Motor operated dispensing device with cutting blade
By designing a handheld adhesive material distribution device including a main housing, front support, rear plunger assembly and motor and gear assembly, the problems of clumsy operation and difficult control of existing devices are solved, and the precise distribution of adhesive material is achieved and convenient storage of devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411115713.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-18
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-21
AI Technical Summary
The existing handheld sticky material distribution device is clumsy in operation and difficult to control, especially for users with weak grip strength, and it is difficult to achieve precise control of the direction of the sticky material discharge.
A handheld adhesive material distribution device is designed, including a main housing, a front support, a rear plunger assembly and a motor and gear assembly. The rear plunger assembly can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and the motor and gear assembly drive the front support and plunger plate through the elongate member to achieve cutting of the container and accurate discharge of the adhesive material.
The device makes the distribution of the adhesive material more precise and controllable, suitable for different types of work surfaces, and the device is designed to reduce storage space when not in use.
Smart Images
Figure CN119489020A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a handheld viscous material dispensing device. Background Art
[0002] Cylinders or containers of viscous materials such as gel, glue, caulk, silicone or sealant or paste provide a convenient choice of materials for filling gaps or sealing cracks during construction or maintenance projects at building sites around the world. Applying these materials around window frames for waterproofing or sealing reduces heat flow into / out of a home, fills cracks or seals surfaces and is essential to completing a variety of construction projects.
[0003] Typically, materials in these barrels or containers are applied using a manually actuated or motor-driven caulking gun or silicone gun. Such an application device discharges the viscous material from the barrel or container through a nozzle of the barrel into a crack or onto a work surface.
[0004] A common arrangement of a manual barrel / container application tool (typically referred to as a caulking gun) is a lever gripped by the user. Typically, the user's grip pushes the plunger against one end of the barrel that is retained in the barrel of the caulking gun, thereby shortening the effective length of the barrel and expelling the viscous material from the tip through the nozzle. Other arrangements may be configured so that the user grips the lever to drive the barrel back against a fixed base, thereby pushing the viscous material out of the nozzle.
[0005] Unfortunately, such arrangements can be somewhat awkward and cumbersome to use, particularly the first arrangement, which requires a plunger with a maximum extension length of about twice the length of the container / barrel. The lever can also be difficult to operate for users with weak grip strength. In either arrangement, applying pressure to the container / barrel can be difficult to control, resulting in excessive or intermittent flow of viscous material onto the work surface during operation.
[0006] Alternative arrangements of motor-driven cartridge applicators have been devised in which the push plate and cartridge are driven relative to one another by a variety of different motorized arrangements, including a removable powered drill head mounted to the housing. However, such arrangements are typically relatively cumbersome and bulky; and may be difficult for a user to operate to obtain the desired control over the discharge of viscous material onto the work surface.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a handheld viscous material dispensing device that solves or at least partially ameliorates at least some of the above problems or at least provides the general public with a useful choice. Summary of the invention
[0008] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the principles disclosed herein. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a dispensing device for dispensing a viscous material from a container received therein, the device comprising:
[0010] main housing;
[0011] front support;
[0012] a rear plunger assembly spaced from the front support by an elongated member to receive and retain a barrel inserted therebetween, wherein the rear plunger assembly includes a plunger plate supported in the plunger housing above the cutting edge and rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member; and
[0013] A motor and gear assembly is disposed in the main housing and is engageable with the elongated member to move one of the front support and the plunger plate toward the other, thereby pushing the cutting edge of the plunger assembly against the edge of the container and simultaneously driving the plunger plate against the end of the container to discharge viscous material from the container.
[0014] The motor and gear assembly may be configured to drive the elongate member such that upon actuation of the motor, the front support retracts toward the rear plunger assembly.
[0015] The rear plunger assembly is preferably disposed in the main housing below the rear plunger assembly.
[0016] Advantageously, the motor and gear assembly are disposed substantially within a handle-shaped portion defined by the main housing.
[0017] Preferably, the rear plunger assembly housing is generally circular in cross-section and is rotatably received in a corresponding circular aperture defined in the main housing, the circular aperture being of relatively large diameter.
[0018] Preferably, in the extended state, the length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is between about 310 mm and 370 mm, and optionally between about 320 mm and 340 mm.
