Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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REPAIR NOZZLE
[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle for producing, in
particular for
reproducing and recreating and restoring, material beads, in particular of
adhesives
and/or sealants having different surface structures, in the automotive sector.
[0002] In automotive sector mass production, such beads are applied
automatically by application robots. The beads serve to adhesively bond sheet
metal
parts or as insulation against noise or temperature influences, or are used as
sealing.
The application nozzles or robot nozzles used are as a rule fabricated from
metal and
must have long service lives, to prevent failure of the application robot due
to a
defective application nozzle during mass production. Subsequent application of
adhesives and/or sealants, for example to reproduce or recreate such a
structure in
the automotive sector, in particular after an accident, is not possible with
the known
mode of application using an application nozzle. The aftermarket, in
particular most
auto shops, do not have a requisite application robot at their disposal. In
addition,
even purchasing a specific application nozzle for that use is not sensible for
the
aftermarket, in particular the repair market, due to the high cost of the
application
nozzle.
[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a nozzle, for
the
aftermarket and in particular for the repair market, for dispensing viscous
materials in
the automotive sector in order to reproduce or restore structures created by
mass
production.
[0004] In one embodiment, there is provided a repair nozzle for dispensing
viscous materials from a container containing them, by means of an associated
dispensing gun having a proximal product feed end, which comprises means for
detachably fastening the repair nozzle onto the container and at least one
seal
element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the
container, wherein the at least one seal element is provided on the proximal
product
feed end on a product feed opening, and is configured as a sealing lip ring
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extending in a proximal direction and wherein a distal product dispensing end
is
provided, which comprises a slit-shaped terminating opening in order to
dispense a
material bead and wherein a product conduit is provided in order to transport
the
viscous material from the product feed end to the product dispensing end; and
an
end cap comprising the slit-shaped terminating opening is integrally formed
onto the
product dispensing end, which cap is convex in the distal direction of the
repair
nozzle.
[0005] In one embodiment, the sealing lip ring can form a triangle, the
vertex
pointing in a proximal direction.
[0006] In one embodiment, the sealing lip ring can form a right triangle
having two
sides of equal length, the vertex of the right angle pointing in a proximal
direction.
[0007] In one embodiment, protruding ribs, for reinforcing the fastening
means
and/or for facilitating fastening of the repair nozzle on the container, are
provided on
a jacket region at least in the region of the fastening means.
[0008] In one embodiment, a guide projection is integrally formed onto the
jacket
region in order to facilitate a guidance capability of the repair nozzle along
an edge.
[0009] In one embodiment, a collar for bracing the repair nozzle against
the
container is integrally formed onto the proximal product feed end.
[0010] In one embodiment, the region delimiting the product feed opening is
beveled in order to enable simple assembly of the repair nozzle with a
container.
[0011] In one embodiment, the slit-shaped terminating opening extends over
a
convexity summit of the convex end cap.
[0012] In one embodiment, the product conduit is configured, at least
locally,
rotationally symmetrically about a rotation axis.
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[0013] In one embodiment, the slit shaped terminating opening extends over
the
rotation axis of the product conduit.
[0014] In one embodiment, the repair nozzle is for use in the motor vehicle
sector.
[0015] In one embodiment, there is provided a repair system for recreating
structures in the motor vehicle sector, made up of a repair nozzle as
described
above, a dispensing gun, and a container containing a viscous material.
[0016] The basic idea of the invention is to use a repair nozzle to
dispense
viscous materials usable in the automotive sector from a container, such as
e.g. a
cartridge or a tubular pouch or film pouch, containing the viscous material,
by means
of an associated dispensing gun. The repair nozzle comprises a proximal
product
feed end which comprises means for detachably fastening the repair nozzle onto
the
container, and at least one seal element for providing a sealing capability
between
the repair nozzle and the container.
[0017] The viscous materials used can be, in particular, adhesives and/or
sealants
and/or noise- and/or vibration-damping materials known in particular in the
aftermarket and/or in mass production in the automotive sector, which can be
viscous
or highly viscous or even pasty. These materials are contained in containers.
Conceivable as containers that are used are, in particular, known cartridges
that can
be made up, for example, of a plastic material or of aluminum. The cartridges
usually
comprise a cylindrical body, a movable piston being provided at one end for
extruding
the adhesive and/or sealant contained in the cartridge, and an outlet opening
being
provided at the opposite end for dispensing of the viscous material. The
piston is
displaced inside the cartridge by impingement of a force, so that the viscous
material
can be dispensed. The general term "container" is of course also to be
understood to
embrace the use of similar suitable containers known to one skilled in the
art, in
particular the use of known film pouches and/or tubular pouches.
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[0018] Dispensing guns suitable for use are, in particular, cartridge guns.
It is
preferred to use pneumatically operating guns, in which the viscous material
can be
dispensed from the container via a nozzle by means of a pneumatic system.
