Applicator for liquid surface treatment agents

Abstract

applicator (1) comprising a first element (2) and a second element (3), wherein - the first element (2) is designed as a plotting unit, - the second element (3) is designed as a support arm, - the first element (2) and the second element (3) are joined by material connection or form connection, - the application unit is porous and designed to receive and release a liquid.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an applicator for liquid surface treatment agents and its use

[0002] In current technology, liquid surface treatment agents, such as adhesion promoters, pretreatment agents, cleaners, activators, primers, or black primers, are used in numerous industrial applications to improve the adhesion between a substrate and a subsequent coating layer. Typical applications are found in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, the construction industry, and in the bonding of glass, plastics, metals, or painted surfaces. Application is often carried out manually using a brush, cloth, or felt pad.

[0003] For example, adhesion promoters are typically low-viscosity, sometimes solvent-based or reactive systems, such as those based on silanes, isocyanates, or special resin formulations. Reliable adhesion requires applying the adhesion promoter in a defined, ideally homogeneous layer thickness, without creating excesses, droplets, or uneven wetting. At the same time, consumption should be minimized and a reproducible process enabled.

[0004] However, well-known application methods have several disadvantages. Brushes can lead to streaking and localized over-application. Wipes or non-woven materials often release the liquid uncontrollably and tend to absorb too much adhesion promoter, increasing material consumption. Furthermore, unsuitable materials can cause a chemical reaction between the adhesion promoter and the applicator, reducing the tool's lifespan or leading to contamination.

[0005] Particularly with hard-to-reach geometries, edges, folds, or narrow joints, the challenge lies in applying the adhesion promoter precisely and in a targeted manner without wetting adjacent areas. Furthermore, increasing demands are being placed on occupational safety and emission reduction, making an application agent desirable that allows for controlled release even with low-viscosity and volatile systems.

[0006] Against this background, there is a need for an application tool that allows defined uptake, storage and metered release of adhesion promoters, is chemically resistant to common primer formulations and at the same time ensures uniform wetting of the surface to be treated.

[0007] Prior art EP 2 049 271 B1 is known; this invention relates to a means for applying and wiping a liquid onto a surface comprising a container with a filling chamber.

[0008] A disadvantage of this invention is that the liquid must be supplied within the container's filling chamber. This results in a more complex applicator design and less flexibility. In particular, changing the liquid quickly is more difficult, as is using different liquids with varying properties.

[0009] The task is therefore to provide an applicator that reduces the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0010] According to the invention, the problem is solved by an applicator as defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] An applicator according to the invention has a first element and a second element, wherein - the first element is designed as a single application unit, - the second element is designed as a support arm, - the first element and the second element are joined by a material bond and / or a form bond and - the application unit is porous and designed to receive and release a liquid.

[0012] Advantageously, the invention enables the application of various liquids while preventing direct contact between the user or machine and the liquid. Furthermore, it advantageously allows liquids to be applied to hard-to-reach areas.

[0013] According to the invention, the second element is designed as a support arm. In some embodiments, the support arm has an engraving. Advantageously, the support arm can thus be inscribed and / or bear logos.

[0014] According to the invention, the application unit is porous. Due to this porosity, liquids can be absorbed by capillary action and released again in a controlled manner upon contact with a surface.

[0015] For the purposes of the invention, "porous" is understood to mean a material that has spaces, in particular cavities, which can hold a liquid or which are permeable to a liquid. This advantageously enables a uniform, reproducible application.

[0016] The porosity is preferably at least 50%, particularly between 60% and 95%, measured according to DIN ISO 4590. The mean pore size is in the range of 10 µm to 1000 µm, particularly preferably between 50 µm and 600 µm (d 50 -value, numerically averaged, determined by light or electron microscopy in conjunction with image evaluation), to ensure sufficient storage capacity with controlled release.

[0017] The sponge preferably consists of a chemically resistant polymer, in particular polyurethane, polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, polyolefin, melamine foams, or a comparable material inert to solvent-based or silane-based adhesion promoters. The material is selected such that neither significant swelling nor chemical decomposition or extraction of components occurs upon contact with the adhesion promoter.

[0018] For the purposes of this invention, a liquid is understood to be a flowing mass with a viscosity of less than 1000 mPa*s, preferably less than 500 mPa*s, and even more preferably less than 100 mPa*s. Particularly suitable according to the present invention are low-viscosity liquids with a viscosity of less than 100 mPa*s, preferably between approximately 10 and 60 mPa*s. Solid-free liquids are especially preferred. However, liquids containing solid particles, such as soot, are also suitable. Viscosity is measured according to EN ISO 3219.

