Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADHESIVE-FILLI~G APPARATUS AND METHOD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for
filling an adhesive in cracks developed in a concrete structure and
other like portions in a structure.
Cracks developed in structures made of concrete or stones are
generally repaired by filling putty or adhesive therein.
Recently a method was proposed whereby adhesive supply pipes
are fixed along the cracks at appropriate space intervals with the
remaining spaces staled and, upon hardening of the sealing material,
said pipes are coupled to a supply pump to fill adhesive in the cracks
(Japanese Patent No. 251791).
While cracks can be effectively repaired according to this
method, some difficulties are encountered in the operation. For
example, increase in the rate at which adhesive is filled in the
cracks may cause increase in the pressure applied to the cracks owing
to the viscosity of the adhesive and thus the hardened sealing
material may be ruptured or the cracks widened. Therefore according
to such method, adhesive must be filled at as slow a rate as 3 to 5
minutes per one adhesive-filled portion and thus workmanship is
required.
To eliminate those drawbacks, the inventors of the present
invention proposed an adhesive-filling method whereby an adhesive fed
in an injector located on cracks, etc. is reserved in its pressure
buffer member to reduce the pressure exerted to the cracks and the
adhesive fed in the injector is filled in the cracks by gradual and
continuous contraction of the pressure buffer member, as well as an
adhesive filling apparatus to be used in this method which is provided
with a check valve in Japanese Patent Xokai Nos. 2367/1981 and
87866/1982, US Patent No. 4430841, and British Patent No. 2787966.
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The last-mentioned method and apparatus made an automatic
adhesive filling possible utilizing elasticity of the rubber-made
adhesive reserve tube in the injector, which tube, fed with adhesive,
can contract of itself gradually and continuously, resulting in
considerable reduction of hands required. Further, filling of
adhesive into as minute cracks as less than 0.2mm wide, which was
possible only with difficult, was made practicable. Consequently, it
was also made possible to fill adhesive as deep as to the cracks
caused, for example, between concrete and the reinforcement steel
bars. However, while said method and apparatus enabled an effective
repair of cracks developed in concrete structures, satisfactory
quantity control was yet to be obtained and, therefore, the quantity
of adhesive used could be known only with difficulty. Also, the
method required the operator to attach a hose connected with a pump to
and, after feeding the apparatus with adhesive, detach the hose from,
the apparatus in such high, unstable position as on a trestle, ladder
or the like as when repairing the underside of a bridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus the object of the invention is to provide an
adhesive-filling method and apparatus enabling a satisfactory quantity
control and affording an excellent performance.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an
adhesive filler apparatus comprising an injector and a support
portion, said injector including a pressure buffer tube, a tubular
coupler member at least on one end of said pressure buffer tube, and a
check valve between said-one end of the pressure buffer tube and said
coupler member, said check valve being so actuated by the pressure
thereon from the pressure buffer tube side as to close the passage of
adhesive through said pressure buffer tube and coupler member while
said check valve being so actuated b the pressure thereon from the
coupler member side as to open said passage of adhesive, said support
portion including a base member for locating said injector on the
portion to be repaired and a tubular coupler projection to be fitted
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in said coupler member of the injector so as to press said check valve
and open said passage of adhesive. Where said coupler member and
check valve are provided only on one end of said pressure buffer tube,
the other end is closed.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided
an adhesive-filling method using said apparatus. The adhesive-filler
apparatus according to the invention is used as follows. The support
portion is first secured by means of putty to the portion of a
concrete structure or the like portion which requires to be fed with
adhesive. Then the injector fed with adhesive is coupled to the
support portion by connecting the coupler member of the injector to
the coupler projection of the support portion. Upon coupling the
injector to the support portion, the check valve is pushed and
deformed by the fore-end of the coupler projection so that the inside
of the pressure buffer tube communicates with the portion to be filled
with adhesive through the flow apertures of the deformed check valve,
the coupler member, and the coupler projection, thereby allowing the
adhesive reserved in the pressure buffer tube to be filled in the
portion such as cracks to be repaired owing to continuous and gradual
contraction of the pressure buffer tube. Alternatively, the injector
may be fed with adhesive after being coupled to the support portion.
