EP4405274A1

EP4405274A1 - Handheld applicator for polyurethane (pu) foam

Info

Publication number: EP4405274A1
Application number: EP22802702.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luc THYS; Anneleen MONSIEUR; Erik De Groof; Erno DIERCKX; Brecht VANDEVENNE; Vincent DE SMEDT; Jens MILONTON
Original assignee: Soudal NV
Current assignee: Soudal NV
Priority date: 2021-09-20
Filing date: 2022-09-19
Publication date: 2024-07-31
Also published as: BE1029771B1; WO2023042171A1; BE1029771A1

Abstract

The current invention involves containers, tubes or cans that contain a composition under pressure, in particular disposable containers, which are in the first instance provided with a pistol valve so that the container can be attached to a device that is typically called a dosing pistol to apply the composition. The composition is usually reactive and hardens up, can contain one or more active ingredients and can be suitable for forming a seal, for example (e.g. silicone paste), a polyurethane (PU) foam, or a two-component glue. The invention primarily involves the provision of an improved handheld applicator to allow for save and easy manual use of these types of pistol valve containers.

Description

HANDHELD APPLICATOR FOR POLYURETHANE (PU) FOAM

The current invention involves containers, tubes or cans that contain a composition under pressure, in particular disposable containers, which are in the first instance provided with a pistol valve so that the container can be attached to a device that is typically called a dosing pistol to apply the composition. The composition is usually reactive and hardens up, can contain one or more active ingredients and can be suitable for forming a seal, for example (e.g. silicone paste), a polyurethane (PU) foam, or a two- component glue. The invention primarily involves the provision of an improved handheld applicator to allow for save and easy manual use of these types of pistol valve containers.

State of the Art

Containers under pressure that contain compositions such as pastes, foams or glues are increasingly use in the construction industry and also in do-it-yourself (DIY) activities. These containers are usually disposable containers, closed off by a relatively simple valve, but which must be able to withstand the significant pressure that may be present within the container.

The containers themselves are usually made of metal and are usually cylindrical in shape. The bottom is usually made up of a plate connected to the cylinder with a flange and is usually concave to better withstand the internal pressure and for the container to be able to stand vertically on a flat surface. The top is usually provided with a container head, also attached to the cylinder with a flange, and which is usually convex for the same reason of higher pressure resistance A fill opening is usually provided in the center of the cylinder head. In the preparation of the container for the market, the empty container is usually filled with the composition via this central fill opening in the head, which can then be closed off by lifting the flange of the container valve onto the fill opening. Many compositions can be put into the container under atmospheric pressure, and a higher pressure can then be built up or introduced into the container, usually after it is closed off as described. An example wherein the pressure is built up after closing the container are the bonds for polyurethane foam, in particular a one-component foam (OCF), in which, after filling the container, an exothermic chemical reaction between the components can be started, such as by shaking the container, and the reaction produces heat and builds up the pressure through the chemical production and/or evaporation of propellants. Propellants for creating pressure can also be introduced when the container is being filled, such as a cold liquid that can then vaporize after the container is closed. In general, two types of applicators are used in current practice. Occasional and do-it- yourself users usually prefer a simple handheld applicator, usually disposable, that is screwed onto the shaft of the container valve and which usually form a hose or tube for guiding the flow of the composition to the intended location (also called “a straw”), and a pivotable adapter or lever. The container valves for these types of handheld applicators have a shaft with a screw thread to which the applicator is screwed, and can be called “straw valves”. These types of handheld applicators are characterized by not having a valve themselves for stopping or adjusting the application of the composition, but for these ends act on the valve provided on the container. As a result, all of the composition that has already passed along the container valve and enters the handheld applicator is exposed to the atmosphere and can, if prone to it, further react and attain its final and usually stiff consistency. For these reasons, these adapters are simple in design and production, inexpensive, but usually can only be used once and must then be thrown away. Typically the action on the pivotable adapter or lever is provided as a part of the handheld applicator results in a tilting of the shaft of the container such that one or more openings in the shaft of the valve are at least partially released in the content of the reservoir, and thus open the straw valve. The assembly is such that the user can hold the container and at the same time press the lever of the handheld applicator, which offers a rough manner of adjusting and dosing the composition flow. US Patent 4165825 describes suitable valves for these types of manual applications.

