Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a two-handed tube squeezer for facilitating the expulsion of material from a collapsible container. In one embodiment, the tube squeezer includes a pair of frames that each has a handle portion and a tube engagement portion that supports a roller. The frames are connected by a hinge. When the frames are substantially parallel to one another, the handle and tube engagement portions all lie in a low profile plane. The handle portions also form a handle that is separated from the tube engagement portions. When a user is holding the handle with one hand and causing the rollers to squeeze a tube with the other hand, the hand that is holding the handle is separated from the tube engagement portions such that the squeezed portion of the tube is unlikely to come in contact with the hand that is gripping the handle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a tube squeezer for squeezing material out of a collapsible tube. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The collapsible tube is a common structure for dispensing relatively viscous materials, such as caulk, ointments, certain pharmaceutical preparations, salves, and toothpaste, to name a few. The typical collapsible tube includes a flexible tubular body with a first end that is closed and a second end that is connected to a dispensing head. The dispensing head commonly includes a nozzle that defines an opening through which the material contained within the tube is dispensed. Typically, the dispensing head includes a cap that allows the opening to be sealed and unsealed as needed. The flexible tubular body is made of a ductile metal, plastic, or laminate. In operation, the opening is unsealed and the user squeezes the body to force some of the material contained within the tube out of the opening. 
     A problem with collapsible tubes is that in many instances a significant amount of material contained within the tube cannot be extracted. This particularly is the case when the only tool available to squeeze the body is the user&#39;s hand. This un-extracted material typically adheres to the interior side of the body and/or is located in the dispensing head. In some instances, the tube is cut open to extract the remaining material. 
     To address this problem, various tube squeezers have been developed. These tube squeezers fall into two types. The first type of tube squeezer is mounted on a surface and has a structure that pinches the tubular body between two surfaces (e.g., a pair of rollers) that span the width of the tubular body. The squeezer operates to either move the tube relative to the two surfaces or move the two surfaces relative to the tube. In either case, the movement squeezes the tube such that material within the tube is ejected from the nozzle. By squeezing from the closed end of the tube towards the dispensing head, the ejection of most all of the material in the tube is achieved. The second type of tube squeezer is hand-held and includes a structure that pinches the tubular body between two surfaces (e.g., a pair of rollers) that span the width of the tube. The squeezer operates such that the tube is moved relative to the two surfaces that provide the force to eject the material out of the nozzle. With respect to the second type of tube squeezers, there are at least two sub-types of squeezers. In the first sub-type, a handle structure allows the user to both grip the tube squeezer and cause the tube to move relative to the two surfaces using only one hand. The second sub-type of tube squeezer is designed to be operated using two hands, one hand grasps a handle and the other hand operates a lever, knob, or other actuator that causes the tube to move relative to the two surfaces that provide the force to eject the material through the nozzle of the tube. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a tube squeezer that is designed to be operated with two hands, i.e., there is a handle that the user grasps to hold the squeezer and a lever, knob, or other actuator that is used to move the tube relative to two surfaces that squeeze the tube to cause the material within the tube to be ejected from the tube nozzle. One embodiment of the invention recognizes and addresses several drawbacks associated with the known two-handed tube squeezers. To elaborate, one drawback associated with the known two-handed tube squeezers is that the portion of the tube that has been squeezed can interfere with the user&#39;s grip of the squeezer and/or begin to obscure the user&#39;s view of the application of the material from tube onto a surface. Another problem is that known two-handed tube squeezers are awkward or difficult to store in a tool box or on a tool board or carry on one&#39;s person when not in use. 
     To address these problems, one embodiment of the tube squeezer is comprised of two frames that each includes a handle portion and tube engagement portion. A roller is associated with the tube engagement portion of each of the frames. The two rollers provide the two surfaces that are used to squeeze a tube. A hinge connects the first and second frames to one another and allows the frames and their associated rollers to pivot relative to one another. Operatively connected to one of the rollers is a roller handle that the user manipulates with one hand to cause the rollers to move the tube relative to the rollers. A diverter is associated with the second frame and operates to direct the portion of a tube that has been squeezed towards a hole that is defined by the second frame. The hinge allows the frames to be placed in a position in which the longitudinal axes of the frames are parallel to, but separated from, one another. When the frames are in this position, (a) the handle portions of the first and second frames form a handle of sufficient length and circumference to be gripped by one hand of a typical user, the other hand of the user being employed to manipulate the roller handle; (b) the handle has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the rotational axes of the roller, (c) the rollers are positioned to squeeze a tube, and (d) the diverter is positioned to direct the squeezed portion of the tube away from the volume around the handle that is typically occupied by the user&#39;s hand and in a direction that is unlikely to interfere with the user&#39;s viewing of the ejection of the material from the tube and onto a surface in many instances. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C respectively are a top side perspective view, bottom side perspective view, and front side plan view of an embodiment of a tube squeezer of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  respectively are a first side view and a second side view of the tube squeezer shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the tube squeezer shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the tube squeezer shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the tube squeezer shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the tube squeezer shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  in a position suitable for initially engaging a tube; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the tube squeezer shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  in position for squeezing a tube and the portion of the tube that has been squeezed being diverted away from the user&#39;s hand. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C ,  2 A- 2 B, and  3 - 5 , an embodiment of a tube squeezer, hereinafter referred to as tube squeezer  20 , is described. Generally, the tube squeezer  20  includes: (a) first and second frames  22 A,  22 B, (b) a hinge  24  connecting the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B to one another and allowing rotation of one frame relative to the other frame, (c) first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B respectively associated with the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B, (d) a roller handle  28  operatively attached to the first roller  26 A, and (e) a latch  30  for connecting the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B so as to prevent rotation of one frame relative to the other frame. 