These
guns are particularly suitable for use with a repair nozzle according to the
invention
since compressed air is available in most auto shops, thereby making low-
effort
dispensing of the viscous material possible for the user. It is particularly
suitable to
use a special compressed-air gun for ejecting viscous to low-viscosity
material, as
described in International patent application PCT/EP2006/004600. With regard
to the
aspects relating to the cartridge gun, reference may be made to the stated
citation,
the disclosure content of which in this respect supplements the disclosure of
the
present patent application. Also conceivable is the use of entirely
mechanically acting
guns known to one skilled in the art. These are suitable, for example, for use
in areas
in which compressed air is not available. The use of pneumatically acting
cartridge
guns is, however, preferred, since in the automotive sector in particular,
highly
viscous materials such as e.g. adhesives and/or sealants are often applied, so
that
the use of special pneumatic guns that can generate higher extrusion pressures
than
purely mechanically acting guns is particularly suitable.
[0019] The repair nozzle is preferably fabricated from plastic. The repair
nozzle is
preferably a disposable product. The nozzle is therefore disposed of after
dispensing
of the viscous material. No provision is made in this case for cleaning of the
nozzle,
so that working time can be reduced and further adjuvants and cleaning
substances
for removing material residues can be omitted. The means for detachably
fastening
the nozzle onto the container are preferably provided at the proximal product
feed
end. This can be, in particular, a threaded region that can be brought into
engagement with a corresponding threaded region of the container in order to
fasten
the nozzle onto the cartridge. When the repair nozzle is used with a film
pouch and/or
tubular pouch as a container for the viscous material, suitable adapters or
attachments known in the existing art, which comprise a region that enables
detachable fastening of the nozzle using the means recited above, are
preferably
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utilized. In the context of use of a nozzle having a threaded region, an
adapter that
comprises a corresponding threaded region is especially conceivable.
[0020] In addition, a projecting collar can be provided in the region of
the proximal
product feed end for bracing the repair nozzle against the container. When a
force
acts on the repair nozzle, for example upon placement of the repair nozzle
onto a
substrate in order to discharge the viscous material, the repair nozzle is
braced
against the container by the projecting collar so that, in particular, damage
to the
repair nozzle and/or the container and/or loosening of the repair nozzle that
is
fastened on the container, resulting from the force acting on the repair
nozzle, can be
avoided. With some dispensing guns the collar can furthermore serve to brace
the
repair nozzle against the dispensing gun. For this, the repair nozzle is
connected to
the container by way of said connecting means, and placed into the dispensing
gun
together with the container. The repair nozzle preferably projects at least
with its
distal end out of an opening of the dispensing gun. The opening is dimensioned
such
that the collar of the repair nozzle can be braced at the proximal end against
the
parts of the dispensing gun delimiting the opening. The opening is therefore
preferably smaller than the collar of the repair nozzle. When pressure is then
applied
via the dispensing gun onto the container in order to dispense the viscous
material
from the container, the latter along with the repair nozzle is pressed in the
direction of
the distal product dispensing end of the repair nozzle. The projecting collar
of the
repair nozzle causes a bracing of the repair nozzle against the cartridge gun
to occur,
so that displacement of the cartridge along with the nozzle is prevented, and
the
viscous material can be dispensed via the repair nozzle.
[0021] The repair nozzle furthermore comprises at least one seal element
for
providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container.
With this
seal element it is possible, in particular, to ensure that upon dispensing of
material
via the repair nozzle, no material that is to be dispensed emerges between the
repair
nozzle and the container, in particular in the region of the detachable
fastening
between the two components. The use of at least one such seal element is
CA 02754005 2016-09-08
necessary in particular because of the materials to be dispensed. These
materials, in
particular adhesives, sealants, and/or noise- and/or vibration-damping
materials, are
usually viscous and/or highly viscous. Dispensing of the materials via the
nozzle
occurs with application of a great deal of force and/or pressure, so that even
very
small interstices between the repair nozzle and the container could result in
undesired emergence of material. This material that has emerged can no longer
be
used as intended and can contaminate and/or endanger the dispensing gun, the
work environment, or the user him- or herself. An undesired emergence of
material of
this kind could also result in a pressure loss in the nozzle that can
negatively affect,
in particular, the application result, i.e. the formation of the discharged
bead.
[0022]
Suitable in particular as a seal element is use of a sealing ring that is
provided at the proximal end of the repair nozzle and, upon fastening on the
repair
nozzle onto the container, comes into contact with the container in such a way
that
sealing is enabled. Further approaches are, of course, also possible. In
particular,
alternatively or additionally, the means for detachable fastening can act as a
seal
element and contain a sealing function. The aforementioned use of a threaded
region
as a means for detachable fastening is especially conceivable in this context.
A
sealing function can already be achieved within the thread itself by means of
a
precise configuration of the thread turns and accurate adaptation to the
corresponding thread of the container, in particular with the smallest
possible
tolerances. The fastened connection between the repair nozzle and the
container is
thus self-sealing because of the precise configuration, by the fact that the
thread
region of the repair nozzle is configured such that upon installation of the
repair
nozzle on a container, the thread turns rest closely against the flanks of the
corresponding thread of the container. Any emergence of material to be
dispensed
can thus be prevented. Penetration of material into the thread, which would
complicate unfastening of the repair nozzle from the container, can
furthermore be
prevented. Undesired wastage of material, and contamination of the working
means
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and/or the work environment and/or the user him- or herself can be avoided by
way
of the sealing capability.