A variety of hand-held or handheld applicators are known in the profession. All of these applicators connect to the straw valve via a screw connection with the screw thread section that is always provided on the shaft of a straw valve and open the valve by tilting the shaft of the valve. They are thus specific and only suitable for containers with a straw valve.

These handheld applicators are usually only provided with a handle to tilt the shaft of the valve by pushing on the handle with the fingers of the hand and require that the palm of the hand engage with the container itself. The disadvantage of this type of system is that during the engagement of the hand, the connective adhesion between the applicator and the container is strained, and usually in one direction, creating the risk that the adhesion will loosen and that the composition will be inadvertently released.

The more intensive users, such as professionals or more experienced do-it-yourselfers normally prefer a more refined dosing apparatus, such as a dosing pistol, for applying the composition, such as a foam composition. With these types of dosing devices, the user holds the device or dosing pistol and uses the apparatus or dosing pistol with the composition container attached to the pistol. These types of pistols are characterized in that they have their own valve, preferably a needle valve for higher accuracy and better closure for stopping or regulating the flow of the composition, and this valve is usually found on the tip of the barrel of the pistol and is much more advanced than the container valve. It normally provides for better adjustment of the flow of the composition compared to the container valve. Because the adjustment valve of the pistol is located on the tip of the barrel, the composition stays under pressure in the dosing pistol and protected from the atmosphere. After use there is thus little to no volume of the composition remaining that is exposed to the atmosphere and could react, harden and affect the function of the pistol for the next use. The composition within the pistol can only be exposed to the atmosphere for the short period necessary to change a container on the dosing pistol. This time is usually short, and the dosing pistol is usually used immediately after the replacement, so that the composition within the dosing pistol is refreshed and after use this new composition remains under pressure and fresh in its liquid state. These dosing pistols are usually complex and expensive and are usually used multiple times after replacement of the empty container with a fresh full one. The use of dosing pistols is more comfortable for the user and provides for higher accuracy and dosing when applying the composition than the manual system. The higher dosing accuracy makes it possible to work with less excess composition, which must usually be removed later and ends up as waste. This reduces the amount of extra work required and means greater efficiency regarding use of materials. Both advantages are important to the professional or the intensive user.

Containers intended for the intensive user are handily provided with an assembly with a first coupling piece, usually made of a plastic material that makes the container suitable for attachment to the dosing pistol or dosing device, and that is consistent with a connection element integrated into the dosing pistol or with a second coupling piece that is attached to the dosing pistol, also called a pistol adapter, usually made of metal, such as aluminum or bronze, for creating the connection with the dosing apparatus or dosing pistol. A suitable foam dosing pistol is, for example, described in US patent 5,271,537, wherein the apparatus has a screw connection in which a container can be screwed on that has a suitable screw connection, usually using a suitable coupling piece on the container. A particularly handy first coupling piece for this type of screw connection is described in our pending European patent application EP-A- 10164924.2, submitted on June 4, 2010. Instead of a screw connection, the container and the dosing pistol can be connected using an even more handy and secure bayonet-type coupling, also called the “Click & Fix” coupling, as described in WO 98/43894. An improved first coupling piece for this type of Click & Fix connection is described in our pending European patent application EP-A- 10164927.5, submitted on June 4, 2010.

The containers themselves, intended for intensive use with a dosing pistol, are closed off with another type of valve, also known as a pistol valve, to differentiate them from the so-called straw valve described above, and which is more suitable for this type of use. The pistol valve has no screw thread section that the straw valve needs for screwing of the manual adapter onto the shaft of the valve. Many pistol valves are also not made to be tilted. The pistol valve is constructed, by the coupling of the container to the pistol, to be fully opened by pressing the shaft of the valve down into the content of the reservoir, and in doing so offers the greatest possible opening for a relatively small movement of the shaft. Another difference between the two types of valve is that the straw valve has an extended shaft, provided with a screw thread section for screwing on the handheld applicator. This connection between the shaft of the straw valve and the associated handheld applicator must be strong enough so that the transfer of energy from engaging the handheld applicator allows the straw valve to be tilted and thus opened. Pistol valves are not designed to be tilted, and are thus not provided with a shaft extension or screw thread section. As a result, straw valve containers cannot be used with equipment designed for pistol valve containers. Pistol valves are designed to be opened by pressing the shaft into the container through a movement along the axis of symmetry of the shaft of the valve.

