Rotary module

Abstract

A device (10) for applying a fluid to a moving substrate (36) includes a nozzle head (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) with an inlet opening (26, 26c) and an outlet opening (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d). The device further includes a supply station (11) with a fastening surface (17) with a mouth region (20a) of a fluid duct. The nozzle head is arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the fastening surface about a pivot axis (38a). The inlet opening (26, 26c) and the mouth region (20a) of the fluid duct are arranged in alignment along the pivot axis (38a).

Claims

1. A device for applying a fluid to a moving substrate, the device comprising a nozzle head with an inlet opening for the fluid and with an outlet opening for the fluid and comprising a supply station with a fastening surface with a mouth region of a fluid duct and a groove extending along an arc, the nozzle head being arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the fastening surface about a pivot axis, wherein the inlet opening for the fluid and the mouth region of the fluid duct are arranged in alignment along the pivot axis, and wherein the nozzle head has a screw projecting from a rear surface and received in the groove, the screw movable within the groove during pivoting movement of the nozzle head.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mouth region of a first flow fluid duct in the fastening surface is communicatively connected to an inlet opening for the first flow fluid on a side, which faces toward the fastening surface, of the nozzle head, and wherein the inlet opening for the first flow fluid is formed so as to be curved along a circular arc around the pivot axis.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a mouth region of a second flow fluid duct in the fastening surface is communicatively connected to an inlet opening for the second flow fluid on a side, which faces toward the fastening surface, of the nozzle head, and wherein the inlet opening for the second flow fluid is curved along a circular arc around the pivot axis.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inlet opening for the fluid and/or the at least one inlet opening for the first or second flow fluid is surrounded by an annular groove which provides a receptacle for a sealing ring.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle head comprises two components, the outlet opening for the fluid on the nozzle head being provided by a first component, and the inlet opening for the fluid on the nozzle head being provided by a second component.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second component can be detachably fastened to the first component or wherein the second component can be detachably mounted on the first component.

7. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, on the first component, there are arranged coding means or positioning means which cooperate with complementary counterpart coding means or counterpart positioning means arranged on the second component.

8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first component is provided in the form of an in particular conventional nozzle head, and has an inlet side which faces toward an outlet side of the second component.

9. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a mouth region of a first flow fluid duct in the fastening surface is communicatively connected to an inlet opening for the first flow fluid on a side, which faces toward the fastening surface, of the second component, and wherein the inlet opening for the first flow fluid is formed so as to be curved along a circular arc around the pivot axis.

10. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a mouth region of a second flow fluid duct in the fastening surface is communicatively connected to an inlet opening for the second flow fluid on a side, which faces toward the fastening surface, of the second component, and wherein the inlet opening for the second flow fluid is curved along a circular arc around the pivot axis.

11. A device for applying a fluid to a moving substrate, the device comprising a nozzle head with an outlet opening for the fluid and comprising a supply station with a fastening surface and with a mouth region of a fluid duct arranged on the fastening surface, the nozzle head being arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the fastening surface about a pivot axis, wherein the nozzle head is fastened to the fastening surface with the aid of an adapter plate, a groove extending through the adapter plate, the groove curved along a circular arc, the pivot axis running through the central point of the circular arc, and wherein the nozzle head has a screw projecting from a rear surface and received in the groove, the screw movable within the groove during pivoting movement of the nozzle head.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a slide block is guided in the groove and the screw is received in the slide block.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slide block is displaceable between two stop positions.

14. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slide block has a dumbbell shape.

15. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slide block has screw receptacles, in particular threaded bores, on its side facing toward the nozzle head.

16. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the groove has, on its side facing towards the nozzle head, a constriction with a retention surface which faces towards the fastening surface and against which the slide block can be clamped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with a supply station, two adapter plates and two nozzle heads fastened to the adapter plates,

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic, partially sectional illustration, a section through a connecting region between the nozzle head and adapter plate and supply station, approximately along the section plane labeled II-II in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the device according to FIG. 1 in an illustration according to FIG. 1, with the adapter plates and the nozzle heads omitted,

(5) FIG. 4 shows, in a perspective view, a nozzle head and an adapter plate illustrated separate from one another,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the nozzle head and the adapter plate of FIG. 4 in a perspective view from the rear,

(7) FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 1 in a view from the front as per the view arrow VI in FIG. 1, wherein only the nozzle heads and the adapter plates are shown,

(8) FIG. 7 shows the nozzle heads and the adapter plates of FIG. 6 in a perspective view approximately as per the view arrow VII in FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8 shows the adapter plates and nozzle heads of FIG. 7 in a view from the rear as per the view arrow VIII in FIG. 7,

(10) FIG. 9 shows the nozzle heads and adapter plates of FIG. 6 with the nozzle heads in a different pivot position,

(11) FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of nozzle heads and adapter plates as per the view arrow X in FIG. 9 in an illustration as per FIG. 7,

(12) FIG. 11 shows the view from the rear of the arrangement of nozzle heads and adapter plates as per the view arrow XI in FIG. 10,

(13) FIG. 12 shows, in a schematic, exploded view from the rear, a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, which corresponds to the device of FIG. 1 with the special feature that the nozzle head is now provided by two components,

(14) FIG. 13 shows the device of FIG. 12 in an illustration as per FIG. 1, wherein the nozzle head which is arranged in the mounted state on the right in FIG. 12 and which comprises two components is shown in an exploded illustration,

(15) FIG. 14 shows the device of FIG. 13 in an assembled state in an illustration as per FIG. 1,

(16) FIG. 15 shows a detail illustration of the second component, in a view from the rear,

(17) FIG. 16 shows the second component as per FIG. 15 in a view from the front, and

(18) FIG. 17 shows the first component in a view from the rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) Before the following description of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, it is pointed out that, for clarity, identical or similar parts or elements are denoted by the same reference symbols, in some cases with the addition of lowercase alphabetic characters.

(20) The device shall firstly be explained on the basis of FIGS. 1 and 3:

(21) FIG. 1 shows the device 10 according to the invention in a cut-away, schematic perspective illustration. It is possible to see a supply station 11 which is of substantially block-like form. A cut-away connecting line 12 which connects the supply station 11 to an adhesive reservoir is indicated. Also visible, in a cut-away illustration, is a connection 13 which can connect the supply station 11 via electrical lines to a central controller for the actuation of electrical switches or the like. Also illustrated is a connection 14 by means of which compressed air can be supplied to the supply station 11.

(22) To the supply station 11 there is fastened a first nozzle head 15a and a second nozzle head 15b. The fastening of the nozzle heads 15a, 15b to the supply station 11 is realized via a first adapter plate 16a and a second adapter plate 16b respectively.

(23) FIG. 3 shows the supply station 11 in a state with the nozzle heads 15a, 15b removed and adapter plates 16a and 16b removed. It is possible to see the fastening surface 17, which is aligned along a plane.

(24) It is pointed out already at this juncture that a plurality of supply stations 11 may for example be positioned adjacent to one another along the arrangement direction A and if appropriate also fastened to one another. The number of supply stations 11 or also the number of nozzle heads 15 arranged along a row is substantially dependent on the deposition width (that is to say the width of the fluid deposition pattern on the substrate) and on the properties of the substrate. The number of two nozzle heads 15a, 15b shown in the exemplary embodiment is to be understood merely as an example.

(25) Furthermore, for viewer information, it is pointed out that a substrate 36, for example a moving substrate, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1 but which is indicated in FIGS. 6 and 9, can move relative to the device 10, for example below the device 10 in the illustration of FIG. 1, along a movement direction B.

(26) Each nozzle head 15, 15a, 15b has an outlet opening or an outlet 29, 29a, 29b for a fluid. In the exemplary embodiment, it should be assumed that the fluid is a hot melt adhesive which is to be applied to a substrate 36 indicated in FIGS. 6 and 9. The substrate 36, which is for example in the form of a web, may for example be moved along at a distance D below the outlet opening 29a, 29b by means of a drive (not illustrated).

