FRONT-LOADING ADHESIVE AND SEALANT RETAINING AND DISPENSING SYSTEMS

Abstract

 Loading systems for adhesives and sealants are disclosed in which flexible sealant/adhesive-containing cartridges may be loaded through the front end of a retainer into a sleeve for dispensing, and then removed from the front end of the retainer when the cartridges are spent.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is related to front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing systems.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Adhesives and sealants have conventionally been dispensed from disposable cartridges using pneumatic dispensing guns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Disclosed herein is an adhesive sealant retaining and dispensing system comprising a generally cylindrical outer retainer, a front cap removably attached to a front end of the retainer, and a generally cylindrical inner sleeve inserted in the retainer structured and arranged to receive a cartridge therein containing the adhesive or sealant.

[0004] Also disclosed herein is an adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system comprising a generally cylindrical outer retainer, a front cap removably attached to a front end of the retainer, a generally cylindrical inner sleeve inserted in the retainer, and a cartridge containing an adhesive or sealant located inside the inner sleeve and outer retainer, wherein the cartridge comprises a flexible sidewall and a rigid front end having a rear rim that contacts a front end of the inner sleep and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the retainer.

[0005] Further disclosed herein is a method comprising loading an adhesive and sealant retaining system as described above with a cartridge containing an adhesive or sealant by removing the front cap from the retainer, inserting a flexible sidewall of the cartridge into the inner sleeve, and attaching the front cap to the front end of the retainer.

[0006] Still further disclosed herein is a cartridge structured and arranged for use in an adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system as described above, wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid front end comprising a front opening and a rear rim structured and arranged to contact a front end of the inner sleeve, and a flexible sidewall extending rearwardly from the rear rim of the rigid front end structured and arranged for insertion into the inner sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

Fig. 1 is an exploded isometric view and Fig. 2 is an exploded side view illustrating components of a front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispending system of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through section 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partially schematic side view of the dispensing system of Fig. 3 mounted on a dispensing gun.

Fig. 6 is a side view of another front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken through section 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and 9 are exploded isometric and side views of another front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Figs. 1-5 illustrate a front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system 10 of the present invention. The dispensing system 10 includes a generally cylindrical outer retainer 12 having a front end 13 and a rear end 14. Rear retaining pins 16 are provided near the rear end 14 of the retainer 12. The dispensing system 10 includes a front cap assembly 20 having a collar 21 with external threads 22. The collar 21 may be attached to the retainer 12 by adhesive and/or press fit. The front cap assembly 20 includes a removable front cap 24 having a rim 25 with internal threads 26 that threadingly engage the external threads 22 of the collar 21. The removable front cap 24 has a hemi-spherical domed shape 27 and a front opening 28.

[0009] A generally cylindrical inner sleeve 30 fits inside the retainer 12. The sleeve 30 includes a front end 31 and a back end 32 having a retaining flange 34. A plunger 36 is located inside the sleeve 30.

[0010] The tolerance or fit between the sleeve 30 and plunger 36, and the materials used to make the sleeve 30 and plunger 36, may be selected in order to allow the plunger 36 to move in relation to the sleeve 30 under air pressure applied by a conventional pneumatic gun, while providing a sufficiently tight seal that prevents air from passing between the interface between the sleeve 30 and the plunger 36.

[0011] An adhesive or sealant-containing cartridge 40 having a flexible sidewall is located within the sleeve 30 and front cap assembly 20. The collapsible-walled cartridge 40 includes a domed rigid front end 41 with a front tip 42 and front opening 43. The rigid front end 41 has a rear rim 44. The collapsible sidewall of the cartridge 40 has a rear end 46. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, an uncured adhesive or sealant material 48 is contained within the cartridge 40.

[0012] The dispensing system 10 may be mounted on a dispensing gun 50 having a handle 51 and trigger 52, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 5. The dispensing gun 50 includes a retaining bracket 53 having retaining slots 54 that receive the rear retaining pins 16 of the retainer 12. It is noted that the dispensing gun 50 is shown schematically in Fig. 5 and is not drawn to scale. The dispensing gun 50 may be selected from commercially available pneumatic dispensing guns such as Semco Model Numbers 250-A, 250-B and 350.

[0013] Another front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system 110 is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The dispensing system 110 includes a front cap assembly 120 with a collar 121 having external threads. Retaining slots 123 are provided in the collar 121 for receiving front retaining pins 18 of the retainer 12. The front cap assembly 120 includes a front cap 124 having a rim 125 with internal threads 126. The removable front cap 124 has a hemi-spherical domed shape and a front opening 128. The front cap 124 may be removed from the collar 121 by disengaging the internal threads 126 from the external threads 122. Furthermore, the entire front cap assembly 120 may be removed from the retainer 12 by rotating and pulling the collar 121 away from the retainer 12 to disengage the front retaining pins 18 from the retaining slots 123.

