|
(11) | EP 0 228 556 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
|
|
| (54) |
Sealant cartridges and method of making the same Kartusche für Dichtungsmittel und deren Herstellungsverfahren Cartouche d'étanchéité et procédé pour sa fabrication |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a sealant cartridge in which a cylindrical cartridge body has been inserted into a tube of a heat-shrinkable resin film and said resin film then heat-shrunk, according to the preamble of claim 1 (known from DE-U 8 512 062.6) as well as to a method for making such cartridges according to claim 2.
[0002] The sealant cartridges used for sealant storage and application consist of a cylindrical cartridge body with a shoulder, the latter having an extrusion part, and a plunger inserted into the opening at the back end. For each sealant brand, the external surface of the cartridge body of such a sealant cartridge must be printed with, for example, a trademark, the names of the manufacturer and/or distributor, use instructions and, a pattern. However, this makes mass production difficult and, moreover, it is difficult to obtain a sharp image when the cartridge material is a thermoplastic resin.
[0003] As a consequence, sealant cartridges are used in which the cylindrical cartridge body has been inserted into a tube of a heat-shrinkable resin film and the resin film then heat-shrunk. In this approach, the external surface of the cartridge body is not imprinted, and the trademark, pattern, etc., are printed on the heat-shrinkable resin film tube.
[0004] However, the following problem occurs in connection with said prior sealant cartridges. Even after the tube of heat-shrinkable resin film has been tightly heat-shrunk over the cylindrical cartridge body, this tube may be axially displaced, or in the extreme case may slip from the cartridge body, because the outside diameter of the cartridge body is constant along its length. In other words, the problem is axial displacement of the cartridge body and, in the extreme case, slippage of the cartridge body from the heat-shrinkable resin tube. This problem is particularly significant when the external surface of the cartridge body is flat and smooth and the cartridge body is made of synthetic resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0005] DE-U 8 512 062.6 discloses a sealant cartridge comprising a cylindrical cartridge body consisting of helically coiled fiber sheets, the outside of said cartridge body being covered by a heat-shrunk resin film. The heat-shrunk resin film provides at least at one end of the cartridge body an access end which forms an angular ring covering the front edge of the body during heat-shrinking. The annular part of the access end projecting radially inwards is tightly fitted against the inner surface of the cartridge body. According to the known teaching the cartridge body is protected against the penetration of humidity.
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a sealant cartridge and method of making it in which the tube of heat-shrunk resin film will not slip or be displaced axially, and will not slip from the cartridge body. In other words, the cartridge body of such a sealant cartridge is not to be displaced axially and should not slip from the tube of heat-shrunk resin film.
[0007] The present invention relates to a sealant cartridge in which a heat-shrunk resin film covers at least part of a cylindrical cartridge body characterized by an extrusion part (14) on a shoulder (12) of a cylindrical cartridge body (11) in which the shoulder (12) joins the extrusion part (14) and the cylindrical cartridge body (11) and the outside diameter of said cartridge body (11) increases in the direction of the shoulder (12) while its inside diameter remains constant along the length, said heat-shrunk resin film (17) extending toward the extrusion part (14) of said cartridge and covering the outer margin of the shoulder (18).
[0008] The present invention also relates to a method of making said sealant cartridge comprising inserting a heat-shrinkable resin film tube (17) over a cylindrical cartridge body (11) in which there is an extrusion part (14) on a shoulder (12) of the cylindrical cartridge body (11) and the shoulder (12) joining the extrusion part (14) to the cylindrical cartridge body (11) where the outside diameter of said cartridge body (11) increases in the direction of the shoulder (12) while the inside diameter of the cartridge body (11) remains constant along the length of the cartridge, and thereafter heating and positioning said resin tube such (17) that the resultant heat-shrunk resin film covers at least part of the cylindrical cartridge body (11) extending toward the extrusion part (14) of said cartridge and covering the outer margin of the sholuder (12).
[0009] In the sealant cartridge of the present invention, the outside diameter of the cartridge body (11) increases in the direction of the shoulder (12) while the inside diameter remains constant along the length. This prevents movement of the cartridge body (11) within the heat-shrunk resin film tube (17): the extrusion part (14) of the cartridge body (11) is prevented from moving back into the tube (17) of heat-shrunk resin film.
[0010] Furthermore, the end edge of said resin film covers the outer margin of the shoulder (12) of said cartridge body (11). This also prevents movement of the cartridge body (11) within the heat-shrunk resin film tube (17): the plunger (13) end of the cartridge is prevented from moving forward in the tube (17) of heat-shrunk resin film.
[0011] The present invention will be explained using an example of execution with reference to the drawings.
[0012] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross section of one embodiment of the sealant cartridge of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plane diagram of said sealant cartridge.