(27) Assuming that an adhesive jet 37a, 37b (FIG. 6) or a corresponding adhesive thread or a succession of adhesive droplets or the like is dispensed from each outlet opening 29a; 29b, it is possible, by means of a rotation of the nozzle head 15, 15a, 15b about the respective pivot axis 38a, 38b, for a position adjustment of the corresponding nozzle head 15, 15a, 15b to be performed. In this way, it is possible to attain a changed position of the outlet opening 29, 29a, 29b relative to the substrate 36, and as a result, a change in the fluid deposition pattern on the substrate 36.

(28) The two extreme positions of the nozzle heads 15a, 15b are illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. In FIG. 6, the two adhesive impingement regions on the substrate 36, denoted by 39a and 39b, are at a maximum distance from one another, whereas in FIG. 9, the regions 39a, 39b have been moved toward one another to a maximum extent.

(29) It is self-evidently clear to a person skilled in the art that parallel pivoting of two modules, and an adjustment of the modules independently of one another, may also be performed.

(30) Referring to FIG. 3, it will now be explained that a number of receptacles 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g, 18h, in particular threaded bores, for receiving fastening elements, preferably screws 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e, 19f, 19g, 19h are provided on the fastening surface 17. From a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 3, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that each adapter plate 16, 16a, 16b has in each case four screw passages which are arranged in each case in the corner regions. Each adapter plate 16, for example the adapter plate 16a, is thus fixedly screwed to the fastening surface 17 by means of four screws, for example the screws 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d.

(31) On the fastening surface 17 there is furthermore arranged a mouth 20a of a fluid duct. Also situated in the fastening surface 17 are a mouth 21a of a duct for a first flow fluid and a mouth 22a of a duct for a second flow fluid. The three mouths 20a, 21a, 22a or mouth regions 20a, 21a, 22a are arranged along a straight line. Similarly, the fastening surface 17 may also include a mouth 20b of a second fluid duct, a mouth 21b of a second duct for a first fluid flow and a mouth 22b of a second duct for a second fluid flow.

(32) From a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 5, it is clear that a passage 23 for the fluid, a passage 24 for the first flow fluid and a passage 25 for the second flow fluid are also arranged in the adapter plate 16a. When the adapter plate 16a is fixedly screwed to the fastening surface 17, the passages 23, 24 and 25 are in each case arranged in alignment with the mouths 20a, 21a and 22a.

(33) It is also pointed out at this juncture that, on its side 40 which faces toward the fastening surface 17, the nozzle head 15a has an inlet opening 26 for the fluid, an inlet opening 27 for the first flow fluid and an inlet opening 28 for the second flow fluid, as can be seen most clearly in FIG. 5.

(34) In a position of the nozzle head 15a as per FIG. 1, in which the nozzle head 15a is aligned parallel to the adapter plate 16a, the inlet openings 26, 27 and 28 are arranged in alignment with the passages 23, 24 and 25, and are thus also arranged in alignment with the mouth regions 20a, 21a and 22a.

(35) In the adapter plate 16a there is arranged a guide slot 30 which is of arc-shaped form. The arc shape arises from the segment of a circle, the central point of which lies in the region of the central axis 38a of the passage 23 for the fluid, that is to say on the pivot axis 38a.

(36) A slide block 31 is guided in the guide slot 30. Said slide block 31 has a substantially dumbbell-like or bone-like basic shape, with a constriction in the middle and two rounded ends 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d configured to contact the guide slot, for example at 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, respectively. In the region of the rounded ends, the slide block has provided therein receptacles 35a, 35b, in particular threaded bores, for receiving screws 34a, 34b. The nozzle head 15a can be fastened to the slide block 31 with the aid of the screws 34a, 34b. Similarly, the nozzle head 15b can be fastened to another slide block 31 with the aid of screws 34c, 34d.

