Abstract:
A device and method for dispensing flowable materials from a plurality of cartridge assemblies. Under the preferred embodiment, the device comprises a receptacle for carrying a plurality of cartridge assemblies therein. The cartridge assemblies each have a longitudinal axis and include a dispensing nozzle and an elongated tubular wall portion for containing a flowable material therein for dispensing. The wall portion is formed of a material that can be cut by a cutting surface. A drive mechanism is provided for moving an elongate drive rod in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. A web assembly is secured to the drive rod, the web assembly including a plurality of ejectors extending therefrom. Each ejector is arranged for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis within one of the cartridge assemblies between a forward ejecting direction to dispense the flowable material it contains and a return direction. There is disposed on the web assembly at least one cutting surface for slicing the tubular side wall of the cartridge assembly as the ejector moves in the forward ejecting direction.

Description:
SPECIFICATION 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to dispensing devices and, more particularly, to dispensing devices of the type often employing dual component cartridges and dual actuating ejector rams for dispensing dual component materials which cannot be mixed until immediately prior to use. Typical examples of such materials are epoxy resin compositions which are mixed when used with a hardener component which causes subsequent curing of the resin. Viscous materials such as caulks and adhesives are also commonly dispensed from disposable cartridges of standard configuration and standard sizes used in conjunction with dual component dispensing devices which are designed to accept such cartridges. 
     The cartridges comprise a tubular cylindrical body containing material to be dispensed, a movable plunger at the rearward end of the body retaining the material within the body and providing the means for a dispensing device to apply dispensing pressure to the contents of the cartridges, and an integral or detachable dispensing nozzle at the other end of the body. Some of these materials are of different viscosities which create uneven ejection pressures on the ejection rams. Some of the materials are very thick and difficult to eject and require considerable ejection ram pressure, e.g., 1100 pounds or 2500 pounds of thrust. Alternatively, one or both of the dual component cartridges may contain a low viscosity material. Often the overall diameter of dual component cartridges differ. 
     The dual component dispensing devices available in the prior art suffer from drawbacks as will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A. Referring now to FIG. 1A, a prior art dual component dispensing gun is loaded with two cartridge assemblies A and B, each containing one component of a dual component material, each component having a different viscosity. In operation, the trigger C (FIG. 1) is pulled toward the hand grip D (FIG. 1) which causes a drive shaft E which is disposed through the drive mechanism to be incrementally advanced in a forward direction. Likewise, push rods F and G, connected to the drive shaft E, are incrementally advanced in a forward direction within the cartridge assemblies. The push rods F and G engage cup-shaped plungers A′ and B′ forming a portion of the cartridges A and B and located within the cartridges at the rear portions thereof. Pressure exerted by the push rods F and G upon the plungers A′ and B′ forces the components outwardly through a nozzle H. Although both push rods F and G apply equal force upon the plungers A′ and B′, respectively, the push rod F actually travels at a slower rate of speed than the push rod G (and thus, travels less distance in the same amount of time as indicated by vertical line I) due to the fact that the component contained by cartridge A has a greater viscosity than the component contained by cartridge B. Likewise, the push rod G travels at a greater rate of speed than push rod F due to the lower viscosity of component contained by cartridge B (as indicated by vertical line J). Because the two push rods F and G travel at different rates of speed, they apply uneven forces on the dispensing device which results in a lateral flexing of the push rods F and G as indicated by lines K and L. Ultimately, the component of cartridge B will be completely dispensed before the dispensing of the component of cartridge A has been completed. In many cases, this lateral flexing is visually perceptible and usually adversely affects operation of the dispensing device which can result in improper mixing of the components. This drawback only worsens as greater dispensing pressure is required. 
     Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, due to the fact that the push rods F and G are located above the drive shaft E and connected to the drive shaft at the rear portion thereof, pressure applied to the push rods F and G during dispensing results in an undesirable downward bending of the push rods F and G which adversely affects operation of the dispensing device. The downward bending, illustrated by line M in FIG. 1, only increases where increased dispensing pressures are required. 
