EP3188847B1 - Application device for applying gel-type and/or pasty compositions and application system for such an application device - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an application device, in particular an application gun for applying gel-like and / or pasty compositions and an application device for such an application device.

State of the art

Application devices for applying gel-like and / or pasty compositions are already known from the prior art. For example from the EP 2 606 987 A1 an application device can be seen in which a connection element is provided at a front end of a device housing. An output unit with a mixer is attached to this connection element. In this case, the connection element and the output element (for outputting the composition) are fixed to one another via a closure element (“union ring”).

The output unit of such an application device usually has to be removed from the device housing at regular intervals and reconnected to the device housing. In this context, it has been found that the removal of the output unit is comparatively complex and tedious.

US 2010/0102088 A1 describes an applicator with a cartridge that has two containers for components to be mixed. A mixer is connected to the cartridge via a snap connection. Ramps allow the mixer to be raised relative to the cartridge by rotation. Overall, the locking mechanism of the US 2010/0102088 A1 , in which on the one hand a movement for establishing the latching connection and on the other hand a rotary movement for lifting the mixer are carried out as perceived as complex.

The WO 2006/005213 A1 describes a dispensing device for single use, with a multi-component cartridge with closure and a mixer. A valve mechanism is opened by turning a threaded ring. The valve mechanism comprises a closure part which is snapped into a mixer housing. However, such a valve mechanism does not (or does not facilitate) removal of an output unit from a main body.

EP 2 497 721 A1 describes a discharge device for mixing and dispensing multicomponent masses. A mixer housing is attached using a rotating cap. Furthermore, by rotating the rotating cap, the mixer housing can be moved away from the cartridge, so that dispensing openings are open and the components can be discharged. Here too, the focus is on a valve function that does not simplify removal of an output unit from a main body.

WO 2012/055926 A1 discloses a mixer that is rotatable relative to a connection element. However, such a (two-part) solution is perceived to be less practical to use.

EP 1 724 208 A1 discloses a multi-chamber dispensing device with a receiving unit and a dispensing unit, wherein an adjusting ring is provided for axially positioning the dispensing unit on the receiving unit.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an application device, in particular an application gun for applying gel-like and / or pasty compositions, and an application device for a to propose such an application device in which the removal of the output unit is simplified and facilitated compared to the prior art.

Presentation of the invention

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an application device according to claim 1.

In particular, the object is achieved by an application device for an application device, in particular an application gun, for applying gel-like and / or pasty compositions (such as adhesives and / or sealants) comprising an output unit for outputting the composition, a connecting element, in particular a lid, for connection the output unit to an application device main body and a closure element, the closure element being rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the connection element and the output unit for fastening the output unit to the connection element and for releasing the output unit from the connection element, a lifting device being provided, designed and is arranged that the output unit is raised by rotating the closure element (to release the output unit).

A key concept of the invention is to use a rotation of the closure element in a synergistic manner in such a way that the output unit is raised by the rotation (to release the fixation between the connection element and the output element). The closure element rotates both with respect to the connection element and with respect to the output unit. At least at times (preferably during the entire rotation process), output unit and connection element are not rotated against each other. While the closure element performs a rotation, the output unit moves translationally away from the connection element due to the lifting device. This forced translational movement means that the dispensing unit is raised relative to the connection element and can thus be removed more easily (in particular, retention forces can be overcome more easily due to the attachment of the dispensing unit in the connection element).

Closure element, dispensing unit and connection element are in particular formed as three separate parts, which are in particular rotatable and / or translationally movable. Each of these parts can thus be moved rotationally and / or translationally relative to each of the other two parts. In particular, it is contemplated that all three parts can be removed from one another (without destroying one of the three parts or a permanent connection between the parts). According to the invention, the output unit is raised by a rotation so that it can be released (can be removed) with respect to the connection element. The dispensing unit can therefore be removed (preferably by hand) when the lifting process has been completed, that is to say when a provisional end position of the dispensing unit is present (in a maximally raised state). Overall, it is therefore not a question of proposing a type of valve mechanism in order to open dispensing openings, for which the prior art already offers solutions, but rather of pointing out a mechanism that enables (complete) removal of the dispensing unit in a simple manner, and therefore also not an indirect one There is more connection between the output unit and the connecting element.

