Abstract:
A nozzle assembly for dispensing viscous material is disclosed. The nozzle assembly is convertible from use with a device for dispensing bulk viscous material to use with a device for dispensing viscous material from a cartridge. Alternatively, the nozzle assembly is convertible from use with a device for dispensing viscous material from a sausage package to use with a device for dispensing from a cartridge. When dispensing viscous material from a cartridge, the base portion is arranged for receiving the cartridge conical tip and the flange is arranged for placement between an end plate of the dispenser and the cartridge to retain said nozzle within said dispenser for dispensing viscous material from the cartridge. When dispensing viscous material in bulk form or from a sausage package, a locking plate is provided for tightly retaining the nozzle to the end cap of the dispensing device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application that claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/724,025 filed on Mar. 15, 2010, entitled COVE BASE NOZZLE FOR DISPENSING APPLICATIONS, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/160,853, filed on Mar. 17, 2009, also entitled COVE BASE NOZZLE FOR DISPENSING APPLICATIONS, all of whose entire disclosures are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to nozzles for handheld dispensing tools, and more specifically to nozzle for dispensing tools employed to dispense viscous materials such as gluing and sealing materials and the like. 
     Dispensing devices for the application of various viscous material products such as construction adhesives, caulking materials, grease, automotive windshield sealant, dual component reactive resins, sealants, and the like, are well known throughout many industries. Such dispensing devices ideally allow the viscous material to be applied in an accurate, mess-free, and waste-free manner. 
     Dispensing devices are often in the form of a dispensing gun, or caulking gun. Dispensing devices generally include a squeezable handle and trigger assembly which is operative for advancing the pistons of the dispensers and for maintaining the pistons in advanced positions when the trigger portions of the dispenser devices are released. The viscous materials can be packaged in a variety of forms; some of the most common are cartridge form, collapsible form, and bulk form. 
     Cartridges are most often designed with a nozzle through which a viscous material composition can be extruded. These cartridges were adapted to be loaded into dispensing devices equipped with mechanisms to push the sealant composition out of the cartridge package. Cartridges, depending on the kind of storage required for the viscous material composition, are generally made from paper, foiled lined paper, plastic, and various kinds of molded and laminated constructions. 
     The cartridges are typically tubes having a sealed dispensing outlet, such as a conical tip, disposed on one end, with the other end being open for receiving a plunger mechanism or the like from the dispensing device. Just inside the cartridge&#39;s open end is a slidably-sealed, axially-movable piston, disc, or the like. For use, the cartridge is placed in a retaining/dispensing section of the dispensing device, and the plunger is brought into contact with the piston. When a user desires to dispense product, the cartridge&#39;s dispensing outlet is unsealed, typically by cutting, and the plunger is forced against the piston. This forces the piston axially down the tube and against the product, which in turn is dispensed through the dispensing outlet. 
     Collapsible tubes are also popular containers for viscous materials. Collapsible packaging has been known in the trade for many years, and offers the benefits of providing good shelf stability for the contained chemicals, low package cost, and minimal packaging waste. Collapsible packages are generally known in the art as a “sausage” or “chub.” Collapsible packaging has a collapsible wall that is, typically, sealed at each end. While collapsible package can be used to contain non-reactive viscous material products, the collapsible package is typically moisture impervious, thus allowing the collapsible package to contain reactive viscous material products also (typically reactive viscous material products are ones that react when exposed to humidity in the air). 
     Bulk forms of the viscous material may be used with dispensing devices which have a dispensing chamber adapted to be filled directly with the bulk viscous material. All of these options (i.e., cartridge, bulk form, and collapsible form) can be employed in dual component dispensing devices as well as in single component dispensing devices. Moreover, the nozzles of the present invention can be employed with each of these options. 
     In many applications, multiple beads of adhesive are applied to the parts to be joined, where the surface area of the parts is large enough to require more than a single bead for adequate coverage and adhesion. A nozzle that emits multiple beads simultaneously increases application speed and provides a uniform separation distance between beads. Increased application speed ensures that, in the case of an adhesive, the amount of time that the adhesive is exposed to the air before the parts to be joined are affixed is reduced, thus improving adhesion and allowing for more uniform adhesion across large work areas. Nozzles with multiple dispensing outlets are known for this purpose. Not all applications, however, require as many beads of material as are available in presently available multi-tipped application nozzles, which typically have three or five outlets. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a multi-tipped application nozzle for viscous materials wherein the user can select which tips are active and which do not eject material. Also, there exists a need for a multi-tipped application nozzle wherein the user can control the size of the nozzle opening to control the amount of the material to be dispensed. Also, there exists a need for an application nozzle which can be used in combination with a dispensing device regardless of the manner in which the viscous material is packaged, i.e., cartridge form, collapsible form, or bulk form. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A nozzle is disclosed for dispensing viscous material comprising a plurality of dispensing tubes having dispensing tips and a single input cavity adapted to accept the viscous material. In an embodiment, at least one of the dispensing tips is manufactured closed and can be opened at the user&#39;s discretion. 