[0019] The liquid is preferably a solution, an emulsion, a suspension, or a dispersion, for example, a paste. The liquid can be, for example, a cleaning agent or an adhesion promoter.

[0020] In various embodiments, the application unit has different colors. This advantageously allows different applicators with different properties to be distinguished.

[0021] In some embodiments, the application unit is designed as a sponge.

[0022] In some embodiments, the application unit is designed to absorb liquid through capillary action or open pores and release it in a controlled manner upon contact with a surface. This enables a uniform, reproducible application.

[0023] According to the invention, the first element and the second element are connected by a material bond and / or a form-fit bond.

[0024] In some embodiments, the material-bonded connection is achieved by thermal joining and / or by gluing.

[0025] In some embodiments, the positive-locking connection between the first and second elements is achieved by means of a toothed joint or a wedge. In other embodiments, the positive-locking connection is designed to be detachable and / or permanent.

[0026] In embodiments, the application unit exhibits thermal stability in the range of -20 to 100°C, preferably between 0 and 40°C, and particularly preferably between 10 and 30°C. For the purposes of the present invention, thermal stability means that the application unit retains its intended function and its relevant mechanical, physical, and / or chemical properties within the aforementioned temperature range without significant impairment.

[0027] In embodiments, the material-bonded connection of the first element and the second element is formed as an adhesive bond.

[0028] In embodiments, the adhesive joint comprises different adhesives, including hot melt adhesives and / or synthetic resin adhesives and / or reactive adhesives and / or epoxy resin adhesives and / or polyurethane adhesives.

[0029] In some embodiments, the application unit is attached to an outer end of the support arm.

[0030] This arrangement advantageously allows for a distance between the user's hand or the machine and the liquid being applied.

[0031] In some embodiments, the application unit is made of a foamed material.

[0032] Advantageously, the liquid absorption and the application quantity can be adjusted by selecting the foamed material with its foam density, pore size and pore structure.

[0033] In some embodiments, the foamed material is made of natural or synthetic polymers.

[0034] In embodiments, the foamed material is preferably made of a chemically resistant polymer, in particular polyurethane, polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, polyolefin, melamine foams, or a comparable material inert to solvent-based or silane-based adhesion promoters. The material is selected such that neither significant swelling nor chemical decomposition or extraction of components occurs upon contact with the adhesion promoter.

[0035] The use of natural or synthetic polymers offers the advantage of targeted adjustment of mechanical properties such as elasticity, resilience, and abrasion resistance.

[0036] In embodiments, natural polymers include rubber or sponge.

[0037] In embodiments, the polymers are selected from polyisocyanates, polyacrylates, epoxy resins and / or polysilanes, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0038] Advantageously, different properties can be adjusted using polymers with regard to resilience and / or abrasion resistance and / or chemical inertness with liquids.

[0039] Furthermore, a mixture of the aforementioned groups advantageously allows for the combination of several material properties.

[0040] In embodiments, the polymers include polyurethanes and / or melamine foams.

[0041] Polyurethane is advantageously characterized by a balanced combination of resilience, tear resistance and liquid absorption capacity, and is therefore particularly suitable for repeated application processes.

[0042] Melamine foams have the advantage of a fine, homogeneous pore structure, which allows for the even distribution of liquids.

[0043] In some embodiments, the application unit is reversibly deformable. In others, the application unit is elastically compressible, so that slight pressure on the surface to be coated releases a defined quantity of the adhesion promoter stored in the pore volume. After the pressure is released, the application unit returns to its original shape due to its elastic resilience and can again transport liquid from the interior to the surface.

[0044] The reversible deformability advantageously allows for adaptation to unevenness of the surface to be treated.

[0045] Furthermore, the material expands reversibly after being subjected to force and can reabsorb any remaining liquid.

[0046] In some embodiments, the support arm is made of at least one plastic or natural material.

[0047] In various embodiments, the support arm can be made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic, or a natural material such as wood or bamboo. Plastic materials offer the advantage of precise shaping, for example, through injection molding.

[0048] Natural materials offer the advantage of a pleasant feel and are ecologically sustainable.

[0049] In some embodiments, the support arm can be ergonomically shaped and / or have a structured surface to advantageously increase grip security.