Gel-like and / or pasty compositions can in particular be adhesives or sealants. In connection with adhesives, it is particularly conceivable that these are ready-made adhesives or accelerated one-component adhesives, to which an accelerator or booster is added for faster curing, or two-component adhesives. For example, silicone sealants or the same or silicone-based sealants are used, which are used, for example, in the field of sealing joints.

A gel-like composition has in particular a gel-like consistency. A gel is usually defined as a finely dispersed system consisting of at least one solid and one liquid phase. The solid phase forms a sponge-like, three-dimensional network, the pores of which are filled with a liquid.

A pasty composition in particular has a pasty consistency, i.e. a consistency like a paste (i.e. a solid-liquid mixture, e.g. suspension, preferably with a high content of solids) and in particular has pseudoplastic properties.

An “output unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit which has an opening from which the composition can emerge. In a specific embodiment, the output unit in particular comprises a mixer unit. The dispensing unit can have a nozzle element, through the outlet opening of which the composition can exit. The basic structure and function of an output unit can EP 2 606 987 A1 (there the output unit will be referred to as a "mixer"). An application device main body can also have the same basic structure and function as in EP 2 606 987 A1 described, constructed.

The "lifting device" according to the invention is a structure which at least partially converts a rotational movement (of the closure element) into a translational movement (of the output unit). The corresponding translatory movement of the dispensing unit does not have to be (necessarily) from bottom to top, but usually takes place in a direction that points away from the main body of the application device.

According to the invention, the closure element and the connection element form a bayonet closure in order to attach the output unit to the connection element. The lifting device is at least partially formed by the bayonet catch. With a bayonet lock, a detachable attachment can be easily realized. If the bayonet catch still partially forms the lifting device, a double functionality is realized in a synergistic manner with a simple structure, which significantly reduces both the manufacturing outlay and the outlay when using the application device.

In a preferred embodiment, the lifting device has a closure element stop and an output unit stop, the closure element stop and output unit stop coming into sliding contact when the closure element rotates such that the output unit is raised due to the rotation of the closure element. Such a development makes the conversion from a rotational movement into a translatory movement particularly simple. This simplifies the handling of the application device.

The locking element stop is preferably a component of the bayonet lock. This also simplifies the structure of the application device or the application device, so that manufacturing costs can be reduced and reliable functioning is nevertheless ensured.

Alternatively or additionally, a surface normal of the closure element stop and / or the output unit stop can run parallel to the axis of rotation. This enables a particularly efficient lifting of the output unit.

Alternatively or additionally, the closure element stop can be on a peripheral surface, in particular the inner peripheral surface of the closure element be provided. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit stop can be provided on a peripheral surface, in particular the outer peripheral surface of the output unit. As a result, the two stops can be brought into engagement with one another in a particularly simple manner, which simplifies the handling of the application device.

The closure element stop and / or the output unit stop is preferably defined by a side face of a rib. Alternatively or additionally, the closure element stop and / or the output unit stop can be defined by a side surface, in particular the underside, of a wing element. In a specific embodiment, the closure element stop is defined by a side surface of a rib and the output unit stop is defined by a side surface (underside) of a wing element. During a rotation, the side surface (underside) of the wing element slides along the rib and is raised by the rib rotating on the one hand and moving translationally on the other. A particularly simple removal of the output unit is thereby achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the output unit has at least one, in particular radially outwardly directed, wing element (in particular the wing element described above), the connecting element having a corresponding recess for receiving the wing element. In particular if the output unit is connected to the connection element (for example, while the application device is being used), the wing element is received by the recess of the connection element. If the closure element is now rotated (to remove the dispensing unit), the wing element is displaced translationally within the recess (away from the main body of the application device). The recesses simplify positioning of the dispensing unit. In particular, a position of the dispensing unit is also stabilized (even if in the fixed position of the dispensing unit, this is rotatably fixed by a shoulder element within the main application device body is held). Overall, handling is further simplified. Basically, in reverse (in an alternative embodiment), the connection element can have at least one (in particular radially inwardly directed) wing element and the output unit can have a corresponding recess for receiving the wing element.