[0014] Another front-loading adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system 210 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The dispensing system 210 includes a front cap assembly 220 with a collar 221 having retaining slots 223. The front cap assembly 220 has a hemi-spherical domed front cap portion 224 with a front opening 228 therein. As shown most clearly in Fig. 8, the front cap assembly 220 includes abutment surfaces 225 at the ends of each retaining slots 223, and a raised abutment wall 226 located adjacent each abutment surface 225. A detent projection 227 is provided in each retaining slot 223, and a resilient spring finger 229 is provided on the opposite side of each retaining slot 223 from the detent projection 227. The front cap assembly 220 may be provided as a single integral unit that is removable from the front end 13 of the retainer 12 by rotating and then pulling the assembly 220 away from the retainer 12 to disengage the retaining slots 223 from the front retaining pins 18. The detent projections 227 and resilient spring fingers 229 provide resistance to the front retaining pins 18 in order to bias the retaining pins 18 into their locked positions within the retaining slots 223.

[0015] The retainer 12 may be made of any suitable rigid material such as metal, plastic and the like. For example, the retainer 12 may be made of steel or aluminum. A viewing slot (not shown) may optionally be provided through the retainer 12, e.g., running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the retainer 12. The front cap assemblies 20, 120 and 220 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal. For example, the front cap assemblies may be made of a polymer such as nylon. The sleeve 30 and plunger 36 may be made of any suitable materials such as plastic, e.g., polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene or the like. The plastic sleeve 30 may be slightly resilient or flexible and may have lower thermal conductivity than the retainer 12, i.e., to provide thermal insulation.

[0016] The flexible sidewall of the cartridge 40 may be made of relatively thin sheets of laminated foil or any other suitable type of collapsible material. The domed rigid front end 41 may be made of relatively rigid materials such as plastic and the like. For example, the rigid front end 41 and front tip 42 may be made of a polymer such as polyethylene. The adhesive or sealant contained in the cartridge 40 may be any suitable adhesive/sealant formulation such as those used in the aerospace industry.

[0017] The retainer systems 10, 110 and 210 of the present invention may be used with standard adhesive and sealant guns known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, pneumatically driven guns sold under the designations Semco Model 250-A, Model 250-B and Model 350.

[0018] The retainer systems 10, 110 and 210 of the present invention may be loaded by the following steps: remove the front cap 24, 124, 224 from the retainer 12 by turning the cap counterclockwise; remove the used flexible cartridge 40 and discard appropriately; load the new flexible cartridge 40 through the front of the retainer 12 and sleeve 30, pushing back the plunger 36 inside the sleeve 30; place the front cap 24, 124, 224 back on the retainer 12, threading clockwise on until tight; ready to dispense.

[0019] The retaining and dispensing systems 10, 110 and 210 of the present invention provide numerous advantages. A retainer utilizing a sleeve composed of a non-metallic material, such as plastic, has less friction than metal, thus decreasing the time needed to load a flexible cartridge into the retainer. The sleeve protects the flexible cartridge from sharp edges inside the retainer. Further, the sleeve can be used to provide a flexible cartridge with a definite shape, such as when a flexible cartridge is filled with adhesive or sealant and then flash-frozen inside the sleeve. The frozen flexible cartridge can be removed from the sleeve and stored. The defined shape of the frozen flexible cartridge improves ease of loading. The use of a plastic sleeve in a retainer presents numerous other advantages, such as thermal insulation for the adhesive or sealant and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion in comparison to metal. In addition, plastic is more resilient against stressors that would normally cause metal to bend, and plastic sleeves can be economically replaced. Another advantage of the sleeve is that the plunger is pressurized within the sleeve, not the retainer. The lack of pressure against the retainer reduces the risk of damage to the retainer and allows for viewing windows to be positioned through the retainer. Also, when in use, the plunger applies pressure against the flexible cartridge, and the flexible cartridge releases adhesive or sealant. After the pressure is released, additional adhesive or sealant could continue to dispense. However, when the sleeve is used, the flexible cartridge exerts force against the plunger, and the adhesive or sealant may not dispense after the pressure is released. Furthermore, the sleeve allows for the plunger to slide smoothly under air pressure. The plunger slides back with the operator pressing force when loading the flexible cartridge into the sleeve, and contact with the plunger is on the inside of the sleeve.

[0020] It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers such as those expressing values, amounts, percentages, ranges, sub-ranges and fractions may be read as if prefaced by the word "about," even if the term does not expressly appear. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Where a closed- or open-ended numerical range is described herein, all numbers, values, amounts, percentages, sub-ranges and fractions within or encompassed by the numerical range are to be considered as being specifically included in and belonging to the original disclosure of this application as if these numbers, values, amounts, percentages, sub-ranges and fractions had been explicitly written out in their entirety.

