U.S. patent application number 10/367088 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-01 for holding apparatus and method for dispensers of hardenable materials.
Invention is credited to Good, Kelly.
Application Number | 20040000569 10/367088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29782494 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040000569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Good, Kelly |
January 1, 2004 |
Holding apparatus and method for dispensers of hardenable
materials
Abstract
A holding system for a dispensing system for hardenable
materials comprising a dispensing gun and a product cartridge
having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing opening. The holding
system comprises a holding structure and a plug projection.
Optionally, one or more guide ribs may be used. The holding
structure comprises a side wall and a bottom wall and defines a
main opening and a cartridge chamber. The plug projection extends
from the bottom wall into the cartridge chamber. The at least one
guide rib extends from the side wall into the cartridge chamber.
The cartridge chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the
product cartridge. When the product cartridge is placed into the
cartridge chamber, the guide rib is arranged to engage a portion of
the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection
into the dispensing opening. Optionally, one or more wall openings
may be formed in the holding structure adjacent to the plug
projection.
Inventors: |
Good, Kelly; (Burlington,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL R. SCHACHT
Suite 202
2801 Meridian Street
BELLINGHAM
WA
98225-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
29782494 |
Appl. No.: |
10/367088 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60392288 |
Jun 26, 2002 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 ;
224/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0566 20130101;
A45F 2200/0575 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 2200/0591
20130101; Y10S 224/904 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/269 ;
224/904 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A holding system for a dispensing system for hardenable
materials, the dispensing system comprising a dispensing gun and a
product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing
opening, the holding system comprising: a holding structure
comprising a side wall and a bottom wall, where the structure
defines a main opening and a holding chamber; a plug projection
extending from the bottom wall into the holding chamber; whereby
the holding chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the product
cartridge.
2. A holding system as recited in claim 1, in which at least one
wall opening is formed in the holding structure adjacent to the
plug projection.
3. A holding system as recited in claim 1, in which a plurality of
guide ribs extend from the side wall into the holding chamber,
where, when the product cartridge is placed into the holding
chamber, at least one of the guide ribs engages a portion of the
dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into
the dispensing opening.
4. A holding system as recited in claim 3, in which the guide ribs
define a central portion of the holding chamber and at least one
perimeter portion of the holding chamber, where the guide ribs and
at least one perimeter portion are sized, dimensioned, and located
to allow the dispensing system to be displaced into the holding
chamber such that the plug projection may enter the dispensing
opening.
5. A holding system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
belt clip secured to the holding structure, where the belt clip
allows the holding structure to be suspended from a belt worn by an
operator.
6. A holding system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at
least one guide rib extending from the side wall into the holding
chamber, whereby, when the product cartridge is placed into the
holding chamber, the guide rib is arranged to engage a portion of
the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection
into the dispensing opening.
7. A holding system as recited in claim 1, in which the holding
structure comprises a barrel portion and a cap portion, where: the
barrel portion defines a portion of the side wall; the cap portion
defines a portion of the side wall and the bottom wall; and the cap
portion is detachably attached to the barrel portion to facilitate
access to the plug projection.
8. A holding system as recited in claim 1, in which the holding
structure comprises a container portion and a projection member,
where: the container portion defines the side wall and the bottom
wall; and the projection member is detachably attached to the
container portion such that the projection member defines the plug
projection.
9. A holding system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
support assembly attached to the holding structure, where the
support assembly supports the holding structure in a desired
orientation relative to a support surface.
10. A holding system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
support rack, where the support rack engages the holding structure
to support the holding structure in a desired orientation relative
to a support surface.
11. A method of holding a dispensing system for hardenable
materials, the dispensing system comprising a dispensing gun and a
product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing
opening, the method comprising the steps of: providing a holding
structure comprising a side wall and a bottom wall, where the
holding structure defines a main opening and a holding chamber and
the holding chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the product
cartridge; forming a plug projection on the bottom wall of the
holding structure, where the plug projection extends into the
holding chamber; and forming at least one guide rib on the side
wall of the holding structure, where the at least one guide rib
extends into the holding chamber; displacing the product cartridge
into the holding chamber such that the guide rib engages a portion
of the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection
into the dispensing opening.
12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the steps
of forming at least one wall opening in the holding structure
adjacent to the plug projection.
13. A method as recited in claim 11, in which the step of providing
the holding structure comprises the steps of: providing a barrel
portion and a cap portion; and detachably attaching the cap portion
to the barrel portion such that the barrel portion defines a
portion of the side wall and the cap portion defines a portion of
the side wall and the bottom wall.
