WO2008006619A1

WO2008006619A1 - Device for the application of adhesive

Info

Publication number: WO2008006619A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/006263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingo Steinel
Original assignee: Steinel Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-07-13
Filing date: 2007-07-13
Publication date: 2008-01-17
Also published as: DE202007019263U1; EP2043790B1; EP2043790A1; EP2465615B1; EP2465615A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a manually manageable device for the application of adhesive with a housing (10; 30) designed to contain solid agents that liquefy coactive, preferably pen- or rod-shaped adhesive elements, by means of electrical heat, which housing has a discharge opening (18; 32) at the end side for discharging the liquefied adhesive, with the housing designed elongated and pen-shaped in such a way that it can be directed manually like a pen to apply adhesive to an adhesive application target external to the housing.

Description

Apparatus for applying adhesive

The present invention relates to a manually operable device for applying adhesive according to the preamble of the main claim. Such devices are well known as so-called. Hot glue guns and widely used in home improvement and professional crafts.

Specifically, such electrically operated hot melt adhesives in a gun-shaped housing have a receptacle for introducing and transporting adhesive bars, the solid glue stick being melted upon actuation by an operator by action of electrical heating in the housing and melted adhesive passing through an outlet opening onto a desired workpiece as a mission goal.

Such devices are produced in large numbers and highly automated, make it next simple design implementation and the existence of inexpensive adhesive rods advantage.

However, the use of such known devices on (volume or area) larger amounts of adhesive or application surfaces is limited, not least because the (usually mains-powered) heating, in conjunction with large-scale heating of the adhesive pin, ensures high Abschmelzvolumina the liquefied plastic, so that especially small objectives are difficult to achieve. In addition, due to the pistol-shaped design and the need for a power cable Conditional, limited manageability and portabili- tat.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a device according to the invention for applying adhesive with regard to the flexibility of the insert, in particular with regard to smaller application goals, as well as simpler portability and handling.

The object is achieved by the device having the features of the main claim; advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Thus, the invention provides that the generic, large-volume gun body (including associated switch-on, mains voltage and Heizinfrastruktur) is replaced by an elongated, pen-shaped housing, which is halt- and navigable by the operator in the manner of a highlighter or pen. This not only allows a much more sensitive leadership, also the exact dosage is simplified.

Weiterbildungsgemaß is provided that a mains-powered with electrical heating device abschilzt an otherwise known pen-shaped adhesive element end, but with a (compared to the generic net-driven device) significantly reduced electrical power, so that not only the resulting, molten adhesive volumes are significantly lower, but Also, favorable for a netzunabhangige power supply, the device of a battery-powered, netzunabhangigen supply is accessible (in the context of the present invention, the term "battery" is all common or conceivable wireless forms of energy, including rechargeable batteries, dry cells, etc.).

Due to the pin shape of the housing according to the invention can also be easily and easily replaceable (beyond also in a simple manner) essential components of a solution variant, namely at least one (typically commercial standard size AA or AAA) battery, a glue stick and a compression spring element, which against the glue stick an end-side, heated by the battery heater heats, record, while still maintaining the slim, easy-to-handle pen shape.

At the same time, as provided for further development, a removable closing element, preferably in the form of a screw-off heating tip, ensures easy refillability by accessing and replacing the glue stick; Also advantageous is the heating element in the form of preferably a heating grid in this removable area receivable.