11 cartridge body
12 shoulder
13 plunger
14 extrusion part of cartridge body
15 moistureproof film
16 sealant extrusion discharge nozzle
17 heat-shrunk resin film tube
18 end edge of heat-shrunk resin film tube 17 covering outer margin of the shoulder
[0013] Sealant (not illustrated), for example, a single-package silicone sealant, a single-package polyurethane sealant, a single-package polysulfide sealant, or acrylic sealant, is filled into cartridge body (11) and plunger (13), which is used to extrude the sealant, is inserted at the back end. Extrusion part (14) is formed on shoulder (12) of cartridge body (11). Screw threads are formed on the outer circumference of the extrusion part (14) and a moistureproof film (15) is attached over the extrusion tip of extrusion part (14) in order to close off the opening. In the present case, a sealant extrusion discharge nozzle (16) is screwed onto the outer circumference of extrusion part (14). The cartridge body is thinly fomed throughout and its outside diamter gradually increases in the direction of shoulder (12) while the inside diameter remains constant along the length. As a consequence of this thickness variation, cartridge body (11) is about 1.3-fold thicker at its topmost extremity (extrusion part end) than at its rearmost point (plunger end). This thickness ratio, topmost extremity to rearmost point, is preferably 1.1 to 1.7. Resins to be molded into the cartridge body (11) are preferably thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The preferred molding methods are injection molding and blow molding.
[0014] In general, the external surface of cartridge body (11) will not carry printing, but a trademark or pattern can be printed thereon when the heat-shrunk resin film tube (17) is transparent. The cartridge body (11) is inserted into a heat-shrinkable resin film tube and this film is then heat-shrunk in oder to cling to the external surface of cartridge body (11). The end of the heat-shrinkable resin tube (17) extending toward the extrusion part (14) of the cartridge is positioned such that it covers the outer margin of shoulder (12) of cartridge body (11).
[0015] The edge of the heat-shrunk resin film which covers the outer margin of shoulder (18) may contact the base of extrusion part (14). This heat-shrunk resin film tube (17) which covers at least part of the cylindrical cartridge body (11) is to be printed with the brand name, name of the maunfacturer and/or distributor, use instructions, volume, patterns, etc. (none of which are illustrated), and it may be transparent, translucent, or opaque.
[0016] Actual examples of materials to be used for the heat-shrinkable resin film are vinyl chloride resins, nylon resins and polyethylene resins. It is preferably subjected to a surface treatment to obtain a sharp printed image.
[0017] Even when this sealant cartridge is stood upright and manually grapsed from above at its upper end and raised up and waved about, the cartridge body (11) will not slip or drop down and so will not slip or fly out. Also, the heat-shrinkable resin film tube (17) will not slip or move up.
[0018] Furthermore, when plunger (13) is pushed from the rear of cartridge body (11) toward the shoulder (12) in order to extrude the sealant from the cartridge through the extrusion part (14), this sliding operation will be smooth and there will be no leakage of sealant from any gap between plunger (13) and cartridge body (11). Accordingly, such steps as packing sealant cartridges in a corrugated cardboard box, removing them, and loading the caulking gun for sealant extrusion can now be conducted easily, reliably and rapidly.
[0019] Also, when the brand of sealant filled into cartridge body (11) is changed, only the printing on the heat-shrinkable resin film tube (17) need be changed (assuming no printing appears on the cartridge body (11)). This makes possible the extremely economically advantageous mass production of the same variety of cartridge body (11).
[0020] Additionally, while a nozzle (16) is screwed onto extrusion part (14) in the preceding example, the present sealant cartridge also encompasses the case in which the extrusion part (14) is itself directly formed into a nozzle (16).
[0021] With regard to sealant cartridges having a cylindrical cartridge body (11) with an extrusion part (14) on a shoulder (12), wherein the cartridge body (11) is inserted into a tube (17) of heat-shrinkable resin film and the resin is heat-shrunk, the sealant cartridge of the present invention is distinguished in that the outside diameter of the cartridge body (11) increases in the direction of the tip while the inside diameter remains constant along the length; and it that the end edge of said resin film tube (17) covers the outer margin of the shoulder (18) of said cartridge body (11). As a consequence of said invention, the tube (17) of heat-shrunk resin film will not slip or be displaced axially along the cartridge body (11), nor will it come off the cartridge body (11). Or in other words, the cartridge body (11) will not be axially displaced and will not slip from the tube (17) of heat-shrunk resin film. Furthermore, when the plunger (13) is pushed from the rear toward the shoulder (12), the sliding operation will be smooth and leakage of sealant from between the plunger (13) and cartridge body (11) will be prevented. Consequently, packing and application operations using the present sealant cartridge will be easy, reliable, and rapid.
