WO1999000257A1

WO1999000257A1 - Device for placing a liquid on a substrate

Info

Publication number: WO1999000257A1
Application number: PCT/EP1998/003856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Kaufmann
Original assignee: Rainer Kaufmann
Priority date: 1997-06-27
Filing date: 1998-06-24
Publication date: 1999-01-07
Also published as: DE19727485A1; EP0991526A1; EP0991526B1; DE59803139D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for placing a liquid con a substrate. The inventive device comprises a housing (2) with a liquid receptacle (52), an applicator (30) protruding from the housing, a pump chamber (54) which is connected to the liquid receptacle via a first valve (21) which opens when there is an underpressure in the pump chamber and which is connected to the applicator via a second valve (29), in addition to an actuator (44; 56) with which the volume of the pump chamber can be reduced counter to the force of a spring device (40; 58; 84), wherein the second valve opens in the direction of a reduction in the pump chamber when an actuating element is operated. The invention is characterized in that the valve openings (12, 26; 74, 76) of the first and second valve are arranged on separating walls (4, 6; 66, 68) rigidly connected to the housing, in that the second valve (29; 89) is opened by an overpressure in the pump chamber (54; 82) and in that the wall of the pump chamber (54; 82) is hermetically sealed outwards with the exception of the valves (21, 29; 87, 89).

Description

Device for applying a liquid to a surface

The invention relates to a device for applying a liquid to a base according to the preamble of the main claim.

A device of this type is known from DE 41 06 578 AI. The housing of this device is cylindrical overall and ends in a writing tip at the front. The closed end of an actuating sleeve projects from the rear of the housing and is connected in the housing to a pump assembly which contains a pump chamber in its interior. The pump chamber is connected via a check valve to a flexible container arranged within the actuating sleeve for receiving the liquid supply. Towards the front of the writing tip, the pump chamber has a valve which is opened when the actuating sleeve is pushed in by contacting a tube connected to the writing tip.

The known device is comparatively complicated in its construction and requires good guidance of the assembly containing the valves and the pumping chamber in order to be able to be operated properly, which increases the costs.

The invention has for its object to provide a device which is simple and precise to operate in its construction for applying a liquid to a base.

This object is achieved with the features of the main claim.

In the device according to the invention, both valves are local check valves as simple check valves. firmly housed within the housing. Even at a slight overpressure in the pumping chamber, which is applied with the aid of the actuation device, the second valve opens, whereby the application element can be supplied with liquid in a metered manner by actuation of the actuation element which can be controlled well. Any friction caused by guides does not have to be overcome. The device is inexpensive to manufacture with a simple construction. Due to the hermetically sealed design of the pump chamber, which is free of any components that are displaceable relative to one another for their volume change and are adjacent to the liquid of the pump chamber, there is no danger that the medium to be dispensed will leak out of guide gaps, cause contamination or impair the functionality.

Claims 2 and 3 are directed to two different embodiments of the pump chamber.

A design of the device according to claim 4 is particularly advantageous since the device can be held in this way with one hand and at the same time can be operated for the metered delivery of liquid. The movement of the actuating element can be controlled properly with the thumb or a finger.

The claim 5 characterizes an advantageous embodiment of the container within which the pump chamber is formed.

Claims 6 to 8 characterize advantageous embodiments of valve members.

Claim 9 is directed to a particularly simple embodiment of the liquid storage container.

Claims 10 to 12 characterize advantageous embodiments of the application element. The device according to the invention is suitable for applying a wide range of liquids, the viscosity of which ranges from thin liquid to viscous liquid and which have applications as diverse as glue, nail polish, disinfectant liquid, marking ink, automotive paint, creams and pastes, etc. The device according to the invention is accordingly Suitable as a convenient device for a wide variety of applications, including a marker pen as well as an adhesive applicator pen, a touch-up stick to repair damage to the paintwork on automobiles, a lipstick or a nail polish stick for particularly easy application of nail polish.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings, for example and with further details.

They represent:

1 shows a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a device.

2 shows a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a device;

3 shows a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a device;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view to illustrate the handling of the

Device;

5a to c longitudinal sections through application elements.

1, the device has a cylindrical housing 2, which is provided with two partitions 4 and 6.

The dividing wall 4 has a component 8 which is U-shaped overall in cross section and which telbar is held on the inner wall of the housing 2 and in which an approximately U-shaped component 10 is used in cross section. A through opening 12 leads through the components 8 and 10 and also crosses a chamber 14 formed between the components 8 and 10. Between the components 8 and 10 a valve disk 16 is clamped along its circumference, which is shown in Fig. La in supervision. The valve disc 16, which is made of rubber, for example, has a ring-segment-like gap 18, so that its inner region 20 can move in a hinge-like manner around the gap-free region and forms a valve member for closing the passage opening leading through the component 8. In this way, a check valve designated 21 is created.