[0050] In various embodiments, the application unit can have arbitrary three-dimensional shapes.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the application unit has a defined outer contour, for example cuboid, cylindrical or wedge-shaped, wherein at least one application surface is flat or slightly curved to enable uniform wetting of the substrate surface.

[0052] Advantageously, different three-dimensional shapes of the application unit allow for adaptation to different surfaces.

[0053] In embodiments, the three-dimensional shape is designed as a polyhedron, preferably as a cuboid or cube.

[0054] In various embodiments, the three-dimensional shape is designed as a sphere, cylinder, or cone.

[0055] The invention also includes the use of the applicator according to the invention for applying liquid to surfaces, in particular adhesion promoters, pretreatment agents, cleaners, activators, primers or black primers.

[0056] In embodiments, adhesion promoters are particularly suitable which comprise at least one hydrolyzable adhesion promoter substance, in particular silane, titanate and / or zirconium compounds.

[0057] In embodiments, the applicator according to the invention can apply a liquid which comprises or consists of a cleaning agent.

[0058] The cleaning agent preferably comprises a solvent. Suitable solvents include water, alcohol, ethanol, and / or heptane, as well as mixtures thereof. The cleaning agent also preferably comprises a wetting agent. Particularly suitable wetting agents are anionic surfactants, especially alkylbenzenesulfonates, or non-ionic surfactants, especially ethoxylates.

[0059] In embodiments, the applicator according to the invention can also apply more than one liquid simultaneously or a mixture of several liquids.

[0060] In various embodiments, the application of the liquid with the applicator according to the invention can be carried out manually or mechanically, in particular by means of a machine, for example a robot. Manual application is performed by a user.

[0061] In embodiments, the applicator according to the invention can be used in particular for the pretreatment of substrate surfaces which are subsequently to be bonded with an adhesive or sealant.

[0062] Suitable applications therefore include, for example, the bonding of components in building construction or civil engineering and in the manufacture or repair of industrial goods or consumer goods, in particular windows, household appliances or means of transport such as vehicles on water or land, preferably automobiles, buses, trucks, trains or ships; the sealing of joints, seams or cavities in industrial manufacturing or repair, or in building construction or civil engineering.

[0063] The present invention is particularly suitable for applying an adhesion promoter substance to a disc, preferably made of glass, where the disc is to be joined, in particular bonded, to at least one further substrate made of glass, wood, lacquer, or plastic, in particular polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0064] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but includes all technically equivalent embodiments as well as any combinations of the disclosed features, provided that these do not mutually exclude each other.

[0065] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described, but also includes all embodiments that have the same effect within the meaning of the invention. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the specifically described combinations of features, but can also be defined by any other combination of certain features of all disclosed individual features, provided that the individual features are not mutually exclusive, or a specific combination of individual features is not explicitly excluded. Examples of implementation

[0066] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment relates to an applicator and is intended to describe the invention without limiting it.

[0067] The invention is explained in more detail using drawings. These drawings show Fig. 1. A schematic representation of the applicator

[0068] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the applicator (1), which consists of two main components: a first element (2) and a second element (3). The first element (2), the application unit, is located at one end and is made of a porous melamine sponge material capable of absorbing and releasing liquid. The application unit is shaped like a cuboid (shown only two-dimensionally due to the schematic nature of the representation). The second element (3), the support arm, is firmly connected to the application unit by a bonded connection and forms the handle or stem of the applicator (1). Reference sign 1 applicator 2 First element 3 Second element QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 049 271 B1

[0007]

Claims

Applicator (1) comprising a first element (2) and a second element (3), wherein - the first element (2) is designed as an application unit, - the second element (3) is designed as a support arm, - the first element (2) and the second element (3) are connected by a material-locking or form-locking connection, - the application unit is designed to be porous and is configured to receive and release a liquid. Applicator (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the material-bonded connection of the first element (2) and the second element (3) is formed as an adhesive bond. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the application unit is attached to an outer end of the support arm. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the application unit is made of a foamed material. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the foamed material is formed from natural or synthetic polymers. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the polymers are selected from polyisocyanates, polyacrylates, epoxy resins and / or polysilanes and mixtures thereof. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the polymers comprise polyurethanes or melamine foams. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the application unit is reversibly deformable. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the support arm is made of at least one plastic or natural material. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the application unit has arbitrary three-dimensional shapes. Use of the applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for applying liquid to surfaces, in particular adhesion promoters, pretreatment agents, cleaners, activators or black primers.

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