     In addition, in the event dispensing material contained within the cartridges A and/or B should flow back behind either of the plungers A′ and B′, the push rods F and G will become contaminated with dispensing material thus requiring replacement of these push rods. The foregoing problems of conventional prior art dispensing devices are addressed in the dispensing device of the present invention which substantially reduces any lateral or vertical flexing of push rods and also eliminates the other drawbacks mentioned above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a device and method for dispensing flowable materials from a plurality of cartridge assemblies. Under the preferred embodiment, the device comprises a receptacle for carrying a plurality of cartridge assemblies therein. The cartridge assemblies each have a longitudinal axis and include a dispensing nozzle and an elongated tubular wall portion for containing a flowable material therein for dispensing. The wall portion of the cartridge assemblies is formed of a material that can be cut by a cutting surface. A drive mechanism is provided for moving an elongate drive rod in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. A web assembly is secured to the drive rod, the web assembly including a plurality of ejectors extending therefrom. Each ejector is arranged for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis within one of the cartridge assemblies between a forward ejecting direction to dispense the flowable material from within the cartridge assembly and a return direction. There is disposed on the web assembly at least one cutting surface for slicing the tubular side wall of the cartridge assembly as the ejector moves in the forward ejecting direction. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, the ejectors are circular and have substantially the same outer diameter. 
     In another variation of the preferred embodiment, the ejectors have differing overall diameters. 
     In another variation of the preferred embodiment, the dispensing device includes at least one cutting surface that is oriented at an angle relative to the wall portion of the cartridge assembly. 
     In another variation of the preferred embodiment, the web assembly is V-shaped and comprises two flanges, each flange comprising a pair of plates oriented parallel to each other and being spaced apart. Under this variation, a cutting surface is affixed between each pair of plates. 
     In another variation of the preferred embodiment, the cutting surface is affixed between the plates by welding. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, the cutting surface is affixed to the web assembly by means of a screw. 
     In a variation of the second embodiment, the ejectors have differing outer diameters and may be centrally mounted or mounted in an offset manner to the web assembly. 
     In a third embodiment of the present invention, the web assembly comprises a forward edge that has been formed into a cutting surface. 
     In a variation of the third embodiment, the ejectors have different outer diameters. 
     In another variation of the third embodiment, two cartridge assemblies are carried by the dispensing device and the single cutting surface is arranged for slicing the tubular side wall of both cartridge assemblies. 
     In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the cutting surface is circular in shape and rotatably mounted to the flange assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art device for dispensing flowable components from multiple dispensing cartridges simultaneously; 
     FIG. 1A is a top view of the prior art dispensing device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of a web assembly portion of the preferred embodiment illustrating a manner for mounting cutting surfaces therein; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the web assembly of FIG. 5 illustrating cutting surfaces mounted therein; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  6  and rotated 90 degrees; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of the web assembly portion of a second embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention illustrating an alternative manner for mounting cutting surfaces thereon, the web assembly including ejectors having different diameters; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of the web assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating cutting surfaces mounted thereon; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG.  9  and rotated 90 degrees; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged isometric view of the web assembly of a third embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention wherein a cutting surface is formed in the front edge of the web assembly, the web assembly including ejectors having different diameters; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged top view of the web assembly of FIG. 11 illustrating the cutting surface formed in the front edge of the web assembly; 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG.  12  and rotated 90 degrees; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged isometric view of the web assembly of a fourth embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention illustrating an alternative cutting surface, e.g., a rotary cutting surface or pipe-cutter, mounted within the web assembly; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view of the web assembly of FIG. 14 illustrating the rotary cutting surface of FIG. 14 mounted therein; 
     FIG. 16 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG.  15  and rotated 90 degrees; and, 
