The invention relates to an application pen for dispensing a liquid onto a surface, preferably for applying a protection layer onto adhesion surfaces of a vehicle, in particular for improving adhesion in the case of adhesive applications, said application pen including a hollow body, in which the liquid is received, preferably inside an ampoule which is received in the hollow body and can be broken for discharging the liquid.
Pre-treatment agents for generating adhesive connections are usually provided in packages which consist of an aluminium bottle, polyethylene cup and a screw-type closure of the bottle produced from polyethylene. In the area of single-use applications, aluminium tubes or primer pens and activator pads, in each case with very little contents, are also provided
Application pens of the above-described type are known, for example, from WO 2014/004521 A1. WO 2014/004521 A1 describes an application pen, including a cylindrical body in which a glass ampoule is held, an applicator part by means of which the liquid can be applied onto a surface as well as a closure cap. The ampoule is destroyed as a result of pressure being exerted radially onto the circumferential face of the applicator part such that the liquid is discharged from the ampoule. The applicator part includes a porous body for applying the liquid. A seal between the individual parts (cylindrical basic body, applicator part and cap) is effected by means of a press fit. Overall, in the case of the application pen according to WO 2014/004521 A1 there is the risk of the liquid drying such that said application pen can only be used multiple times (over a fairly long time period) with difficulty. In addition, the manner of the breaking of the ampoule is conceived as comparatively complicated and not very “intuitive”.
The object underlying the invention, consequently, is to provide an improved application pen of the generic type which, in particular, is able to be used multiple times over a fairly long period of time and is simple to operate.
Said object is achieved in particular by an application pen with the features of Claim 1.
In particular, the object is achieved by an application pen for dispensing a liquid onto a surface, preferably for applying a protection layer onto adhesion surfaces of a vehicle, in particular for improving adhesion in the case of adhesive applications, said application pen including a hollow body for receiving the liquid in particular inside an ampoule (including a circumferential face) which is received in the hollow body, wherein the ampoule can be broken for discharging the liquid.
According to a first independent aspect, a breaking device with an axially movable portion is provided and realized in such a manner that a movement of the movable portion in the axial direction results in the ampoule being broken. As a result, an intuitively easily understandable, simple and effective possibility for breaking the ampoule is created. The prior art proposes breaking devices which require force to be applied in a radial manner (for example as a result of crushing against a table edge or pressing in the circumferential face), which is conceived as comparatively complex and complicated. According to the invention, however, a breaking of the ampoule can be achieved in a comparatively simple manner as a result of introducing force in an axial manner (for example as a result of an impact onto an end of the application pen or as a result of a rotational drive by means of a thread, as explained in detail further below). An “axial” movement or introduction of force is to be understood as a movement or introduction of force in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the application pen.
According to a second independent aspect (which can preferably be combined with the first aspect), the hollow body comprises at least two parts, preferably at least three parts, wherein a sealing ring, in particular a sealing lip, is provided on at least one face, in particular a circumferential face, of one of the parts, which is facing a face, in particular a circumferential face, of a further part. The sealing ring, in particular the sealing lip, is preferably integrally moulded on one of the facing faces. A “sealing ring” should provide a structure which is closed per se. A “sealing lip” is preferably a “sealing ring” which is realized as am annular lamella. A core concept of the second aspect consists in providing at least one sealing ring, which simplifies sealing of the individual constituent parts of the application pen. In particular, when the individual parts are movable (such as, for example, a closure cap in relation to a head part or a head part in relation to a base part, for example for breaking the ampoule), a high level of tightness is made possible with at the same time a comparatively simple relative movement.
Overall, it is possible for more than one sealing ring, for example at least two, preferably at least three or four sealing rings (sealing lips) to be provided on one of the facing faces. For example, several sealing rings (sealing lips) can be provided on an outer circumferential face of a head part, a first group of sealing rings facing an inner face of a closure cap and a second group of sealing rings facing an inner circumferential face of a base part.
