Applicator for Applying a Photocurable Composite Material over a Large Surface of an Object, and Applicator Element for an Applicator

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator for applying a photocurable composite material over a large surface of a component, having a reservoir for the composite material and at least one lamp for curing the photocurable composite material, and according to the inventionthe reservoir comprises at least one discharge region for the photocurable material, through which the photocurable material can be supplied to an applicator elements;the applicator element is opaque to the light emitted by the lamp;the photocurable material can be applied to the surface or spread on the surface of the component by contact of the applicator element with the surface. The invention further relates to an applicator element for an applicator, having at least one lamp and designed like a nozzle, the applicator element applying the photocurable material to the surface and/or spreading the photocurable material on the surface of the component by contact with the surface.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a photocurable composite material over a large surface of an object, having a reservoir for the composite material, and having at least one illuminant for curing the photocurable composite material, characterized in that the reservoir has at least one outlet region for the photocurable material, via which the photocurable material can be supplied to an applicator element, the applicator element is light-opaque for the light emitted by the illuminant, the photocurable material can be applied to the surface and/or can be distributed on the surface by contact of the applicator element with the surface of the component.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one outlet region for the photocurable material adjoins the reservoir, via which the photocurable material can be supplied to the applicator element.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the illuminant(s) is/are arranged behind the applicator element in a movement direction of the applicator.

4. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the applicator element has at least one through-flow opening, and the photocurable material dispensed from the outlet region of the reservoir can be supplied to a first end of the through-flow opening and the photocurable material can be dispensed through a second end of the through-flow opening.

5. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reservoir has an outlet region, the width of which essentially corresponds to the application width of the applicator element, and the outlet region is either designed as slotted or has a plurality of outlet openings arranged adjacent to one another and/or one behind another.

6. The applicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the applicator element is designed in the form of a roller, an applicator roller, a body made of foam or a foam-like body, or a rubber or silicone lip or metal lip.

7. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the applicator element consists of plastic, textile material, bristles, foam, rubber, silicone, metallic material, or a combination of the above-mentioned materials.

8. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the applicator element, in the direction toward a contact region with the surface of the component, has a structure which is transferable to the photocurable material applied to the surface and is curable using the illuminant.

9. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a shield is provided between the contact region of the applicator element with the surface of the component and the illuminant, wherein the shield is light-opaque to the light emitted by the illuminant.

10. The applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the shield is arranged on the applicator element, or the applicator element forms the shield, and the illuminant(s) is/are arranged on the applicator element and/or the shield and/or on an enclosure of the applicator element and/or on a housing of the applicator.

11. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the illuminant(s) emits or emit light in the visible wavelength range (preferably in the blue wavelength range) and radiate or radiates onto the photocurable material applied to the surface.

12. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the illuminant(s) is/are designed in the form of multiple LEDs, an LED light strip, or an LED tape, is/are supplied with power via at least one battery or at least one rechargeable battery, and can be turned on and off by means of a switch.

13. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is designed like a cartridge gun, a spray gun, or a spray nozzle and is combined with the applicator element and at least one illuminant, which can be turned on and off.

14. An applicator element for the applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the applicator element has at least one illuminant and is designed like a nozzle, and the applicator element applies the photocurable material onto the surface and/or distributes it on the surface by contact with the surface of the component.

15. The applicator element according to claim 14, characterized in that the applicator element is removably fastenable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The invention will be explained in greater detail hereafter on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

[0046] In the figures:

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an applicator for applying over a large surface area in a front view,

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a side view with a longitudinal section through the reservoir, during the application of the material onto a surface,

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a variant of the fastening of a first object on a second object,

[0050] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an applicator having an applicator element in the form of an applicator roller, in which the photocurable material is supplied to the applicator roller from the inside,

[0051] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an applicator having an applicator element in the form of an applicator roller, to which the photocurable material is supplied from the outside by spraying,

[0052] FIG. 8 shows an applicator element in the form of an applicator pad for applying over a large surface area, in a housing part having circumferential LEDs,

