EP2145695A1 - Device for applying an adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has multiple adhesive discharge nozzles (3) arranged in a distance on a side of an elongated adhesive distribution housing (2). A gas discharge nozzle (8) is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and is in connection with a gas entry opening (7). An outflow direction axis (5) of the adhesive discharge nozzles and an outflow direction axis (9) of the gas discharge nozzle specify a leading edge angle (alpha). A gas nozzle housing (12) includes an opening (13) such that a gap is formed between the housings.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of devices for the application of adhesives.

State of the art

There are various devices for applying and distributing adhesives on flat substrates.

Adhesives are widely applied over a large area by means of devices which have a plurality of nozzles for the adhesive outlet on a flat substrate to be bonded. The adhesive exits the dispenser through the spaced nozzles and is applied to the substrate in the form of discrete beads by moving the device parallel to the surface. For example disclosed WO 99/65612 A1 Such an adhesive distribution device. A disadvantage of the application of an adhesive by means of such a distribution device, however, is that the adhesive is often inhomogeneously applied insofar as individual isolated beads are present on the surface, which can lead to a defective adhesive bond after joining. This is the case in particular with porous or elastic substrates, which can be pressed poorly.

Furthermore, an adhesive can be applied by means of slot die. Due to the viscosity of the adhesive and nozzle geometry, however, it is very difficult to ensure that the adhesive flow emerging from the slot die is homogeneous over the entire width and evenly distributed on the surface to be bonded. If flat substrates are glued over the entire surface, or in full width, the slot die also has to protrude beyond the edge, which inevitably leads to increased consumption and waste.

Adhesive can also be sprayed on a surface. Here, the adhesive is mixed inside a spray nozzle with a spray gas and then applied to the surface. However, on the one hand such spray nozzles are sometimes very complicated and / or are strong susceptible to contamination and are therefore very labor intensive in upkeep and cleaning. On the other hand, this method makes it difficult to limit the location of the adhesive due to the resulting spray. It is thus applied material in places where it is not necessary or desired, which brings increased material consumption, or increased disposal costs, with it. In addition, the occurrence of spray leads to heavy soiling and carries great health risks in itself, especially if the adhesive contains reactive, especially harmful to health, substances. This is why expensive filters and suction devices are required for spray systems. All this leads to large undesirable additional costs.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device which makes it possible in a simple manner to apply and distribute an adhesive to a flat substrate and to reduce the amount of waste and / or the health risks arising during the application.

Surprisingly, it has been found that a device according to claim 1 and / or a method according to claim 11 is able to solve this problem.

It allows the adhesive to be applied quickly and extensively to a flat substrate. Significant advantages result from a simple, low-cost design of the device and makes it possible to dispense with elaborate additional installation or at least greatly reduced in scope. Due to the advantageous order type, it is possible to prevent unnecessary material consumption and to achieve as homogeneous as possible a homogeneous surface distribution of the adhesive.

It has been found that the device can be used particularly well according to claim 15 for the bonding of sheet-like substrates.

In the dependent claims are advantageous embodiments, improvements and developments specified in claim 1 Device, the method specified in claim 11 and the use specified in claim 15.

The core of the invention is that adhesive issuing through adhesive outlet nozzles is distributed through one or more gas jets directed onto the leaked adhesive, whereby a homogeneous distribution of the adhesive on the substrate to be bonded is achieved in a targeted manner.

The present invention thus relates, in a first aspect, to a device for adhesive application which has an elongated adhesive distribution housing with a plurality of adhesive outlet nozzles and at least one adhesive inlet opening. The adhesive discharge nozzles are arranged at intervals on one side of the adhesive distribution housing. Furthermore, the device has at least one gas inlet opening and at least one gas outlet nozzle arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing. This gas outlet nozzle is part of the adhesive distributor housing or is connected to it and is in communication with the gas inlet opening.

It is essential here that the outflow direction axis of the adhesive outlet nozzles and the outflow direction axis of the gas outlet nozzle describe an acute angle α. In other words, the gas outlet nozzle is oriented such that the gas emerging from this nozzle during the adhesive application is directed onto the adhesive emerging through the adhesive outlet nozzles at a distance from the adhesive outlet nozzles or gas outlet nozzle (s) meets.

For the purposes of this document, the term "nozzle" is any outlet opening which narrows in the direction of flow of the media.

It is essential here that at least one such gas outlet nozzle is present. However, it is preferred that at least two gas outlet nozzles are present.

