Dual rod link mechanism for connecting a second fluid storage to a fluid dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a dual rod link mechanism (1) for connecting a second fluid storage (3) to a fluid dispensing device (2), wherein the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a manifold (15), wherein the manifold (15) comprises means (6) for removable connecting the dual rod link mechanism (1) to a first fluid storage (5), wherein the manifold (15) provides means (7) for attaching the second fluid storage (3), wherein the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a second push rod (8) that is detachably connectable to a first push rod (4), wherein the second push rod (8) comprises a push plate (9) being designed to squeeze out the contents of the second fluid storage (3), wherein the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a guidance ring (10), wherein the second push rod (8) is slidably arranged in the guidance ring (10).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DUAL ROD LINK MECHANISM FOR CONNECTING A SECOND FLUID STORAGE TO A FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE

[0003] 5

[0004] The invention concerns a dual rod link mechanism for connecting a second fluid storage to a fluid dispensing device.

[0005] A fluid dispensing device can be a caulking gun. A caulking gun is a tool for applying a fluid

[0006] 10 e. g. an adhesive or a sealant. Caulking guns can be manual, battery-powered or pneumatic. Manual caulking guns usually comprise a base into which a cartridge containing the fluid is fitted and a spring-loaded trigger for actioning a push rod for exercising pressure on the cartridge.

[0007] 15 An alternative fluid dispensing device is a sausage gun. A sausage gun comprises a sausage holder, which can be filled with a sausage containing the fluid. The sausage holder of the sausage gun comprises a tube with a removable end plate. The sausage can be pierced and put in the tube. The end plate can comprise a nozzle. After fixing the end plate to the tube, the content of the sausage can be squeezed out of the nozzle by the squeezing

[0008] >0 action of the end plate. The end plate is connected to a push rod which can be engaged by a jacking mechanism. A sausage gun avoids the cartridge waste and is therefore preferred under sustainable aspects as there will be less waste when the two components are packed in aluminum foil compared to the conventional two-component packaging being one large plastic cartridge with two compartments.

[0009] >5

[0010] Conventional dual fluid dispensing devices with fluid storages are used to hold two sealants, adhesives or sealants or sealing materials which are designed for use in a predetermined mixing ratio. Such a dual fluid dispensing device can be a caulking gun with one cartridge containing the two sealants or two cartridges fixed together or a sausage gun with two

[0011] 50 sausage holders.

[0012] Two component caulking guns are known.

[0013] The document US 5,104,005 A discloses a dual component caulking gun. The caulking gun 55 comprises a base with a dual component cartridge assembly designed to carry dual component cartridges. A ball screw is journaled within the gun body for rotary motion but locked against axial motion and extends in a direction opposite the component cartridge assembly. A pair of ram rods extend through the gun body and terminate at the first end in ejector rams and at their opposite end in a transfer bar that is interconnected to the ball

[0014] 5 screw by means of a ball screw nut. The two components in the cartridges can be intermixed in a static mixer and through chemical reaction set up after dispensing.

[0015] The document US 2014 / 0203042 A1 describes a drive unit for a caulking gun. The drive unit comprises at least two push portions respectively located on two respective rear ends of at IO least two tubes of a dual-tube unit so as to push material in the at least two tubes towards an outlet on a front end of the dual-tube unit. At least one connection portion is fixed between the at least two push portions and a blade is formed on the front end of the at least one connection portion. The blade cuts two adjacent walls of the dual-tube unit so that the at least two push portions are moved forward when the driving unit is pushed forward. The 15 material in the at least two tubes can be mixed in a mixing tube. The two tubes can have different diameters and contain a sealing material and a hardening agent respectively.

