WO2005087386A1

WO2005087386A1 - Device for distributing glue over a surface

Info

Publication number: WO2005087386A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Bonne; Pieter Broekman
Original assignee: D. Bonne Mechanisatie B.V.
Priority date: 2004-03-11
Filing date: 2005-03-10
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: EP1729890B1; EP1729890A1; NL1025695C2

Abstract

A distributing device (1) is provided with features for distributing a highly viscous liquid, such as floor glue, in order to achieve a uniform pressure distribution in the liquid. The uniform pressure distribution ensures that substantially the same amount of glue per unit time flows out of each discharge opening of the distributing device. Said features consist of the position and size of the distribution openings (10A, lOB), which connect a predistribution chamber (4) with the main distribution chamber (2), having been chosen such that, despite a difference in pressure in the predistribution chamber, substantially the same amount of glue will flow through each distribution opening from the predistribution chamber to the main distribution chamber. The distributing device may form part of a distributing assembly. The distributing device and the distributing assembly axe in particular suitable for use for applying floor glue to a floor surface.

Description

Short title: Device for distributing glue over a surface. The present invention relates to a device for distributing glue and relates in particular to a glue distributing device for substantially evenly distributing glue over a surface, the glue distributing device extending substantially in at least a first direction. The glue distributing device comprises a main distribution chamber for substantially evenly distributing the glue in said first direction, the main distribution chamber comprising a number of outlet openings for discharging the glue from the distributing device and applying it to said surface; a predistribution chamber for at least partially evenly distributing the glue in said first direction, the predistribution chamber comprising a number of distribution openings for supplying the glue from the predistribution chamber to the main distribution chamber; and at least one supply opening for supplying the glue to said predistribution chamber. The present invention furthermore relates to a glue distributing assembly comprising said glue distributing device and to the use of the glue distributing device in distributing glue on a floor surface. A glue distributing device of this type is known from US 5366309 which describes a device for applying glue to a floor surface. The glue is pressed from a tank to a predistribution chamber using gas pressure, following which the glue flows to a main distribution chamber with outlet openings via a number of lines . The known glue distributing device is, however, only suitable for relatively low-viscosity types of glue. US 5366309 describes that the device is preferably suitable for types of glue having a viscosity in the range from 11,000 to 13,500 centipoise (11.0 - 13.5 Pa.s). The known device is not suitable for highly viscous types of glue, such as the current environmentally friendly types of glue, as such glues cannot be pressed out of the outlet openings using gas pressure and. because the glue does not spread well and therefore not as much glue will flow from each of the separate outlet openings. When using highly viscous types of glue, the known device will thus not produce an even distribution of the glue on the floor surface . Distributing highly viscous glue over a surface, in particular a floor surface, without a suitable distributing device is labour-intensive, as someone has to apply the glue to the surface manually with the aid of, for example, a glue spreader which is hard work and takes a lot of time. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a glue distributing device which can distribute highly viscous types of glue substantially evenly over a surface, in particular a floor surface. To this end, the invention provides a glue distributing device of the type mentioned in the introduction, the position and size of the distribution openings having been chosen such that, in use, a substantially even pressure distribution of the glue in the main distribution chamber is effected. The amount of glue which flows through an opening per unit time depends on the pressure which is exerted on the glue and on the diameter of the opening. One characteristic of a highly viscous liquid is that any pressure which is applied is absorbed locally by the liquid and therefore does not result in a spreading of the glue. In this connection, it is important for the glue distributing device that the pressure immediately behind the opening is relatively high when glue flows out of an opening, but that the pressure decreases relatively quickly as the distance to the opening increases. As a result, the pressure behind the supply opening in the predistribution chamber is high. As the distance in said first direction increases, the pressure decreases and a decreasing amount of glue will flow through the separate distribution openings of identical cross-sectional diameter. By using a number of distribution openings between the predistribution chamber and the main distribution chamber, the position and size having been chosen such that substantially the same amount of glue per unit time is supplied to the main distribution chamber in said- first direction, distributed over the length of the main distribution chamber, a substantially uniform pressure distribution is produced in the main distribution chamber. As a result of the uniform pressure distribution, substantially the same amount of glue per unit time will flow from each outlet opening and an evenly distributed amount of glue will be applied to the surface, when the glue distributing device is moved over the surface in a second direction, which is essentially at right angles to said first direction. In the context of the present application, uniform glue distribution means that the pressure on every location in the glue in different directions can have a different value, but that the pressure in a specific direction on every location is substantially uniform. This makes the pressure at each discharge opening substantially uniform in the direction of discharge and the same amount of glue per unit surface area and per unit time flows out of the distributing device. As mentioned above, the amount of glue which flows through an opening depends on the pressure applied and the diameter of the opening. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of each distribution opening increases as the distance of the respective distribution opening to said supply opening increases. As the distance to the supply opening increases, the pressure on the glue decreases. When the cross-sectional area of the opening increases, the pressure difference can be compensated in such a manner that, on balance, substantially the same amount of glue flows through each distribution opening. In this manner, a substantially uniform pressure distribution in the main distribution chamber is achieved. In another preferred embodiment, the distance between each pair of successive distribution openings decreases as the distance of said pair of successive distribution openings to the supply opening in said direction increases. As the distance between the distribution openings decreases, the number of distribution openings per unit length increases. When the number of distribution openings per unit length in said first direction increases, more glue per unit length flows to the main distribution chamber and a substantially uniform distribution of glue in the main distribution chamber is achieved. In order to assist the uniformity of the pressure distribution of the glue in the predistribution and main distribution chambers, the predistribution and/or main distribution chambers are preferably cylinder-shaped, with the cylinder extending in said first direction. As mentioned above, the pressure in the glue behind an opening is relatively high. The pressure which is exerted on the glue and causes the glue to flow through the opening, is directed mainly at right angles to a plane of the opening. The glue therefore moves mainly at right angles to the plane of the opening, that is to say in the direction of a normal to said plane. Thus, each distribution opening has a distribution opening normal line, which is at right angles to a plane of the distribution opening, in the centre of the distribution opening, and each supply opening has a supply opening normal line, which is at right angles to a plane of the supply opening, in the centre of the supply opening. In order to achieve good pressure distribution in a distribution chamber positioned behind the opening, none of the distribution opening normal lines coincides with a supply opening normal line. If these normal lines were to coincide, the glue flowing out of the supply opening under pressure would flow directly through the distribution opening which is in line with the supply opening. Only a small amount of glue will then spread in said first direction. If none of the distribution opening normal lines coincide with the supply opening normal line, the glue flowing out of the supply opening hits an inner wall of the distribution chamber and subsequently spreads in that distribution chamber. Preferably, the supply opening normal line crosses each distribution opening normal line. This means that none of the distribution openings are in line with supply openings and, in addition, that each distribution opening is also displaced with respect to a supply opening in said first direction. The pressure in each distribution opening will thus be directed in said first direction, which further assists a uniform distribution in said first direction. Defining that each distribution opening has a distribution opening normal line which is at right angles to a plane of the distribution opening in the centre of the distribution opening and that each discharge opening has a discharge opening normal line which is at right angles to a plane of the discharge opening in the centre of the discharge opening, it is preferable, in the same manner as described above and with the same effect, if none of the distribution opening normal lines coincides with any of the discharge opening normal lines. In a further preferred embodiment, a throttle tube is arranged in the main distribution chamber. The throttle tube collects the glue which enters the main distribution chamber via the distribution openings and distributes it further, before the glue reaches the discharge openings. The throttle tube therefore assists in the pressure distribution becoming uniform. In a preferred embodiment, a filter is arranged in the main distribution chamber. The function of the filter is to filter the glue for contaminations, such as dirt and solidifications . In addition, the filter ensures a further distribution of the glue in the main distribution chamber. All the discharge openings preferably have a substantially identical diameter and/or a substantially identical distance between them in said first direction, so that substantially identical bands of glue are applied to the surface in an even pattern. The device according to the present invention is in particular suitable for use for applying glue to a floor surface . The glue distributing device may form part of a glue distributing assembly. Such a glue distributing assembly comprises a tank for holding a quantity of glue; a glue distributing device according to the present invention; and a pump for moving the glue from the tank to said glue distributing device. As is known from the prior art, highly viscous glue, in particular, is unsuitable to be moved by, for example, gas pressure. When using highly viscous glue and the glue distributing device according to the present invention, it is therefore preferable to use a pump which is suitable for use with highly viscous liquids. The glue is pumped from the tank to the distributing device by the pump. The tank may be a specific tank or may be a packaging of the glue, such as, for example, a known plastic bucket, with the pump pumping the glue directly from the packaging. In that case, the glue does not first have to be transferred to a specific tank by an individual. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly furthermore comprises a conveying hose, with the pump pumping the glue to the glue distributing device via the conveying hose. Such a conveying hose is preferably flexible, so that the tank and the pump can be placed in a fixed position, while an individual can move the glue distributing device over the surface and thereby apply glue to the surface. Such a configuration of the glue distributing assembly alleviates the work of said individual as the tank and the pump do not need to be displaced while the glue is being applied. In one particular embodiment, the assembly furthermore comprises a metering device, with which the amount of glue to be applied to a surface can be metered. A metering device of this type may be a valve arranged in the connection between the pump and the distributing device, but may also be, for example, an electronic control of the pump. The invention will be explained below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of a glue distributing device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a section through the device of Fig. 1 along line A-A;

