Feeder system

Abstract

The feeder system (1) comprises a body (2) made of a heat-generating and / or insulating material and a spout body (3) made of metal. Tubular recesses (21, 22) having openings (23) are provided within the body (2). The spout body (3) comprises an outlet opening (33) defining an annular surface (34) located opposite the outlet opening (33). At least two separate retaining protrusions (35) are connected to the radially outer end of the annular surface (34). The inner diameter (D23) of the opening (23) is adapted to receive the annular surface (34). Each retaining protrusion (35) comprises a compressible section (351) and a hook section (352) that extends at least partially in a direction radially away from the annular surface (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeder system for use in metal casting operations utilizing disposable (non-reusable) molds.

Background Art

[0002] In disposable mold casting processes, molten metal is poured into a disposable mold containing a mold cavity that defines a three-dimensional negative image of the intended shape of the casting. After the metal has solidified, the mold is broken and the casting is removed.

[0003] Disposable molds are often produced by embedding a pattern having the intended shape of the casting in a molding material (such as molding sand or plaster) within a molding box and compressing the molding material. After the molding material has been joined, the molding box (which typically consists of segments that can be latched to each other and to end closures) is segmented (in the case of a simple pattern, into an upper and a lower half) and the pattern is removed. By adding channels (e.g., to supply molten metal to the mold cavity and vent air from the mold cavity) and recombining the segments of the molding box, the disposable mold is completed.

[0004] Since the density of the melt is lower than the density of the solidified metal, the metal shrinks as it cools. To avoid this effect from distorting the intended shape of the casting, it is necessary to provide additional molten metal to the mold cavity as the metal cools. This is often addressed by integrating a feeder system into the mold. Each feeder system provides a feeder cavity that communicates with the mold cavity. During casting, molten metal enters the feeder cavity of the feeder system (often via the mold cavity) and flows into the mold cavity during cooling and solidification of the metal to compensate for the shrinkage.

[0005] To integrate the feeder system into the mold, it is positioned on the pattern before the pattern is covered with the molding material. To position the feeder system in place on the pattern, the pattern typically includes centering pins for the feeder system. The feeder system remains embedded within the mold's bonded molding material even after the pattern is removed from the mold.

[0006] The feeder cavity is not part of the intended shape of the casting. Therefore, after the casting is removed from the mold, residual metal from the feeder cavity remains attached to the casting. To facilitate the removal of this residual metal, the lowest part of the feeder system (the part containing the molten metal inlet / outlet closest to the pattern), and thus the feeder cavity, are usually tapered towards the mold cavity. The removal of this residual metal can be further facilitated by providing an additional breaker core between the feeder system and the mold cavity. An additional breaker core is a refractory material disc with a central hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the feeder system cavity closest to the mold cavity. However, the breaker core is not limited to a disc shape. There are also frustoconical breaker cores that are integrated into the feeder system.

[0007] Because feeder systems can hinder the compression of the molding material, feeder systems have been proposed that can perform some relative movement toward the pattern as the molding material is compressed.

[0008] According to the first approach described in European Patent No. 1184104 and International Publication No. 2017 / 025702, the feeder system consists of at least two parts (an upper part, usually referred to as the “sleeve,” and a lower part, usually referred to as the “breaker core”) that allow for expansion and contraction movement relative to one another. In the first approach, the problem is that the feeder system needs to be provided with retaining means that allow the parts of the feeder system to be stacked on top of each other without expansion and contraction movement, provided that no or very little downward pressure is applied. According to European Patent No. 1184104, the retaining means is a projection provided on the outside of the lowest part of the feeder system (and therefore on the outside of the conical breaker core). These projections are intended to break off under downward pressure. Such projections have the disadvantage that, once broken off, they can move freely within the molding material and thus may even come into contact with the pattern. Because the material used for the feeder system, particularly for the breaker core, is unsuitable for defining the mold cavity, this can impair the quality of the casting. According to International Publication No. 2017 / 025702, the retaining means is a blade provided at the lowest part of the feeder system (and therefore on the conical breaker core) and intended to cut into the material in the upper part of the feeder system (and therefore inside the sleeve). This cutting action also causes the removal of some of the material in the feeder system. This material may mix with either the molten metal or the molding material, thereby impairing the quality of the casting.