[0023] The use of a repair nozzle according to the invention brings many
advantages. In particular, surface structures that have been produced
automatically
in the context of mass production in the automotive sector can be reproduced
or
recreated by auto shops, for example in the event of repair, in the
aftermarket and in
particular in the repair market. Accident damage to such surface structures
can in
particular be repaired in this fashion. The use of an application robot, which
is
necessary in mass production for discharging the viscous material, for example
an
adhesive and/or sealant, to produce the structures, can be omitted. By using a
repair
nozzle according to the invention, viscous materials used as standard in the
automotive sector and applied automatically in mass production can thus be
applied
subsequently, in particular in the aftermarket, for example in auto shops, in
particular
in the event of repair.
[0024] A further advantage is that the repair nozzle is equipped with a
slit shaped
terminating opening at a distal product dispensing end in order to dispense a
material
bead. This slit-shaped terminating opening has proven to be particularly
advantageous for applying wide beads, the substrate being coated over a wide
area
with the material to be dispensed. Depending on the selection of the material
to be
dispensed, an outstanding adhesive and/or sealing effect and/or noise- and/or
vibration-damping effect, in particular, can thus be obtained. The repair
nozzle is
preferably used to dispense viscous materials onto substrates that do not have
any
large gap dimensions, so that the use of a slit-shaped terminating opening is
particularly suitable. The beads applied via the repair nozzle according to
the present
invention in the automotive sector serve in particular for adhesive bonding of
sheet-
metal parts, as insulation against acoustic or temperature influences, or as
sealing.
The material bead is relatively wide in relation to its height because of the
slit-shaped
terminating opening. The bead is a rippled flat bead of well-defined
dimensions, i.e.
the width and/or height and/or appearance of the bead correspond to the design
of
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the adhesive and/or sealant bead of the original equipment manufacturer, which
has
hitherto been achieved exclusively via robot application. With the material
bead
dispensed by way of the repair nozzle there is furthermore no overspray. The
user
thus obtains a material bead having sharp rather than ragged edges. In
addition, the
slit-shaped terminating opening can be used to provide a material surface that
exhibits a continuous film and thus provides an improved adhesive bond resp.
seal.
[0025] Further advantages are obtained by the use of a robot nozzle that
comprises a seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair
nozzle
and the container, in combination with a slit-shaped terminating opening. The
slit-
shaped terminating opening causes an increase in the pressure in the interior
of the
nozzle as compared with a conventional nozzle opening, which encompasses a
substantially larger terminating area and, for the same force and/or applied
pressure,
permits a larger volumetric flow of material to be dispensed. It is therefore
particularly
useful and advantageous to equip the repair nozzle with one or more seal
elements
when a repair nozzle having a slit-shaped terminating opening is used, since
because of the high internal pressures of the repair nozzle, even very small
defects
or interstices can result in improper material discharge.
[0026] It has proven particularly advantageous to use a seal element at the
proximal product feed end in the region of a product feed opening of the
repair
nozzle, the seal element being configured as a sealing lip ring extending in a
proximal direction. The sealing lip ring preferably extends annularly around
the
product feed opening. Because it extends proximally, the sealing lip ring
projects
toward the container upon fastening of the repair nozzle onto a container. The
sealing lip ring preferably extends in such a way that it comes into contact
with the
container when the repair nozzle is fastened on, and thus brings about sealing
between the repair nozzle and container.
[0027] A further advantage is the configuration of the repair nozzle with a
jacket
region that preferably surrounds a product conduit for transporting the
material from
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the product feed end to the product dispensing end, protruding ribs being
provided on
the jacket region at least in the region of the fastening means in order to
reinforce the
fastening means and/or to facilitate fastening of the repair nozzle on the
container.
The use of ribs on the jacket surface is advantageous especially when a repair
nozzle having a threaded region is used. The ribs make possible a
reinforcement of
the threaded region by preventing deformation of the thread and providing a
stiffening capability for the repair nozzle. Destruction of the thread, in
particular when
force is applied onto the repair nozzle during material application, can be
avoided.
When the thread is configured as a seal element, the ribs additionally enhance
the
sealing function as a result of stiffening. No deformation of the thread
occurs even
when a large amount of force and/or pressure is applied, so that a sealing
capability
between the repair nozzle and container in the assembled state can be
guaranteed.
A further advantage of the ribs is to facilitate fastening of the repair
nozzle onto a
container. The ribs offer a good grasping capability for the user in order to
fasten the
repair nozzle, for example by twisting the latter when a thread is used as a
connecting technology.
[0028] A further advantage is the formation of a guide projection on the
jacket
region, in particular in order to facilitate a guidance capability of the
repair nozzle
along an edge upon dispensing of the material. The guide projection is
preferably
provided at the distal output end of the repair nozzle. The projection can, in
this
context, be integrally formed onto the nozzle. When a repair nozzle having a
slit-
shaped terminating opening is used, the guide projection can furthermore be
utilized
by the user to detect the orientation of the slit when fastening the repair
nozzle onto a
container. A view of the slit-shaped terminating opening is no longer
necessary.
[0029] A further advantage is the formation of a collar at the proximal
product feed
end in order to brace the repair nozzle against the container. The use of such
a collar
allows, in particular, forces acting on the repair nozzle to be transferred
onto the
container, and damage to the repair nozzle to be avoided.