[0016] The document EP 3 950 145 A1 discloses a dual cartridge caulking gun. The caulking gun comprises a gun body, a receptacle for receiving a caulking gun caddy, a plunger unit having >0 first and second plungers longitudinally movable to expel material filled in first and second tubular barrels of the caddy, a trigger unit, and an adjusting unit pivotably mounted on the receptacle to be movable along an arcuate surface on the receptacle between two supporting positions where first and second wall surface segments support the second tubular barrels with different diameters. The first and second plungers are connected by a >5 crosspiece and a pull knob which is fastened to the crosspiece and the first plunger.

[0017] The document CN 201711265 U relates to a dual-drum type dual-component electric caulking gun. A connecting buckle for rapid connection with the tail end of a gun barrel is arranged at the front end of a gun body, a corresponding buckle hole is formed at the tail end 50 of the gun barrel, the connecting buckle is clamped in the buckle hole, and a gap for leading a main push rod and a piston on the main push rod to pass through is formed at the tail end of the gun barrel. At least two clamping blocks are arranged at the front part of the gun barrel, corresponding clamping holes are formed on a gun nozzle, and the clamping blocks are clamped into the clamping holes. The dual-drum type dual-component electric caulking 55 gun adopts the clamping method, thereby enabling the connection between the gun barrel and the gun body and the connection structure between the gun barrel and the gun nozzle to become simple, realizing rapid connection and detachment, saving time and improving the efficiency.

[0018] The document US 5,184,758 A describes a double cartridge pneumatic caulking gun. The

[0019] 5 caulking gun has a pressure medium driven cylinder / piston unit with rams extending from the piston for the forward drive of the plungers. To prevent “tilting” or jamming of the piston because of different viscosities of the substances contained in the two cartridge cylinders and / or different cross-sections of the cartridge cylinders, the document proposes a rigid longitudinal guide between both cylinder floors against which the piston is slidingly supported

[0020] IO with a longitudinally extended guide bore.

[0021] The document US 2022 / 0023896 A1 discloses a common head used in combination with a dual component cartridge assembly. The common head includes inlet openings and a rigid walled tube having partition positioned therein to define larger and smaller pathways to

[0022] 15 enable passage of the reactive components from the cartridge into and through the common head in a predetermined volumetric ratio and prevent backflow of the components which can lead to unintended curing prior to dispensing.

[0023] A disadvantage of the dual component caulking guns known in the art is the fact that they >0 cannot be adjusted to varying component flows from the second fluid storage.

[0024] The object of the invention is to provide a dual rod link mechanism for a new or already existing fluid dispensing device which allows the simultaneous dispensing of two fluids at variable ratios.

[0025] >5

[0026] The problem is solved by a dual rod link mechanism according to claim 1 in that

[0027] • the dual rod link mechanism comprises a manifold,

[0028] • wherein the manifold comprises means for removable connecting the dual rod link mechanism to a first fluid storage,

[0029] 50 • wherein the manifold provides means for attaching the second fluid storage,

[0030] • wherein the dual rod link mechanism comprises a second push rod that is detachably connectable to a first push rod,

[0031] • wherein the second push rod comprises a push plate being designed to squeeze out the contents of the second fluid storage,

[0032] 55 • wherein the dual rod link mechanism comprises a guidance ring, wherein the second push rod is slidably arranged in the guidance ring, • wherein the dual rod link mechanism is designed to removable connect the second fluid storage to a fluid dispensing device with the first fluid storage and the first push rod by connecting the manifold to the first fluid storage and the connecting the second push rod to the first push rod,

[0033] 5 • wherein the guidance ring and the manifold are designed to fix the second fluid storage in a substantially parallel position to the first fluid storage in the fixed position of the dual rod linking mechanism.

[0034] The dual rod linking mechanism can be detachable connected to a dispensing device. The 10 dual rod linking mechanism can be separated from the dispensing device. The dual rod linking mechanism can be used with a second dispensing device after separation.

[0035] In case of a caulking gun, the first fluid storage is a cartridge containing a first component. In case of a sausage gun, the first fluid storage is the tube of the sausage holder which is

[0036] 15 designed to hold and squeeze out a sausage containing a first component. The second fluid storage can either be a cartridge or a tube-shaped sausage holder containing a sausage with the second fluid. Instead of a sausage, a cartridge can be fitted inside the sausage holder.