14. A method as recited in claim 11, in which the step of providing
the holding structure comprises the steps of: providing a container
portion and a projection member; and detachably attaching the
projection member to the container portion such that the projection
member defines the plug projection.
15. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the steps
of: attaching a support assembly to the holding structure; and
arranging the support assembly in a retracted configuration; and
arranging the support assembly in an extended configuration in
which the support assembly supports the holding structure in a
desired orientation relative to a support surface.
15. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the steps
of: providing a support rack; and arranging the holding structure
on the support rack such that the support rack supports the holding
structure in a desired orientation relative to a support
surface.
16. A holding system for a dispensing system for hardenable
materials, the dispensing system comprising a dispensing gun and a
product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing
opening, the holding system comprising: a holding structure
comprising a side wall and a bottom wall, where the holding
structure defines a main opening, a holding chamber, and at least
one wall opening; a plug projection extending from the bottom wall
into the holding chamber; and at least one guide rib extending from
the side wall into the holding chamber; whereby the holding chamber
is sized and dimensioned to receive the product cartridge; and when
the product cartridge is placed into the holding chamber, the guide
rib and the wall opening are arranged to facilitate entry of the
plug projection into the dispensing opening.
17. A holding system as recited in claim 16, in which a plurality
of guide ribs extend from the side wall into the holding chamber,
where, when the product cartridge is placed into the holding
chamber, at least one of the guide ribs engages a portion of the
dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into
the dispensing opening.
18. A holding system as recited in claim 17, in which the guide
ribs define a central portion of the holding chamber and at least
one perimeter portion of the holding chamber, where the guide ribs
and at least one perimeter portion are sized, dimensioned, and
located to allow the dispensing system to be displaced into the
holding chamber such that the plug projection may enter the
dispensing opening.
19. A holding system as recited in claim 16, in which the holding
structure comprises a barrel portion and a cap portion, where: the
barrel portion defines a portion of the side wall; the cap portion
defines a portion of the side wall and the bottom wall; and the cap
portion is detachably attached to the barrel portion to facilitate
access to the plug projection.
20. A holding system as recited in claim 16, in which the holding
structure comprises a container portion and a projection member,
where: the container portion defines the side wall and the bottom
wall; and the projection member is detachably attached to the
container portion such that the projection member defines the plug
projection.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/392,288 filed Jun. 26, 2002, the
specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
storing dispensers of hardenable material and, more specifically,
to systems and methods for storing dispensing gun assemblies
containing opened cartridges of hardenable materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many construction tasks require the application of
hardenable materials. The term "hardenable" is used herein to refer
materials that dry upon exposure to air such that they are no
longer flowable. A hardenable material that has dried upon exposure
to air may retain some resiliencey; the term "hardenable" thus does
not necessarily suggest that a hardenable material is rigid or
unyielding when dry.
[0004] The types of hardenable materials employed during
construction tasks include caulking materials, construction
adhesives, and the like. These types of hardenable materials are
typically viscous upon manufacture and remain flowable when not
exposed to air. Typically, the hardenable material is formulated
such that the material is no longer flowable anywhere from five
minutes to two hours after exposure to air. Accordingly, hardenable
materials used during construction are typically manufactured,
shipped, and sold in a sealed storage container. Immediately prior
to use, a dispensing opening is formed in the sealed storage
container through which the hardenable material may be
dispensed.
[0005] Some hardenable materials may be dispensed directly from the
storage container. For example, certain caulking materials are sold
in a deformable tube having an integral dispensing tip. Once the
dispensing tip has been cut to form a dispensing opening, the tube
is squeezed to dispense the caulking material through the
dispensing opening.
[0006] For a variety of reasons, other hardenable materials can not
be easily or conveniently dispensed by applying pressure directly
to the storage container. Some hardenable materials are simply too
viscous to be dispensed by direct hand pressure to the container.
Other hardenable materials must be dispensed in relatively large
quantities, and the use of direct hand pressure can cause operator
fatigue.
[0007] Accordingly, many hardenable materials are dispensed using a
dispensing system comprising dispensing gun and a product
cartridge. A dispensing gun uses a lever to displace an actuator
rod that forces the hardenable material out of the product
cartridge. The operator applies hand pressure to the lever which in
turn acts on the rod, thereby creating a mechanical advantage that
assists in the dispensing of the material. Typically, dispensing
guns allows highly viscous materials to be dispensed using hand
pressure. Dispensing guns can also allow an operator to dispense
relatively larger quantities of the hardenable material without
fatigue. Some types of dispensing guns may assist the operator
using electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other systems for
generating mechanical forces.