In this case, the adhesive is fed in the pressure buffer tube while
being also filled in the portion to be repaired and when the pressure
exerted to the adhesive-filled portion such as cracks rises to a
certain level, the pressure buffer tube swells to buffer such
pressure. Also, in case the quantity of adhesive which can be
reserved in the pressure buffer tube is not enough, adhesive can be
supplemented in the pressure buffer tube, with the injector located on
the concrete structure, through the coupler member left idle .
An adhesive can be fed in the pressure buffer tube by pressing
the check valve from the coupler member side so as to open said
passage of adhesive. When the adhesive is swollen to a certain extent
and the adhesive ceases to be fed, the pressure buffer tube tends to
assume its original shape, pressing the check valve so as to close
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said passage of adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 shows an embodiment according to the invention, half in
section;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the pressure
buffer tube as fed with an adhesive.
Fig. 3 shows another embodiment, half in section.
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the pressure
buffer tube as fed with an adhesive.
Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the check valve.
Fig. 6 shows the pressure buffer tube as fed with an adhesive
and swollen.
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the pressure
buffer tube provided with a sheath around it.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the apparatus according to
the invention as applied to cracks of a concrete structure.
Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing a fed injector as fixed on a
concrete structure.
Fig. 10 is a schematic view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the
pressure buffer tube from which the adhesive has been let out.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided
a method of using said apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described below referring to the attached
drawings.
Note that the same reference numerals used in the specification
and drawings designate like parts.
A first embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 comprises
an injector 1 and a support portion 2. The injector 1 comprises a
pressure buffer tube 6, a tubular coupler member 9 on one end of the
tube 6, and a valve device 10. The other end of the tube 6 is closed.
The pressure buffer tube 6 is made of rubber. However the tube
~2402813
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6 may be made of any elastic material so as to be capable of
expanding. One of the thickened end of the tube 6 is fitted and held
in between the inner surface of an outer cylindrical member 7 and the
outer surface of an inner cylindrical member 8. The outer cylindrical
member 7 and the inner cylindrical member 8 are firmly united with
each other with the thread formed on the inner wall of the outer
cylindrical member 7 engaged with the thread formed on the outer wall
of the inner cylindrical member 8. The outer end of the inner
cylindrical member 8 extends longer than the outer end of the outer
cylindrical member 7.
The free end of the coupler member 9 has an inner diameter in
which the coupler projection 4 can be fitted while the other or inner
end of the coupler member 9 has a greater inner diameter than said
free end and is formed on its inner wall with thread which engages
with the thread formed on the outer wall of the inner cylindrical
member 8. Thus the coupler member 9 is united with the inner
cylindrical member 8 by a thread engagement.
As best shown in Fig. 5, a check valve 10 is made of deformable
synthetic resin into a cup-like shape having a closure head lo which
serves to shut the adhesive material passage and a peripheral wall
possessing flow apertures lob The check valve 10 is further provided
with a brim lock The check valve 10 is located in the apparatus by
placing said brim lo between a step pa of the coupler member 9 and
the end surface of the inner cylindrical member 8.
The coupler member 9 and the check valve 10 may be of a type
connected directly to the pressure buffer tube 6 without the outer
cylindrical member 7 and inner cylindrical member 8 in between. Also,
the check valve may be of any other feasible type. For example, a
ball valve may be used, in which case, needless to say, the manner in
which the coupler member is connected to the end of the pressure
buffer tube varies from that according to the present embodiment.
