FR2926231A1 - LIQUID APPLICATOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

This liquid applicator comprises a main body (2) provided with an applicator tip (4). The main body (2) comprises a deformable member (13) for supplying liquid to the nozzle (4), capable of passing from a rest configuration in which it prevents the liquid supply of the nozzle to a active configuration in which it allows the liquid supply of the nozzle and in that the body (2) further comprises a member (22) for adjusting the flow of liquid in the deformable feed member (13) when it is in active configuration.

Description

LIQUID APPLICATOR

The invention relates to a liquid applicator. By liquid is meant a liquid having a viscosity equal to or close to that of water and a liquid of a viscosity different from that of water, in particular a liquid having a much higher viscosity such that, for example, for example, a liquid glue. Such an adhesive makes it possible, for example, to assemble different pieces of leather in leather goods. For this, it is appropriate to apply, regularly and controlled, a bead of glue, continuous or discontinuous, on at least one of the parts. To carry out this operation, it is known to use either a handbag provided with a nozzle or an airbrush gun applicator with a suitable nozzle. Also known from FR-A-2 820 994 is an applicator for applying liquid glue, which comprises a main body with a reservoir portion and a fiber-based applicator tip. The reservoir portion is a pressurized cartridge. The tip is equipped with a stop plate allowing, in one position, to prohibit the liquid outlet of the cartridge, while allowing, via an orifice, the passage of the liquid to the tip. EP-A-700 730 discloses a liquid applicator, in particular an adhesive applicator, comprising a conical tip. This tip is closed by a needle forming the end of a movable part in translation in the body of the applicator. This piece is hollow and connected to a reserve of liquid.

Openings at the base of the needle allow the liquid to exit to the free end of the nozzle, when the device is in the open position. The open position is reached by moving, within the body, the piece provided with the needle under the action of compressed air. The retraction stroke of the needle is adjustable by a wheel device associated with a lock nut and a spring. Such a device makes it possible to regulate the arrival of the liquid at the tip, but it is of relatively complex design and maintenance since it requires the implementation of a compressed air circuit.

These devices do not allow a simple control of the passage of the liquid to the tip, nor a control of the flow of the liquid at the tip to achieve a bead of liquid, regular and homogeneous, when the application of the liquid on the part.

It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a liquid applicator, simple, easy to produce, to maintain and allowing a precise adjustment of the flow rate of liquid.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a liquid applicator comprising a main body, provided with an applicator tip, characterized in that said main body comprises a deformable liquid supply member of the nozzle adapted to passing from a rest configuration in which it prevents the liquid supply of the nozzle to an active configuration in which it allows the liquid supply of the nozzle and in that the body further comprises an organ adjusting the liquid flow in the deformable supply member when it is in active configuration.

With a clean feed member to pass, by deformation, a power configuration to a closed configuration, this with an adjustable flow rate, a simple, easy-to-use and no-source applicator is made. external energy to work.

According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, the applicator can incorporate one or more of the following characteristics: the deformable liquid supply member is a flexible tube disposed in the body of the applicator in one direction; parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. - The body is provided with a gripping member provided with an orifice allowing the passage of the deformable feed member and pivotally mounted around a shaft perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. - The gripping member is configured in U, one of the branches being adapted to locally crush the flexible pipe in a first position corresponding to the rest configuration of the deformable feed member. - The adjusting member comprises a screw wheel movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

- The wheel is kinematically linked to a piston adapted to bear against a deformable part in which passes the deformable member 5 supply. - The piston is able to bear against the deformable part and deform such that this deformable part itself deforms the deformable feed member in a direction of decreasing the internal diameter thereof by crushing device .

10 - The tip is removably mounted on the body.

- The gripping member is equipped with a locking means in the active position of the deformable feed member.

-The gripping member is a U-shaped handle with unequal branches connected by a bottom provided with an orifice allowing the passage of the deformable feed member. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment of an applicator according to the invention, given solely by way of example. and made with reference to the accompanying drawings

In which: - Figure 1 is a general perspective view of an applicator according to the invention, a liquid reservoir being schematically shown connected to the applicator; - Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the applicator according to II-II line in Figure 1 and - Figure 3 is an enlarged view of detail III in Figure 2. The applicator 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an elongated main body 2. This main body 2 is hollow and provided at one end 2A, in

The example on the left of Figures 1 and 2, a connecting member 3 on which is fitted a nozzle 4. This nozzle 4 is equipped with a liquid application member 5. In this case, the member 5 is composed of fibers bundled around a central channel 6 for discharging the liquid.

In other embodiments, the applicator member 5 may be a hollow needle or a nozzle. It can also be made of synthetic foam.

The connecting member 3 is immobilized on the body 2 by means of a screw 300. This member 3 is thus removably mounted on the body 2. The tip 4 is removably attached to the body 2, by means of of a device known per se. It is for example, a connection by clipping between an annular groove in the member 3 and an annular relief of complementary shape located on the tip 4. A seal 7 seals the connection between the 4 and the member 3. Similarly, the applicator member 5 can be arranged on the tip 4 removably, for example by a clipping system 8 as shown in Figure 2.