     In a further embodiment, the nozzle input cavity is adapted to accept a single nozzle from a material container, such as a cartridge. In a further embodiment, the nozzle includes a detachable locking plate enabling attachment of the nozzle to the front cap of a device for dispensing material in bulk form. In a further embodiment, the nozzle includes a detachable locking plate enabling attachment of the nozzle to the front cap of a device for dispensing material from a collapsible package, such as a sausage or chub. 
     In a further embodiment, the nozzle has a flange at the input tube end, and the flange holds the nozzle between a dispensing tool end-stop and a material container, such as the tip of a tube of adhesive or sealant. In an embodiment, the dispensing tubes are at an angle to the centerline of the material dispenser. In a further embodiment, the nozzle screws into a threaded socket on a dispensing tool by a thread on the outside of the input tube. 
     In a further embodiment, the nozzle has a flange at the input tube end, and the flange holds the nozzle between a dispensing tool end-stop and a material container, such as the tip of a tube of adhesive or sealant. In an embodiment, the dispensing tubes are at an angle to the centerline of the material dispenser. In a further embodiment, the nozzle screws into a threaded socket on a dispensing tool by a thread on the outside of the input tube. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of an exemplary multi-tip nozzle of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing of an exemplary multi-tip nozzle of the present invention with two tips cut open for dispensing material; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is drawing of an alternate embodiment of a multi-tip nozzle; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of the multi-tip nozzle of the present invention having versatility to be mounted to the dispensing end of a dispenser, regardless of the manner in which the viscous material is packaged, i.e., cartridge form, collapsible form, or bulk form; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the second alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7  shown mounted to the dispensing end of a sausage type or bulk type dispensing device; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a third alternative embodiment of the nozzle of the present invention wherein the flange and mounting plate are incorporated with a nozzle of conventional design and shape, e.g., a ribbon nozzle head, to provide versatility to enable mounting of the nozzle to the dispensing end of a dispenser, regardless of the manner in which the viscous material is packaged, i.e., cartridge form, collapsible form, or bulk form; and, 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the third alternative embodiment of  FIG. 10  shown mounted to the dispensing end of a sausage type or bulk type dispensing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary multi-tipped nozzle  10  applying three beads of material  15  to a surface  20  to which a flexible covering  30  is to be affixed. A typical use of the multi-tipped nozzle  10  is application of material  15 , e.g., adhesive, for installing cove base molding  30 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the nozzle  10  is shown in use attached to a dispensing device, partially shown at  40 . A hard cartridge, partially shown at  50 , containing material  15  to be dispensed is shown housed within the dispensing device  40 . The hard cartridge  50  that is used in conjunction with such dispensing devices  40  is of a standard size and configuration and comprises a front wall  31 , a back wall (not shown), and tubular body portion containing material therein to be dispensed. A hard cup-shaped movable plunger (not shown) is located at the rearward end of the hard cartridge  50 . The hard cartridge  50  includes its own dispensing nozzle  33  located at the forward end thereof. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the dispensing nozzle  33  of the hard cartridge  50  extends through an opening located in an end plate  41  at the front end of the dispensing device  40  as it extends within the proximal base portion  8  of the nozzle  10 . The moveable plunger provides means for the dispensing device  40  to apply dispensing pressure to the material within the cartridge  50 . When the cartridge  50  is appropriately registered within the dispensing device  40 , the moveable plunger is arranged to be moved in a forward ejecting direction towards the cartridge dispensing nozzle  33  to expel material from the cartridge  50 . 
     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , three of the five tips of the multi-tipped nozzle  10  are open and emitting material, and two of the tips remain closed. 