     FIG. 16A is an enlargement of the area encircled and labeled as FIG. 16A in FIG.  15 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the device for dispensing flowable components from a plurality of cartridge assemblies in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at  10  in FIG.  2 . Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 7, the dispensing device  10  includes a forward section in the form of a dual component carriage assembly  14  of conventional design for housing a plurality, e.g., two, cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  containing components to be dispensed. Often, the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  contain components which cannot be mixed until immediately prior to use. Typical examples of such materials are epoxy resin compositions which are mixed when used with a hardener component which causes subsequent curing of the resin. Viscous materials such as caulks are also commonly dispensed from such dual component dispensing devices. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  that are used in conjunction with such dispensing devices are of a standard size and configuration and comprise a tubular cylindrical body portion  20  (FIG. 5) containing material to be dispensed, a cup-shaped movable plunger  22  at the rearward end of the body portion  20 , and dispensing nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  (FIG. 2) located at the forward end of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b . The moveable plunger  22  provides means for the dispensing device to apply dispensing pressure to the material  24  and  25  of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b . It should be understood that although the plunger  22  is illustrated as being cup-shaped, these plungers can take other forms, e.g., flat. When the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  are appropriately registered within the carriage assembly  14 , each moveable plunger  22  is arranged to be moved in a forward ejecting direction towards the nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  to expel material  24  and  25  from the body portions  20 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, when the two cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  are positioned side-by-side, the two semicircular nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  provide a circular threaded nozzle that is adapted to receive a threaded plastic nozzle  29  (FIG.  3 ). As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the components  24 ,  25  contained within the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  may be of different viscosities. The body portion  20 , moveable plunger  22  and nozzles  23   a ,  23   b  may be of conventional construction and may be formed of conventional materials such as thin metal, e.g., aluminum, heavy cardboard, plastic, e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene, or other materials that are cuttable by a cutting surface in a manner to be described below. When the two cartridges  18   a  and  18   b  are positioned in a side-by-side relationship within the carriage assembly  14 , the two semicircular nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  come into abutting relationship with each other to provide a resulting circular threaded nozzle. Thus, during ejection, the different components contained within each of the cartridges  18   a  and  18   b  are caused to intermix with one another as they are ejected from the nozzle  29 . The threaded plastic nozzle  29  may be threaded upon the semicircular nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  to hold the two component cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  together. Alternatively, the ejection nozzle  29  can be formed as part of the carriage assembly  14 , in alignment with the semicircular nozzles  23   a  and  23   b . Alternatively, the nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  may be positioned away from each other rather than in side-by-side relationship where an application does not involve the mixture of two component materials. 
     It should be understood that the carriage assembly  14  can be of any desired construction for housing the plurality of cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and does not constitute a limitation on the present invention. For example, the carriage assembly  14  could be arranged for housing three or more cartridge assemblies each containing the same or different components to be dispensed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the carriage assembly  14  includes at its forward end a forward support bracket  27  having an opening (not shown) positioned centrally thereof for passage of the semicircular nozzles  23   a  and  23   b  therethrough. The forward support bracket  27  also includes a lower stirrup  31  (FIG. 4) to assist in positioning and retaining the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  within the carriage assembly  14 . The forward support bracket  27  is joined to a pair of elongate support members  30  by any suitable means, e.g., welding. At its rearward end, the carriage assembly  14  includes a rear support bracket  34  which is also joined to the pair of elongate support members  30  by any suitable means, e.g., welding. The rear support bracket  34  includes an opening (not shown) to permit extension of an elongate drive rod  40  therethrough. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the elongate drive rod  40  extends directly through the trigger mechanism and is incrementally advanced in a forward ejecting direction by a trigger assembly  50 . In contrast to the above-discussed prior art mechanism wherein the two push rods extending above the drive rod flex vertically and laterally upon the application of dispensing pressure, under the present arrangement, the elongate drive rod  40  will not flex in either direction upon application of dispensing pressure because it extends directly through the trigger mechanism and utilizes a web assembly for dispensing materials from within the cartridge assemblies in a manner to be discussed below. Mechanisms for incrementally advancing drive rods and piston assemblies are well known in the art. However, by way of example, mechanisms for incrementally advancing the drive rod can be of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,403 (Schneider); U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,282 (Sedlmeier); U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,374 (Laufer, et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,831 (Schneider), all of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. Further, although the dispensing device illustrated in the figures operates in response to manual actuation, e.g., rachet operation, and does not operate by means of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure or by means of an electric motor, it should be understood that alternatively, the drive rod  40  may be incrementally or continuously advanced by such means. Also, although the elongate drive rod  40  is illustrated as being round, it should be understood that this shape is not limiting and the drive rod  40  may be of shapes other than round, e.g., square, hexagon. 
