WO2009092931A1

WO2009092931A1 - Brush for applying a material, in particular glue

Info

Publication number: WO2009092931A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/050007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean Simon
Original assignee: Corepe
Priority date: 2008-01-04
Filing date: 2009-01-05
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Also published as: FR2926012B1; FR2926011B1; FR2926011A1; FR2926012A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a brush (10) for applying a material, in particular an adhesive, comprising a handle (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (X-X) and at one end of which are provided application bristles (15). The brush (10) includes a capillarity retention means for the material to be applied, that is separate from the application bristles (15) and adjacent thereto. The retention means includes a retention grid (16). The invention can be used for an applicator cap.

Description

Brush for applying a material, in particular glue

The present invention relates to a brush for applying a material, in particular glue, the brush being of the type comprising a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and at one end of which applicator strands are arranged.

It is known from US-A-4,712,936 to make a plug and a brush provided with plastic strands and in one piece.

It is known on this type of device that the material to be applied agglutinates at the applicator strands, which causes a thickening of the end portion of the brush and an excess of material to be applied.

The object of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage by distributing the material to be applied more uniformly at the applicator strands.

For this, the invention relates to a brush of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the brush comprises a capillary retention means of material to be applied, distinct applicator strands and adjacent thereto.

According to other characteristics:

the retention means comprises a retention grid;

the retention means is a retention grid disposed between the handle and the strands; the grid is formed by a lattice of rectilinear ribs defining openings in the form of convex polygons;

- The retention means is, seen from the front, of substantially trapezoidal shape, and, seen from the side, of reduced thickness relative to the thickness of the handle; the retention means flares axially towards the applicator strands;

- The strands are aligned at the flared end of the retention means in an alignment direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle; the retention means is integral with the handle and the strands, in particular by injection of plastic material;

the retention means and the strands extend along the longitudinal axis of the handle, so that, the handle being disposed substantially vertically, the the material to be applied retained on the retention means flows by gravity to the level of the applicator strands;

- The retention means comprises, outside the gate, at least one additional retention member cooperating with the gate to form a reservoir of material to be applied opening on the strands;

the reservoir is open at least along the longitudinal axis of the handle;

- The additional retention member comprises a grid disposed opposite the first gate, the gates delimiting between them the reservoir;

- The strands are arranged in at least two distinct rows of strands in the extension of the grids, the two rows being arranged opposite one another, the tank opening between the two rows of strands;

the at least one additional retention member comprises at least one rib projecting transversely with respect to the grid;

at least one pair of adjacent ribs facing each other and the grid delimit together, between the ribs, one of the tanks of material to be applied;

the or each grid comprises a perforated part and a solid part;

- The strands are arranged in at least two distinct rows of strands, the two rows being arranged facing one another;

- The two rows of strands are spaced apart and extend in two parallel planes, the two rows being preferably spaced apart by a distance of between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably about 3 mm;

the two rows of strands converge with each other towards the free ends of the strands;

the or each row of strands extends along at least two different alignment directions around the retention grid;

the or each row extends in an alignment direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and in two alignment directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

The present invention also relates to an applicator plug for closing a container, the cap comprising a base connected to a brush as described above.

According to another characteristic, the brush is integral with the plug base, in particular by plastic injection, the base further comprising a threaded side wall adapted to be screwed at a neck of a container, particularly a bottle.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a front view of a brush according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a side view of the brush of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a front view in longitudinal partial section of an applicator cap comprising a brush according to the invention; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a variant of an applicator cap comprising a brush according to the invention; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a brush according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 is a side view with cutaway along line Vl-Vl of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 5 of a brush according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 8 is a side view with cutaway along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7. - Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 1, 5 and 7 of a brush according to a fourth embodiment; and

- Figure 10 is a side view of the brush of Figure 9.

In Figure 1, there is shown a brush 10 for applying a material, in particular glue. The brush 10 comprises a handle 12, at one end of which is disposed a distal portion 14 in the form of strands 15 applicators, and an intermediate portion 16 in the form of a grid for capillary retention of the material to be applied.

In use, the brush 10 is positioned substantially vertically as shown in Figure 1, so that the distal portion 14 is in contact with the surface to be coated material to be applied.

The handle 12 extends along a longitudinal axis XX, and comprises a gripping portion 18. A shoulder 20, itself extended by a pin 21 provided an external thread 22 delimits the handle 12 at its end opposite to the distal portion 14.

The gripping portion 18 is delimited laterally by two substantially planar faces 23 and 24 (Figure 2) extending substantially parallel to the axis X-X.

As shown in front view in FIG. 1, the gripping portion 18 comprises, from the shoulder 20, an upper section 26 of slightly convergent shape towards the distal portion 14, and a narrowing 27 connecting the upper portion 26 to a lower section 28, the latter flaring outwardly towards the distal portion 14.