Particularly preferably, the device has at least two gas outlet nozzles which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing on different sides of the adhesive outlet nozzles.

As gas, basically any gas can be used. Particularly suitable are noble gases, nitrogen and air. Nitrogen and air are preferably used as gas. Particular preference is given to nitrogen and dried air. Inert gases are particularly advantageous in the application of reactive adhesives to prevent an unwanted premature reaction of the adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment, the gas outlet nozzles are designed in the form of an elongate nozzle.

Particularly preferred are gas outlet nozzles with an outlet opening, in which the outlet opening area has a length-to-width ratio of more than 10, in particular from 100 to 4000, preferably between 1000 and 3000.

The gas outlet nozzle may be part of or be connected to the adhesive distribution housing. As expedient it has been shown that the gas outlet nozzle (s) are screwed to the adhesive distribution housing.

In principle, the nozzles can also be arranged at a distance from the adhesive distributor housing. In this case, however, they are connected to the adhesive distribution box so that the relative arrangement between the gas discharge nozzle (s) and the adhesive distribution box is fixed and thus can be moved together. This embodiment can be realized for example by a linkage to which the adhesive distribution housing and the gas outlet nozzle (s) are fixed, for example screwed or welded.

It is preferred, however, that the gas outlet nozzle (s) with the adhesive dispensing housing directly, i. directly, connected, in particular screwed, is or are.

The gas outlet nozzle (s) are usually part of a gas nozzle housing.

Under certain circumstances, it may also be expedient for a plurality of gas outlet nozzles to be arranged alongside one another along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing. In this way, it is possible that in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing a plurality of nozzles are arranged, which have different orientation and / or gas outlet quantity or pressure. This can be particularly advantageous when it comes to optimizing the distribution of the adhesive.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gas outlet nozzle is formed by a gap, which is formed by the joining of at least one gas nozzle housing to the adhesive distribution housing. In this case, the gas nozzle housing has a recess in the region of the nozzle, so that a gap is formed between the adhesive distributor housing and the gas nozzle housing, which acts as a gas outlet nozzle.

In this variant, it is particularly easy to realize very narrow gas outlet nozzle (s). It has been found that a gap of 0.01 to 1 mm, in particular of 0.05 to 0.5 mm, is particularly suitable as a gas outlet nozzle.

The device has a plurality of adhesive discharge nozzles which are arranged at intervals on one side of the adhesive distribution housing. The outlet opening of the adhesive outlet nozzles can be designed in various ways. In particular, it can be slit-like, oval or round. Preferably, the outlet opening of the adhesive outlet nozzles is round.

The plurality of adhesive discharge nozzles is preferably arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distribution housing. Preferably, they are arranged in at least one row. Most preferably, they are arranged in at least two rows parallel to each other.

The size, number and spacing of the individual adhesive outlet nozzles is highly dependent on the viscosity of the adhesive, as well as the application speed and the adhesive layer thickness to be achieved.

It has been shown that the distance between the individual adhesive outlet nozzles, in particular between twice and five times Nozzle diameter are particularly suitable. The (smallest) diameter of the adhesive outlet nozzles is preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The number of adhesive outlet nozzles is preferably between 20 and 200. Devices having 50 to 100 adhesive outlet nozzles, in particular arranged in two mutually parallel and preferably laterally offset rows, are particularly suitable.

The adhesive outlet nozzles may be formed by the material of the adhesive distributor housing or of another material. In the simplest embodiment, these are holes or slots which are introduced into the bottom of the adhesive distributor housing. However, it has been found that this leads to increased cleaning effort, because such nozzles easily clog in use, especially after prolonged use or longer life. In a preferred embodiment, therefore, replaceable removable adhesive discharge nozzles are used.

In this case, in the adhesive distributor housing, a plurality of holes are provided, in which interchangeable removable adhesive outlet nozzles are arranged embedded. This has the great advantage that at regular intervals the replaceable adhesive outlet nozzles can be removed without much effort and replaced with new adhesive outlet nozzles. Such replaceable adhesive outlet nozzles can be easily made of plastics. So that the nozzle replacement intervals are as long as possible, it is particularly advantageous if these plastics are characterized in that the adhesion of the adhesive to this plastic is as poor as possible. Replaceable adhesive outlet nozzles made of polyethylene or polypropylene have proven to be particularly suitable. Polyethylene and polypropylene nozzles can also be produced in a simple manner and are particularly cost-effective. The bores are preferably such that they have only a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the corresponding replaceable adhesive outlet nozzles, so that the adhesive outlet nozzles can indeed be replaced well, but without further Retainers remain in the hole and do not accidentally fall out or slip out.