In the front end region of the cylindrical housing 2, a further component 22 with a U-shaped cross section is inserted, into which a component 24 tapering towards the front is inserted. A through opening 26 leads through the components 22 and 24. Between the components 22 and 24, a chamber 28 is formed, in which a further valve disk 16 works, which forms a further check valve 29. At the end of the component 24, an application element 30 is attached, which is designed, for example, as a rubber tip with a slot 32. The slot 32 can be closed by means of a cap 34.

The components 10 and 22 have flanges 36 and 38 to be pointed towards one another, each of which forms a circumferential groove into which a ball 40 provided with two openings is knotted. The ball 40 is made of resilient material, preferably rubber, so that it strives to assume the shape desired in FIG. 1, in which the diameter of the ball largely fills the diameter of the housing 2. The housing 2 has a hole 42 on the side next to the ball 40, into which an overall hat-shaped actuating element 44 is inserted from the inside.

1 upper end of the housing 2 is closed with a closure part 46 which has a ventilation opening 48. Between the closure part 46 and the component 8 a stopper 50 is movable along the inside of the housing 2, the one Liquid storage chamber 52 limited.

The components mentioned consist, for example, of suitable plastics, so that the entire device can be produced inexpensively in injection molding tools. The ball 40 can have integrated metallic reinforcements made of thin spring steel.

The function of the device described is as follows:

It is assumed that the liquid storage chamber 2 is filled with liquid and the pump chamber 54 formed inside the ball 40 is not yet filled with liquid.

Pressing in the actuating element 44 reduces the volume of the pump chamber 54 or increases the pressure in the pump chamber, as a result of which the check valve 29 opens. When the actuating element 44 is then released, the ball 40 returns to its original volume, as a result of which a negative pressure is created in the pumping chamber 54, which closes the check valve 29 and opens the check valve 21. This draws liquid from the storage chamber 52 into the pumping chamber 54. The process is repeated several times, with the pumping chamber 54 filling with liquid. This filling is free of air if the device is held with the application element 30 upwards during this filling process. If the actuating element 44 is pressed when the pump chamber 54 is filled with liquid, liquid is pressed into the application element 30 through the open check valve 29, so that liquid can be applied to a support with the application element 30.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device modified compared to FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, the pump chamber 54 is formed directly by the housing 2 and its partitions 4 and 6. The actuating element 44 protrudes into a bellows 56, which is sealingly connected to the inside of the housing 2 and between the and the opposite spring of the housing 2 a spring 58 is supported. Similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the interior of the pumping chamber is sealed off from the actuating element without gaps or movable guides. The function corresponds to that of the device according to FIG. 1. When the actuating element 44 is pressed in, the bellows 56 increases and presses liquid from the pumping chamber 54 into the application element. When released, the bellows 56 moves back together with the actuating element 44 under the force of the spring 58 until a non-numbered band engages the actuating element 44 against the inside of the housing 2. Liquid is sucked out of the storage chamber 52 into the pumping chamber 54.

Fig. 3 shows a further, modified embodiment of a device.

The housing 62 is here in the form of a cylinder closed on one side with a ventilation opening 64 through the bottom. The partitions 66 and 68 are formed in one piece and have approaches 70 and 72 to be pointed towards one another, which are provided with through-openings 74 and 76. The through openings end with one or more lateral openings 78 and 80, respectively. Each attachment 70 or 72 is sealingly enclosed by an opening of a ball-like component 84 made of elastically resilient material and forming a pump chamber 82 in its interior, the openings with the openings for loading Fixing on the approaches 70 and 72 formed areas of the ball-like component 84 with sail-like or lips 86 and 88 are formed. With a rotationally symmetrical design, a circumferential lip 86 or 88 can be present in each case. The lip 86 is designed such that in the rest position it extends from the extension area of the component 84 for attachment thereof from the attachment 70 via the lateral opening 78 and rests against the inner end portion of the attachment 70. The lip 88 is designed such that it rests against the pump chamber 82 within the lateral opening 80 from the inside of the ball-shaped component 84 at the front end of the extension 72. One or more openings 86 or 88 can be provided in each case. The lips 86, 88 form, together with the openings 78, 80, non-return valves 87 and 89. In the partition 78, which forms a front end part of the housing 62, an application element 90 is received in the example shown, a brush. A removable cap 92 is provided to protect the application element, also from drying out. An actuating element 44 is displaceably arranged in the housing 62 laterally next to the structural component 84, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

The partition 66 has an annular flange 94 on which a sack-like container 96 is knotted, which forms a liquid storage chamber 52.