The intermediate portion 16 and the distal portion 14 are delimited laterally by two inclined faces 29 and 30 (Figure 2) which converge towards the distal portion 14. According to Figure 2, in side view, the substantially constant thickness E of the handle 12 is of the order of 5 to 9 mm. A connection zone 31 between the handle 12 and the intermediate portion

16 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis X-X.

According to Figure 2, the thickness e at the connection zone 31 is of the order of 2 to 3 mm.

In comparison, again according to FIG. 2, the thickness e 'at the ends of the strands 15 is of the order of 0.3 to 0.4 mm.

According to FIG. 1, the retention grid 16 is adjacent to the distal portion 14. The grid 16 comprises a substantially trapezoidal frame having an upper base 32 disposed at the connection zone 31 and a lower base 33 opposite, the bases 32 and 33 being arranged substantially horizontally and interconnected by two uprights 34 and 36 disposed substantially in the extension of the lower section 28 of the gripping portion 18.

The retention grid 16 is perforated internally and comprises, in the example shown, three ribs 38, 40, 42 extending between the bases 32 and 33 substantially in the longitudinal axis XX, the central chord 40 being aligned in the XX axis, the side members 38 and 42 being substantially parallel respectively to the uprights 34 and 36. The retention grid 16 further comprises rectilinear transverse segments 44, 45, 46 connecting the ribs to one another so as to create a lattice 47 of crossed elements spaced from recesses or free meshes 48.

The distal portion 14 comprises a plurality of applicator strands 15 aligned in the form of a comb in at least one row in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X.

According to a first embodiment, the handle 12, the distal portion 14 and the intermediate portion 16 of the brush 10 are all three of material by plastic injection. In a variant, only the distal 14 and intermediate 16 parts are integral and attached to the handle 12 by a suitable connecting device.

The strands 15 extend individually in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis XX so that, since the brush is arranged substantially vertically, the material to be applied retained by capillarity on the grid 16 flows by gravity to the level of the strands. 15, thus allowing the material to be applied to the surface to be coated.

In Figure 3, there is shown an applicator cap 60 for closing the neck of a bottle (not shown). The plug 60 comprises a base 62 connected to a side wall 64, which wall is provided with an internal thread 66 adapted to cooperate with an external thread of a neck of the bottle.

A hollow central projection 68 extends internally from the base 62.

The central projection 68 comprises a recess 70 of shape substantially complementary to that of the nipple 21 of the brush 10, which recess 70 laterally comprises an internal thread 72 adapted to cooperate with the external thread 22 of the nipple 21 of the brush 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the cap 60 is made by injection of a plastic material, the brush 10 being attached to the cap 60 by screwing.

However, other securing means between the cap 60 and the brush 10 reported are possible, for example an elastic engagement or gluing. In Figure 4, there is shown another embodiment of the applicator plug. Elements having the same function as previously retain the numerals of Figure 3 increased by one hundred. The stopper 160 differs from the stopper 60 of FIG. 3 in that the applicator brush 110 is made of material with the base 162.

For this, the handle 112 of the brush 110 comes from material with the projection 168 in the interior projection of the base 162 along the longitudinal axis X-X of the brush 110.

Thanks to the invention, the material to be applied, in particular the adhesive, is optimally retained by capillarity in the recesses or free spaces arranged between the cross elements of the retention grid and flows uniformly distributed at the level of the elements. applicator strands. This allows a uniform distribution of the material to be applied to the surface to be coated.

FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate three additional embodiments of the invention that differ essentially from the first embodiment in that the retention means comprises at least one additional retention member, external to the gate, and cooperating with the gate to form one or more tanks of material to be applied opening on the strands.

In the two embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 8, the additional retention member is an additional grid arranged facing the first grid.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a brush 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which only the differences with respect to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described below. In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numerals identical to FIGS. 1 and 2 denote similar elements.

The retention means comprises, instead of a single grid 16, two grids 78, 78 'arranged facing one another. The two grids 78, 78 'are spaced apart and cooperate to form between them a reservoir 79 of material to be applied.

The two grids 78, 78 'extend in parallel planes. The grids 78, 78 'are for example spaced apart by a distance "d" of between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably about 3 mm. The grids 78, 78 'have an identical contour whose respective edges are aligned with each other.

In addition, optionally, the retention means comprises two longitudinal walls 80 joining the uprights 34 and 36 of the grids 78, 78 '. The walls 80 close the reservoir 79 in a first direction Y-Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X of the handle 12.

The reservoir 79 is open along the longitudinal axis XX and defines an opening 82 opening on the strands 15, more particularly between two rows 83 of strands 15. The opening 82 is arranged such that in a vertical position, the material to be apply flows by gravity from the reservoir 79 to and to the strands 15.

Each gate 78, 78 'is extended towards the distal end of the brush 10 by one of the rows 83 of strands 15.

