MXPA98000698A - Multiple par dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser of two or more parts (10) is provided having an elongate flexible housing (12) defining an interior chamber. A disc (20) is contained within the chamber (18) and can be moved from a closed to an open position. In this closed position, the disk (20) divides the chamber (18) into two or more sub-chambers (22, 24) each of which contains a different liquid. A neck (26) is slidably mounted to the housing (12) and is arranged coaxially around each disk (20) to hold the disk (20) in its closed position. By displacing the neck (26) away from the disc (20) a finger (27) on the neck (26) compresses the housing (12) and moves the disc (20) to its open position thus allowing two or more liquids in the sub-chambers (22, 24) intermingle. A dispensing nozzle assembly (16) having an outlet is fluidly connected by a fluid passage to the housing chamber (18). A normally closed valve is placed in series with this passage so that when the valve is moved to its open position, the liquid inside the housing chamber (18) is dispensed out through the outlet of the valve.

Description

MULTI-PARTY DISPENSER Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to liquid dispensers and, more particularly to a liquid dispenser for a liquid in two or more parts. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE There are many liquid dispensers in two previously known parts for intermixing and then dispensing the intermixed liquid from the dispenser. Many of these previously known dispensers use frangible components within the housing which, when broken, allow liquids to intermingle with one another. Many of these prior art devices are complex and often require a secondary application device. However, none of these previously known two-part dispensers have been particularly suitable for dispensing paint or epoxy coatings based on polyurethane. Furthermore none of the previously known two-part dispensers have used a valve to selectively dispense the intermixed liquid into the housing chamber. A further disadvantage of these two-part dispensers previously known and especially the dispensers that use frangible components to allow intermixing of the liquids, is that the frangible components can be broken before mixing the liquids if desired. In most cases, the premature intermixing of the two liquids effectively destroys the dispenser. A still further disadvantage of many of these previously known two-part dispensers is that the volume of the sub-chambers is set and therefore not capable of accommodating different liquids with different mixing ratios. Also, most of them can not easily adapt to more than two parts. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a dispenser of two or more parts that overcomes all the disadvantages of the previously known two-part dispensers. In summary, the dispenser in two or more parts of the present invention describes an elongate flexible housing which defines an interior chamber. At least one disc is contained within the housing and the disc can be moved from a closed to an open position. In its closed position, the disk (s) divides the housing chamber into two or more sub-chambers each adapted to contain a different liquid. For example, one liquid could comprise a resin and the other liquid a curing agent of a paint based on polyurethane. In order to prevent premature displacement of the disc, a neck is slidably disposed around the housing. The neck is dimensioned so that, with the disc in its closed position and the neck positioned coaxially around the disc, the neck compresses the housing between the disc and the neck and protects the disc against displacement and intermixing resulting from the two discs . Conversely, when the neck slides along the housing so that it is no longer aligned coaxially with the liquid, a finger on the neck compresses the housing over a portion of the disc and moves the disc from its closed position to its open position. By doing this, the disk allows liquids in the two sub-chambers to intermix with each other before dispensing from the housing. A dispensing nozzle assembly having an outlet, an inlet and a fluid passage secures the housing such that the inlet of the nozzle opens into the housing chamber. A valve normally. closed is fluidly placed in series in the nozzle passage. When the valve is moved to its open position, the valve allows the intermixed liquid to flow through the nozzle in the desired manner. The dispenser of two or more parts of the present invention has been found to be particularly useful for dispensing paints based on polyurethane and epoxy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts through the different views and in the which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating the nozzle assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the two-part dispenser 10 of The present invention is shown and comprises an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing 12. The housing 12 is made of a coextruded flexible plastic material that allows little permeability, gas or liquid and is closed at the end by a cover 14 and its other end by a nozzle assembly 16. An application brush 15 is preferably secured to the cover 14 and is selectively covered by itself by a removable cover 17. Referring now particularly to Figure 2, the housing 12 therefore defines an interior housing chamber 18 within the interior of the housing 12 and between the cover 14 and the nozzle assembly 16. The lid 15 and the nozzle assembly 16 can additionally be secured to the housing 12 in any conventional manner such as a snap fit, adhesive or the like. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, a circular disk 20 is placed within the inner chamber 18 of the housing 12 and can be moved from a closed position, illustrated from the Figure 2, to an open position, illustrated in Figure 3. In its closed position (Figure 2) the disk 20 divides the housing chamber 18 into two sub-chambers 22 and 24. Each sub-chamber 22 and 24 is adapted to contain a predefined liquid. For example, the chamber 22 may contain a resin for a paint based on polyurethane while the sub-chamber 24 contains the curing agent. The longitudinal position of the disk 20 is infinitely adjustable within the housing chamber 18. Therefore, the ratio in The volume of sub-chambers 22 and 24 may vary for different liquids with different mixing ratios. Various lengths of the housing can also be easily adapted. In order to avoid the intermixing of the liquids 22 and 24, it is necessary to keep the disc 20 in its closed position (Figure 2). To achieve this, a tubular and cylindrical neck 26 is slidably disposed around the exterior of the housing 12. The neck 26 is constructed of a rigid material and has a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the housing 12.

