Patent Description:
Powered or motorized material dispensing systems are desirable for providing an ergonomic hand-held device controllably dispensing a material with a desired bead size and shape.

Powered hand-held material dispensing devices, such as caulking guns, are known in the art and generally rely on the action of a motor to move a piston to push material out of a pre-filled tube. The motion of the piston is induced by the advancement of a piston rod in the direction of the caulk tube, with the piston rod being advanced in the direction of travel by the operator's squeezing of a trigger.

Additionally, manually operated caulking guns are known, whereby the piston is moved by squeezing or grasping a handle of the dispensing tool. The handle is typically connected to a rack by way of a ratchet and pawl-type mechanism to incrementally advance the rack and cause the material to be discharged from a tube or cartridge. These known devices are designed to receive and carry a disposable caulk tube. The housing of these caulking guns and the trigger are generally formed of stamped metal plate for manufacturing economy. The caulk tube generally includes a cylindrical tube featuring a sliding piston, and a nozzle tip, with material stored inside the tube. The caulk tube is commonly more expensive to manufacture than a chub pack because of the different structural elements. While a chub pack is considerably less expensive and easier to manufacture since it is a type of container formed by a tube of flexible packaging material. <CIT> discloses an electric two part material dispenser for dispensing two part viscous materials. It includes a trigger for actuating an electric motor and a manually actuated clutch mechanism. <CIT> discloses dispensing apparatus including a piston rod that is actuated electromechanically. This document discloses a clutch mechanism that has a pivotably mounted clutch locking member for locking a ring gear in use. <CIT> discloses an electrically operated material dispensing gun including a clutch mechanism that has a pivotably mounted clutch locking member for locking a ring gear in use. <CIT> discloses an electrical powered dispensing tool including a clutch mechanism that is engaged in response to rotation of the motor in a first direction. <CIT> discloses an electrically powered squeezer for dispensing a viscous substance. This document discloses a trigger for actuating a motor of the squeezer and for operating a clutch mechanism. The axis of rotation of the gearing for this dispensing device is perpendicular to the axis of movement of the plunger of the squeezer device. <CIT> discloses a power operated dispensing tool. It includes a trigger for actuating an electric motor and a manually actuated clutch mechanism. <CIT> discloses an electric caulking gun. This document discloses a trigger for actuating a motor of the gun and for operating a clutch mechanism. The axis of rotation of the gearing for this gun is perpendicular to the axis of movement of the plunger of the gun.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of caulking guns now present in the prior art, the present technology provides an improved material dispensing system, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present technology, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved material dispensing system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a material dispensing system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a material dispensing system according to claim <NUM>.

The present technology may also include a piston rod positioning sensing device in operational association with a longitudinal flat first section of the piston rod. There are, of course, additional features of the present technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

The present technology will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular embodiments, procedures, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present technology may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details.

Known powered caulking guns are essentially designed to receive a caulk tube including a sliding piston and nozzle tip. The nozzle tips are integral with the caulk tube and these are commonly more expensive to manufacture than a chub pack because of the different structural elements. These powered caulking guns further may include complex and less effective means for stopping lateral movement of the piston rod, thereby dispensing unwanted material from the caulk tube.

While the above-described devices fulfil their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a material dispensing system that allows controllably dispensing material from a chub pack.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved material dispensing system that can be used for controllably dispensing material from a chub pack. In this regard, the present technology substantially fulfils this need. In this respect, the material dispensing system according to the present technology substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provide an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of controllably dispensing material from a chub pack.

Technical features described in this application can be used to construct various embodiments of material dispensing system. A housing can be configured to receive a packaging containing a material to be dispensed. The housing includes a motor and transmission assembly configured for powered translation of a piston rod in at least one of a forward direction and a reverse direction. At least one nozzle tip can be associated with the housing, and can include at least one piercing projection capable of piercing the packaging.

The transmission assembly includes at least one planetary gear operably engageable with at least one sun gear The transmission assembly further includes a ring gear receiving and operably engageable with the planetary gear, and a lock block moveable to operably engage with the ring gear to prevent the ring gear from rotating.

The ring gear defines multiple radially arranged notches, and the lock block includes a detent configured to be receivable in at least one of the notches when the lock block is moved in an engagement position upon depression of a trigger. The trigger includes an extension that is received in a slot defined in the lock block.

A gearbox is configured to receive the planetary gear, the sun gear, the ring gear and the lock block. The gearbox defines a channel configured to slidable receive the lock block.

In some embodiments of the approach, a gearbox cover is connectable to the gearbox for enclosing at least the planetary gear, the sun gear and the ring gear between the gearbox cover and the gearbox. A portion of the sun gear extends out past the gearbox cover and is operably engageable with a bevel gear exterior of the gearbox and the gearbox cover. The bevel gear is operably engageable with a rack of the piston rod and is configured for converting rotational output of the sun gear to the translational output of the piston rod.