[0021] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in any of the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard variation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0022] As used herein, unless indicated otherwise, a plural term can encompass its singular counterpart and vice versa, unless indicated otherwise. In addition, in this application, the use of "or" means "and/or" unless specifically stated otherwise, even though "and/or" may be explicitly used in certain instances.

[0023] As used herein, "including", "containing" and like terms are understood in the context of this application to be synonymous with "comprising" and are therefore open-ended and do not exclude the presence of additional undescribed or unrecited elements, materials, ingredients or method steps. As used herein, "consisting of' is understood in the context of this application to exclude the presence of any unspecified element, ingredient or method step. As used herein, "consisting essentially of' is understood in the context of this application to include the specified elements, materials, ingredients or method steps "and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)" of what is being described.

[0024] Whereas specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

Aspects of the invention

[0025] 

1. An adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system comprising:

a generally cylindrical outer retainer;

a front cap removably attached to a front end of the retainer; and

a generally cylindrical inner sleeve inserted in the retainer structured and arranged to receive a cartridge therein containing the adhesive or sealant.

2. The system of Aspect 1, wherein the front cap comprises a front opening structured and arranged to receive a front tip of the cartridge therethrough, and a rear rim structured and arranged for the removable attachment of the front cap to the front end of the retainer.

3. The system of Aspects 1 or 2, further comprising a collar attached to and surrounding the front end of the retainer, wherein the front cap is removably attached to the collar.

4. The system of Aspect 3, wherein the front cap is threadingly attached to the collar.

5. The system of Aspects 3 or 4, wherein the collar is permanently attached to the retainer.

6. The system of Aspects 3 or 4, wherein the collar is removably attached to the retainer.

7. The system of Aspect 6, wherein the collar comprises at least one retaining slot, the retainer comprises at least one front retaining pin, and the collar is removably attached to the retainer by engagement of the at least one front retaining pin in the at least one retaining slot.

8. The system of any of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the front cap is integrally formed with a rear collar structured and arranged for the removable attachment of the front cap to the front end of the retainer.

9. The system of Aspect 8, where in the collar comprises at least one retaining slot, the retainer comprises at least one front retaining pin, and the collar and integral front cap are removably attached to the retainer by engagement of the at least one front retaining pin in the at least one retaining slot.

10. The system of Aspect 9, wherein the at least one retaining slot comprises a detent structured and arranged to bias the at least one front retaining pin into a fastened position against an abutment surface of the at least one retaining slot.

11. The system of Aspect 10, wherein the detent comprises a detent projection extending inwardly on one side of the at least one retaining slot, and a resilient spring finger located on an opposite side of the at least one retaining slot, wherein when the at least one front retaining pin travels through the at least one retaining slot toward the abutment surface it contacts the detent projection and elastically deforms the resilient spring finger.

12. The system of Aspects 10 or 11, further comprising an abutment wall extending radially outward from the collar adjacent to the abutment surface of the at least one retaining slot structured and arranged to contact the at least one front retaining pin when the at least one front retaining pin is in the fastened position.

13. The system of any of Aspects 9 to 12, comprising two of the retaining slots and two of the front retaining pins.

14. The system of any of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a rear retaining flange releasingly engageable with a rear end of the retainer.

15. The system of any of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a front end structured and arranged to releasingly engage the cartridge.

16. The system of Aspect 15, wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid front end that contacts the front end of the inner sleeve.

17. The system of Aspect 16, wherein the rigid front end of the cartridge comprises a domed front end and a rear rim that contacts the front end of the inner sleeve.

18. The system of Aspects 16 or 17, wherein the rigid front end of the cartridge has an outer diameter at its rear rim, the inner sleeve has an outer diameter, and the outer diameters of the rigid front end and inner sleeve are substantially the same.

19. The system of Aspects 17 or 18, wherein the cartridge comprises a flexible sidewall extending rearwardly from the rigid front end into an interior volume of the inner sleeve.

20. The system of any of Aspects 1 to 19, further comprising a plunger inserted in the inner sleeve structured and arranged to slide inwardly along a longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve when air pressure is applied against a rear surface of the plunger.

21. An adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system comprising:

a generally cylindrical outer retainer;

a front cap removably attached to a front end of the retainer;

a generally cylindrical inner sleeve inserted in the retainer; and

a cartridge containing an adhesive or sealant located inside the inner sleeve and outer retainer, wherein the cartridge comprises a flexible sidewall and a rigid front end having a rear rim that contacts a front end of the inner sleep and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the retainer.

22. The system of Aspect 21, wherein the outer diameter of the rear rim of the rigid front end of the cartridge is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the inner sleeve.