(37) As can be seen for example from FIG. 2, the guide slot 30 is provided, on its side facing toward the nozzle head 15a, with a constriction 41 which provides a retention surface 42 which faces toward the fastening surface 17. By tightening the screws 34, the slide block 31 can be clamped with its face side 43 against the retention surface 42 (FIG. 2). In this way, the nozzle head 15a can be fixedly screwed to the adapter plate 16a.

(38) The fastening sequence is as follows: firstly the slide block 31 is inserted into the guide slot 30 from that side of the adapter plate 16 which faces toward the fastening surface 17. The adapter plate 16 is then fixedly screwed to the fastening surface 17 with the aid of the screws 19. The nozzle head 15 can thereafter be fastened relative to the adapter plate by tightening the screws.

(39) To change the pivot position of the nozzle head 15a, the screws 34 can be loosened, the desired pivot angle of the nozzle head 15a can subsequently be set, and subsequently, when the pivot position of the nozzle head has been selected, the screws 34 can be tightened and the selected pivot angle locked.

(40) It has already been described above that the guide slot 30 runs in the shape of a circular arc around the pivot axis 38a. The inlet opening 27 for the first flow fluid and the inlet opening 28 for the second flow fluid on that side 40 of the nozzle head 15 which faces toward the fastening surface 17 are also each provided with an arc-shaped groove or with a groove-shaped widening or with a groove-shaped widening region. The groove is in each case curved along a circular arc whose circle central point coincides with the pivot axis.

(41) All three inlet openings 26, 27 and 28 are in each case surrounded by an annular groove 45a, 45b, 45c which serves for receiving a sealing ring (not illustrated), for example an O ring. More accurately, an O ring is provided only for sealing off the inlet opening 26. Oval, elongate rings (not illustrated) are provided as sealing bodies for the inlet openings 27 and 28, which are of more elongate form, and for the associated grooves 45b and 45c, which are of more elongate form.

(42) Alternatively, that side of the adapter plate which faces toward the nozzle head, and which is not illustrated in FIG. 4, may be provided with corresponding grooves which annularly surround the passages 23, 24, 25 or the mouths thereof.

(43) Finally, correspondingly half-open grooves for receiving sealing rings may be provided both on that side 40 of the nozzle head 15 which faces toward the adapter plate 16, as shown in FIG. 5, and additionally on that side of the adapter plate 16 which faces toward the nozzle head.

(44) A particular advantage of the device according to the invention is that the pivot axis 38a about which pivoting of the nozzle head 15 takes place is arranged in the region of the inlet opening 26 for the fluid. In this way, the sealing of the fluid duct 23, in particular the sealing of the mouth region of the passage 23 in the adapter plate 16a, can be realized in a particularly reliable and simple manner.

(45) It can furthermore be seen from FIG. 5 that grooves for receiving sealing bodies may likewise be provided, around the passages 23, 24 and 25, on that side 44 of the adapter plate 16 which faces toward the fastening surface 17.

(46) A further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention shall now also be described on the basis of FIGS. 12 to 17.

(47) As can be seen from FIG. 12, the nozzle head which is denoted therein by 15c is formed in two parts and comprises a first component 46c and a second component 47c. FIG. 12 does not show that the second nozzle head 15d is also formed in two parts. This is however evident from FIGS. 13 and 14, where second nozzle head 15d includes first and second components 46d, 47d and an outlet opening 29d.

(48) The nozzle head 15c comprises a first component 46c which corresponds to a conventional nozzle head of the prior art. From FIG. 17, it can be seen that the first component 46c includes an outlet opening 29c, and that the inlet side 50 of the nozzle head has an inlet 52 for a fluid, an inlet 53 for a first flow fluid and an inlet 54 for a second flow fluid. In this respect, the arrangement of the three inlets 52, 53 and 54 also corresponds to the positioning of the fluid mouth 20a, the mouth 21a for the first flow fluid and the mouth 22a for the second flow fluid, in each case on the fastening surface 17 of the supply station 11 as per FIG. 3. It would thus be possible for the first component 46c to be screwed directly to the fastening surface 17 of the supply station 11. Under these conditions, however, the first component 46c, which in this case would directly provide a nozzle head, would not be used within the meaning of the invention.