In some embodiments, a portion of the sun gear and a first portion of the bevel gear are enclosed within a transmission housing that is connectable to the gearbox cover. A second portion of the bevel gear is exterior of the transmission housing and is operable engageable with the rack of the piston rod.

In some embodiments, the sun gear is operably engageable with a bevel gear configured to be operably engageable with a rack of the piston rod and for converting rotational output of the sun gear to the translational output of the piston rod.

In some embodiments, the planetary gear and the sun gear is a plurality of successive planetary gear and sun gear stages. An initial planetary gear is operable engageable with the output of the motor, and a final planetary gear is operable engageable with the ring gear. Alternatively in some embodiments, the final planetary gear is operable engageable with a spindle including a bevel pinion gear that is operably engageable with a bevel gear. The bevel gear is operably engageable with a rack of the piston rod and is configured for converting rotational output of the spindle to the translational output of the piston rod.

In another approach, a tube is configured to receive the chub pack and a piston associated with the piston rod. The tube is positioned in the housing with one end of the tube adjacent the nozzle tip.

In some embodiments, the piston rod includes a longitudinal flat surface slidably engageable with an interior wall of the housing. The longitudinal flat surface or the interior wall is configured to prevent the piston rod from rotating.

In some embodiments, the piercing projection further includes a piercing end, and an interior side defining at least one channel in the interior side and along a longitudinal axis of the piercing projection. The channel being in fluid communication with a hollow interior of a dispensing end of the nozzle tip. The piercing projection can further include an exterior side angled from a longitudinal axis of the nozzle tip, and the interior side is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle tip.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, features of the present technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present technology will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present technology when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present technology. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the scope of the present technology.

It is another object of the present technology to provide a new and improved material dispensing system that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

An even further object of the present technology is to provide a new and improved material dispensing system that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such material dispensing system economically available to the buying public.

Still another object of the present technology is to provide a material dispensing system for controllably dispensing material from a packaging, such as but not limited to a chub pack or a prefilled tube. This allows for the controlled dispensing of material from the packaging using an interchangeable nozzle tip featuring piercing projections that pierce the packaging thereby allowing the material to be dispensed from the nozzle tip.

These together with other objects of the present technology, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present technology, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present technology, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the present technology.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> do not fall within the scope of the present invention. <FIG> disclose an embodiment of the material dispensing system of the present technology is shown.

In <FIG> , material dispensing system <NUM> for controllably dispensing material from a packaging such as a chub pack is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the material dispensing system <NUM> can have a dispensing unit <NUM>, a cover <NUM> pivotably connected to the dispensing unit <NUM> via a hinge <NUM>, and a packaging compression assembly capable of compressing the packaging toward a nozzle tip <NUM>.

For exemplary purposes, the dispensing unit <NUM> can have a configuration similar to a gun featuring a main housing <NUM>, a hand grip <NUM>, a trigger <NUM>, a piston grip <NUM>, and a piston rod <NUM>. It can be appreciated that the main housing <NUM> can be in the form without the hand grip <NUM>, the trigger <NUM>, the piston grip <NUM> or the piston rod <NUM>. The main housing <NUM>, the hand grip <NUM> and the trigger <NUM> can be made of, but not limited to, plastic, metal, composite, an alloy or any combination thereof. The dispensing unit <NUM> can be a single molded unit or can be made of separable and attachable sections secured together by, but not limited to, adhesive, welding, fasteners, tabs, locks, clips or other securing means.

The main housing <NUM> or the hand grip <NUM> can include a recess defined therein which features a configuration capable of receiving a side of the piston grip <NUM> so as to produce a smooth and flush transition therebetween when the piston grip <NUM> is received in the recess.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> can include a nozzle tip receiving end featuring an opening <NUM> having a configuration capable of receiving a dispensing end <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM> therethrough. The main housing <NUM> further defines an interior space having a configuration capable of receiving a packaging such as a chub pack <NUM> therein. The nozzle tip <NUM> can have a configuration capable of receiving an end portion of the chub pack <NUM>. It can be appreciated that the nozzle tip <NUM> can be integrally formed with an end of the main housing <NUM>, thereby creating a single main housing and nozzle tip unit.

The main housing <NUM> further includes an internal skeletal framework including one or more lateral housing ribs <NUM>, and one or more longitudinal housing spars <NUM>. The housing ribs <NUM> are in spaced apart relationship with each other, and extend into the interior space of the main housing <NUM>. The housing ribs <NUM> can have an arcuate interior edge of a constant or varying curvature.

The piston rod <NUM> is connected to a piston <NUM> that is slidably receivable in the interior space of the main housing <NUM>. The trigger <NUM>, when operated by a user, can advance the piston rod <NUM>, which thus advances the piston <NUM> along a longitudinal axis of the main housing <NUM> and interior of the housing ribs <NUM> and housing spars <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, it can be appreciated that the trigger <NUM> is pivotable with the dispensing unit <NUM> so as to operate a piston rod advancing assembly. The piston rod advancing assembly can include a ratchet pawl <NUM> pivotably associated with an end portion of the trigger <NUM>. The ratchet pawl <NUM> can be biased so as to pivot a ratchet end into and out of engagement with ratchet teeth <NUM> formed in a side of the piston rod <NUM>. A locking pawl <NUM> can be included which is biased so as to pivot a locking end of the locking pawl <NUM> into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth <NUM>. The piston rod <NUM> can be rotated so as to engage or disengage the ratchet teeth <NUM> with the ratchet pawl <NUM> and/or the locking pawl <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> can be biased so that an end opposite the ratchet pawl <NUM> is forced away from the hand grip.

It can be appreciated that a gear system, a motor system, an air bladder system or a tongue and roller system can be used in lieu of the above described ratcheting assembly.

In use, it can be appreciated that a user can squeeze the trigger <NUM>, which pushes the ratchet end of the ratchet pawl <NUM> into engagement with one of the ratchet teeth <NUM>. Further squeezing of the trigger <NUM> would advance the piston rod <NUM> toward the opening <NUM>. Advancement of the piston rod <NUM> provides a ratcheting action between the ratchet teeth <NUM> and the locking pawl <NUM>, which has a configuration capable of allowing the piston rod <NUM> to advance toward the opening <NUM> while preventing retraction of the piston rod <NUM> unless the ratchet teeth <NUM> are rotated out of engagement with the ratchet pawl <NUM> and locking pawl <NUM>. Release of the trigger <NUM> will move the ratchet pawl <NUM> in an opposite direct of advancement for further advancing of the piston rod <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> further includes an internal skeletal framework including one or more lateral cover ribs <NUM>, and one or more longitudinal cover spars <NUM>. The cover ribs <NUM> are in spaced apart relationship with each other, and extend into an interior space of defined by the cover <NUM>. The cover ribs <NUM> can have an arcuate interior edge of a constant or varying curvature.

The cover <NUM> can further include a lifting or release member <NUM> having a configuration capable of being engaged by a user to disengage a tab <NUM> from a tab opening <NUM> defined in a back wall of the main housing <NUM>. The release member <NUM> can be a biasing U-shaped member extending from an end of the cover <NUM>, with the biasing force pushing the tab <NUM> into engagement with the tab opening <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position, as best illustrated in the enlarged section of <FIG>. The tab <NUM> can include an angled surface to assist in closing of the cover <NUM>, and a ledge for engaging with the tab opening <NUM>. The ledge has a configuration capable of securing the cover <NUM> in the closed position.

The release member <NUM> is capable of being moved so that the tab <NUM> is disengaged from the tab opening <NUM>, thereby allowing the cover <NUM> to be opened gaining access to the interior space of the main housing <NUM>. Lifting the cover <NUM> by way of the release member <NUM> pivots the cover <NUM> away from the main housing <NUM> via the hinge <NUM> that is associated with an end of the cover <NUM> opposite the release member <NUM>.

A locking slide <NUM> is slidable associated with a cover rail <NUM> on one or both sides of the cover <NUM>. The locking slide <NUM> has a configuration capable of slidably receiving a housing rail <NUM> extending from the main housing <NUM> in a locked position. In the locked position, the locking slide <NUM> receives a portion of both the cover rail <NUM> and the housing rail <NUM> so as to prevent the cover <NUM> from pivoting away from the main housing <NUM>. The locking slide <NUM> can slide away from the housing rail <NUM> in an un-locked position so that the cover <NUM> can freely pivot away from the main housing <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that a user could insert an end of the chub pack <NUM> into the opening <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM>, then insert both the nozzle tip <NUM> and chub pack <NUM> into the interior space of the main housing <NUM> so that the dispensing end <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM> extend from the opening <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the dispensing end <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM> is received through the opening <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>. The nozzle tip <NUM> includes a receiving end <NUM> defining an opening <NUM>, and a ledge <NUM>. The opening <NUM> has a configuration capable of receiving an end of the chub pack <NUM>. The ledge <NUM> is located opposite the opening <NUM>, and has a configuration capable of abutting against an edge of the main housing <NUM> that defines the opening <NUM>. The ledge <NUM> prevents the nozzle tip <NUM> from being pushed through and out the opening <NUM>.

A conical transition section <NUM> can extend away from the ledge <NUM> in a converging direction, and the dispensing end <NUM> can extend from the transition section <NUM> in a conically converging direction. The receiving end <NUM>, transition section <NUM> and the dispensing end <NUM> all have a hollow interior. It can be appreciated that the dispensing end <NUM> can feature a closed distal end, which allows a user to cut off a section of the dispensing end <NUM> to form an opened dispensing end. The open dispensing end can be of any size determined by the location of the cut along the conically shaped dispensing end <NUM>.

The receiving end <NUM> can include one or more radially arranged internal ribs <NUM>, and one or more radially arranged piercing projections <NUM>, as best illustrated in <FIG>. The internal ribs <NUM> extend into the interior of the receiving end <NUM> and have a generally arcuate or elliptical configuration capable of receiving and supporting an end portion of the chub pack <NUM>. The internal ribs <NUM> can further provide structural support for the receiving end <NUM>, and can further assist in guiding the end of the chub pack <NUM> toward the piercing projections <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that the piercing projections <NUM> can be integrally formed with the main housing <NUM> or with a nozzle tip <NUM> that is integrally formed with the main housing <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the piercing projections <NUM> can extend into the interior of the receiving end <NUM> in a direction from a terminus of the internal ribs <NUM> toward the opening <NUM>. The piercing projections <NUM> can include a piercing end <NUM>, an exterior side angled from a longitudinal axis of the nozzle tip <NUM>, and an interior side parallel with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle tip <NUM>. The piercing end <NUM> can be angled to create an edge having a configuration capable of piercing the chub pack <NUM> when sufficient pressure is applied between them.

The piercing projections <NUM> can further include at least one channel <NUM> defined along a longitudinal axis of the interior side of the piercing projections <NUM>. The channel <NUM> of each piercing projections <NUM> is in communication with the hollow interior of the nozzle tip <NUM>. Once the chub pack <NUM> is punctured by the piercing projections <NUM>, the piercing projections <NUM> are inserted/received into the interior of the chub pack <NUM> so that any material in the chub pack <NUM> is allowed to flow through the channel <NUM> and into hollow interior of the nozzle tip <NUM>, and then into the dispensing end <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that after the chub pack <NUM> is inserted into the receiving end <NUM>, the nozzle tip <NUM> and/or the chub pack <NUM> can be rotated so that the piercing projections <NUM> puncture the chub pack <NUM> and consequently remove a section of the chub pack <NUM> punctured by the piercing projections <NUM>. It can further be appreciated that the nozzle tip <NUM> can be of different shapes and sizes, and that it can be provided as a kit including multiple nozzle tips with dispensing ends of different sizes, shapes, lengths and/or configurations.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing rail <NUM> can be a flanged edge offset from a side of the main housing <NUM> to define a housing notch <NUM> therebetween. The cover rail <NUM> can be a flanged edge offset from a side of the cover <NUM> to define a cover notch <NUM> therebetween, with the flanged edge of the cover rail <NUM> extending in a direction opposite the housing flanged edge when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position. The locking slide <NUM> generally has a C-channel configuration with flanged sides <NUM> extending toward each other to define a slot <NUM> therebetween. The C-channel configuration of the locking slide <NUM> is capable of receiving the housing flanged edge and the cover flanged edge so that the locking slide <NUM> can slide along both the housing rail <NUM> and the cover rail <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position. The housing notch <NUM> and the cover notch <NUM> have a configuration capable of slidably receiving the flanged sides <NUM> of the locking slide <NUM>, respectively.

The cover rail <NUM> can further include stop edges located at both ends of the cover rail <NUM>, with the stop edges having a configuration capable of preventing the locking slide <NUM> from being removed from the cover rail <NUM>.

The locking slide <NUM>, the housing rail <NUM> and the cover rail <NUM> each have a length. The length of the housing rail <NUM> is less than the length of the cover rail <NUM> by at least a distance of the length of the locking slide <NUM>. This is to allow the locking slide <NUM> to slide out past the housing rail <NUM> so that the cover <NUM> can be opened.

Alternatively, it can be appreciated that the length of the housing rail <NUM> and the length of the cover rail <NUM> can be switched so that the locking slide <NUM> is positioned on the housing rail <NUM>, with the stop edges associated with the housing rail <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that the material dispensing system <NUM> of the present technology can include draw back system (not shown) to ensure bead flow or flow of the material from the chub pack <NUM> ceases when the trigger <NUM> is disengaged. The draw back system can have a configuration capable of drawing back of pressure to avoid unwanted flow of material out the nozzle tip <NUM>. The draw back system can include, but not limited to: a biasing assembly which is capable of pushing back against a part of the packaging compression assembly or against the chub pack <NUM>; a retraction assembly which is capable of retracting at least a portion of the packaging compression assembly or the chub pack <NUM>; or a nozzle tip moving assembly which is capable of moving the nozzle tip <NUM> away from the chub pack <NUM>.