Due to the various valves that can be used for closing off the containers, the container or tube intended for use with the dosing pistol is usually different from the container intended for manual application, e.g. a handheld applicator. As a result, the supply chain provides for two types of containers with varying designs, one that is designed for use with the dosing pistol, meaning pistol valve containers, and the other for use with the handheld applicator, e.g. straw valve containers. The handheld applicators too are made specially to work with the straw valve. The screw thread connection is not compatible with pistol valves, and the known handheld applicators designed for straw valve containers do not work with a pistol valve container.

The containers for the current invention can contain composition under pressure, that is still very reactive and further react after the composition is applied to its final location, such as in a crack or a substrate surface. Contact of the contents of the container with the skin, ore even more importantly, with the eyes must therefore be avoided. For safety reasons, the container valve and in particular the shaft of the valve must be protected from damage, cracking or contact and displacement with regard to the bowl of the valve. There is thus still a need for a handheld applicator for containers that provide for improved ergonomics compared to conventional manual use, dosing and adjustment options, which are comparable to a dosing pistol, and which can be easily and economically produced as a single composition in a single production step.

Objective of the invention

The current invention has the objective of overcoming or at least limiting the problem described above and/or providing for general improvements. The current invention primarily involves the provision of an improved handheld applicator to allow for safe and easy manual use of relatively compact, small containers.

Description of the invention

This objective is achieved according to the invention with a pressurized container and a handheld applicator that display the technical features of one of the independent claims.

In a first aspect of the invention, which may occur in combination with other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, the invention encompasses an assembly of a pressurized container containing a composition for forming a silicone paste, a polyurethane, PU, foam, sealant of a glue, wherein the container is closed off with a container valve in the form of a pivotable valve with a shaft provided with an external screw thread section, and a handheld applicator for applying the contents present in the pressurized container. The handheld applicator is designed as a pivotable body that can be attached to the shaft of the pivotable valve. The body also has a lever surface for actuation with the tip of a finger and is further provided for opening the container valve, by pressing down the shaft of the container valve into the contents of the container, through a tilting movement with regard to the symmetry axis of the shaft of the valve as a result of the actuation.

The handheld applicator of the current invention offers outstanding ergonomics to the user, and is very easy and intuitive to use for inexperienced end users. A particularly advantageous feature is that the handheld applicator may not only be provided with a lever surface for actuation by the finger or multiple fingers, but also with a grip surface for contact with the other fingers of the hand. With both surfaces integrated into the same applicator, one avoids that the interaction on the applicator putting the connection between the applicator and the container under pressure. This considerably reduces the risk and usually eliminates the handheld applicator inadvertently disengaging from the container during operation and thus the composition being released in an uncontrolled manner in directions possibly hazardous to the user. This adds a considerable extra safety feature.

The handheld applicator offers the additional advantage that it can be produced as a single piece, so complex and expensive assembly steps are eliminated, and thus it can be made available at low costs. The handheld applicator has the additional advantage that it is easy to attach and remove and can also be designed to be reusable. In addition, the handheld applicator can be designed so that the flow of the composition can be adjusted by applying more or less force to the applicator without any adjustment screw. It has also been determined that the outstanding ergonomics of the handheld applicator and the shape of it can offer the user improved directional and dosing capacities that extends the suitability of it over a broader range of applications. The assembly can thus, for example, also be suitable for filling of smaller cracks with PU foam, and allows for the reduction of the amount of excess composition, which is usually applied and then has to be removed later and thus ends as waste. This reduces the amount of extra work required and means greater efficiency regarding use of materials. Embodiments that may occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involve an aforementioned assembly, wherein the body and defines a rotation axis attached according to a transverse direction, perpendicular to a downwards direction and both of these directions also perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. The body is then configured to rotate around the rotation axis of the pressurized container. This rotation axis can extend into or outside of the applicator and can extend through the pressurized container attached to the applicator. The body may be provided with support points that together with one edge of the pressurized container define the rotation axis.