[0009] According to the second approach described in European Patent No. 3188856, International Publication No. 2005 / 051568, European Patent No. 2956256, and German Utility Model No. 202013102133, the feeder system consists of at least two parts, the lowest part of the feeder system (and therefore the conical breaker core) being deformable under downward pressure. In the second approach, the drawback is that the inner surface of the lowest part of the feeder system deforms. If this inner surface guides the molten metal into the pattern, the supply of molten metal to the pattern may be impaired, and a lot of metal may remain in the feeder system.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeder system that avoids the drawbacks of the prior art by preventing material removal from the feeder system and maintaining a smooth inner surface shape at the bottom of the feeder system, while allowing some movement toward the pattern when the molding material is compressed. [Overview of the project]

[0011] The above objective is achieved in the feeder system described in independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the feeder system comprises a body (which may be referred to as the "sleeve") and a spout body (which may be referred to as the "breaker core"). The feeder system has a longitudinal axis. The body is made from a heat-generating and / or insulating material, and the spout body is made from a metal. Thus, the body and the spout body are made from different materials. Heat-generating and / or insulating materials are usually brittle and therefore cannot be deformed in a non-destructive manner, while metals are somewhat flexible and therefore can be deformed both plastically and elastically in a non-destructive manner. A tubular recess with an opening is provided within the body. This opening is preferably circular. The tubular recess represents at least 50% of the volume of the body and is designed to receive molten metal. According to one embodiment, the body has a generally elongated shape. The spout body includes an outlet opening used during casting to supply molten metal to the feeder system and to discharge molten metal from the feeder system. Thus, the outlet opening is oriented toward and near the mold cavity. The spout body has an annular surface at the end opposite the outlet opening. At least two or three separate retaining protrusions are connected to the radially outer end of the annular surface. To allow the spout body to enter the body to some extent, the inner diameter of the opening of the body is adapted to receive the annular surface of the spout body. According to the present invention, each retaining protrusion comprises or consists of a compressible section and a hook section. The compressible section is connected directly or indirectly to the annular surface. When the spout body is assembled to the body, the compressible section is received within the tubular recess of the body, and the plane defined by the annular surface coincides with or is parallel to the plane defined by the rim surrounding the opening of the body. The plane defined by the annular surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the feeder system. The hook section extends at least partially in a direction radially away from the annular surface. According to one embodiment, the hook section includes a corresponding compressible section and angles ranging from 30° to 150°, particularly from 60° to 120°, and even more particularly from 85° to 95°.According to another embodiment, the compressible sections extend axially along the cylinder defined by the annular surface of the spout body (i.e., they are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder system), and the hook sections extend radially along the cylinder.

[0013] In the feeder system having the above configuration, when the annular surface of the spout body is inserted into the opening of the body, the hook portion of the retaining projection of the spout body comes into contact with the rim surrounding the opening of the body. Thus, the hook portion can support the body. When a downward pressing force is applied to the body, the angle between the hook portion and the annular surface deforms, and the hook portion moves toward the center of the annular surface of the spout body. Thus, the compressible portion may also be bent toward the center of the annular surface of the spout body. This movement of the hook portion continues until the hook portion disengages from the rim surrounding the opening of the body. As a result, the expansion and contraction of the spout body and the body are no longer prevented by the retaining projection, and the spout body can further enter the tubular recess of the body.

[0014] Claim 1 describes the feeder system according to the present invention after the assembly of the main body and spout body, and before the compression of the molding material.