Fig. 3 shows a section through the device of Fig. 1 along line B-B; Fig. 4 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of a glue distributing device according to the present invention of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows a section through the device of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 along line C-C; Fig. 6 shows a side view of a glue distributing device and a glue supply hose while glue is being applied to a surface;

Fig. 7 shows a diagrammatic view of a glue distributing assembly according to the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a glue distributing device 1 according to the present invention. The glue distributing device comprises a main distribution chamber 2 provided with discharge openings 8. In the embodiment shown, a predistribution chamber 4 is arranged against the main distribution chamber 2. A supply connection 6 comprises a glue supply opening to the predistribution chamber 4. The distributing device 1 extends essentially along line A-A. In a section of the main distribution chamber 2, which is shown in Fig. 2, walls 2A and 2B are shown. The side wall 2A substantially forms a cylinder shape, which terminates with end walls 2B, which are preferably removable. Distribution openings 10A and 10B form an open connection with the predistribution chamber. The surface of the distribution opening 10A is smaller than the surface of the distribution opening 10B. A throttle tube is arranged in the main distribution chamber 2, which throttle tube has been partially cut away in Fig. 2 in order to show distribution openings 10A and 10B and has therefore been indicated by means of throttle tube ends 12A and 12B. In identical fashion, a filter has been indicated by means of filter ends 14A and 14B, which filter is arranged in the main distribution chamber 2. A cross section along line B-B which is indicated in Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 clearly shows that the main distribution chamber wall 2A forms a cylinder and that the throttle tube 12 is arranged in the centre of the section of the cylinder. The filter 14 is arranged on the inside of the wall 2A. The predistribution chamber 4 is arranged between the supply connection 6 and the main distribution chamber 2. In Fig. 3, one end of a supply hose 20 has been fitted, so that glue can flow through the supply hose 20 via a supply opening into the predistribution chamber 4. Fig. 4 shows a side view of the glue distributing device, in which a discharge opening 8 is shown by a dotted line. In the embodiment shown, the end of the supply hose 20, the supply connection 6, the predistribution chamber 4 and the main distribution chamber 2 are positioned in line, whereas an axis 8A going through the discharge opening 8 is not parallel to said line. Fig. 5 shows a section through the device along line C-C. Fig. 5 shows the supply connection 6 with a supply opening 6A, the predistribution chamber 4 and the main distribution chamber 2. The walls 2A and 2B form the main distribution chamber 2, which contains a throttle tube 12, indicated by ends 12A and 12B, and a filter, indicated by ends 14A and 14B. The distribution openings 10A and 10B are of different width. Part of the main distribution chamber 2 has not been cut away and in that part, the discharge openings 8 have been indicated. Fig. 6 shows a side view of the glue distributing device 1 in use. The glue distributing device 1 moves over a surface S in the direction of the arrow R, while glue 16 flows through the supply hose 20 and is applied to the surface S via the supply connection 6, the predistribution chamber 4 and the main distribution chamber 2. In Fig. 7, a suitable assembly for applying glue is shown in a block diagram. In addition to the glue distributing device

1 described above, the assembly comprises a tank or glue storage holder 22, a suitable pumping device 24, a supply hose 20 and a metering device 26. The metering device 26 may also be located upstream of the pumping device 24, immediately downstream of the pumping device 24 or in the supply hose 20. The metering device

26 may be a mechanical device, for example a valve or a tap, but the metering device 26 may also be an electronic control for the pumping device 24. The metering device 26 can therefore also be in a different position within the assembly. The operation of the assembly which is shown in Fig. 7 is known per se and clear to those skilled in the art. Glue, or any desired other liquid, is in a storage holder 22 and a pumping device 24 suitable for highly viscous liquids such as glue, for example a pneumatic grease gun with a preset pressure ratio and a suitable introduction mechanism, moves the glue through a hose 20 to a distributing device 1. Glue which flows out of the distributing device 1 is substantially evenly distributed over a surface. An application for which the embodiment shown is particularly suitable is the application of glue to a floor surface in order to subsequently affix floorboards, such as wooden floorboards, but for example carpeting as well, on said floor surface. With an application of this type, the tank 22 and the pumping device 24 can be placed in a fixed position, while the distributing device 1 can be moved over the surface, the supply hose preferably being flexible. The glue distributing device 1 according to the present invention is suitable for all kinds of liquids, but is particularly suitable for highly viscous liquids, such as specific types of (floor) glue with a viscosity of up to 60,000 centipoise (60 Pa.s) or more. To this end, the distributing device 1 contains a number of features in order to distribute the glue which is supplied via a supply opening in such a way through the device that eventually a substantially uniform pressure is present at each discharge opening 8 in a direction of discharge. Glue which is supplied via a supply connection 6 flows into a predistribution chamber 4. Fig. 5 shows that the glue cannot flow through to the main distribution chamber 2 immediately, but is forced to one side. This results in a change in the direction of the pressure, namely to the direction in which the distributing device 1 extends. As the glue moves further from the supply opening 6A, the pressure in the glue decreases. In the case of a highly viscous liquid, the pressure reduction is relatively rapid as the pressure is partially absorbed by the liquid. A number of distribution openings 10A and 10B are provided between the predistribution chamber and the main distribution chamber 2 for through-flow to the main distribution chamber 2. In order to achieve a substantially uniform pressure distribution in the main distribution chamber 2, it is important in the embodiment shown, that substantially the same amount of glue flows through each distribution opening 10A and 10B per unit time. Since the pressure decreases as the distance to the supply opening 6A increases, the cross-sectional area of the distribution openings 10A and 10B has to increase as the distance to the supply opening 6A increases. For this reason, the width of the illustrated distribution opening 10B is greater than that of distribution opening 10A. In the embodiment shown, the distance between the individual distribution openings 10 is the same. In contrast with the embodiment shown, this distance may also decrease as the distance to the supply opening 6A increases. In this case, the cross-sectional areas may vary as described above or may stay the same. By varying said distance, it is possible to ensure that the same amount of glue per unit time flows into the main distribution chamber 2 along the entire direction into which the device substantially extends. The glue may be pressed through a filter 14 and against a throttle tube 12 in the main distribution chamber 2 in order to further equalize the pressure. The throttle tube 12 thus prevents the pressure of the influent glue from being exerted immediately onto the glue flowing out of the device 1 (Fig. 6) . In this manner, the main distribution chamber 2 fills with glue, or another liquid, which has such a uniform pressure distribution, that the same amount of glue 16 flows out of each discharge opening and the glue 16 is applied in bands on the surface S. As mentioned above, the two end walls 2B of the main distribution chamber 2 are preferably removable. The advantage of such removability is that the main distribution chamber 2 and the filter 14 can be cleaned or replaced in a simple manner. Incidentally, the device can also be cleaned using highly pressurized water if water-based glues have been used. As the width of the various types of floorboards differs, the distributing device can be designed for various suitable widths. Preferably, the width of the device can be adjusted, for example with the aid of extensions which are fastened to the device 1 instead of the end walls 2B. In this case, it is obviously preferable to make a corresponding extension to the predistribution chamber 4. With specific applications, such as with a mass-produced item, it may be necessary to repeatedly apply glue to a surface of definite shape and fixed dimensions. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that it is possible to apply the features of the present invention with such an application in order to construct a distributing device in a substantially identical manner, which distributing device extends in essentially two different directions, as a result of which a plane with discharge openings is created. Glue can then be applied to the surface by means of a pressure pulse of predetermined force and duration.

