Applicator and Operating Procedure or Using the Applicator According to the Invention

Abstract

An improved applicator and a method for applying two or more components which can be mixed together. They are intended to effectively prevent unintentional and unintentional mixing of the components at the discharge orifices and any associated uncontrolled or undesirable reaction of the components with each other during downtime of the applicator. The applicator/application device (1) for the application of at least two components can be mixed with one another, comprising coaxially arranged one within the other component feeds (2, 3) with the component feeds (2a, 3a) for the respective at least two components and component discharge orifices (2b, 3b) associated with the component feeds (2, 3),

Claims

1. Applicator/application device (1) for the application of at least two components which can be mixed with one another, comprising coaxially arranged one within the other component feeds (2, 3) with the component feeds (2a, 3a) for the respective at least two components and component discharge orifices (2b, 3b) associated with the component feeds (2, 3), where an outer feeding cavity (2) as the first component feed (2) to the associated 10 component discharge orifice (2b) for providing the first component, and an inner feeding cavity (3) is provided as a second component feed (3) to the associated component discharge orifice (3b) for providing the second component, wherein the inner feeding cavity is enclosed by an inner feeding tube (3c) disposed in the 15 outer feeding cavity (2) and is connected to a cavity wall (2c) of the outer feeding cavity (2) with a separation distance and a valve rod (6) which can move in the axial direction and is connected to an actuator (5) is arranged in the inner feeding tube (3 c), wherein the valve rod (6) and/or the valve rod tip (6a) thereof corresponds with a valve seat (7) arranged at the component discharge orifice (3b) of the 20 inner feeding tube (3) and the valve rod (6) or the valve rod tip (6a), respectively, forms a valve (8) with the valve seat (7) and the inner feeding cavity (3) is formed between the inner feeding tube (3c) and the valve rod (6) and a 25 mixing device (9) is arranged downstream of the component discharge orifices (2b, 3b) of the feeding cavities (2, 3).

2. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the component discharge orifice (2b) of the outer feeding cavity (2) and the 30 component discharge orifice (3b) of the inner feeding cavity (3) lie axially in one plane, the valve rod tip (6a) also terminating in this plane or the valve rod tip (6a) projecting axially beyond this plane.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer feeding cavity (2) with the component discharge orifice (2b) extends axially beyond the component discharge orifice (3b) of the inner feeding tube (3c) or that the component discharge orifice (3b) of the inner feeding tube (3c) or the inner feeding tube extends axially beyond the outer feeding cavity (2) with the component discharge orifice (2b).

4. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-section of the outer feeding cavity (2) is conically tapered in the region of the component discharge orifices (2b, 3b).

5. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing device (9) is a static mixer (9).

6. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing device (9) is detachably connected to the wall (2c) of the outer feeding cavity (2) by means of a screw thread or bayonet connection or by means of a clamp connection.

7. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner feeding tube (3c) is formed within the outer feeding cavity (2) so as to be movable in the axial direction and is connected to an actuator, and the outer feeding cavity (2) is formed on the inside at the component discharge orifice (2b) with an inner valve seat which corresponds to the inner feeding tube (3c), and the inner valve seat forms a valve with the inner feeding tube (3c).

8. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuators (5) are formed with an electromechanical or hydraulic or pneumatic drive.

9. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that in the course of the outer cavity (2) downstream the cross-section is reduced in a gradation (2d).

10. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner feeding tube (3c) and/or the cavity wall of the outer feeding cavity (2c) are composed of several parts.

11. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve rod tip (6a) together with the outside of the component discharge orifice (3b) or with the outside of the valve seat (7) of the inner feeding tube (3c) when the valve (8) is closed forms a conical or hemispherical contour.

12. An operating procedure or using an applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a first component of at least two components which can be mixed with one another is conveyed through an outer feeding cavity (2) surrounded by a wall (2c) from a component feed (2a) to a component discharge orifice (2b), and a second component of the two components which can be mixed with one another is conveyed through an internal feeding cavity (3) formed in an internal feeding tube (3c) from a component feed (3a) to a component discharge orifice (3b) and wherein downstream of the component discharge orifice (2b) and the component discharge orifice (3b) the components are passed through a mixing device (9), wherein an interruption of the feed of the second component through the inner feeding cavity (3) takes place with a time delay before the interruption of the feed of the first component through the outer feeding cavity (2).

13. The applicator's (1) operating procedure according to claim 12, characterized in that the interruption of the feed of the second component is effected by closing the valve (8) at the component discharge orifice (3b) of the inner feeding cavity (3).

14. The applicator's (1) operating procedure according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding of the first component through the outer feeding cavity (2) is continued until the second component is removed from the component discharge orifice (3b) of the inner feeding cavity (3) or that the feeding of the first component through the outer feeding cavity (2) is continued until the second component or a mixture of the first component and the second component is removed from the mixing device (9).

15. The applicator's (1) operating procedure according to claim 12, characterized in that the continuation of the feeding of the first component is simultaneous with the feeding of the second component or delayed after the feeding of the second component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Several examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. The following is shown:

[0067] FIG. 1—a basic design of an applicator with a mixing device in a sectional view,

[0068] FIG. 2—a special application-related version of an applicator with a mixing device in a sectional view,

[0069] FIG. 3—an applicator with open valve in a sectional view and FIG. 4 an applicator with closed valve in a sectional view,

[0070] FIG. 4—an applicator with open valve in a sectional view and FIG. 4 an applicator with closed valve in a sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a possible basic design of an applicator 1 with a schematically shown mixing device 9 in a sectional view.

[0072] The basic design comprises the essential features of the applicator 1 according to the invention.

[0073] The applicator 1 serves to feed two components separately and in a fixed dose combination to a mixing device 9 arranged at the component discharge orifices 2b, 3b of the feeding cavities 2, 3 separately supplying the components. The aim is to prevent the components brought together directly at the component discharge orifices 2b, 3b from reacting with each other during downtimes.

[0074] Component feeds 2, 3 designed as feeding cavities 2, 3 are provided for feeding the components separately. According to the invention, the inner feeding cavity 3 is arranged concentrically (coaxially) within the outer feeding cavity 2 in an inner feeding tube 3c. The outer feeding cavity 2 is closed off to the outside by a wall as a cavity wall 2c, which is designed here as a tube.

[0075] The feeding cavities 2, 3 are each supplied/loaded with the components through the component feeds 2a, 3a. The components exit from the feeding cavities 2, 3 at the respective component discharge orifices 2b, 3b.

[0076] According to the invention, it is provided that a valve 8 is formed in the inner feeding cavity 3, specifically at the component discharge orifice 3b, which enables the discharge of the second component to be separately interrupted/interrupted/stopped.

[0077] Due to the further supply of the first component, the second component, which does not continue to extrude from the component discharge orifice 3b, is entrained by the associated discharge orifice 3b through the first component and thus removed, so that no uncontrolled or undesired reaction of the components with each other can take place there in an advantageous manner and thus, for example, adhesion of the discharge orifices 2b, 3b is effectively and reliably avoided.

[0078] Depending on the specific process, the interruption of the supply of the second component takes place in good time before the application of the component mixture by means of the applicator 1 according to the invention is suspended, so that the second component is entrained by the associated discharge orifice 3b through the first component and is thus removed.

[0079] Depending on the process, a complete removal of the mixture of the first component and the second component from the mixing device can also take place by correspondingly continuing the supply of the first component through the outer supply cavity 2.

[0080] The valve 8 at the component discharge orifice 3b of the second component is realized in that a valve rod 6, which is movable in the axial direction and connected to an actuator 5, is arranged in the inner feeding tube 3c enclosing the inner feeding cavity 3 and corresponds to a valve seat 7 arranged at the component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding tube 3c. Thus, the valve rod 6 and the valve seat 7 form the valve 8 for interrupting the discharge of the second component. The actuator 5 is designed with an electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic drive and can preferably be controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0081] FIG. 2 shows an application-related (special) version of an applicator 1 according to the invention with a mixing device 9 in a sectional view. The essential elements of the applicator 1 shown are known from FIG. 1.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows the applicator 1 with a closed valve 8 arranged at the component discharge orifice 3b of the second component.

[0083] Here the outer feeding cavity 2 is realized as a bore in an applicator block, so that the applicator block forms the cavity wall 2c of the outer feeding cavity 2.

[0084] A further special feature of the embodiment shown here is that the mixing device 9 is designed as a static mixer 9.

[0085] The attachment of the static mixer 9 is implemented here with a union nut 10 screwed onto the outer wall or the outer wall 2e of the outer feeding cavity 2.

[0086] FIG. 2 shows the applicator 1 with a closed valve 8 arranged at the component discharge orifice 3b of the second component and thus of the inner feeding cavity 3 with valve rod 6, tip of the valve rod 6a, and valve seat 7.

