US3748049A

US3748049A - Liquid applicator device

Info

Publication number: US3748049A
Application number: US00134767A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Knupfer; H Brinkmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-04-16
Filing date: 1971-04-16
Publication date: 1973-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-24

Abstract

A device for the application of liquids, particularly high viscosity substances, such as glue and the like, comprises a layon member which is inflatable and which is connected to a filling and discharge line for causing the inflation. The device may be used to fill cracks or grooves by placing the lay-on member in the groove or crack and then inflating it. The lay-on member may also include an inner core within the envelope defining a space between the lay-on member and the core for containing the medium to be applied and which will issue from the pores of the member after the lay-on member is inflated.

Description

. l l United States Patent 1 1 11 11 3,748,049 Knupier et al. July 24, 1973 LIQUID APPLICATOR DEVICE 3,111,796 11/1963 Meissnor 118/506 x [76] Inventors: Siegfried Knupier, Bernhauser FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Sims Neuhausen; 18,712 3/1928 Netherlands.. 101/41 Hermann Brinkmann, I 'm Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Neuhausen both of Germany Attorney-John J. McGlew and Alfred E. Page [22] Filed: Apr. 16, 1971 I 21 Appl. No.: 134,767 [571 ABSTRACT A device for the application of liquids, particularly high 4 v viscosity substances, such as glue and the like, com- 401/90151 prises a lay on member which is inflatable and which is I u I o a I I a u I a o a u I 6 a I a I I I I u I 6 n 6 n I u I 6 I a c n n 6 c I [58] Field of Search 401/9; 118/214, 215,

118/254 205 117/9 l0l/4l 138/97 1nflat1on. The devlce may be used to fill cracks or grooves by placing the lay-on member in the groove or crack and then inflating it. The lay-on member may [56] References cued also include an inner core within the envelope defining UNITED STATES PATENTS a space between the lay-on member and the core for 2,810,145 10/1957 Forrow 401/9 containing the medium to be applied and which will 3,607,361 9/ 1971 Eight 117/95 issue from the pores of the member after the lay-on 3,269,421 8/1966 Telford 138/97 member is inflatm 3,335,700 8/1967 Di Grado et al.... 118/215 3,301,736 1/1967 Smith 118/506 14 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENIELJULPMQIS SHEET 2 UP 4 INVENTORS $56 62mm (JP/=22 PAIENHLJL'LQMQH 74 049 SHEEI 3 0F 4 obbofiomiq OO O OO 9 OO looooooooo 'ooooooooo vIQQQQ 029. Hg 77 F000 1000 I LQQQQJ l LIQUID APPLICATOR DEVICE SUMMARY'OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the construction of liquid applicators and in particular to a new and useful applicator particularly for very viscous substances such as glue which includes an inflatable lay-on member mounted on a connection for the inflation medium and/or the medium to be applied.

The invention relates particularly to a device for the application of liquids, in particular high viscosity substances, such as glue and the like on workpiece area, preferably grooves, slots, bores and the like. In the known devices serving for the wetting of workpiece surfaces it is regarded as a disadvantage that they are often not very useful or not usable at all for applying the substance in question to .inaccessible areas, especially at recessed locations. In the case of blind bores, for example, it is often not possible to spread glue, paint or the like on the entire inner surface. This results in the reduced holding force of a part to be secured by glueing or an imperfect surface protection. In many cases, while the entire area in an inaccessible location is provided with thesubstance to be applied, much of the applied substance is carried away again as the wetting device is removed, since during introduction as well as extraction from the gap or bore to be wetted,

the applicator remains in constant contact with the surfaces thereof. v,

The present invention avoids the disadvantages of the known designs. In particular the applicator is to be suitable for wetting or painting poorly accessible areas, in particular bores, grooves and the like. Moreover, it is formed so that in spite of movements back and forth or in and out on one and the same path, that is, for example,"when used in connection with a machine, it does not strip off the substance applied in one direction of movement during movement in the opposite direction.

The invention is characterized by an elastic, pneuma'tically or hydraulically inflatable lay-on member connected with a filling and discharge line. This device is Wflted on its outside in the usual manner, for example, by immersion into a vessel containing the substance to be applied, then it is introduced, in the slack state, into a slot, gap or bore, then put under pressure and brought in contact with the surface to be wetted. It then transfers a part of the substance adhering to it.

