EP2054318A2

EP2054318A2 - An applicator

Info

Publication number: EP2054318A2
Application number: EP07789315A
Authority: EP
Inventors: D'art Daniel David Braeder
Original assignee: Epodpak International Inc
Current assignee: Epodpak International Inc
Priority date: 2006-08-25
Filing date: 2007-08-24
Publication date: 2009-05-06
Also published as: WO2008023186A1; WO2008023186A8; AU2007287367A1; GB0616926D0; AU2007287367A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a one-shot applicator (1) for applying disparate components of a mixture to a point of mixing in a bore or passage, comprising a respective housing (3,4) for each component and an applicator element (5) leading from each housing, and being adapted for insertion in the bore or passage, the arrangement being such that in use the housings are external to a mouth of the bore or passage when the applicator elements are inserted therein. The two housings each have a tube (6) leading from each housing to a respective outlet (7, 8) in the form of a line of weakness at a distal end (9) of the applicator element (5). The tubes can, after cutting or tearing at (7, 8) be inserted in a bore in which an anchor such as an expansion bolt is to be moulded, and, the respective contents of the housing can be dispensed, and mixed, in the bore to provide an adhesive, the housings being of greater lateral extent than the bore or passage and thus remaining external to the bore at all times.

Description

AN APPLICATOR

The invention relates to an applicator, particularly to such for applying two disparate flowable materials which are required or desired to be mixed together.

It is often necessary to increase the securing or fixing of an anchoring device such as a screw or bolt in a bore or passage by the application of a glue or adhesive such as a two component glue or adhesive, the two materials forming the components being mixed to form the glue or adhesive in situ.

It is very difficult to apply to components in the required proportions particularly in a bore or passage without wasting material or having the glue or adhesive "go off outside the bore or passage, say round a mouth thereof, rather than in the bore or passage.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided an applicator for applying disparate components of a mixture for mixing in a bore or passage, comprising a respective housing for each component, and an applicator element leading from each housing to an outlet for the respective component and being adapted for insertion in the bore or passage, the arrangement being such that in use the housings are external to a mouth of the bore or passage when the applicator elements are inserted therein.

The two outlets may be positioned substantially at the same distance from the respective housings, which in turn may comprise a part of the applicator which is of greater lateral extent than the lateral extent of the applicator elements.

There may be a pair of housings and applicator elements, each one of the pair being separated by a fold or hinge line about which the applicator can be folded so that the housings and applicator elements are superimposed for applying the components through the outlets to the point of mixing.

Each outlet may be defined by a tear off portion of the respective applicator element, which tear off portion may suitably be defined by a line of weakness in the material of the applicator.

Each outlet may be at substantially 90° to the length of the respective applicator elements.

Alternatively, each outlet may be inclined to the length of the respective applicator element.

The applicator elements may each comprise a tube leading from a respective housing to a respective outlet.

There may be means to initiate tearing off along the line of weakness, such means suitably comprising notch means in the material of the applicator.

The or each housing may contain a respective component of a two-component glue or adhesive system, such as an epoxy resin and a hardener.

Each housing may be compressible under finger or thumb pressure to dispense the components to and through the outlets.

An applicator embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of applicator according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the applicator of Fig. 1 in use to apply a glue or adhesive in a bore or hole which is to receive a screw or bolt; Fig. 3 shows a bolt in the bore or hole of Fig. 2, with the applicator removed;

Fig. 4 shows a plan view to full size of an applicator similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of applicator according to the invention, in a first mode;

Fig.6 shows a plan view of the applicator of Fig. 5 in a second mode; and

Fig. 7 shows a view similar to Fig. 2 of the second embodiment in use to apply glue or adhesive in a bore or hole which is to receive a bolt similar to that shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like numerals, there is shown in the embodiments an applicator which is a one-shot applicator 1, 100 for applying disparate components of a mixture for mixing in a bore or passage, comprising a respective housing 3, 4 for each component and an applicator element 5 leading from each housing 3, 4, and being adapted for insertion in the bore or passage, the arrangement being such that in use the housings are external to a mouth of the bore or passage when the applicator elements are inserted therein (Figs. 1 to 4).

The first embodiment of applicator 1 comprises a layer 2 of plastics material such as PVC which is formed in a moulding process to provide the two housings 3, 4 in the form of bubbles or receptacles and an elongate applicator element 5 each having a tube 6 leading from each housing to a respective outlet 7, 8 in the form of a line of weakness at a distal end 9 of the applicator element 5 which is transverse to the length of the tubes 6 and is also formed during moulding.

There is a boundary edge 10 to which is laminated a foil (not shown) such as an aluminium foil.

This foil seals in a respective housing 3, 4 a fiowable liquid, paste or gel material which materials are components or parts of a two component glue or adhesive system such as a hardener in one housing 3 and an epoxy resin in the other 4. The foil also lends a certain stiffness to the applicator 1, the respective housings 3, 4 and tubes 6 forming two items of a pair separated by a longitudinal hinge or fold line 11 which separates the housing 3 and the tube 6 from the housing 4 and tube 6 to form a mirror image about the line 11, which is also formed during the moulding process.

In order to facilitate use, there is means in the form of notches 12 at the boundary edge 10 of the applicator element 5 and leading to the line of weakness 7, 8 to provide for relatively easy tearing of the outlets, which lie at the same distance longitudinally from the housings 3, 4.

It will be understood that one side 'A' of the applicator 1 is a mirror image of the other side 'B' of the applicator 1, about the longitudinal line 11.

The applicator 11 is particularly useful for applying adhesive to the interior of a bore 13 such as a blind bore in which a bolt 14 is to be inserted.