At its end 2B opposite the end 2A, the main body 2 is equipped with a connecting member 10 to a liquid inlet pipe 11.

The connecting member 10 is a connection known per se of the compressed air connection type. Alternatively, it may be another type of connection type firefighter, a screw device or a conical fitting member.

The pipe 11, schematically shown in phantom in FIG. 1, makes it possible to connect the applicator 1 to a reservoir 12 of liquid. This reservoir 12 is advantageously a pressure tank. A pressure of approximately 1 bar supplies the applicator 1 with liquid, whether the liquid has a viscosity close to that of water or greater than that of water. In this case, tests were carried out with liquid glue with a viscosity of between 300 mPa.s and 550 mPa.s at room temperature.

The main body 2 of the applicator comprises a deformable member 13 for supplying liquid to the member 5. This member 13 is disposed longitudinally in the body 2, in the central position. It is of sufficient length to connect the ends 2A and 2B of the body 2. This supply member 13 is a flexible pipe arranged in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis AA 'of the body 2. This flexible pipe 13 is made of an inert material resistant to different liquids, for example silicone.

The pipe 13 is held in an internal volume of the main body 2 so as to be always straight. For this, its ends 130, 131 are fixed on teats 14, 15 formed respectively on the member 3 and on a part 9 forming the end 2B. Over part of its length, the pipe 13 receives an inner tube 13 'rigid. This improves the maintaining in rectilinear position of the pipe 13 in its downstream part close to the member 3.

Thus, the liquid can flow through the body 2, between an inlet at the connection 10 and an outlet at the member 3.

In the middle part, the main body 2 is provided with a gripping member 16. This member is a handle 16 which allows, on the one hand, the manipulation of the applicator and, on the other hand, controls the supply of 4. Thus, the handle 16 controls the passage of a so-called rest configuration of the pipe 13 in which it prevents the liquid supply of the tip 4 to a so-called active configuration in which it allows the supply of liquid to the nozzle 4. For this, the handle 16 is adapted to, in the rest position shown in Figure 2, pinch the pipe 13 to prevent any liquid flow in the pipe 13, which corresponds to the rest configuration of the pipe 13. The handle 16 is in the form of a flattened and elongated tab. It is pivotally mounted about a shaft 17 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A 'of the body 2. The handle 16 is generally configured U-shaped branches 161, 163 unequal connected by a bottom 162. The handle 16 is monobloc. The branch 161 of greater length is located outside the body 2 and is oriented parallel to the axis A-A '.

A return member 18, in this case a coil spring, located between the main body 2 and the lower face 160 of the branch 161, oriented towards the body 2, remembers the handle 16 in the rest position.

The branch 161 forms the portion of the handle 16 which is operated by a user. The handle 16 also comprises a branch or lug 162, perpendicular to the branch 161 and connected thereto in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 17. This lug 162 extends between the outside and the inside of the main body 2 The tab 162 is provided with an orifice 19 allowing the free passage of the pipe 13. It constitutes the bottom of the U formed by the handle 16.

The portion of the handle 16 located under the pipe 13 and connected to the lug 162 forms the third branch 163 of the handle 16. This branch 163 is located in the body 2 and extends from the branch 162, in the direction This branch 163 is inclined, so that its free end 164 is oriented in the direction of the branch 161. The inclination of the branch 163 is such that, in the rest position, the end 164 plate the pipe 13 against an inner wall 21 of the main body 2, at a deformable zone of the pipe 13 in which is not inserted the rigid tube 13 '. Thus, a crushing or pinching sufficient to prevent the flow of liquid in the pipe 13. This corresponds to a so-called rest position of the handle 16 where the branch 163 crushes the pipe 13 sufficiently to prohibit the liquid supply of the liquid. 4. Thus, when the applicator 1 is not used, the handle 16 is in the rest position and the end 164 of the branch 163 prevents any flow of liquid in the body 2, towards the endpiece 4.

When the handle 16 is pressed, the branch 161 pivots towards the main body 2, in the direction of the arrow FI in FIG. 2, and the branch 162 moves radially outwards of the body 2, in the direction arrow F2. The dimensions of the orifice 19 are such that during this movement, the edges of the orifice 19 are not in contact with the pipe 13. There is therefore no deformation of the pipe 13 at the level of the orifice 19. During this movement, the end 164 of the branch 163 moves towards the outside of the main body 2 in the direction of the arrow F3, that is to say in a direction generally parallel to the FI direction of movement of the branch 161. Thus departs the free end 164 of the pipe 13. The latter is no longer pinched and, because of its natural elasticity, found its nominal internal diameter. The flow of liquid through the pipe 13 is again possible. There can therefore be liquid supply of the nozzle 4.

The pipe 13 is in an active configuration and the handle 16 is then in an active position.

Thus, when a user wishes to apply a liquid on a surface, it presses in the direction of the arrow FI on the branch 161, the end 164 then deviates from the pipe 13 and the liquid can flow into the body 2 .

The handle 16 therefore allows an all-or-nothing type of operation.

It does not make it possible to regulate the flow of the liquid flowing in the pipe 13.