Embodiments that may occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involve an aforementioned assembly in which the container has an internal volume of less than approximately 300 ml, preferably about 250 ml, and more preferably about 200 ml. A particularly advantageous feature is that the handheld applicator is easy to use for smaller containers, meaning containers with a smaller volume or height.

A first embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the lever surface has a surface of at the most 5 cm², preferably consistent with the dimensions of a fingertip.

A second embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the shape of the lever surface is consistent with the shape of a fingertip.

A third embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the lever surface is provided as a surface with at least a partially smooth texture or an at least partially rough texture.

A fourth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the handheld applicator is further provided with an integrated transport tube for pushing through the contents of the container.

A fifth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the length of the transport tube is greater than the length of the pivotable body.

A sixth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the transport tube has a length of at least 5 cm. A seventh embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the transport tube extends in the symmetry axis of the shaft of the valve.

An eighth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the applicator also has a locking element for setting the relative position of the pivotable body against the container. In one embodiment, the locking element extends mainly into a space between the applicator and the container. This mainly conceals the locking element, except for a handle. In addition, the locking element can be designed to be removed by rotation, such as by rotating the locking element around a point near the edge of the container.

A ninth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the locking element is provided as an integral part of the applicator. A tenth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the locking element can be removed from the pivotable body. An eleventh embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the locking element extends between the pivotable body and the container. A twelfth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the locking element is a hook shaped part because it has a hooked part that is hooked over the edge of the container.

In one embodiment, the locking element extends from a detachable strip, with which the locking element can be attached removably to the pivotable body, to a pivoting element with which the locking element attaches so it can be rotated around an edge of the container that defines the pivot point. The locking element also has a handle that is located at a pre-determined distance from the edge of the container, wherein the locking element is designed to be simultaneously removed from the pivotable body and pivoted around the pivot point by a force applied to the handle, such as by a user that applies a pulling force. Because the locking element extends on one side to the container and can be pivoted around the container on the other, a good securing of the relative position of the pivotable body is achieved that can be easily removed before use. A thirteenth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the applicator is made out of nylon, polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene rubber (ABS), or mixtures thereof.

A fourteenth embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned assembly, wherein the container contains a composition suitable for forming a foam, such as a PU foam or water-based foam.

In a second aspect of the invention, which may occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves a method for the production of the handheld applicator as part of the assembly according to the current invention including a step of injection molding, preferably only one single step of injection molding. The production process according to the current invention is simple and fast, and can produce the handheld applicator for a low cost price.

A first embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned method, wherein a die is used for the forming of the handheld applicator that has at least four sections, which can move relative to each other, preferably vertically on and/or equidistant from each other, for closing and opening the die, preferably only four parts.

A second embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned method, wherein the die has one or two injection cores for the forming of at least one opening internally on the handheld applicator.

A third embodiment, which can occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, involves an aforementioned method, further involving the step of assembly of the applicator with a container.

In a third embodiment of the invention, which may occur in combination with the other aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein, the invention involves the use of the aforementioned assembly for the manual application of the composition from the pressurized container.

Summary description of the figures The invention will be described in detail below using the design example shown in the drawing.

Figure 1 Shows a simplified presentation of the handheld applicator according to one embodiment of the current invention. Figure 1 A shows the handheld applicator in a first perspective and figure IB shows the handheld applicator in a second perspective. Figure 1C shows a side view, figure ID shows a bottom view and figure IE shows a top view of the same applicator.

Figures 2 show a cross section through the handheld applicator shown in figure 1. Figure 2A shows a cross section according to the IIA line in figure 1C, and figure 2B shows a detail of the cross section according to the section IIB in figure 2A; and

Figures 3 show an assembly of the handheld applicator shown in figure 1 and a pressurized container. Figures 3A and 3B show side views of the same assembly. Figure 3C shows a cross section according to the IIIC line in figure 3B and figure 3D shows a detail of the cross section according to the section IIID in figure 3C.