[0037] Preferably, the manifold comprises a static mixer.

[0038] >0

[0039] Alternatively, the manifold can comprise a dynamic mixer.

[0040] The first fluid can be a sealant and the second fluid can be used to accelerate the curing. The first fluid can be e. g. a polymer and the second fluid the corresponding booster for

[0041] >5 facilitating the crosslinking of the polymer. As an advantage, the second fluid storage can contain a cleaning agent for easy and fast cleaning of the fluid dispensing device without the necessity of removing the first fluid storage form the fluid dispensing gun. After cleaning, a second fluid storage containing the second component can be installed again into the dual rod link mechanism.

[0042] 50

[0043] The means for connecting the dual rod link mechanism to the first fluid storage can be a thread. It can be fitted with a cartridge containing the first fluid in case of a caulking gun. In case of a sausage gun, the thread can be fitted with the sausage holder.

[0044] 55 The means for attaching a second fluid storage can be a thread. It can be fitted with a cartridge containing the second fluid. Alternatively, the thread can be fitted with a tube holding a sausage containing the second fluid.

[0045] The dual rod link mechanism comprises a guidance ring. The guidance ring fixes the first and second push rod in a substantially parallel position The guidance ring allows the combined 5 movement of the first and second push rod during the jacking action of the fluid dispensing device. The guidance ring can be a metal plate with two holes for the first and second push rod. This metal plate can be positioned between the jacking mechanism and the first fluid storage of the fluid dispensing device. Alternatively, the guidance ring can be a part of the cartridge holder or the sausage holder of the fluid dispensing device. In this case a hole is

[0046] 10 provided for guidance of the second push rod.

[0047] In case the second fluid storage contains a sausage, the tube of the sausage holder can be detachably fixed to the manifold e. g. by a thread. Alternatively, the manifold and the sausage holder can be made of one piece of material.

[0048] 15

[0049] Advantageously, a second fluid storage can be pressed out with the same fluid dispensing device for the first fluid storage. If no second fluid storage is needed, the dual rod link mechanism can be removed, and the fluid dispensing device can be used as a conventual fluid dispensing device with a single fluid storage. The fluid dispensing device can be driven >0 pneumatically, electrically or manually.

[0050] As a further advantage, the component flow from the second fluid storage can be adjusted by varying the diameter of the fluid storage. In case of a caulking gun, the ratio of the diameters of both cartridges dictates the ratio of the component flow. Each component can have its >5 own cartridge allowing the end-user to decide whether he uses e.g., a standard 300 ml cartridge in a conventional one component caulking gun or he can add an additional second cartridge by using the dual rod link mechanism which can have different sizes and / or diameters. In this way, the component flow of the second cartridge can be adjusted relative to the component flow of the first cartridge, while the displacement of the first push rod of the 50 caulking gun and the second push rod is the same. Alternatively, the second fluid storage can be a sausage holder. The ratios of the components can be adjusted by the diameter of the sausage holder. I should be noted that by exchanging the push plate of the second push rod the sausage holder can also be fitted with a cartridge. The dual rod link mechanism can contain the tube of the second sausage holder. The tube can be detachable.

[0051] 55

[0052] In one embodiment, the second push rod is connected to the first push rod by means of a thread.

[0053] Advantageously, this allows for a quickly interchangeable and secure connection between the push rods.

[0054] 5

[0055] In this context, it is appropriate that the dual rod link mechanism comprises a threaded sleeve, wherein the second push rod is connected to the first push rod by the threaded sleeve.

[0056] 10 In a further embodiment the pushing plate is interchangeable.

[0057] The interchangeable push plate allows the usage of a second fluid storage with varying diameters. The second fluid storage can be a cartridge, or a sausage holder filled with either a sausage or a cartridge containing the second fluid.