[0015] According to one embodiment, when a pressing force is applied to the main body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the angle between the hook section and the compressible section increases to more than 90°. This effect helps to detach the hook section from the rim. If the compression bends the compressible section into several parts, the angle between the hook section and the top of the compressible section (i.e., closest to the annular surface) increases to more than 90°.

[0016] In one embodiment, the spout body has height, and the cylinder section has inner diameter, so that the height of the spout body is greater than half the inner diameter of the cylinder section and less than the inner diameter of the cylinder section. This height is a good trade-off for obtaining the breaker core effect without excessive heat loss.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the hook section has a length and the retaining projection has a height, so that the length of the hook section is greater than 1 / 4 of the height of the retaining projection and less than half of the height of the retaining projection. This length is a good trade-off to provide good support for the body before compression and allow for release during compression.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the tubular recess of the body defines the inner surface of a right circular cylinder. Therefore, the annular surface of the spout body is not deformed when it enters the tubular recess of the body. According to an alternative embodiment, the tubular recess of the body defines the inner surface of a right circular frustum having an opening of less than 5°, particularly less than 4°. In such an opening, the annular surface of the spout body is not deformed, or only slightly deformed, when it enters the tubular recess of the body.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the retaining projections of the spout body are evenly distributed around the annular surface of the spout body. This ensures that when the body is seated on the spout body, the weight of the body is evenly distributed to the retaining projections of the spout body.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the retaining projection extends over less than half the circumference of the annular surface of the spout body, preferably over less than one-quarter of the circumference of the annular surface of the spout body, more preferably over one-eighth of the circumference of the annular surface of the spout body, and over at least one-fifteenth of the circumference of the annular surface of the spout body. The upper limit of the extension of the retaining projection along the circumference of the annular surface ensures a reduction in friction between the hook portion of the retaining projection and the rim surrounding the opening of the body, while the lower limit ensures that the body can be reliably supported by the spout body.

[0021] The extension of the compressible portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface provided by one embodiment of the present invention ensures good bending properties of the compressible portion of each retaining projection. This direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the rim surrounding the opening of the body when the body is attached to the spout body.

[0022] The radial extension of the hook section on the annular surface of the spout body provided by one embodiment of the present invention ensures good support of the body on the spout body and avoids excessive friction between the hook section and the rim surrounding the opening of the body.

[0023] The external projections are located between the annular surface and the sleeve, and at least some of them are between the retaining projections. They center the spout body relative to the sleeve. They can bend as the sleeve slides around the annular surface. The external projections form a suspended rim around the annular surface.

[0024] Having an external projection between the retaining projection and the annular surface helps to strengthen the mechanical connection.

[0025] The claimed correspondence between the inner diameter of the tubular recess of the main body and the outer diameter of the spout body at the projection on the opposite side ensures both a good seal between the external projection surrounding the annular surface and the tubular recess to prevent leakage of molten metal, and avoids unwanted friction between the external projection surrounding the annular surface and the tubular recess.

[0026] The shape of the spout body, comprising a frustoconical section and a cylindrical section, provided by one embodiment of the present invention, provides good supply characteristics to the molten metal and ensures that there is sufficient space for movement of the hook section of the retaining projection.

[0027] The preferred arc shape of the external protrusion, which extends as a bump away from the outlet opening, facilitates insertion into the opening.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spout body has a U-shaped cross-section in the vicinity of the annular surface, in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface, i.e., in the longitudinal direction. The radial inner leg of the "U" may be formed by a cylinder section of the spout body, and the radial outer leg may be formed by an outward-facing rim such as a suspended collar.

[0029] This U-shaped cross-section facilitates the insertion of the spout body into the tubular recess of the body, provides good sealing characteristics, and in particular makes it possible to provide a compressible section of the retaining projection in a particularly simple manner.

[0030] Manufacturing the body and / or the spout body from a uniform material and / or manufacturing the body and / or the spout body integrally simplifies their manufacture and keeps the number of parts to be assembled low.

