Abstract:
A dispenser holder discharges fluid from a dispenser using rigid pressure plates that have one of their ends pivotably secured together and that extend outwardly on opposing sides of the dispenser. Levers pivotably extend on opposing sides of the rigid pressure plates for pressing the plates against the sides of the collapsible dispenser.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     A holder, for collapsible viscous fluid dispensers, opens a closure, inserts a dispenser, closes the closure to hold the dispenser, applies pressure to the sides of the dispenser using rigid plates pressed by levers to discharge viscous fluid, and opens the closure to remove the dispenser. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The use of multiple collapsible viscous fluid dispensers for decorating cakes, discharging different colors for painting, applying adhesives, lotions, etc. is common. Typically discharge is brought about by finger and thumb pressure applied on opposite sides of the collapsible dispenser. The result is an uneven pressure applied along the dispenser and the need to hold the dispenser in one hand while running the thumb and finger of the other hand to discharge residual fluid. 
     It has been proposed to provide rigid members on either side of collapsible containers to press on the containers for discharge. Examples of these are U.S. Pat. No. 1,320,275, issued Aug. 19, 1930 to O. Eide; U.S. Pat. No. 2,291,282, issued Jul. 28, 1942 to E. Hollenbeck; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,059, issued Dec. 24, 1968 to H. Robe. It has also been proposed to wind up such containers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,987, issued Mar. 24, 1992 to R. Liberatore, and to press the contents from the bottom of the container; U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,604 issued Dec. 1, 1998 to R. Stahley et al, and to apply air pressure to force the contents from the container; U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,966, issued Oct. 28, 1997 to R. Johnson. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A dispenser holder provides for easy insertion and removal of fluid dispensers and one hand discharge with the only contact with the dispenser necessary being that of the cap. The dispensers are inserted and held in place by a hinged closure. The dispenser holder has pivoted rigid pressure plates that press on opposite sides of a dispenser under forces applied by levers pivoted within the dispenser holder housing on one end while the other ends that extend out from the housing are pressed inward by hand applied force. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the dispenser holder holding a dispenser. 
     FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional elevational view along section lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 with the holder closure open and a dispenser shown half way in the dispenser holder. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The holder of the invention is designed to rapidly change from one dispenser to another, so as not to mess the fingers or hand, and to permit one hand dispensing. Pressure is applied equally along the sides of the collapsible container for uniform discharge while at the same time, due to the pressure plates being joined at their lower ends, working up from the bottom. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show elevational views of the dispenser holder  1  of the invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of the dispenser holder having a dispenser  2  secured within the holder. The holder housing  10  encloses pressure plates for discharging fluid from the dispenser. Pressure is applied manually by force applied to levers  16 , that protrude outwardly through vertical passages  28  that are provided in the housing. The dispenser  2  is held within the dispenser holder  1  by a hinged holding closure  17  that has an essentially central opening  23  through which the dispenser cap  3  and a portion of the collapsible tube  4  upper extreme passes. The holding closure covers the upper outer portion of the collapsible tube and is secured in that position by any convenient securing means. As shown, a protrusion  21  on the housing  10  has an apertured snap-fastener  20  releasably forced over it to hold the closure  17  and dispenser  2  within the dispenser holder  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the holder side taken along the section lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 with the lid open and with the dispenser half way in the holder. The holding closure is shown open for reception or removal  25  of the dispenser  2 . This is done by lifting the snap-fastener  20  on the closure second side off of the protrusion  21  and swinging the holding closure  17  about the closure first side hinge  18 . In this position, a used dispenser  2  can be lifted out and/or a new dispenser inserted  25 . A new dispenser is inserted between the pressure plates  13  in the interior central area of the housing with the levers first upper end  16  extending outwardly. With the dispenser in the holder, the holding closure  17  is lowered so as to insert the cap and upper dispenser central area through the opening  23  in the holding closure. The holding closure is then secured over the dispenser by snapping the fastener  20  over the protrusion  21 . 
     The pressure plates  13  are secured within holder housing  10 . The lower first ends of the pressure plates are pivotably secured to the housing base  26  central area by a plate hinge  15 . The upper second ends of the pressure plates  13  are secured to slide pins  12 . The outer ends of the slide pins  12  are free to reciprocate  19  in guide slots  11  at either side of the dispenser holder housing  10  upper end. The slide pins are held in place on either end by positioning washers  27 . To force the pressure plates together  24  about the plate hinge  15 , levers  16  second upper ends are forced inwardly  30 . The lower first ends of the levers are pivoted about hinges  14  on either side end of the housing base  26 . These hinges position and hold the lever lower first ends separated and fixed in position. The levers  16  extend arcuately inwardly and upwardly and then outwardly and upwardly with the arcuate central area  29  in contact with the pressure plates  13 . The upper second ends of the levers extend out beyond the sides of the housing  10  through vertical passages  28 . The arcuate central areas  29  of the levers press on the pressure plates  13  in a combined rolling sliding action as the levers  16  are pressed inwardly  30 . Elongated, vertical passages  28 , in either side of the housing  10 , provide for the inward and outward movement of the levers  16  about the pivots  14  through the housing sides. The levers are pressed inwardly until the desired amount of fluid is discharged. 
     After the compressible tube  2  is inserted, the cap  3  is removed and the contents of the tube discharged, completely or to the extent desired, then the cap can be replaced on the tube. The holding closure is then opened to permit removal of one tube and insertion of another. The dispenser holder permits use of different dispensers with the only necessary contact of the dispenser being that of its cap. 
     To assist opening or separation of the pressure plates  13 , after the collapsible tube  4  is removed, one or more weak springs are provided. A known type coil spring (not shown) can be positioned in or on the plate hinge  15  with its opposite ends extending out to press on the pressure plates lower inner ends. A wire or leaf spring  31  is shown wrapped around the plate hinge  15  with opposite curved sides extending outwardly and then upwardly and then inwardly with the respective ends fixed to the pressure plates to apply an outward force against the pressure plates. 
     It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative only and that changes, variations, substitutions, modifications and equivalents will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art and that such may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.