[0058] 15

[0059] In another embodiment, the manifold is designed to allow a fluid connection between the first and second fluid storage through an output nozzle.

[0060] The output nozzle can be detachable from the manifold. The nozzle can be fixed to the >0 manifold by means of a bayonet, a snap fitting or a thread.

[0061] In an advantageous embodiment, the manifold comprises means for piercing the second fluid storage.

[0062] >5 The means for piercing can comprise a reinforced cross shaped protrusion. A sausage containing the fluid can be pierced by the protrusion when squeezed against it.

[0063] In another embodiment, the manifold comprises a tube for holding the second fluid storage.

[0064] 50 Finally, a fluid dispensing device with a dual rod link mechanism as described in this document is also according to the invention.

[0065] Further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0066] 55

[0067] The drawings show Fig. 1 a caulking gun with a dual rod link mechanism according to the invention in a perspective view,

[0068] 5 Fig. 2 the caulking gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 1 in another perspective view,

[0069] Fig. 3 the caulking gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 1 in a top view,

[0070] IO Fig. 4 a sausage gun with a dual rod link mechanism according to the invention in a perspective view,

[0071] Fig. 5 the sausage gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 4 in another perspective view,

[0072] I5

[0073] Fig. 6 the sausage gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 4 in a top view,

[0074] Fig. 7 a sausage gun with another dual rod link mechanism according to the invention in a perspective view,

[0075] >0

[0076] Fig. 8 the sausage gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 7 in another perspective view,

[0077] Fig. 9 the sausage gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 8 in a top view, >5

[0078] Fig. 10 a manifold of a dual rod link mechanism according to the invention in a perspective view,

[0079] Fig. 11 the manifold in Fig. 10 in a side view, 50

[0080] Fig. 12 the manifold in Fig. 10 in a bottom view,

[0081] Fig. 13 a manifold of a dual rod link mechanism according to the invention a side view,

[0082] 55 Fig. 14 the manifold in Fig. 13 in a top view, Fig. 15 the cross-section A-A of the manifold in Fig. 13,

[0083] Fig. 16 the manifold in Fig. 13 in a bottom view,

[0084] 5 Fig 17 another manifold of a dual rod link mechanism according to the invention in a side view,

[0085] Fig. 18 the manifold in Fig. 17 in another side view,

[0086] IO Fig. 19 a cross-section C-C of the manifold in Fig. 18,

[0087] Fig. 20 a sausage gun with a dual rod link mechanism according to the invention in a front view,

[0088] 15 Fig. 21 a cross-section B-B of the sausage gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 20,

[0089] Fig. 22 a detailed view of the sausage gun with the dual rod link mechanism in Fig. 21.

[0090] Fig. 1 to 3 depict a fluid dispensing device 2 with an attached dual rod link mechanism 1

[0091] >0 according to the invention. The fluid dispensing device 2 is a caulking gun with a first push rod 4 and a first fluid storage 5. The fist fluid storage 5 is a cartridge. The content of the first fluid storage 5 can be squeezed out by manually engaging the handle of the caulking gun. A jacking mechanism pushes the first push rod 4 in direction of the first fluid storage 5 while the fluid storage is engaged with a push plate (not shown). The content of the first fluid storage 5

[0092] >5 is squeezed out of a nozzle at the front of the caulking gun.

[0093] The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a manifold 15 which in the present embodiment is a static mixer. The manifold 15 comprises means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5. The means 6 for connecting the dual rod link

[0094] 50 mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5 are threads. The manifold 15 provides means 7 for attaching a second fluid storage 3. The second fluid storage 3 is a cartridge. The means 7 for attaching the second fluid storage 3 are threads. The manifold 15 comprises a nozzle 12.

[0095] The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a second push rod 8. The second push rod 8 is

[0096] 55 detachably connectable to the first push rod 4 by a threaded sleeve 11. The second push rod 8 comprises a push plate 9 being designed to squeeze out the contents of the second fluid storage 3.