[0031] As provided in one embodiment, manufacturing the spout body by deep drawing from a metal sheet is a particularly convenient, cost-effective, and reliable method for manufacturing a spout body having a retaining projection as described above.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the spout body comprises a plurality of retaining elements connected to an annular surface and preventing the body from detaching from the spout body. The retaining elements can be tabs angled with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0033] In a second embodiment of the invention, each retaining projection comprises a joining section connecting the annular surface and the compressible section and having at least a portion parallel to the longitudinal axis. This joining section is interesting for increasing the height of the retaining projection without overly increasing its radial extension.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the compressible section extends in a direction intersecting the plane defined by the annular surface at an angle β of 80° to 100°, particularly at an angle of 90°. In other words, the compressible section is preferably at most 10° of the longitudinal axis of the feeder system when the body is mounted on the spout body.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising a body and a spout body assembled to form a feeder system according to the present invention, and more particularly to a spout body used in a feeder system according to the present invention.

[0036] Preferably, when the spout body is not assembled with the main body, the compressible section extends in a direction intersecting the plane defined by the annular surface at an angle of 60° to 100°.

[0037] In the following, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. In the figures, identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] A partially enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a feeder system according to one embodiment in a disassembled state is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the feeder system in its assembled state. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the feeder system in a compressed state. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a schematic top perspective view of the spout body used in the feeder system. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows a bottom perspective view of the spout body used in the feeder system. [Figure 6] This shows a schematic top perspective view of the spout body used in the second embodiment of the present invention, before assembly with the main body. [Figure 7] This shows a bottom perspective view of the spout body in the second embodiment of the present invention, before assembly with the main body. [Figure 8] This shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the spout body in the second embodiment of the present invention, before assembly with the main body. [Figure 9a] This shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body and spout body in the second embodiment of the present invention before assembly. [Figure 9b]This shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a feeder system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9c] This diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a feeder system in one embodiment of the present invention, in a compressed state, that is, after a pressing force has been applied to the main body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] In the frames of this specification, the height is measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder system.

[0040] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a feeder system having a first embodiment of the spout body according to the present invention. Figures 6 to 9 illustrate a feeder system having a second embodiment of the spout body according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a partially enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the feeder system 1 in one embodiment in a disassembled state.

[0042] The feeder system 1 comprises a separate element, a body (which may be referred to as a "sleeve") 2, and a spout body (which may be referred to as a "breaker core") 3. The primary purpose of the body 2 is to provide a sufficiently large cavity for the molten metal and to avoid rapid cooling of the molten metal. The primary purpose of the spout body 3 is to feed the molten metal from the body 2 to a mold cavity (not shown) and to allow some expansion and contraction between the body 2 and the spout body 3. In this embodiment, both the body 2 and the spout body 3 have primarily rotational symmetry (with the exception of elements 351, 352, and 36 of the spout body, which are described later). In this embodiment, since there is no breaker core in addition to the spout body, the spout body similarly fulfills the purpose of the breaker core.

[0043] In this embodiment, the body 2 is an elongated, roughly cup-shaped element manufactured from a slurry of a heat-generating material by vacuum forming. Thus, the body 2 is made from a single, uniform material. When the heat-generating material comes into contact with the molten metal, it immediately generates heat, thus preventing the molten metal from cooling. The upper end of the body 2 (with respect to the orientation shown in Figures 1 to 3) includes a recess 25 for receiving a centering pin (not shown) of a pattern (not shown). The lower end opposite the upper end is provided with an opening 23 that allows access to a tubular recess. In this embodiment, the tubular recess consists of a lower section 21 that defines the inner surface of a right circular cylinder having the same diameter D23 as the opening 23, and an upper section 22 that follows the lower section 21 but tapers. In this embodiment, the upper section 22 defines the inner surface of a right circular frustum with a 3° opening. The tapering of the upper section 22 facilitates the manufacturing of the body 2. The outer surface of the lower end of the main body 2 is generally flat and has a rim 24 surrounding the opening 23. It is emphasized that providing the lower section 21 defining the inner surface of the right circular cylinder is entirely optional.