In a preferred embodiment of the application device, the output unit has a mixer unit. Alternatively or additionally, a nozzle element can be provided.

In a further development, the bayonet lock can have a run-on slope formed on the lock element which, when the dispensing unit is fastened, runs against a (radially outward) pin (generally projection) of the connection element. The bayonet lock can additionally have a connection element run-on bevel on the connection element, which runs against a projection of the closure element when the dispensing unit is released. Such a structure facilitates the removal of the output unit.

In an alternative embodiment, the closure element and the connection element form a screw closure in order to fasten the output unit to the connection element. For example, the closure element can have an internal thread for this purpose and the connection element can have a corresponding external thread (or vice versa). Such a screw lock is provided in addition to the bayonet lock. All other components (individually or in combination), in particular an associated lifting device (e.g. wing element), can be designed as described above, in particular as described in connection with the bayonet catch. Such a screw cap is simple to manufacture and operate. The locking element can be designed as a (screw) locking ring.

The above-mentioned object is further achieved in particular by an application device, preferably an application gun, comprising an application device of the type described above and an application device main body.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved independently by using an application device of the type described above for an application device, in particular an application gun for applying gel-like and / or pasty compositions (such as, for example, adhesives and / or sealants).

Brief description of the drawings

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Figur 1

eine schematische Schrägansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Applikationsgeräts;

Figur 2

das Applikationsgerät gemäß Figur 1 ohne Verschlusselement in einer Schrägansicht;

Figur 3

ein Verschlusselement in einer schematischen Schrägansicht;

Figur 4

eine Ausgabeeinheit in einer Schrägansicht;

Figur 5

ein Anschlusselement in einer schematischen Schrägansicht;

Figur 6

das Anschlusselement gemäß Figur 5 in einer Seitenansicht mit punktierten Abschnitten der Ausgabeeinheit gemäß Figur 4 sowie des Verschlusselements gemäß Figur 3;

Figur 7

eine Darstellung analog Figur 6 nach einer Rotation des Verschlusselements gemäß Figur 3 gegenüber dem Anschlusselement nach Figur 5 und der Ausgabeeinheit nach Figur 4; und

Figur 8

eine Darstellung analog Figuren 6 und 7 nach einer weiteren Rotation des Verschlusselements.

Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic oblique view of an application device according to the invention;

Figure 2

the application device according to Figure 1 without closure element in an oblique view;

Figure 3

a closure element in a schematic oblique view;

Figure 4

an output unit in an oblique view;

Figure 5

a connection element in a schematic oblique view;

Figure 6

the connection element according to Figure 5 in a side view with dotted sections of the output unit according to Figure 4 and the closure element according to Figure 3 ;

Figure 7

a representation analog Figure 6 after a rotation of the closure element according to Figure 3 opposite the connecting element Figure 5 and the output unit Figure 4 ; and

Figure 8

a representation analog Figures 6 and 7 after a further rotation of the closure element.

Only the elements essential for the immediate understanding of the invention are shown.

Way of carrying out the invention

Figure 1 shows an application device for an application device, in particular an application gun, for applying gel-like and / or pasty compositions. The application device comprises an output unit 10, a closure element 11 and a connection element 12.

The connection element 12 is designed as a cover element and closes an application device main body (not shown) at the end thereof. The closure element 11 is used to fasten the output unit 10 to the connection element 12. The closure element 11 is designed as an annular body and has axially extending projections 14 on an outer circumferential surface 13, which facilitate rotation of the closure element 11 when operating the application device.

Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 , wherein the closure member 11 has been omitted. This shows that the output unit 10 is accommodated in a cylinder body 15 of the connecting element 12 in the assembled state. Specifically, three (the number can also be larger or smaller) wings 16 are provided on the output unit 10, the wings 16 (in the assembly position) being arranged within recesses 17 of the connection element 12. In principle, the output unit 10, as shown in Figure 2 is shown, can be removed from the connection element 12 by lifting the output unit. For this purpose, however, the (not inconsiderable) retention force of a shoulder element (not shown in the figures) on which the output unit is arranged within the application device must be overcome.

In Figure 2 it can also be seen that the connection element 12 (on the cylindrical body 15) has a pin 18 and a run-on slope 19. The run-up slope 19 is defined by an (upper) edge 20 of the cylindrical body 15. The pin 18 is located on an outer peripheral surface 21 of the connection element 12 or the cylindrical body 15.

The pin 18 is part of a bayonet lock, the run-up slope 19 is part of a lifting device in order to lift the dispensing unit 10 (via its wing 16), which is shown in the following figures.

The Figures 3 to 5 show oblique views of the elements output unit 10, closure element 11 and connection element 12. In Figure 4 it can be seen that the dispensing unit 10 has a mixing unit 22 and an outlet nozzle 23.

In the following, the function of the invention is described in particular with reference to Figures 3 to 5 and the Figures 6 to 8 explained. The Figures 6 to 8 each show a side view of the connection element 12. Furthermore, dotted lines are drawn: a run-on bevel 24 of the closure element 11 (see also Figure 3 ), a rib 25 of the connection element 11 (see also Figure 3 ) and a projection 26 of the connection element 11 (see also Figure 3 ) and one of the three wings 16 (see also Figure 4 ) of the output unit 10. It should be noted that the in Figures 6 to 8 Dashed elements are shown highly schematized.

Overall, it should be noted that the elements provided by the reference numerals 15, 16, 17, 19, 18, 24, 25 and 26 can each be provided in triplicate (corresponding to one another). Another number is possible (for example one, two or more than four). However, it is preferred to provide at least a triple version of these elements in order to ensure a stable and secure rotation of the closure element 11 or a stable and To enable secure attachment of the output unit 10. The triple version (also shown in the figures) is particularly preferred, the particular elements in particular being arranged in a Mercedes-star-like configuration.

Figure 6 shows a starting position of the application device. This position is assumed when the output unit 10 is connected to the connection element 12 via the closure element 11 (so that the application device or the application device can be used). If the closure element 11 is now rotated (in the Figures 3 to 8 viewed counterclockwise from above), the projection 26 runs against the run-on slope 19, so that the closure element 11 also carries out a translational movement away from the connection element 12 in addition to the rotational movement. This translational movement is transmitted to the wings 16 and thus the output unit 10, so that the latter also moves in a translational manner without moving in a rotary manner. This is in Figure 7 shown.

The translatory movement of the closure element 11 induced by the rotation of the closure element 11 (and the associated translatory movement of the wing element 16 or the output unit 10) ends as soon as the projection 26 has reached an end of the run-up slope 19 (this is shown in FIG Figure 8 shown). In this state, the holding forces applied by the application device main body (or a shoulder element of the application device) are (essentially) overcome, so that the dispensing unit 10 can be completely removed (by the operator) without great effort and in a simple manner. Overall, essential components of the lifting device are the elements 25, 26 and 19. These elements force the wings 16 of the output unit 10 upwards or lift these wings 16.

The bayonet catch is especially together with the chamfer 24 and the rib 25 (which together can form an integral part) the pin 18 realized. If you go Figures 8 to 6 the way this bayonet lock works can be deduced. Figure 8 shows the position that the dispensing unit and the closure element 11 assume at the beginning of the fastening process. If the closure element 11 is now (in the Figures 3 to 8 rotated clockwise from above), the run-up slope 24 runs against the pin 18 and forces the closure element 11 (together with the dispensing unit 10 via an annular projection 27 which abuts the dispensing unit 10) downward (see Figure 7 ). Another rotation eventually leads to the end position according to Figure 6 , in which the output unit 10 is fastened to the connection element 12 and thus the application device or the application device can be used.