[0097] The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a guidance ring 10. The guidance ring 10 holds the first and second push rod in a substantially parallel position. The guidance ring 10

[0098] 5 provides two holes through which the first and second push rod are movably connected.

[0099] The guidance ring 10 and the manifold 15 are designed to fix the second fluid storage 3 in a substantially parallel position to the first fluid storage 5. Advantageously, the first fluid storage

[0100] 5 and the second fluid storage 2 can be squeezed out simultaneously by the jacking action of

[0101] IO the caulking gun 2.

[0102] Fig. 4 to 5 show a fluid dispensing device 2 with an attached dual rod link mechanism 1 according to the invention. The fluid dispensing device 2 is a sausage gun with a first push rod 4 and a first fluid storage 5. The fist fluid storage 5 is a first sausage holder. A sausage

[0103] 15 containing the first fluid can be put inside the first sausage holder. The content of the first fluid storage 5 can be squeezed out by manually engaging the handle of the sausage gun. A jacking mechanism pushes the first push rod 4 in direction of the first fluid storage 5 while the first fluid storage is engaged with a push plate (not shown). The content of the first fluid storage 5 is squeezed out of a nozzle at the front of the sausage gun.

[0104] >0

[0105] The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a manifold 15. The manifold 15 comprises means

[0106] 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5. The means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5 are threads. The manifold 15 provides means 7 for attaching a second fluid storage 3. The second fluid

[0107] >5 storage 3 is a second sausage holder. A sausage or a cartridge containing the second fluid can be put inside the second sausage holder. The push plate 9 can be exchanged depending on the content of the second sausage holder. The means 7 for attaching the second fluid storage 3 are threads. The manifold 15 comprises a nozzle 12.

[0108] 50 The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a second push rod 8. The second push rod 8 is detachably connectable to the first push rod 4 by a threaded sleeve 11. The second push rod 8 comprises a push plate 9 being designed to squeeze out the contents of the second fluid storage 3.

[0109] 55 The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a guidance ring 10. The guidance ring 10 holds the first and second push rod in a substantially parallel position. The guidance ring 10 provides two holes through which the first and second push rod are movably connected.

[0110] The guidance ring 10 and the manifold 15 are designed to fix the second fluid storage 3 in a substantially parallel position to the first fluid storage 5. Advantageously, the first fluid storage 5 5 and the second fluid storage 2 can be squeezed out simultaneously by the jacking action of the caulking gun 2.

[0111] Fig. 7 to 9 show a fluid dispensing device 2 with an attached dual rod link mechanism 1 according to the invention. In contrast to Fig. 4 to 5, the second fluid storage 3 has a different IO diameter. The diameter of the second fluid storage 3 can be varied to change the flow ratio of the two components.

[0112] Fig. 10 to 12 show a manifold 15. The manifold 15 can be made by 3D printing. The manifold 15 comprises means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 15 5. The means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5 are threads. The manifold 15 provides means 7 for attaching a second fluid storage 3. The means 7 for attaching the second fluid storage 3 are threads. The manifold 15 comprises a nozzle 12.

[0113] >0 Fig. 13 to 16 shows a manifold 15 that can be made with the help of a mould. The manifold 15 comprises means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5. The means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5 are threads. The manifold 15 provides means 7 for attaching a second fluid storage 3. The second fluid storage 3 is second sausage holder. A sausage containing the second fluid can >5 be put inside the second sausage holder. The means 7 for attaching the second fluid storage

[0114] 3 are threads. The manifold 15 comprises a nozzle.

[0115] The manifold 15 comprises means 13 for piercing the second fluid storage 3.

[0116] 50 The means 13 for piercing can comprise a reinforced cross shaped protrusion. A sausage containing the fluid can be pierced by the protrusion when squeezed against it.

