Abstract
The invention relates to an application pen for dispensing a liquid onto a surface, such as for applying a protection layer onto adhesion surfaces of a vehicle; for example, for improving adhesion in the case of adhesive applications, the application pen including a hollow body and an ampoule which is received in the hollow body, including a circumferential face, for receiving the liquid, wherein the ampoule can be broken for discharging the liquid, wherein a breaking device with an axially movable portion is provided and is realized in such a manner that a movement of the movable portion in the axial direction results in the breaking of the ampoule.
Claims
1. Application pen for dispensing a liquid onto a surface, said application pen comprising: a hollow body for receiving a liquid inside an ampoule, wherein the ampoule is configured to be broken for discharging the liquid, wherein the hollow body includes at least one closure cap as well as a basic body, wherein the closure cap includes a liquid applicator part, wherein the closure cap with the liquid applicator part is configured to be removable from the basic body, and wherein the closure cap is configurable in a closed state on the application pen such that, when the closure cap is in the closed state on the application pen, the closure cap covers an axial end of the liquid applicator part, wherein the hollow body contains the basic body and one head part, and wherein the head part includes a flexible end face with a slot.
2. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applicator part includes a liquid applicator felt, and with the cap removed, protrudes at least in part from the closure cap.
3. Application pen according to claim 1, the liquid applicator part comprising: a porous body, which is configured to include a liquid applicator felt or which consists of a liquid applicator felt.
4. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applicator part is fixedly connected to the closure cap, and is plugged in and/or pressed in and/or glued on and/or welded on.
5. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein an end of the closure cap remote from the liquid applicator part comprises: a recess, and/or the closure cap comprises axially extending ribs on its outer circumferential face.
6. Application pen according to claim 4, comprising: a breaking device with an axially movable portion configured such that a movement of the axially movable portion in an axial direction will result in the ampoule being broken during operation.
7. Application pen according to claim 6, wherein the axially movable portion is arranged to be movable in the axial direction onto an end of the application pen as a result of an impact that is carried out in the axial direction such that the ampoule breaks, and/or wherein a rotatable portion is configured such that a rotation of the rotatable portion will drive the movable portion, during operation, in the axial direction such that the ampoule breaks.
8. Application pen according to claim 7, wherein the breaking device comprises: a deflecting device configured in such a manner that a force which acts axially on account of movement of the movable portion will be deflected, during operation, in a direction of a circumferential face of the ampoule.
9. Application pen according to claim 8, wherein the breaking device comprises: at least one claw, arranged such that the claw will be driven, during operation, against the circumferential face of the ampoule as a result of the axial movement of the movable portion.
10. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body comprises: at least two parts, wherein at least one sealing ring is provided on at least one face of one of the parts, which is facing a face of a further part.
11. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein a width of the slot is no larger than 1 mm, and/or wherein a length of the slot is at least 1.5 mm and the length of the slot is no longer than 10 mm.
12. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the ampoule is received in the hollow body.
13. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is selected for a protection layer of an adhesion surface.
14. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applicator part includes a liquid applicator felt which, with the cap removed, protrudes at least in part from the closure cap by at least 2 mm.
15. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein the liquid applicator part includes a liquid applicator felt which, with the cap removed, protrudes at least in part from the closure cap by at least 4 mm.
16. Application pen according to claim 9, wherein the claw is a flexible claw.
17. Application pen according to claim 10, wherein the hollow body comprises: three parts, the sealing ring being a sealing lip provided on a circumferential face of one of the parts facing a circumferential face of a further part.
18. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein a width of the slot is no larger than 0.5 mm, and/or wherein a length of the slot is at least 2 mm and the length of the slot is no longer than 5 mm.