It is also possible that the nozzle is closable. The closing mechanism is controlled in particular by a computer. Thus, it is also possible to selectively target individual such closing means and so targeted to close individual adhesive outlet nozzles. This is particularly important when it is specifically intended not to coat certain portions of the adherend sheet substrate with adhesive. This may be required, for example, when the substrate to be joined is smaller than the substrate to be bonded. Furthermore, this is important in substrates to be bonded, which have openings, as they occur, for example, in doors with recesses for glass parts. This possibility makes it possible to greatly reduce the amount of adhesive. Through the use of computer controls in the closing of the adhesive outlet nozzles and optionally in aligning the gas outlet nozzles and / or the adhesive outlet nozzles allows to allow very complex coating pattern of the adhesive on the substrate to be bonded and greatly increases the potential applications of these adhesive application devices.

Adhesives with a viscous or viscoelastic consistency can be used in particular as adhesives.

If the adhesives have too low a viscosity, they tend to flow over the edges of the substrate to be bonded. This results in high amounts of waste and makes it impossible to obtain an adhesive layer thickness in the usual desired thickness of more than 0.1 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 1 mm, than.

However, if the viscosity is too high, problems arise in promoting and achieving a homogeneous adhesive distribution.

An optimal adhesive should therefore preferably be spread by hand spatula at the application temperature. Typically, the adhesive has a viscosity of 0.5 to 5 Pas at the application temperature.

The adhesive can be, for example, a one-component or two-component aqueous dispersion adhesive. Preferably, such a dispersion adhesive is an aqueous polyurethane and / or acyl latex dispersion adhesive and is preferably a highly filled, i. with a filler content of more than 70 wt .-%, in particular more than 80 wt .-%.

The adhesive may be, for example, a non-reactive or reactive hotmelt adhesive. Such adhesives are available, for example, from Sika Automotive GmbH under the trade name SikaMelt®. In this case, it may be advantageous to heat the device and / or supply lines.

Particularly preferred are reactive, room-temperature-curing adhesives, in particular two-component adhesives.

Two-component epoxy adhesives and two-component polyurethane adhesives are particularly suitable as room-temperature-curing two-component adhesives.

Such two-component adhesives are well known to the person skilled in the art and are available, for example, from Sika Denmark A / S under the trade name SikaForce®.

Another preferred class of adhesives is one-part moisture-curing polyurethane adhesives based on isocyanate-containing polymers. For example, such adhesives are available under the trade name Sikaflex® from Sika Schweiz AG or under the trade name SikaForce® from Sika Denmark A / S.

The adhesive outlet nozzles and gas outlet nozzles are oriented such that the outflow direction axis of the adhesive outlet nozzles and the outflow direction axis of the gas outlet nozzle describe an acute angle α.

This acute angle α preferably has a value between 70 ° and 2 °, in particular between 5 ° and 45 °, preferably between 10 ° and 30 ° C, on. With these acute angles, homogenization of the adhesive application is particularly efficient.

If there are several gas outlet nozzles, each gas outlet nozzle or each group of gas outlet nozzles can be oriented differently and have different acute angles. Depending on the speed of movement and the adhesive viscosity, it may be particularly useful that the gas outlet nozzles located on different sides of the adhesive outlet nozzles are oriented differently, so that the outflow direction axis of the adhesive outlet nozzles and the outflow direction axis of the respective gas outlet nozzles have a different acute angle α describe.

In a further embodiment, the gas outlet nozzles are movable, in particular pivotable, formed. This can be realized, for example, by a cylinder rotatably mounted in the device, which has a slot.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the gas outlet nozzles, both individual or all, are automatically aligned by suitable means of movement, for example by a computer or motors, and thus the angles α can be set. In addition, it is also possible that the orientation of the gas outlet nozzles, and thus the acute angle α is varied during the adhesive application.

In this way, for example, even more complex substrate surfaces, in particular deformed or curved substrate surfaces, can be homogeneously coated homogeneously with adhesive.

The adhesive distribution housing has at least a plurality of adhesive outlet nozzles and at least one adhesive inlet opening. Preferably, an adhesive inlet opening is provided, which is preferably arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal extent of the elongated adhesive distributor housing. But it is also possible that a plurality of inlet openings are present. If this is the case, it is particularly advantageous if they are evenly distributed over the longitudinal extent of the adhesive distribution housing.