According to a third independent aspect of the invention (which can preferably be combined with the first and/or second aspect), the hollow body includes at least one closure cap as well as a basic body, which preferably includes an end of the application pen which is remote from the closure cap, wherein the closure cap includes a liquid applicator part (in particular a liquid applicator felt), wherein the closure cap together with the liquid applicator part can be removed from the basic body, wherein the liquid applicator part, in the removed state of the closure cap, can be placed onto the surface, onto which the liquid is to be applied, for discharging the liquid. A core concept of the third aspect consist in that a liquid applicator part is arranged inside the closure cap and consequently the closure cap serves at the same time as a device for applying the liquid. In the prior art, for example in WO 2014/004521 A1, the liquid applicator part remains in the main body of the pen. The result of this is that when the liquid applicator part dries up, either the entire application pen has to be disposed of or (if this is at all possible) the liquid applicator part has to be removed as such out of the application pen, which is linked to a corresponding risk of contamination for the user. In contrast, the invention according to the third aspect allows for the cap including the liquid applicator part to be exchanged as one unit. As the cap represents only a relatively small or simply producible component, it is linked to only small costs and a slight impact on the environment. This generally results in the application pen being able to be used multiple times within a fairly long period of time.
According to a fourth independent aspect of the invention (which can preferably be combined with the first and/or second and/or third aspect), the hollow body comprises at least one basic body and one head part, wherein the head part includes a (flexible) end face with a slot. The width of the slot can be no larger than 1 mm, preferably 0.5 mm, even further preferably no larger than 0.2 mm. In addition, the length of the slot can be at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm or no longer than 10 mm, preferably no longer than 5 mm. A core concept of the fourth aspect consists in demonstrating an application possibility according to the “baby bottle” principle. In addition, a, where applicable transparent, closure cap can be provided. The head part can be produced from a (soft) plastics material, for example polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene and/or polypropylene) or from silicon. The head part is preferably realized such that it can be pressed-in in its front region such that the liquid can be dosed and applied as a result. The head part preferably does not comprise any felt and is therefore realized in a “felt-less” manner.
In a preferred development, the movable portion is arranged and realized in such a manner that it can be moved in the axial direction as a result of an impact that is carried out in the axial direction onto an end of the application pen such that the ampoule breaks. The “impact” can be directed for example onto an end of the application pen which is located opposite the outlet region. The “impact” is preferably effected, however, onto an end at which the outlet region is arranged, for example onto a closure cap or a head part. An “impact” is to be understood in particular as a preferably short-term application of pressure, e.g. lasting less than 0.1 s.
In an alternative further development, the movable portion can be driven as a result of rotation of a rotatable portion, in particular of a closure cap, such that a rotation of the rotatable portion drives the movable portion in the axial direction such that the ampoule breaks. The rotatable portion can be realized by the movable portion itself (at least in part). A corresponding rotary drive can be realized, for example, by a thread (screw-type thread). If the user then rotates the movable portion (or the rotatable portion) of the application pen, which is operatively connected to the movable portion, he drives the movable portion in the axial direction at the same time until the ampoule breaks. It is particularly preferred in this context when a closure cap can also be removed from the remaining components of the application pen by means of the same thread. For example, the movable portion (e.g. a head part) can be connected (operatively connected) to the closure cap. By means of a rotation of the closure cap, the movable portion can then be moved in the axial direction toward the ampoule such that said ampoule breaks. Once the ampoule has been broken, the closure cap can then be rotated in the opposite direction such that the closure cap can be removed from the remaining component parts of the application pen. All in all, a simple possibility for breaking the ampoule, which can be carried out without any great effort, is demonstrated by these types of measures.
The breaking device preferably includes a deflecting device in such a manner that a force which acts axially on account of the movement of the movable portion is deflected in the direction of the circumferential face of the ampoule (for breaking the ampoule). In the case of an embodiment of this type therefore, on the one hand it is possible to break the ampoule by means of an axial movement (for example an impact from the front or the back) and this is combined in a synergistic manner such that by means of the deflecting device a force, which acts on account of the axial movement, is directed onto the circumferential face of the ampoule such that the ampoule is able to be broken with comparatively little expenditure of force.
In a concrete embodiment, the breaking device includes at least one (preferably flexible) claw, preferably in such a manner that at least one claw is driven against the circumferential face of the ampoule as a result of the axial movement of the movable portion. As a result of this type of claw, the ampoule is able to be broken with comparatively little effort, which improves the operability of the application pen.
The hollow body preferably comprises a head part and a basic body which includes an end remote from the outlet region. The head part is preferably movable in the axial direction in relation to the basic body. In said embodiment, the head part can define the movable portion or can realize at least part of the movable portion. In addition, the head part can realize at least one component part of the breaking device.