[0044] The spout body 3 is deep-drawn from a metal plate having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm. Therefore, the spout body 3 is made from a single, uniform material different from the body 2. The spout body 3 comprises a conical section 31 having the shape of a right circular frustocone and a cylindrical section 32 having the shape of a right circular cylinder. A small step is provided between the conical section 31 and the cylindrical section 32. The conical section 31 is provided with a circular outlet opening 33 at the end opposite to the cylindrical section 32. An annular surface 34 is provided at the end of the cylindrical section 32 opposite to the conical section 31.

[0045] The spout body 3 has a U-shaped cross-section in the vicinity of the annular surface 34, perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface 34. In the figure, this plane is parallel to the X-axis and perpendicular to the Y-axis (the Y-axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis 100 of the feeder system). One end of the "U" is continuous with the cylinder section 32. At four positions evenly distributed circumferentially around the annular surface 34, the other end of the "U" is continuous with the compressible section 351 of the retaining projection 35. The retaining projection 35 is not continuous circumferentially around the annular surface 34 and is provided only at separate positions. The annular surface 34 may have a variable width, for example, a few millimeters at the retaining projection 35 and the same width as the thickness of the metal plate at other positions.

[0046] In this embodiment, the circumferential extension of each retaining projection 35 is 1.5 cm. The compressible section 351 extends 1 cm in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface 34, and therefore in the Y-axis direction. A hook section 352 is provided at the end of the compressible section 351 opposite to the annular surface 34. The hook section 352 extends 0.4 cm in a direction parallel to the plane defined by the annular surface 34 (and therefore in the X-axis direction), and moves radially away from the annular surface 34 and cylinder section 32 of the spout body 3. Thus, the compressible section 351 and the hook section 352 enclose an angle α that can go from 90° to 110° (when the feeder system is assembled but not yet compressed). From the above dimensions, it is clear that the extension of the compressible section 351 in the Y-axis direction is twice the extension of the hook section 352 in the X-axis direction.

[0047] As can be deduced from Figures 2 and 3, the feeder system 1 having the above structure allows the body 2 to be supported when the annular surface 34 of the spout body 3 is inserted into the opening 23 of the body 2, by the hook portion 352 of the retaining projection 35 of the spout body 3 contacting the rim 24 surrounding the opening 23 of the body 1. As soon as a downward pressing force is applied to the body 2 in the Y-axis direction, the angle α between the hook portion 352 and the compressible portion 351 increases to a value of (slightly or substantially) greater than 90°, and the hook portion 352 moves toward the cylinder portion 32 of the spout body 3. As a result, the compressible portion 351 may also be bent toward the cylinder portion 32 of the spout body 3. Finally, the hook portion 352 disengages from the rim 24. This allows the spout body 3 to move relative to the body 2 within the lower portion 21 of the body 2 as the body 2 moves downward under pressure. Thus, the feeder system 1 performs expansion and contraction movement.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, near the annular surface 34, the spout body 3 has a plurality of external projections 37 separated by notches 36. The external projections 37 are located around the annular surface 34, at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, and more preferably at least 80% of the circumference of the annular surface 34. Preferably, the external projections 37 cover up to 98% of the circumference of the annular surface 34. These external projections 37 allow for a reduction in the circumference of the spout body 3 if the inner diameter of the recess in the body 2 is not constant (for example, due to the tapering of the recess).

