Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
Toothpaste tube saueezer.
The present patent application refers to a toothpaste tube squeezer.
The invention has been devised to innovate the current technology,
which makes use of rather obsolete, totally standardised solutions.
In particular, the only toothpaste tube squeezer that has enjoyed some
s diffusion on the market has been the typical key with a narrow elongated
eye,
in which the bottom of the toothpaste tube is inserted.
As it is known, the key is used to roll the end of the toothpaste tube
gradually, in order to empty the tube in a rational, complete way.
The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a tool capable of
io squeezing toothpaste tubes according to alternative operation modes,
characterised by higher convenience and efficiency compared to traditional
keys; all of the above with a product characterised by an attractive
innovative
design that may become very popular with young users.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide the tool of the
is invention with a simple structure composed of a few modular parts,
preferably
plastic moulded parts, which can be assembled easily and rapidly without
using external fixing means.
Obviously, this makes the tool extremely inexpensive and especially
indicated to be produced in a series with industrial production means.
2o In practical terms, the tool of the invention is composed of a container
with any type of configuration, provided with an internal pair of contra-
rotating
rolls at a certain distance from the bottom, which can be actuated by means
of a small handle that protrudes laterally from the container.
The top of the container has a narrow rectilinear slot into which the
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' 2
bottom section of the toothpaste tube is inserted, so that it is exactly
housed
in the narrow space between the two contra-rotating rolls that rotate in the
same direction.
The space between the two rolls must allow the rolls to exercise
s energetic friction against the tube during rotation.
Evidently, the rotations imposed on the rolls by means of the external
handle gradually drag the tube towards the bottom of the container and cause
the discharge of regular amounts of toothpaste through the opening of the
tube, which remains outside of the container.
io The distance between the pair of °squeezing" rolls and the bottom of
the container must be such that the entire length of the toothpaste tube can
be housed under the rolls.
This allows for the complete squeezing of the toothpaste tube
contained in the container.
is For major clarity the description of the invention continues with
reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of
illustration only and not in a limiting sense, whereby:
- Figure 1 is an exploded axonometric view of the tool of the invention;
- Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the lower side of the lid used in the
tool
20 of Fig. 1;
- Figure 3 is an exploded axonometric view of an alternative constructive
embodiment of the tool of the invention;
- Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the tool of Fig. 3 during an intermediate
assembly stage;
2s - Figure 5 is an axonometric view of the tool of Fig. 3 after ~mplete
assembly;
- Figure 6 is an exploded axonometric view of a motorised version of the tool
of the invention.
With reference to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tool of
3o the invention is completely made of plastic moulded parts and composed of a
basically truncated conical vase (1 ) with circular lid (2), provided with a
rectilinear slot (3) in which the bottom section of a toothpaste tube is
inserted.
The lower side of the lid (2) is provided with two rectilinear opposite
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borders in edgeways position (4a, 4b), slightly under the perimeter edge of
the lid (2).
The first border (4a) is internally provided with two circular projections
(5) in adjacent position, which exactly correspond with two circular holes (6)
s on the second border (4b), for the installation of two identical contra-
rotating
rolls (7, 8) between the two opposite borders (4a, 4b).
In particular, the hollow rear end of each roll (7, 8) is matched with one
of the circular projections (5) of the first border (4a), and the front end
(7a,
8a) is housed into the corresponding hole (6) on the second border (4b).
io As shown in the aforementioned figures, the two rolls (7, 8) are placed
at a short distance one from the other (thus allowing for the insertion of the
bottom section of the toothpaste tube). The rolls (7, 8) can rotate in the
same
direction by means of two crown-wheels (7b, 8b) located immediately behind
the front ends (7a, 8a) of the rolls (7, 8) internally to the second border
(4b).
is Once the two rolls (7, 8) have been installed under the lid (2}, another
assembly operation must be performed.
In fact, a pin (9a) with a crown-wheel (9) must be exactly engaged into
the front end (7a) of the first roll (7).
The pin (9a) has a square cross-section and can be couple with the
2o internal suitably shaped profile of the roll (7) in a prismatic way; this
makes
the pin (9a) integral with the roll (7).
The pin (9a) in inserted into the end (7a) of the first roll (7} through the
same hole (6) of the second border (4b) designed to support the end (7a);
this makes it possible for the crown-wheel (9) of the pin (9a) to be located
in
as external position on the border (4b).
In order to ensure the exact stable coupling between the lid (2) and the
vase (1), the vase (1) is internally provided with four pairs of vertical ribs
(10),
two by two in opposite position, which create the four corners of a virtual
square inscribed in the circular opening of the vase (1).
so Practically, each pair of ribs (10) defines an intermediate rectilinear
groove (10a); it being provided that each groove (10a), together with the
groove in opposite position, defines a sort of "pocket" where the two vertical
edges of one of the borders (4a, 4b) under the lid (2) can be exactly
inserted.
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To make the coupling between the lid (2) and the vase (1 ) stable, a
circular hole (11) is provided behind the opening section of each groove (10a)
to access a narrow cylindrical housing with vertical direction.
The four holes (11 ) are used to engage corresponding pegs (11 a) that
s protrude from the lower side of the lid (2) into corresponding cylindrical
housings at the sides of the borders (4a, 4b).