     To prevent backward movement of the drive rod  40  following release of the trigger  54 , a rear dog  62  of conventional operation is provided. The rear dog  62  includes a passage having edge surfaces (not shown) through which the drive rod  40  extends and includes a finger gripping extension  63  at the lower end thereof. A compression spring  65  is located between and in engagement with the rear of the trigger assembly  50  and with the rear dog  62 . It should be noted that the compression spring  65  biases the rear dog  62  in a counterclockwise direction to cause edge surfaces of the passage (not shown) to dig into the elongate drive rod  40  for precluding the drive rod  40  from moving in a direction opposite the ejecting direction upon release of the trigger  54 . However, when it is desired to axially adjust the position of the drive rod  40  manually, the finger gripping extension  63  is manually depressed to position the rear dog  62  in a generally vertical orientation to permit free sliding of the drive rod  40  within the passage of the rear dog  62 . It should be understood that the arrangement and manner of operation of the rear dog  62  is conventional and does not constitute a limitation on the present invention. Additionally, a return knob  67  located at the proximal end of the elongate drive rod  40  allows the user to withdraw the ejectors  120  from the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  after dispensing of the components  24 ,  25  has been completed or in the event it becomes necessary to replace the ejectors that have become contaminated with dispensing material that has flowed from within the cartridge assemblies back behind the plungers  22  in a manner to be described in detail below. Although the return knob  67  is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being round, it is to be understood that this is not limiting and the return knob  67  can take other shapes, e.g., T-shaped, plural flat sides or square. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, it should be understood that the elongate drive rod  40  is driven in the forward ejecting direction by actuation of a trigger  54  in a direction toward the handle  58 . The trigger  54  is pivotally mounted to the handle  58  by any suitable means, e.g., a pivot bolt (not shown) passing through the handle  58  and a nut (not shown). It should be understood that the pivot bolt (not shown) could be replaced with a pivot pin (not shown) or any other desired pivot support. The trigger  54  is spring loaded away from the handle  58  by a conventional spring (not shown). The handle  58  is secured to the carriage assembly  14  by any suitable means. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, a web assembly  70  is mounted to the forward end of the elongate drive rod  40 , i.e., the end closest to the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b , by any suitable means. For example, as shown in the previously mentioned figures, at its forward end, the diameter of the drive rod  40  reduces at a shoulder. The reduced section of the drive rod  40  is best illustrated in phantom at  74  in FIG.  3 . As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, the reduced section  74  extends through a central opening located in a base tube  78  of the web assembly  70  and emerges at a free end  74   a  that is threaded. The web assembly  70  is affixed to the elongate drive rod  40  by attachment of a nut  82  to the threaded free end  74   a . Alternatively, the web assembly  70  could be affixed to the forward end of the elongate drive rod  40  by other means, e.g., a snap, a clip, or any other suitable fastening member. Alternatively, the web assembly  70  could be welded to the forward portion of the drive rod  40  or formed as integral with the drive rod  40 . The web assembly  70  may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., metal, plastic, composite, cast, etc. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, extending upwardly from the base tube  78  at approximately a forty-five degree angle are two sets of flanges that form a generally V-shape. As best seen in FIG. 7, the first set of flanges  90 ,  94  of similar length, shape and thickness, and oriented parallel to one another in a spaced-apart relationship are welded at their one end to the base tube  78  by fillet welds  98 . The flanges  90 ,  94  extend upwardly at an approximately forty-five degree angle to the left where they are attached by any suitable means, e.g., welding, at their opposite ends to a rod-portion  99 . As best seen in FIG. 6, the rod portion  99  extends forward toward the cartridge assemblies and terminates at an ejector  120  attached thereto. The ejector  120  may be affixed to the rod portion  99  by any suitable means. As best shown in FIG. 6, the forward end of each rod portion  99  includes a section that is reduced in diameter and threaded. This section extends through an internally threaded reinforcing weld nut  119  that is welded to the ejector  120  which includes an unthreaded centrally located opening. The ejector is sized to fit within the cup-shaped movable plunger  22  located at the rearward end of the cartridge assembly  18   a . Likewise, a second set of flanges  110 ,  114  of similar length, shape and thickness and oriented parallel to one another in a spaced-apart relationship are welded at their one end to the base tube  78  by fillet welds  98  and extend upwardly at an approximately forty-five degree angle to the right where there are attached by any suitable means, e.g., welding, at their opposite ends to a rod portion  99 . Referring again to FIG. 6, the rod portion  99  extends forward towards the cartridge assemblies and terminates at an ejector  120  sized to fit within the cup-shaped movable plungers  22  located at the rearward end of the cartridge assembly  18   b . An internally threaded reinforcing weld nut  119  may be welded to the ejector  120  and threaded over the rod portion  99 . 