In use, applicator 1 in the ready to use position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 is folded about the line 11 so that the housings 3, 4 and tubes 6 are superimposed. The outlets 7, 8 are then opened by tearing from the edge at the notches 12 to the weakened part, tearing being effective all the way across the width of the overlapped applicator element parts A and B, which are then inserted in the bore 13 with squeezing manually of the housings 3, 4 to dispense the two components into the bore 13 (fig. 2) via the tubes 6 and outlets as shown.

The components are thus dispensed and mixed simultaneously as they exit the outlets at the rate needed for the epoxy adhesive to set. The bolt 14 to be anchored in the bore 13, which is a blind bore in say concrete 15, is then pushed into the bore 13.

The epoxy resin rises round the bolt and is further mixed and as the bolt, which in the embodiment is an expansion bolt, is tightened and thus expanded, the epoxy is mixed fully and when set enhances anchoring of the bolt in the bore. The applicator thus delivers a single dose amount of Ig, 3g or 5g of mixed adhesive directly into the bore 13, the housings 3, 4 remaining outside the bore and acting as both a "handle" and, by being squeezed, dispensing the components.

Fig. 4 shows an applicator 20 with a slightly different distal or outlet end from that of Figs. 1 and 2.

The lines of weakness 7, 8 may be inclined to the axis, rather than orthogonal thereto as in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 7, these show respectively a plan view of a second embodiment of applicator 100 in a first mode similar to Fig. 1, in a second mode ready for dispensing a two-component glue or adhesive system, and inserted in a bore in a material such as concrete in a dispensing mode similar to that of Fig. 2 of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the housings 3, 4 are each of a bubble or circular receptacle configuration which each lead to an elongate applicator element 5 in the form of a tube 6.

The tubes 6 lead from each housing 3, 4 to a respective outlet 7, 8 in the form of a line of weakness at a distal end 9 of the applicator element 5 which is transverse to the length of the tubes 6 and as in the first embodiment is formed during moulding of the applicator 100.

There are two housings each with an associated tube 6, the arrangement in the second embodiment being such that the respective longitudinal axis of the tubes 6 converge from the housings 3, 4 to the distal end 9.

As in the first embodiment, the applicator 100 is formed by moulding the receptacles and tubes from a manually deformable plastic material to the configuration shown, filling the housings 3, 4 with respective components of a two-component system, and then closing the open side with a foil 10, there being a "carrof'-shaped gap 100 between the elements 3, 6 and 4, 6 and there being a notch 12 in the foil opposite each line of weakness 7, 8 at the distal end 9. There is also a longitudinal fold line 11 which extends over the length of the applicator 100, the fold line being in two parts 11a and 1 Ib in the second embodiment.

In use, the applicator is folded about the line 11 so that one housing is superposed on the other, in Fig. 6 the housing 4 and tube 6 being folded to lie over and on the housing 3 and the associated tube 6.

The ends of the tubes 6 are then removed by tearing or snipping from the notches 12 across the lines of weakness 7, 8 to leave a free end of the tubes 6 exposed, the material of the tubes 6 at the cut end at the line of weakness providing a projection 7a, 8a which can act as a nozzle. The tubes 6 are then inserted in a blind bore 13 in wall 15, say a concrete wall, and the receptacles or housings 3, 4 are squeezed manually to dispense their respective components 101, 102 which mix to form a settable adhesive, and which are further mixed when an expansion bolt (not shown in Fig,. 7) is inserted, as described with reference to the first embodiment, Fig. 3.

As in the first embodiment, the superposed housings 3, 4 are larger in lateral extent than the bore or passage, so remain external to the mouth of the bore or passage 13 when the applicator 100 tubes 5 are inserted in the bore or passage 13.

Although epoxy hardeners have been described, the invention is applicable to the storing, dispensing and mixing of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, medical or dental products, sauces, beauty aids or any liquid, paste or gel designed for separate storage and simultaneous application or dispensing.

The proportions of the components can be 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 1:100 or other required proportions.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying disparate components of a mixture for mixing in a bore or passage, comprising a respective housing for each component and an applicator element leading from each housing to an outlet for the respective component and being adapted for insertion in the bore or passage, the arrangement being such that in use the housings are external to a mouth of the bore or passage when the applicator elements are inserted therein.

2. An applicator according to Claim 1, the two outlets being positioned substantially at the same distance from the respective housings.

3. An applicator according to Claim 2, the respective housings comprising a part of the applicator which is of greater lateral extent than the lateral extent of the applicator element.

4. An applicator according to Claim 3, there being a pair of housings and applicator elements, each one of the pair being separated by a fold or hinge line about which the applicator can be folded so that the housings and applicator elements are superimposed for applying the components through the outlets to the point of mixing.

5. An applicator according to Claim 4, each outlet being defined by a tear off portion of the respective applicator element.

6. An applicator element according to Claim 5, the tear off portion being defined by a line of weakness in the material of the applicator.

7. The applicator according to Claim 6, each outlet being at substantially 90° to the length of the respective applicator element.

8. An applicator according to Claim 6, each outlet being inclined to the length of the respective applicator element.

9. An applicator according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, the applicator elements each comprising a tube leading from a respective housing to a respective outlet.

10. An applicator according to Claim 9, the longitudinal axis of the tubes being inclined towards one another in a direction from the respective housing towards the respective outlet.

11. An applicator according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, comprising a means to initiate tearing along the line of weakness comprising notch means in the material of the applicator.

12. An applicator according to Claim 11, the means comprising notch means in the material of the applicator.

13. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the or each housing containing a respective component of a two-component glue or adhesive system.

14. An applicator according to Claim 13, the two components respectively comprising an epoxy resin and a hardener.

15. An applicator according to any preceding claim, each housing being compressible under finger or thumb pressure to dispense the components to and through the outlets.