Squeezer

Abstract

To squeeze contents out of a tube without using hands.SOLUTION: A squeezer of the present invention comprises a mounting stand, a front plate and a squeezing part. The mounting stand is provided with the front plate and is used for mounting a content storage bag. The squeezing part supports a roller for squeezing the content storage bag freely rotatably at a roller support part, and moves on the mounting stand toward the front plate with a drive unit as power. The front plate is provided with an opening part passing through the front end of the content storage bag, the front plate includes a front plate contact part to be brought into contact with the squeezing part, the squeezing part includes a front side contacting part to be brought into contact with the front plate, and one of the front plate contact part or the front side contacting part has a switch for stopping or reversely moving the squeezing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a squeezer for squeezing a content from a content storage bag such as a tube. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional inventions of this type include squeezers that manually squeeze the contents out of a tube, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The structure of the squeezer is to move the tube body by pinching it between a pair of rollers. Conventional squeezers require one hand of the user to rotate the rollers and the other to hold the squeezer or support it so that it does not move, making it difficult to use as both hands are occupied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3216024 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5867965 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a squeezer for squeezing the contents out of a tube without using hands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. A squeezer comprising a mounting base, a front plate and a squeezing section, the mounting base having a front plate on which a content storage bag is placed, the squeezing section having a roller that squeezes the content storage bag and is rotatably supported by a roller support section, and moves on the mounting base toward the front plate using a drive device as power, the front plate having an opening through which the front end of the content storage bag passes, the front plate having a front plate abutment section that abuts against the squeezing section, the squeezing section having a front abutted section that abuts against the front plate, and either the front plate abutment section or the front abutted section having a switch for stopping the squeezing section or moving it in the reverse direction. Effect of the Invention

[0006] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to squeeze the contents out of the tube without using hands, thereby improving work efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extractor according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the squeezer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicated descriptions in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate. [Example] 1 is a perspective view of a squeezer 1 according to the present invention. The squeezer 1 is covered with an upper cover 12. A receiving portion 11 is provided at the front of the squeezer 1 so as to protrude forward, and a contents receiving tray 13 can be placed thereon. The top cover 12 is removable, enhancing the design effect.

[0009] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the squeezer 1. Fig. 2 shows the internal structure of the mounting table 4 so that the drive unit 2 can be easily understood. In Fig. 2, the top cover 12 has been removed for the purpose of explanation. The mounting table 4 is a box-shaped member, and houses the drive unit 2 therein. A receiving portion 11 is attached to the front of the mounting table 4.

[0010] (Contents storage bag) The contents storage bag 5 in the present invention may be of various types, such as a screw-top type like a dental tube (contents storage bag 5) (contents storage bag) or a contents storage bag 5 containing seasonings or food (including sauces, ketchup, animal feed, etc.) made of two overlapping sheets heat-sealed at the periphery. The materials of the contents storage bag 5 may be various, such as resin and metal. Furthermore, the contents storage bag 5 that can be used in the present invention can have any capacity.

[0011] In the following, for ease of understanding, the inventor will explain the content storage bag 5 by taking a tube as an example from among various types of content storage bag 5. (Tube installation) The upper surface of the mounting table 4 is a mounting plate 44, which is configured so that a tube (contents storage bag 5) can be placed on it. The mounting table 4 has a plurality of grooves 45 on its upper surface. The grooves 45 serve to bend and insert the rear end 52 of the tube (contents storage bag 5). This prevents the rear end 52 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) from moving even when the tube (contents storage bag 5) is squeezed in the squeezing section 3, making it possible to efficiently squeeze out the contents. The upper surface of the mounting table 4 is provided with a plurality of grooves 45 so that tubes (content storage bags 5) of various lengths can be attached.

[0012] The mounting base 4 has a front plate 41 at the front. The front plate 41 has an opening 412 through which the front end 51 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) passes. The front plate 41 acts to prevent the tube (contents storage bag 5) from moving forward when the tube (contents storage bag 5) is squeezed by the squeezing unit 3 by hitting the front plate 41. The opening 412 allows the front end 51 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) 5 to protrude toward the receiving unit 11. The opening 412 can have various shapes. For example, the opening 412 may be a hole through which the front end 51 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) passes, or may be a slit. The shape of the opening 412 is not important as long as the front end 51 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) can be protruded from the front plate 41 toward the receiving unit 11.

[0013] As described above, the tube (contents storage bag 5) is set on the mounting table 4 with the rear end 52 inserted into the groove 45 and the front end 51 inserted into the opening 412 of the front plate 41.

[0014] (Squeezing part) The main component of the squeezing unit 3 in this embodiment is a roller 31. The roller 31 is configured to move over a tube (contents storage bag 5) placed on a mounting table 4 while squeezing out the contents. The rotation shaft 32 (roller support part) of the roller 31 is attached at a position where the contents of the tube (contents storage bag 5) can be squeezed out. The rotating shaft 32 (roller support part) may be configured to be finely adjustable up and down with respect to the squeezing part 3. The tube (contents storage bag 5) is available in various thicknesses, and by finely adjusting the vertical position of the rotating shaft 32, the contents can be efficiently squeezed out. The squeezing unit 3 is moved forward on the tube (contents storage bag 5) by the drive unit 2 described later, thereby squeezing the contents out of the tube (contents storage bag 5).