The device can then be pulled out of the slotor bore either in the slackened or inflated state as needed. A

' partial movement in the inflated state and the remaining movement in a slackened state may be desired in some cases. When wetting or painting external free (exposed) areas by means of an applicator which is moved past the area, the return movement with the device slackened can take place on exactly the same path without danger of wiping the substanceaway again. The'device according to the invention is therefore suitable not only for so-called different areas, but for any normal area as well.

In a preferred form of embodiment of the invention, the filling and discharge line is connected with a rigid core portion, penetrating into the lay-on member, sealingly connected with the latter, and provided at least at its penetrating portion with at least one flow channel for the hydraulic or pneumatic mediumentering at the surface thereof and connected to the filling and discahrge line. Said core portion prolongs in a way, by

means of its flow channel or channels, the filling and discharge line into the lay-on member. Moreover, in particular when the'lay-on member is slightly inflated, it can serve as a supporting area for the transversely applied lay-on member. It is further particularly advantageous that at least one channel leads out at the end of the core portion penetrating farthest into the lay-on member. It is thus insured that, when the cavity formed by the lay-on member as the lay-on member is being sucked empty, the lower lying part of the filling space also can be sucked empty despite the resting of the layon member against the portions of the interior core. As the device is being evacuated, the lay-on member places itself before the mouth openings of the core portion, thereby sealing them; so that further suctioning off of the pressure medium is no longer possible. For this reason provision must be made that inany desired position of the device at least one internal mouth opening remainsfree until the filling space has been completely evacuated. It is therefore expedient to provide such outlet bores at several points of the core portion, which either all open into a channel or communicate with the filling and discharge line over different channels. In particular, the arrangement of such mouth openings at the upper and lower end of the core portion ,is important. Mouth openings may also be located in the center of the core portion.

The core'portion is preferably designed as a sword or bag like member or it may be designed as a pin, cylinder, cone or the like. The form to be selected depends on the purpose and type of areas for which the device is to be preferably used. In'further development of the invention, the lay-on member is designed in the form of a pot or pocket and is providedat its outlet edgewith a circling bead acting as annular seal. The cross-section form .of the lay-on member will advantageously be adapted to the core portion, but it is not absolutely necessary-to take the same cross-section form for both parts. I

A simplification and eduction of cost of the device can be achieved in further development of the invention in that the filling line is designed at thesame time as a discharge line, alsothe aeration valvefcan still serve its basic function. As thejpressures are relatively low, a simple valve screw is sufficient here,.which may be equipped with a knurled head for manual operation or it may be hexagonal or the like for operation with a tool. i

According to a further feature of the invention, the lay-on member is made of rubber or similar highly elastic material, in particular plastic. On its outer face there are warts, nubs or the like. These serve, on the one hand, to enlarge the surface and, on the other, to form depressions by means of which greater wetting of the lay-on'member is possible. In another very appropriate form of construction the lay-on member is provided at its outer face with raised, parallel and/or crossing web s. The purpose of this design is in principle the'same'as in the aforementioned embodiment.

According to another feature of the invention, th device comprises a handle carrying the filling and/or discharge line as well as the aeration and deaeration valve, which handle is provided furthermore with a pneumatic filling and evacuating pump. The shank of the handle may be used, for example, as cylinder for a piston pump which may bedesigned as a pressure'and- /or vacuum pump.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the outer face of the lay-on member is covered, at least partially, with absorbent foam material. The latter is of advantage, in particular, when the utensil is used in connection with a substance of lower viscosity. A sponge type foam material, in fact, can retain more liquid than for example a merely roughened surface.

For reasons of safety it is very expedient also that the cavity formed by the core portion and the inner face of the lay-on member is connectable by means of a relief valve with the outer air, so that harmful excess pressure can be kept away from the lay-on member. For this purpose, an annular packing bead on the lay-on member is sealingly retained, not at its entire circumference, but only at the greater part thereof. While the remaining retained packing part also rests sealingly against a counterface, it is not pressed against it. As soon as the pressure in the interior reaches a certain maximum value, it lifts this packing off the contiguous face and permits issuance of the pressure medium for the duration of the overpressure. It is clear that such relief valves are suitable primarily for compressed air-fed devices.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for applying a viscous liquid such as glue and which includes an elastic inflatable lay-on member and a fitting connected to the lay-on member and inflating and discharging the lay-on member.

