EP1360997A2

EP1360997A2 - Device for instant mixing and delivery of bi-components products

Info

Publication number: EP1360997A2
Application number: EP03425277A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giacomo Mealli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-10
Filing date: 2003-04-30
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Also published as: EP1360997A3; ITRM20020260A1; ITRM20020260A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1; 1') for instant mixing and delivery of bi-component products comprising a first container (3; 3') for a first product (A) and a second container (6; 6') for a second product (B), each container (3; 3'; 6; 6') being in communication with a relevant exit (12; 12'; 13; 13') , thrusting or piston means (4; 4'), acting at the rear on said first and second containers (3; 3'; 6; 6'), a first (14; 14') and a second (15; 15') conducts, coupled with said two front exits (12; 12'; 13; 13') of said first (14; 14') and second (15; 15') containers, product mixing means (16, 19, 20, 21, 22) provided at the exit of said first (14; 14') and second (15; 15') conducts, and means (17, 20, 22, 23; 17', 20', 22', 23') for the application of the mixed product on the final surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the instant mixing and delivery of bi-component products.
More specifically, the invention concerns a device of the above kind suitably studied for the instant mixing of polyurethan bi-component glues, particularly for wood floors, PVC, ceramic and like.
As it is well known to all those working in this field, at present it is not available on the market any automatic device allowing to instant mixing and thus spreading and dosing bi-component products, and particularly polyurethan bi-component products.
Chemical features of these bi-component polyurethan glues are well known to everybody, and it is also known that the two components must be mixed at the very last moment and the glue must be used within a short time.
At present, both at handicraft and industrial level, when glues of the above mentioned kind are employed, the worker must have two separate containers, each one containing one of the two components, that for sake of simplicity will be in the following called as component A (basic product) and B (catalyst). In the employ instructions, manufacturers indicate a mixing percentage, that can be about 90% of basic product A and 10% of catalyst B.
Catalyst B is poured within the basic product A container and, by a suitable tool, such as a drilling machine provided with a helix frusta suitable to mix at low speed, the two components are mixed.
After having mixed, bi-component is manually poured on the floor rough to be glued and thus it is manually spread by a toothed spatula. Usually, suitable spatulae are realised to spreading the mixed adhesive on the bottom, where the parquet or other material will be afterwards applied.
The above mentioned technology, even if widely used, is clearly characterised by remarkable disadvantages and drawbacks.
First of all, as already said, the worker is obliged to use within a limited period of time, the whole amount of the pre-mixed product, since when this time is passed, the product catalyses and can no more be used.
Thus, in case unexpected events occur not allowing to quickly work, the product must be discarded, with the consequent waste.
Another problem is surely due to the complexity of the use of said glue both at an handicraft and, mainly, at an industrial level.
By the present solution, it cannot be organised a mass-production work, notwithstanding, they are products always used on the market.
In view of the above, and trying to satisfy the specific needings and requests of those working in the specific technique field, the Applicant has realised a device allowing to instant mix bi-component products, and particularly polyurethan bi-component glues, making them immediately ready to be delivered.
Another object of the present invention is that of providing a device allowing to properly dosing during the mixing the two components.
Still another object of the present invention is that of providing a device allowing to mix only the amount of product that must be really used.
It is therefore specific object of the present invention a device for instant mixing and delivery of bi-component products comprising a first container for a first product and a second container for a second product, each container being in communication with a relevant exit, thrusting or piston means, acting at the rear on said first and second containers, a first and a second conducts, coupled with said two front exits of said first and second containers, product mixing means provided at the exit of said first and second conducts, and means for the application of the mixed product on the final surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, said first and second containers are realised one inside the other one, being provided two front exits for the separated exit of said products, means for housing said products, said housing means being provided with thrusting or piston means at the rear acting.
Preferably, according to the invention, said container is comprised of a cylindrical container having two concentric cavities, with a rear wall on which said thrusting means act.
Always according to the invention, said container housing means can be comprised of a frame having the dimensions adjustable in function of the container dimensions.
Still according to the invention, said thrusting means can be comprised of at least a plate, acting on the rear wall of the two separated containment zones of said container or on each single container, and of a Worm screw, determining the advancement of said at least one plate.
Preferably, said thrusting means are powered by an electric motor.
Still according to the invention, said mixing means can be comprised of a single mixer, preferably an helical mixer, or of a plurality of mixers, preferably helical mixers, in a number corresponding to the number of exit holes of said application means.
Furthermore, according to the invention, said application means provide a plurality of openings or nozzles of the mixed product, spaced each other.
Always according to the invention, said application means can be comprised of a traditional spatula.
The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:
figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a mixing device according to the invention without the bi-component product container;
figure 2 is a perspective view of the bi-component product container of the device of figure 1;
figure 3 is a section partial view of the container of figure 2;
figure 4 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the mixing portion of the device according to the invention;
figure 5 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the mixing portion of the device according to the invention;
figure 6 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of the mixing portion of the device according to the invention;
figure 7 shows a schematic view of a traditional spatula that can be applied to the device according to the invention;
figure 8 is a first section view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention; and
figure 9 is a second section view of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention.
Observing first figures 1 - 7 of the enclosed drawings, and particularly at first figures 1 and 2, a device 1 according to the invention is shown, said device 1 providing a housing 2 for a bucket 3 (see figure 2), said housing being provided with a piston 4, powered by a motor 5 acting on the piston 4 in such a way to cause the exit of the product.
Particularly, observing figures 2 and 3, it is noted that the bucket has two coaxial cavities 6 and 7, respectively containing the basic product A and the catalyst B, and on which said piston 4 acts at the rear to cause the exit of the products A and B.
Housing 2 can be provided with a system for adapting to the dimensions of the buckets 3 of different dimensions.
Particularly, piston 4 has two plates 8, 9, one for each container 6, 7, having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the relevant container 6, 7. Said plates 8, 9 are supported by perpendicular arms 10.
Centrally between said two plates 8, 9 an Worm screw 11 is provided, which is connected to the ratiomotor 5 of the traditional type, rotating at 60/80 revolution per minute and operating the Worm screw 11.
On the front of the bucket 3 two exit nozzles 12, 13 are provided, respectively at the exit of the container 6 and of the container 7, having such diameter to allow a proper dosing of the two products A and B.
Two tubes 14, 15 are coupled to said nozzles, said tubes having a diameter suitable to obtain a proper mixing of products A and B.
Coming now to observe figures 4 - 7, it is shown the mixing part of the device 1 according to the invention.
Each one of the solutions shown provides a spatula, and the mixing occurs close to the same spatula.
In the embodiment of figure 4, that presently is the preferred one, the two tubes 14 and 15 converge toward a helical mixer 16, downward which the spatula 17 is provided. Said spatula 17 is realised in such a way to apply strips 18 of mixed product, without the presence of product between said strips 18.
The movement action developed inside the helical mixer 16 obliges the product to homogeneously mix.
Now, the product suitably mixed, ready to be used, is obliged, thanks to the thrust received by the ratiomotor 5, to exit from the V shaped spatula, in the basis of which small holes are provided, said small holes being possibly of various diameter according to the specific needings in such a way to obtain a homogeneous and quick spreading.
The same effect is obtained by the solution shown in figure 5, wherein it is provided a distributor 19, within which two products A and B arrive from tubes 14 and 15, to be mixed within, and thus applicable by, the nozzles 20.
Also the embodiment of figure 6 provides a distributor 21, downward the tubes 14 and 15, the mixing occurring within the nozzles 22.
As it can be seen in figure 7, the device according to the invention can also be used employing a spatula 23 of the traditional kind, with which an application of the product as shown in the figure is shown.
Observing now figures 8 and 9, it will be described the second embodiment of the device according to the invention. The same elements of the preceding figures will be indicated by the same reference numbers, with the adding of a apex "'".
As it can be noted, said solution provides two separated containers 3' and 6', on which a relevant Worm screw 10' acts, powered by a motor 5'.
At the exit, the two containers have relevant exits 12', 13', converging toward the mixer 16' and the spatula 17'.
Glue container 6' has a opening 30 for the insertion of the glue.
As it can be clearly understood, the solution according to the present invention allows to obtain remarkable advantages both under the economic aspect, and under the ecological and practical aspects.
By the ecological point of view, the traditional system involves serious problem when the component B (catalyst) is poured into component A, since evaporation of said component B, that is a very acid element, and thus noxious, is corrosive. The same manufacturers, in the specific instructions, strictly forbid the contact of the product with the hands or any other part of the human body. Furthermore, in case of not adequate mixtures, the product not used can create disposal problems.
Also the proper dosing of the product creates remarkable problems, solved by the solution according to the present invention, particularly when the worker must interrupt the work due to circumstances beyond the control, so that the already mixed product cannot be then used.
Furthermore, the device according to the invention allows a complete delivery of the product since the suitable thrusting plates do not allow to leave residuals of the product in the containers, with a remarkable ecological and economical advantage.
The innovative device allows to obtain a perfect mixing of the two components, thus allowing an optimum use of the properties of the product.
It is further obtained a remarkable save of working time, with the consequent advantages.
The specific spatula suggested further allows to save remarkable amount of product, always exploiting in an optimum way the features of the same product.
The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