Detailed description of the figures

The current invention will be described with regard to certain embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited to these and is only determined by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of certain elements are exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions are not necessarily consistent with actual practical embodiments of the invention.

In addition, terms such as “first, “second, “third” and the like in the descriptions and in the claims are used to differentiate between comparable elements are not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under suitable circumstances and the embodiments of the invention may be applied in sequences other than those described or illustrated here.

In addition, the terms, “top”, “bottom”, “over”, “under” and the like in the description and in the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to indicate relative positions. The used terms are interchangeable under suitable circumstances and the embodiments of the invention may be applied in orientation other than those described or illustrated here.

Furthermore, the various embodiments, even though called “preferential types”, are to be understood as a manner of example according to which the invention can be implemented, and not as a limitation to the range of the invention.

The term “comprising” used in the claims must not be interpreted as being limited to the elements or steps listed after them, as the term does not rule out other elements or steps. The term should be interpreted as specifying for the presence of the named features, elements, steps or components being referred to, but does not rule out the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps or components of groups thereof. The range of the expression “a design comprising elements A and B” thus does not have to be limited to designs that only consist of components A and B. The meaning is that, with regard to the current invention, only the components A and B of the design are summed up, and the claim must be further interpreted to mean that they also contain equivalent of these components.

The systems shown in the figures are handheld applicators or elements for this for the manual operation of a pressurized container containing a composition. The containers under pressure are generally designed as cylinders. The bottom is usually closed off by a concave base plate that is flanged onto the cylinder. The top of the cylinder is usually closed off by flanging a convex top plate onto the cylinder, containing a central opening through which the container can be filled with its contents. This opening is usually closed off with a valve, through which the contents of the container can be released using the pressure built up in the container. This container valve is usually flanged onto the top of the container. This flange connection of the valve is formed by crimping the container valve to the top of the container, through which usually the container is simultaneously closed after filling.

At room temperature, the pressure within a filled and ready-to-use container is typically 5 bars of positive pressure. The containers are usually in a state to remain intact until a positive pressure of 18 bars is reached, and are designed not to burst open until a positive pressure under 21.6 bar. The valve is usually designed to withstand positive pressure of at least 22 bar. Other containers exist, which are only capable of remaining intact to a positive pressure of 12 or 15 bars. The container valve usually consists of a valve cup, meaning a round metal cup that is flanged around its circumference or “crimped” to the central fill opening of the container, possibly with the addition of a rubber seal, usually an O-ring to prevent leaking of the contents via this valve flange.

In the conventional valve design, the valve cup supports a central rubber seal, gasket or “grommet” through which a usually plastic shaft of the valve is inserted. The shaft is usually rigid and has a central pipe that transfers to a blind flange sideways just before the shaft ends on its bottom end, opening into one or more, usually four, side openings. At rest the rubber grommet pulls the blind flange against the bottom of the grommet and seals the openings. The valve is designed to be opened by pressing the shaft against the grommet or cup, wherein usually the grommet is elastically deformed and wherein at least one of the side openings in the shaft of the valve becomes available for the content of the container.

Because the rubber of the grommet of the conventional valve, in particular when carbon powder is used as a filler in the rubber, allows for diffusion of water that can then react with certain compositions in the container to form a sticky solid material, the conventional valve has the disadvantage that the shaft of the valve can become clogged over time, or if the container is left in a horizontal position for some time. This may happen if the container is lying on its side for a period of only 3 to 6 weeks. Another disadvantage is that the rubber of the seal also makes diffusion of the propellant gases outside of the container possible, such that the container loses most or all of its pressure after some time. For these reasons, other types of valve have been developed that contain no rubber grommet as described for the conventional valve. These types of container valves can also be called “solid” valves, and suitable variants of these are described, for example, in WO 2009/004097, US 5,014,887, WO 03/062092, or the United States patents 5215225, 5549226 and 6058960. These valves do not have a rubber seal, or only a rubber seal on the outside of the valve that does not come into contact with the contents of the container. These “solid” valves can thus be characterized by the fact that the materials of the valve components that come into contact with the contents of the reservoir are nearly impermeable for water and/or propellant gases. The valves may be provided with one or even more than one metal spring, being a spiral spring or a leaf spring or a combination thereof. The spring or springs can be provided and adjusted so that the valve can be opened more easily than a conventional valve, and thus offers additional improved ergonomics to the user, as well as an improved dose adjustment ability. The springs also provide for a more rapid closure of the valve compared to a conventional valve. A valve with an internal spiral spring is described, for example, in US 5.014.887. Valves with external spiral springs can be found as a part of the MIKAVent PU-RF family of valves, available from Mikropakk. Valves with a leaf spring can be found in US 6058960, WO 03/062092 and WO 2009/004097.