[0008] When a hardenable material is to be dispensed using a
dispensing gun, the hardenable material is typically stored in the
product cartridge prior to use. The product cartridge typically
comprises a paperboard cylinder, a dispensing tip, and a floating
piston member. The dispensing tip is attached to a first end of the
cylinder, and the piston member is initially position within the
cylinder adjacent to a second end thereof. When originally
manufactured, the entire cartridge is substantially air tight to
prevent the hardenable material from drying prior to use.
[0009] Immediately prior to use, the cartridge is placed in the
dispensing gun with the piston member adjacent to the actuator rod.
The dispensing tip is also cut or pierced to form a dispensing
opening. The operator arranges the dispensing opening adjacent to
the surface where the material is to be dispensed. The operator
then applies manual force to the lever. The lever forces the
actuator rod against the piston member, which in turn applies
pressure to the hardenable material. The pressure on the hardenable
material causes the hardenable material to flow out of the
dispensing opening.
[0010] Once the dispensing opening has been formed, the cartridge
is no longer air-tight. In particular, the hardenable material in
the dispensing tip adjacent to the dispensing opening is in direct
contact with the air. If the material within the dispensing tip is
allowed to dry out, the dispensing opening may become blocked, and
the entire cartridge may be unusable.
[0011] As long as the operator continues to operate the dispensing
gun, the hardenable material in the dispensing tip does not have a
chance to dry out. Often, however, the operator will be interrupted
while using a dispensing gun with an opened cartridge of hardenable
material. If the interruption is longer than the drying time of the
hardenable material, the dispensing opening may become blocked and
the cartridge may become unusable. Typically, an operator will
simply discard a cartridge that has become blocked regardless of
how much material remains within the cartridge. A similar situation
occurs at the end of the day or when the operator completes a
job.
[0012] Another problem with existing dispensing systems arises from
the back pressure created by the relatively viscous hardenable
materials. When the lever is actuated to displace the actuator rod
and piston member, a relatively high pressure zone is created
within the cartridge. The viscosity of the hardenable material
typically creates a back pressure that causes the high pressure
within the cartridge to decay over time. Accordingly, the pressure
within the cylinder persists after the pressure is no longer
applied by the piston member. This residual pressure continues to
cause the hardenable material to flow out of the dispensing opening
after the operator has stopped actuating the lever. The operator
must wait for the residual pressure to dissipate or find a place
where excess hardenable material can be dispensed. The flow of
dispensing material caused by residual pressure within the
cartridge can thus reduce the productivity of the operator.
[0013] Another problem with conventional dispensing systems is
where to put the dispensing gun when not in use. For example, an
operator could be using a construction adhesive while framing a
house. In this case, the operator may apply the adhesive to secure
one step board to another nail the two boards together, and then
fetch the next board. When the operator is nailing the first two
boards together and fetching the next board, the dispensing gun
must be temporarily stored at an out of the way location until the
adhesive is to be used with the next board. This temporary storage
is complicated by the continued flow of material caused by residual
pressure within the cartridge.
[0014] From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the need
exists for systems and methods for holding dispensers for
hardenable materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is a holding system for a dispensing
system for hardenable materials. The dispensing system
conventionally comprises a dispensing gun and a product cartridge
having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing opening. The holding
system comprises a holding structure and a plug projection. The
holding structure comprises a side wall and a bottom wall and
defines a main opening and a cartridge chamber. The plug projection
extends from the bottom wall into the cartridge chamber. The at
least one guide rib extends from the side wall into the cartridge
chamber. The cartridge chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive
the product cartridge. Optionally, one or more guide ribs may be
used. When the product cartridge is placed into the cartridge
chamber, the guide rib is arranged to engage a portion of the
dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into
the dispensing opening. Optionally, one or more wall openings may
be formed in the holding structure adjacent to the plug
projection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing one exemplary
holding system of the present invention supporting a dispensing gun
from the belt of an operator;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through a longitudinal
center line of the holding system of FIG. 1, also showing in
section the dispensing gun supported thereby;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken through a longitudinal
center line of the holding system of FIG. 1, also showing in
section another example of a dispensing gun supported thereby;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the exemplary
holding system of FIG. 1 in further detail;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing the exemplary holding
system of FIG. 1 in further detail;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG.
5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in FIG.
5;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in FIG.