Claims

C L I M S

1. Glue distributing device for substantially evenly distributing glue over a surface, the glue distributing device extending substantially in at least a first direction and comprising : a main distribution chamber for substantially evenly distributing the glue in said first direction, the main distribution chamber comprising a number of outlet openings for discharging the glue from the distributing device and applying it to said surface; a predistribution chamber for at least partially evenly distributing the glue in said first direction, the predistribution chamber comprising a number of distribution openings for supplying the glue from the predistribution chamber to the main distribution chamber; and at least one supply opening for supplying the glue to said predistribution chamber, which the position and size of the distribution openings have been selected such that, in use, a substantially even pressure distribution of the glue in the main distribution chamber is effected; and in which each distribution opening has a distribution opening normal line, which is at right angles to a plane of the distribution opening, in the centre of the distribution opening, and each supply opening has a supply opening normal line, which is at right angles to a plane of the supply opening, in the centre of the supply opening, and in which none of the distribution opening normal lines coincides with a supply opening normal line. •

2. Glue distributing device according to claim 1, in which the supply opening normal line crosses each distribution opening normal line.

3. Glue distributing device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the cross-sectional area of each distribution opening increases as the distance of the respective distribution opening to said supply opening increases.

4. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between each pair of successive distribution openings decreases as the distance of said pair of successive distribution openings to the supply opening in said direction increases.

5. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the predistribution chamber is substantially cylinder-shaped.

6. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the main distribution chamber is substantially cylinder-shaped. in which each distribution opening has a distribution opening normal line, which is at right angles to a plane of the distribution opening, in the centre of the distribution opening, and each supply opening has a supply opening normal line, which is at right angles to a plane of the supply opening, in the centre of the supply opening, and in which none of the distribution opening normal lines coincides with a supply opening normal line.

7. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which each distribution opening has a distribution opening normal line which is at right angles to a plane of the distribution opening in the centre of the distribution opening and that each discharge opening has a discharge opening normal line which is at right angles to a plane of the discharge opening in the centre of the discharge opening, and in which none of the distribution opening normal lines coincides with any of the discharge opening normal lines.

8. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a throttle tube is arranged in the main distribution chamber.

9. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a filter is arranged in the main distribution chamber.

10. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which all the discharge openings have a substantially identical diameter.

11. Glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between the discharge openings in said first direction is substantially identical.

12. Glue distributing assembly, the glue distributing assembly comprising: a tank for holding a quantity of glue; a glue distributing device according to one of the preceding claims; and a pump for moving the glue from the tank to said glue distributing device.

13. Glue distributing assembly according to claim 12, the assembly furthermore comprising a conveying hose, with the pump pumping the glue to the glue distributing device via the conveying hose.

14. Glue distributing assembly according to claim 12 or 13, the assembly furthermore comprising a metering device with which the amount of glue to be applied to a surface can be metered.

15. Use of a glue distributing device according to one of claims 1-11 for applying glue to a floor surface.