Abstract:
A dispensing device adapted for operative attachment to flanged cartridges containing viscous material. The device features an elongated support tube having a laterally translatable rod assembly therein which translates through rotation of the rod assembly to disperse material from an attached cartridge. The elongated device allows for the vicious material to be deposited in hard to reach areas between and behind appliances. Activation by rotation of the rod assembly allows for extremely accurate placement of material from the cartridge. Rotational activation also allows the device to reach under very low sitting appliances. The support tube and rod assembly may be assembled in various lengths from individual components allowing the device to be changed from an elongated form to shorter components for shipping or storage. An optional light is provided to illuminate target for deposit of viscous material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed device relates to cartridge discharged material. More particularly the disclosed device relates the dispensing of prepackaged material from cartridges through a controlled volume orifice. The disclosed device provides for the controlled placement of material from the cartridge by means of rotating a hand knob attached to a threaded rod assembly designed to thereby translate a plunger within a piston-like sleeve in the flanged dispenser, forcing the material out the controlled volume orifice. 
     A conventional device used for this application is the caulking gun with its pistol type squeeze grip used to dispense caulk or similar materials. With this type of application a cylindrical tube is inserted into the dispensing apparatus that restricts the cylinder from the front adjacent to the dispensing nozzle. Pressure is exerted on an internal piston-like sleeve by squeezing a pistol grip actuating a rod and plunger by a ratcheting means to dispense a prepackaged substance. 
     Another and equally effective method of similarly extruding a prepackaged substance in a flanged dispenser through a controlled volume orifice is accomplished by squeezing a pistol grip mechanism, actuating a rod and plunger with a ratcheting mechanism, pressing an internal piston like sleeve and forcing the material out the controlled volume orifice. The method of restraining this type of cylindrical container for dispensing the material is by the means of a top and bottom flange at the rear of the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Licensed pest control operators have found in dispensing insecticide in commercial establishments and private residences that it is extremely difficult to deposit the desired amount of insecticide in exactly the proper locations. This is especially true when the access to those locations is tight or is obstructed by furniture, appliances, or other difficult to move objects. Commercial gel type insecticides are most commonly dispensed by the means of a cylindrical container with opposing flanges at rear to be attached to a conventional dispensing gun. This form of container is often used in the field of pest control to dispense insecticides in cracks and crevices, the need for which is often in hard to reach areas behind appliances in commercial establishments as well as residences. There are precise amounts and locations that the appropriate insecticide can legally be deposited depending on the material applied and the location. 
     Commercially available dispensing devices for substances in this style of container feature a pistol grip mechanism that restrains the cylindrical tube type container of insecticide gel by an upper and lower flange attachment. Such devices function much the same as a caulking gun where a trigger is activated by the user&#39;s fingers which in turn imparts pressure to the rear of the container to force gel from the front of the container. Such commercially available dispensers, however, are of limited use when trying to reach difficult areas other than moving the appliances out of the way. Too often these appliances are connected to electrical, water or sewer lines that make the job extremely difficult. Other problems arise when the area cannot be seen adequately to know if the gel or other material is being placed properly. Still another problem arises when the handle of a conventional applicator gun is squeezed and the material continues to run out the dispensing orifice after the squeezing has stopped due to the ratcheting mechanism. This can inadvertently place the dispensed material where it should not safely or legally be located. Additionally, when trying to place material from such dispensing guns on high ledges or walls and the like, a ladder is required. 
