Tube squeezer and method of squeezing a flexible tube

Abstract

A tube squeezer operable to force matter from a flexible tube includes a frame biased in a first position and movable to a second position, a first member supported by the frame for rotation about a first longitudinal axis, and a second member supported by the frame for rotation about a second longitudinal axis. A lock member is coupled to the frame to selectively lock the frame in the second position. The first member and the second member cooperate to compress the flexible tube when the frame is in the second position.

1 . A tube squeezer operable to force matter from a flexible tube, the tube squeezer comprising:
 a frame biased in a first position and movable to a second position;   a first member supported by the frame for rotation about a first longitudinal axis;   a second member supported by the frame for rotation about a second longitudinal axis; and   a lock member coupled to the frame to selectively lock the frame in the second position, wherein the first member and the second member cooperate to compress the flexible tube when the frame is in the second position.   
   
   
       2 . The tube squeezer of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a first support disposed at a first end to support the first member, and a second support disposed at a second end to support the second member. 
   
   
       3 . The tube squeezer of  claim 2 , wherein the first support and the second support are formed as a single piece with the frame. 
   
   
       4 . The tube squeezer of  claim 1 , wherein the first member includes a first substantially cylindrical portion that defines a first diameter, and the second member includes a second substantially cylindrical portion that defines a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. 
   
   
       5 . The tube squeezer of  claim 4 , wherein the second member includes a first end disk and a second end disk spaced apart from the first end disk to define a space sized to receive the flexible tube. 
   
   
       6 . The tube squeezer of  claim 1 , wherein the lock member is formed as a single piece with the frame. 
   
   
       7 . The tube squeezer of  claim 1 , wherein the lock member includes a first member having a first angled surface and a second member having a second angled surface positioned to engage the first angled surface to lock the frame in the second position. 
   
   
       8 . The tube squeezer of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a hinge portion that biases the frame toward the first position. 
   
   
       9 . A tube squeezer operable to force matter from a flexible tube, the tube squeezer comprising:
 a first substantially cylindrical member defining a first longitudinal axis;   a second substantially cylindrical member defining a second longitudinal axis; and   a frame including a first support that supports the first substantially cylindrical member and a second support that supports the second substantially cylindrical member such that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are substantially parallel, the frame movable between a first position in which the first longitudinal axis is spaced a first distance from the second longitudinal axis, and a second position in which the first longitudinal axis is spaced a second distance from the second longitudinal axis, the first distance sized to receive the flexible tube between the first substantially cylindrical member and the second substantially cylindrical member in a substantially uncompressed state and the second distance sized to receive the flexible tube between the first substantially cylindrical member and the second substantially cylindrical member in a compressed state.   
   
   
       10 . The tube squeezer of  claim 9 , wherein the first substantially cylindrical member is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis, and the second substantially cylindrical member is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       11 . The tube squeezer of  claim 9 , wherein the first support and the second support are formed as a single piece with the frame. 
   
   
       12 . The tube squeezer of  claim 9 , wherein the first substantially cylindrical member defines a first diameter, and the second substantially cylindrical member defines a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. 
   
   
       13 . The tube squeezer of  claim 9 , further comprising a first end disk positioned at a first end of the second substantially cylindrical member and a second end disk positioned at a second end of the second substantially cylindrical member and spaced apart from the first end disk to define a space sized to receive the flexible tube. 
   
   
       14 . The tube squeezer of  claim 9 , further comprising a lock member coupled to the frame and operable to hold the frame in the second position. 
   
   
       15 . The tube squeezer of  claim 14 , wherein the lock member includes a first member formed as one piece with the frame and having a first angled surface, and a second member formed as one piece with the frame and having a second angled surface positioned to engage the first angled surface to lock the frame in the second position. 
   
   
       16 . The tube squeezer of  claim 9 , wherein the frame includes a hinge portion that biases the frame toward the first position. 
   
   
       17 . A tube squeezer operable to force matter from a flexible tube, the tube squeezer comprising:
 a frame including a first end, a second end, and a hinge portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the hinge arranged to bias the frame into a first position and to allow movement of the frame to a second position;   a first substantially cylindrical member having a first diameter and supported adjacent the first end for rotation about a first longitudinal axis;   a second substantially cylindrical member having a second diameter and supported adjacent the second end for rotation about a second longitudinal axis, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; and   a lock member formed as part of the frame to selectively lock the frame in the second position, wherein the first substantially cylindrical member and the second substantially cylindrical member cooperate to compress the flexible tube when the frame is in the second position.   
   
   
       18 . The tube squeezer of  claim 17 , wherein the frame includes a first support disposed at the first end to support the first substantially cylindrical member, and a second support disposed at the second end to support the second substantially cylindrical member. 
   
   
       19 . The tube squeezer of  claim 18 , wherein the first support and the second support are formed as a single piece with the frame. 
   
   
       20 . The tube squeezer of  claim 17  further comprising a first end disk positioned at a first end of the second substantially cylindrical member and a second end disk positioned at a second end of the second substantially cylindrical member and spaced apart from the first end disk to define a space sized to receive the flexible tube. 
   
   
       21 . The tube squeezer of  claim 17 , wherein the lock member includes a first member having a first angled surface and a second member having a second angled surface positioned to engage the first angled surface to lock the frame in the second position.