19. Application pen according to claim 1, wherein a width of the slot is no larger than 0.2 mm, and/or wherein a length of the slot is at least 2 mm and the length of the slot is no longer than 5 mm.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Advantages and expediency of the invention become clear from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments by way of the figures, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an enlarged detail of the embodiment according to FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 shows the detail according to FIG. 2 in different position;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a closure cap of the embodiment according to FIG. 1;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention;
(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic section of the embodiment according to FIG. 5 and a different position without a cap;
(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic section of the cap according to the embodiments according to FIGS. 5 and 6;
(9) FIG. 8 shows a sectional representation of a third embodiment of the invention;
(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a cap according to the embodiment according to FIG. 8;
(11) FIG. 10 shows a schematic section of a detail of a fourth embodiment of the invention;
(12) FIG. 11 shows the detail of the embodiment according to FIG. 10 without a closure cap;
(13) FIG. 12 shows a schematic section of a fifth embodiment of the invention;
(14) FIG. 13 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 12 without a closure cap;
(15) FIG. 14 shows a schematic section analogous to FIG. 2 of a detail of a sixth embodiment of the invention; and
(16) FIG. 15 shows a schematic section analogous to FIG. 3 of a detail of the embodiment according to FIG. 14.
(17) FIG. 1 shows a schematic section of a first embodiment of an application pen. The application pen includes a base 10, an (axially movable) head part 11 (which realizes a movable portion) and a closure cap 12. The basic body 10, head part 11 and closure cap 12 define a hollow body 3. The basic body 10 comprises an end 14 of the application pen remote from the outlet region 13 (rear end). An ampoule 15 (shown by the broken lines) is arranged in the hollow body 13, specifically inside the basic body 10 and (partially) inside the head part 11. A sponge 16, which prevents the ampoule (or splinters thereof) being able to fall out of the application pen, is additionally provided. The sponge 16 is provided inside the head part 11. A liquid applicator felt 17 is arranged partially inside the head part 11 and the closure cap 12 according to FIG. 1. The ampoule 15 can be broken by means of claws 18 (in the present example four claws are provided but this number is not compulsory) such that liquid is discharged from the ampoule.
(18) The breaking of the ampoule is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an enlarged detail of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a first position (FIG. 2) and a second position (FIG. 3). It can be seen in FIG. 2 that an end stop 19 of the head part 11 is removed from an end stop 20 of the basic body 10 such that the head part 11 and base part 10 can be moved toward one another, which is symbolized by the arrows 21. If an impact is then exerted in the direction of the arrows 21 onto an end 22 of the application pen which is assigned to the outlet region 13 and in the present case is formed by the closure cap 12, the head part 11 including the cap 12 is displaced in the direction of the basic body 10. The end state is shown in FIG. 3. During said movement, run-up inclinations 23 of the claws 18 come into contact with a (ring-shaped circumferential) run-up inclination 24 of an inner circumferential face of the basic body such that the (flexible) claws are bent inward (in the radial direction) such that pressure is exerted onto the ampoule and it breaks (see FIG. 3). The impact necessary to break the ampoule can be effected, for example, as a result of the basic body 10 being gripped and the cap 12 being pushed (struck) head-on against a wall.
(19) In order to make it easier for the claws 18 to be able to bend radially inward, they are spaced apart from one another by slots 25.
(20) Sealing between the basic body 10 and the head part 11 (see FIG. 3) is effected by means of sealing rings 26 which are provided on an outer circumferential face of the head part 11 which is located opposite an inner circumferential face of the basic body 10. Said sealing rings 26 achieve a high level of tightness without the mobility between the head part 11 and the basic body 10, which is necessary for breaking the ampoule, being excessively restricted. The cap 2 can be screw-connected to the head part 11 by means of a screw-type thread 27 (the associated thread of the head part cannot be seen in the Figure as it is realized in an interrupted manner and the interruptions are in the section plane). Sealing of the closure cap 12 in relation to the head part 10 is effected by a cone portion 28 on the closure cap 12 and a cone portion 29 on the head part 11. In addition, the head part 11 comprises an annular inclined face 30 which corresponds with the cone portion 28 of the closure cap 12. In a similar manner, the cap 12 includes an annular inclined face 31 which corresponds with the cone portion 29 of the head part 11. All in all, reliable sealing of the head part 11 in relation to the cap 112 is realized as a result.