     A cutting surface  106  is disposed and secured within the space between the flanges  90  and  94  and is employed to axially sever the tubular body portion  20  of the cartridge assembly  18   a . Although the cutting surface  106  is shown in FIG. 6 as being secured between the flanges  90  and  94  by welding, it is to be understood that in accordance with the present invention, the cutting surface  106  could be affixed between the flanges  90  and  94  by any suitable means. For example, the cutting surface  106  could be affixed therebetween utilizing a suitable adhesive or bonding material. Alternatively, the cutting surface  106  could be formed as an integral part of the flanges  90  and  94  such as by injection molding. Under yet another alternative, the cutting surface  106  could be affixed between the flanges  90  and  94  by utilizing a punch press to punch a notch or divot in the flanges  90  and  94  to hold the cutting surface  106  therebetween. The cutting surface may be any suitable commercial blade. Several such suitable commercial blades include an X-Acto No.8 or No.24 blade or a Stanley Model No. 11-921 blade. Likewise, a cutting surface  118  is disposed within the space between the flanges  110  and  114 , is secured therein by any suitable means, e.g., welding, and is employed to axially sever the tubular body portion  20  of the other cartridge assembly  18   b . As best shown in FIG. 5, the cutting surfaces  106 ,  118  are oriented at an angle with respect to the tubular body portion  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  to ease cutting into the tubular body portion  20 . The flanges  90 ,  94  and  110 ,  114  also include opposed cutouts that form slots indicated at  96  which are arranged for receiving the tubular body portions  20  and guiding them towards the cutting surfaces  106 ,  118 . In this manner, as the ejectors  120  penetrate the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b , the cutting surfaces  106 ,  118  will cut into the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and allow the ejectors  120  to penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and to prevent interference with operation of the dispensing device. 
     In operation, with the cartridges  18   a  and  18   b  properly situated within the carriage assembly  14 , the trigger  54  is pulled toward the handle  58  which causes the drive rod  40  and ejectors  120  mounted thereto to move in the forward ejecting direction to come into contact with the plungers  22  situated in the rear portion of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b . The ejectors  120  apply force upon the plungers  22  forcing material out of the dispensing nozzles  23   a  and  23   b . The cut outs  96  are positioned for entry of the tubular body portions  20  therein such that cutting surfaces  106  and  118  cut into the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  as indicated at  59  in FIG. 5 as the ejectors  120  penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b . Cutting of the tubular body portions  20  enables the ejectors  120  to continue penetrating into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b . In the event material  24 ,  25  should flow back behind the plungers  22  during dispensing and contaminate the ejectors  120 , the web assembly  70  may be withdrawn from the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  by use of the return knob  67 . Thereafter, the flange assembly  70  may be detached from the drive rod  40  by removal of the nut  82  and discarded with the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b . Thereafter, a new web assembly  70  may be attached to the drive rod  40  and a new cartridge assembly placed into the carriage assembly  14 . In this manner, the elongate drive rod  40 , which has not entered either of the cartridge assemblies and has not been contaminated with material  24 ,  25  that has flowed back behind the ejectors  120 , can be retained and a new uncontaminated flange assembly  70  attached thereto. 