The other thickened end of the pressure buffer tube is tightly
held between the outer wall of a blind stopper 11 and the inner wall
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of a cap member 12. The blind stopper 11 is formed on its outer
surface with thread along its outer length than its remaining length
holding said thickened end of the tube 6. The cap member 12 also is
formed with thread on its inner surface along its corresponding
length. This enables the blind stopper 11 and the cap member 12 to be
united with each other so as to firmly close the end of the pressure
buffer tube 6. The blind stopper 11 and the cap member 12 may be made
of any suitable material such as metal or synthetic resin. To feed
the pressure buffer tube 6 with adhesive, the check valve is pressed
from the coupler member side by the nozzle of a hose connected to a
pump or other like feeder used so as to open the passage of adhesive
through the coupler member 9 and the pressure buffer tube 6, thereby
allowing adhesive to be fed in the pressure buffer tube 6 until the
tube 6 is swollen to a certain extent. Where necessary, a sheath 13
may be provided around the pressure buffer tube 6 so as to limit the
quantity of adhesive which can be fed in the tube 6. The sheath 13
may be a cylinder with an inner diameter determining a maximum
diameter desired of the expanded tube 6. The sheath 13 further serves
to prevent the tube 6 from rupturing due to overfeeding. Fig. 2 shows
the apparatus with the pressure buffer tube 6 swollen up to the sheath
13 after having been fed with an adhesive 14. Provision of the sheath
13 enables a given quantity of adhesive to be fed in the pressure
buffer tube 6. Also, a bar 15 may be provided in the pressure buffer
tube 6 to adjust the quantity of adhesive allowed to be fed. A
support portion 1 comprises a base member 3 and a tubular coupler
projection 4. The base member 3 is formed on one end of the coupler
projection 4. The other end of the coupler projection 4 has a tapered
end with such an outer diameter as to be fitted in the coupler member
9. The coupler projection 4 has a length enough to press the check
valve.
The support portion 1 may be made of any suitable material such
as metal or synthetic resin. The base member 3 and the coupler
projection 4 may be made of the same material or different materials.
A rubber-made Oaring 5 provided on the coupler projection 4 serves as
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a packing in the connection between the coupler projection 4 and the
coupler member 9.
The coupler member 9, the valve device 10 and the closed end
portion may be of a type connected directly to the pressure buffer
tube 6.
Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention of which the
injector 1 is identical to that of the first embodiment except that
the pressure buffer tube 6 of the second embodiment is provided on
both ends with a coupler member and a check valve similar to those
provided on one end of the pressure buffer tube 6 according to the
first embodiment. Also the coupler member 9 is formed with cuts 16
which engage with protrusions 17 provided on the coupler projection 4
of the support portion 2.
While according to the embodiment, the coupler members 9 and 9'
are of different forms from each other, they may possess the same
form. Where, for example, both coupler members have the form of the
member 9' the support portion 2 need only be so formed as to be fitted
in the coupler member 9'. For example, the protrusions 17 are
omitted.
Fig. 4 shows said embodiment as provided with a sheath 13
around the pressure buffer tube 6.
The apparatus according to the invention is used as follows.
An adhesive is fed in the pressure buffer tube 6 through one of
the coupler members, for example member 9, using a filler gun, pump or
the like. The adhesive is allowed to be fed in the tube 3 upon
pressing the closure head lo of the check valve 10 by means of a
nozzle provided at the fore-end of the hose connected to a gun, pump
or the like to deform the check valve 10 so that the pressure buffer
tube 6 and the coupler member 9 may communicate through the flow
apertures lob formed in the peripheral wall of the check valve 10.
When the adhesive has been fed in the tube 6 and the tube 6 swollen to
some extent as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the feeding operation is
stopped. Fig. 6 shows the pressure buffer tube 6 swollen after it is
fed with an adhesive. Fig. 7 shows the fed and swollen tube 6 which
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is provided with a sheath 13. Where the sheath 13 is provided around
the tube 6, the feeding operation is stopped when the tube 6 touches
the sheath 13 as shown in Fig. 7. Where the sheath 13 is not
provided, the feeding operation is stopped when an appropriate
quantity of adhesive has been fed as shown, for example, in Fig. 6.
Upon disconnecting the hose from the coupler member 9, the check valve
10 is pressed from the tube side by the fed adhesive owing to the
elasticity of the pressure buffer tube whereby the tube 6 tends to
assume its original shape, thereby closing the passage of adhesive
through the pressure buffer tube 6 and the coupler member 9.