(21) In FIG. 4 the cap 12 is shown without the head part 11 or the basic body 10. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the liquid applicator felt 17 is arranged in a recess 32 of the cap (for example glued on or welded on or integrally moulded in another manner; where applicable, it is also possible for the liquid applicator felt 17 to be detachable from the cap). If, therefore, the cap 12 is removed from the remaining components of the application pen, the cap 12 still comprises the liquid applicator felt 17 associated with it, which is saturated with liquid on account of its previous contact with the sponge 16. Said liquid in the liquid applicator felt 17 can then be applied onto a surface. If the liquid applicator felt 17 has dried out or is no longer usable for another reason, the cap 12 can be thrown away and replaced by a new cap 12. In this case, the remaining components of the application pen can continue to be used. This increases the service life of the application pen in a considerable manner.
(22) FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the (in a first position). FIG. 6 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 5 without the closure cap. The ampoule is not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for the sake of simplicity, however is arranged in an analogous manner to FIG. 1. The mechanism for breaking the ampoule corresponds to the mechanism according to FIGS. 1 to 4 and is not explained again here. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, no sponge 16 is provided in the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7, the liquid applicator felt 17 prevents the glass splinters being able to escape from the ampoule. To this end, the liquid applicator felt 17 is not integrated in the cap 12 (cf. FIGS. 6 and 7) unlike in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, but in the head part 11. Analogous to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the head part 11 is sealed in relation to the basic body 10 by sealing rings 26. Said sealing rings 26 can be realized as sealing lips or sealing lamellae. In addition, an outer circumferential face of the head part 11, which is located opposite an inner circumferential face of the cap 12, also comprises sealing rings 33a to 33c. The sealing ring 33a (see FIG. 7) engages in a corresponding ring-shaped recess (groove) 34 on an inner circumferential face of the cap 12 for realizing a latching connection. The sealing rings 33b, 33c are realized as sealing lips (sealing lamellae) which improve the sealing further. The cap 12 according to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7 is fitted onto the head part 11, a connection being realized as a result of latching.
(23) FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the application pen. The third embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9 corresponds to the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 (in particular with regard to the sealing between the head part 11 and the basic body 10 or the head part 11 and the closure cap 12 as well as with regard to the liquid applicator felt 7 and the sponge 16) with the following differences. In the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9, the ampoule 15 is broken by a ring-shaped constriction which provides a predetermined bending point. On account of the ring-shaped constriction 35, the basic body 10 can be bent such that the ampoule 15 breaks. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the liquid applicator felt 17 is arranged inside the closure cap 12 in the case of the third embodiment analogous to FIG. 4.
(24) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a schematic sectional view of a detail of a fourth embodiment of the invention. The parts of the fourth embodiment not shown, in particular in so far as this relates to the basic body 10 and the mechanism of the breaking of the ampoule, can be realized as in the first, second or third embodiment (or in a combination of said embodiments). In contrast to the preceding embodiments, no liquid applicator felt is provided in the embodiment according to FIGS. 10 and 11. Splinters are prevented from falling out of the ampoule by the sponge 16 which additionally sucks up and absorbs liquid. In order to be able to use the application pen according to FIGS. 10 and 11, first of all the (preferably transparent) cap 12 has to be removed (see FIG. 11). As a result of pressing onto a circumferential face 36 of the head part 11 in the region of the sponge 16, liquid is ejected through a slot 37 according to the baby bottle principle. The sealing between the head part 11 and the basic body 10 is effected by means of sealing lips 26, as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4. The cap 12 is sealed in relation to the head part 11 by means of sealing rings 38a, 38b, the sealing ring 38a engaging in a corresponding annular groove 39 on an inner circumferential face of the cap 12 for realizing a latching connection. The sealing ring 38b is realized as a protruding sealing lamella.