Just like conventional valves, these “solid” valves usually also have a valve cup and a shaft. The valve cup of such valves may still be sensitive to deformation under the internal pressure within the container. These valves are usually provided with at least one seal section on the outside of the shaft of the valve, suitable for forming a seal, when brought into contact with a pistol adapter, a dosing pistol or a handheld applicator. These seal sections can be made of slats f or improving the seal function, and these slats can be attached at suitable locations on the outside of the valve. Examples of these types of slat are described in US 5014887, US 6058960 and in WO 2009/004097.

Figures 1A-1E show various depictions of a preferred embodiment of the handheld applicator 1 according to the current invention. Figures 1A and IB show the handheld applicator 1 in a perspective view. The handheld applicator 1 is intended to click onto the top of a conventional container (not shown) to form an assembly. The applicator consists of a body 10 provided to be attached to pivot to a container 2 with a pivotable valve. In particular, the body can have one or more support points 11 to allow for the lever action against the container.

The body 10 is also provided with a lever surface 12 for contact with a finger, such as the index finger, such that the finger, through activating the lever surface 12, can tilt the body 10 against the symmetry axis of a shaft of the pivotable valve of the container attached. Through this the shaft of the container valve is pressed into the contents of the container and the contents can be applied via the transport tube 20 of the handheld applicator 1. In addition, the body 10 may be provided with a gripping surface 15 for contact with one or more fingers, such that, in the interaction with the fingers of the hand, one has a secure grip on the applicator.

Also shown in figures 2 A and 2B is a transport tube 20 integrated into the body 10 of the applicator and provided with an internal screw thread 21 for connecting the transport tube 20 to the shaft of the pivotable valve of the container.

Also shown is a locking element 30 provided to be removed, and in this embodiment it can only be used once. The locking element can be broken off from the body 10 using tear-away elements formed by a slot 13 in the lever surface 12 and a tear- away strip 31 provided on the end of the locking element 30. On the other end of the locking element 30 there is a grip 33 provided so that the user can use one or more fingers to tear off the locking element by pulling on the handle 33. Between the ends there is a plate-shaped, L-shaped element 34 with a hooked section 32 on the outside corner of the L- shape.

The locking element 30 is shaped so that when the handheld applicator 1 is attached to the container 2, the hooked section 32 hooks over the edge of the container 33 at a preset distance from the edge of the container. When a user pulls on the handle 33, the locking element will release from the body 10 and be pivoted around a hinge point determined by the hooked section 32. Through this, the plate-shaped element between the hooked section 32 and the grip 33 will be moved up into an opening 14 on the front of the body 10. Then the user can manipulate the handle 33 to unhook the hooked section 32 and remove the locking element 30 from the space between the handheld applicator 1 and the container 2.

In addition, shown in figures 3A to 3D is an assembly of the handheld applicator 1 attached to the top of a container 2. The internal screw thread section 21 of the handheld applicator 1 is screwed onto the external screw thread section 5 of the container valve 4. Through this, the handheld applicator 1 surrounds a top part, including the valve 4 of the container 2. In this state, the handheld applicator 1 extends out to support points 11A (not shown) and support points 1 IB near a (flanged) edge 3 of the container 2.

If the locking element 30 is still present, this also extends out to the edge 3 so that the hooked section 32 hooks over the edge of the container. This will hinder use of the handheld applicator 1 when the locking element 30 is present. Because the grip 33 is located at a pre-set distance from the edge of the container, a grip opening 35 is formed between a wall of the container 2 that allows a user to use the grip 33 and remove the locking element 30.