[0019] Optionally, the length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is between approximately 280 mm and 340 mm, and optionally between approximately 310 mm and 320 mm.
[0020] Preferably, the elongate member and the front support are detachable from the main housing.
[0021] Advantageously, the elongate member is a rack which is driven by a pinion of the gear assembly when the motor is actuated.
[0022] The motor and gear assembly may be configured to drive the elongated member such that the rear plunger assembly is driven toward the front assembly upon actuation of the motor.
[0023] The elongate member may be an externally threaded rod coupled to a motor via a lead screw nut movable thereon via a gear assembly such that rotation of the motor drives the rear plunger assembly towards and away from the front support.
[0024] Preferably the length of the device from the front of the main housing to the end of the at least one elongate member is approximately 250mm and 300mm, and optionally between 260mm and 280mm.
[0025] Advantageously, the length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is between 250mm and 300mm, which length does not change when the plunger moves from the retracted state to the extended state.
[0026] Preferably, the lead screw nut comprises a pair of split nuts which are engageable and disengageable with the externally threaded rod via a user actuatable lever.
[0027] On the other hand, it is provided
[0028] In yet another aspect, a dispensing device is provided for dispensing a viscous material from a container received therein, the dispensing device comprising:
[0029] main housing;
[0030] front support;
[0031] a rear plunger assembly spaced from the front support by the elongated member to receive and retain a container inserted therebetween, wherein the rear plunger assembly includes a plunger plate supported in the plunger housing above the cutting edge and rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member; and
[0032] A motor is disposed in the main housing and is configured to provide a rotational output to the elongated member to move the front support and one of the plunger plates toward each other, thereby pushing the cutting edge of the rear plunger assembly against the edge of the container and simultaneously driving the plunger plate against the end of the container to expel viscous material from the container.
[0033] In another aspect, a dispensing device is provided for dispensing a viscous material from a container received therein, the dispensing device comprising:
[0034] main housing;
[0035] front support;
[0036] an elongated member coupled to the front support,
[0037] a rear plunger assembly coupled at an opposite end of the elongated member, the container being received between the front support and the rear plunger assembly, the rear plunger assembly including a plunger plate supported in a plunger housing and a cutting edge; and
[0038] A motor and gear assembly is disposed in the main housing and is engageable with the elongated member to move one of the front support and the plunger plate toward each other, thereby pushing the cutting edge of the rear plunger assembly against the edge of the container while driving the plunger plate against the end of the container to discharge viscous material from the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] In order to describe the manner in which the above and other advantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, the principles briefly described above will be described in more detail by referring to the specific embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings only depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The principles of this article are described and explained in more detail by using the accompanying drawings.
[0040] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
[0041] Figure 1A An exemplary perspective view of a dispensing device is depicted.
[0042] Figure 1B Depicted Figure 1A An exemplary perspective view of a dispensing device.
[0043] Figure 1C Depicted Figure 1A An exemplary exploded rear perspective view of a dispensing device of , with the housing and motor removed.
[0044] Figure 1D Depicted Figure 1A An exemplary side view of a dispensing device.
[0045] Figure 2A Depicted Figure 1A An exemplary perspective view of a dispensing device.
[0046] Figure 2B Depicted Figure 2A An exemplary perspective view of a device in which the main housing has been removed.
[0047] Figure 2C(i) depicts Figure 2A Cross-sectional view of the mechanism.
[0048] Figure 2C(ii) depicts Figure 2A Cross-sectional view of the mechanism.
[0049] Figure 2D Depicted are exemplary horizontal cross-sectional views of a friction grip member for resisting movement of an elongated member.
[0050] Figure 3A Depicts the extended state Figure 1A Side view of a dispensing device.
[0051] Figure 3B Depicts the extended state Figure 1A A side view of a dispensing device in which the cartridge / container is nearly emptied of the viscous material received therein.
[0052] Figure 4A A perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a dispensing device is depicted.
[0053] Figure 4B(i) depicts Figure 4A A perspective view of the device.
[0054] Figure 4B(ii) depicts Figure 4A A perspective view of the device.
[0055] Figure 4C Depicted Figure 4A A top view of the device.
[0056] Figure 5A Depicted is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present disclosure.
[0057] Figure 5B Depicted Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of a dispensing device with the rear cover and side covers of the main housing removed.