     The device herein disclosed provides a means to reach areas that have been either impossible or hard to reach, with ease, through the provision of a flanged dispenser extension and extrusion system which allows the user to dispense a precisely controlled amount of insecticide or other substances in these areas by rotating a hand knob. The substance application ceases immediately when rotating of the hand knob stops. Additionally, the device can be provided in variable lengths which can be assembled by simply adding or subtracting central lengths within the system. Further utility is provided by a small flashlight or other illumination means which may be attached to the device for viewing into dark and hard to reach areas for proper placement of the material. Finally, high areas may be reached using the device without a ladder, and when combined with the angled tip adapter, both high places and confined places are easily accessed by the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,684 of (Sutton) describes an extended in length gun for the use with conventional cartridges of caulking compound and the like. The gun includes a handle and trigger assembly and a cartridge holding chamber, joined by an elongated cylindrical casing within which a guide tube is mounted for receiving the pressure rod of the gun. The guide tube prevents bowing or deflection of the pressure rod, thereby assuring even dispensing of the material when the trigger is actuated. Sutton describes the conventional style of ratchet caulking guns restraining the cartridge at the front adjacent to the controlled volume orifice. It does not describe the rotational activation means, the variable extension means, the restraining of the cartridge by the opposing flanges at the rear or the addition of the flashlight. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,440 (Deeb) teaches of a caulking gun where the cartridge chamber is connected with the trigger assembly by a tubular casing and a pressure member which are adjustable so as to provide a caulking gun of any desired length and the trigger assembly is rotatably connected to the tubular casing or to the cartridge chamber so that the relative position of these two components may be varied. Deeb describes an extension to a conventional ratchet-style caulking gun restraining the cartridge at the front adjacent to the controlled volume orifice. It does not describe the rotational activation means, the variable extension means, the restraining of the cartridge by the opposing flanges at the rear or the addition of the flashlight. With the ratchet-style of caulking gun the only way to stop the material flow is to turn the angled end of the central shaft containing the ratchet teeth. If not turned, the spring pressure of the mechanism will continue to extrude the material until the pressure is released by reaching the next restraining tooth. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,565 (Paradiso) additionally discloses a caulking gun or the like for the dispensing of construction materials such as caulk, glue, sealant, etc. It is provided with a guide at its front end to enable the user more easily and readily to follow an object such as a construction member, groove and other line to which the material is applied. It is provided with an elongated extension, enabling operation of the gun by a standing rather than a kneeling workman. Paradiso tells of another extendable conventional ratchet-style caulking gun restraining the cartridge at the front adjacent to the controlled volume orifice, and does not describe the rotational activation means, the variable extension means, the restraining of the cartridge by the opposing flanges at the rear or the addition of the flashlight. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,642 (Brattesani) describes a fluid dispenser adapter and method of use. It is a dispenser adapter which allows dispensing of multiple types of materials with use of a single dispensing device. The invention includes a cartridge holder with a socket for receiving a replaceable cartridge of adhesive, filler, or other material. The cartridge holder is reversibly coupled to a dispensing device such as a syringe or dispensing gun. A plunger associated with the cartridge holder forces material from the cartridge. Force is transferred from the piston of the dispensing device to the plunger of the dispenser adapter apparatus by mechanical interfacing the piston and plunger. Brattesani thus teaches a device more in line with the medical field, not requiring any extendable capabilities and would not lend itself to the use of insecticides. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,431 (Brattesani) discloses a dispenser adapter apparatus which allows activation and dispensing of multiple types of materials with use of a single dispensing device. The cartridge holder is reversibly coupled to a dispensing device such as a syringe or dispensing gun. The &#39;431 patent of Brattesani tells of another device more in line with the medical field, not requiring any extendable capabilities and would not lend itself to the use of insecticides. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,412 (Snell, et al.) teaches of a multipurpose dispenser system including a hand-held dispenser which is capable of dispensing viscous fluid and particulate materials. When dispensing viscous fluids, the dispenser precisely dispenses such materials without wasteful post-extrusion. The system also includes an adapter for mounting a particulate material dispenser to the dispenser as well as particulate material dispenser cartridges suitable for mounting to the dispenser. The &#39;412 patent of Snell tells of a unique dispenser that endeavors to solve the wasteful post-extrusion problem, but still uses a similar ratcheting mechanism, not the rotational activation means, the variable extension means, or the addition of the flashlight described within this disclosure, although it is adaptable to restraining of the cartridge by the opposing flanges at the rear. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for a flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system that will allow material to be dispensed in tight or hard to reach locations which previously would not have been accessible without moving appliances. Such a device should be easy to use and allow for easy mounting and dismounting of cartridges holding the material being dispensed. Such a device should also provide for maximum accuracy in the amount of material dispensed as well as helping to prevent dripping of the potentially hazardous material while the device is dispensing or being removed from a dispensing position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system provides the user the ability to deposit controlled amounts of a substance in specific target areas. The gel or other substance so dispensed by the device can easily be deposited into areas behind hard to move appliances. Viewing of the dispersed material and its location is enhanced with the aide of an attached light source if there is not sufficient light available to see adequately. 