A further object of the invention is to provide an applicator particularly for glue which includes at least one elastic bag like member and a handle part forming an inlet and outletfor the inflatable medium and which advantageously also includes an inlet for the medium to be applied, and wherein the lay-on applicator comprises. either one or two bag elements and with the space between the bag elements filled with the medium to be applied and the inner space inflated to apply pressure to forcethe medium to be applied through the pores of the outer bag like element. l v A further object of the invention is to provide a method of applying a material such as glue to an inexcessible area such as a groove or recess comprising positioning a bag like applicator into the groove or recess in a relaxed condition, inflating the applicator to cause itto move into association with the walls bounding the groove or recess to apply the medium to be applied by pressure contact, thereafter deflating the applicator at jleast partially to remove it from the surface of the walls bounding the groove and removing it from the groove.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for applying a viscous liquid such as glue and the like which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partly broken away of a glue applicator constructed in accordance with the FIG. 5 is a section through a groove with the applicator positioned in the groove and in operating position;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are views similar to FIG. 5 showing various positions of an applicator in respect to parts which require the application of a liquid thereto;

FIGS. 9, ll, 13 and 15 show partial side elevational views of an applicator bag;and

FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17 show corresponding sectional views of applicators indicated in respective FIGS. 9, ll, 13 and 15;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the invention; and 7 FIG. 19 is a section takenalong the line XIXXIX.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an applicator device which includes a lay-on member or a bag applicator generally designated 1 having a core portion 3 which is located within the lay-on member 1 and is spaced inwardly from the interior walls thereof. The lay-on member 1 is mounted on a combination inflation medium inlet and discharge connection-and-handle or guide generally designated 5 having an opening 5a for the inlet or outlet of an inflation'medium such,as air, and containing a deaeration valve 6 with a threadable adjustment valve portion 6a. The handle 5 may advantageously be engaged by an operators hand and manipulated by an operator. An inflation fluid such as a liquid or gas may be delivered through the fitting 5 into channels 7 which are defined in core portion 3 and which terminate at their outer ends in openings 9 leading into an intermediate space between the outer lay-on member l and the inner core 3. When the inflation medium is directed into the space the cavity 11 is filled and the lay-on member 1,being formed of a highly elastic material such as rubber,will expand to enlarge its outer circumference and move it intocontact with an area to receive an application of the viscous liquid. This viscous liquid may be coated on the exterior of the lay-on member 1 or applied by directingit outwardly through pores of the lay-on membersuch as in the embodiment of FIG. 18 which will be described hereinafter.

As indicated in FIGS. 9 through 17 the lay-on member 1 may have circular cylindrical nubs 13 arranged in a row as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this construction, the nubs of the next following row are offset from the previous row. The nubs 14 of the showing of FIGS. 11 and 12 are made with a larger diameter and they are arranged in horizontal rows.

In the showing of FIGS. 13 and 14, the raised portions of the outer surface of thelay-on member 1 comprises crossing webs 15. These webs are formed by blind bold type depressions 16 arranged in vertical and .horizontal rows.

In FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 two examples of construction on member 1 are also formed by webs. In this arrangement, the webs do not cross but are all arranged parallel to each other. In the showing of FIG. 16 the webs are of rectangular cross-section and indicated by the numeral 17, while the webs 18 shown in FIG. 17 are semicircular in cross-section.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5 the applicator device includes a lay-on member 2 having a core portion 4 and it includes the same type combination inlet connection and discharge connection 5 with an aeration valve 6. The interior core 4 includes a single channel -8 for the conveyance of the inflation medium such as a gas or a liquid which issues through an opening 10 into the space 12. The lay-on member 2 is also formed of highly elastic material such as rubber and therefore as soon as the pressure in the cavity 12 is sufficient, it is inflated by the gas or the liquid to enlarge its outer surface to permit it to engage for example with interior annular walls 50 or with a bottom wall 52 of a part 54 having a groove which is adapted to be coated with a substance of high viscosity such as glue, paint, lacquer or the like (FIG. 5). The material to be applied is first coated onto the layer member 2 by immersing the lay-on member into the substance.

