Adhesive applicator including novel applicator tip
An applicator is provided for a flowable media, particularly an adhesive contained in a container and the applicator includes an elongate body member having an internal cavity that holds the container. The cavity has a distal end with a breaking means that is actuated by an axial force. Various embodiments of the actuator are shown to apply the force, including a wire cracker and a molded integral handle member with a lever linkage that bears against a ram which holds the ampoule and having a spring arm that rides within the cavity to oppose a pivoting force on the handle. These embodiments also enable single handed use.
1 . An applicator for a material in a breakable ampoule, comprising:
a body portion having a long axis and which defines a cavity to contain the breakable ampoule,
wherein the cavity includes a breaking member and a ramp feature which opposes the breaking member along the long axis,
a material dispensing opening in communication with the cavity, wherein the material dispensing opening is configured to dispense the material from the applicator to a site of application on a body; and
an actuator member configured to act on the breakable ampoule to move the breakable ampoule in the direction of the long axis which causes the breakable ampoule to engage the breaking member to allow the material to access the material dispensing opening,
wherein the actuator member is configured to control the flow of the material out of the applicator through the material dispensing opening, and
wherein when pressure is applied to the actuator member the material flows out of the material dispensing opening and when the pressure applied to the actuator member is released the material stops flowing out of the material dispensing opening via a spring force generated by the actuator member that acts in contravention to the pressure applied by a user;
wherein an upper end of the breakable ampoule is contained in a cap member coupled to the actuator member through a linkage which extends directly from the actuator member to the cap member, and wherein the cap member is located entirely within the cavity of the body portion.
2 . The applicator as set forth in claim 1 ,
wherein the body portion has a distal end and a proximal end along the long axis,
wherein the material dispensing opening is in the distal end of the body portion,
wherein the breakable ampoule is received in the cavity,
wherein the breaking member is in a portion of the cavity in the distal end of the body portion, and
wherein the breakable ampoule is present between the breaking member and the cap member.
3 . The applicator as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the ramp feature is across the long axis from the breaking member so that the breakable ampoule is configured to be loaded along the long axis into the breaking member by the ramp feature.
4 . The applicator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the actuator member further includes an integral spring member that is configured to apply the spring force in opposition to the pressure on the actuator member.
5 . The applicator as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the spring member is a spring arm and is integral with the linkage of the actuator member.
6 . The applicator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the actuator member further includes a handle member operatively connected to the linkage, wherein the linkage is operatively connected to the cap member in which the upper end of the breakable ampoule is present, and wherein when the handle member is depressed, the breakable ampoule moves in the direction of the long axis towards the material dispensing opening.
7 . The applicator as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the actuator member further includes a spring member integrally connected to the handle member, wherein the spring member opposes pivoting pressure of the handle member toward the body portion and is configured such that when the user releases the handle member, the handle member in turn stops pressure on the cap member and stops the flow of the material out of the material dispensing opening.
8 . The applicator as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the actuator member is pivotally connected to the body portion at a proximal end of the body portion.
9 . The applicator as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the pivotal connection is provided by a boss of the actuator member and a recess of the body portion.
10 . The applicator as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the applicator further includes a filter member situated between the breakable ampoule and the material dispensing opening within the body portion.
11 . The applicator as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the material is an adhesive.
12 . An applicator for a material in a breakable ampoule, comprising:
a body portion having a long axis and which defines a cavity to contain the breakable ampoule,
wherein the cavity includes a breaking member and a ramp feature,
a material dispensing opening located at a distal end of the body portion and being in communication with the cavity, wherein the material dispensing opening is configured to dispense the material from the applicator to a site of application on a body; and
an actuator member configured to act on the breakable ampoule to move the breakable ampoule in the direction of the long axis which causes the breakable ampoule to engage the breaking member to allow the material to access the material dispensing opening,
wherein the actuator member includes a) a cap member located in the cavity that holds the breakable ampoule and forms a seal with the body portion, b) a handle member which pivots about a hinge axis and acts on a lever linkage coupled to the cap member, and c) a counter spring member which acts to bias the handle member against pressure applied to the handle member,
wherein when the pressure is applied to the handle member the material flows out of the material dispensing opening and when the pressure applied to the actuator member is released the material stops flowing out of the material dispensing opening via a spring force generated by the counter spring member that acts in contravention to the pressure applied by a user;
wherein an upper end of the breakable ampoule is contained in a cap member coupled to the actuator member through a linkage which extends directly from the actuator member to the cap member, and wherein the cap member is located entirely within the cavity of the body portion.
13 . The applicator as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the actuator member is configured to cause the material to be drawn back into the applicator at the material dispensing opening via the spring force generated by the counter spring member.
14 . The applicator as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the ramp feature is across the long axis from the breaking member so that the breakable ampoule is configured to be loaded along the long axis into the breaking member by the ramp feature.
15 . The applicator as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the actuator member is pivotally connected to the body portion at a proximal end of the body portion.
16 . The applicator as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the pivotal connection is provided by a boss of the actuator member and a recess of the body portion.
17 . The applicator as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the applicator further includes a filter member situated between the breakable ampoule and the material dispensing opening within the body portion.
18 . The applicator as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the material is an adhesive.