Currently, most ratchet systems will maintain a level of pressure on the chub pack <NUM> despite while the user is not using the trigger causing spillage. The draw back system could prevent this unwanted pressure against the chub pack thereby preventing spillage of material.

It can now be understood that the material dispensing system <NUM> can be used to dispense a material, such as but not limited, caulk, adhesive, sealant, paste, cement and the like, from a chub pack <NUM>. In exemplary use, a user can install a first end of the chub pack <NUM> into the opening <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM>. With the piston <NUM> fully retracted and the cover <NUM> lifted in an open position, the assembled nozzle tip <NUM> and chub pack <NUM> can then be inserted into the interior space of the main housing <NUM> so that the dispensing end <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM> is received through the opening <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that the nozzle tip <NUM> can be inserted into the interior space of the main housing <NUM> first, and after which the chub pack <NUM> can be inserted into the interior space of the main housing <NUM> so that the first end of the chub pack <NUM> is received through the opening <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM>.

With the nozzle tip <NUM> and chub pack <NUM> installed in the interior space of the main housing <NUM>, the user can then close the cover <NUM> so that the cover rail <NUM> is adjacent the housing rail <NUM>. When the cover <NUM> is in the closed position, the locking slide <NUM> can then be slid along the housing rail <NUM> and the cover rail <NUM> so that the cover <NUM> is locked in the closed position and prevented from being pivoted away from the main housing <NUM>.

The user can then operate the trigger <NUM> to advance the piston rod <NUM>, which advances the piston <NUM> toward a second end of the chub pack <NUM>. The advancement of the piston <NUM> pushes the first end of the chub pack <NUM> against the piercing projections <NUM> so that the piercing end <NUM> punctures through the first end of the chub pack <NUM>, thereby opening a passage between the interior of the chub pack <NUM> and the hollowing interior of the nozzle tip <NUM>.

Continued advancement of the piston <NUM> against the second end of the chub pack <NUM> could expand the sidewalls of the chub pack <NUM>, which would consequently be contained by the housing ribs <NUM>, the housing spars <NUM>, the cover ribs <NUM> and the cover spars <NUM>. This continued advancement of the piston <NUM> can force the material out of the chub pack <NUM> and through the channel <NUM> of the piercing projections <NUM>. The material can then be forced through the hollow interior of the nozzle tip <NUM> and dispensed out an opening defined or cut in the dispensing end <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that when the locking slide <NUM> is slid over both the housing rail <NUM> and the cover rail <NUM>, the locking slide <NUM> can secure the cover <NUM> in the closed position and resist the forces acting on the cover <NUM> by an expanding chub pack <NUM>.

The chub pack <NUM> can be removed and replaced by griping the piston grip <NUM> and retracting the piston <NUM> away from the chub pack <NUM>. The user can then slide the locking slide <NUM> away from and past the housing rail <NUM>, thereby unlocking the cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> can then be pivoted and/or lifted away from the main housing <NUM> with assistance from the release member <NUM>. After which, the chub pack <NUM> can be removed, with or without the nozzle tip <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the present technology is associated with a motorized material dispensing system <NUM> including a handle section <NUM>, a drive section <NUM>, and a material chamber section <NUM> for receiving the material packaging or chub pack <NUM> and the nozzle tip <NUM>. A cap <NUM> can be utilized to secure the nozzle tip <NUM> to an opened end of the material chamber section <NUM>. A piston rod <NUM> is moveable associated in the material chamber section <NUM>, and is configured to push against the chub pack <NUM> when operated. It can be appreciated that the motorized dispensing system <NUM> can include an overall housing made of pieces or sections that are connected together to form the housing.

With references to <FIG>, the handle section <NUM> includes a trigger <NUM> pivotably mounted and spring biased, a power source (e.g. a battery) <NUM>, and a charging port <NUM> in communication with the battery <NUM>. A controller, processor, switch or a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> including circuitry, processor, memory and/or controllers can be provided to control power to and from the battery <NUM>, and operations of the motorized material dispensing system <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> features a finger engaging surface exterior of the handle section <NUM>, and a trigger extension <NUM> interior of the handle section <NUM>. The handle section <NUM> can include an ergonomic shape with padding, gripping means, cushioning or other means to provide comfort or ease of use for a user grasping the handle section <NUM>.