In order to distribute over the entire length of the adhesive-Verteilgehäuses, and thus the most uniform amount of adhesive through the adhesive outlet nozzles, it is advantageous if the adhesive-Verteilgehäuse an adhesive-Verteilgehäuse interior, especially in combination with a manifold plate with a plurality of Through openings, has. In order to keep the distributor plate in the correct position, it is advantageous if depressions are present in the adhesive distributor housing interior. The size, arrangement and number of through holes must be adapted to the application parameters, in particular material flow, delivery pressure or application speed, as well as the viscosity of the adhesive.

In order to facilitate the simplest possible cleaning of the interior, it is advantageous if the interior is lined. For this purpose, suitable lining elements, in particular plastic extrusion parts or formed parts, can be produced in a simple manner. These may be foils or trays. In the adhesive distributor housing interior, holding means, in particular recesses or shoulders, are preferably provided therefor, which serve to hold the lining elements in their desired position. If necessary, these lining elements can be easily removed and replaced.

In order to ensure easy maintenance of the device, it is advantageous if the gas outlet nozzle (s), or gas nozzle housing, are detachably connected to the adhesive distribution housing. This connection is made in particular by screws. Furthermore, it is preferred if the adhesive distribution housing is designed in several pieces, in particular in such a way that the adhesive distribution housing is constructed of a plurality of adhesive distribution sub-housings which are detachably connected to each other. For connecting the adhesive distribution sub-housing screws are also preferred as connecting means.

The gas outlet nozzle is in communication with the gas inlet opening. Depending on requirements, a gas inlet opening can feed only one or more gas outlet nozzles with gas. It is preferred that at least each gas nozzle housing has its own gas inlet opening. If a gas outlet nozzle has an elongate shape, in particular with an outlet opening area having a length-to-width ratio of more than 10, in particular from 100 to 4000, preferably between 1000 and 3000, it is advantageous for the nozzle to have two or more gas inlet openings , Several gas inlet openings are preferably distributed over the length of the gas outlet nozzle.

The adhesive distribution housing and the gas outlet nozzle (s), or gas nozzle housing, are advantageously made of a metal or plastic. Particularly suitable metals are aluminum and its alloys. Plastics which are particularly suitable as plastic are plastics which can be well processed by injection molding or are easy to mill, in particular CNC-milled. The device, in particular the adhesive distribution housing and the gas outlet nozzle (s), or gas nozzle housing, can be produced mainly by injection molding, extrusion or milling, possibly followed by conventional processing steps, such as drilling.

Adhesive and gas are typically supplied via supply lines which have an adhesive supply channel or gas supply channel having the adhesive inlet opening or gas inlet opening. Typicherweise such leads are pipes or hoses, which are preferably connected with screw. Adhesives and gas are typically supplied via pumps from a reservoir of the device.

If the adhesive is a two-component or multi-component adhesive, it is advantageous for a mixer, in particular a static mixer, to be present in the adhesive supply channel which is connected to the adhesive inlet opening. In the mixer or upstream in the flow direction, the two or more adhesive components are supplied.

• i) ein Klebstoff einer vorgängig beschriebenen Vorrichtung über die mindestens eine Klebstoff-Einlassöffnung zugeführt wird und durch die Mehrzahl von Klebstoff-Austrittsdüsen aus der Vorrichtung austritt und auf eine Substratoberfläche aufgebracht wird; sowie
• ii) ein Gas einer vorgängig beschriebenen Vorrichtung über die mindestens eine Gaseintrittsöffnung zugeführt wird, durch die mindestens eine Gasaustrittsdüse aus der Vorrichtung austritt und den Klebstoff anströmt.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for applying and distributing an adhesive, in which

• i) an adhesive of a previously described device is supplied via the at least one adhesive inlet opening and exits the device through the plurality of adhesive outlet nozzles and is applied to a substrate surface; such as
• ii) a gas is supplied to a previously described device via the at least one gas inlet opening through which at least one gas outlet nozzle emerges from the device and flows against the adhesive.

In this method, it is advantageous that the device for adhesive application is moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distribution housing at a distance x ₁ between the adhesive distribution housing and substrate surface over the substrate surface. The movement preferably takes place by machine, in particular by a robot or a computer-assisted system.