Fig. 8 shows thus-fed apparatus B according to the invention as
fixed on cracks A developed in a concrete structure, spaced from one
another at intervals of about 20 to 40 cm. Fig. 9 better shows the
manner in which each of these apparatus B is fixed on the crack.
Specifically the base member 3 of the support portion 2 is first
secured on the crack by means of putty while the remaining portions of
the cracks between the support portions are sealed by putty.
Subsequently the injector 1 is connected to the coupler projection 4
of the support portion 2 through the coupler member 9, whereupon the
fore-end of the coupler projection 4 presses the closure head lo of
the check valve 10 so as to deform the check valve 10. As a result,
the pressure buffer tube 9 communicates with the coupler member 9
through the flow apertures lob so that the adhesive is filled in the
cracks A owing to the gradual and continuous contraction of the
pressure buffer tube 9. Upon termination of filling, the pressure
buffer tube 9 assumes the shape as shown, for example, in Fig. 10.
This filling method can be practiced using either the first or the
second embodiment.
Another filling method is available using the second embodiment
of the invention, whereby in case the quantity of adhesive which can
be reserved in the pressure buffer tube is not enough, adhesive is
supplemented in the tube 6, with the injector 1 located on the
concrete structure, through the coupler member 9' left idle in the
manner mentioned in which adhesive is fed through the coupler member 9
9 ~0;~88
into the pressure buffer tube 6, allowing adhesive to be filled in the
cracks by the pressure due to the gradual and continuous contraction
of the pressure buffer tube 6.
Using the adhesive filler apparatus according to the invention,
since the pressure buffer tube can reserve adhesive therein, the
quantity of the adhesive fed in the pressure buffer tube can be
checked so that the quantity filled into the cracks developed in a
concrete structure can be known by comparing the quantity fed with the
pressure buffer tube with the quantity left therein after filling the
adhesive into the cracks, for example, by weighing the injector before
and after filling adhesive into the cracks.
Further an on-the-spot adhesive filling operation by means of a
pump is made unnecessary since a plurality of adhesive filler
apparatus according to the invention can have been fed with adhesive
in advance. Also a quantity of adhesive expected to be required can
be prepared by feeding a corresponding number of adhesive filler
apparatus beforehand.
An excellent performance is another benefit of the apparatus
according to the invention, in which a closure provided by the valve
device is cleared upon connecting the coupler member of the injector
to the support portion with its base member previously located on the
cracks of a structure etc., and upon clearing the closure, the
adhesive is filled in the cracks, by gradual and continuous
contraction of the pressure buffer tube.
Also, where the sheath is provided around the pressure buffer
tube, the quantity of adhesive fed in the pressure buffer tube can be
controlled and a possible rupture of the pressure buffer tube due to
overfeeding can be prevented.
Further the apparatus according to the invention permits of
various methods in which to fill adhesive in the cracks, etc. where
the pressure buffer tube is provided on both ends with a coupler
member having a check valve. According to one of the methods, the
injector fed with adhesive is connected to the support portion
previously fixed on cracks of a concrete structure, thereby allowing
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the adhesive to be filled in the portion to be repaired by the
continuous and gradual contraction of the pressure buffer tube.
According to another method available, the injector with the pressure
buffer tube empty may be connected to the support portion through one
of the coupler members, whereupon an adhesive is fed in the pressure
buffer tube through the other coupler member left idle, allowing the
adhesive to be filled in the portion to be repaired. Another and an
especially important is the method described whereby in the event the
quantity of adhesive which can be reserved in the pressure buffer tube
is not enough to fill the portion to be repaired, adhesive can be
supplemented, without the necessity of detaching the injector from the
support portion, through the coupler member left idle.
While the invention is described above as applied to cracks on
concrete structures, it may also be applied to repair the gaps
developed between a concrete structure and the outer material made of
mortar, or other like portions of a structure which can be repaired by
filling adhesive therein.