[0058] Figure 5C Depicted Figure 5A A side view of a dispensing device with an inserted cartridge filled with viscous material.
[0059] Figure 5D Depicted Figure 5A Side view of a dispensing device with an inserted cartridge emptied of viscous material.
[0060] Figure 6Depicted is an enlarged exploded view of an exemplary alternative quick release locking mechanism by which the rear plunger assembly engages the elongated member.
[0061] Fig. 7A Depicted is a front view of an exemplary plunger assembly according to the present disclosure.
[0062] Figure 7B Depicted Fig. 7A A perspective view of the plunger assembly depicted in FIG.
[0063] Figure 7C Depicted Fig. 7A A side cross-sectional view of the plunger assembly depicted in FIG.
[0064] Fig.7D Depicted Fig. 7A Exploded view of the plunger assembly.
[0065] Fig. 8A Depicted Figure 1A An exemplary rear perspective view of a device with the barrel inserted and the tip in a first position.
[0066] Figure 8B Depicted Figure 1A An exemplary rear perspective view of the device with the barrel inserted and the rear plunger assembly rotated so that the tip is oriented in the second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0067] A number of different embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below. Although specific embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0068] The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for an improved dispensing device that is reduced in size and provides an easy-to-use and control alternative to other dispensing devices.
[0069] refer to Figures 1A to 1D , for purposes of clarity, various views of a dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure are depicted without a viscous material cartridge or container (which may be used interchangeably).
[0070] As depicted, the device 10 includes a main housing 20 including a right housing 22 and a left housing 24. A trigger switch 26 is received between these housings and is arranged to be actuated by a user's finger to provide power from a battery or power cell (not shown) to drive the motor 30 and gear assembly 40.
[0071] The plunger assembly 50 is received in the top of the main housing 20 above the motor 30 and the gear assembly 40 as described herein. One end of the elongated member 60 is received in the main housing. A front support 62 is attached to the other end of the elongated member 60.
[0072] In one embodiment, the elongated member 60 is a rack that is driven by the pinion 49 of the gear assembly 40 when the motor 30 is actuated.
[0073] Typically, the front support 62 is spaced far enough from the rear plunger assembly 50 to receive and retain full standard size containers of viscous material with the neck of the container and the base of the nozzle resting in the front support 62 and the base of the container contacting the plunger assembly 50.
[0074] Advantageously, as depicted, the rear plunger is disposed in the main housing. Figure 1C and Figure 1D As can be seen, the motor 30 and gear assembly 40 are substantially disposed within the handle-shaped portion of the main housing.
[0075] As depicted, in the exemplary arrangement, the gear assembly 40 includes four stages of planetary gears: a first stage of planetary gears 42a, a second stage of planetary gears 44b, a third stage of planetary gears 42c, and a fourth stage of planetary gears 42d.
[0076] If you can also Figure 1C as well as 7A to 7C As seen in FIG. 8 , the plunger assembly 50 includes a plunger plate 52 supported by a cutting edge 54 in a housing 56 .
[0077] As further described herein, in the depicted embodiment, the motor 30 is actuated by the user activating the trigger 26, thereby retracting the front support 62 of the elongated member 60 toward the rear plunger assembly 50. The teeth of the spur gear 49 mesh with corresponding teeth 64 of the elongated member 60, thereby changing the rotational motion of the gear assembly 40 into linear motion of the elongated member 60. As is known to those skilled in the art, changing the direction of rotation of the motor will change the direction of travel of the elongated member 60 relative to the housing.
[0078] Thus, the rear plunger assembly 50 is pushed against the end or base of the container, thereby driving the plunger plate 52 inside the container toward the nozzle, thereby extruding the viscous material in the container onto the work surface.
[0079] In each of the embodiments described herein, when the front support and rear plunger assembly are driven toward each other, the rear plunger assembly is arranged to cut into the side of the container. In the first and second embodiments, when the elongated member is driven by the motor via the gear assembly, the cutting of the container by the rear plunger assembly enables the front support to be retracted toward the rear plunger assembly. In the third embodiment described herein, the rear plunger assembly is driven by the motor via the gear assembly toward the front support.
[0080] like FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D As depicted, in an optional arrangement, the device 10 can be configured so that the elongated member 60 can be disengaged from the housing 20. This further helps to reduce the size occupied by the storage and dispensing device. As depicted, the user actuates the disengagement button 25, which in turn pulls the elongated member 60 to release it.