For this, between the gripping member 16 and the connector 10, the main body 2 is equipped at its end 2B, a member 22 for adjusting the flow of liquid in the pipe 13. This member 22 of adjustment , shown alone in FIG. 3, comprises a toothed wheel 23 that can be screwed around a threaded portion 24 formed on the outer periphery of the part 9 forming the end 2B of the main body 2. During a movement screwing, oriented towards the tip 4, in the direction of the arrow F4 in Figure 3, the wheel 23 pushes a plate 25 provided with a central through hole 26. The pipe 13 passes through the orifice 26, without touch the edges of the latter.

During its displacement the plate 25 pushes a piston 27 coaxial with the pipe 13, the latter passing through the piston 27. Thus a kinematic connection is made between the wheel 23 and the piston 27 via the plate 25. This piston 27 supports on a deformable member 28, also provided with a central through hole 280 in which the pipe 13 passes. This deformable member or ring 28 is, for example made of rubber or another elastomer. The deformable ring 28 is housed in a support 29 of complementary shape to that of the ring 28. The support 29 is embedded in the body 2, at an internal shoulder 30 of the body 2. Thus the support 29 is immobilized and the deformable ring 28 that it receives can not move in translation. The support 29 and the shoulder 30 provide a central passage for the pipe 13.

When the piston 27 pushes on the deformable ring 28, under the action of the plate 25, the ring 28 can not move in translation along the pipe it surrounds. Due to the nature of the constituent material of the ring 28, it undergoes a centripetal radial deformation, regularly distributed over the entire ring 28. This deformation has the effect of reducing the internal diameter of the ring 28 and therefore of tighten by a peripheral crushing, homogeneous, the pipe 13 during its passage in the ring 28. The deformation is not sufficient, however, to induce such a collapse of the pipe 13 that there is no longer liquid flow. In other words, there is no stop of the liquid supply of the tip 4 by the action of the wheel 23. Such action is performed only by the handle 16. Screwing more or less the knob 23, precisely, since the step is defined and measurable, more or less deforms the ring 28. In other words, it decreases more or less the inner diameter of the pipe 13. The latter allows and a more or less significant flow of liquid to enter the body 2 of the applicator. The liquid supply is always at the same pressure. Maintaining the internal diameter of the pipe 13 being formed by the deformable member 28, a homogeneous and regular liquid supply is produced, which may range from a few milliliters per minute to several tens of milliliters per minute.

The applicator 1 has shown that it is possible to perform a drip feed of the tip 4 with liquids of different viscosities, at room temperature.

The main body 2 of the applicator may also be equipped with a locking device, in the active position, of the handle 16. Such a position allows the user to have a more precise guidance of the applicator since no longer has to exert a constant pressure on the branch 161 to provide a liquid supply. The handle 16 is thus maintained in the active position, for example by a latch type device.

The applicator 1 is made of plastic material. Alternatively, it can be metal. The tip 4 and the part 9 equipped with the wheel 23 are advantageously removable. Thus it is easy to change the different parts, such as for example the pipe 13, for maintenance operations. Similarly, this applicator 1 is easy to clean and / or sterilize, all the parts being removable.

Such a device, purely mechanical, is easy to maintain, reliable, lightweight, and finds application in the industrial field where we apply adhesives, such as leather goods, than in other sectors where it is necessary to regularly and accurately deposit a bead of liquid on a surface.

Claims (10)

Liquid applicator comprising a main body (2), provided with a nozzle (4) for application, characterized in that said main body (2) comprises a deformable member (13) for supplying liquid to the end piece (4) adapted to pass from a rest configuration in which it prevents the liquid supply of the end piece (4) to an active configuration in which it allows the supply of liquid to the end piece (4) and in that the body (2) further comprises a member (22) for adjusting the flow of liquid in the deformable member (13) supply when it is in active configuration. 2. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid supply member is a flexible pipe (13) disposed in the body (2) of the applicator in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (A- A ') of the body (2). 3. Applicator according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (2) is provided with a gripping member (16) provided with an orifice (19) allowing the passage of the deformable member (13) for feeding and pivotably mounted about a shaft (17) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A ') of the body (2). 4. Applicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the gripping member (16) is U-shaped, one of the branches (163) being adapted to locally crush the flexible pipe (13) in a first position corresponding to the configuration resting of the deformable feed member (13). 5. An applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting member (22) comprises a screw wheel (23) movable in a direction (F4) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A ') of the body ( 2). 6. Applicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the wheel (23) is kinematically connected to a piston (27) adapted to bear against a deformable part (28) in which the deformable feed member (13) passes. ). 7. Applicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the piston (27) is adapted to bear against the deformable part (28) and to deform such that this deformable part (28) itself deforms the deformable supply member (13), in a direction of decrease of the internal diameter thereof by peripheral crushing. 8. Applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tip (4) is removably mounted on the body (2). 9. Applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping member (16) is equipped with a locking means in the active position of the deformable supply member. 10. Applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the gripping member is a handle (16) configured in U with branches (161, 163) unequal connected by a bottom (162) provided with a hole (19) allowing the passage of the deformable member (13) for feeding.