As shown in FIG. 6,the applicator is positioned so that the lay-on member 2 is located between two workpieces 32 and .35. By the feeding of the pressure medium through the filling and discharge line 5 the lay-on member becomes inflated to cause it to deposit any material coated thereon onto the

surfaces

33 or 34 when it is inflated. In FIG. 7, a complete cylindrical groove 38 is shown as being completely filled by an applicator, wherein the lay-on member 2 completely engages the entire surface of the blind hole 38. In FIG. 8, a curved surface 37 is shown being engaged by a lay on member 2 which clearly indicates how the lay-on member will bend to the configuration tobe covered and thus form a coating over the entire surface. During the inflation time, the substance on the lay-on member 2 is applied to the wall surface or transferred from the surface of the lay-on member to the surface to be coated. After this transfer, the pressure medium is discharged through the line '5 or through the deaeration valve 6. This causes the lay-on member 2 to shrink back to its original form and size so that the device can-be moved out of the gap without effort and without again contacting any surface. In order to obtain complete deaeration .or evacuation of the

cavities

11 or 12 of the embodiments indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 3, 4 and 5, respectively, the opening at the end of the inflow cavity 'must lie at an end which penetrates deeply into the layon member. If they are located at the center of the core portion or at the end located toward the packing edge 19 there is a danger that upon evacuation'of a cavity these openings will be covered and block the channel before the part of the cavity located at the outer end of the core has been evacuated.

Both the

core portions

3 and 4 of the two embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 comprise a material such as metal or plastic and they include a packing edge 19 for the

core

3 and 20 for the'core 4. The respective elastic lay-on

members

1 and 2 are pulled over the free ends 21 and 22 of the

respective cores

3 and 4. For this purpose, the lay-on members include encircling beads forming annular packings 23 and 24 respectively.

press against a flange 27. At the narrow side areas of the lay-on member 1, that is at the upper and lower edges shown in FIG. 1, the bead 23 is notpressed on. These two points form a certain overpressure safety deviceby means of which the pressure medium can issue in the direction of arrows 28 as soon as the pressure in cavity 11 assumes an impermissible value.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 5, the bead 24 of the pot type lay-on member 3 is pressed by means of the cap nut 29 against the collar 30. In order to secure this construction against overpressure a relief valve (not shown) is provided in the handle piece 31. It may vantage especially when using the device in connection with a substance of lower viscosity. It also finds a better hold in the pores or grooves of the device to receive the liquid to be applied that would be the case when ribs or other projections are provided.

In the embodiment of the invention indicated in FIGS. 18 and 19 there is provided aIay-on member having an elastic core 41 which are arranged together to define an inwardly sealed filling space 40 for the medium to be applied. The exterior of the lay-on member 100 is provided with a porous construction or includes a plurality of passage slots 42 evenly distributed overits surface. A viscous liquid such as glue, paint or similar substance is fed through the feed line 43 into the filling space 40 as indicated by the arrow 44. The check valve 45 prevents the flowing back of this medium when the a

parts

3 or 4 of the other embodiment and it has channels 47 which are connected to the combined discharge and filling fitting 5". v I

With the construction of the device asindicated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the lay-on member does not havei'to beimmersed in the. liquid to be applied first but the liquid is supplied through the line43 to the space 40 and it issues out throughthe slots 42 after the lay-on member is inflated. The curved slots 42 act as flap valves and they block the outlet apertures if the filling space 40 is pressure-free or almost pressure-free. This is true in particular for highly viscous fluids which are to be applied. For thin substances therefore very small openings must be provided. Due to the natural elasticity of the material of the lay-on member 100, the slots 42 will close automatically when the pressure in the space 40 is reduced. In this embodiment when the core portion 41 is elastic, the sealing from the stiff filling portion 46 is taken over by a bead 48 of the filling portion 46 as well as by an annular bead 49 of the core portion 41 similar to the construction indicated in FIG. 1.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for the application of liquids, particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and the like, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a fitting connected to said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, a core member extending into said lay-on member and sealingly engaged at its periphery with said lay-on member, said fitting having a flow channel connection into said core into the space between said core and said lay-n member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said lay-on member and said core are of pocket shaped configuration, said lay-on member extending into closely spaced relationship with the interior end of said lay-on member, said core having a passage extending therethrough for the inflation liquid terminating closely spaced to the interior of said lay-on member.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said core includes at least a portion which is rigid and forms a positioning sword.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said core includes a rigid portion forming a pin-like member for positioning the lay-on member.