An alternative variant of the invention provides, instead of a screw-off heating tip, a spring-like, sleeve-like heating tip, which carries the heating grid or another electrically operated melting aggregate (as means for liquefying the rod-shaped adhesive element) on the end. By pressure of the user during handling of the housing, the movable heating tip is pressed against the end of the adhesive element (preferably fixed in its current position), so that the melting can take place through the (heated) grid. This variant of the invention provides according to the invention and advantageous that the fixing of the adhesive, for example by clamping, simultaneously with the energizing of the heating grille takes place, for example, by means of the operation of a two tasks associated with, external to the house Schaltbzw. Adjustment knob. This is preferably provided in a lateral jacket area of the housing and can be actuated in the pen position, so that in response to actuation the battery current can be applied to the heater grid as a fluidizing agent and the end-side melting of the solid hot melt adhesive takes place. By means of a mechanical additional function of this button is then fixed in this operating state of the adhesive pen in the manner described, released after lots of the heating button again. Weiterbildungsgemaß provided means for transport of KlebstoffStiftes can then provide a suitable pen feed, ideally with a stroke corresponding to the melted length (on the one hand, this feed can be done directly by the spring-guided heating tip itself, such that it by adhesive action of the adhesive Adheres adhesive pin when springing out, alternatively, a separate feed mechanism on the adhesive attacks and this leads in the feed direction).

Depending on the structural design of the housing, this can be adapted to a purpose of use, in particular by appropriate design for applying advertising, Bedienoder Warnhinweisen.

A particularly advantageous variant of the invention is to form the rod-shaped or pin-shaped adhesive with a rectangular cross-section. In particular, if this rectangle is not a square but a shape with different edge lengths, the possibility arises in a simple way with the inventive device. Device immediately melt adhesive strips of two different widths, namely corresponding to a respective edge width of the rectangle. A (not only in this context) advantageous development of the invention also provides, on the outlet side of the heating tip spacers or sections in the form of edge projections assign, which prevent about when applying the heating tip on a Klebstoffauftragsziel (eg a paper surface) that by a full contact immediately the outlet opening is closed, but a minimum height (eg a millimeter-fraction distance) is maintained. This would then correspond to an application level of the adhesive to be melted on the adhesive application target.

The result of the present invention in a surprisingly simple and elegant way, a device that combines ease of use and handling with potentially mass production suitable, easy manufacturability in industrial production, so that it is expected that about just traditional hot melt adhesive solutions also completely new application areas, not last also in the office area, become accessible.

Another advantage to emphasize is the fact that - environmentally sensitive - with this hot-melt adhesive technology, the problem of solvent-based liquid adhesive can be avoided, which are otherwise applied by portable, bottle-like solutions in a known manner. In addition, the low, selective energy input in an efficient manner and extremely fast, a application of high mechanical strength, high performance hot melt adhesive is allowed. Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings; these show in

1 shows a schematic lateral sectional view of the manually operable device for applying adhesive according to a first embodiment with the essential value-determining functional components;

2,

3 shows perspective views of a manually operable device for applying adhesives according to a second, preferred embodiment;

4 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 with a detached half of the housing;

5 shows a perspective view, tilted in relation to FIG. 4, of the second exemplary embodiment and FIG

6 shows a view of the functional components of the device according to FIGS. 2 to 5, shown with the housing removed.

The device shown in Fig. 1 is made and sized in the manner of a stylus, it has a typical length of about 11 to 13 cm with an outer diameter of about 11 to 14 mm. In an iw hollow cylindrical housing 10, which is suitable from plastic, metal or the like. can be realized, while a battery end 12, for example, standard size AA, added, which offers with its downward end a stop for a compression spring 14, which in turn an otherwise known, cylindrical-pin-shaped glue stick 16 against one end of the housing in a unscrewable Heating tip 18 provided heating grid 20 biases.

By operating a heating button 22 (the figure shows no electrical wiring between battery and heater), an operator while holding or guiding the pin by pressing the outside of battery power to create the heater, which then heats up, the opposite end of the glue stick melts and by the (in the figure bottom side shown) open end of the heating tip then hot liquid adhesive can escape to the order target, with the ability to dose this melting or order sensitive.