The drive section <NUM> is adjacent the handle section <NUM>, and includes a motor and gearbox assembly operably positioned therein. The motor and gearbox assembly includes an electric motor <NUM>, at least one planetary gear <NUM> and sun gear <NUM> stage or assembly, at least one lock block <NUM>, and a transmission <NUM> for converting a rotational output of the planetary assembly to a translational output of the piston rod <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> can be configured as a DC motor that receives power from the battery <NUM> In an alternative, the motor <NUM> may be powered by a remote power source (e.g., a household electrical outlet) directly through a power cord or indirectly by way of the battery <NUM> that receives power from the remote power source. The motor <NUM> is controllably activated by depressing the trigger <NUM>, which can be in operable communication with the PCB <NUM> for providing variable power to the motor <NUM>.

Attached to the motor <NUM> is a gearbox <NUM> configured to house the planetary gear <NUM> and sun gear <NUM> assembly. A motor pinion gear <NUM> is operably engageable with an output of the motor <NUM>, and extends into the gearbox <NUM> for rotation therein. It can be appreciated that the planetary gear assembly <NUM> consists of multiple planet gears that are orbitally rotating and engageable with the motor pinion gear <NUM> or the sun gear <NUM>. The motor pinion gear <NUM> engages with the planetary gears <NUM>, which in turn, engages with the sun gear <NUM>, as best illustrated in <FIG>. The planetary gear <NUM> and sun gear <NUM> assembly are configured to reduce the rotational speed of the motor pinion gear <NUM>, and thus the motor <NUM>. It can be appreciated that multiple successive planetary and sun gear assemblies or stages can be utilized to reduce the motor speed accordingly.

Surrounding the planetary gear assembly <NUM> or the last planetary gear stage is a ring gear <NUM> including internally extending gear teeth engageable with the planetary gears <NUM> orbitally rotating therein. The ring gear <NUM> includes a plurality of radially arranged notches <NUM> defined in an exterior surface thereof, as best illustrated in <FIG>.

The lock block <NUM> is slidable received in a groove or channel <NUM> defined in the gearbox <NUM>. The extension <NUM> of the trigger <NUM> is receivable in an opening or slot 128a defined in the lock block <NUM> to impart a translation movement from the trigger <NUM> to the lock block <NUM>. The lock block <NUM> includes a detent <NUM> that is configured to be receivable in at least one of the notches <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> when the trigger <NUM> is depressed, thereby performing an operation of a clutch. A spring <NUM> provides a biasing force against the lock block <NUM> toward the ring gear <NUM>. The detect <NUM> and the notches <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> are configured so that the ring gear <NUM> rotates freely when the trigger <NUM> is not depressed or is released, thereby immediately halting advancement of the piston rod <NUM> even if the motor <NUM> is still operating. Depressing the trigger <NUM> results in movement of its extension, which in turn moves the lock block <NUM> toward the ring gear <NUM> until the detent <NUM> is received in one of the notches <NUM>. When the detent <NUM> is received in one of the notches <NUM>, the ring gear <NUM> is prevented from rotating and thus allowing the transfer of torque to the transmission <NUM>.

A washer or back plate <NUM> is adjacent the ring gear <NUM> and lock block <NUM>, and is configured to secure the lock block <NUM>, the ring gear <NUM>, and the planetary gears <NUM> and sun gear <NUM> assembly in the gearbox <NUM>. The back plate <NUM> includes a slot configured to slidably receive the extension of the trigger <NUM>.

A spindle <NUM> rotatably supports the final planetary gear stage <NUM> that is engaged with the ring gear <NUM>. The spindle <NUM> extends through the back plate <NUM> and a gearbox cover <NUM> via a spindle bearing <NUM>. The gearbox cover <NUM> is secured to an open end of the gearbox <NUM> thereby sealing and enclosing the lock block <NUM>, the ring gear <NUM>, and the planetary gears <NUM> and sun gear <NUM> stages. The spindle <NUM> is capable of rotating when the ring gear <NUM> is locked and prevented from rotating, upon which torque from the planetary gears <NUM> is transferred to the spindle <NUM> and thus to the transmission <NUM>.

The transmission <NUM> is secured to the gearbox cover <NUM> and in turn to the gearbox <NUM>. A bevel pinion gear <NUM> is secured to a free end of the spindle <NUM> that is exterior of the gearbox <NUM> and interior of the transmission <NUM>. A bevel gear <NUM> is rotatably received, via a shaft <NUM>, in the transmission <NUM>, and is operably engageable with the bevel pinion gear <NUM>. The bevel gear <NUM> has a translation gear section <NUM> that is exterior of the transmission <NUM>. The bevel gear <NUM> and its translation gear section <NUM> are configured for converting the rotational output of the spindle <NUM> to a translational output of the piston rod <NUM>.