How in particular Figure 3 can be removed, the run-on bevel 24, the rib 25 and the projection 26 are located on an inner circumferential surface 28 of the closure element 11. As in particular Figure 4 can be removed, the wings 16 are located on an outer circumferential surface 29 of the dispensing unit 10. As a result, the wings 16 can be brought into engagement with the rib 25 in a particularly simple manner. In addition, the chamfer 24 can also interact particularly effectively with the pin 18 (as described above).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

output unit

11

closure element

12

connecting element

13

Outer circumferential surface

14

head Start

15

cylindrical body

16

wing

17

recess

18

spigot

19

starting slope

20

edge

21

Outer circumferential surface

22

mixing unit

23

exhaust nozzle

24

starting slope

25

rib

26

head Start

27

annular projection

28

Inner circumferential surface

29

Outer circumferential surface

Claims (11)

1. An application unit for an application device, in particular an application gun, for applying gel-like and/or paste-like compositions, comprising a dispensing unit (10) for dispensing the composition, a connection element (12), in particular cover, for connecting the dispensing unit (10) to an application device main body and a closure element (11), wherein the closure element (11) can be rotated about a rotation axis with respect to the connection element (12) and the dispensing unit (10) in order to secure the dispensing unit (10) to the connection element (12) and to release the dispensing unit (10) from the connection element (12), wherein a lifting device (16, 19, 25, 26) is constructed and arranged in such a manner that the dispensing unit (10) is lifted by rotating the closure element (11), characterized in that the closure element (11) and connection element (12) form a bayonet closure (24, 25, 18) in order to secure the dispensing unit (10) to the connection element (12), wherein the lifting device (16, 19, 25, 26) is at least partially formed by the bayonet closure (24, 25, 18), wherein a common rib (25) is a component of both the bayonet closure and the lifting device.
2. The application unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lifting device (16, 19, 25, 26) has a closure element stop and a dispensing unit stop, wherein the closure element stop and the dispensing unit stop, when the closure element (11) is rotated, come into sliding contact in such a manner that the dispensing unit (10) is lifted as a result of the rotation of the closure element (11).
3. The application unit as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the closure element stop is a component of the bayonet closure (24, 25, 18) and/or characterized in that a surface normal of the closure element stop and/or the dispensing unit stop extends parallel to the rotation axis.
4. The application unit as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the closure element stop is provided on a peripheral face, in particular an inner peripheral face (28), of the closure element (11) and/or in that the dispensing unit stop is provided on a peripheral face, in particular an outer peripheral face (29), of the dispensing unit (10).
5. The application unit as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the closure element stop and/or the dispensing unit stop is/are defined by a side face of the rib (25) and/or characterized in that the closure element stop and/or the dispensing unit stop is/are defined by a side face, in particular a lower side, of a wing element (16).
6. The application unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing unit (10) has at least one, in particular radially outwardly directed, wing element (16) and the connection element (12) has a corresponding recess (17) for receiving the wing element (16).
7. The application unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing unit (10) comprises a mixer unit (22) and/or a nozzle element (23).
8. The application unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bayonet closure (24, 25, 18) has an inclined introduction member (24) which is formed on the closure element (11) and which, when the dispensing unit (10) is secured, preferably runs against a pin (18) of the connection element (12) and/or characterized in that the bayonet closure (24, 25, 18) has on the connection element (12) an inclined connection element introduction member which, when the dispensing unit (10) is secured, runs against a projection of the closure element (11).
9. The application unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (11) and connection element (12) form a screw closure, in particular comprising two mutually corresponding threads, in order to secure the dispensing unit to the connection element.
10. An application device, in particular application gun, for applying gel-like and/or paste-like compositions, comprising an application unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims.
11. Use of an application unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9 for an application device, in particular an application gun, for applying gel-like and/or paste-like compositions.

Images