5;
[0024] FIGS. 9-11 are top plan views showing the exemplary holding
system of FIG. 1 accommodating dispensing guns of different form
factors;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken through the longitudinal
center line of another exemplary holding system of the present
invention shown supporting a dispensing gun;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the holding system of
FIG. 12 shown being supported by a belt;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view taken through the
longitudinal center line of yet another exemplary holding system of
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 15 is an exploded, partial sectional view taken through
the longitudinal center line of the exemplary holding system of
FIG. 14;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary
holding system of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view taken through the
longitudinal center line of the exemplary holding system of FIG.
16;
[0031] FIGS. 18 and 19 are side elevation views of still another
exemplary holding system of the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of an
exemplary holding system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Referring initially to FIG. 1, depicted therein is a holding
system 20 constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the
principles of the present invention. The holding system 20 is shown
supporting a dispensing assembly 22 in a desired relationship from
a belt 24 worn by an operator 26.
[0034] The dispensing assembly 22 is or may be conventional and
will be described herein only to the extent necessary for a
complete understanding of the present invention. As shown in FIGS.
2 and 3, the dispensing assembly 22 comprises a dispensing gun 30
and a product cartridge 32. The product cartridge 32 defines a
dispensing tip 34. The dispensing tip 34 has been cut or pierced to
define a tip opening 34.
[0035] The form factor of the product cartridge 32 has been
relatively standardized in the marketplace, although conventional
product cartridges come in different sizes. Dispensing guns 30 are
manufactured to accept the form factor of the product cartridge 32
in each of the different sizes.
[0036] The designs of the dispensing guns are not standardized. In
particular, FIGS. 9-11 illustrate three different dispensing gun
configurations 30a, 30b, and 30c each having a unique structure and
defining a unique projection 38a, 38b, and 38c, respectively. The
exact details of any one of the projections 38 are not critical to
the present invention other than to note that the exemplary holding
system 20 accommodates each of these projections 38 as will be
described in further detail below.
[0037] As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2-8, the holding system 20
comprises a holding structure 40 having a side wall 42 and a bottom
wall 44. The holding structure 40 defines a holding chamber 46 and
a main opening 48. Extending from the bottom wall 44 into the
holding chamber 46 is a plug projection 50. In addition, a
plurality of guide ribs 52 extend from the side wall 42 into the
holding chamber 46.
[0038] Optionally, one or more wall openings 54 may be formed in
the side wall 42 adjacent to the plug projection 50. Additionally,
in the exemplary system 20, a projection cavity 56 is formed in the
bottom wall 44 below the plug projection 54. A lower portion 58 of
the holding chamber 46 is located between the plug projection 50
and the wall openings 54.
[0039] FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate a belt clip 60 that may be
optionally used to facilitate suspending the holding structure 40
from the operator's belt 24. In the exemplary holding system 20, a
clip projection 62 defining a clip wall 64 is formed on the holding
structure 40 adjacent to the main opening 48. The clip wall 64
defines a flat surface 66 appropriate for mounting of the clip 60.
FIG. 6 illustrates a rivet assembly 68 that may be used to attach
the clip 60 to the holding structure 40, but other attachment
systems may be used. In addition, the clip 60 can be integrally
formed with the holding structure using some manufacturing
techniques and materials.
[0040] The use of the holding system 20 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown, at least a portion of the
dispensing assembly 22 is extended through the main opening 48 and
into the holding chamber 46. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispensing
assembly 22 is shown in a storage position relative to the holding
structure 40. In this storage position, the tip opening 36 receives
at least a portion of the plug projection 50. The plug projection
50 engages the dispensing tip 34 to block the tip opening 36 and
thus inhibit interaction of the material within the cartridge 32
and the ambient air.
[0041] When the dispensing assembly 22 is in the storage position,
the plug projection 50 thereby inhibits drying of the material
within the cartridge 32. The operator 26 can thus leave the
dispensing assembly 22 in the storage position without drying of
the hardenable material in the dispensing tip 34 for a period of
time substantially longer than if the dispensing assembly 22 is
left unprotected.
[0042] In FIG. 2, the dispensing tip 34a depicted therein is cut to
define a relatively smaller tip opening 36a, while in FIG. 3 the
dispensing tip 34b is cut to define a relative larger tip opening
36b. The exemplary plug projection 50 is conical in shape to
accommodate either of these sizes of tip openings 36a or 36b.