The grids 78, 78 'have identical opening patterns. As a variant, however, the grids 78, 78 'each have different opening patterns and / or any suitable type. However, in the various embodiments described, the mesh 47 is preferably configured so that the openings are convex polygons, which makes it possible to increase the surface area of the openings while conferring on the retention means good structural strength. The grids 78, 78 'have, for example, a geometry similar to that of the grid 16 of the brush 10 according to the first embodiment.

Each gate 78, 78 'is, in an upper portion 84, perforated internally to form a lattice 47 of crossed elements, similarly to the brush 10 of the first embodiment. Each gate 78, 78 'further comprises, in a lower portion 86, a continuous wall 88 connecting the lattice 47 of the gate 78, 78' to the distal portion 14. The continuous wall 88 forms a solid portion of the gate 78, 78. The continuous wall 88 of each gate 78, 78 'closes the reservoir 79 in a second direction Z-Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X and perpendicular to the direction Y-Y.

The retention means thus comprises a continuous envelope delimiting the lower part of the reservoir 79. The openwork portions of the grids 78, 78 'delimit the upper part of the reservoir 79. The continuous envelope structurally reinforces the retention means.

However, alternatively, the grids 78, 78 'are open to the strands 15. The strands 15 of each row 83 are coplanar and substantially parallel to each other.

The two rows 83 are, in the illustrated example, respectively arranged in two substantially convergent planes toward the free end of the strands 15.

The two rows of strands 15 increase the brush retention capacity of the brush according to the second embodiment.

The reservoir 79 formed by the retention means increases the adhesive retention capacity by the brush 10 and promotes a uniform distribution of the material to be applied.

The reservoir 79 ensures a regular flow of the material to be applied towards the free ends of the strands 15, in particular thanks to its arrangement opening between two rows 83 of strands 15.

In a variant, the brush 10 comprises a greater number of grids and / or rows of strands.

Alternatively also, the two rows 83 are arranged in two parallel planes. In general, the two rows 83 are in the extension of the respective grids 78, 78 '.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a brush 10 according to a third embodiment, of which only the differences with respect to the second embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described below, and on which the identical reference numbers designate elements similar to FIGS. brushes of the previous embodiments.

The brush 10 of the third embodiment differs essentially from the brush 10 of the second embodiment in that the two rows 83 of strands 15 are arranged in a U-shape around the retention means. The grids 78, 78 'are distinguished in that they have a rectangular contour comprising a lower edge 90 extending along the axis YY, an upper edge 92 joining the handle 12, parallel to the lower edge 90, and two edges longitudinals 94 joining the upper edges 90 and lower 92. The longitudinal edges 94 are parallel to the longitudinal axis XX of the handle 12.

The reservoir 79 opens out between the two rows 83 of strands 15, at the lower edges 90 of the grids 78, 78 '. The grids 78, 78 'are perforated internally, over their entire surface.

Each row 83 of strands 15 surrounds the corresponding grid 78, 78 '. Each row 83 comprises a lower section 96 extending in a first alignment direction parallel to the Y-Y direction, and two upper sections 98 each extending in a second alignment direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X.

On the lower section 96, the strands 15 extend individually in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X, and on the upper sections 98, the strands 15 extend individually in a direction parallel to the Y-Y direction.

The strands 15 are, on each section 96, 98, coplanar. The strands 15 of each row 83 are coplanar.

The two rows 83 of strands 15 extend in substantially parallel planes, in the respective extension of the two grids 78, 78 'and are thus spaced by the same distance d as the grids 78, 78'. But, alternatively, the spacing between rows 83 of strands 15 is different from the spacing between grids 78, 78 '.

The grids 78, 78 'are interconnected along their parallel edges by two continuous walls 88 closing the reservoir 76 in the Y-Y direction. As a variant, however, these walls 88 are perforated or removed so that the reservoir 79 opens out between the two rows 83 of strands 15 at the different sections 96, 98.

This new arrangement of the strands 15 increases the adhesive retention capacity. In addition, the brush 10 can be used to apply material in multiple directions with the same brush orientation 10, allowing access to difficult places and / or applying material simultaneously to perpendicular surfaces between they. The walls 88 increase the mechanical strength of the brush 10. In a variant, the strands 15 are arranged in L or V around the grids 78. In a variant also, certain facing sections 96, 98 are arranged in planes that converge with each other towards each other. The free end of the strands 15. As a further variant, the arrangement of the U-shaped strands is provided on the brush of the first embodiment, with a single grid 16. The strands 15 are then arranged around the single grid 16.

In the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the retention means comprises a plurality of transverse ribs 100 each forming an additional retention member which cooperates with the grid 16 to form reservoirs 79 of material to be applied.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a brush 10 according to a fourth embodiment, of which only the differences with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described below, and on which the identical reference numbers designate elements similar to FIGS. brushes of the previous embodiments.