[0053] FIG. 9 shows an applicator in the form of a cartridge gun,

[0054] FIG. 10 shows an applicator in the form of a spray gun.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the schematic illustration of an applicator 1 according to the invention, which has a reservoir 2, in which, according to FIG. 2, photocurable material 3 is provided, for example, in liquid form or paste form. The applicator has a handle 4 and an applicator element 5, which are connected to one another around the circumference and are formed hollow overall and are used as the reservoir 2. The handle 4 consists of an elastically compressible material and applicator element 5 consists of a material which is solid in comparison thereto. An LED strip 6 having multiple LEDs 7 is fastened to the applicator element 5, which can be turned on and off via a switch 8.1, which is arranged in a housing 8.

[0056] The handle 2 is simultaneously used as a reservoir 4 for the photocurable material, and has a closable filling opening 2.1 at its upper end, through which photocurable material is refillable. Alternatively, a replaceable cartridge used as a handle 2 can also be provided, in which the photocurable material is provided.

[0057] The applicator element 5 has, on its side facing downward over the entire width b, a slotted outlet opening 9 having a length l (see FIG. 2), through which the photocurable material 3 exits. A downward facing rubber lip 11 is provided in the region of the outlet opening 9, which also acts as an applicator element and using which the material dispensed onto the surface 10.2 of an object 10 is distributed.

[0058] It is possible to coat large surface areas rapidly and efficiently with the photocurable material by way of the application width b, which is multiple times greater than the slot length l. The photocurable material is cured immediately after it is applied by the LEDs, which are also provided over the application width b.

[0059] According to FIG. 2, the photocurable material is applied using the tool/applicator to a surface 10.1 of an object 10 in that the tool is drawn in the indicated movement direction over the surface. A rubber lip 11 is used for better distribution on the surface. The material is immediately cured by the turned-on LEDs 7 when the light emitted by the LEDs 7 is incident thereon, so that an extremely solid seal 3.1 forms on the surface, which can be pulled off again if needed.

[0060] According to FIG. 3, in this manner an image 13 is fastened on a window pane 12 using the photocurable seal 3.1.

[0061] Of course, a variety of other possible applications are provided, with which surfaces can be protected easily and effectively and decorative elements are fastenable on the surfaces using the applicator if needed.

[0062] Alternatively, it is also possible, according to FIGS. 4 and 5, to apply the photocurable material using an applicator, in which the applicator element is designed in the form of an applicator roller 5.1.

[0063] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the schematic illustration of such an applicator 1 according to the invention, which also has a reservoir 2, in which material 3 is provided in liquid form or paste form. The applicator 1 has a handle 4 and an applicator element in the form of an applicator roller 5.1, which is mounted so it is rotatable similarly to a painting roller. The handle 4 is used as the reservoir 2.

[0064] A shield 5.2 is provided, which encloses the applicator roller 5.1 as much as possible, so that the photocurable material accommodated by the applicator roller 5.1 does not cure on the applicator roller 5.1. The shield 5.2 preferably extends on both sides of the applicator roller 5.1, as is visible in FIG. 5 (or also only on one side).

[0065] On the end of the shield which faces downward here, multiple LEDs 7 are provided, preferably over the entire application width b of the applicator roller 5.1. The LEDs can be turned on and off via a switch 8, which is arranged in a housing 8.1.

[0066] Furthermore, a pump (not shown and identified) is arranged in the housing 8.1.

[0067] Furthermore, a mount 12 leads from the housing 8.1 to the applicator roller 5.1, on which the applicator roller 5.1 is accommodated so it is rotatable. Through the mount 12, which is embodied as a tube, still liquid photocurable material is conveyed by the pump from the reservoir 2 into the applicator roller 5.1 and dispensed on the outer circumference of the applicator roller 5.1. For this purpose, a further switch 8.2 is provided on the housing 8.1 for actuating the pump. Furthermore, the power supply for the LEDs and the pump are arranged in the housing. The handle 4, which is embodied as a cartridge having the reservoir 2, is fastened on the housing 8 by means of a quick-release connection, whereby the connection of the reservoir 2 to the pump is established.

