US5240141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-held dispenser with pivotal cover for collapsible tubes
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1992-06-24
•
Granted: 1993-08-31
•
Expires: 2012-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A dispenser for dispensing material from a collapsible tube includes a housing and a cover connected to the housing by pins that enable movement of the cover in an arc toward and away from the housing in clamshell-like fashion. An inflatable bladder is received in a recess of the housing and, when inflated, bears against the tube for collapsing the tube and directing material in the tube toward an application site.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell E. Blette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D35/00; B65D35/24; B65D35/28; B05; B05C; B05C17/00; B05C17/005; B05C17/00573; B05C17/00583; B05C17/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A dispenser for dispensing material from a collapsible tube comprising: a housing having a depending handle and an air valve connected to said housing next to the handle; a cover movable in a certain direction toward a closed position next to said housing, said housing an said over defining a chamber when said cover is in said closed position for receiving the collapsible tube, said chamber having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to said certain direction of movement of said cover toward said closed position; a latch for releasably retaining said cover in a closed position next to said housing; and an inflatable bladder located next to said chamber and connected to said air valve, said air valve controlling the admission of air into said bladder, said bladder during inflation being operable to at least partially collapse the tube for dispensing material, said chamber and said bladder having a configuration adapted to support the tube when said bladder is not inflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A dispenser for dispensing material from a collapsible tube comprising: a housing having a depending handle and an air valve connected to said housing next to the handle; a cover movable in a certain direction toward a closed position next to said housing, said housing an said over defining a chamber when said cover is in said closed position for receiving the collapsible tube, said chamber having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to said certain direction of movement of said cover toward said closed position; a latch for releasably retaining said cover in a closed position next to said housing; and an inflatable bladder located next to said chamber and connected to said air valve, said air valve controlling the admission of air into said bladder, said bladder during inflation being operable to at least partially collapse the tube for dispensing material, said chamber and said bladder having a configuration adapted to support the tube when said bladder is not inflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dispenser of claim 1; including pivot means connecting said cover to said housing for movement of said cover in an arc toward said closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said arc extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said bladder is secured to said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said cover includes a heater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dispenser of claim 1; and including a flexible liner between said bladder and said chamber when said cover is in said closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said bladder extends along the substantial extent of the length of said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispenser of claim 1; including a source of pressurized air connected to said air valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said bladder comprises a unitary bag-like structure made of a flexible material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispenser of claim 1; including a heater having electrical resistance elements next to said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dispenser of claim 10, wherein said heater is a flexible mat having embedded electrical resistance elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said latch is operable to releasably retain said cover in any one of a number of fixed positions next to said housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-30 | 1997-03-01 | 1997-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-30 | 2001-03-01 | 2001-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-30 | 2005-03-01 | 2005-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |