US3481510A - Twin unit gun-type dispenser for extrudable material in disposable cartridges - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 2. 1969 R. E. LEN. JR 3,481,510 TWIN T GUN- PENSER FOR EXTRUDABLE ERIAL DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGES Filed May 22, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvvszvroe Robert E. Allen,Jr.

ATTORNE vs Dec. 2. 1969 R. E. ALLEN, JR

TWIN UNIT GUN-TYPE DISPENSER FOR EXTRUDABLE MATERIAL IN DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 22, 1968 INVENTOR Robert E. Allen ,Jr.

BY If ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 222-79 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure describes a dispenser for extrudable material such as ointments, creams, jellies, toothpaste, industrial adhesives and the like which are packaged in a disposable cartridge together with a holder for the cartridges and a mechanism for automatically dispensing a predetermined quantity of the material upon actuation of the mechanism. The dispenser is constructed generally in the shape and configuration of a revolver-type hand gun in which the trigger, when actuated, operates the dispensing mechanism. The dispenser includes a discharge nozzle provided with a disposable cover having a re-entrant discharge end to enable a small portion of extrudable material to be removed with the disposable cover thereby assuring the sterile properties of the dispenser when a new disposable cover is applied thereby eliminating any possibility of transfer of germs or the like from one user to another. The dispensing mechanism is controlled by the trigger so that a variable, rather than a fixed, amount of material is dispensed when the trigger is actuated. The amount of material dispensed is determined by the amount of pressure applied to the trigger. In addition, the dispensing mechanism is adjustable so that material of varying viscosity can be dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of US. patent application Ser. No. 626,492 for Twin-Unit GunType Dispenser For Extrudable Material In Disposable Cartridges by Robert E. Allen, Ir., filed Mar. 28, 1967, now abandoned.

The present invention generally relates to a dispensing apparatus generally in the form of a revolver-type hand gun for dispensing a predetermined quantity of extrudable material upon each actuation of the trigger mechanism of the gun.

Gun-type dispensers of extrudable material are known in the prior art. While gun-dispensers are known, the use of the prior art dispensers has been restricted because of certain disadvantages. Specifically, the prior art gun-type dispensers are bulky and many of them do not use disposable cartridges. In addition, they are designed to dispense materials of only one viscosity. Moreover, no means are provided for controlling the dispensing rate so that the rate can vary. Rather, once the trigger of prior art gun-type dispensers is actuated, a continuous pressure is maintained on the eXtrudable material so that a fixed predetermined amount of material is dispensed. Even with prior art gun-type dispensers that allow some variation in the rate of dispensing, there are disadvantages. Specifically, these latter type devices continue to dispense material after the trigger is released until the internal pressure on the extrudable material is equal to the pressure on the material at the nozzle of the dispenser. Hence, more material than desired is often dispensed. Finally, prior art gun-type dispensers make no provision for using the dispensers in other than in environments that do not require sterile materials. Hence, these devices have been limited to extruding materials in only predetermined environments.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a gun-type dispenser for an extrudable material in which the extrudable material is packaged in a disposable cartridge having a movable piston or pressure plate movable longitudinally of the cartridge together with a discharge nozzle at the opposite end thereof through which the extrudable material is discharged.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser in accordance with the preceding object in which the cartridge and the holder therefor is constructed of oblong transverse cross-sectional configuration which prevents rotation of the cartridge with the dimensional characteristics of the holder which receives the cartridge being slightly larger than the cartridge to enable releasable interlocking engagement between the cartridge and the holder therefor.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser in which the pressure plate or piston is in screwthreaded engagement with a rotary and longitudinally stationary screw journaled in one end of the cartridge with the holder for the cartridge having a ratchettype drive mechanism actuated by the trigger mechanism whereby the pressure plate is advanced longitudinally by actuation of the trigger mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser in accordance with the preceding objects in which the discharge nozzle thereof is provided with a removable cover having a re-entrant end portion which extends from a relatively short distance back into the end of the discharge nozzle so that a small quantity of extrudable material will be removed along with the disposable cover when it is removed thereby avoiding any possible transfer of contamination from one user to another.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gun-type dispenser for extrudable material of various types which is relatively simple in construction, capable of being constructed of various materials, efiective for its particular purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improved gun-type dispenser that is suitable for dispensing materials of varying viscosity having a mechanism that is controllable to vary the amount of extrudable material dispensed and having a mechanism that is adjustable to vary the amount of pressure applied to the extrudable material being dispensed to compensate for the viscosity of the material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become subsequently apparent from the following description of the details of construction and operation of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gun-type dispenser for extrudable material of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating the structural details of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a transverse, sectional view illustrating the ratchet drive wheel employed for rotating the pressure plate advance screw;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the holder for the cartridge of extrudable material illustrating the structure thereof;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view of the discharge nozzle end of the dispenser illustrating the cap and its association with the discharge nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the disposable cartridge with the disposable tip cover separated therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 7-7 of FIG. 2 illustrating the releasable interlocking connection between the disposable cartridge and the holder therefor;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the dispenser illustrating the manner in which the opposed side edges of the holder are squeezed inwardly to release the cartridge from the holder; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of the trigger finger mechanism and an adjustment screw therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to the drawings, the dispenser for extrudable material is generally designated by the numeral 10 and includes two separable units, namely, a disposable cartridge 12 and a gun-type holder 14 which is used repeatedly while the disposable cartridge 12 is employed until the extrudable material 16 therein has been consumed at which time the exhausted disposable cartridge 12 is removed and replaced with a new cartridge.

The disposable cartridge 12 includes an elongated hol low or tubular body 18 of polygonal, oblong, oval or like transverse cross-sectional configuration which is illustrated in FIGURE 7 is substantially square or rectangular in transverse configuration. The outer end of the external surface of the tubular member which is in the form of a container is provided with a peripheral recess 20 which engages and frictionally mounts a tubular cap 22 (FIG. 5) having an end wall 24 forming a closure and protective cap for the cartridge 12. The end of the cartridge 12 having the recess 20 therein is provided with an end wall 26 having a centrally disposed discharge orifice 28 therein for discharging the extrudable material 16 therethrough. Projecting axially from the end wall 26 is a discharge nozzle 30 which tapers inwardly and longitudinally toward a relatively small discharge end portion 32 by virtue of which the extrudable material 16 is discharged in a relatively small column or strip for easy application to a desired location.

The end wall 26 of the tubular member 18 is provided with a peripheral recess 34 which defines a peripheral shoulder 36 having a rounded peripheral surface for mounting a disposable nozzle cover 38 (FIG. 2) which has a correspondingly shaped peripheral flange 40 at the end thereof to enable it to be frictionally supported by the peripheral shoulder or rib 36. A laterally extending handgrip or handle 42 is provided on the flange 40 to enable the cover to be easily stripped from the nozzle 30 inasmuch as the cover 38 will be constructed of yieldable material such as plastic or the like which is relatively inexpensive to enable the cover to be disposed of after a single use. The outer end of the cover 38 is provided with a re-entrant end portion 44 which is reversely bent inwardly to receive the discharge end 32 of the nozzle 30 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the re-entrant end portion of the nozzle cover 38 will receive a relatively short column of extrudable material 46 which will be removed with the disposable cover 38 when it is removed from the nozzle 30 thereby assuring that the extrudable material 46 will be removed with the disposable cover 38 when it is removed from the nozzle 30 thereby assuring that the extrudable material 16 left in the nozzle 30 will be free of contamination thereby enabling the dispenser to be employed by successive users without transfer of contamination.

To prevent the extrudable material from drying out and to prevent it from oozing out of the end of the nozzle 30, the end wall 24 (FIG. 5) of the closure cap 22 is provided with a projecting stud 48 which has a peripheral .4 rib 50 adjacent the free end thereof which is to guide itself into the end of the nozzle 30 thus forming a closure plug for the end of the nozzle 30 with the closure plug telescoped into the discharge end 32 of the nozzle 30 in sealing engagement with the interior surface thereof. The closure cap 22 not only prevents contamination of the extrudable material during periods of non-use but also prevents hardening of the extrudable material such as might occur by air contact and also prevents any possibility of the extrudable material running out of or oozing out of the discharge end 32 of the nozzle 30.

The opposite end of the tubular member 18 (FIG. 2) is provided with a closure plate 52 sealed to the internal periphery of the tubular member 18 in any suitable manner with the closure plate 52 being illustrated as including a peripheral rib 54 received in a corresponding groove on the inner surface of the tubular member 18. Journalled in the closure plate 52 is a shaft 56 having a flange or washer 58 thereon in engagement with the inner surface of the closure plate 52. A shoulder 60 on the shaft 56 engages the flange or washer 58 and the shaft 56 extends axially in the center of the tubular member 18 and is externally screwthreaded at 62. The end of the screwthreaded portion 62 of the shaft 56 is spaced slightly from the end wall 26 and generally is in alignment with the discharge orifice 28.

In threaded engagement with the threaded shaft 62 is an extruding piston or pressure plate 64 corresponding in shape to the interior of the tubular member 18 thus precluding rotation of the pressure plate 64. Therefore, as the threaded shaft 62 is rotated and retained longitudinally stationary, the pressure plate 64 will be moved longitudinally within the interior of the tubular member 18.

The pressure plate 64 is provided with a peripheral groove 66 therein to enhance the seal between the interior surface of the tubular member 18 and the pressure plate 64 so that the extrudable material 16 will not pass between the pressure plate 64 and the interior of the tubular member 18. The shaft 56 is precluded from longitudinal movement in one direction by the flange 58 and the corresponding flange or plate 68 is provided on the outer end of the shaft 56 to prevent inward movement thereof in relation to the closure plate 52.

Integral with the shaft 56 or fixedly attached thereto is a drive wheel 70 which is cylindrical in configuration and provided with a pair of peripherally disposed recesses 72 in the face thereof remote from the closure plate 52. The recesses 72 are equally spaced and define a pair of generally radially disposed shoulders 74 which are in the form of measuring stops for controlling rotation of the drive wheel 70 in a manner described hereinafter. Disposed centrally of the drive wheel 70 on the face thereof remote from the closure late 52 is a ratchet wheel 76 which drives the shaft 56 and drive wheel 70 with the drive ratchet 76 being rigidly fixed to the shaft 56 and drive wheel 70 or integrally formed therewith. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the drive ratchet 76 includes a plurality of ridges 77 on its face remote from the drive wheel 70. The ridges 77 extend radially outwardly from the center of the drive ratchet. Each ridge has a plurality of small stops" 79 that extend from one side of the ridge. The stops 79 coact with a drive finger 104 illustrated in FIG. 9 in the manner hereinafter described to prevent slipping of the drive finger.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 6, the shaft 56 has an axial extension 78 thereon which extends beyond the drive ratchet 76 and as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, the top and bottom surfaces of the tubular member 18 each have a socket or recess 80 formed therein in opposed relation to each other and extending only partially through the thickness of the wall surface of the tubular member 18 for a purpose described hereinafter.

The disposable cartridge 12 may be constructed of plasn'c materials or other similar materials rendering it sufficiently economical to be disposable after the extrudable material 16 has been dispensed. In some instances, the

cartridge 12 could be refilled so that it can be reused where desired.

The holder 14 approximates the appearance of a revolver-type hand gun and includes a relatively short tubular member 82 which is oval-shaped or oblong in crosssectional configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 with the top and bottom walls being substantially normally parallel and the rounded side edges being normally symmetrical with the top and bottom walls of the disposable casing 12 inserted therebetween. The inner surface of the top and bottom of the tubular member 82 is each provided with an inwardly extending projection 84 which is received in a corresponding socket or recess 80 in the tubular member 18 for locking the disposable cartridge 12 to the holder 14. As illustrated in FIGURE 8, the rounded side edges of the tubular member or socket 82 are squeezed inwardly thus moving the top wall thereof away from the bottom wall so that the projecting lug 84 may be released from the sockets 80 to enable removal or replacement of the disposable cartridge 12 into the holder 14.

The end of the tubular member or socket 82 of the holder 14 remote from the end thereof which receives the disposable cartridge 12 is provided with an end wall 86 having a downwardly extending and curved handle 88 integral therewith which closely simulates the handgrip of a revolver-type hand gun. The handle 88 may be tubular and constructed of plastic or any other suitable material. Depending from the bottom wall of the tubular socket 82 is a longitudinal reinforcement rib 90 which has a trigger guard 92 connected thereto with the rear end of the trigger guard merging into and joined with the lower edge of the upper portion of the handle 88 to further simulate the construction of a revolver-type hand gun.

Depending into the interior of the trigger guard 82 in a conventional relationship thereto is a trigger 94 which is pivotally supported by a pivot pin 96 for swinging movement in the conventional manner of a trigger for actuating the drive wheel 70 through the ratchet drive 76 in a substantially conventional manner.

The end wall 86 (FIG. 4) of the tubular member 82 is provided with a centrally disposed socket or recess 98 which receives the axial extension 78 on the shaft 56 which extension is rounded for guiding engagement within the aperture or hole 98 for stabilizing the end of the shaft 56 and stabilizing the drive wheel 70 thereon during rotation thereof. Along side of the centrally disposed aperture 98, the end wall 86 is provided with a rectangular aperture 100 through which projects the tapered or pointed end 102 of a drive pin or finger 104 which has the lower end thereof pivoted to an end portion of the trigger 94 by a pivot pin 106 which is spaced from the pivot pin 96 so that as the trigger 94 is oscillated, the drive finger 104 will move upwardly and inwardly through the aperture 100 into engagement with the drive ratchet 76 for moving the drive ratchet 76, drive wheel 70 and shaft 56 one increment of movement when the trigger 94 is pulled rearwardly. When the trigger 94 is released a coil spring 105 forces the trigger into a retracted position. The retraction of the trigger 91 causes the trigger finger 104 to move way from the drive ratchet 76 so that the trigger finger 104 is left in a position suitable for subsequently engaging the next tooth on the drive ratchet 76 when the trigger is pulled. The coil spring 105 is held in position by a projection 107 extending upwardly from the inner position of the trigger 94 and by a projection (not shown) from the back side of the end wall 86. The back side of the finger 104 forms a stop 124 that prevents excessive rearward movement of the finger in a manner hereinafter described.

The end wall 86 is provided with an opening 108 adjacent the bottom thereof in alignment with the recesses 72 and shoulder 74 on the periphery of drive wheel 70 for enabling passage of a measuring stop pin 110 carried by the trigger 94 to enable it to move through the opening 108 into the path of movement of a shoulder 74 for limiting the degree of rotation of the drive wheel 70 by the drive ratchet 76. This limitation is provided to prevent excess dispensing which might occur when an easily flowable liquid is being dispensed by the dispenser.

Disposed behind the drive finger 104 is a hammer 112 mounted on a pivot pin 114 and provided with a thumbengaging member 116 above the top surface of the handle 88 to further simulate a revolver-type hand gun. A spring 118 is associated with the hammer 112 in a manner to bias it toward the end wall 86 and the inner end of the hammer 112 is provided with a recess 120 associated with a projection 122 on the trigger to operate the hammer 112 in a known manner when the trigger 94 is pulled so that the hammer will move rearwardly and then be released and driven forwardly by the spring so that the actuation of a revolver-type hand gun will be more closely simulated. The slotted aperture in the trigger 94 through which the pivot pin 96 passes allows the trigger to move forward and let the projection 122 move past the hammer when the trigger is released after the hammer is driven forward. The hammer feature enables material to be dispensed by children or used with small patients by doctors, nurses and the like inasmuch as the trigger and hammer mechanism will enable the dispenser to be more easily employed with children inasmuch as the childrens attention will be directed toward the gun simulating features. In other applications and usage the hammer may be completely omitted if desired inasmuch as it performs no par- .ticular function inasmuch as it is not necessary to the dispensing function of the apparatus. However, the pivotal or lower portion of the hammer cannot be entirely omitted because it is an operative portion of the dispensing mechanism. Specifically, it is a right angle member attached to the lower portion of the hammer that presses against the finger 104 moving the finger against the ratchet 76 when the trigger is actuated. Hence, this member cannot be omitted.

The drive trigger and finger 104 are conventional insofar is the drive ratchet 76 is concerned and is that type of mechanism employed in toy revolvers which fires explosive caps oriented on a circular disk of paper or the like and are provided with the same spring return mechanism, stop mechanism and the like to retain the trigger and the operating mechanism in proper position.

By utilizing the driving mechanism as employed in the handle of an ordinary toy revolver-type gun which employs a rotary circular cap sheet, the cost of the dispenser may be retained at a minimum inasmuch as the driving mechanism is readily available. The hammer produces a noise and may be constructed so that the hammer extends through the housing or handgrip or may be shortened so that it is not revealed at all or by completely eliminating the hammer altogether (to the extent heretofore described) the drive mechanism will effectively operate the drive wheel associated with the disposable cartridge. By eliminating the hammer and the noise, the device may be efiectively used for doctors and others for applying ointments, creams, jellies and the like and by industry for applying glue, sealers, cement or the like whereas the hammer and its attendant noise will be quite effective for use by children when dispensing toothpaste onto toothbrushes.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 9 illustrate a means for adjusting the degree of leverage applied by the finger 104. The pivot pin 106 has a threaded portion of an undercut inner end 109. The inner end 109 revolves in an aperture in the trigger 94. The outer end of the pin, between a head 113 and the threads, has an undercut portion 111. This latter undercut portion is rotatably held in the side of the invention by .a pair of spring washers, for example. In this maner, the pin 106 can revolve when the head 113 is rotated, however, it cannot move inwardly or outwardly. The finger 104 is threaded onto the threaded portion of the pin 106. Hence, as the pin is revolved by moving its head 113 (which may be knurled knob), the finger means moves inwardly or outwardly depending upon the direction of revolution. The right angle projection 115 forming a portion of the hammer 112 presses against the back side of the finger so that the finger is pressed forward against the ratchet 76 when the trigger is actuated regardless of the location of the finger along the threaded length of the bolt 106.,

The lip 102 of the finger 104 engages one of the ribs 77 of the ratchet 76 to cause movement of the ratchet. The stops 79 prevent lateral movement of the finger. The leverage applied to the pressure plate is variable because when the finger is moved radially outwardly along the shaft 62, the finger applies more leverage to the pressure plate 64 and when moved inwardly, applies less leverage. Hence, the invention provides a means for varying the pressure applied by the pressure plate 64 to the material so that materials of varying viscosity can be dispensed.

It will be appreciated that while the preferred embodiment of the invention has adjustable leverage, the leverage can be fixed by eliminating the threaded pin 106 and replacing it by a non-threaded shaft.

In addition to varying leverage, the threads on the screw shaft may be calibrated along with the ratchet wheel and stop ratchet in order to control the quantity of material dispensed for each operation of the trigger. For example, a toothpaste dispenser may be calibrated to dispense a predetermined quantity of toothpaste for each operation of the trigger whereas a device for use by a physician or in industry may be calibrated diflferently. by employing such a calibration, the proper amount of extrudable material will be dispensed but it will eliminate the dispensing of excess material which is wasteful or too little material which is just as objectionable since the function to be performed by the extrudable material will not be properly completed. The nozzle at the discharge end of the cartridge enables the placement of the extrudable material onto a desired location thus eliminating waste and the disposable cover prevents contamination of the contents and also prevents transfer of bacteria, germs and the like frof one user to another.

In addition to providing means for controlling the amount of material dispensed, the invention also includes means for preventing material from dispensing after the trigger is released. Specifically, one of the problems of prior art devices is the dispensing of material after the trigger is released. That is, the material continues to dispense until the pressure inside of the container is generally equal to the pressure outside the nozzle. This problem occurs because the pressure inside the material container must be greater than the pressure outside the container prior to material being dispensed.