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[0030] A further advantage is the beveled configuration of the region
delimiting the
product feed opening at the proximal end of the repair nozzle, in order to
enable
simple assembly of the repair nozzle with a container. It is conceivable here
to equip
the inner wall, delimiting the product feed opening, of the jacket surface
with a bevel,
in such a way that a funnel shape open in a proximal direction is provided in
the
region of the product feed opening in order to facilitate introduction of the
container
into the product feed opening.
[0031] A further advantage in the context of use of a repair nozzle is the
fact that
the latter is equipped with a product conduit in order to transport, from the
product
feed end to the product dispensing end, the material to be dispensed; and with
an
end cap that comprises the slit-shaped terminating opening and is integrally
formed
onto the product dispensing end, which cap is convex in the distal direction
of the
nozzle. This shape has proven to be particularly advantageous. The product
conduit
preferably tapers from the proximal product feed end toward the distal product
dispensing end in order to increase the flow velocity of the material within
the product
conduit. A slight taper is also suitable for compensating for the drop in the
pressure of
the material due to friction against the internal walls of the product
conduit. Equipping
the repair nozzle with an end cap convex in the direction of the distal
product
dispensing end allows particularly simple production of the repair nozzle. In
particular, unmolding of repair nozzles made from plastic using the injection
molding
process is substantially simplified by a convex end cap. In addition, a repair
nozzle
having a convex end cap exhibits outstanding flow characteristics, so that the
pressure drop of the material in the repair nozzle can be reduced. This nozzle
shape
is particularly suitable for applications in which no size adaptation of the
material
bead has to be made. For example, a special repair nozzle is used, which can
be
equipped with a slit-shaped terminating opening prefabricated for the material
to be
dispensed and/or for a specific utilization instance. A repair nozzle of this
kind can
provide the user in every case with the correct terminating opening for the
material to
be dispensed and/or utilization instance, so that errors can be avoided.
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[0032] A further advantage of using a convex end cap at the distal product
dispensing end is provision of the slit-shaped terminating opening over a
convexity
summit of the convex end cap. The "convexity summit" is to be understood here
as
that point on the convex end cap at which the end cap projects farthest in the
distal
direction of the repair nozzle. Extension of the slit-shaped terminating
opening over
the convexity summit is particularly advantageous from the point of view of
flow
engineering. When the material is dispensed, it is also locally discharged
sideways
due to the convexity of the slit-shaped terminating opening, so that the user
obtains a
material bead that is wider than the diameter only of the repair nozzle in the
region of
the distal product dispensing end without the convex end cap.
[0033] As an alternative to equipping the repair nozzle with a convex end
cap, the
repair nozzle can also be provided with a product conduit for transporting the
material
from the product feed end to the product dispensing end; and with a jacket
region
that comprises the slit-shaped terminating opening and extends trapezoidally
in a
distal direction, the base of the trapezoidal jacket region being arranged at
the distal
product dispensing end. The repair nozzle can be divided into two regions,
such that
in the proximal region of the repair nozzle a first region can comprise a
product
conduit tapering slightly in a distal direction, which can be adjoined in the
distal
region of the repair nozzle by the trapezoidal jacket region. The taper of the
product
conduit once again causes an increase in the flow velocity of the material
inside the
product conduit and/or compensates for a drop in the pressure of the material
due to
friction against the internal walls of the product conduit. The trapezoidally
configured
jacket region is preferably hollow at the distal product dispensing end, so
that the
base of the trapezoidal jacket region at the distal product dispensing end
forms the
slit-shaped terminating opening. The slit-shaped terminating opening can of
course
also be constituted by only parts of the base. With a jacket region of this
configuration, repair nozzles having particularly wide slit-shaped terminating
openings can be manufactured so that very wide material beads can be
discharged.
The trapezoidal configuration of the jacket region has further advantages. It
is
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conceivable for the trapezoidal jacket region to be cut to size by the user,
by
detaching parts of the jacket region in such a way that the trapezoidal jacket
region
no longer extends so far in a distal direction. Thanks to the trapezoidal
design of the
jacket region, detachment of a distal region of the jacket region is
accompanied by a
reduction in the size of the base of the jacket region. In the case of an
above-
described hollow jacket region, the above-described cutting to size would
result in a
reduction in the size of the slit-shaped terminating opening which then
extends over
the base that is new once the jacket region has been cut to size. The user is
thus
provided with a repair nozzle in which the slit-shaped opening can be adapted,
by
cutting the jacket region to size, to the material bead to be dispensed. To
this end,
marks and/or inscriptions and/or preferred detachment aids, for example
cutting lines,
can be provided on the repair nozzle and in particular on the jacket region,
at which
lines parts of the jacket region can be cut off by the user in order to obtain
specific
slit-shaped nozzle orifices. For the automotive sector in particular, a
trapezoidal
configuration of the jacket region has proven particularly advantageous, such
that the
jacket region can be cut to size in such a way that a width of between 1 cm
and 12
cm can be established for the slit-shaped terminating opening. With such a
region a
universally usable repair nozzle can be provided, which covers the most common
bead widths in particular in the automotive sector and with which the usual
structures
can be reproduced and/or recreated.