Therefore, with the neck 26 coaxially positioned around the disc 20, when the disc 20 is in its closed position (Figure 2), the neck 26 comprises the housing between the disc 20 and the neck 26. This compression of the housing 12 prevents the displacement of the disc 20 from its closed position and also increases the fluid seal between the disc 20 and the interior of the housing 12. Furthermore, the neck 26 is constructed of a rigid material which protects the disc 20 from displacement from its closed position during storage and transportation. Referring now to Figure 5, the housing 12 can be divided into three or even more sub-chambers 22, 22 'and 24 whose adjacent sub-chambers are separated by a disk 20. A neck 26 is associated with each disk 20. In addition, the position of the disks 20 is infinitely adjustable within the housing 13 so that the volume ratios of the sub-chambers 22, 22 'and 24 likewise are infinitely adjustable. Referring now particularly to Figure 3, when it is desired to intermix the liquids in sub-chambers 22 and 24, the neck 26 first slides to the position shown in Figure 3 so that it is not already coaxially mounted around the disc 20. To make it a finger 27 extending radially inward on the neck 26 compresses the housing 12 around the disc 20 and automatically disengages the disk 20. Alternatively, the housing 12 is manually compressed, as indicated by the arrows 28 thus moving the disk 12 from its closed position (Figure 2) to its open position (Figure 3). In its open position, the disk 20 allows liquids in the sub-chambers 22 and 24 to intermingle with each other.

Referring now particularly to Figure 4, the nozzle assembly 16 is now shown in greater detail. Any conventional and commercially available nozzle assembly 16 can be used. However, as shown, the nozzle assembly 16 includes an inlet 32 open to the chamber of the housing 18, and outlet 35 and a fluid passage 36 fluidly connecting the inlet 32 to the outlet 34. A valve member 38 and valve seat 38 cooperating valve 39 is fluidly arranged in series with the passage 36 movable between a closed position, illustrated in the solid line in Figure 4 and an open position illustrated in dotted line in Figure 4. In its closed position, the valve member 38 engages its seat 39 and prevents fluid flow through the passage 36 and thus prevents the intermingled liquid within the chamber of the housing 18 from discharging outwardly through the outlet 34. Conversely, when the valve member 38 is in its open position, (dotted line) the liquid flows from the chamber 18 and exits through the outlet 34. Referring still to Figure 4, an enlarged valve actuator 40 is The valve member 38 has an end 42 which protrudes outwardly from the nozzle assembly outlet 34. A compression spring 44 is trapped between a cage 46 of the nozzle assembly 16 and the valve member 38. This spring 44 normally drives the valve member 28 to its closed position. In order to open the valve member 38, the valve actuator 40 depresses moving towards the valve member 38 to its open position and allowing liquid intermingled in the chamber of the housing 18 to be dispensed. The brush bristles 45 are also preferably attached to the actuator 40 to facilitate application of the intermixed liquid. In operation and with the disc 20 and neck 25 in the position illustrated in Figure 2. The liquids in the sub-chambers 22 and 24 are kept separated from one another. Simultaneously the neck 26 not only encompasses the fluid seal between the housing 12 and the disc 20, but also protects the displacement disk 20 as it may occur from impact during shipping. When the use of the dispenser is desired, the neck 26 slides to the position illustrated in Figure 3 by moving the disc 20 to its open position. The liquids in the sub-chambers 22 and 24 are then intermixed by shaking the dispenser 10. If desired, a mixing ball 48 (Figure 2) can be placed in chamber 18 to facilitate mixing. After the liquids are intermixed, the actuator 40 is placed against the surface to be treated and the actuator depresses thereby opening the valve member 38 against the force of the spring 44. The housing 12 can be compressed thereby forcing the intermixed liquid outwardly. through the nozzle outlet 34 in the desired shape or the intermixed liquid is dispensed by the force of gravity from the nozzle assembly 16. The bristles of the brush 45 also facilitate the application of the intermixed liquid on the surface. In addition, the layered brush (Figure 1) can be used to spread the intermixed liquid over a layer area as required. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple but highly effective two or more parts dispenser for liquids. The present invention has been found to be particularly useful for "touch-up" painting in the aeronautical industry. Having described our invention, however, many modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A multi-part liquid dispenser comprising. An elongate flexible housing defining an inner chamber a disc contained within said chamber and movable from a closed to an open position, said disc in said closed position dividing the inner chamber into a first and a second sub-chamber, the first sub-chamber adapted to contain a first liquid and the second sub-chamber adapted to contain a second liquid, wherein the displacement of said disk to said open position allows the first and second liquids to intermingle, A dispensing nozzle assembly, having an outlet, an inlet and a fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet, the inlet being fluidly connected to the inner chamber, the nozzle assembly typically including a valve closed in series with the passage of a neck slidably mounted axially about an outer periphery of the housing, the neck having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the housing so that, when the neck is aligned with the disc the closed position, the housing is compressed between the disc and neck to thereby avoid the displacement of the disc to the open position and to simultaneously fluidly seal an outer periphery of the disc to an internal periphery of the housing of the closed position
2. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a valve actuator movable between an extended and retracted position, the valve actuator protruding outwardly from the outlet.
3. 3. The invention according to claim 2 and comprising a compression spring for driving the actuator towards the extended position.
4. 4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid is a resin and the second liquid is a curing agent.
5. 5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein it is made of a rigid material.
6. 6. The invention according to claim 2, comprising a brush secured to the actuator.
7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the housing is circular in cross-sectional shape.
8. The invention according to claim 1, comprising means for automatically moving the disc from said closed position to said open position as the neck slides axially along the housing.
9. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the automatic movement means comprises a finger secured to the neck, said finger extending inwardly from said neck and compressing a portion of said housing.
10. 10. The invention according to claim 1, comprising an application brush secured to one end of the housing positioned from said nozzle assembly. eleven . The invention according to claim 1, comprising a second disk contained within the housing and separated from said first mentioned disk, said second disk dividing one of the sub-chambers into two smaller chambers whereby the housing contains three separate liquids.