[0117] Fig. 17 to 19 show the manifold 15 with an attached tube 14 for holding the second fluid storage 3. The tube 14 and the manifold 15 are connected by a thread. The manifold 15 55 comprises a nozzle 12. Fig. 20 to 22 show a fluid dispensing device 2 with an attached dual rod link mechanism 1 according to the invention. The fluid dispensing device 2 is a sausage gun with a first push rod 4 and a first fluid storage 5. The first fluid storage 5 is a first sausage holder. A sausage containing the first fluid can be put inside the first sausage holder. The content of the first

[0118] 5 fluid storage 5 can be squeezed out by manually engaging the handle of the sausage gun. A jacking mechanism pushes the first push rod 4 in direction of the first fluid storage 5 while the first fluid storage is engaged with a first push plate 16. The content of the first fluid storage 5 is squeezed out of a nozzle at the front of the sausage gun.

[0119] IO The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a manifold 15. The manifold 15 comprises means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5. The means 6 for connecting the dual rod link mechanism 1 to the first fluid storage 5 are threads. The manifold 15 provides means 7 for attaching a second fluid storage 3. The second fluid storage 3 is second sausage holder. A sausage or a cartridge containing the second fluid

[0120] 15 can be put inside the second sausage holder. The push plate 9 can be exchanged depending on the content of the second sausage holder. The means 7 for attaching the second fluid storage 3 are threads. The manifold 15 comprises a nozzle 12.

[0121] The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a second push rod 8. The second push rod 8 is >0 detachably connectable to the first push rod 4 by a threaded sleeve 11. The second push rod

[0122] 8 comprises a push plate 9 being designed to squeeze out the contents of the second fluid storage 3.

[0123] The dual rod link mechanism 1 comprises a guidance ring 10. The guidance ring 10 holds >5 the first and second push rod in a substantially parallel position. The guidance ring 10 provides two holes through which the first and second push rod are movable connected.

[0124] The guidance ring 10 and the manifold 15 are designed to fix the second fluid storage 3 in a substantially parallel position to the first fluid storage 5. Advantageously, the first fluid storage 50 5 and the second fluid storage 2 can be squeezed out simultaneously by the jacking action of the caulking gun 2.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Dual rod link mechanism (1) for connecting a second fluid storage (3) to a fluid dispensing device (2), characterised in that• the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a manifold (15),• wherein the manifold (15) comprises means (6) for removable connecting the dual rod link mechanism (1) to a first fluid storage (5),• wherein the manifold (15) provides means (7) for attaching the second fluid storage (3),• wherein the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a second push rod (8) that is detachably connectable to a first push rod (4),• wherein the second push rod (8) comprises a push plate (9) being designed to squeeze out the contents of the second fluid storage (3), • wherein the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a guidance ring (10), wherein the second push rod (8) is slidably arranged in the guidance ring (10),• wherein the dual rod link mechanism (1) is designed to removable connect the second fluid storage (3) to a fluid dispensing device (2) with the first fluid storage (5) and the first push rod (4) by connecting the manifold (15) to the first fluid storage (5) and the connecting the second push rod (8) to the first push rod (4),• wherein the guidance ring (10) and the manifold (15) are designed to fix the second fluid storage (3) in a substantially parallel position to the first fluid storage (5) in the fixed position of the dual rod linking mechanism (1).

2. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the manifold (15) comprises a static mixer.

3. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the second push rod (8) is connected to the first push rod (4) by means of a thread.

4. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the dual rod link mechanism (1) comprises a threaded sleeve (11), wherein second push rod (8) is connected to the first push rod (4) by the threaded sleeve (11).

5. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterisedin that the push plate (9) is interchangeable.

6. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the manifold (15) designed to allow a fluid connection between the first and second fluid storage through an output nozzle (12).

7. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the manifold (15) comprises means (13) for piercing the second fluid storage (3).

8. Dual rod link mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the manifold (15) comprises a tube (14) for holding the second fluid storage (3).

9. Two component fluid dispensing device (2) comprising a dual rod link mechanism (1) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8.

Images