1. A sealant cartridge in which a heat-shrunk resin film covers at least part of a
cylindrical cartridge body characterized by an extrusion part (14) on a shoulder (12)
of said cylindrical cartridge body (11) in which the shoulder (12) joins the extrusion
part (14) and the cylindrical cartridge body (11) and the ouside diameter of said
cartridge body (11) increases in the direction of the shoulder (12) while its inside
diameter remains constant along the length, said heat-shrunk resin film (17) extending
toward the extrusion part (14) of said cartridge and covering the outer margin of
the shoulder (18).
2. A method of making a sealant cartridge according to claim 1 comprising inserting
a heat-shrinkable resin film tube (17) over a cylindrical cartridge body (11) in which
there is an extrusion part (14) on a shoulder (12) of the cylindrical cartridge body
(11) and the shoulder (12) joining the extrusion part (14) to the cylindrical cartridge
body (11) where the outside diameter of said cartridge body (11) increases in the
direction of the shoulder (12) while the inside diameter of the cartridge body (11)
remains constant along the length of the cartridge, and thereafter heating and positioning
said resin tube (17) such that the resultant heat-shrunk resin film covers at least
part of the cylindrical cartridge body (11) extending toward the extrusion part (14)
of said cartridge and covering the outer margin of the shoulder (18).
1. Dichtungsmittel-Kartusche, bei der ein wärmeschrumpfbarer Kunstharzfilm wenigstens
einen Teil eines zylindrischen Kartuschenkörpers bedeckt, gekennzeichnet durch einen
Extrusionsteil (14) an einer Schulter (12) des zylindrischen Kartuschenkörpers (11),
wobei die Schulter (12) den Extrusionsteil (14) mit dem zylindrischen Kartuschenkörper
(11) verbindet und der Außendurchmesser des Kartuschenkörpers (11) in Richtung auf
die Schulter (12) zunimmt, während sein Innendurchmesser längs der Längserstreckung
konstant bleibt, wobei der wärmeschrumpfbare Kunstharzfilm (17) sich gegen den Extrusionsteil
(14) der Kartusche erstreckt und den äußeren Randbereich der Schulter (18) bedeckt.
2. Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Dichtungsmittel-Kartusche nach Anspruch 1, umfassend:
das Anbringen eines wärmeschrumpfbaren Kunstharzfilmschlauches (17) auf einen zylindrischen
Kartuschenkörper (11), an welchem sich ein Extrusionsteil (14) an einer Schulter (12)
des zylindrischen Kartuschenkörpers (11) befindet und die Schulter (12) den Extrusionsteil
(14) mit dem zylindrischen Kartuschenköper (11) verbindet, wobei der Außendurchmesser
des Kartuschenkörpers (11) in Richtung auf die Schulter (12) zunimmt, während der
Innendurchmesser des Kartuschenkörpers (11) über die Längserstreckung der Kartusche
konstant bleibt, und anschließendes Erwärmen und Positionieren des Kunstharzschlauches
(17) derart, daß der sich ergebende wärmegeschrumpfte Kunstharzfilm wenigstens einen
Teil des zylindrischen Kartuschenkörpers bedeckt, sich gegen den Extrusionsteil (14)
der Kartusche erstreckend und den äußeren Randbereich der Schulter (12) bedeckend.
1. Une cartouche pour agent d'étanchéité dans laquelle un film en résine thermo-rétracté
recouvre au moins une partie d'un corps de cartouche cylindrique, caractérisée par
une partie d'extrusion (14) sur un épaulement (12) dudit corps (11) de cartouche cylindrique
dans laquelle l'épaulement (12) relie la partie d'extrusion (14) et le corps (11)
cylindrique de la cartouche et en ce que le diamètre extérieur dudit corps (11) de
cartouche croît dans la direction de l'épaulement (12) tandis que son diamètre intérieur
demeure constant sur toute la longueur, ledit film (17) en résine thermorétracté s'étendant
vers la partie d'extrusion (14) de ladite cartouche et recouvrant le bord extérieur
(18) de l'épaulement.
2. Un procédé pour fabriquer une cartouche pour agent d'étanchéité, selon la revendication
1 comportant les étapes qui consistent à enfiler un tube (17) en film de résine thermo-rétractable
sur un corps (11) de cartouche cylindrique comprenant une partie d'extrusion (14)
sur un épaulement (12) du corps (11) de cartouche cylindrique, l'épaulement (12) reliant
la partie d'extrusion (14) au corps (11) de la cartouche cylindrique, où le diamètre
extérieur dudit corps (11) de la cartouche croît dans la direction de l'épaulement
(12) tandis que le diamètre intérieur du corps (11) de la cartouche demeure constant
sur toute la longueur de la cartouche, puis à chauffer et à positionner ledit tube
(17) de résine, de telle sorte que le film de résine thermo-rétracté recouvre au moins
une partie du corps (11) de la cartouche cylindrique s'étendant vers la partie (14)
d'extrusion de ladite cartouche et recouvrant le bord extérieur (18) de l'épaulement.