     The first frame  22 A is comprised of a first handle portion  32 A, a first tube engagement portion  34 A, and a first latch portion  36 A that is located between the first handle portion  32 A and first tube engagement portion  34 A. The first frame  22 A also has a first handle longitudinal axis  38 A. The second frame  22 B is comprised of a second handle portion  32 B, a second tube engagement portion  34 B, and a second latch portion  36 B that is located between the second handle portion  32 B and the second tube engagement portion  34 B. The second frame has a second longitudinal axis  38 B. The first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are made from nylon and molded so that the frames are both lightweight and relatively rigid. However, it should be appreciated that other materials can be used to realize suitable frames, such as other plastics, metals and woods to name a few. 
     The hinge  24  includes a first pair of wings  42 A,  42 B that are attached to the first frame  22 A, a second pair of wings  44 A,  44 B that are attached to the second frame  22 B, and a pair of pins  46 A,  46 B. The wings  42 A,  42 B each define a hole for respectively receiving pins  46 A,  46 B. The wings  44 A,  44 B each define a slot for respectively receiving wings  42 A,  42 B and a pair of holes for respectively receiving pins  46 A,  46 B. The first pair of wings  42 A,  42 B are integral with the first frame  22 A, i.e., the first pair of wings  42 A,  42 B are created in the same mold as the first frame  22 A. The second pair of wings  44 A,  44 B are integral with second frame  22 B. As such, the first and second pairs of wings  42 A,  42 B,  44 A, and  44 B are also made of nylon. The pins  46 A,  46 B each include a rod that passes through the holes defined by the wings and a head located at each end to engage the outer surfaces of the second pair of wings  44 A,  44 B. The hinge  24  is located such that the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B are located in between the hinge  24  and the first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B. The hinge  24  and the front of the first and second tube engagement portions  34 A,  34 B define an opening  48  through which one end of a tube can be inserted into the tube squeezer  20 . It should be appreciated that other hinge structures and other locations for a hinge are feasible. For example, one or more wings can be realized that are each attached to one of the frames with a fastener, rather than being integral with the frame. Further, a hinge can be located between the rollers and the handle portions, as in a pair of scissors. Such a hinge would not, however, be capable of the additional function of partially defining an opening for receiving a tube. On the other hand, such a hinge could be comprised of a single wing structure associated with each frame and a single pin connecting the two wing structures. 
     The first roller  26 A is comprised of a toothed outer portion  52 A and a sleeve  54 A. The sleeve  54 A is comprised of a first portion that extends beyond one lateral end of the toothed outer portion  52 A and a second portion that extends beyond the other lateral end of the toothed outer portion  52 A. In the illustrated embodiment, the toothed outer portion  52 A and sleeve  54 A are a single, molded piece. It should be appreciated that multiple pieces can be joined to one another to realize the tooth outer portion  52 A and sleeve  54 A. A rivet  58  passes through hole  56 A and engages the first portion of the sleeve  54 A A pin  59  passes through hole  56 B and engages the second portion of the sleeve  54 A. The rivet  58  and pin  59  define the axis around which the first roller  26 A rotates. The pin  59  also engages the handle  28 . 
     The second roller  26 B is comprised of a toothed outer portion  52 B and a sleeve  54 B. The sleeve  54 B is comprised of a first portion that extends beyond one lateral end of the toothed outer portion  52 B and a second portion that extends beyond the other lateral end of the toothed outer portion  52 B. In the illustrated embodiment, the toothed outer portion  52 B and sleeve  54 B are a single, molded piece. It should be appreciated that multiple pieces can be joined to one another to realize the tooth outer portion  52 B and sleeve  54 B. Rivets  62 A,  62 B respectively pass through the holes  60 A,  60 B and respectively engage the first and second portions of the sleeve  54 B. The rivets  62 A,  62 B define the axis around which the second roller  26 B rotates. 