[0087] The component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding tube 3 c forms the hollow-cylindrical valve seat 7, which corresponds with the cylindrical outer side of the valve rod 6. Thus, the axially movable valve rod 6 with the valve seat 7 forms the valve 8 that can interrupt the supply of the second component.

[0088] The inner feeding tube 3c shown here is designed in two parts, so that the front part with the associated component discharge orifice 3b and the valve seat 7 formed there can be replaced separately, for example, due to wear or changing requirements.

[0089] Furthermore, the outer feeding cavity 2 is formed with a gradation 2d and thus with a reduction in cross-section in the direction of flow. The gradation 2d is realized by the cavity wall 2c of the outer feeding cavity 2. The flow velocity is adjusted by the gradation 2d of the outer feeding cavity 2.

[0090] The tip 6a of the valve rod 6 is here cone-shaped and, when the valve 8 is closed, forms a cone-shaped closure together with the outside of the inner feeding tube 3c in the area of the component discharge orifice 3b.

[0091] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the applicator 1 known from FIG. 2 in a simplified concept sketch.

[0092] The feature of the cone formed jointly by the valve rod tip 6a and inner feeding tube 3 c is shown with valve 8 open in FIG. 3 and with valve 8 closed in FIG. 4. The mixing device is not shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0093] Due to the cone formed by the inner feeding tube 3 c together with the tip 6a of the valve rod 6 in the area of the component discharge orifice 3b (see FIG. 4) and the exemplary additional taper 4 of the cross-section of the outer feeding cavity 2 at the component discharge orifice 2b, the first component extruding from the component discharge orifice 2b is directed in an accelerated manner to the component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding tube 3, so that second component still adhering there, in particular, to the tip 6a of the valve rod 6, is entrained and thus cleaning of the tip 6a of the valve rod 6 in the region of the component discharge orifice 3b is advantageously carried out and thus the problem underlying the invention is advantageously solved.

[0094] The prevailing counter-pressure of a static mixer as a mixing device favorably ensures that the first component is directed to the component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding tube 3 even without an additional tapering section of the cross-section of the outer feeding cavity 2 at the component discharge orifice 2b, where it entrains or skim second component still adhering to the tip 6a of the valve rod 6. This design, which is shown, in particular, in FIG. 2, is also advantageous for cleaning the tip 6a of the valve rod 6 in the region of the component discharge orifice 3b, and the problem underlying the invention is advantageously solved.

[0095] According to the invention, an operating procedure or using the applicator 1 is further provided, wherein, in the specific embodiment example, a first component of at least two components which can be mixed with one another is conveyed from a component feed 2a to a component discharge orifice 2b through an outer feeding cavity 2 surrounded by a wall 2c, and a second component of the two components which can be mixed with one another is conveyed from a component feed 3a to a component discharge orifice 3b through an inner feeding cavity 3 formed in an inner feeding tube 3c. An interruption of the feed of the second component through the inner feeding cavity 3 occurs before the interruption of the feed of the first component through the outer feeding cavity 2 by means of a valve 8 at the component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding cavity 3, so that the first component clears or cleans the outer surfaces of the valve 8 at the component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding cavity 3 of the second component by displacing or pushing away this second component.

[0096] Advantageously, feeding of the first component through the outer feeding cavity 2 continues until the second component is reliably removed from the component discharge orifice 3b of the inner feeding cavity 3.

[0097] When the application is resumed, the feeding of the first component is continued simultaneously with the feeding of the second component or delayed after the feeding of the second component.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0098] 1—applicator/application device [0099] 2—outer feeding cavity, outer component feed 5 2a—component feed for outer feeding cavity [0100] 2a—component feed for outer feeding cavity [0101] 2b—component discharge orifices of outer feeding cavity [0102] 2c—cavity wall of outer feeding cavity [0103] 2d—gradation of outer feeding cavity, change in cross-section [0104] 2e—outer wall, outer wall of outer feeding cavity [0105] 3—inner feeding cavity, inner component feeder [0106] 3a—component feed, inner feeding cavity [0107] 3b—component discharge orifice of the inner feeding cavity [0108] 3c—inner feeding tube, inner feeding cavity wall [0109] 4—taper [0110] 5—actuator for valve rod [0111] 6—valve rod [0112] 6a—tip of valve rod, valve rod tip [0113] 7—valve seat [0114] 8—valve [0115] 9—Mixing device [0116] 10—Union nut