A dial <NUM> may be rotatably supported by the drive section <NUM> adjacent the handle section <NUM> and forward of the trigger <NUM>. A small portion of the dial <NUM> extends outwardly and through an opening in the drive section <NUM> to be accessible by a user. The dial <NUM> is operably connected with the PCB <NUM> for controlling at least in part the torque or speed of the motor <NUM>, as best illustrated in <FIG>.

The material chamber section <NUM> is adjacent and above the drive section <NUM>, and includes a first end defining an opening configured to slidably receive therethrough the piston rod <NUM>, and an opened second end featuring an exteriorly threaded or engaging means portion. The piston rod <NUM> includes a first end capably of being grasped by a user, a longitudinally running gearing or rack <NUM>, a longitudinally flat first section <NUM>, a longitudinally flat second section <NUM>, and a second end featuring a threaded stud. A piston <NUM> is securable to the second end by way of a fastener engaged with the threaded stud. The piston <NUM> has a diameter greater than the piston rod <NUM>, and is configured to contact and press against the chub pack <NUM>.

The rack <NUM> extends from the piston rod <NUM> along a majority or an entirety of its longitudinal length, and is configured to engage with the translation gear section <NUM> of the bevel gear <NUM>. Rotation of the bevel gear <NUM> results in rotation of the translation gear section <NUM>, which in turn results in longitudinal movement of the piston rod <NUM>.

The material chamber section <NUM> may include a position sensing device that is in contact with the first section <NUM>, and is in communication with the PCB <NUM>. This position sensing device is configured and capable of determining the longitudinal position and/or travel distance of the piston rod <NUM>. The material chamber section <NUM> may further include an internally projecting wall that extends toward and contacts the second section <NUM>. This internally projecting wall is configured to keep the piston rod <NUM> in a predetermined orientation so that the rack <NUM> is engageable with the translation gear section <NUM> of the bevel gear <NUM>.

A tube <NUM> is positioned in the material chamber section <NUM>, and defines a tubular interior chamber configured to slidably receive the piston <NUM>. The tube <NUM> may have a diameter less than the opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM>, thereby allowing for different tubes <NUM> to be utilized or for the utilization of a prefilled material tube. The tube <NUM> further defines an interior space having a configuration capable of receiving the chub pack <NUM> or the prefilled material tube therein. It can be appreciated that different sized tubes <NUM> and pistons <NUM> can be utilized for different sized chub packs <NUM> or for different applications.

The chub pack <NUM> may be inserted through the opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM> and consequently received in the tube <NUM>. The opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM> may have a diameter less than a diameter of the remaining portion of the material chamber section <NUM>, thereby creating an inwardly extending ledge. The ledge may be configured to contact an end of the tube <NUM> inserted therein, thereby securing it in place.

The cap <NUM> includes interior threads or other engaging means that correspond with the exterior threads or engaging means of the opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM> for securing the cap <NUM> thereto. The cap <NUM> includes an opening having a configuration capable of receiving the dispensing end <NUM> of the nozzle tip <NUM> or a nozzle of a material tube therethrough. The ledge <NUM> of the cap <NUM> has a configuration capable of abutting against an internal edge of the cap <NUM> that in part defines the opening of the cap <NUM>. The ledge <NUM> prevents the nozzle tip <NUM> from being pushed through and out the cap <NUM>.

The nozzle tip <NUM> can have a configuration capable of receiving an end portion of the chub pack <NUM>. It can be appreciated that the nozzle tip <NUM> can be integrally formed with the cap <NUM>, thereby creating a single cap and nozzle tip unit.

It can be appreciated that after the chub pack <NUM> is inserted into the tube <NUM>, the nozzle tip <NUM> is received in the opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM> by securing the cap <NUM> to the opened second end so that the dispensing end <NUM> extends through the opening of the cap <NUM>. Advancement of the piston rod <NUM> results in the piston <NUM> contacting an end of the chub pack <NUM>, which in turn results in the other end of the chub pack <NUM> to be pressed against the piercing projections <NUM> thereby puncturing the chub pack <NUM>. Once the chub pack <NUM> is punctured by the piercing projections <NUM>, the piercing projections <NUM> are inserted/received into the interior of the chub pack <NUM> so that any material in the chub pack <NUM> is allowed to flow through the channel <NUM> and into hollow interior of the nozzle tip <NUM>, and then into the dispensing end <NUM>. Continued advancement of the piston rod <NUM> results in material being dispensed out of the chub pack <NUM> and through the nozzle tip <NUM>.

