Holding apparatus and method for dispensers of hardenable materials

Abstract

A holding system for a dispensing system for hardenable materials comprising a dispensing gun and a product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing opening. The holding system comprises a holding structure and a plug projection. Optionally, one or more guide ribs may be used. The holding structure comprises a side wall and a bottom wall and defines a main opening and a cartridge chamber. The plug projection extends from the bottom wall into the cartridge chamber. The at least one guide rib extends from the side wall into the cartridge chamber. The cartridge chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the product cartridge. When the product cartridge is placed into the cartridge chamber, the guide rib is arranged to engage a portion of the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into the dispensing opening. Optionally, one or more wall openings may be formed in the holding structure adjacent to the plug projection.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A holding system for a dispensing system for hardenable materials, the dispensing system comprising a dispensing gun and a product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing opening, the holding system comprising: 
 a holding structure comprising a side wall and a bottom wall, where the structure defines a main opening and a holding chamber;    a plug projection extending from the bottom wall into the holding chamber; whereby    the holding chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the product cartridge.    
     
     
         2 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , in which at least one wall opening is formed in the holding structure adjacent to the plug projection.  
     
     
         3 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , in which a plurality of guide ribs extend from the side wall into the holding chamber, where, when the product cartridge is placed into the holding chamber, at least one of the guide ribs engages a portion of the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into the dispensing opening.  
     
     
         4 . A holding system as recited in  claim 3 , in which the guide ribs define a central portion of the holding chamber and at least one perimeter portion of the holding chamber, where the guide ribs and at least one perimeter portion are sized, dimensioned, and located to allow the dispensing system to be displaced into the holding chamber such that the plug projection may enter the dispensing opening.  
     
     
         5 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a belt clip secured to the holding structure, where the belt clip allows the holding structure to be suspended from a belt worn by an operator.  
     
     
         6 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide rib extending from the side wall into the holding chamber, whereby, when the product cartridge is placed into the holding chamber, the guide rib is arranged to engage a portion of the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into the dispensing opening.  
     
     
         7 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the holding structure comprises a barrel portion and a cap portion, where: 
 the barrel portion defines a portion of the side wall;    the cap portion defines a portion of the side wall and the bottom wall; and    the cap portion is detachably attached to the barrel portion to facilitate access to the plug projection.    
     
     
         8 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the holding structure comprises a container portion and a projection member, where: 
 the container portion defines the side wall and the bottom wall; and    the projection member is detachably attached to the container portion such that the projection member defines the plug projection.    
     
     
         9 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a support assembly attached to the holding structure, where the support assembly supports the holding structure in a desired orientation relative to a support surface.  
     
     
         10 . A holding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a support rack, where the support rack engages the holding structure to support the holding structure in a desired orientation relative to a support surface.  
     
     
         11 . A method of holding a dispensing system for hardenable materials, the dispensing system comprising a dispensing gun and a product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing opening, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holding structure comprising a side wall and a bottom wall, where the holding structure defines a main opening and a holding chamber and the holding chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the product cartridge;    forming a plug projection on the bottom wall of the holding structure, where the plug projection extends into the holding chamber; and    forming at least one guide rib on the side wall of the holding structure, where the at least one guide rib extends into the holding chamber;    displacing the product cartridge into the holding chamber such that the guide rib engages a portion of the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into the dispensing opening.    
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of forming at least one wall opening in the holding structure adjacent to the plug projection.  
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which the step of providing the holding structure comprises the steps of: 
 providing a barrel portion and a cap portion; and    detachably attaching the cap portion to the barrel portion such that the barrel portion defines a portion of the side wall and the cap portion defines a portion of the side wall and the bottom wall.    
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which the step of providing the holding structure comprises the steps of: 
 providing a container portion and a projection member; and    detachably attaching the projection member to the container portion such that the projection member defines the plug projection.    
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a support assembly to the holding structure; and    arranging the support assembly in a retracted configuration; and    arranging the support assembly in an extended configuration in which the support assembly supports the holding structure in a desired orientation relative to a support surface.    
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a support rack; and    arranging the holding structure on the support rack such that the support rack supports the holding structure in a desired orientation relative to a support surface.    
     
     
         16 . A holding system for a dispensing system for hardenable materials, the dispensing system comprising a dispensing gun and a product cartridge having a dispensing tip defining a dispensing opening, the holding system comprising: 
 a holding structure comprising a side wall and a bottom wall, where the holding structure defines a main opening, a holding chamber, and at least one wall opening;    a plug projection extending from the bottom wall into the holding chamber; and    at least one guide rib extending from the side wall into the holding chamber; whereby    the holding chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive the product cartridge; and    when the product cartridge is placed into the holding chamber, the guide rib and the wall opening are arranged to facilitate entry of the plug projection into the dispensing opening.    
     
     
         17 . A holding system as recited in  claim 16 , in which a plurality of guide ribs extend from the side wall into the holding chamber, where, when the product cartridge is placed into the holding chamber, at least one of the guide ribs engages a portion of the dispensing system to facilitate entry of the plug projection into the dispensing opening.  
     
     
         18 . A holding system as recited in  claim 17 , in which the guide ribs define a central portion of the holding chamber and at least one perimeter portion of the holding chamber, where the guide ribs and at least one perimeter portion are sized, dimensioned, and located to allow the dispensing system to be displaced into the holding chamber such that the plug projection may enter the dispensing opening.  
     
     
         19 . A holding system as recited in  claim 16 , in which the holding structure comprises a barrel portion and a cap portion, where: 
 the barrel portion defines a portion of the side wall;    the cap portion defines a portion of the side wall and the bottom wall; and    the cap portion is detachably attached to the barrel portion to facilitate access to the plug projection.    
     
     
         20 . A holding system as recited in  claim 16 , in which the holding structure comprises a container portion and a projection member, where: 
 the container portion defines the side wall and the bottom wall; and    the projection member is detachably attached to the container portion such that the projection member defines the plug projection.