In a concrete development, the head part is guided at least in portions inside the basic body. In a preferred development, the head part can comprise the above-described claw. The head part (just as the basic body) can be realized at least in portions in a cylindrical manner. The operability of the application pen is improved in particular when a relative movement between the head part and the basic body is utilized in order to break the ampoule (e.g. when an axial impact is presented).
In one embodiment, a head part (in particular the above-described head part) can comprise at least one (porous) liquid absorption body, in particular at least one absorption sponge and/or one liquid applicator felt for applying the liquid. In the case of said embodiment, a closure cap, for example, is removed from the unit made up by the basic body and the head part such that a liquid applicator felt (in particular the liquid applicator felt) is accessible to the outside for applying the liquid. The absorption sponge can provide for absorbing vibrations during transport and, as a result, the ampoule is protected. In addition, it can provide for not allowing glass splinters to emerge in the front region when the ampoule is broken. All in all, the operability is simplified and injuries prevented as a result.
The hollow body, (in particular a basic body of the hollow body), preferably comprises at least one run-up inclination on an inner circumferential face in such a manner that an axially acting force is converted, at least in part, into a radially inwardly directed force (directed onto the outer circumferential face of the ampoule). The run-up inclination preferably interacts with the claw which is described further above. Said claws, in turn, can also comprise a corresponding run-up inclination. All in all, a preferred embodiment is developed such that a run-up inclination of a claw interacts with a run-up inclination of the basic body such that an axial displacement of the claw in the direction of a rear end of the application pen forces the claw radially inward such that it presses against the ampoule and breaks it. All in all, a structurally simple solution to break the ampoule in a reliable manner is demonstrated as a result.
In a concrete embodiment, a (removable) foil element, in particular a label, can be arranged around the application pen. The foil element can preferably be arranged around a/the head part and/or between a/the closure cap and a/the basic body. The foil element can be realized such it blocks an axial movement between the head part and the basic body such that—as long as the foil element is attached—the ampule is not able to be broken. In the case of a concrete application, the foil element is then removed, as a result of which the blocking provided by the foil element is eliminated and the ampoule can be broken. If, for example, the foil element (label) is inscribed in a corresponding manner, intuitive and simple operation of the application pen can be achieved.
Generally speaking, the hollow body can comprise different parts, in particular a basic body, preferably including an end of the application pen remote from the outlet region and/or a head part (for example adjoining the basic body) and/or a closure cap.
A liquid applicator part (in particular a liquid applicator felt) and/or sponge (absorption sponge) which prevents glass splinters of the ampoule escaping to the outside can be arranged inside the hollow body, as component parts of the application pen.
The liquid applicator part, in particular the liquid applicator felt, can protrude at least in part from the closure cap, in particular by at least 2 mm or at least 4 mm. As a result, the liquid applicator part, in particular the liquid applicator felt, is accessible in a simple manner from the outside such that liquid can be applied onto a surface.
The liquid applicator part can be connected (where applicable in a fixed and/or integral manner) to the cap, in particular plugged in and/or pressed in and/or glued on and/or welded on.
An end of the closure cap remote from the liquid applicator part can comprise a recess. Said recess comprises, for example, a diameter of at least 0.5 cm and/or no larger than 1 cm and can comprise, for example, a round cross section. The closure cap can be gripped particularly easily as a result of a recess of this type such that the closure cap is able to be removed in a simple manner and in particular is able to function in a simple manner as a device for applying the liquid (with an integrated liquid applicator part). Operability is improved as a result.
The closure cap can comprise axially extending ribs on its outer circumferential face. The operability of the cap, in particular when it functions as an applicator device for the liquid (with an integrated liquid applicator part) is also improved as a result.
According to an independent aspect of the invention, a closure cap for an application pen, in particular of the afore-described type, is proposed, wherein the closure cap comprises an, in particular porous, liquid applicator part, preferably a liquid applicator felt.
Advantages and expediency of the invention become clear from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments by way of the figures, in which:
The breaking of the ampoule is illustrated in particular in
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.
Sealing between the basic body 10 and the head part 11 (see
In
In the embodiment according to
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.
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).
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).
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.
Apart from this, sealing rings (or sealing lips) 43 are provided between the head 11 and the basic body 10.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
14178613.7 | Jul 2014 | EP | regional |