US3885708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible tube winding and emptying device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-06
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A device is provided for progressively advancing the contents of a flexible tube longitudinally along a usable portion thereof toward an opening provided through a first end of the tube, and for winding a flattened spent portion of the tube which is arranged proximate a second end thereof. The device includes a pair of opposed jaws, a spring portion arranged to urge the jaws to move toward one another, and a rotatable turn-key adapted to receive the second end of the tube. When the turn-key is rotated, a flattened spent portion of the tube is wound around the turnkey, a usable portion of the tube is drawn between the jaws and flattened, and the contents of the tube are advanced longitudinally along the usable portion toward the opening. The device may further include a pair of lever arms which may be squeezed together to separate the jaws and facilitate insertion and removal of a tube.
Inventors
- 👤 David W Parry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D35/00; B65D35/24; B65D35/32; B65D35/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A device for progressively advancing the contents of a flexible tube longitudinally along a usable portion thereof toward an opening provided through a first end of said tube, and for winding a flattened spent portion of said tube which is arranged proximate a second end thereof, said device comprising: a pair of opposed jaws arranged to move toward and away from one another and adapted to act transversely upon a part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws, said jaws separating said usable portion from said spent portion; biasing means including a spring means arranged to engage each of said jaws to continuously urge each of said jaws to move toward the other of said jaws to compressively flatten the part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws; and a rotatable turn-key having a shank portion provided with a longitudinal slot adapted to receive said second end of said tube, whereby when said turn-key is rotated said spent portion is Wound around said shank portion, said usable portion is drawn between said jaws, and said contents are advanced longitudinally along said usable portion toward said opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A device for progressively advancing the contents of a flexible tube longitudinally along a usable portion thereof toward an opening provided through a first end of said tube, and for winding a flattened spent portion of said tube which is arranged proximate a second end thereof, said device comprising: a pair of opposed jaws arranged to move toward and away from one another and adapted to act transversely upon a part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws, said jaws separating said usable portion from said spent portion; biasing means including a spring means arranged to engage each of said jaws to continuously urge each of said jaws to move toward the other of said jaws to compressively flatten the part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws; and a rotatable turn-key having a shank portion provided with a longitudinal slot adapted to receive said second end of said tube, whereby when said turn-key is rotated said spent portion is Wound around said shank portion, said usable portion is drawn between said jaws, and said contents are advanced longitudinally along said usable portion toward said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means further includes a body member having a spring portion arranged to act on said jaws.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said spring portion has a substantially C-shaped cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 1 and further comprising: a guide portion extending away from each jaw to be arranged proximate said usage portion for directing said usable portion between said jaws when said key is rotated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 4 wherein said guide portions are adapted to be moved toward one another to act transversely on said usable portion and advance the contents thereof toward said first end.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
272 words
A device for progressively advancing the contents of a flexible tube longitudinally along a usable portion thereof toward an opening provided through a first end of said tube, and for winding a flattened spent portion of said tube which is arranged proximate a second end thereof, said device comprising: a pair of opposed jaws arranged to move toward and away from one another and adapted to act transversely upon a part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws, said jaws separating said usable portion from said spent portion; biasing means operatively engaging said jaws to continuously urge each of said jaws to move toward the other of said jaws to compressively flatten the part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws, said biasing means including a body member engaging said jaws; a rotatable turn-key having a shank portion provided with a longitudinal slot adapted to receive said second end of said tube so that when said turn-key is rotated said spent portion is wound around said shank portion, said usable portion is drawn between said jaws, and said contents are advanced longitudinally toward said opening; and a lever arm operatively associated with each of said jaws and arranged laterally of said body member, said lever arm having upper parts arranged to move with their associated jaws, intermediate parts adapted to engage opposite lateral portions of said body member, and lower parts, whereby when said lower parts are moved toward one another said intermediate parts may engage and pivot about said lateral portions to move said jaws away from one another and facilitate insertion and removal of said tube.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
272 words
A device for progressively advancing the contents of a flexible tube longitudinally along a usable portion thereof toward an opening provided through a first end of said tube, and for winding a flattened spent portion of said tube which is arranged proximate a second end thereof, said device comprising: a pair of opposed jaws arranged to move toward and away from one another and adapted to act transversely upon a part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws, said jaws separating said usable portion from said spent portion; biasing means operatively engaging said jaws to continuously urge each of said jaws to move toward the other of said jaws to compressively flatten the part of said tube which is arranged between said jaws, said biasing means including a body member engaging said jaws; a rotatable turn-key having a shank portion provided with a longitudinal slot adapted to receive said second end of said tube so that when said turn-key is rotated said spent portion is wound around said shank portion, said usable portion is drawn between said jaws, and said contents are advanced longitudinally toward said opening; and a lever arm operatively associated with each of said jaws and arranged laterally of said body member, said lever arm having upper parts arranged to move with their associated jaws, intermediate parts adapted to engage opposite lateral portions of said body member, and lower parts, whereby when said lower parts are moved toward one another said intermediate parts may engage and pivot about said lateral portions to move said jaws away from one another and facilitate insertion and removal of said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 6 wherein said body member has a spring portion arranged to act on said jaws.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein said spring portion has a substantially C-shaped cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 16 wherein said biasing means further includes a spring clip having leg portions arranged to act on said jaws.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 6 and further comprising: a guide portion extending away from each jaw to be arranged proximate said usable portion for directing said usable portion between said jaws when said key is rotated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 10 wherein said guide portions are adapted to be moved toward one another to act transversely on said usable portion and advance the contents thereof toward said first end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said lever arm upper parts are pivotally connected to said jaws so that each of said arms may be moved in one angular direction to engage said body member, and may be moved in an opposite angular direction to engage said guide portions, whereby when said arms are moved to engage said guide portions said end parts may be further moved together to advance said contents longitudinally along said usable portion toward said first end of said tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |