Device for preparing and applying adhesive

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preparing and applying adhesive, comprising a feed unit, a preparing unit, and an application unit, wherein the feed unit is used to feed a basic component of the adhesive and/or of at least one additive, wherein the preparing unit effects continuous mixing of the basic component of the adhesive with the one or more fed additives to form the prepared adhesive and continuous conveying of the prepared adhesive, wherein the adhesive prepared in such a way is conveyed from the preparing unit into the application unit and can be applied to a workpiece by the application unit.

Claims

1. A device for preparing and applying an adhesive having at least one additive, the device comprising: an infeed unit; a preparation unit; and an application unit; wherein the infeed unit is configured to infeed either or both of a basic component of the adhesive and the at least one additive, wherein the preparation unit comprises a housing bounding a mixing chamber, wherein the preparation unit has helical duct routing for introducing the basic component of the adhesive into the mixing chamber, wherein the preparation unit is configured to effect continuous mixing of the basic component of the adhesive and the at least one additive so as to form the adhesive, wherein the preparation unit is configured to continuously convey the adhesive from the preparation unit into the application unit, wherein the application unit is configured to apply the adhesive to a workpiece, wherein the basic component of the adhesive is a solid, granules, or a powder, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit has a heater for melting the basic component of the adhesive or the at least one additive, wherein the application unit has an adhesive applicator, wherein the adhesive applicator is a nozzle or an application roller, wherein the application unit has a reservoir configured for an intermediate storage of a defined amount of the adhesive.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit has a metering unit for infeeding the basic component of the adhesive or at least one additive in a metered manner.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infeed unit is configured to allow manual infeeding of the basic component of the adhesive or of at least one additive.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit comprises at least one pump configured to effect continuous infeeding or conveying of the basic component of the adhesive.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the preparation unit has a mixing device configured for mixing the basic component of the adhesive or at least one additive.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the mixing device comprises a dynamic mixing element configured to be driven by a rotatable mixing means.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the mixing chamber has an outlet opening configured for discharging the mixed adhesive to the application unit.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the mixing chamber has a static mixing element or dynamic mixing element.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the static mixing element is a stationary mixing element arranged in the mixing chamber or on a wall of the mixing chamber, wherein the static mixing element is formed by a hollow-cylindrical chamber having a helically configured flow path therein.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the static mixing element is configured by a helical spiral that is disposed or configured on the wall of the mixing chamber.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the helically configured flow path is formed by a helical spiral inserted into the hollow-cylindrical chamber.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is configured to continue to convey the adhesive into the application unit when the infeed unit and the preparation unit are temporarily not functioning.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application roller is configured in the reservoir to rotate to allow mixing therein.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit is configured to allow a controlled infeeding of the basic component of the adhesive or of the at least one additive.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit comprises at least one pump configured to effect continuous or discrete infeeding of at least one additive.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein the reservoir is configured to convey the adhesive into the application unit when the preparation unit is being filled or due to a changeover of the at least one additive from one composition to another.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a dye.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a substance which improves moisture resistance.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a substance which improves resistance to the formation of mold.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a biocide.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises an additive for improving absorption of energy.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a primer for improving adhesive bonding.

23. A device for preparing and applying an adhesive having at least one additive, the device comprising: an infeed unit; a preparation unit; and an application unit comprises an application roller wherein the infeed unit is configured to infeed either or both of a basic component of the adhesive and the at least one additive, wherein the preparation unit comprises a housing bounding a mixing chamber, wherein the preparation unit has helical duct routing for introducing the basic component of the adhesive into the mixing chamber, wherein the preparation unit is configured to effect continuous mixing of the basic component of the adhesive and the at least one additive so as to form the adhesive, wherein the preparation unit is configured to continuously convey the adhesive from the preparation unit into the application unit, wherein the application unit is configured to apply the adhesive to a workpiece, wherein the basic component of the adhesive is a solid, granules, or a powder, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit has a heater for melting the basic component of the adhesive or the at least one additive, wherein the preparation unit has a mixing device configured for mixing the basic component of the adhesive or at least one additive, wherein the mixing device comprises a dynamic mixing element configured to be driven by a rotatable mixing means.