[0081] As can be seen, particularly in FIG. 2C(i), when the pin 48 is engaged with the end of the elongated member 60, the elongated member 60 cannot be pulled out of the main housing. When the user actuates the disengagement button 25, the button pivots within the housing and lifts the pin 48 out of engagement with the end of the elongated member 60, as shown in FIG. 2C(ii). This means that the elongated member 60 can then be removed from the housing, as shown in FIG. Figure 2B Depicted.
[0082] like Figure 2D As depicted, a rubber rod 27 may be further disposed in the housing and arranged to abut against the elongated member 60. The rod is depicted in the figure in a stored configuration, but it should be understood that the rod is configured to provide frictional engagement of the elongated member and prevent the elongated member from moving rearwardly and forwardly too easily relative to the main housing during normal operation.
[0083] Advantageously, if Figure 3A As depicted, the length of the device can be configured such that the length from the front support to the end of the main housing in the extended state is between 330 mm and 350 mm. An exemplary complete viscous material container 80 is shown for reference, which is received between the rear plunger assembly 50 and the front support member, wherein the nozzle 82 protrudes forward. It should be understood that the length of the elongated member and / or the physical size parameters of the housing can be selected to provide these dimensions. In the depicted figure, the length is 338 mm, but it should be understood that other sizes within the range of 280 mm to 370 mm, more preferably 300 mm to 350 mm, can also be selected.
[0084] Preferably, if Figure 3BAs depicted, in the retracted state shown, the container 80 is emptied of viscous material, and the length from the front of the main housing to the end of at least one elongated member is approximately 240mm-300mm, preferably 260mm-280mm. More particularly, in the depicted embodiment, the length is 270mm.
[0085] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C 10, wherein the front support 162 is also movable toward and away from the rear plunger assembly 150. As depicted, the front support 162 is spaced apart from the main housing 120 by the elongated member 160. Preferably, the elongated member 160 is a rack that is driven by the spur gear 149 of the gear assembly 140 when the motor 130 is actuated.
[0086] The rear plunger assembly 150 is disposed in the main housing 120 above the motor 130 and the gear assembly 140, which in this embodiment is small enough that the motor and gear assembly are substantially disposed in the handle below the rear plunger assembly 150. It should be understood that the user can grip the housing with his fingers. The planetary gear layers 142a, 142b, 142c are disposed above the motor 130. These planetary gear layers mesh with further planetary gear layers 144a, 144b, which in turn drive the spur gear 49 to mesh with the teeth of the elongated member in a rack and pinion type arrangement.
[0087] like Figure 4C As shown, preferably the length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is approximately 280mm-340mm, and optionally between 300mm-320mm, and more particularly, in the exemplary arrangement, the length is 312mm.
[0088] exist FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D In the third embodiment of the device 210 depicted in FIG. 2 , the rear plunger assembly 250 is drivable on an elongated member 260 (in this case a threaded rod) toward and away from a fixed front support 262 of the barrel / container.
[0089] The motor 230 and the gear assembly 240 are disposed below the rear plunger assembly 250. In this embodiment, actuation of the switch 226 causes the motor 230 to drive the threaded rod 260 via the gear assembly 240. Advantageously, the elongated member 260 is an externally threaded rod that is coupled to the motor via the gear assembly via a lead screw nut 266 that is movable on the externally threaded rod. In a lead screw arrangement familiar to those skilled in the art, rotation of the motor 230 drives the rear plunger assembly 260 toward or away from the front support depending on the direction of motor rotation.
[0090] In this embodiment, the frame 265 includes an additional elongated reinforcing member 264 that helps to receive and retain the barrel between the rear plunger assembly 250 and the front support 262. This also helps prevent the rear plunger assembly 250 from rotating with the elongated member 260.
[0091] like Figure 5C and Figure 5D As depicted, in an exemplary embodiment, the length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is between 250 mm and 300 mm and optionally between 270 mm and 280 mm, which length does not change when the plunger moves from the retracted state to the extended state. More preferably, as shown in the figure, the length of the device is 278 mm. Therefore, regardless of whether the container is in a full state (such as Figure 5C as shown) or in an empty state (as shown Figure 5D The length of the device remains unchanged.