[0034] A further advantage of equipping the nozzle with a product conduit
is the at
least locally rotationally symmetrical configuration of the product conduit,
the rotation
axis extending from the proximal product feed end to the distal product
dispensing
end.
[0035] A further advantage of the at least locally rotationally symmetrical
configuration of the product conduit is the provision of a slit-shaped
terminating
opening which extends over the rotation axis of the product conduit.
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[0036] A further advantage is the provision of a repair system for
reproducing
structures in the automotive sector, made up of a repair nozzle, a dispensing
gun,
and a container containing the material to be dispensed, the repair nozzle
comprising
a proximal product feed end at which means are provided for mounting to the
container containing the material to be dispensed, and at least one seal
element
being provided in order to make available a sealing capability between the
repair
nozzle and the container. With a system of this kind, the user can reproduce
and/or
recreate the structures manufactured automatically by mass production without
having to resort, for example, to an application robot.
[0037] A further advantage in the context of use of a repair system of this
kind is
the fact that the repair nozzle is equipped with a distal product dispensing
end, a slit-
shaped terminating opening being provided at the distal product dispensing end
in
order to dispense a material bead. This slit-shaped terminating opening has
proven
to be advantageous in particular for applying wide beads, the substrate being
coated
over a wide area with the material to be dispensed. It is also possible to
provide, via
the slit-shaped terminating opening, a material surface that exhibits a
continuous film
and thus provides an improved adhesive bond or seal.
[0038] LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
100 Repair nozzle
101 Product feed end
102 Product dispensing end
103 Terminating opening
104 Jacket region
105 Product conduit
106 Rotation axis
107 Collar
108 End cap
109 Sealing lip ring
110 Assembly aid
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111 Reinforcing rib
112 Guide projection
113 Threaded sleeve
114 Internal thread
115 Sealing region
116 Product feed opening
117 Bevel
200 Repair nozzle
201 Product feed end
202 Product dispensing end
203 Terminating opening
204 Trapezoidal jacket region
205 Product conduit
206 Rotation axis
207 Collar
208 Base
209 Sealing lip ring
210 Threaded sleeve
211 Internal thread
212 Sealing region
214 Cutoff aids
216 Product feed opening
300 Cartridge gun
301 Handle
302 Metering device
303 Receiving unit
304 Support region
305 Actuation lever
306 Grip region
307 Compressed air connector
308 Pressure regulator
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309 Manometer
310 Discharge end
311 Closure cap
312 Opening
313 Cartridge
314 External thread
315 Viscous material
316 End region
[0039] The invention is explained in greater detail below by way of example
with
reference to the drawings, in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a repair nozzle according to the
invention
having seal elements,
[0041] FIG. 2 is a side view of the repair nozzle of FIG. 1,
[0042] FIG. 3 is a sectioned view A-A of the repair nozzle of FIG. 2,
[0043] FIG. 4 shows a detail B of the sectioned side view of the repair
nozzle of
FIG. 3,
[0044] FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned side view of a repair system having a
dispensing gun, a container, and the repair nozzle of FIG. 1,
[0045] FIG. 6 shows a detail C of the repair system of FIG. 5,
[0046] FIG. 7 is a sectioned side view of an alternative embodiment of a
repair
nozzle according to the present invention having seal elements.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a repair nozzle 100 according to the
present
invention that is utilized to dispense viscous materials usable in the
automotive
sector, for example adhesives, sealants, and/or noise- and/or vibration-
damping
materials, from containers (not shown) that contain them, by means of an
associated
CA 02754005 2016-09-08
cartridge gun (not shown). Repair nozzle 100 comprises a proximal product feed
end
101, with which repair nozzle 100 can be fastened detachably to a container,
as well
as a distal product dispensing end 102 for dispensing the material onto a
substrate.
Provided at proximal product feed end 101 is a product feed opening that is
adjoined
by a product conduit that is substantially rotationally symmetrical about a
rotation axis
106 and that represents a connection, between proximal product feed end 101
and
distal product dispensing end 102, for the material to be dispensed. The
product
conduit is surrounded by a sleeve-shaped and slightly conically tapering
jacket region
104 of repair nozzle 100. Provided at proximal product feed end 101 is a
collar 107,
projecting radially outward with regard to rotation axis 106, that enables
bracing of
repair nozzle 100 against a container. Especially in the context of a force
acting on
repair nozzle 100 when material is dispensed, repair nozzle 100 is braced with
collar
107 against the mounted container. Collar 107 thus serves for force transfer
and, by
providing a bracing capability, prevents possible destruction of repair nozzle
100
during material dispensing. A sealing lip ring (not evident in this view)
extending in a
proximal direction is integrally formed onto collar 107 as a seal element.