[0043] When the belt clip 60 is used, the holding structure 40 may
be secured in a conventional manner to the wearer's belt 24. When
the holding structure 40 is secured to the wearer's belt 24 and the
dispensing assembly 22 is in the storage position, the dispensing
assembly 22 may easily be carried and stored while the operator 26
moves about or works on other tasks.
[0044] The guide ribs 52 are arranged to facilitate placement by
the operator 26 of the dispensing assembly 22 into the storage
position. As will be described in further detail below, the guide
ribs 52 are arranged to guide the dispensing assembly 22 along a
center line A of the holding structure 40 such that the tip opening
36 receives the plug projection 50.
[0045] The wall openings 54 allow easy access to a portion of the
holding chamber 46 adjacent to the bottom wall 44 where the plug
projection 50 is located. The wall openings 54 thus allow any
hardenable material that accumulates in the lower portion 58 of the
holding chamber 46 around the plug projection 50 to be removed
without having to reach through the main opening 48. The wall
openings 54 further allow the operator 26 to reach into the lower
portion 58 of the holding chamber 46 to help guide the plug
projection 40 into the tip opening 36.
[0046] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate that, in the exemplary holding system
20, optional wall projections 70 and wall notches 72 are formed in
the side wall 42 of the holding structure 40. The wall projections
70 and wall notches 72 allow certain types of the dispensing guns
30 to be placed into the holding chamber 46 without interference by
the holding structure 40. The use of the wall projections 70
instead of longer wall notches 72 increases the strength of the
holding structure 40. The use of two sets of projections 70 and
notches 72 allows the holding system 20 to be used on either the
right or left side of the wearer 26 with the dispensing gun 30
facing either forward or backwards relative to the wearer 26.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, these figures show that the
side wall 42 defines an inner surface 80 and an outer surface 82,
and FIG. 5 shows that the guide ribs 52 define rib edges 84. The
rib edges 84 are substantially parallel to the centerline A, while
the inner surface 80 is slightly angled with respect to the
centerline A. The angled inner surface 80 facilitates the
manufacture of the holding structure 40 using the injection molding
process, while the parallel rib edges 84 guide the dispensing
assembly 22 into the holding chamber 46.
[0048] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the rib edges 84
define a profile cylinder B (extending out of the page in FIG. 5).
The profile cylinder B divides the holding chamber 46 into a
central portion 90 and front, outer, rear, and inner (with respect
to the operator 26) perimeter portions 92, 94, 96, and 98. The
central portion 90 is sized and dimensioned to receive that portion
of the dispensing assembly 22 that is common to most types of
dispensing assemblies. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the perimeter
portions 92-98 are sized, dimensioned, and located to accommodate
any projections 38a, 38b, or 38c from the dispensing assembly 22
that may be associated with particular dispensing guns 30a, 30b,
and 30c.
[0049] The holding structure 40 is thus capable of accommodating
dispensing assemblies of many different or unknown form factors
while still guiding the dispensing assembly 22 into the storage
position with the plug projection 50 received by the tip opening
36.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 12, depicted therein is yet another
holding system 120 constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention. The holding system 120
comprises a holding structure 122 comprising a barrel portion 124
and a cap portion 126. As shown in FIG. 13, the holding system 120
may be supported by a hammer loop 128 extending from the wearer's
belt 24.
[0051] The barrel portion 124 of the holding structure 122
comprises a first side wall portion 130 and defines first and
second barrel openings 132 and 134. A first threaded portion is
formed on the first side wall portion 130 adjacent to the second
barrel opening 134. A flange portion 138 is formed on the first
side wall portion 130 adjacent to the first barrel opening 132.
[0052] The cap portion 126 of the barrel structure comprises a
second side wall portion 140 and a bottom wall portion 142. A
second threaded portion 144 is formed on the second side wall
portion 140. A plug projection 146 extends from the bottom wall
portion 142.
[0053] The first and second threaded portions 136 and 144 are mated
to detachably attach the cap portion 126 to the barrel portion 124
and form the holding structure 122. When the holding structure 122
is formed, a holding chamber 148 is defined, and the plug
projection 146 extends into the holding chamber 148.
[0054] The first barrel opening 132 corresponds to the main opening
48 of the holding system 20 of the first embodiment described
above. Similarly, the plug projection 146 corresponds to the plug
projection 50 of the system 20. The construction and use of the
holding system 120 are in many respects the same as the
construction and use of the holding system 20 described above and
will not be described herein again in detail. The primary
difference between the systems 20 and 120 is that the cap portion
126 may be removed to allow cleaning of the area around the plug
projection 50.