     FIGS. 8 through 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numerals designate like parts to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7. Under this embodiment, a web assembly  170  comprises a base tube  78  that is welded to a cradle piece  72 . Single flanges  94  and  110 , also welded to the cradle piece  72 , extend upwardly at approximately forty-five degree angles from the base tube  78  to form a V-shape where they are affixed to rod portions  99  by any suitable means, e.g., welding. Alternatively, the components of the web assembly  170  could be affixed to each other by other suitable means, e.g., screws, or the web assembly  170  could be formed as a unitary structure. A cutting surface  106  is attached to the top surface of the single flange  94  by means of a screw  130  while a cutting surface  118  is attached to the top surface of a single flange  110  also by means of a screw  130 . This is an alternative to the arrangement of the preferred embodiment wherein cutting surfaces are affixed between pairs of flanges. Aside from the fact that single flanges  94 ,  110  are utilized rather than pairs of flanges, the web  170  is substantially the same in overall size and dimensions as the web assembly  70  discussed in connection with the preferred embodiment. Under the preferred embodiment, the cartridge assemblies had substantially equal overall diameters. By contrast, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, the cartridge assembly  18   c  has an overall diameter that is somewhat less than that of the cartridge assembly  18   b . To accommodate for the differently sized cartridge assemblies,  18   b  and  18   c , the ejector  121  is sized smaller to fit within the cup-shaped movable plunger  22  of the smaller cartridge assembly  18   c  and is mounted to the rod portion  99  in an offset position (as best shown in FIG.  10 ). Adjusting the size and mounting position of the ejector  121  increases the versatility of the web assembly for applications where differently sized cartridge assemblies are utilized or where cartridge assemblies have the same overall diameter. The second embodiment operates in substantially the same manner as described in connection with the preferred embodiment, i.e., as the ejectors  120 ,  121  penetrate the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   c , the cutting surfaces  106 ,  118  will cut into the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   c  and allow the ejectors  120  to penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   c  and to prevent interference with operation of the dispensing device. Cuts created by cutting surfaces  106 ,  118  are indicated at  59  in FIGS. 8 and 10. 
     FIGS. 11-13 show a third embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numerals designate like parts to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7. Under this embodiment, rather than utilizing a V-shaped web assembly as disclosed and discussed in the previous two embodiments, a flange  140  that is substantially flat is affixed between a tube portion  197  and a rod portion  199  by any suitable means, e.g., welding. As best shown in FIG. 12, the tube portion  197  is affixed to the forward end of the drive rod  40 . Specifically, as the drive rod  40  extends in the forward ejecting direction, its diameter narrows at a shoulder to create a reduced section  74  which extends through a central opening located in the tube portion  197 . The reduced section  74  extends through the tube portion  197  and emerges at a free end  74   a  that is threaded. The tube portion  197  is positioned against the shoulder of the drive rod  40  by attachment of a nut  82  to the threaded free end of the reduced section  74 . In this manner, the web assembly  170  may be detached from the drive rod  40  in the manner described under the preferred embodiment. Alternatively, the tube portion  197  could be formed integrally with the drive rod  40 . Ejector  120  is attached to the forward end of the tube portion  197  and an ejector  125 , smaller in overall diameter than the ejector  120 , is attached at the forward end of the rod portion  199 . An internally threaded reinforcing weld nut  119  may be utilized as required. The ejector  120  is sized and positioned on the tube portion  197  to fit within the cup-shaped movable plunger  22  located at the rearward end of the cartridge assembly  18   b  and the ejector  125  is sized and positioned on the rod portion  199  to fit within the cup-shaped movable plunger  22  located at the rearward end of the cartridge assembly  18   d.    
     At its forward end, the flange  140  includes a canted or angled edge that is formed into a cutting surface  140   a  to ease cutting into the tubular wall  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   d . The cutting surface  140   a  is arranged for cutting into the tubular body portions  20  of both cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   d  simultaneously to allow the ejectors  120 ,  125  to penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   d . Alternatively, rather than forming a cutting surface  140   a  in the forward edge of the flange  140 , a cutting surface may be attached to the flange  140  by any suitable means, e.g., welding or by means of one or more screws. As discussed previously, by adjusting the size of the ejectors  120 ,  125 , the flange  140  may be utilized with cartridge assemblies having the same or different overall diameters. The third embodiment operates in substantially the same manner as described in connection with the preferred embodiment, i.e., as the ejectors  120 ,  125  penetrate the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   d , the cutting surface  140   a  will cut into the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   d  and allow the ejectors  120 ,  125  to penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   b  and  18   d  and to prevent interference with operation of the dispensing device. Cuts created by cutting surface  140   a  are indicated at  59  in FIGS. 11 and 13. 