Jacket
region 104 comprises a threaded sleeve 113 at the proximal end. Threaded
sleeve
113 surrounds a concealed internal thread for fastening repair nozzle 100 onto
a
container. Projecting assembly aids 110 that extend in an axial direction are
provided
around the circumference of threaded sleeve 113. Assembly aids 110 offer a
good
grasping capability for the user when fastening repair nozzle 100, via the
inner
thread, to a container. Multiple projecting ribs 111, which are adjacent to
some of the
assembly aids 110 and extend on the outer surface of jacket region 104 in an
axial
direction with regard to rotation axis 106, are provided on jacket region 104,
in
particular to reinforce and stabilize repair nozzle 100 and the internal
thread. In
particular in the context of a force acting on repair nozzle 100 during
material
dispensing, ribs 111 can prevent destruction of repair nozzle 100 and of
thread 114
as a result of the stiffening effect. At its distal end, jacket region 104
comprises a
guide projection 112. The latter protrudes from jacket region 104 and extends
axially
with regard to rotation axis 106. Guide projection 112 provides, in
particular, a
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CA 02754005 2016-09-08
guidance capability for repair nozzle 100 along an edge as the material is
dispensed,
and facilitates precise material dispensing.
[0048] The material is dispensed through a slit-shaped terminating opening
103
that is provided on an end cap 108 at distal product dispensing end 102. End
cap
108 is convex in the distal direction of repair nozzle 100, and slit-shaped
terminating
opening 103 extends over the convexity summit of the convex end cap 108. In
the
present exemplifying embodiment, rotation axis 106 moreover extends through
slit-
shaped terminating opening 103. Material beads having a low applied height as
compared with the applied width on the substrate can be dispensed with slit-
shaped
terminating opening 103. This is greatly advantageous especially in the
context of
adhesive bonding of components in the automotive sector, since as large an
area as
possible of the substrate should be provided with the material to be
dispensed, for
example in order to achieve a sufficient adhesive and/or sealing effect, while
the
thickness of the material should be kept as low as possible. Dispensing of a
wider
material bead can additionally be ensured by the use of the convex end cap 108
and
by the fact that slit-shaped terminating opening 103 extends over the
convexity
summit of end cap 108, since the material to be dispensed can be dispensed at
the
jacket regions of slit-shaped terminating opening 103 not only in an axial
direction
with regard to rotation axis 106, but also partly radially outward with regard
to rotation
axis 106.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a side view of repair nozzle 100 of FIG. 1. That region of
jacket
region 104 embodied as threaded sleeve 113, having an enlarged circumference
as
compared with the remaining jacket region 104, is embodied at proximal product
feed
end 101. Threaded sleeve 113 comprises projecting assembly aids 110. A
reinforcing
rib 111, which extends axially in a distal direction on jacket region 104, is
integrally
formed onto one assembly aid 110. A further reinforcing rib 111 is provided on
the
other side of repair nozzle 100 and is not visible in the view shown. Collar
107 is
integrally formed on at the proximal end of threaded sleeve 113. The proximal
termination of repair nozzle 100 at proximal product feed end 101 is formed by
a
17
CA 02754005 2016-09-08
projecting sealing lip ring 109. Also apparent at distal product dispensing
end 102 is
guide projection 112, which protrudes from jacket region 104 and projects
locally in a
distal direction into convex end cap 108.
[0050]
FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view A-A of the repair nozzle of FIG. 2. Repair
nozzle 100 comprises a product conduit 105 that is rotationally symmetrical at
least
locally about rotation axis 106. Product conduit 105 represents a connection,
between proximal product feed end 101 and distal product dispensing end 102,
for
the material to be dispensed. Product conduit 105 thus connects product feed
opening 116 to slit-shaped terminating opening 103 on the convex end cap 108.
Product conduit 105 tapers from proximal product feed end 101 toward distal
product
dispensing end 102 in order to increase the flow velocity of the material
within
product conduit 105 and/or in order to compensate for a drop in the pressure
of the
material due to friction against the inner walls of product conduit 105.
Product conduit
105 is surrounded by the sleeve-shaped jacket region 104 of repair nozzle 100.
Jacket region 104 comprises reinforcing ribs 111 and is equipped, at proximal
product feed end 101, with an internal thread 114 with which repair nozzle 100
can
be fastened or mounted onto a container having a corresponding external
thread.
Internal thread 114 is a precision thread that is designed for the size of the
corresponding external thread of a container, in such a way that a sealing
function is
achieved inside the thread by way of a sealing region 115. The fastened
connection
between repair nozzle 100 and a container is therefore self-sealing as a
result of the
precise configuration, by the fact that internal thread 114 of repair nozzle
100 is
configured such that upon mounting of repair nozzle 100 onto a container, the
thread
turns rest closely against the flanks of the corresponding thread of the
container. The
external threads of the containers used are generally standardized and have a
defined size, so that as a result of the precise embodiment of the thread
turns of
internal thread 114 and accurate adaptation to the corresponding thread of the
container, in particular with the smallest possible tolerances, a sealing
function can
already be achieved within the thread. Internal thread 114 of the repair
nozzle thus
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CA 02754005 2016-09-08
provides, with sealing region 115, a first seal element of repair nozzle 100.
Undesired
or defective emergence of material to be dispensed can be prevented, and
penetration of material into the thread -- which would complicate unfastening
of repair
nozzle 100 from the container -- can furthermore be avoided.