Device for instant mixing and delivery of bi-component products characterised in that it comprises a first container for a first product and a second container for a second product, each container being in communication with a relevant exit, thrusting or piston means, acting at the rear on said first and second containers, a first and a second conducts, coupled with said two front exits of said first and second containers, product mixing means provided at the exit of said first and second conducts, and means for the application of the mixed product on the final surface.
Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second containers are realised one inside the other one, being provided two front exits for the separated exit of said products, means for housing said products, said housing means being provided with thrusting or piston means at the rear acting.
Device according to claim 2, characterised in that said container is comprised of a cylindrical container having two concentric cavities, with a rear wall on which said thrusting means act.
Device according to one of the claims 2 - 3, characterised in that said container housing means are comprised of a frame having the dimensions adjustable in function of the container dimensions.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said thrusting means are comprised of at least a plate, acting on the rear wall of the two separated containment zones of said container or on each single container, and of a Worm screw, determining the advancement of said at least one plate.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said thrusting means are powered by an electric motor.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said mixing means are comprised of a single mixer, preferably an helical mixer.
Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterised in that said mixing means are comprised of a plurality of mixers, preferably helical mixers, in a number corresponding to the number of exit holes of said application means.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said application means provide a plurality of openings or nozzles of the mixed product, spaced each other.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said application means are comprised of a traditional spatula.
Device for instant mixing and delivery of bi-component products according to each one of the preceding claims, substantially as illustrated and described.