[0015] (Drive unit) The power source of the drive unit 2 in the embodiment is a motor 21 (drive device). The drive unit 2 is stored under the mounting plate 44 of the mounting table 4 and is designed not to be seen from the outside. The output shaft of the motor 21 (drive device) is connected to a long screw shaft 22 and rotates the screw shaft 22. The motor 21 (drive device) and the screw shaft 22 may be connected via a gear such as a reducer, and any type of connection is acceptable as long as the screw shaft 22 can be rotated.

[0016] The squeezing portion 3 is connected to a screw shaft 22 via a ball screw 23, and is configured so that the squeezing portion 3 moves back and forth as the screw shaft 22 rotates.

[0017] The driving unit 2 in the embodiment is merely an example, and the driving unit 2 may be of any type as long as it can move the squeezing unit 3. For example, the driving unit 2 may be driven by hydraulic pressure or air pressure. Also, the driving unit 2 may adopt a driving system such as a pinion rack instead of the driving system using the screw shaft 22 and ball screw 23. In any case, the driving unit 2 is driven by a driving device such as a motor 21.

[0018] The motor 21 (driving device) in the embodiment is installed on the mounting table 4, but may be installed on the squeezing section 3. The position of the driving device such as the motor 21 is appropriate. Moreover, the driving unit 2 in the embodiment is a motor 21. The driving unit 2 of the present invention may be a mechanical unit such as a spring, and the power of the driving unit 2 is not important.

[0019] (rear plate) The squeezer 1 of the embodiment is equipped with a rear plate 42. The rear plate 42 determines the limit of the retreat position of the squeezing part 3. If the limit of the retreat position of the squeezing part 3 is not determined, the ball screw 23 may come off the screw shaft 22, or the motor 21 (driving device) may continue to rotate even though the squeezing part 3 cannot be mechanically retreated any further, causing various troubles in the drive part 2. In addition, if the power source is a battery, this will result in unnecessary consumption of electricity. The rear plate 42 has a rear switch 421 (rear plate abutment portion) attached at a position where the rear plate 42 abuts against the rear abutted portion 35 of the squeezing portion 3. When the rear abutment portion 35 of the squeezing portion 3 and the rear switch 421 (rear plate abutment portion) of the rear plate 42 abut against each other, the motor 21 (driving device) stops, preventing trouble from occurring.

[0020] (Front panel) As mentioned above, the front plate 41 acts to prevent the tube (contents storage bag 5) from moving forward even when the tube (contents storage bag 5) is squeezed in the squeezing section 3 by hitting the front plate 41. Even if the motor 21 (drive device) continues to rotate, the squeezing unit 3 cannot move forward any further once it abuts against the front plate 41, which can cause various problems in the drive unit 2. In addition, if the power source is a battery, this can result in unnecessary consumption of electricity. The front plate 41 has a front switch 411 (front plate abutment portion) attached at a position where the front plate 41 abuts against the front abutted portion 34 of the squeezing portion 3 . When the front abutment portion 34 of the squeezing portion 3 abuts against the front switch 411 (front plate abutment portion) of the front plate 41, the motor 21 (driving device) stops, preventing the occurrence of trouble. In another embodiment, when the front abutment portion 34 on the squeezing portion 3 abuts against the front switch 411 (front plate abutment portion) on the front plate 41, the motor 21 (driving device) rotates in the reverse direction, moving the squeezing portion 3 in the reverse direction, i.e., in the direction of the rear plate 42, thereby preventing any problems from occurring. The squeezing part 3 that has moved toward the rear plate 42 stops when the rear plate side abutting part 35 abuts against the rear switch 421 (rear plate abutting part) on the rear plate 42. This allows the squeezing part 3 to return to the initial position for setting the tube (content storage bag 5).

[0021] (Relationship between the front switch of the front plate (front plate contact part) and the front contact part of the squeeze-out part) The front plate 41 has a front switch 411 (front plate abutment portion), and the squeezing portion 3 has a front abutted portion 34 that abuts against it. As a variant, the switch may be located on the front contact portion 34 of the squeeze-out portion 3 . The rear plate 42 has a rear switch 421 (rear plate abutment portion), and the squeezing portion 3 has a rear abutted portion 35 that abuts against it. As a variant, the switch may be located on the rear contact portion 35 of the squeeze-out portion 3 .

[0022] (Start / Stop switch) The start / stop switch 26 is a switch that starts and stops the motor 21 (driving device). When the user presses the start / stop switch 26 while the motor 21 (driving device) is stopped, the motor 21 (driving device) starts, and when the user presses the start / stop switch 26 while the motor 21 (driving device) is driving, the motor 21 (driving device) stops. If there is a desire to avoid squeezing out all of the contents from the tube (contents storage bag 5), the user can stop the squeezing part 3 by pressing the start / stop switch 26 when the squeezing part 3 has moved to an appropriate position, thereby squeezing out the desired amount of contents.