     Dispensing of material is accomplished with an extendable cylindrical shaft featuring a hand knob at the distal end and a flange dispenser mount at the other. The hand knob is attached to the threaded end of a central rod assembly which translates in the central shaft by the means of the thread engagement in the internally threaded end of the support tube assembly. The hand knob may also provide a hexagonal or other adapter on the distal providing an engagement by which a cordless electric drill or screwdriver may be attached for rapid power assisted extraction of the plunger from the flanged dispenser cartridge. An optional handle may also be incorporated to the hand knob for rapid manual extraction of the plunger. Both the support tube assembly and the central rod assembly may be one-piece units or they may be comprised of two or more segments joined by coupling units. 
     The coupling units on the support tube assembly consist of a male threaded coupler and a female threaded coupler attached to opposing parts of the support tube assembly. The central rod assembly will be joined by the means of a threaded stud in the end of the first section of the central rod and a female thread in the end of the second section of the central rod, with a lock nut or other means of locked engagement to assure that the union does not come apart when the hand knob is turned to extrude the substance from the flanged dispenser cartridge. The central rod is provided with one or a plurality of O-rings located in O-ring grooves to centralize the rod within the internal chamber of the support tube and keep the rod from sliding out of the device. 
     A flanged dispenser mount is attached to the opposite end of the support tube from the hand knob and is adapted for cooperative engagement with one end of a dispenser cartridge. In the current best mode this cooperative engagement is provided by a top groove and a bottom groove in the dispenser mount whereby a flanged dispenser cartridge may be removably attached. A plunger on the distal end of the central rod assembly comes through an orifice centrally located in the flanged dispenser mount to press the internal piston like plunger in the flanged dispenser cartridge used in combination herewith to thereby extrude the substance through the controlled volume orifice. 
     An alternate preferred embodiment of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system will have an optional flange end on the support tube assembly to be assembled to a conventional ratchet style flanged cartridge dispensing gun for dispensing substances in similar fashion. This embodiment will not have the threaded end on the central rod, but will be provided with a section that will fit within the optional flange end to be pressed by the plunger on the conventional ratcheting style flange cartridge dispensing gun. The center portion of the central rod assembly may be constructed of a solid piece or could be a tubular member. 
     Means for illumination of the target area is provided by a light or flashlight which can be mounted on the support tube assembly adjacent to the flanged dispenser mount. Such a means for illumination provides viewing light during the application process when there is not enough light available. When tubing is used for the central rod assembly, the plunger end may have an enlarged end to replace the O-ring for stopping the central rod from sliding out of the device. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the device features small barbs on the distal end of the plunger that will lock the plunger within the internal piston like sleeve of the flanged dispense cartridge. This allows the plunger to be retracted when the hand knob is turned in the opposite direction. These barbs will disengage with the piston-like sleeve when the plunger is retracted into the counter bore area in the orifice in the flanged dispenser mount. This provides the user with absolute control of the amount dispensed and also allows the remainder of dispensed material, if left on the tip of the controlled volume orifice, to be pulled back into the flanged dispenser cartridge. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     An object of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system herein disclosed is to create a means to dispense a controlled amount of a substance from a cartridge in hard to reach areas. 
     Another object of this flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is to create an applicator that will immediately cease material dispensing when rotating the handle activating the device ceases. 
     An additional object of this flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is to create a means to vary the length of the substance dispensing system. 
     A further object of this flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is to create a means to replace the inaccurate and hard to use pistol grip system with an accurate and easy to use rotationally activated system. 
     Yet another object of this flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is to have lengths short enough to be easily packaged, shipped and stored. 
     An additional object or the device herein disclose is the provision of an alternate embodiment adapted to attach to, and extend, a conventional flanged cartridge dispenser gun. 
     Still another object of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is to have an alternate embodiment that will have small barbs on the plunger that will lock into the internal piston-like sleeve in the dispenser cartridge to allow the piston-like sleeve to be pushed forward, stopped or retracted within the cylinder and will pull out when the plunger is fully retracted into the flanged dispenser mount. 