[0049] In this embodiment, the outer diameter D37 of the spout body 3, measured on the two opposing external protrusions 37, is 1 cm larger than the outer diameter D32 of the cylinder section 32. In this embodiment, the inner diameter D23 of the opening 23 of the body 2 is 0.2 mm larger than the outer diameter D37 of the spout body 3, measured on the two opposing external protrusions 37. Therefore, the outer diameter D37 of the spout body 3, measured on the opening 23 (and thus the lower section 21) of the body 2 and the two opposing external protrusions 37, is adapted to allow the external protrusions 37 surrounding the annular surface 34 to slide within the lower section 21 (and further, the upper section 22) of the body 2. As a result, the outer diameter D32 of the cylinder section 32 is 1.2 cm smaller than the diameter D23 of the opening 23 of the body 2.

[0050] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the spout body 3 in a second embodiment of the present invention. The retaining projection 35 includes a joining section 353 that mechanically joins the radially outer end of the annular surface 34 and the compressible section 351. At least a portion of the joining section 353 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 100. The spout body 3 preferably includes return elements 39 connected to the annular surface 34 and positioned circumferentially between the retaining projections 35. Each return element 39 may include, for example, a tab angled at an angle γ with respect to the longitudinal axis 100.

[0051] Figure 8 shows a spout body 3 in a second embodiment of the present invention, but the dimensions provided by reference to this figure are suitable for all embodiments of the spout body 3. The dimensions provided by reference to this figure refer to the spout body 3 disassembled from the body 2, some of which change when the spout body 3 is assembled with the body 2 and / or after compression of the molding material.

[0052] Preferably, The height H3 of the spout body 3 is greater than half the inner diameter D32i of the cylinder section 32, and / or less than the inner diameter D32i of the cylinder section 32, and / or The length L352 of the hook section 352 is greater than 1 / 4 of the height H35 of the retaining projection 35, and / or less than half of the height H35 of the retaining projection 35, and / or The height H32 of cylinder section 32 is greater than 1 / 3 of the height H3 of spout body 3, and / or less than 2 / 3 of the height H3 of spout body 3, and / or The height H39 of the retaining element 39 is greater than 1 / 3 of the height H35 of the retaining projection 35, and / or less than 2 / 3 of the height H35 of the retaining projection 35, and / or The height H35 of the retaining projection 35 is greater than 1 / 4 of the height H32 of the cylinder section 32, and / or less than 2 / 3 of the height H32 of the cylinder section 32, and / or The bottom of the retaining projection 35 is at a radial distance D2 from the cylinder section 32, and this distance D2 is higher than 1 / 20 of the inner diameter D32i of the cylinder section 32, and / or lower than 1 / 8 of the inner diameter D32i of the cylinder section 32, and / or The bottom of the return element 39 is at a radial distance D39 from the cylinder section 32, and this distance D39 is higher than 2 percent of the inner diameter D32i of the cylinder section 32 and / or lower than 1 / 10 of the inner diameter D32i of the cylinder section 32 and / or The angle α between the compressible section 351 and the hook section 352 is 90° or more and / or 110° or less, and / or The angle β between the compressible section 351 and the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 100 is 60° or more and / or 90° or less, and / or The angle γ between the return element 39 and the longitudinal axis 100 is 25° or greater and / or 45° or less.

[0053] Figures 9a, 9b, and 9c show the main body 2 and spout body 3 before assembly of the feeder system 1 (Figure 9a), after assembly of the feeder system 1 (Figure 9b), and after compression of the molding material (Figure 9c). The geometric shape of the spout body 3 before assembly (Figure 9a) corresponds to the geometric shape in Figure 8.

[0054] During the assembly of the feeder system 1, the compressible section 351 may move toward the cylinder section 32 of the spout body 3. As a result, the angle β between the compressible section 351 and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 100 may increase by, for example, 1° to 30°, preferably 10° to 20°. For example, the angle β after assembly may be 80° to 100°. The return element 39 may move toward the cylinder section 32 of the spout body 3. As a result, the angle γ between the return element 39 and the longitudinal axis 100 may decrease by, for example, 1° to 20°, preferably 5° to 15°. As shown in Figure 9b, once the feeder system 1 is assembled, the retaining element 39 prevents the body 2 from detaching from the spout body 3, and the hook section 352 engages with the rim 24 of the body 2.