(49) To allow the first component 46c to be used within the meaning of the invention, a second component 47c is provided which shall be described on the basis of FIGS. 15 and 16. The second component 47c has an outlet side 51 which is kept substantially smooth and which, in the mounted state of the components 46c, 47c, bears against the inlet side 50 of the first component 46c.

(50) Furthermore, the second component 47c has an inlet side 40c which substantially corresponds to the inlet side 40 of the nozzle head 15a of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.

(51) On the inlet side 40c of the second component 47c there is arranged a fluid inlet 26c, an inlet 27c for a first flow fluid and an inlet 28c for a second flow fluid. The inlet openings 27c, 28c have a circular-arc-shaped widening which extends along a radius around the pivot axis 38 or around the central axis of the inlet opening 26c.

(52) On the second component 47c there are arranged projections 49a, 49b which can be inserted complementarily into corresponding recesses 48a, 48b (cf. FIG. 17) on the inlet side 50 of the first component 46c. In this respect, the recesses 48a, 48b of the first component 46c form positioning means, and the projections 49a, 49b on the second component 47c form corresponding counterpart positioning means. Through interaction of the positioning means and counterpart positioning means, it is possible to ensure precise and correct positioning of the components 46c, 47c relative to one another.

(53) FIG. 17 shows that the two recesses 48a, 48b are formed in each case as edge recesses. Each edge recess 48a, 48b extends from the inlet side 50 in the direction H. The two edge recesses 48a, 48b furthermore extend from the respective side surface SF of the module inward, that is to say toward the center of the module.

(54) For example, the edge recess 48a as per FIG. 17 extends from the side surface SF of the module in the transverse direction Q.

(55) The edge recess 48a has been formed for example by virtue of the block-shaped material of the first component 46c, or nozzle head, being milled out, wherein a corresponding rotating milling head moves toward the side surface SF and is then moved continuously onward in the direction Q. The edge recess 48a thus attained has a cuboidal region QB and a plano-convex region PK which is generated during the course of the milling process.

(56) The cuboidal region QB is dimensioned to be so large that the male projections 49a, 49b which are arranged on the outlet side of the second component 47c, or adapter plate, as can be seen from FIG. 15, can be received completely in said cuboidal region.

(57) If, proceeding from a position as per FIG. 17, the module is pivoted about the pivot axis 38 in FIG. 17 in the direction of the arrow PS by the exertion of manual force on the first component 46c, a contact region KB1 and a second contact region KB2 come into contact with the inner flank IF (FIG. 15) of the complementary male projection 49a, and ensures reliable, play-free or virtually play-free rotary driving of the second component 47c, the so-called adapter plate, as per FIG. 15.

(58) In this respect, rotary driving as a result of the contact need not be realized by means of the drilled holes denoted by BL1 and BL2 in FIG. 15, which may accordingly have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fastening screws 34a, 34b.

(59) Since the recesses 48a, 48b are arranged far remote from the inlet opening 52 for the fluid, and therefore also far remote from the pivot axis 38, a particularly advantageous distribution of force or a particularly efficient engagement of force is attained. In this way, optimum rotational locking of the first component 46c and second component 47c during the pivoting movement is attained.

(60) The symmetrical formation and symmetrical arrangement of the two recesses 48a, 48b in relation to the inlet 54 for the second flow fluid furthermore serves to ensure the desired play-free or virtually play-free rotationally conjoint action in both directions of rotation.

(61) The second component 47c has bores through which the screws 34a, 34b, which are held on the first component 46c, can extend, such that a fastening of the nozzle head 15c which is composed of two components 46c, 47c can take place with the aid of an adapter plate 16a, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13 and also in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. The invention also encompasses exemplary embodiments in which nozzle heads which comprise components 46c, 47c can be fastened directly to a fastening surface 17 of a supply station 11 without the aid of such an adapter plate, if the inventive principle specified in the independent claims is used.