[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, depicted at 150 therein is
an alternative embodiment 126a of the cap portion 126. In
particular, the cap portion 126a defines a second side wall portion
150 and bottom wall portion 152. A second threaded portion 154 is
formed on the second side wall portion 150, and a plug opening 156
is formed in the bottom wall portion 152. A third threaded portion
158 is formed in the bottom wall portion 152 around the plug
opening 156. The cap portion 126a comprises a projection member 160
defining a plug portion 162 and a fourth threaded portion 164.
[0056] As with the cap portion 126 described above, the second
threaded portion 154 of the cap portion 126a engages the second
threaded portion 136 on the barrel portion 124 to form a holding
structure. Additionally, the fourth threaded portion 164 of the
projection member 160 engages the third threaded portion 158 to
detachably attach the plug portion 162 to the cap portion 126a. As
shown in FIG. 15, different plug members 160 and 160a, each
defining a plug portion 162 and plug portion 162a having a
different size and shape, may be used. Accordingly, with smaller
tip openings 36, the plug member 160 may be used, and with larger
tip openings 36, the plug member 160a may be used. These principles
may also be applied to the holding structure 40 described
above.
[0057] FIGS. 16 and 17 depicted an alternative structure for
securing a cap portion 126b onto a barrel portion 124a to form an
alternative holding structure 122a. The barrel portion 124b
comprises a first side wall portion 170 having a detent projection
172 and a flange portion 174. An optional belt clip 176 is shown
integrally formed with the barrel portion 124a. The cap portion
126b comprises a second side wall portion 180 and a bottom wall
portion 182. A plug projection 184 extends from the bottom wall
portion 182. The second side wall portion 180 defines a detent ear
186 in which is formed a detent opening 188.
[0058] The detent ears 186 are made of a resilient material that
deforms slightly and then returns to its original position. In use,
the cap portion 126b is displaced towards the barrel portion 124a
such that the detent ears 186 engage the detent projections 172.
Further displacement of the cap portion 126 causes the detent
projections 172 to deform the detent ears 186.
[0059] When the detent projections 172 encounter the detent
openings 188, the detent ears 186 return to their original position
with the detent projections 172 within the detent openings 188. In
this position, the cap portion 126b is secured to the barrel
portion 124a. Displacing the detent ear 186 away from the first
side wall portion 170 of the barrel portion 124a allows the detent
projection 172 to be removed from the detent opening 188 to detach
the cap portion 126b from the barrel portion 124a.
[0060] The use of the holding structure 122a is substantially the
same as the structure 122 described above and will not be described
again.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, depicted therein is yet
another holding system 220 constructed in accordance with, and
embodying, the principles of the present invention. In particular,
the holding system comprises, in addition to the holding structure
40 described above, a support assembly 222.
[0062] The support assembly 222 comprises a hinge portion 224, a
brace portion 226, and a ground engaging portion 228. The hinge
portion 224 is rigidly connected to the holding structure 40. The
hinge portion 224 further rotatably attaches the brace portion 226
to the holding structure 40 such that the brace portion 226 rotates
between retracted (FIG. 18) and extended (FIG. 19) positions.
[0063] With the brace portion 226 in the retracted position, the
holding system 220 is used in the same manner as the holding system
220 described above. With the brace portion 226 in the extended
position, the holding structure 40 and the ground engaging portion
228 may be placed on a support surface S to maintain the dispensing
system 22 in a desired orientation relative to the support surface
S. Typically, the dispensing system 22 will be held at an angle
relative to the surface S.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 20, depicted therein is yet another
holding system 230 constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention. In particular, the holding
system comprises, in addition to the holding structure 40 described
above, a support rack 232.
[0065] The support rack 232 comprises a base portion 234, an
upright portion 236, and a collar portion 238. Optionally, an
alignment projection 240 may be formed in the base portion 234.
[0066] In use, the base portion 234 is placed on a support surface
with the upright portion 236 supporting the collar portion 238
above the support surface. The holding structure 40 is placed onto
the support rack 232 with the collar portion 236 and base portion
234 maintaining the dispensing system 22 in a desired orientation
relative to the support surface. The alignment projection 240 may
engage the optional projection cavity 56 formed in the holding
structure 40 to stabilize the holding system 230. Typically, the
dispensing system 22 will be held at an angle relative to the
surface.
[0067] Given the foregoing, it should be clear to one of ordinary
skill in the art that the present invention may be embodied in
forms other than those described above. The scope of the present
invention should be determined by the following claims and not the
foregoing detailed description.
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