[0055] When the molding material is compressed, a pressing force parallel to the longitudinal axis 100 is applied to the body 2, which results in relative expansion and contraction between the body 2 and the spout body 3. This relative expansion and contraction causes the hook section 352 to move toward the cylinder section 32 of the spout body 3 and detach from the rim 24 of the body 2. The compressible section 351, or at least a portion thereof, may move further toward the cylinder section 32 of the spout body 3. For example, in the example of Figure 9c, the upper part 351a of the compressible section 351 remains at the same angle β as before the molding material was compressed, while the lower part 351b of the compressible section 351 bends, reaching an angle θ (preferably 0° to 20°) between the lower part 351b and the upper part 351a of the compressible section 351.

[0056] As those skilled in the art will understand, the features described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 may be combined with those of the first embodiment, and the features described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 may be combined with those of the second embodiment. For example, the retaining element 39 may be mounted on the spout body 3 without the joint section 353, and / or some external protrusions 37 between the retaining projections 35 may be mounted on the spout body 3 having the joint section 353. The body 2 may be identical for both embodiments of the spout body 3.

[0057] In other words, the present invention relates to a feeder system 1 comprising a body 2 made of a heat-generating and / or insulating material and a spout body 3 made of metal. Tubular recesses 21, 22 having openings 23 are provided within the body 2. The spout body 3 has an outlet opening 33 and defines an annular surface 34 located opposite the outlet opening 33. At least two separate retaining protrusions 35 are connected to the radially outer end of the annular surface 34. The inner diameter D23 of the opening 23 is adapted to receive the annular surface 34. Each retaining protrusion 35 comprises a compressible portion 351 and a hook portion 352 that extends at least partially in a direction radially away from the annular surface 34.

Claims

1. A feeder system (1) having a longitudinal axis (100), A body (2) made of a heat-generating and / or insulating material, comprising a tubular recess (21, 22) having an opening (23) at one end, A spout body (3) made of metal and having an outlet opening (33), wherein the end opposite to the outlet opening (33) has a conical section (31), a cylindrical section (32), and an annular surface (34), comprising: The inner diameter (D23) of the opening (23) of the main body (2) is adapted to receive the radially outer end of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), At least two separate retaining protrusions (35) are connected to the radially outer end of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), Each retaining projection (35) comprises a compressible portion (351) connected to the annular surface (34) and a hook portion (352) that extends at least partially in a direction away from the annular surface (34) in the radial direction, A feeder system (1) characterized in that when a pressing force is applied to the spout body (3) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (100) relative to the body (2), the hook section (352) moves toward the cylinder section (32) of the spout body (3) and detaches from the rim (24) of the body (2).

2. The feeder system (1) according to claim 1, wherein when a pressing force is applied to the main body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the angle (α) between the hook section (352) and the compressible section (351) increases to more than 90°.

3. The feeder system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spout body (3) has a height (H3), the cylinder section (32) has an inner diameter (D32i), so that the height (H3) of the spout body (3) is greater than half of the inner diameter (D32i) of the cylinder section (32) and less than the inner diameter (D32i) of the cylinder section (32), and / or the hook section (352) has a length (L352), the retaining projection (35) has a height (H35), so that the length (L352) of the hook section (352) is greater than 1 / 4 of the height (H35) of the retaining projection (35) and less than half of the height (H35) of the retaining projection (35).

4. The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining projection (35) extends over less than half the circumference of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), preferably over less than one-quarter of the circumference of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), more preferably over one-eighth of the circumference of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), and over at least one-fifteenth of the circumference of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3).