24. A device for preparing and applying an adhesive having at least one additive, the device comprising: an infeed unit; a preparation unit; and an application unit; wherein the infeed unit is configured to infeed either or both of a basic component of the adhesive and the at least one additive, wherein the preparation unit comprises a housing bounding a mixing chamber, wherein the preparation unit has helical duct routing for introducing the basic component of the adhesive into the mixing chamber, wherein the preparation unit is configured to effect continuous mixing of the basic component of the adhesive and the at least one additive so as to form the adhesive, wherein the preparation unit is configured to continuously convey the adhesive from the preparation unit into the application unit, wherein the application unit is configured to apply the adhesive to a workpiece, wherein the basic component of the adhesive is a solid, granules, or a powder, wherein the infeed unit or the preparation unit has a heater for melting the basic component of the adhesive or the at least one additive, wherein the application unit has an adhesive applicator, wherein the adhesive applicator is a nozzle or an application roller, wherein the application unit has a reservoir configured for an intermediate storage of a defined amount of the adhesive, wherein the application roller is configured in the reservoir to rotate to allow mixing therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail hereunder based on at least one exemplary embodiment by means of the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment a device according to the invention, for preparing and applying adhesive;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, for preparing and applying adhesive;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, for preparing and applying adhesive;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a preparation device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the preparation device as per FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a preparation device;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the preparation device as per FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a preparation device; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the preparation device as per FIG. 8.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention, for preparing and applying adhesive, having an infeed unit 2, a preparation unit 3, and an application unit 4.

(12) The infeed unit 2 serves for infeeding the basic component of the adhesive, wherein the basic component of the adhesive may be made available already in liquid, pasty, or fluid form.

(13) Also, the basic component of the adhesive may be made available as a solid material, as granules, or as powder or similar, and be filled into the infeed unit 2. To this end, the infeed unit 2 may have a melting unit 5 which serves for melting the basic component. The basic component is infed from the infeed unit 2 to the preparation unit 3 to which in turn additives may be infed.

(14) The basic component and the additive or additives are then mixed in the preparation unit 3. To this end, a driveless rotating mixer, a driven rotating mixer, or a static non-rotating mixer may be provided in the preparation unit 3, said mixer mixing the components to be mixed in the preparation unit 3. The mixed components of the adhesive are then guided from the preparation unit 3 into the application unit 4 from where the adhesive may be applied to a workpiece. To this end, the application unit 4 has a means such as an application roller 6, for example, by which the application onto the workpiece may be performed.

(15) However, the infeed unit 2 may also serve for infeeding the basic component of the adhesive, and at least one additive such that the infeed unit 2 is already infed the basic component and the at least one additive, then guiding the two latter onward to the preparation unit, for example in order for the components to be mixed.

(16) Infeeding of the basic component to the infeed unit and/or to the preparation unit herein is preferably performed in a controlled automated manner. In one further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the one or the other component may also be manually infed.

(17) The preparation unit 3 effects continuous mixing of the basic component of the adhesive and the infed additive or additives, so as to form the prepared adhesive, and said preparation unit 3 also effects continuous conveying of the prepared adhesive. To this end, the preparation unit preferably has a pump which conveys the basic component or the mixed adhesive. If only the basic component is conveyed by the pump, then the mixed adhesive is also conveyed because the basic component accounts for the major part of the mixed adhesive.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device 11 according to the invention, for preparing and applying adhesive, having an infeed unit 12, a preparation unit 13, and an application unit 14. The infeed unit 12 again serves for infeeding the basic component 16 of the adhesive, wherein the basic component 16 of the adhesive may be made available in liquid or fluid form, as has already been elaborated above. Also, the basic component 16 of the adhesive may be made available as a solid material, as granules, or as a powder or similar, and be filled into the infeed unit 12. To this end, the infeed unit 12 may optionally have a melting unit 15 which serves for melting the basic component 16. The basic component 16 is infed from the infeed unit 12 to the preparation unit 13 to which additives 17 may optionally also be infed. Alternatively, the additives 17 may also be infed to the infeed unit 12, as is shown in FIG. 2.