     When the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are positioned as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the toothed outer portions  52 A,  52 B mesh with one another. As such, when an operator uses the roller handle  28  to rotate the first roller  26 A, the second roller  26 B also rotates. Further, with reference to  FIG. 2B , when the roller handle  28  is rotated in a clockwise direction indicated by arrow  64 , the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B respectively rotate in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to pull a tube into tube squeezer  20  and to cause material in the tube to be ejected from the nozzle of the tube. 
     The first tube engagement portion  34 A is generally comprised of first, second, third, and forth side portions  68 A- 68 D that define an opening  70 . The opening  70  will typically be facing a user during operation of the tube squeezer  20  and provide the user with the ability to observe at least the rotation of the first roller  26 A. The opening  70  also reduces the weight and the amount of material in the tube squeezer  20  relative to a tube squeezer without such an opening, all other things being equal. Nonetheless, if weight and/or material and/or the ability to observe at least the rotation of the first roller  26 A are of less concern, the opening  70  can be eliminated. 
     The second tube engagement portion  34 B is generally comprised of first, second, third, and fourth side portion  74 A- 74 D that define an opening  76 . Also associated with the second tube engagement portion is a diverter  78  that serves to direct the portion of a tube that has passed between the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B towards the opening  76  and away from hand of an operator that is grasping the handle formed by the first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B. The diverter  78  extends from an edge  80  that defines a portion of the opening  76  to an edge  81  that is closer to the axis of rotation of the first roller  26 A than to the axis of rotation of the second roller  26 B. The diverter is  78  is curved and has a width that approximately the same as the lengths of the toothed outer portions  52 A,  52 B of the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. Further, the diverter  78  is integral with the second frame  22 B. It should, however, be appreciated that a diverter that has a different shape is feasible, providing the diverter functions to direct the squeezed portion of a tube towards the opening  76 . For example, the diverter can be planar instead of curved, extend over a lesser lateral extent, or have a comb shape that allows a user to see the squeezed portion of the tube as it passes between the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B and towards the opening  76  via the opening  70 . The diverter can also be a separate piece that is attached to the second frame  22 B by a fastener. 
     The latch  30  is comprised of a first latch portion  84 A that is associated with the first frame  22 A and a second latch portion  84 B that is associated with the second frame  22 B. The first and second latch portions  84 A,  84 B operate so that first and second frames can be engaged to one another so as to prevent rotation of one frame relative to the other frame and disengaged from one another to allow such rotation. The first latch portion  84 A includes a first engagement surface  86  that is located adjacent to a hole  88 . In operation, the first engagement surface  86  contacts a surface associated with the second latch portion  84 B to latch the first and second frames to one another and thereby prevent rotation of one frame relative to the other. The first latch portion  84 A also includes a camming surface  90  that, in operation, engages a surface associated with the second latch portion  84 B to direct a portion of the second latch portion  84 B through the hole  88  so that the latch can be engaged. The camming surface  90  is integral with the first frame  22 A. However, a separate camming surface that is fastened to the frame is also feasible. The second latch portion  84 B is comprised of a flexible member  94  and a well  96  that is integral with the second frame  22 B and receives a portion of the flexible member  94 . The flexible member  94  includes a rimmed bottom portion  98  that engages the well  96  to support the remainder of the flexible member  94 . The flexible member  94  further includes a staff  100  with one end attached to the rimmed bottom portion  98  and the other end attached to a flag  102 . The flag  102  includes a knurled thumb surface  104  and second engagement surface  106 . It should be appreciated that a different type of latch can also be employed. For example, a ball-and-socket type of latch can be employed. Further, a latch that is positioned at a different location can be employed. For example, a latch can be employed with latch portions that are each located at the distal end of the first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B and so as not to interfere with the user&#39;s gripping of the handle. A latch can also be positioned closer to the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. In either of these cases, the disengaging of such a latch is not likely to be as convenient as the disengaging of latch  30 , which can be accomplished with the same hand that the user is using to hold the handle of the tube squeezer  20 . 