5. The extension of the compressible portion (351) of each retaining projection (35) in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface (34) is equal to, preferably larger than, and more preferably at least twice as large as, the extension of the hook portion (352) of the spout body (3) in the radial direction of the annular surface (34), and / or The extension of the compressible portion (351) of each retaining projection (35) in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface (34) is at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, and / or The extension of the compressible portion (351) of each retaining projection (35) in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface (34) is less than 30 mm, preferably less than 20 mm, and / or The extension of the hook section (352) in the radial direction of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3) is at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, and / or The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extension of the hook section (352) radially from the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3) is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.

6. The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spout body (3) comprises a plurality of external protrusions (37) connected to the annular surface (34), and each retaining projection (35) is circumferentially separated from any other retaining projection (35) by at least one of the external protrusions (37).

7. The feeder system (1) according to claim 6, wherein each retaining projection (35) is connected to the annular surface (34) by one of the external protrusions (37).

8. The feeder system (1) according to claim 7, wherein each retaining projection (35) is narrower in the circumferential direction than the external projection (37) that connects it to the annular surface (34).

9. - The inner diameter (D23) of the tubular recesses (21, 22) of the main body (2) and the outer diameter (D37) of the spout body (3) as measured on the two opposing external protrusions (37) are adapted to allow the external protrusions (37) to slide within the tubular recesses (21, 22), and / or - The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the inner diameter (D23) of the tubular recesses (21, 22) of the main body (2) is equal to the outer diameter (D37) of the spout body (3) as measured on two opposing external protrusions (37), or is 10% or less, preferably 5% or less, and more preferably 2% or less greater than the outer diameter (D37) of the spout body (3) as measured on two opposing external protrusions (37).

10. The spout body (3) A conical section (31) having the shape of a right-circular frustum, The present invention further comprises a cylinder section (32) having the shape of a right circular cylinder, The outlet opening (33) is provided at the upper part of the right circular frustum of the conical section (31), and the cylinder section (32) is provided at the lower part of the right circular frustum of the conical section (31). The annular surface (34) is provided at the end of the cylinder section (32) opposite to the conical section (31), The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the outer diameter (D37) of the spout body (3), as measured on two opposing external protrusions (37), is at least twice as large as the extended portion of the radial protrusions (37) compared to the outer diameter (D32) of the cylinder section (32).

11. The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spout body (3) is connected to the annular surface (34) and comprises a plurality of retaining elements (39) that prevent the body (2) from detaching from the spout body (3).

12. The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the retaining projection (35) connects the annular surface (34) and the compressible portion (351) and comprises a joining portion (353) having at least a portion parallel to the longitudinal axis (100).

13. The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the spout body (3) has a U-shaped cross-section in the vicinity of the annular surface (34) in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the annular surface (34).

14. The feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the compressible portion (351) extends in a direction intersecting the plane defined by the annular surface (34) at an angle (β) of 80° to 100°.

15. It is a kit of parts, A body (2) made of a heat-generating and / or insulating material, comprising a tubular recess (21, 22) having an opening (23) at one end, A spout body (3) made of metal and having an outlet opening (33), wherein the end opposite to the outlet opening (33) has a conical section (31), a cylindrical section (32), and an annular surface (34), comprising: The inner diameter (D23) of the opening (23) of the main body (2) is adapted to receive the radially outer end of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), At least two separate retaining protrusions (35) are connected to the radially outer end of the annular surface (34) of the spout body (3), Each retaining projection (35) comprises a compressible portion (351) connected to the annular surface (34) and a hook portion (352) that extends at least partially in a direction away from the annular surface (34) in the radial direction, A kit of parts characterized in that when the main body (2) and the spout body (3) are assembled in such a manner that the hook section (352) supports the rim (24) of the main body (2), the kit of parts is designed to provide the feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The kit of parts according to claim 15, wherein the compressible portion (351) extends in a direction intersecting the plane defined by the annular surface (34) at an angle (β) of 60° to 100°.

17. A spout body (3) for use in a feeder system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images