In a plastic housing 30 with dickbauchig-pin-shaped contour, such as the shape of a highlighter, the essential components of the second embodiment are realized. On a lateral flat side in the region of an outlet opening 32 forming sleeve 34 is seated an operating knob 36 which can be actuated by an operator while this holds and guides the pen in the manner of a writing instrument. Opposite the sleeve 34, the housing has an essentially flat rear side 38, which offers a rectangular insertion opening 40 for an adhesive pencil corresponding to its outer shape. This (in FIGS. not shown) adhesive stick is formed of typical hot melt adhesive material and has a melting temperature of about 100 ⁰ C, such that when heated to a temperature above this melting temperature, it liquefies and corresponding liquid adhesive can then be metered by means of the outlet opening 32 to a Klebstoffauftragsziel , Through the opening 40 then new adhesive in the form of pen or rod-shaped adhesive elements is introduced according to rectangular cross-section.

The housing 30 is realized as a plastic shell housing and has in the region of a narrow side in an otherwise known manner a plastic hinge, so that it can be suitably manufactured and mounted in one piece as a jacket.

The sliding sleeve 34, see. 4 to 6, is designed as a sleeve-shaped plastic element which is axially movable in the housing and against the bias of a coil spring 42 (Fig. 6) is guided so that the spring force pushes the sleeve 34 in its outward position. As the views of FIGS. 4 to 6 also show, the sleeve 34 closes off a (again suitable and corresponding to the adhesive element) rectangular guide channel 44 at the front, which opens at the rear (FIG. 3) to the insertion opening 40.

In the housing 30, a battery compartment space is further provided for (in the illustrated embodiment) two commercially available AA batteries 46, which are axially aligned in the manner shown connected in series and connected by means (only hinted shown) Verkablungen or wiring elements in the housing 30 so that by means of a pair of contacts 48, operated by the button 36, a circuit from the battery series circuit to a heater 50 is closed, which - right-eckförmig formed - the front end of the outlet region 32 marked and as a liquefying agent for an over from inside the duct 44 used adhesive pin serves. More specifically, when the button 36 is actuated, the contact pair 48 is closed, and current of the batteries 46 is applied to the heater grid 50 so that it - made of resistance heating wire or an expanded metal - offers a heated surface which is in contact with the facing end face of the (still) solid adhesive rod occurs. Due to the heating, however, the adhesive rod is liquefied in this end region and can as liquid adhesive - through the heater 50 and thus the outlet port 32 therethrough - pass on a Klebstoffauftragsziel, which is suitably guided in front of the opening 32 (for example, by appropriately holding and guiding the Device by the operator).

The embodiment of Figs. 2 to 6 also illustrates that upon actuation of the switch (switch) 36 via a stationary in the housing against the restoring force of a spring 51 mounted rocker element 52 one end (locking portion) 54 of the rocker via a bottom slot in the guide channel 44 in entering the guided therein adhesive element and locks it in its current longitudinal position in the guide 44; In other words, an actuation of the switch 36 not only causes an electrical activation of the heating grid 50, but at the same time causes a fixing of the adhesive rod in the housing. However, due to the fact that the sleeve 34 is spring-mounted, the (typically causing an impression) allows Actuation of the device by the operator, that the sleeve and thus the grid 50 is printed against the - fixed - frontal end of the adhesive member, and therefore an effective, well metered melting can take place. Additionally provided in the area of Auslassoffnung 32 edge provided projections 56 in the form of about 0.3 to 0.8 mm projecting spacers ensure that the operator, even if they fully flat the opening 32 on a flat target - about a piece of paper - - sets up, there is no closing of the Auslassoffnung, but always with a minimum application thickness of the liquefied adhesive is applied.