5. A device for the application of liquids. particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and the like, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a fitting connected to said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, a core extending into said lay-on member and having exterior walls spaced slightly from saidlay-on member interior walls, said fitting providing means engageable with said core and said lay-on member and sealing them peripherally, and relief valve means for relieving the space between said core and said lay-on member to relieve the inflation pressure therefrom if it exceeds a predeterminedvalue.

6. A device according to claim 5 including means connecting into the space between the core in said layon member for filling said space with the material to be applied, said lay-on member having at least one core for the expulsion of the material to be applied therethrough.

7. A device according to claim 6 including valve means for closing the entrance to the space between said core and said lay-on member after filling.

8. A device according to claim 1 including a core member with at least a handle portion of substantially and said lay-on member to inflate said lay-on member and means for also supplying the material to be applied to the space between said core and said lay-on member, said lay-on member having a plurality of openings therethrough for the exit of the material under the pressure of the inflation medium delivered through said fitting.

9. A device for the application of liquids, particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and the like, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a coating surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a rigid support fitting connected to and adjacent said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, said fitting comprising a tubular handle provided with an aeration and deaeration valve.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said layon member comprises a rubber material.

11. A device according toclaim 9, wherein said by on member includes a plurality of projections on its surface.

12. A device according to claim 9, wherein said layon member includes a portion with an outer surface with raised parallel ribs. 7

13. A device according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the face of said lay-on member is covered with an absorbent foam plastic.

14. A device for the application of liquids, particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and thelike, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a coating surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a rigid support fitting connected to and adjacent said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, said lay-on member comprising a pocket shaped member having a mouth edge with an encircling bead, said fitting including a handle with a flange engaged with the encircling bead and forming a seal therewith.

Patent No. 3 8 049 I EDWARD] M.FLETCH-ER,JR*. Actest-ing' Officer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I CER'HFEQATE 0F EQREIC'MQN Dated 1 .1111 24.,- 197 3 v rm'em'ofls SIEGFRIED KNUPPERS; ET. AL,

It is certified that error appears in the above-identifier}patent 1 i and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown Belem:

On the cover sheet, insert [30] Claims F0reign;

Priority Data Germany P 20 18 163.9 4/16/ 70 Signed and sealed this 22nd day of January 19 74;

(SEAL) .A'ttest em ts}

Claims

1. A device for the application of liquids, particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and the like, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a fitting connected to said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, a core member extending into said lay-on member and sealingly engaged at its periphery with said lay-on member, said fitting having a flow channel connection into said core into the space between said core and said lay-on member.

5. A device for the application of liquids. particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and the like, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a fitting connected to said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, a core extending into said lay-on member and having exterior walls spaced slightly from said lay-on member interior walls, said fitting providing means engageable with said core and said lay-on member and sealing them peripherally, and relief valve means for relieving the space between said core and said lay-on member to relieve the iNflation pressure therefrom if it exceeds a predetermined value.

6. A device according to claim 5 including means connecting into the space between the core in said lay-on member for filling said space with the material to be applied, said lay-on member having at least one core for the expulsion of the material to be applied therethrough.

8. A device according to claim 1 including a core member with at least a handle portion of substantially rigid form located within said lay-on member and holding said lay-on member in an extended position, said fitting including a connection extending through said core member into the space between said core member and said lay-on member to inflate said lay-on member and means for also supplying the material to be applied to the space between said core and said lay-on member, said lay-on member having a plurality of openings therethrough for the exit of the material under the pressure of the inflation medium delivered through said fitting.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said lay-on member comprises a rubber material.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said lay-on member includes a plurality of projections on its surface.

12. A device according to claim 9, wherein said lay-on member includes a portion with an outer surface with raised parallel ribs.

14. A device for the application of liquids, particularly highly viscous liquids such as glue and the like, on workpiece faces, comprising an inflatable elastic bag forming a lay-on member having a coating surface for containing and transferring the liquid to be applied and a rigid support fitting connected to and adjacent said bag for filling and discharging an inflation medium into and out of said bag, said lay-on member comprising a pocket shaped member having a mouth edge with an encircling bead, said fitting including a handle with a flange engaged with the encircling bead and forming a seal therewith.