(19) The basic component 16 and the additive or additives 17 are then mixed in the preparation unit 13. To this end, a driveless rotating mixer, a driven rotating mixer, or a static non-rotating mixer may again be provided in the preparation unit 13, said mixer mixing the components 16, 17 to be mixed in the preparation unit 13. The mixed components 16, 17 of the adhesive are then guided from the preparation unit 13 into the application unit 14 by means of which the adhesive may be applied to a workpiece. To this end, the application unit 14 again has a means such as an application roller 18, for example, by means of which the application of the adhesive onto the workpiece is performed.

(20) As is shown in FIG. 2, apart from infeeding the basic component 16 of the adhesive, at least one additive is also infed by way of the infeed unit 12 such that the infeed unit 12 is already infed the basic component 16 and also the at least one additive 17, then guiding the two latter on to the preparation unit 13 in order for the components to be mixed, for example.

(21) Infeeding of the basic component 16 to the infeed unit 12 and/or to the preparation unit 13 herein is preferably performed in a controlled automated manner. Alternatively, the basic component 16 may also be manually infed. The additives 17 are advantageously infed manually. Alternatively, these additives 17 may also be infed in an automated manner.

(22) The preparation unit 13 again effects continuous mixing of the basic component 16 of the adhesive and the infed additive or additives 17, so as to form the prepared adhesive; said preparation unit also effects continuous conveying of the prepared adhesive.

(23) To this end, the preparation unit optionally and preferably has a pump (not illustrated) which conveys the basic component or the mixed adhesive. If only the basic component is conveyed by the pump, then the mixed adhesive is also conveyed because the basic component accounts for the major part of the mixed adhesive.

(24) FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the device 21 according to the invention, for preparing and applying adhesive. The device herein includes an infeed unit 22, a preparation unit 23, and an application unit 24 which all are integrated in a housing 25, or in a vessel, respectively.

(25) The infeed unit 22 again serves for infeeding the basic component 26 of the adhesive, wherein the basic component 26 of the adhesive may be made available in liquid or fluid form, as has already been elaborated above. Also, the basic component 26 of the adhesive may be made available as a solid material, as granules, or as a powder or similar, and be filled into the infeed unit 22. To this end, the infeed unit 22 may optionally have a melting unit (not shown in FIG. 3, however) which serves for melting the basic component 26. The basic component 26 and the at least one additive 27 is infed from the infeed unit 22 to the preparation unit 23. The as component 26 and the additive or additives 27 are then mixed in the preparation unit 23.

(26) To this end, a driveless rotating mixer, a driven rotating mixer, or a static non-rotating mixer may in turn be provided in the preparation unit 23, said mixer mixing the components 26, 27 to be mixed in the preparation unit 23. However, the application roller 28 which by virtue of the rotation thereof effects a flow in the preparation unit that mixes the basic component and the at least one additive may also indirectly serve as the mixer.

(27) The mixed components 26, 27 of the adhesive are then discharged by the application unit 24 and are applied to a workpiece by means of the application roller 28.

(28) As is shown in FIG. 3, apart from infeeding the basic component 26 of the adhesive, at least one additive is also infed by way of the infeed unit 22. Infeeding of the basic component 26 to the infeed unit 22 herein is preferably performed manually, wherein this may also alternatively be performed in a controlled manner. The additives 27 are advantageously infed manually. Alternatively, these additives 27 may also be infed in an automated manner.

(29) FIG. 4 to 6 show exemplary embodiments of preparation units which are configured having dissimilar mixers.

(30) FIG. 4 shows a preparation unit 50 having a housing 51 in which a volume 52 is configured as a mixing chamber. A pump 54 which effects conveying of the basic component and/or of the additive or additives into the mixing chamber 52 of the housing 51 is provided in the upper region 53 of the housing 51. To this end, the basic component, by way of an infeed 55 having entrances 56 to the mixing chamber, is admitted into the mixing chamber 52, see FIG. 5. Infeeding 55 by way of the helical duct routing effects distribution of the basic component in the mixing chamber 52. To this end, three ducts which admit the basic component into the mixing chamber at an angle of approximately 120 are formed in the exemplary embodiment, wherein the entrances 56 each are disposed so as be offset by 120. The pump 54 may preferably be a gear pump.

(31) The pump 54 serves as a metering unit for infeeding the basic component into the mixing chamber 52 in a metered manner.

(32) A metering unit 57 which effects the metered addition of at least one additive is furthermore provided. To this end, the metering unit 57 may have a reservoir 58 and a valve 59 such that the metered addition is performed by actuating the valve 59. To this end, the pump 54 may be utilized in order for the additive to be conveyed into the mixing chamber 52. Alternatively, the metering unit 57 may also have a dedicated pump or an injector by means of which the at least one additive is metered into the mixing chamber 52.

(33) The housing 51 is preferably heatable so that a melted basic component and/or also a melted additive may be processed in an ongoing melted state.

(34) The preparation unit 50 has a mixing device 60 for mixing the basic component and/or the at least one additive. To this end, a rotatable mixing element 61 which for mixing the basic component and/or the at least one additive may be driven by a drive motor 62 by means of the shaft 63 is disposed in the mixing chamber 52. Accordingly, the mixing element 61 is a dynamic mixing means which may be twisted in a controlled manner. The drive motor 62 herein is preferably an electric motor or a motor having another type of drive. Apart from driving the mixing element 61, the motor 62 may also serve for driving the pump 54. On account thereof, one drive would be omitted because one drive could be utilized simultaneously for two purposes. Additionally or alternatively, the drive motor 62 may also be provided for driving the pump for conveying the addtives.

(35) The mixing chamber 52 on the lower side 64 thereof preferably has an opening 65 by means of which the mixed adhesive may be discharged from the preparation unit 50.

(36) FIGS. 6 and 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a preparation unit 70 according to the invention, that is configured so as to be substantially similar to the preparation unit 50 of FIGS. 4 and 5.

(37) As opposed to the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 70 is provided with a driveless mixing element 71 which, while being rotatably mounted in the mixing chamber 52, is not configured so as to be drivable by the drive 62. The shaft 63 does not drive the mixing element 71. However, by virtue of the flow of the adhesive in the mixing chamber, the mixing element 71 may rotate, thus mixing the adhesive composed of the basic component and/or of the at least one additive.

(38) FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further exemplary embodiment of a preparation unit 90 according to the invention, that is configured as to be substantially similar the preparation unit 50 of FIGS. 4 and 5.

(39) As opposed to the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 90 is configured having a static mixer 91. The static mixer 91 is composed of a hollow cylinder 92 in which a spiral 93 is placed so as to form a helical flow path 94. The fluid basic component and the additives flow along the flow path and are intermixed there.

(40) The mixer 91 is thus a static mixing means which is configured as a stationary mixing means in the mixing chamber, or on a wall of the mixing chamber, respectively. To this end, the mixing chamber is modified so as to form a helical flow path which is formed by a hollow-cylindrical chamber having a flow path therein that is configured in a helical manner.

(41) The adhesive used is preferably a warm or hot-melt adhesive, wherein said adhesive may also be an adhesive that is not intended for heating.

(42) The additives that are optionally used are preferably substances that influence the chemical properties, the biological properties, and/or the physical properties of the adhesive.

(43) An additive herein may be a dye, a means for improving the resistance to moisture or the resistance to the formation of mold, a biocide means, and additive for improved absorption of energy, and/or a primer for improved adhesive bonding.

(44) In this way, an additive may be a dye, for example. An additive may also be isocyanate or urea.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(45) 1 Device 2 Infeed unit 3 Preparation unit 4 Application unit 5 Melting unit 6 Application roller 11 Device 12 Infeed unit 13 Preparation unit 14 Application unit 15 Melting unit 16 Basic component 17 Additive 18 Application roller 21 Device 22 Infeed unit 23 Preparation unit 24 Application unit 25 Housing 26 Basic component 27 Additive 28 Application roller 50 Preparation unit 51 Housing 52 Volume, mixing chamber 53 Upper region 54 Pump 55 Infeed 56 Entrance 57 Metering unit 58 Reservoir 59 Valve 60 Mixing device 61 Mixing element 62 Drive motor 63 Shaft 64 Lower side 65 Opening 70 Preparation unit 71 Mixing element 90 Preparation unit 91 Mixer 92 Hollow cylinder 93 Spiral 94 Flow path