The retention means comprises, outside the grid 16, transverse ribs 100 forming with the grid 16 of the tanks 79 of material to be applied. The retention grid 16 has a thin and elongated body along the longitudinal axis

X-X of the handle. The body of the grid 16 comprises the frame and the various members.

The retaining ribs 100 protrude transversely with respect to the body of the grid 16. The ribs 100 extend in parallel planes. The ribs 100 are substantially planar.

The ribs 100 delimit two by two retention tanks 79 external to the grid 16. Each reservoir 79 is in fact delimited on two opposite faces by two adjacent ribs 100 facing each other and on a third perpendicular face by the grid 16. The other three tank faces 79 are open.

Each reservoir 79 feeds the respective strands 15 arranged next to each other. In addition, the ribs 100 are regularly spaced apart. The distance between the adjacent adjacent ribs 100 measured in a transverse direction XX is for example equal to the width of the openings of the grid 16 measured in the longitudinal direction XX of the handle 12.

The width of the ribs 100 measured in the direction Z-Z is for example greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the grid 16, measured in the same direction Z-Z. It is for example at least 3 mm.

The ribs 100, by increasing the retention capacity of the brush 10, further reduce the thickness of the body of the grid 16, to give it greater flexibility, which facilitates the application in difficult places.

The thickness of the body of the grid 16 is, for example, less than or equal to 1 mm.

The brush is for example made of polyethylene (PE) or pylopropylene (PP). The ribs 100 are, in a variant, combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 8. They are for example arranged on the faces of the grids 78, 78 'which are opposite the facing faces of the grids 78, 78'. that is to say on the side of each grid 78, 78 'opposite the reservoir 79 delimited between the two grids 78, 78'. The strands 15 are coplanar with the body of the grid 16, and all coplanar with each other.

The thickness of the body of the grid 16 corresponds substantially to the thickness of the strands 15.

In addition, the strands 15 are arranged in a U around the retention grid 16, similarly to the brush 10 according to the third embodiment. Finally, in the various embodiments, the material to be applied is not necessarily glue. It can be any type of suitable liquid or gelled product, such as paint.

Claims

1. Brush (10) for applying a material, in particular glue, the brush being of the type comprising a handle (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (XX) and at one end of which are disposed strands (15). ) applicators, characterized in that the brush (10) comprises a retention means (16, 78, 78 ', 100) by capillarity of material to be applied, distinct from the applicator strands (15) and adjacent thereto, the means retention member comprising a retention grid (16, 78, 78 ').

2. Brush (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention means and the strands (15) extend along the longitudinal axis (X-X) of the handle

(12), so that, the handle (12) being disposed substantially vertically, the material to be applied retained on the retention means flows by gravity to the level of the applicator strands (15).

3. Brush (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retention means comprises, outside the gate (16; 78), at least one additional retention member (78 '; 100) cooperating with the grid (16; 78) to form a reservoir (79) of material to be applied opening on the strands (15).

4. Brush (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the reservoir

(79) is open at least along the longitudinal axis (X-X) of the handle (12).

5. Brush (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the additional retention member comprises a grid (78 ') arranged opposite the first grid (78), the grids (78; 78') delimiting between them the tank

(79).

6. Brush (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the strands (15) are arranged in at least two rows (83) of separate strands (15) in the extension of the grids (78, 78 '), the two rows (83) being arranged opposite one another, the reservoir (79) opening between the two rows

(83) strands (15).

7. Brush (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the at least one additional retention member comprises at least one rib (100) projecting transversely relative to the grid (16; , 78 ').

8. Brush (10) according to claim 7, wherein at least one pair of adjacent ribs (100) opposite and the grid (16) define together, between the ribs (100), one of the reservoirs (79) of material to apply.

9. Brush (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the or each gate (16, 78, 78 ') comprises a perforated portion (84) and a solid portion (86).

10. Brush (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strands (15) are arranged in at least two distinct rows (83) of strands (15), the two rows (83) being arranged facing each other.

11. Brush (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the two rows (83) of strands (15) are spaced apart and extend in two parallel planes, the two rows (83) being preferably spaced apart. a distance (d) of between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably about 3 mm.

12. Brush (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the two rows (83) of strands (15) converge with each other towards the free ends of the strands (15).

13. Brush (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each row (83) of strands (15) extends in at least two different alignment directions (XX, YY) around of the retention grid (16, 78, 78 ').

14 - Brush (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the or each row (83) extends in an alignment direction (YY) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (XX) of the handle (12) and following two alignment directions parallel to the longitudinal axis (XX) of the handle (12).

15. Applicator cap (60) for closing a container, the cap (60) comprising a base (62) connected to a brush (10), characterized in that the brush (10) is according to any one of the preceding claims. .