23. A method comprising filling the adhesive and sealant retaining system of any of Aspects 1 to 20 with a cartridge containing an adhesive or sealant by removing the front cap from the retainer, inserting a flexible sidewall of the cartridge into the inner sleeve, and attaching the front cap to the front end of the retainer.

24. A cartridge structured and arranged for use in the adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system of any of Aspects 1 to 20, the cartridge comprising:

a rigid front end comprising a front opening and a rear rim structured and arranged to contact a front end of the inner sleeve; and

a flexible sidewall extending rearwardly from the rear rim of the rigid front end structured and arranged for insertion into the inner sleeve.

Claims

1. An adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system comprising:

a generally cylindrical outer retainer;

a front cap removably attached to a front end of the retainer; and

a generally cylindrical inner sleeve inserted in the retainer structured and arranged to receive a cartridge therein containing the adhesive or sealant.

2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the front cap comprises a front opening structured and arranged to receive a front tip of the cartridge therethrough, and a rear rim structured and arranged for the removable attachment of the front cap to the front end of the retainer, optionally further comprising a collar attached to and surrounding the front end of the retainer, wherein the front cap is removably attached to the collar, and optionally the front cap is threadingly attached to the collar.

3. The system of Claim 2 wherein the collar is permanently or removably attached to the retainer.

4. The system of Claim 3, wherein the collar comprises at least one retaining slot, the retainer comprises at least one front retaining pin, and the collar is removably attached to the retainer by engagement of the at least one front retaining pin in the at least one retaining slot.

5. The system of any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the front cap is integrally formed with a rear collar structured and arranged for the removable attachment of the front cap to the front end of the retainer.

6. The system of Claim 5, where in the collar comprises at least one retaining slot, the retainer comprises at least one front retaining pin, and the collar and integral front cap are removably attached to the retainer by engagement of the at least one front retaining pin in the at least one retaining slot.

7. The system of Claim 6, wherein the at least one retaining slot comprises a detent structured and arranged to bias the at least one front retaining pin into a fastened position against an abutment surface of the at least one retaining slot, and optionally the detent comprises a detent projection extending inwardly on one side of the at least one retaining slot, and a resilient spring finger located on an opposite side of the at least one retaining slot, wherein when the at least one front retaining pin travels through the at least one retaining slot toward the abutment surface it contacts the detent projection and elastically deforms the resilient spring finger.

8. The system of Claim 7, further comprising an abutment wall extending radially outward from the collar adj acent to the abutment surface of the at least one retaining slot structured and arranged to contact the at least one front retaining pin when the at least one front retaining pin is in the fastened position.

9. The system of any of Claims 6 to 8, comprising two of the retaining slots and two of the front retaining pins.

10. The system of any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a rear retaining flange releasingly engageable with a rear end of the retainer and/or the inner sleeve comprises a front end structured and arranged to releasingly engage the cartridge.

11. The system of Claim 10, wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid front end that contacts the front end of the inner sleeve and optionally the rigid front end of the cartridge comprises a domed front end and a rear rim that contacts the front end of the inner sleeve and/or the rigid front end of the cartridge has an outer diameter at its rear rim, the inner sleeve has an outer diameter, and the outer diameters of the rigid front end and inner sleeve are substantially the same and/or the cartridge comprises a flexible sidewall extending rearwardly from the rigid front end into an interior volume of the inner sleeve.

12. The system of any of Claims 1 to 11, further comprising a plunger inserted in the inner sleeve structured and arranged to slide inwardly along a longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve when air pressure is applied against a rear surface of the plunger.

13. An adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system comprising:

a generally cylindrical outer retainer;

a front cap removably attached to a front end of the retainer;

a generally cylindrical inner sleeve inserted in the retainer; and

a cartridge containing an adhesive or sealant located inside the inner sleeve and outer retainer, wherein the cartridge comprises a flexible sidewall and a rigid front end having a rear rim that contacts a front end of the inner sleep and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the retainer and optionally the outer diameter of the rear rim of the rigid front end of the cartridge is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the inner sleeve.

14. A method comprising filling the adhesive and sealant retaining system of any of Claims 1 to 12 with a cartridge containing an adhesive or sealant by removing the front cap from the retainer, inserting a flexible sidewall of the cartridge into the inner sleeve, and attaching the front cap to the front end of the retainer.

15. A cartridge structured and arranged for use in the adhesive and sealant retaining and dispensing system of any of Claims 1 to 12, the cartridge comprising:

a rigid front end comprising a front opening and a rear rim structured and arranged to contact a front end of the inner sleeve; and

a flexible sidewall extending rearwardly from the rear rim of the rigid front end structured and arranged for insertion into the inner sleeve.

Drawing