The vase (1) has a lateral circular hole (12) in which a pin (13a) with a
corresponding crown-wheel (13} is inserted from inside outwards; in
particular, the crown-wheel (13) is obtained on a section (13b) of the pin
with
io circular cross-section, followed by a section with basically square cross-
section.
The section with circular cross-section (13b) engages, with the
possibility of free rotation, inside the lateral hole (12) of the vase (1);
the
crown-wheel (13) remains inside the vase (1}, while the section with square
is cross-section (13a) remains outside the vase (1), so as to engage and
couple
with a corresponding sleeve (14a) of an actuation handle (14) in a prismatic
way.
In particular, the position of the crown-wheel (13) inside the vase (1)
must be such as to allow the crown-wheel (13) to engage the crown-wheel (9)
Zo located in external position on the second border (4b) of the lid (2) when
the
lid (2) is placed onto the vase (1).
To make the pin (13a} more stable, the pin (13a) is provided with a
tapered end (not shown in the enclosed drawings) below the crown-wheel
(13), which is inserted and supported inside a suitable hole (15) on the
2s second border (14b) of the lid (2) under the aforementioned pair of holes
(6).
The actuation of the handle (14} drags the crown-wheel (13) inside the
vase (1 ) into rotation, and in turn the crown-wheel (13) drags the crown-
wheel
(9) associated with the lid (2) into rotation, the crown-wheel (9) drags the
first
roll (7) to which it is joined by means of the pin. (9a) into rotation and
finally
3o the first roll (7) drags the second roll (8) into inverse rotation by means
of the
connection between the corresponding crown-wheels (7b, 8b}.
As shown in Fig. 1, the square section of the pin (13a) has a
longitudinal hook that snaps into a hole (14) located on the side of the
sleeve
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(14a) of the handle (14), when the connection between the pin (13a) and the
sleeve (14a) has been completed.
This prevents the accidental release of the two parts, although it
appears evident that the user can pull the handle (14) backwards to
s overcome the resistance of the hook (13c) to release the two parts.
As shown in Fig. 1, the pin (13) and the pin (9) have exactly the same
structure.
These are two pieces of the same part; of course, this is particularly
convenient to reduce the number of parts needed to produce the tool of the
io invention, and consequently production costs.
Finally, it must be noted that Figure 1 also shows an accessory of the
tool of the invention: a wall shelf (M) provided with basically truncated-
conical
bracket used to insert and support the vase (1), if necessary.
Although Figure 1 shows a vase (1) with truncated-conical shape, the
is same vase (1) can have a cylindrical or square structure, it only being
necessary in this case to modify the shape of the lid.
Figures 3 to 5 refer to another embodiment of the invention that makes
use of the same inventive principle as the previous embodiment, although
with a different constructive shape.
Zo In the latter case, the bearing structure of the tool of the invention is
composed of a hollow body (100) with two identical half-shells (100a, 100b)
snapped together; once assembly has been completed, the embodiment
features the top slot (30) used to insert the bottom section of a toothpaste
tube.
2s Specifically, the hollow body used for this embodiment of the invention
has the shape of a stylised fish to create a pleasant shape for children.
The first half-shell (100a) incorporates two opposite borders in
edgeways position (40a, 40b); the first border (40a) is internally provided
with
two circular projections (50), which exactly correspond with two circular
holes
30 (60) on the second border (40b), with a smaller central hole (150) under
the
holes (60).
The close pair of contra-rotating rolls (70, 80) is mounted between the
borders (40a, 40b).
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Also in this case, the rear end of the two rolls (70, 80) is coupled with
the circular projections (50), and the front end is inserted and supported
into
the corresponding holes (60) of the second border (40b); also in this case the
two rolls (70, 80) are mutually engaged by means of corresponding crown-
s wheels (70b, 70a) in internal position on the second border (40b).
The front end (70a) of the first roll (70) is designed to be coupled in a
prismatic way with a pin with square cross-section (90a), with a crown-wheel
(90) designed to engage with the crown-wheel coupled at the end of a pin
(130a).
io In particular, the front tapered end (130d) of the pin (130a) is inserted
and supported, with the possibility of free rotation, inside the hole (150) in
the
centre on the second border (40b), and the rear end with square cross-
section externally projects from the hollow structure of the tool of the
invention to be coupled with the sleeve (140a) of an actuation handle (140) in
is a prismatic way.
The section with circular cross-section (130b) of the pin (130a) is
inserted and supported, with the possibility of free rotation, inside the
circular
hole (120), which is located half on the right half-shell (100a) and half on
the
left half shell (100b) of the bearing structure of the tool of the invention.
2o As shown in Fig. 4, once the different parts have been assembled, the
two half-shells (100a, 100b) are coupled to obtain the tool of the invention,
as
shown in Fig. 5.
With reference to Figure 6, a motorised version of the tool of the
invention is also possible.
2s With this view, an engine with vertical axis (20) powered with a mini-
battery (21 ) is housed in the main container, whose shaft (22) protrudes
upwards and drags the roll (7) engaged with the adjacent roll (8) into
rotation
by means of a traditional conical torque.
The engine (20) is actuated by means of a buttonlswitch (24) that
3o protrudes in lateral position from the container (1) through the hole (12).
Although Fig. 6 refers to the motorised version of the tool of Fig. 1, a
motorised version can also be realised for the tool shown in Fig. 3 according
to the same constructive and operational modes.