This invention solves the foregoing problem by relieving the internal pressure immediately upon release of the trigger. This action is performed by the coil spring 105. More specifically, when the trigger is released, the coil spring 105 immediately causes the finger 104 to withdraw leverage from the rib 77. This withdrawal relieves pressure on the material. Hence, the material does not continue to discharge or drip after the trigger is released.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials comprising:

cartridge means for holding a quantity of extrudable material including:

a nozzle having an opening through which said extrudable material is dispensed; and

compression means for compressing said extrudable material to force said extrudable material to be dispensed through the opening in said nozzle, said compression means having a threaded rotatable shaft along which a non-rotatable compression element moves when rotation pressure is applied to said shaft, said shaft being freely rotatable in a forward and reverse direction thereby allowing the shaft to return to a pressure relief position to relieve compression pressure on said extendable material when rotation pressure is not being applied to said shaft; and

handle means for holding said cartridge means including:

atrigger;

a finger operatively connected to said trigger so that when said trigger is actuated said finger coacts with said compression means to rotate said shaft of said compression means; and

spring means operatively connected to said trigger means to move said trigger to a retarded position and finger away from said compression means when said trigger is not actuated so that the rotation pressure on said shaft is immediately relieved.

2. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle means and said cartridge means have the silhouette of a hand gun.

3. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cartridge means is fixedly but removably held in said handle means.

4. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cartridge means is a disposable cartridge.

5. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 4 wherein said compression means includes a rotatable member fixedly attached to said rotatable shaft mounted exterior to said cartridge but within the portion of said handle means holding said cartridge, said rotatable member operatively coacting with said finger to rotate said rotatable shaft.

6. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 5 including a hammer mounted in said handle means adapted to coact with said trigger and having a projection adapted to force said finger against said rotatable member when said trigger is activated.

7. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 6 wherein said finger is radially movable with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotatable memher.

8. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable material as claimed in claim 7 wherein said rotatable member has a plurality of radially projecting ribs, said ribs adapted to coact with the end of said finger.

9. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 8 including a cap suitable for mounting over said nozzle to protect said nozzle from dispensing materials when said apparatus is not in use.

10. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 9 including a protective cap for removable mounting over said nozzle, having an aperture through which said material can be dispensed.

11. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cartridge means has a rectangular cross-section and the portion of said handle means in which said cartridge means is mounted is oblong in shape having parallel sides approximately the width of one set of parallel sides of said cartridge means and having semi-circular sides connecting the parallel sides which are compressible together to aid the insertion and removal of said cartridge means.

12. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cartridge means is a disposable cartridge.

13. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compression means includes a rotatable member fixedly attached to said rotatable shaft mounted exterior to said cartridge, but within the portion of said handle means holding said cartridge, said rotatable member operatively coacting with said finger to rotate said shaft.

14. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 13 including a hammer mounted in said handle means adapted to coact with said trigger and having a projection adapted to force said finger against said rotatable member When said trigger is actuated.

15. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 14 wherein said finger is radially movable With respect to the axis of rotation of said rotatable member.

16. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 15 wherein said rotatable member has a plurality of radially projecting ribs, said ribs adapted to coact with the end of said finger.

17. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 1 including cap suitable for mounting over said nozzle to protect said nozzle from dispensing materials when said apparatus is not in use.

18. Apparatus for dispensing extrudable materials as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cartridge means has a rectangular cross-section and the portion of said handle means in which said cartridge means is mounted is oblong in shape having parallel sides approximately the width of one set of parallel sides of said cartridge means and having semi-circular sides connecting the parallel sides which are compressible together to aid the insertion and removal of said cartridge means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 563,114 6/1896 W015 22279 2,582,156 1/1952 Peterson 222327 3,078,011 2/1963 Safianoff 222390 X 3,124,281 3/1964 Stull 222-563 X 3,308,836 3/1967 loines 22279 X 3,339,810 9/1967 Block et a1. 222390 X FOREIGN PATENTS 518,022 2/ 1940 Great Britain.

20 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner N. L. STACK, JR., Assistant Examiner

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