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EP-4741067-A1 - DEVICE FOR APPLYING ADHESIVES

EP4741067A1EP 4741067 A1EP4741067 A1EP 4741067A1EP-4741067-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1), in particular an application head (7), for dispensing adhesives (K). The device (1) has valves (2, 3) associated with the adhesives (K), wherein the valves (2, 3) of the different adhesives (K) are grouped into valve groups (4). Each valve group (4) has a chamber (5) through which the adhesives (K) can flow, so that the adhesives (K) can be dispensed by means of dispensing points (6) connected to the chamber (5). The flow paths (P) of the adhesives (K) are separated from each other upstream of the chambers (5). The invention also relates to a system (100) with such a device (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a device (1).

Inventors

  • GRAMPP, Alexander
  • WALTER, GERHARD

Assignees

  • OEST SYSTEMS GmbH & Co. KG

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241107

Claims (15)

  1. Device (1), in particular application head (7), for dispensing, in particular for applying, a first adhesive (K1) and a second adhesive (K2), - with first valves (2) for dispensing the first adhesive (K1), through which a first flow path (P1) of the first adhesive (K1) leads, - with second valves (3) for dispensing the second adhesive (K2), through which a second flow path (P2) of the second adhesive (K2) leads, - with valve groups (4) each comprising at least one first valve (2) and at least one second valve (3), - wherein the respective valve group (4) has a chamber (5) through which the first flow path (P1) downstream of the associated at least one first valve (2) and the second flow path (P2) downstream of the associated at least one second valve (3) lead, - wherein the flow paths (P) upstream of the chamber (5) are separated from each other, - wherein each valve group (4) has at least one associated dispensing point (6) which is connected to or part of the chamber (5), so that in operation the adhesives (K) leave the device (1) via the dispensing points (6) of the valve groups (4).
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the respective dispensing point (6) forms the outermost point of the flow path (P) of the respective adhesive (K) in the device (1).
  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the output points (6) of the different valve groups (4) are fluidically separated from each other.
  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by - that the device (1) has a carrier (12) with receptacles (15) in which the valves (2, 3) are received, - that the respective flow path (P) leads through the support (12), - that the carrier (12) for the respective valve group (4) has at least one associated carrier outlet (16) through which the flow paths (P) downstream of the valves (2, 3) of the valve group (4) lead, so that the adhesives (K) leave the carrier (12) via the at least one carrier outlet (16) during operation, - that the respective carrier outlet (16) opens into the chamber (5) of the associated valve group (4).
  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by that the carrier (12) has a single carrier outlet (16) for at least one of the valve groups (4), in particular for the respective valve group (4), through which the first flow path (P1) and the second flow path (P2) lead and upstream of which the flow paths (P) are separated.
  6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the device (1) has for at least one of the valve groups (4), in particular for the respective valve group (4), an attachment (17) mounted on the carrier (12), which connects the carrier (12) to the chamber (5) the valve group (4) at least partially forms.
  7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by - that the device (1) has a first supply channel (8) for supplying the first valves (2) with the first adhesive (K1), through which the first flow path (P1) leads upstream of the first valves (2), - that the device (1) has a second supply channel (9) for supplying the second valves (3) with the second adhesive (K2), through which the second flow path (P2) leads upstream of the second valves (3).
  8. Device according to claim 7 and one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that the carrier (12) forms at least one of the supply channels (8, 9) at least partially.
  9. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by that the support (12) has a profile (13), in particular an extruded profile (14), or is designed as such a profile (13), in particular an extruded profile (14).
  10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that at least one of the valve groups (4), in particular the respective valve group (4), has at least two dispensing points (6).
  11. Device according to claim 10, characterized by that at least one of the valve groups (4), in particular the respective valve group (4), has an order segment (18) having the associated output points (6).
  12. Equipment (100) for applying a first adhesive (K1) and a second adhesive (K2), - with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - with a first conveying device (101) which conveys the first adhesive (K1) along the first flow path (P1) during operation, - with a second conveying device (102) which, during operation, conveys the second adhesive (K2) along the second flow path (P2).
  13. Method for operating a device (1), in particular an application head (7), for applying a first adhesive (K1) and a second adhesive (K2), - wherein the device (1) has • first valves (2) for dispensing the first adhesive (K1), through which a first flow path (P1) of the first adhesive (K1) leads, • second valves (3) for dispensing the second adhesive (K2), through which a second flow path (P2) of the second adhesive (K2) leads, • Valve groups (4) each comprising at least one first valve (2) and at least one second valve (3), • wherein each valve group (4) has a chamber (5) through which the first flow path (P1) flows downstream of the associated at least one first valve (2) and the second flow path (P2) downstream of the associated at least one second valve (3), • wherein the flow paths (P) upstream of the chamber (5) are separated from each other, • wherein each valve group (4) has at least one associated dispensing point (6) which is connected to or part of the chamber (5), so that in operation the adhesives (K) leave the device (1) via the dispensing points (6) of the valve groups (4), - wherein in a first operating mode the first adhesive (K1) is dispensed via the dispensing points (6), - wherein in a second operating mode the second adhesive (K2) is dispensed via the output points (6), - wherein, when switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the chambers (5) are first rinsed up to the dispensing points (6), - whereby, when switching from the second operating mode to the first operating mode, the chambers (5) are first rinsed up to the dispensing points (6).
  14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by - that when switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the chambers (5) up to the dispensing points (6) are rinsed with the second adhesive (K2), and/or - that when switching from the second operating mode to the first operating mode, the chambers (5) up to the dispensing points (6) are rinsed with the first adhesive (K1).
  15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that in a standby mode in which the device (1) does not apply any adhesive (K), the dispensing points (6) are immersed in an internal medium (M), in particular in an anhydrous oil.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a first adhesive and a second adhesive, which includes valves for dispensing the adhesives. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a device. In numerous processes, the dispensing and, in particular, the application of adhesives to substrates is necessary. For this purpose, devices with valves can be used to regulate the flow of the adhesives. Such a device is usually designed for applying one type of adhesive. If a different, second adhesive is to be applied, the entire device must first be rinsed to prevent the adhesives from mixing. To apply two adhesives, it is also conceivable to combine two such devices in one unit, with each device being designed to apply its corresponding adhesive. When applying moisture-active adhesives, it is necessary to prevent or at least reduce contact of the adhesive with moisture, and especially with the ambient air, if no adhesive is dispensed. The present invention addresses the problem of providing improved or at least alternative embodiments of a device of the aforementioned type, of a system with such a device, and of a method for operating such a device. In particular, it relates to the present invention with the objective of specifying embodiments of the device, the system and the method which are characterized by increased efficiency. This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The present invention is therefore based on the fundamental idea of dispensing adhesives in different work steps by essentially keeping them separate within the same device, but dispensing them via a common dispensing point, whereby the volume between the separate guides and the common dispensing point is kept as small as possible. This has the advantage that when switching between dispensing one adhesive and another, only this volume needs to be flushed. This results in economical operation and consequently increased efficiency, while simultaneously achieving an improved environmental footprint. Furthermore, this method eliminates or at least reduces the need to store the dispensing points in an inert medium to prevent reactions of the currently unused adhesive with the environment, particularly with moisture. This leads to improved efficiency and an even better environmental footprint. According to the inventive concept, a device for dispensing, in particular for applying, two adhesives has valves for dispensing the adhesives. The adhesives are hereinafter also referred to as the first adhesive and the second adhesive. The device has first valves for dispensing the first adhesive and second valves for dispensing the second adhesive. A flow path of the first adhesive, hereinafter also referred to as the first flow path, passes through the first valves. A flow path of the second adhesive passes through the second valves. The device comprises valve groups, each valve group having at least one first valve and at least one second valve. Each valve group has a chamber through which both flow paths pass downstream of the respective valve. This means that the first flow path passes through the chamber downstream of the associated first valve. Additionally, the second flow path passes through the chamber downstream of the associated second valve. The flow paths are separated from each other upstream of the chamber. Each valve group also has at least one dispensing point for the adhesives, which is hereinafter referred to as the dispensing point. The at least one dispensing point is connected to or part of the chamber of the associated valve group, so that during operation, the adhesives leave the device via the dispensing points of the valve groups and are thus dispensed. Each chamber advantageously forms a volume, up to the at least one dispensing point, through which both adhesives can flow. This means that, during operation, either the first or the second adhesive can flow through the chamber and via the at least one associated dispensing point, and thus through the volume. Since the flow paths are separated upstream of the chamber, the reduction and shortening of the common flow volume described above occurs. This results in the aforementioned advantages of increased efficiency and environmentally friendly operation, while simultaneously simplifying operation. The device can, in principle, be designed in any way imaginable. Advantageously, the device is designed as an application head for applying the adhesives. The dispensing points, in particular, can be designed accordingly. The respective dispensing point is expediently designed as an opening and can therefore also be referred to as a dispensing opening. The respective dispensing point preferably forms the outermost point of the flow path of the respective adhesive with