       FIG. 2  shows a multi-tipped nozzle  10  similar to the one shown  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , three nozzle tips  11  remain in place over nozzle tubes  13  to prevent material  15  from being dispensed through those nozzle tubes, while two nozzle tips  12  have been cut to open those two nozzle tips  12  to allow material  15  to be dispensed therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-tipped nozzle  10  is blow-molded high density polyethylene and the nozzle tips  12  are easily removed with a knife. In alternate embodiments (not shown), the nozzle tips are threaded and can be removed and replaced for applications where, for instance, the multi-tipped nozzle  10  will be used more than once. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , each of the nozzle tubes  13  is bent, placing the centerline  14  of the tips  11  and  12  at an oblique angle θ to the centerline  36  of the hard cartridge  50 . While the invention encompasses both straight nozzle tubes and bent tubes  13 , the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-3  is especially useful in that it provides a more comfortable positioning of the dispensing device  40  relative to the surface  20  on which the material  15  is to be applied, e.g., a vertical wall surface. The bent tubes  13  also afford easier access to tight areas that might not be accessible with straight tubes. 
       FIG. 3  clearly shows how, in this exemplary embodiment, the multi-tipped nozzle  10  includes a flange  16  located at a proximal base portion  8  of the nozzle  10 . The flange  16  is sandwiched between the end plate  41  of the dispensing device  40  and the front wall  31  of the hard cartridge  50 .  FIG. 3  also shows the nozzle  33  of the hard cartridge  50  extending through a front opening in the dispensing device  40  and into the proximal base portion  8  of the multi-tip nozzle  10 . The force of the plunger (not shown) that forces material through the hard cartridge  50  forces the front wall  31  of the hard cartridge  50  against the nozzle flange  16 , which is in turn forced against the end plate  41  of the dispensing device  40 , thus holding the nozzle  10  firmly in place with respect to both the dispensing device  40  and the hard cartridge  50 .  FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the nozzle  10  taken at section lines labeled  4  in  FIG. 2 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the nozzle  100  has external threads  116  at the inlet end that mate with internal threads (not shown) on the dispensing device  140 . In this embodiment, the nozzle  100  is screwed into the end of the dispensing device  140 . One application where this is practical is for dispensing devices adapted to accept bulk material not contained in a separate tube with a nozzle or for so-called “sausage” containers of material that do not have nozzles and which are simply opened at one end and the material forced out of the dispensing device, which comprises a complete cylinder with a plunger at one end and a threaded hole to accept the nozzle at the other end. Other types of nozzle-to-dispenser attachment means are also possible within the scope of the invention, including snap fit and twist and lock type fits. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 through 9 , there is shown therein a second alternative embodiment of the multi-tipped nozzle  200  of the present invention. As with the prior embodiments described herein, a typical use of the multi-tipped nozzle  200  is application of a viscous material, e.g., adhesive, for installing cove base molding. Industrial quality guns such as that shown in  FIGS. 7-9  of the drawings are filled generally in two different manners. The first is by unscrewing a front cap  204  and engaging the front of the barrel  208  with a bulk container (not shown) of a viscous material, such as an adhesive whereupon the piston assembly is retracted rearwardly to draw in a charge of adhesive from the bulk container (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 through 9 , the front cap  204  includes an internal thread and is arranged for screwing onto the externally threaded dispensing end of the barrel  208 . The front cap  204  includes a central opening  206  and a pair of opposed cutouts  207  extending radially from the central opening  206 . Prior to replacing the front cap  204  onto the barrel  208  filled with bulk material, the nozzle  200  is secured to the front cap  204  using a locking plate  212 . The locking plate  212  includes a centrally-located externally threaded shank  216  and opposed locking tabs  220  that extend radially from the threaded shank  216 . The threaded shank  216  is arranged to extend through the central opening  206  of the front cap  204  and into the proximal base portion  224  of the nozzle  200  ( FIG. 9 ). As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the proximal base portion  224  of the nozzle  200  is internally threaded and arranged to threadably receive the externally threaded shank  216 . As the threaded shank  216  of the locking plate  212  is placed through the central opening  206  of the front cap  204 , and screwed into the nozzle  200 , the opposed locking tabs  220  of the locking plate  212  seat into the opposed cutouts  207  of the front cap  204  to lock the nozzle  200  to the front cap  204 . Thereafter, the front cap  204 , with the nozzle  200  locked thereon, may be replaced onto the barrel  208  and the dispenser is ready for use. As best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the threaded shank  216  is hollow along its length to enable the passage of bulk material from the barrel  208 , through the threaded shank  216  and into the nozzle  200  during dispensing. 