[0068] It is also possible to provide a rubber lip 11 around the shield, which is arranged between the applicator roller 5.1 and the LEDs and extends up to the surface 10.1 of an object 10 to be coated and is used, on the one hand, in addition for distributing the photocurable material dispensed using the applicator roller 5.1 onto the surface 10.1, and also for shielding the light emitted by the LEDs 7. The material dispensed using the applicator roller 5.1 is first cured when the LEDs 7 are incident thereon during an advancing movement of the applicator 1. Material which is located on or at the applicator roller 5.1 and on the surface inside the shield 5.2 remains in the liquid or partially liquid state, in which application is possible, due to the shield 5.2.

[0069] The applicator is also designed in the form of an applicator roller 5.1 having LEDs 7 in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, the photocurable material is supplied to the applicator roller 5.1 from the outside by spraying here. The reservoir has multiple outlet openings 5.3 on its lower side, through which the photocurable material is dispensed onto the applicator roller 5.1.

[0070] The applicator also has a handle 4 here, which is used as the reservoir 2.

[0071] A shield 5.2 is also provided, which encloses the applicator roller 5.1 as much as possible, so that the photocurable material accommodated by the applicator roller 5.1 does not cure on the applicator roller 5.1. The shield 5.2 extends on both sides of the applicator roller 5.1, as in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0072] Multiple LEDs 7 are also provided on the shield, preferably over the entire application width b of the applicator roller 5.1. The LEDs can be turned on and off via a switch 8, which is arranged in a housing 8.1.

[0073] A pump (not shown and identified) can be arranged in the housing 8.1, via which the photocurable material is conveyed to the outlet opening. It is also possible to design the reservoir as a pressurized container, so that the photocurable material is output upon actuation (similarly as with a spray nozzle). For example, a switch 8.3 on the housing 8.1 can also be used to open the spray nozzle. In the variant according to FIGS. 6 and 7, a mount 12 also leads from the housing 8.1 to the applicator roller 5.1, on which the applicator roller 5.1 is accommodated so it is rotatable. Furthermore, the power supply for the LEDs and the pump is arranged in the housing. The handle 4, which is embodied as a cartridge with the reservoir 2, is preferably fastened on the housing 8 by means of a quick-release connection.

[0074] A rubber lip 11 was also arranged here around the shield, which is located between the applicator roller 5.1 and the LEDs and extends up to the surface 10.1 of an object 10 to be coated.

[0075] It is also possible according to one exemplary embodiment (not shown), to conduct the photocurable material to the applicator roller via a separate line and to dispense the photocurable material not via a pump or a pressurized container, for example, but rather manually onto the applicator roller.

[0076] Applying material, which is used for sealing the surfaces, onto surfaces by means of an applicator sponge is known.

[0077] To also enable application of photocurable materials over large surfaces using such applicator sponges, it is proposed according to FIG. 8 that an applicator 1 be designed so that a conventional applicator sponge 11 can be accommodated thereby, which is used as an applicator element for the photocurable material.

[0078] For this purpose, the applicator 1 has a housing part 12, which is open downward and into which the applicator sponge 11 is insertable, so that the applicator sponge 11 protrudes somewhat beyond the lower edge 12.1, so that the sealed surface (not shown) is not damaged by the lower edge 12.1 of the housing part 12. The housing part has multiple LEDs around the circumference in the direction toward its lower edge 12.1, which emit light so that it is not incident on the region of the applicator sponge 11 which protrudes out of the housing part 12, so as not to prematurely cure the photocurable material located on the applicator sponge 11 in an undesired manner.