It can now be understood that the material dispensing system <NUM> of the present technology can be used to dispense a material, such as but not limited, caulk, adhesive, sealant, paste, cement and the like, from a chub pack <NUM> or prefilled material tube. In exemplary use, with the piston rod <NUM> fully retracted, a user can install the tube <NUM> into the material chamber section <NUM> and then insert the chub pack <NUM> tube <NUM> or install the chub pack <NUM> into the tube <NUM> and then insert the tube <NUM> and chub pack <NUM> into the material chamber section <NUM>. The nozzle tip <NUM> can then be inserted through the opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM> and secured in place by securing the cap <NUM> to the opened second end of the material chamber section <NUM>.

The user can then operate the trigger <NUM>, which in turn operates the motor <NUM>, which in turn provides torque to the planetary gears <NUM> and sun gears <NUM> assembly. Simultaneously with depression of the trigger <NUM> and operation of the motor <NUM>, the trigger <NUM> moves the lock block <NUM> so that its detent <NUM> is received in one of the notches <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>, thereby preventing the ring gear <NUM> from rotation, which in turn allows torque from the planetary gears <NUM> and sun gears <NUM> assembly to transfer to the spindle <NUM>. Torque from the spindle <NUM> is consequently transferred to the bevel pinion gear <NUM> and then to the bevel gear <NUM>, which in turn rotates the translation gear section <NUM>. Rotation of the translation gear section <NUM> transfers the torque to linear movement of the rack <NUM> of the piston rod <NUM>, which in turn advances the piston rod <NUM> which advances the piston <NUM> toward the end of the chub pack <NUM>.

The advancement of the piston <NUM> pushes the other end of the chub pack <NUM> against the piercing projections <NUM> so that the piercing end <NUM> punctures through the end of the chub pack <NUM>, thereby opening a passage between the interior of the chub pack <NUM> and the hollowing interior of the nozzle tip <NUM>. Material from the chub pack <NUM> is then dispensed through the dispensing end <NUM> as long as the trigger is depressed. The user can adjust the speed or torque of the motor <NUM> by operating the dial <NUM>.

To cease the dispensing of material, the user would release the trigger <NUM>, which in turn stop operation of the motor <NUM> and slides the lock block <NUM> out of engagement with the ring gear <NUM>, thereby allowing the ring gear <NUM> to rotate freely and immediately avoiding unwanted dispensing of material.

While embodiments of the material dispensing system have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the scope of the present technology. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present technology, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present technology. For example, any suitable sturdy material may be used instead of the above-described. And although controllably dispensing material from a chub pack have been described, it should be appreciated that the material dispensing system herein described is also suitable for dispensing any material stored in a packaging or container by piercing the packaging using advancing pressure supplied by a moving piston.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present technology. It is, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the scope of the present technology.

Claim 1:
A material dispensing system comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a configuration capable of receiving a packaging (<NUM>) containing a material therein;
at least one nozzle tip (<NUM>) associated with said housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), said nozzle tip (<NUM>) including at least one piercing projection (<NUM>) having a configuration capable of piercing the packaging (<NUM>) and allowing the material in the packaging to be dispensed from said nozzle tip (<NUM>);
at least one piston rod (<NUM>) at least partially slidably received in said housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), said piston rod (<NUM>) having a configuration capable of compressing the packaging toward said piercing projection (<NUM>);
at least one motor (<NUM>); a trigger (<NUM>) that operates the motor in use; and
a transmission assembly selectively operably coupling an output of said motor (<NUM>) and said piston rod (<NUM>) for powered translation of said piston rod (<NUM>) in at least one of a forward direction and a reverse direction, said transmission assembly including at least one sun gear (<NUM>), at least one planetary gear (<NUM>), a ring gear (<NUM>) and a lock block, the at least one planetary gear (<NUM>) operably engageable with the at least one sun gear (<NUM>) the ring gear (<NUM>) receiving and operably engageable with the at least one planetary gear (<NUM>); and the lock block (<NUM>) moveable to operably engage with said ring gear (<NUM>) to prevent said ring gear (<NUM>) from rotating;
characterized in that
a gearbox (<NUM>) is provided and is configured to receive said at least one planetary gear (<NUM>), said at least one sun gear (<NUM>), said ring gear (<NUM>) and said lock block (<NUM>), said gearbox defining a channel (<NUM>) configured to slidably receive said lock block (<NUM>);
said trigger (<NUM>) includes an extension (<NUM>) that is received in a slot (128a) defined in said lock block (<NUM>);
said ring gear (<NUM>) defines multiple radially arranged notches (<NUM>), and said lock block (<NUM>) includes a detent (<NUM>) configured to be receivable in at least one of said notches (<NUM>) when said lock block (<NUM>) is moved in an engagement position upon depression of the trigger (<NUM>); and wherein an axis of rotation of said at least one sun gear (<NUM>) is parallel with a longitudinal axis of said piston rod (<NUM>).