[0092] exist Figure 6 Another aspect of the third embodiment depicted in , depicts an exemplary quick release mechanism whereby a user can manually position the rear plunger assembly on the elongated member 260 (threaded rod).
[0093] As shown, the lead screw nut 266 is formed by a pair of split nuts 265a, 265b having a thread profile corresponding to the threads of the elongated member 260. A pair of posts 267a, b and 267c, 267d (not shown) extend from the side of each split nut, which are received in corresponding holes or slots formed in user-actuated levers 268a, 268b. A coil spring 270 biases the split nuts into engagement with each other and with the elongated member. This engagement of the split nuts with the threaded rod can be overcome by the user pushing the user-actuated lever 269 in a direction away from the elongated member 260 to manually actuate the levers 268a, 268b.
[0094] Accordingly, a leadscrew nut 266 comprising a pair of split nuts 265a, 265b engages and disengages the externally threaded rod 260 via a user-actuable lever 269.
[0095] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D An exemplary rear plunger assembly is depicted that is configured to be received in the main housing above the motor and gear assembly in each of the embodiments described herein.
[0096] As depicted, the plunger assembly includes a rear plunger plate 52 mounted within a housing 56 above a cutting edge 54. As depicted, the plunger plate is supported by the cutting edge 54, which is received within a recess defined in the plunger housing 56.
[0097] Advantageously, as shown, the cross-section of the rear plunger assembly housing is generally circular. Accordingly, the plunger assembly is adapted to be rotatably received in a corresponding circular aperture defined in the main housing, the circular aperture having a relatively large diameter, as particularly shown herein. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B . This means that the plunger housing, and therefore the plunger assembly as a whole, is not fixed in its orientation relative to the main housing of the device. In this way, the barrel received between the front support and the rear plunger assembly can be rotated in situ; so as to provide the user's desired orientation of the nozzle at the front of the container. In turn, this means that the orientation of the viscous material extruded by the device can be easily configured to the optimal orientation for that particular working surface simply by manually rotating the tube of the container.
[0098] Fig. 8A The barrel / container 80 is depicted received between the front support 63 and the rear plunger assembly 50 of a device according to either the first or second embodiments of the present disclosure described herein. (It should be understood that the same plunger assembly may also be used with the third embodiment described, in which the rear plunger assembly moves toward the front support on a threaded rod, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure).
[0099] like Fig. 8A As depicted, the end 82 of the barrel / container has been cut at an angle by the user. The cutting edge 54 of the plunger assembly is substantially vertical in the exemplary orientation depicted. The cutting edge 54 is pushed by the motor 30 driving the elongated member 60 via the gear assembly 40 to move the front support toward the rear plunger assembly. As shown, the cutting edge has cut into the barrel 80; at the same time, the plunger plate 52 has pushed the base of the container further into the container.
[0100] Figure 8B Depicted with Fig. 8A The same device 10 is depicted, but wherein the angle of the container 80 and plunger assembly 50 has been changed by the user rotating the barrel and assembly relative to the main housing 20. It can be seen that due to the rotation of the container and plunger assembly 50 within the housing 20, the cutting edge 54 is now tilted relative to the vertical axis defined by the housing.
[0101] The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
[0102] Advantageously, the dispensing device of the present disclosure enables the viscous material to be discharged from a selected container in a precisely controlled motor-driven manner. It should be appreciated that by carefully selecting the components of the motor and gear assembly, precise control of the force on the container base can be achieved. Additionally, in the first embodiment, the inclusion of an optional friction pad to oppose the movement of the elongated element also enables responsive control of the discharge of the viscous material from the dispensing device.
[0103] Further, the dispensing device allows the container to be rotated relative to the device so that the tip can be directed to any orientation that is best suited to the crack or work surface to which the viscous material is applied. In some applications, it may be preferred to orient the tip (usually cut at any angle) so that the shortest portion of the inclined tip face is close to the work surface, while in other applications, it may be preferred to orient the shortest portion of the tip face to either side or even upward. When using the device of the present disclosure, the user can achieve all of these orientations at will by rotating the container relative to the device.
[0104] In the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure, the ability to remove the elongated member with the front support attached and store it separately from the main device further minimizes the overall size of the device when not in use. This is particularly useful when storing the device in a tool box, on the way to a job site, or even on a shelf between uses.