[0079] A reservoir 2 is provided for the photocurable material, which adjoins the upper side 12.2 of the housing part 12 and is simultaneously used as the handle 4. A connection, via which the material located in the reservoir can be dispensed onto the applicator sponge 11, leads from the reservoir 2 to the housing part 12. This is performed, for example, via a pump (not shown), which is arranged either in the housing part 12 or in the handle 4. A switch 8.1 for turning the LEDs 7 on and off and a switch 8.2 for actuating the pump are provided on the handle 4.

[0080] The switch 8.1 for the LEDs and the switch 8.2 for the pump are designed differently, so as not to confuse them and to make operation easier. By actuating the pump, the photocurable material is dispensed onto the application sponge and applied via it onto a surface to be sealed using the photocurable material. Simultaneously or subsequently, the LEDs are turned on and the applied material is thus cured. Using the applicator according to the invention, it is possible to seal surfaces rapidly and conveniently using a photocurable material.

[0081] Thus, for example, by using an applicator according to the invention, vehicle body parts on vehicles can be rapidly and easily provided with such a coating, which is multiple times harder than known lacquer seals and ensures substantially better protection of the vehicle body parts against environmental influences, rock impacts, scratches, etc.

[0082] A further variant of the design of the applicator in the form of a cartridge gun 15 is shown in FIG. 9.

[0083] A reservoir 2 in the form of a cartridge, in which the photocurable material M is located, is insertable into a tubular housing part 12. By actuating the hand lever 16, a rod 17 is pressed against the bottom 18 of the cartridge from the rear. The bottom 18 thus moves into the interior of the cartridge and at the same time presses the material M located in the cartridge out of the nozzle at the frontwhich is the applicator element 5 here. The applicator element 5 (preferably made of plastic), which is designed as a nozzle having a wide slotted outlet opening, also has a rubber lip 11 on its end, which is used for distributing the photocurable material dispensed onto a surface of the component and simultaneously forms a shield for the LEDs. Furthermore, multiple LEDs 7, adapted to the width of the outlet opening, are provided on the applicator element, which LEDs radiate on to the photocurable material, which is dispensed through the outlet opening and distributed using the rubber lip 11, and cure this material. The photocurable material can be applied onto a broad surface region by the nozzle (applicator element 5), which widens toward the outlet opening. The applicator has a switch 8.1 for turning the LEDs 7 on and off.

[0084] The switch 8.1 can alternatively also be provided on the nozzle, so that the nozzle (the applicator element 5) having LEDs and the switch provided for it (and optionally a rubber lip or a lip made of another material) can be provided as an auxiliary part for an otherwise conventional cartridge gunof course in conjunction with the photocurable material available in the reservoir.

[0085] FIG. 10 shows an applicator in the form of a spray gun 19. The reservoir 2 in which the photocurable material is located is connected to the spray gun 19 and a compressed air feed 20 is attached thereto. By actuating the hand lever 16, the photocurable material is conveyed here via a tube 21 to the applicator element 5, which is designed as a nozzle. LEDs 7 (only indicated here) and also a rubber lip 11, which can also be omitted, however, are located on the applicator element 5. It is important that the LEDs do not shine directly on the outlet opening (not shown here) of the nozzle (of the applicator element 5), but rather only on the coated surface (not shown here).

[0086] The switch 8.1 for turning the LEDs on and off is located on the nozzle (the applicator element 5).

[0087] The applicator element 5 has a through-flow opening here, wherein the photocurable material dispensed from the outlet region of the reservoir can be supplied to a first end of the through-flow opening and the photocurable material is dispensed through a second end of the through-flow opening. The through-flow opening preferably widens in the direction toward the second end.

[0088] The nozzle/the applicator element 5 having the LEDs 7 and the switch 8.1 and optionally having a rubber lip can also be provided here as an auxiliary part to a conventional spray gun, so that the application of the photocurable material is possible using a conventional spray gun.

[0089] It is apparent that a corresponding power supply in the form of a battery or a rechargeable battery is associated with the illuminant/the LEDs, which can also be integrated into the applicator element 5 (the nozzle) or into the applicator in another way.