Lose the button 36 by the operator first causes the heater 50 is no longer supplied with power; By the small involved surfaces and the correspondingly low heat capacity, there is a drafty cooling of the adhesive in the region of the Auslassoffnung 32. By - caused by the raising of the button 36 - - Lowering the engagement portion 54 of the plastic element this is in its slow-flexed position released and, due to adhesive forces of the adhesive acting in the sleeve region 34, with the sleeve 34 moved out of the housing by the action of the spring 42, transporting a predetermined length section (this length section corresponding to the amount of the melted adhesive). In this way an automatic feed of the pin-shaped adhesive element is ensured in a very simple manner. In addition, the operator can manually intervene by suitable Nachfuhren another pin in the opening 40. The realized in the manner shown Ausfhrung also allows a very simple control of the plastic melting temperature in the grid area: By the required heat of fusion with continuously melting adhesive can be brought about with such a suitable parameterization of the metal or wire material for the heater or hot melt a regulatory effect, that a current flowing through the grid heating current keeps the grid at a constant temperature, which on the one hand allows a continuous, rapid melting of the front adhesive end, on the other hand not damaged by excessive heat grid or unnecessarily much heating current is needed. While in principle any resistance materials are suitable, it has been found to be particularly preferable to use resistance wire materials with PTC characteristic (PTC positive temperature coefficient, ie increasing electrical resistance with increasing heating), since this simplifies the desired temperature control; Additionally or alternatively, additional resistance elements (possibly also with PTC characteristic) can be looped into the circuit.

The present invention is not limited to the described functional and action mechanisms concerning the grid structure, pen feed, electrical wiring or the like. limited; Rather, it is within the scope of the invention to use the basic approaches according to the invention also suitable for other fields of application that require other constructive realizations. So it is in particular of the present invention comprises forming another feed mechanism for a rod-shaped adhesive element which acts approximately directly on the element, or others To select (electrical) heating variants for the design of the means for liquefying, such as by means of an expanded metal, heated chambers, honeycombs or the like.

The present invention makes possible, in the manner shown, the simple realization of a highly user-friendly adhesive application device which will make the material "hot-melt adhesive" accessible to traditional networked devices accessible to other fields of application as well, not least the writing instrument character of the exemplary embodiments shown (this is the present invention of course not limited), an indication that the office sector could possibly become a field of application for this technology.

Claims

1. A manually operable device for applying adhesives with a housing (10; 30) designed to receive a solid, electrically-generating means for liquefying cooperating, preferably pin-shaped or rod-shaped adhesive element, which has at its end an outlet opening (18; 32) for dispensing the liquefied adhesive, characterized in that the housing is elongate in the form of a pen and is designed so that it can be manually guided in the manner of a pen for adhesive application to a housing external adhesive application target.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for liquefying an electric heater (20; 50), which is supplied independent of the mains by a battery unit (12; 46) accommodated in the housing.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the heating device has a heating element, in particular a heating grid, in the region of the outlet opening such that the pin-shaped adhesive element acts in an operating state to melt off against the heating element.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the heating device and the adhesive element during the adhesive application by manual Actuation or by spring action, in particular under the action of force, are in contact.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adhesive element is held at least during adhesive application in a sliding position in the housing lockable in the housing.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outlet opening in a detachably formed by the housing or relative to the housing slidably formed, preferably sleeve-shaped end element (18; 34) is provided.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stick or rod-shaped adhesive element has a rectangular cross-section and / or the means for liquefying have a rectangular active surface forming / s heating grid or heating element, which further education according to a rectangular Cross-sectional contour of the adhesive element is adjusted.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the rectangular cross section of the adhesive element has rounded corners.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outlet opening (32) has at least one marginal projection (56) at the end in the direction of the adhesive application target, which has a predetermined minimum distance between the output lassöffnung and the adhesive application target and / or a minimum thickness of the adhesive application determined.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pin-shaped housing in its jacket region has an externally operable power button (22; 36) for activating and / or deactivating the means for liquefying, in particular an electrical switch and / or a button for activating or deactivating a power supply for an electrical heating device that realizes the means for liquefying.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the power button for activating and / or actuating a mechanically cooperating with the adhesive element locking and / or feed unit (52, 54) is formed.

12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the means for liquefying have a temperature control causing electrical resistance characteristic or electrically cooperate with a temperature dependence having electrical resistance element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the realized as an electric heater grid means for liquefying have a PTC resistance characteristic.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the means for liquefying mit- Made of an expanded metal, chamber or honeycomb-like.