     The operation of the latch  30  is described. Initially, it is assumed that the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are positioned such that the latch  30  cannot connect the first and second frames to one another. Subsequently, as the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are brought closer to one another, the knurled thumb surface  104  of the second latch portion  84 B engages the camming surface  90  of the first latch portion  84 A. As the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are brought yet closer to one another, the knurled thumb surface  104  and the camming surface  90  interact so as to cause the staff  100  to flex and direct the flag  102  through the hole  88 . Once the second engagement surface  106  of the second latch portion  84 B extends past the edge that defines the hole  88 , the staff  100  can then straighten. The straightening of the staff  100  causes the second engagement surface  106  to engage the first engagement surface  86 , thereby engaging the latch  30 . To disengage the latch  30 , the user pushes the knurled thumb surface  104  away from the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B so as to cause the staff  100  to flex and the flag  102  to pass back through the hole  88  as the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are separated from one another. 
     The first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B, when positioned such that the first and second longitudinal axes  38 A,  38 B of the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are substantially parallel to one another (e.g.,  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), form a handle  110  that is of sufficient length and circumference to be gripped by the individual that is typically expected to use the tube squeezer  20 . In this regard, it should be appreciated that the tube squeezer  20  can be scaled up and down for various applications and to accommodate that typical user in each such application. 
     Having described the various elements of the tube squeezer  20 , the operation of the tube squeezer  20  is now described. The operation of the tube squeezer  20  is initially described when the tube squeezer  20  is in a storage or idle state in which the squeezer is not being used to squeeze material out of a collapsible tube. With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , when the tube squeezer  20  is in not being used to squeeze material out of a collapsible tube, the latch  30  is engaged such that the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B cannot rotate relative to one another. In this state, the tube squeezer  20  has a relatively low, planar profile and the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B cannot move relative to one another. The low, planar profile and latching of the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B to one another facilitates the storage of the tube squeezer  20  in a tool box, on a tool belt, in a pocket of a tool belt, or in or on any other type of structure for carrying or storing tools. Regardless of whether or not the latch  30  is engaged, the low, planar profile also facilitates efficient use of the space in a structure for carrying or storing tools. Further, the latching of the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B to one another prevents the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B from separating from one another and getting entangled with other tools or occupying more space than need be. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the operation of the tube squeezer  20  is now described with respect to a tube receiving state, i.e., the state in which the tube squeezer  20  initially engages a collapsible tube  111 . In this state, the latch  30  is disengaged so that the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B can be rotated relative to one another and a space sufficient to receive a portion of the flexible tubular body of a collapsible tube established between the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. With this spacing established, the flexible tubular body of the tube is placed between the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B and the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are then brought closer to one another until the flexible tubular body of the tube is engaged by the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B, thus transitioning the tube squeezer  20  from the tube receiving state to the tube engagement state. Generally, the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B are brought close enough to one another so that the latch  30  is also engaged. However, the latch  30  need not be engaged for tube squeezer  20  to enter the tube engagement state. e Moreover, the latch  30  (if engaged) typically does not provide enough compressive force for the continuous squeezing of material out of the collapsible tube, that force is provided by the user&#39;s hand squeezing the first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B together. Nonetheless, when the latch  30  is engaged, the latch provides enough force so that the user can release the handle  110  without also releasing the tube and having to repeat the process of engaging the tube squeezer  20  and the collapsible tube. At this point, the first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B form the handle  110 . The handle  110  has a longitudinal axis  112  that is perpendicular to a roller plane  116  that is defined by the rotational axes of the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. The longitudinal axis  112  of the handle  110  also lies in the tube exit plane  118 , a plane that is perpendicular to the roller plane  116  and midway between the axes of rotation of the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the operation of the tube squeezer  20  in forcing material out of the nozzle of the tube is described. After the tube squeezer  20  and a collapsible tube have been engaged, the user grasps the handle  110  with one hand and the roller handle  28  with the other hand. The grasping of the handle  110  forces the first and second handle portions  32 A,  32 B closer to one another and provides a substantial portion of the compressive force that is transmitted via the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B to the flexible tubular body of the tube. In addition, the compressive force causes the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B to pinch the flexible tubular portion between the toothed outer portions  52 A,  52 B of the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. The rotation of the roller handle  28  in a clockwise direction causes the toothed outer portions  52 A,  52 B of the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B to pull the flexible tubular portion into the squeezer  20  to produced a squeezed portion of the tube that engages the diverter  78  and is directed towards the opening  76 . It should be appreciated that the squeezed portion of the tube is directed away from the hand of the user that is grasping the handle  110  and, in most cases, directed so as not to interfere with the user&#39;s view of the application of the material from the tube to a particular surface. 
     Removal of the tube from the tube squeezer  20  is accomplished by, if necessary, releasing the latch  30  and separating the first and second frames  22 A,  22 B from one another so that the tube can readily removed from between the first and second rollers  26 A,  26 B. 
     The foregoing description of the invention is intended to explain the best mode known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with the various modifications required by their particular applications or uses of the invention.