     A further object of this flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is the provision of a dispensing device for cartridge housed material which also provides light to the target area for the material to be deposited. 
     A final object of this flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system is to supply a new and more universal tool to be used for dispensing prepackaged substances from a flanged dispenser cartridge. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the device herein disclosed. 
     FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system and the flanged dispenser cartridge used in combination herewith. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a partial section through the preferred embodiment of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system with the flanged dispenser cartridge used in combination herewith, in place. 
     FIG. 3 depicts an end view of the flanged dispenser mount on the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a partial section through an alternate embodiment of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system with the optional flanged end adapted for attachment to a conventional ratchet style dispenser gun. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotatable hand knob with the hexagonal adapter and the optional high-speed return hand knob. 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the flashlight clamp assembly. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the optional barbed end of the plunger and a portion of the flanged dispenser mount. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now drawings  1 - 7 , wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 an exploded perspective view of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system  10  and a flanged dispenser cartridge  12  which is used in combination herewith. A rotatable hand knob  14  further illustrated in FIG. 5 shows the non-slip grip  16 , the hexagonal adapter  18  and the optional high-speed return handle  20 . The hexagonal adapter  18  is a convenient means of engagement of the hand knob  14  with the chuck of a power drill or screwdriver which can be used for rotating the hand knob  14  rapidly thereby quickly retracting the plunger end  22 A located on the distal end of the central rod assembly  24 A or  24 B. The central rod assembly  24 A translates through a support tube assembly  26 A by the means of a rotational engagement herein depicted as an internally threaded end  28  and the threaded portion  30  of the central rod assembly  24 A adjacent to the hand knob  14  thereby providing a means to translate the central rod assembly activated by rotating it. Translating the central rod assembly  24 A causes the attached dispenser cartridge  12  to disperse material. 
     The flanged dispenser mount  32  is located at the opposite end of the support tube assembly  26 A from the internally threaded end  28  attached by the means of a sleeve end  34 . This attachment of the support tube assembly tube  26 A and  26 B to the flanged dispenser mount  32  may be accomplished by an adhesive means or threaded attachment or might be formed as part of the end of the support tube assembly  26 A in a molding process and still remain within the scope of this patent. The flanged dispenser mount  32  is adapted for cooperative removable engagement with the mounting end of a dispenser cartridge  12 . The current preferred means of cooperative removable engagement of the flanged dispenser mount  32  and a dispenser cartridge  12  features the flange mount portion  36  of the flanged dispenser mount  32  has a top mount groove  38  and a bottom mount groove  40 . The flanged dispenser mount  32  is relieved on the right side  42  and left side  44  to allow the top flange  46  and bottom flange  48  of a conventional flanged dispenser cartridge  12  to be rotated into a locked position against the flange mount face  50 . Removal of the flanged dispenser cartridge would be accomplished in reverse fashion. 
     Orifice  53  allows the plunger end  22  of the central rod assembly  24 A or  24 B to translate through the attached flanged dispenser mount  32  into an engaged flanged dispenser cartridge  12 . One or more coupling units  52  may be added to the support tube assembly  26 A or  26 B to extend the total length of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system  10 . Each coupling unit  52  will consist of a male threaded end  54  and a female threaded end  56  to be attached to the support tube assembly by the means of adhesive, molding, threaded engagement or other means of attachment. 
     Also depicted in FIG. 1 is an optional angled tip  55  which is adapted for sealed engagement with the conventional disbursement tip  57  of the dispenser cartridge  12  used in combination herewith. The angled tip  55  can be provided in a kit of such angled tips  55  each with a different angle of the dispensing tip  59  off of an inline engagement. This provides the user the ability to add the angled tip  55  of choice to the dispenser cartridge  12  used and get into even more cramped spaces easier. Currently tips at angles between thirty degrees to sixty degrees would provide the most aid in use to the user. 