[0105] Although various examples and other information are used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, in such examples, limitations to the claims should not be implied based on specific features or arrangements, because ordinary technicians will be able to use these examples to derive a variety of implementations. Further, although some topics may have been described in language specific to examples of structural features and / or method steps, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the features or actions described. For example, such functions may be distributed differently or performed in components other than those identified herein. Instead, the described features and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A dispensing device for dispensing a viscous material from a container received therein, the device comprising: main housing; front support; a rear plunger assembly spaced from the front support by an elongated member to receive and retain a container inserted therebetween, wherein the rear plunger assembly includes a plunger plate supported in the plunger housing above the cutting edge and rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member; as well as A motor and gear assembly is disposed in the main housing and is capable of engaging with the elongated member to move the front support and one of the rear plunger assemblies toward each other, thereby pushing the cutting edge of the rear plunger assembly against the edge of the container while driving the plunger plate against the end of the container to discharge the viscous material from the container.
2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The motor and the gear assembly are configured to drive the elongated member such that upon actuation of the motor, the front support retracts toward the rear plunger assembly.
3. A dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The rear plunger assembly is disposed in the main housing.
4. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The motor and the gear assembly are disposed below the rear plunger assembly and substantially within a handle-shaped portion defined by the main housing.
5. The dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein: The rear plunger assembly housing is generally circular in cross-section and is rotatably received in a corresponding circular aperture defined in the main housing, the circular aperture having a relatively large diameter.
6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: In the extended state, the length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is between approximately 310 mm and 360 mm.
7. Dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein in the extended state, the length from the front support to the end of the main housing is between about 320 mm and 340 mm.
8. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is approximately 280mm and 340mm.
9. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein: The length from the front support to the end of the main housing is between approximately 310 mm and 320 mm.
10. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The elongated member and the front support are removable from the main housing.
11. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The elongated member is a rack that is driven by a pinion of the gear assembly when the motor is actuated.
12. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The motor and the gear assembly are configured to drive the elongated member such that the rear plunger assembly is driven toward the front assembly when the motor is actuated.
13. A dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 12, wherein: The elongated member is an externally threaded rod coupled to the motor via the gear assembly via a leadscrew nut movable on the externally threaded rod such that rotation of the motor drives the rear plunger assembly toward and away from the front support.
14. The dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 12, wherein: In the retracted state, the length of the dispensing device from the front of the main housing to the end of the at least one elongate member is approximately 250 mm and 300 mm.
15. The dispensing device according to claim 14, wherein: In the retracted state, the length from the front of the main housing to the end of the at least one elongate member is between approximately 260 mm and 280 mm.
16. The dispensing device of claim 1 or claim 12, wherein: The length of the device from the front support to the end of the main housing is between 250mm and 300mm.
17. The dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein: The lead screw nut includes a pair of split nuts that can be engaged and disengaged from the externally threaded rod via a user-actuable lever.
18. A dispensing device for dispensing a viscous material from a container received therein, the dispensing device comprising: main housing; front support; a rear plunger assembly spaced from the front support by an elongated member to receive and retain a container inserted therebetween, wherein the rear plunger assembly includes a plunger plate supported in the plunger housing above the cutting edge and rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member; as well as A motor is disposed in the main housing and is configured to provide a rotational output to the elongated member to move the front support and one of the plunger plates toward each other, thereby pushing the cutting edge of the rear plunger assembly against the edge of the container while driving the plunger plate against the end of the container to discharge the viscous material from the container.
19. The dispensing device according to claim 18, wherein The front support and the elongated member are movable relative to the main housing from an extended state to a retracted state.
20. A dispensing device for dispensing a viscous material from a container received therein, the dispensing device comprising: main housing; front support; an elongated member coupled to the front support, a rear plunger assembly coupled at an opposite end of the elongated member, the container being received between the front support and the rear plunger assembly, the rear plunger assembly including a plunger plate supported in a plunger housing and a cutting edge; and A motor and gear assembly is disposed in the main housing and is capable of engaging with the elongated member to move the front support and one of the plunger plates toward each other, thereby pushing the cutting edge of the rear plunger assembly against the edge of the container while driving the plunger plate against the end of the container to discharge the viscous material from the container.