[0051] In the context of the configuration of internal thread 114 as a
first seal
element, the assembly aids (not depicted in this view) and/or reinforcing ribs
111
additionally enhance the sealing function as a result of the stiffening. Even
when a
large force and/or pressure is acting, almost no deformation of internal
thread 114
occurs, so that a sealing capability between repair nozzle 100 and the
container in
the mounted state can be ensured. A further advantage of the assembly aids
and/or
reinforcing ribs 111 is a simplification of the fastening of repair nozzle 100
onto the
container. The assembly aids and/or reinforcing ribs 111 offer a good grasping
capability for the user in order to fasten repair nozzle 100, for example when
screwing the corresponding external thread of a container into internal thread
114 of
repair nozzle 100.
[0052] In addition, sealing lip ring 109 is provided in the region of
proximal product
feed end 101 as a further seal element. Said ring annularly encloses product
feed
opening 116 and extends in a proximal direction. Because of its proximal
extension,
sealing lip ring 109 protrudes toward the container when repair nozzle 100 is
fastened onto a container. The extension of sealing lip ring 109 is configured
in such
a way that upon fastening of repair nozzle 100, the ring comes into contact
with the
container and thus brings about sealing between repair nozzle 100 and the
container.
It is of course conceivable for repair nozzle 100 to comprise only one of the
seal
elements described.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a detail view B of the sectioned side view of repair
nozzle
100 of FIG. 3. As is evident from the sectioned view, sealing lip ring 109 can
form a
right triangle having two sides of equal length, the vertex of the right angle
pointing in
a proximal direction. Sealing lip ring 109 is integrally formed onto collar
107. Sealing
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CA 02754005 2016-09-08
lip ring 109 can nevertheless be a separate component and/or can be connected
to a
different part of the repair nozzle. It is also possible to fabricate sealing
lip ring 109
from a different material than the repair nozzle, for example in order to
achieve an
improved sealing effect. Sealing lip ring 109 annularly surrounds product feed
opening 116. In the present exemplifying embodiment the boundary region
delimiting
product feed opening 116, made up of the mutually abutting outer surface of
collar
107 and inner wall of jacket region 104, is beveled. This beveled embodiment
of the
region at the proximal end of the repair nozzle delimiting product feed
opening 116
makes possible easy mounting of the repair nozzle on a container. The bevel
makes
available a funnel shape, open in a proximal direction, in the region of
product feed
opening 116 in order to facilitate introduction of the container into product
feed
opening 116.
[0054] The repair system depicted in FIG. 5, for reproducing and/or
recreating
structures in the automotive sector, is made up of repair nozzle 100 shown in
FIG. 1,
a dispensing gun or cartridge gun 300, and a container 313 containing a
material 315
to be dispensed, for example an adhesive and/or sealant. In the present case a
cartridge is utilized as container 313. The cartridge comprises a
substantially
cylindrical body, a movable piston for extruding the material contained in the
cartridge
being provided at one end, and a base surface having an outlet opening for
dispensing the material being provided at the opposite end. The outlet opening
makes available a hollow-cylindrical attachment that is arranged axially with
respect
to the cylindrical body of the cartridge but has a smaller diameter. The
attachment is
equipped with an external thread that can be brought into engagement with an
internal thread of repair nozzle 100.
[0055] Cartridge gun 300 comprises a handle 301 that provides the user with
the
ability to operate and guide cartridge gun 300. For this, handle 301 contains
a grip
region 306 that can be equipped with slip-inhibiting means or can have an
ergonomic
shape, in order to offer the user a secure hold when working with the system.
Handle
301 is equipped with a support region 304, at which a receiving unit 303 is
connected
CA 02754005 2016-09-08
to handle 301. Receiving unit 303 has a hollow cylindrical shape and serves to
receive container 313 filled with material 315 to be dispensed. Product
dispensing
occurs at a discharge end 310 of receiving unit 303. Provided for this on
handle 301
is a metering device 302 with which the user can regulate the dispensing of
material
315 contained in container 313. The present exemplifying embodiment refers to
a
pneumatically acting cartridge gun 300, dispensing of material 315 being made
possible by the use of compressed air. A compressed air connector 307 is
provided
for this on handle 301. The user can connect a pressure medium, for example a
compressor, to this compressed air connector. A pressure regulator 308 is
attached
to handle 301 in order to regulate the pressure. Using a manometer 309
provided on
handle 301, the user can read off the pressure that is present at cartridge
gun 300
and is set via pressure regulator 308. In order to regulate the pressure for
application
of material 315 to be dispensed, metering unit 302 can be operated via an
actuation
lever 305 that is attached to handle 301 and can be pivoted in the direction
of handle
301. Dispensing of material 315 present in container 313 can be regulated by
the
extent to which actuating handle 305 is pivoted and by the air pressure set at
pressure regulator 308. An advance element (not shown) that can be displaced
within receiving unit 303 is provided in receiving unit 303 in order to
dispense
material 315. An impingement of pressure upon the advance element causes the
latter to be displaced, and to press container 313, arranged in receiving unit
303 and
having material 315 to be dispensed, toward discharge end 310 of receiving
unit 303.
Receiving unit 303 comprises a closure cap 311 at discharge end 310. In the
present
exemplifying embodiment this closure cap 311 is connected via a screw thread
to the
cylindrical receiving unit 303, and comprises an opening 312 aligning
concentrically
with the hollow-cylindrical shape of receiving unit 303. Material 315 can be
dispensed
through this opening 312 out of container 313 that is present in receiving
unit 303.
