sloped path.

9. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distance from the opening to the first end exceeds a thickness of the fitting.

10. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cap exceeds the thickness of the fitting.

11. A nozzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distance between the upper wall and lower wall varies along a central axis of the nozzle.

12. A nozzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein the distance between the upper wall and lower wall is greater adjacent the first end than the opening.

13. A nozzle for attachment to a dispenser for dispensing material, the nozzle comprising:

a) a fitting at a first end to facilitate attachment to the dispenser;

b) an opening at a second end opposite the first end through which material is dispensed, the fitting being wider than the opening, the opening defining a periphery having a lateral width dimension and a height dimension, the opening further comprising arcuate and concave surfaces at widthwise opposite ends that remain of fixed dimension to define an oval periphery, the lateral width dimension substantially exceeding twice the height dimension of the opening, the opening having a linear edge profile along the lateral width dimension of the periphery when the opening is viewed from the side of the nozzle, the linear edge profile defined at a constant distance from the first end along a central axis of the nozzle; and

c) a forwardly-projecting side wall extending from the first end to the opening, the side wall having a peripheral outer surface defined by a concave surface that transitions into a convex surface that terminates at the opening;

d) wherein the side wall further comprises an upper wall and a lower wall, each of the upper and lower walls comprising a portion of the peripheral outer surface such that each of the upper and lower walls comprises a concave surface that transitions into a convex surface terminating at the opening,

e) whereby a substantially constant layer of material is dispensed through the opening and having a width of the opening.

14. A nozzle in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a cap for covering the nozzle during periods of non-use, a portion of the cap extending around the opening and a portion of the cap extending into the opening for plugging the opening.

15. A nozzle in accordance with claim 13, a center of the opening being located along a central axis of the nozzle.

16. A nozzle in accordance with claim 13, the forwardly-projecting side wall tapering from the first end to the opening.

17. A nozzle for attachment to a dispenser for dispensing material, the nozzle comprising:

a) a fitting at a first end to facilitate attachment to the dispenser;

b) an opening at a second end opposite the first end through which material is dispensed, the fitting being wider than the opening, the opening defining a periphery having a lateral width dimension and a height dimension, the opening further comprising arcuate and concave surfaces at widthwise opposite ends that remain of fixed dimension to define an oval periphery, the lateral width dimension substantially exceeding twice the height dimension of the opening; and

c) a forwardly-projecting side wall tapering from the first end to the opening, the side wall having a peripheral outer surface defined by a concave surface that transitions into a convex surface that terminates at the opening;

d) wherein the side wall further comprises an upper wall and a lower wall, each of the upper and lower walls comprising a portion of the peripheral outer surface such that each of the upper and lower walls comprises a concave surface that transitions into a convex surface terminating at the opening,

e) whereby a substantially constant layer of material is dispensed through the opening and having a width of the opening.

18. A nozzle in accordance with claim 17, the opening having a linear edge profile along the lateral width dimension of the periphery when the opening is viewed from the side of the nozzle, the linear edge profile defined at a constant distance from the first end along a central axis of the nozzle.

19. A nozzle in accordance with claim 17, a center of the opening being located along a central axis of the nozzle.

20. A nozzle in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a cap for covering the nozzle during periods of non-use, a portion of the cap extending around the opening and a portion of the cap extending into the opening for plugging the opening.