[0023] (Variations in Squeezing Speed) When it is desired to adjust the squeezing speed, a speed adjustment lever (not shown) is provided on the squeezer 1. The speed adjustment lever can change the rotation speed of the screw shaft 22 by directly changing the rotation speed of the motor 21 (drive device) or by adjusting a gear such as a reducer.

[0024] (How to use) The user confirms that the squeezing part 3 is in the initial state where it is stopped by abutting against the rear plate 42. If the squeezing part 3 is not in that position, the user operates the start / stop switch 26 to return the squeezing device 1 to the initial state. In the initial state, the squeezing portion 3 abuts against the rear plate 42, and the mounting plate 44 is in the widest open state. Therefore, the user can efficiently perform the task of fitting the rear end 52 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) into the groove portion 45 formed in the mounting plate 44. The front end 51 of the tube (contents storage bag 5) is set in the opening 412 of the front plate 41. The receiving portion 11 has a contents receiving tray 13 placed thereon to receive the contents squeezed out from the front end 51 of the tube (contents storage bag 5).

[0025] After completing the setting of the tube (contents storage bag 5 ), the user presses the start / stop switch 26 . The rollers 31 of the squeezing unit 3 rotate and move along the upper surface of the tube (contents storage bag 5), squeezing out the contents. When the front abutment portion 34 of the squeezing unit 3 abuts against the front switch 411 (front plate abutment portion) of the front plate 41, the motor 21 (driving device) is stopped. Note that, in a modified example, the screw shaft 22 may be stopped by moving a gear (not shown) so as not to transmit power, without stopping the motor 21 (driving device).

[0026] (Variation that stops at the initial state) In a further modified example, the user can change the setting of a setting unit (not shown) to reverse the rotation direction of the screw shaft 22 when the front abutted portion 34 and the front switch 411 (front plate abutting portion) abut. Then, the squeezing portion 3, which has started to move backward, moves until it abuts against the rear switch 421 (rear plate abutting portion) provided on the rear plate 42, and stops in the initial state. In this modified example, the position of the squeezing part 3 is automatically returned to the initial state, so that the work of removing the tube (contents storage bag 5) to be squeezed and discarded and the work of setting a new tube can be efficiently performed.

[0027] (Control unit) Although not shown in the drawings, the squeezer 1 of the present invention may be provided with a control unit. The start / stop switch 26 in the embodiment only starts and stops the device, but by changing the settings in the control unit, the device can be made to move the squeezing part 3 for a predetermined time or distance. In this case, the user can squeeze out the desired amount of contents. The above-mentioned change in the squeezing speed may also be performed by the control unit. The control unit is convenient because the settings can be easily changed in multiple stages.

[0028] (Advantages of automation) The present invention allows the contents to be squeezed out of the tube (contents storage bag 5) without using hands, improving work efficiency. The squeezer 1 operated by hand has been used for a long time as shown in the prior art. In the conventional squeezer 1, the roller is moved by hand, so it is difficult to stop the roller, and the roller comes into contact with the squeeze opening of the tube, causing problems such as the contents sticking to the roller or hands. The squeezer of the embodiment can be used hygienically when the contents are food, as the contents do not stick to the roller or hands.

[0029] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these forms, and the present invention also includes design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, so long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose, configuration, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 squeezer 11 Receiving part 12 Top lid 13 Contents tray 2 Drive unit 21 Motor (driving equipment) 22 Screw shaft 23 Ball screw 26 Start / Stop Switch 3 Squeezing part 31 Laura 32 Rotating shaft (roller support part) 34 Front side abutted part 35 Rear abutted part 4. Placement table 41 Front Panel 411 Front switch (front plate contact part) 412 Opening 42 Rear plate 421 Rear switch (rear plate contact part) 44 Loading plate 45 Groove 5 Contents storage bag (tube) 51 Front end 52 Rear end

Claims

1. It has a mounting base, a front plate, and a squeezing section, The mounting base has a front panel on which the content storage bag is placed, The squeezed part is The roller that squeezes the contents storage bag is rotatably supported by the roller support part, It moves on the platform toward the front panel using a driving device as power source, The front panel has an opening through which the front end of the contents storage bag passes. The front plate has a front plate abutment part that abuts against the squeezed part, The squeezed portion has a front contact portion that contacts the front plate, A squeezer characterized in that either the front plate abutting portion or the front abutted portion has a switch for stopping or reversing the squeezing portion.

2. 2. The squeezer according to claim 1, wherein the base has a groove for positioning the end of the content storage bag.

3. Furthermore, the mounting table is provided with a rear plate, The rear plate has a rear plate contact portion that contacts the squeezed portion. The squeezed portion has a rear contact portion that contacts the rear plate, 3. The squeezer according to claim 1, wherein either the rear plate contacting portion or the rear contacted portion has a switch for stopping the squeezing portion.

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