[0056] In
order to prepare the system to commence work, repair nozzle 100 is
connected to container 313. Container 313 comprises for this purpose an
external
thread 314 that can be brought into engagement with the corresponding internal
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thread of repair nozzle 100. To commence work with the system, container 313
is
introduced into the cavity of receiving unit 313 in such a way that repair
nozzle 100
protrudes out of receiving unit 303. Closure cap 311 is then slid over repair
nozzle
100 and connected to receiving unit 303 via the above-described screw
connection.
In the installed state, repair nozzle 100 protrudes through opening 311 out of
receiving unit 313. As a result of an impingement of pressure on the advance
element (not shown) to dispense material 315, container 313 is pressed in the
direction of discharge end 310 and becomes braced against closure cap 311.
Because of this bracing, the pressure that acts does not move container 313
together
with repair nozzle 100, but instead the advance element moves inside container
313
so that material 315 to be dispensed is extruded out of container 313, travels
into the
product conduit of repair nozzle 100, and lastly can be dispensed through slit-
shaped
terminating opening 103.
[0057]
FIG. 6 shows a detail view C of the repair system of FIG. 5, in which repair
nozzle 100 is mounted on container 313 containing material 315 to be
dispensed.
For this, internal thread 114 of repair nozzle 100 has been brought into
engagement
with a corresponding external thread 314 of the container. In the mounted
state,
sealing lip ring 109 of repair nozzle 100 lies adjacently against an end
region 316 of
container 313. In the present exemplifying embodiment, a mutual rotation of
the two
threaded regions 114, 314 has occurred, in such a way that sealing lip ring
109
locally is pressed and/or cuts into end region 316 of container 313 so that
secure
sealing can be ensured even in a context of production-related surface
irregularities
on end region 316. Sealing ring 109 can nevertheless be configured flexibly,
for
example, and can adapt to end region 316 of the container by being screwed
onto
external thread 315 so that a sealing function results, for example, by means
of a
deformation of sealing lip ring 109, without cutting into end region 316. In
the present
exemplifying embodiment, sealing of repair nozzle 100 with respect to
container 313
occurs by way of two seal elements: on the one hand via threaded regions 114,
314
by providing a high-precision internal thread 114 of the repair nozzle and
thereby
22
CA 02754005 2016-09-08
providing a sealing region 115, and on the other hand via the projecting
sealing lip
ring 109 that makes possible a sealing capability against end region 316 of
cartridge
313.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a repair nozzle 200 having
a
proximal product feed end 201 and a distal product dispensing end 202, and
having a
product conduit 205. Product conduit 205 connects a product feed opening 216
at
proximal product feed end 201 to a slit-shaped terminating opening 203 at
distal
product dispensing end 202. Product conduit 205 is configured, in the proximal
region of repair nozzle 200, substantially rotationally symmetrically about a
rotation
axis 206 and is surrounded, in the direction of distal product dispensing end
202, by
a trapezoidal jacket region 204 that comprises slit-shaped terminating opening
203.
Trapezoidal jacket region 204 is configured in such a way that a base 208 is
arranged at distal product dispensing end 202. Slit-shaped terminating opening
203
extends over base 208 of trapezoidal jacket region 204. Also provided at
proximal
product feed end 201 is a collar 207, projecting radially outward with regard
to
rotation axis 206, that serves to brace repair nozzle 200 against a container.
Trapezoidal jacket region 204 comprises, on the surface, multiple cutoff aids
214
arranged parallel to base 208. These cutoff aids 214 represent marks at which
the
user can cut off portions of trapezoidal jacket region 204. Because of the
trapezoidal
shape of jacket region 204, cutting off a portion at distal product dispensing
end 202
is accompanied by a reduction in the size of base 208. Cutting off a portion
of
trapezoidal jacket region 204 thus also, because of the reduction in the size
of base
208, reduces the size of slit-shaped terminating opening 203 that extends over
base
208. The user can thereby vary the size of slit-shaped terminating opening 203
by
cutting off portions of trapezoidal jacket region 204, in order to adjust said
opening to
the material to be dispensed or to the size of the desired material bead.
[0059] Jacket region 204 comprises reinforcing ribs (not shown) and is
equipped,
at proximal product feed end 201, with an internal thread 211 with which
repair
nozzle 200 can be mounted on a container having a corresponding external
thread.
23
CA 02754005 2016-09-08
Internal thread 211 is a precision thread as described above, which provides a
first
seal element by way of a sealing region 212. In addition, a sealing lip ring
209 is
provided in the region of proximal product feed end 201 as a further seal
element.
Said ring annularly surrounds product feed opening 216 and extends in a
proximal
direction. As a result of the proximal extension, when repair nozzle 200 is
fastened
onto a container, sealing lip ring 209 protrudes in the direction of the
container. The
extension of sealing lip ring 209 is configured in such a way that it comes
into contact
with the container when repair nozzle 200 is fastened on, and thus produces
sealing
between repair nozzle 200 and the container. It is of course also conceivable
for
repair nozzle 200 to comprise only one of the seal elements described.
24