The function of the device according to FIG. 3 corresponds to that of FIG. 1. The sails 86 act like non-return flaps which close when there is excess pressure in the pump chamber 82 and prevent liquid from flowing back from the pump chamber 82 into the liquid supply chamber 52. The sails 88 act as non-return flaps, which close when the vacuum in the pump chamber 82 is low and prevent air or residual liquid from entering the pump chamber 82 from the passage opening 76.

FIG. 4 shows how the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, generally designated 100, is advantageously held in one hand. As can be seen, the device 100 can be held such that the thumb of one hand presses on the actuator 44, the amount of liquid being dispensed from the applicator conveniently by the movement or pressure of the thumb on the actuator 44 can be controlled. It goes without saying that the device 100 can also be held in such a way that one of the fingers, for example the index finger, presses on the operating element 44.

It is advantageous not to design the application element to be rotationally symmetrical, but in a form in which the dimension of the application element is greater in a direction perpendicular to the actuation direction of the actuation element 44 than parallel to it. This means that a base can be coated with liquid in a well-defined manner. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an application element 30, as is shown for example in FIG. 1. Two longitudinal sections perpendicular to one another are shown, parallel or perpendicular to the slots 32. Advantageously, the longitudinal slot direction is parallel to the operating direction of the actuating element 44 and the application element 30, which can be made of rubber, for example, ends in a convex surface that protrudes between the slots 32 . The application element according to FIGS. 5a and 5b is particularly well suited, for example, for applying liquid adhesives.

5c is a flat brush that is larger in a direction parallel to the actuating direction of the actuating element than perpendicular to it.

An advantage of the devices described is that the liquid or the flowable medium to be applied does not come into contact with any movable seal at any point, so that leaks or contact with air are excluded.

The devices described can be modified in many ways. So the housing need not necessarily be cylindrical. Depending on the intended use and handling, it should have an ergonomically favorable shape. The actuating element 44 can also be formed by a component which is pressed against the ball 40 or the structural component 84 when the device is placed on a base. So that the entire force of the actuating element 44 does not act on the pump chamber, an additional spring can be provided for the elastic prestressing of the actuating element 44. There are different constructions for the order element, designed for the respective purpose. For example, it can be designed as a fine-haired small brush, such as that used as a touch-up pen. Other embodiments are suitable for applying lipstick or nail polish, etc.

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for applying a liquid to a base, comprising a housing (2; 62) with a liquid supply (52), an application element (30; 90) protruding from the housing, a pump chamber (54; 82), which has a when the vacuum in the pump chamber opens, the first valve (21; 87) is connected to the liquid supply and via a second valve (29; 89) to the application element, and an actuating device (44; 56) with which the volume of the pump chamber is counteracted the force of a spring device (40; 58; 84) can be reduced, the second valve opening upon actuation of the actuating element in the direction of a reduction in the size of the pumping chamber, characterized in that the valve openings (12, 26; 74, 76) of the first and the second valve on partition walls (4, 6; 66, 68) rigidly connected to the housing (2; 62) that the second valve (29; 89) is opened by overpressure in the pumping chamber (54; 82) and that the wall of the Pump chamber (54, 82) with the exception of the valves (21,

29; 87, 89) is hermetically sealed to the outside.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump chamber is formed in a resilient casing (40; 84) which is tightly connected to the partition walls.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump chamber (54) is partially limited by a bellows (56) which is sealingly connected to the inside of the housing (2), and which protrudes into the pump chamber (54; 82) Volume can be changed by means of the actuating device (44, 56).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (2; 62) has a grip area within which the actuating element (44) protrudes such that it can be actuated with the thumb or a finger of a hand holding the device is.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve is designed as a ball (40; 84) made of elastically resilient material, which is enclosed by through openings (12, 26; 74, 76) through the partition walls (4, 6; 66, 68) is connected to the partition walls, and that the actuating element (44) rests on the outer surface of the ball.

6. Device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the valve member of at least one of the valves is formed by a valve disc (16, 20) which is movably attached to the associated partition (46).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve disc is formed by a cut-out inner part (20) of a disc (16) made of elastomeric material, the outer edge of the disc being attached to the partition (4, 6).

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the valve member of at least one of the valves is formed by at least one non-return flap-like lip (86, 88) formed in one piece with the ball (84).

9. Device according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the liquid supply is accommodated in a chamber (52) adjoining one of the partitions, which additionally delimits the housing (2) and a plug (50) which can be moved in a liquid-tight manner in the housing becomes.

10. Device according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the order element (30) is formed by a brush.

11. Device according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the application element (30) is formed by an elastomeric component which has at least one slot (32) on its end surface provided for applying the liquid.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the application element parallel to the direction of actuation of the actuating element (44) has a greater extent than perpendicular to it.