(25) FIGS. 12 and 13 show sectional views of a fifth embodiment of the invention (FIG. 12 with closure cap; FIG. 13 without closure cap). The mechanism of breaking the ampoule corresponds to the mechanism as is described in the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9. A sponge is not provided, but rather a liquid applicator felt 17. Analogous to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, said liquid applicator felt remains in the head part 11 which comprises sealing lips 26 analogously to the preceding embodiments in order to realize sealing between the basic body 10 and the head part 11. In addition, analogously to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7, sealing rings 33a to 33c are provided in order to enable latching of the closure cap 12 as well as sealing between the closure cap 12 and the head part 11.
(26) In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 as well as 5 to 7, a circumferential foil element (not shown) can be arranged preferably as a label in a region between the end stops 19 and 20 (see FIG. 2). If this label is removed, the end stops 19 and 20 are able to be moved toward one another.
(27) In principle, in the case of all the embodiments (where applicable with structural adaptations) the respective cap 12 can be screw-connected or fitted (positioned) onto the head part 11.
(28) The sponge 16 can be, for example, a melamine sponge or can be produced from another plastics material. In general, the sponge 16 can be formed from a foam material. The ampoule 15 can consist, for example, of glass. The basic body and/or the head part and/or the closure cap 12 can be formed from a plastics material, for example polyamide, polyethylene or polypropylene (generally polyolefin).
(29) In principle, the application pen is used for applying liquids onto all types of surfaces. A preferred application is the applying of a liquid as an adhesion-promoting substrate or as a protection layer in the region of connecting faces (for example in the automobile sector when inserting panes).
(30) The liquid applicator felt 17 can generally be an arbitrary liquid applicator part. The liquid applicator felt can consist of fibres that are randomly arranged or of fibres that are aligned in the direction of the fluid.
(31) FIGS. 14 and 15 each show a detail of a sixth embodiment of the application pen. FIG. 14, in this case, shows a detail analogous to FIG. 2. FIG. 15 shows a detail analogous to FIG. 3. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the head part 11 (the movable portion) is not moved by means of an axially acting impact, but by a rotation of the cap 12. To this end, the cap 12 comprises a thread 40 (which is preferably realized as an internal thread). The basic body 10 comprises s corresponding thread 41 (which is preferably realized an external thread) such that the closure cap 12 can be moved by rotation in the direction of the basic body 10. As a result, the head part 11 is also urged in the direction of the basic body 10 such that the run-up inclination 23 of the head part 11, analogous to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, runs up against the run-up inclination 24 of the basic body 10 such that the claws 18 are pressed inward and an ampoule, located between the claws 18 (not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15; cf. for example, FIG. 1), breaks. In addition, in the embodiment according to FIGS. 14 and 15, positioning journals 42 are still provided between the liquid applicator felt 17 and the ampoule (not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) such that the ampoule can be positioned and supported before it is broken. The run-up inclinations 23, 24 together form an example of a deflecting device. The claws 18 and the run-up inclinations 23, 24 together form an example of a breaking device.
(32) Apart from this, sealing rings (or sealing lips) 43 are provided between the head 11 and the basic body 10.
LIST OF REFERENCES
(33) 3 Hollow body 10 Basic body 11 Head part (movable portion) 12 Closure cap 13 Outlet region 14 Rear end 15 Ampoule 16 Sponge 17 Liquid applicator felt 18 Claw 19 End stop 20 End stop 21 Arrow 22 End 23 Run-up inclination 24 Run-up inclination 25 Slot 26 Sealing ring 27 Screw-type thread 28 Cone portion 29 Cone portion 30 Ring-shaped inclined face 31 Ring-shaped inclined face 32 Recess 33a-33c Sealing ring 34 Annular groove 35 Ring-shaped constriction 36 Circumferential face 37 Slot 38a, 38b Sealing ring 39 Annular groove 40 Thread of the cap 12 41 Thread of the basic body 10 42 Positioning journal 43 Sealing rings or lips