     FIGS. 14 through 16 and  16 A show a fourth embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numerals designate like parts to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7. Under this fourth embodiment, a web  270  is utilized that includes a base tube  278  that is affixed to the distal end of the drive rod  40  by any suitable means, e.g., by attachment of a nut  279  to the reduced diameter free threaded end of the drive rod  40  extending through the base tube  278 . As described in connection with the previous embodiments, attachment in this manner enables easy detachment of the web assembly  270  from the drive rod  40  in the event of contamination of the ejectors  120 . Alternatively, the web assembly  270  could be welded to the drive rod  40  or formed as an integral part of the drive rod  40 . 
     Extending upwardly from the base tube  278  at approximately a forty-five degree angle are two sets of flanges that form a generally V-shape. As best seen in FIG. 16, the first set of flanges  290 ,  294 , of similar length, shape and thickness and oriented parallel to one another in a spaced-apart relationship, are welded at their one end to the base tube  278  by fillet welds  298 . The flanges  290 ,  294  extend upwardly at an approximately forty-five degree angle to the left where they are attached by any suitable means, e.g., welding, at their opposite ends to a rod-portion  299 . As best seen in FIG. 15, the rod portion  299  extends in the forward ejecting direction and terminates at an ejector  120  attached thereto. The ejector  120  is sized to fit within the cup-shaped movable plunger  22  located at the rearward end of the cartridge assembly  18   a . Likewise, a second set of flanges  210 ,  214  of similar length, shape and thickness, and oriented parallel to one another in a spaced-apart relationship, are welded at their one end to the base tube  278  by fillet welds  298  and extend upwardly at an approximately forty-five degree angle to the right where they are attached by any suitable means, e.g., welding, at their opposite ends to another rod-portion  299 . As best seen in FIG. 15, the rod portion  299  also extends in a forward ejecting direction and terminates at an ejector  120  sized to sized to fit within the cup-shaped movable plungers  22  located at the rearward end of the cartridge assembly  18   b.    
     As best shown in FIG. 16A, a circular cutting wheel  206 , rotatably mounted on an axle  208 , is disposed within the space between the flanges  290  and  294  and is employed to axially sever the tubular body portion  20  of the cartridge assembly  18   a . The cutting wheel  206  may be any suitable commercial cutting wheel, e.g., a pipe-cutter. Likewise, a circular cutting wheel  218  rotatably mounted on an axle  220 , is disposed within the space between the flanges  210  and  214  and is employed to axially sever the tubular body portion  20  of the cartridge assembly  18   b . The flanges  290 ,  294  and  210 ,  214  also include opposed cutouts that form slots indicated at  296  which are arranged for receiving the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies and for guiding them towards the circular cutting wheels  206 ,  218 . In this manner, as the ejectors  120  penetrate the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b , the circular cutting wheels  206 ,  218  will engage and cut into the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and allow the ejectors  120  to penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and to prevent interference with operation of the dispensing device. Cuts created by the circular cutting wheels are indicated at  59  in FIGS. 14,  16  and  16 A. The fourth embodiment operates in substantially the same manner as described in connection with the preferred embodiment, i.e., as the ejectors  120  penetrate the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b , the cutting wheels  206  and  218  will cut into the tubular body portions  20  of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and allow the ejectors  120  to penetrate further into the interior of the cartridge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b  and to prevent interference with operation of the dispensing device. 
     The present invention has been described in respect to the particular embodiments thereof set forth in the specification and as illustrated in the drawings. As a result of such disclosure, other variations and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art and therefore, no limitation as to the scope of the invention is intended by the specific embodiments disclosed but the scope of the invention is to be interpreted in view of the appended claims. For example, although device of the present invention has been shown and described as being various embodiments of a hand-held dispensing device, it should be understood that the device of the present invention could also be wall mounted or held within a backpack to be worn by a user wherein dispensed material flows through a tube leading from the backpack to a wand held in the hand of the user.