     A second and more recently available method of filling the barrel with adhesive is by the use of what are known as “sausage” packages (not shown). These “sausage” packages are tube-like members formed generally of a thin plastic material such as mylar which is generally in the range of 2 mils thickness. Such packages are filled and are approximately the length of the barrel  208  and are clamped on or tied off at their ends by an appropriate clamp or tie. In use, the front cap  204  is unscrewed and the “sausage” package is inserted into the barrel  208  after the piston (not shown) is retracted. Thereafter, the end of the package closest the front cap  204  is cut open. The nozzle  200  is attached to the front cap  204  using the locking plate  212  in the manner described above and the front cap  200  is threaded back onto the barrel  208 . The operation of the gun is as in the conventional manner in that the hand actuator (not shown) drives the piston rod and piston assembly forward compressing and extruding the compound within the package through the nozzle  200  of the gun. 
     The multi-tipped nozzle  200  also includes a flange  228  arranged for being sandwiched between the end plate of a dispensing device and the front wall of a hard cartridge as described in connection with the first embodiment above. In this manner, the multi-tipped nozzle  200  in combination with the locking plate  212  of this embodiment provides versatility. That is, when it is desired to use the multi-tipped nozzle  200  for dispensing material in bulk form or from a collapsible package or sausage, the locking plate  212  may be utilized for fastening the nozzle  200  to the barrel front cap  204  prior to screwing the front cap  204  to the dispensing end of the barrel  208 . Alternatively, when it is desired to use the multi-tipped nozzle  200  for dispensing material from a cartridge, utilizing the flange  228 , the nozzle  200  may be sandwiched between the dispensing device end plate and the hard cartridge front wall. In this manner, the locking plate  212  is not utilized. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example,  FIGS. 7-9  illustrate the flange  228  and locking plate  212  features being utilized in combination with a multi-tipped nozzle  200 . However, it should be understood that these features, i.e., the flange and locking plate, can also be incorporated into any nozzle of conventional or standard design. For example, referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is shown therein a third alternative embodiment of the  300  of the present invention, wherein the flange and locking plate features have been incorporated into a conventional ribbon bead nozzle for providing ribbon or flat beads of adhesive or caulking material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the third alternative embodiment  300  includes a ribbon nozzle head  302  of conventional design and shape. The nozzle head  302  is arranged for dispensing a ribbon or flat bead of adhesive or caulking material having predetermined dimensions, e.g., a ⅛″×4″ ribbon bead. The embodiment  300  includes a front cap  304  including an internal thread (not shown). The front cap  304  is arranged for screwing onto the externally threaded dispensing end of the barrel  308 . The front cap  304  includes a central opening  306  and a pair of opposed cutouts  307  extending radially from the central opening  306 . Prior to replacing the front cap  304  onto the barrel  308  filled with caulking material or adhesive, the nozzle  300  is secured to the front cap  304  using a locking plate  312 . The locking plate  312  includes a centrally-located externally threaded shank  316  and opposed locking tabs  320  that extend radially from the threaded shank  316 . The threaded shank  316  is arranged to extend through the central opening  306  of the front cap  304  and into the proximal base portion of the nozzle  300 . 
     The ribbon nozzle  300  is internally threaded and arranged to threadably receive the externally threaded shank  316 . As the threaded shank  316  of the locking plate  312  is placed through the central opening  306  of the front cap  304 , and screwed into the nozzle  300 , the opposed locking tabs  320  of the locking plate  312  seat into the opposed cutouts  307  of the front cap  304  to lock the nozzle  300  to the front cap  304 . Thereafter, the front cap  304 , with the nozzle  300  locked thereon, may be replaced onto the barrel  308  and the dispenser is ready for use. As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the threaded shank  316  is hollow along its length to enable the passage of bulk material from the barrel  308 , through the threaded shank  316  and into the nozzle  300  during dispensing. The ribbon nozzle  300  also includes a flange  328  arranged for being sandwiched between the end plate of a dispensing device and the front wall of a hard cartridge as described in connection with the first embodiment above. In this manner, the ribbon nozzle  300  including the locking plate  312  and flange  328  of this embodiment provides versatility. That is, when it is desired to use the ribbon nozzle  300  for dispensing material in bulk form or from a collapsible package or sausage, the locking plate  312  may be utilized for fastening the nozzle  300  to the barrel front cap  304  prior to screwing the front cap  304  to the dispensing end of the barrel  308 . Alternatively, when it is desired to use the ribbon nozzle  300  for dispensing material from a cartridge, utilizing the flange  328 , the nozzle  300  may be sandwiched between the dispensing device end plate and the hard cartridge front wall. In this manner, the locking plate  312  is not utilized.