     FIG. 2 further clarifies the internal portion of the device by depicting a partial section through the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system  10  with the rotatable hand knob  14  having a non-slip grip  16  and hexagonal adapter  18  attached at the distal end of the central rod assembly  24 A. The threaded portion  30  of the central rod assembly  24 A maintains a thread engagement with the internally threaded end  28  of the support tube assembly  26 A allowing that the central rod assembly  24 A can be minutely adjusted for lateral translation with relation to the support tube assembly  26 A. The assembly of a single piece support tube assembly is accomplished from a plurality of shorter tube assembly components through the provision of a means for coupling the components together into a single, in-line tube. In the current best mode, one or more coupling units  52 , comprised of a male threaded end  54  and a female threaded end  56  are attached to the support tube assembly depending on the total length desired. Of course those skilled in the art will realize that the support tube assembly  26 A or  26 B could be made in on piece without the coupling unit  52  and such is anticipated within the scope of this invention. However, since transport of the device is easier when broken down into shorter pieces, and since the inclusion of one or more coupling units  52  and one or a plurality of support tube assemblies  26 A or  26 B provide for easy adaptation of the total length of the device, inclusion of the coupling unit  52  is preferred. 
     The central rod assembly  24 A and  24 B may be comprised of one or more elongated rod segments attached together using a means for attachment of the segments to form a substantially straight rod assembly of the desired length. This engagement of the rod segments in the current preferred mode of the device is accomplished by the means of a male threaded end  58  of the first segment  60 , engaging within the female threaded end  62  of the second segment  64  restrained by means for locking their engagement depicted herein as lock nut  66 . One or a plurality of o-rings  68  may be located in o-ring grooves  70  along the length of the central rod assembly  24 A or  24 B or the interior passage of the support tube assembly as centralizers to restrain the central rod assembly  24 A or  24 B within the support tube assembly and to keep all or part of the central rod assembly  24 A and  24 B from inadvertently sliding out of the device. The plunger end  22 A is shown within the flanged dispenser cartridge  12  engaged in the internal piston like sleeve  72 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts an end view of the flanged dispenser mount  32  operatively affixed on the support tube assembly clarifying the shape of the flange mount portion  36  and the sides  42  and  44 . As noted this configuration is adapted for cooperative engagement with the flange end of conventional dispenser cartridges  12 . 
     FIG. 4 depicts a partial section through an alternate embodiment  80  of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system featuring a flanged end  82  attached to the support tube assembly  26 B thereupon to a conventional ratchet style trigger activated dispenser gun  84 . While not as functional as the first preferred embodiment  10 , this embodiment would allow users owning conventional trigger activated dispenser guns  84 , to still reach into cramped and hard to reach target areas. This embodiment would also feature a support tube assembly  26 B comprised of one or a plurality of segments joined by a coupling unit  52  in the best mode since it would allow of the adjustment of length. Also depicted is the alternate style of rod assembly  24 B featuring end unit  86  which is required when using the optional end flange  82  with the enlarged end  88  providing a means for retaining the central rod assembly  24 B within the support tube assembly  26 B using the stop end  90  of the optional flanged end  82  which would impede enlarged end  88  from passing and allowing the central rod assembly  24 B to fall out of the end flange  82 . This allows for the device to be carried and attached to a conventional trigger activated dispenser gun  84  without coming apart. 
     A means for illumination of the area adjacent to the dispensing end is provided in the form of flashlight  92  and the flashlight clamp  94  shown in FIG.  4 . However, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that this means for illumination may also be used on the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system  10  or the alternate embodiment of the flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system  80  or any combination thereof and still remain within the scope of this patent. 
     The center section  93  of the central rod assembly  24 B is shown as a tubular member rather than a solid member, shown in FIG. 2 with both functioning for the same purpose. An optional plunger end  22 B with an enlarged end  94  will abut against the shoulder  96  on the flanged dispenser mount  32  retaining the central rod assembly  24 B within the support tube assembly  26 B. 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the flashlight clamp assembly  94  consisting of two clamp plates  98 , a screw  100 , and a wing nut  102 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the optional barbed end of the plunger  22 C fixably engaged within the piston like sleeve  72  of the flanged dispenser cartridge  12  and a portion of the flanged dispenser mount  32 B with orifice  52  having a counter bore  104  to allow clearance for the barbs  106  when they are retracted from the piston like sleeve  72 . 
     The flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system shown in the drawings and described in detail herein discloses arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a flanged cartridge dispenser extension and extrusion system in accordance with the spirit of this invention. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.