After removing the locking element 30 it is possible to pivot the handheld applicator 1 by applying downward force on the lever surface 12. Through this, the screwed valve 4 on the handheld applicator 1 will pivot and let the composition in the container 2 flow through the transport tube 20 to be able to apply it, such as during filling of cavities, cracks or seams, adhering materials, sealing, insulating, making things airtight or mounting objects. List of Reference Numbers

1. Handheld applicator

2. Container

3. Edge of the container

4. Pivotable valve

5. External screw thread section of the valve

6. Assembly

10. Pivotable body

11. Support points

12. Lever surface

13. Groove

14. Opening

15. Grip surface

20. Transport tube

21. Internal screw thread section of the transport tube

30. Locking element

31. Tear-away strip

32. Hooked section

33. Grip

34. L-shaped plate

35. Grip opening

Claims

1. Assembly of a pressurized container (2) containing a composition for forming a seal or construction medium, such as a silicone past, a polyurethane, PU, foam, a waterbased foam, an adhesive foam or a 1 or 2 component glue, the container being closed with a container valve (3) in the form of a pivotable valve with a shaft provided with an external screw thread section, and a handheld applicator (1) for the application of the composition present in the pressurized container (2), characterized in, that the handheld applicator (1) is formed by a pivotable body (10) for attachment to the shaft of the pivotable valve, said body (10) further having a lever surface (5) for actuation with the tip of a finger and is further provided for opening the container valve, by pressing down the shaft of the container valve into the contents of the container, through a tilting movement with regard to the symmetry axis of the shaft of the valve as a result of the actuation.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body (10) defines a rotational axis attached according to a transverse direction (B), perpendicular to a downward direction (D) and both of these directions (B, D) are also perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (L), and wherein the body (10) is configured to rotate around the rotation axis of the pressurized container (2).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the rotational axis extends through the pressurized container (2).

4. Assembly according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the body (10) is provided with support points (11) that together with one edge of the pressurized container (2) define the rotation axis.

5. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the lever surface (12) has a surface of at the most 5 cm², preferably consistent with the size of a fingertip.

6. Assembly according to claim 4, wherein the shape of the lever surface (12) is consistent with the shape of a fingertip.

7. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the lever surface (12) has a surface with at least one partially smooth texture or a partially rough texture.

8. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the handheld applicator is also provided with an integrated transport tube (20) for propulsion of the contents of the container.

9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein the length of the transport tube (20) is greater than the length of the pivotable body (10).

10. Assembly according to claims 8 or 9, wherein the transport tube (20) has a length of at least 5 cm.

11. Assembly according to one of the previous claims 8-10, wherein the transport tube (21) extends into the symmetry axis direction of the shaft of the valve.

12. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the applicator also has a locking element (30) for setting the relative position of the pivotable body (10) against the container (2).

13. Assembly according to claim 12, wherein the locking element (30) is provided as an integral part of the applicator (1).

14. Assembly according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the locking element (30) can be broken off from the pivotable body (10).

15. Assembly according to one of the previous claims 12-14, wherein the locking element extends from the pivotable body (10) to the container (2). 18

16. Assembly according to one of the previous claims 12-15, wherein the locking element (30) has a hooked section (32) because it is hooked over the edge of the container (2).

17. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the applicator is made of nylon, polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene rubber (ABS) or combinations thereof.

18. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the container has an assembly suitable for forming a PU foam.

19. Assembly according to one of the previous claims, wherein the container has an internal volume of less than approximately 300 ml, preferably about 250 ml, even more preferred is about 200 ml.

20. Method for the production of a handheld applicator as part of the assembly according to one of the previous claims that has an injection molding step, preferably one single injection molding step.

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein a die is used for the forming of the handheld applicator that has at least four sections, which can move relative to each other, preferably vertically on and/or equidistant from each other, for closing and opening the die, preferably only four parts.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein the die also has one or two injection cores for forming at least one opening internal to the handheld applicator.

23. Method according to one of the claims 20-22, which also has a step for assembling the applicator and container. 19

24. Use of the assembly according to one of the claims 1-18 for the manual application of the composition in the pressurized container, such as in the filling of cavities, cracks or seams, adhesion of materials, sealing, insulating, making airtight or mounting objects.