As a substrate, basically all flat substrates are suitable. In particular, platy substrates, preferably panels, are particularly suitable for this process.
After the adhesive has been applied, contact takes place within the open time of the adhesive with a joining part to be bonded so that an adhesive bond is produced after the adhesive has cured.

In the device described above or the method described above can thus be used for bonding flat substrates, in particular of panels.

It is particularly suitable for the bonding of door panels and for sandwich panel bonding.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following selected embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the figures, the same reference numerals designate the same or functionally identical components, unless indicated otherwise. The directions of movements, or flow directions of media, are indicated by block arrows.

Fig. 1a

eine schematische Querschnitt-Darstellung durch eine Vorrichtung 1, bei welcher die Gasaustrittsdüse mit dem Klebstofif-Verteilgehäuse verbunden ist;

Fig. 1b

eine schematische Ansicht der Unterseite einer Vorrichtung 1 mit in einer Reihe angeordneten Klebstoff-Austrittsdüsen;

Fig. 1c

eine schematische Ansicht der Unterseite einer Vorrichtung 1 mit in zwei Reihen angeordneten Klebstoff-Austrittsdüsen;

Fig. 2a

eine schematische Querschnitt-Darstellung durch eine Vorrichtung 1, bei welcher die Gasaustrittsdüse Teil des Klebstoff-Verteilgehäuses ist;

Fig. 2b

eine schematische Ansicht der Unterseite einer Vorrichtung 1 mit in einer Reihe angeordneten Klebstoff-Austrittsdüsen;

Fig. 3a

eine schematische Querschnitt-Darstellung entlang der Linie AA von Fig.3b, bzw. Fig.3c, durch eine besonders geeignete Vorrichtung 1, bei welcher die Gasaustrittsdüse mit dem Kiebstoff-Verteilgehäuse verbunden ist;

Fig. 3b

eine schematische Ansicht der Oberseite einer Vorrichtung 1;

Fig. 3c

eine schematische Längsseitenansicht einer Vorrichtung 1;

Fig. 4a

eine schematische Querschnitt-Darstellung durch eine besonders geeignete Vorrichtung 1, mit beweglichen Gasaustrittsdüsen 8;

Fig. 4b

eine schematische Ansicht der Unterseite einer Vorrichtung 1 mit beweglichen Gasaustrittsdüsen 8;

Fig. 5a

eine schematische perspektivische Querschnittsansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung beim Auftragen eines Klebstoffes auf ein flächiges Substrat;

Fig. 5b

eine schematische perspektivische Querschnittsansicht einer nicht-erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung beim Auftragen eines Klebstoffes auf ein flächiges Substrat.

It shows:

Fig. 1a

a schematic cross-sectional view through a device 1, wherein the gas outlet nozzle is connected to the adhesive-dispensing housing;

Fig. 1b

a schematic view of the underside of a device 1 with arranged in a row adhesive outlet nozzles;

Fig. 1c

a schematic view of the underside of a device 1 with arranged in two rows adhesive outlet nozzles;

Fig. 2a

a schematic cross-sectional view through a device 1, wherein the gas outlet nozzle is part of the adhesive distribution housing;

Fig. 2b

a schematic view of the underside of a device 1 with arranged in a row adhesive outlet nozzles;

Fig. 3a

a schematic cross-sectional view along the line AA of 3b , respectively. 3 c by a particularly suitable device 1, in which the gas outlet nozzle is connected to the Kiebstoff distribution housing;

Fig. 3b

a schematic view of the top of a device 1;

Fig. 3c

a schematic longitudinal side view of a device 1;

Fig. 4a

a schematic cross-sectional view through a particularly suitable device 1, with movable gas outlet nozzles 8;

Fig. 4b

a schematic view of the underside of a device 1 with movable gas outlet nozzles 8;

Fig. 5a

a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive device when applying an adhesive to a flat substrate;

Fig. 5b

a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a non-inventive device when applying an adhesive to a flat substrate.

Ways to carry out the invention

The Figures 1a, 1b and 1c show different schematic views and a cross section through an embodiment of the device 1 for adhesive application, wherein the gas outlet nozzle is connected to the adhesive-dispensing housing.

FIG. 1a shows in cross section a device 1 with an adhesive distribution housing 2 with an adhesive inlet port 4 and adhesive outlet nozzles 3, which are arranged on the opposite side of the adhesive inlet opening (top 25, and bottom 26 of the device 1). The adhesive 6 is supplied to the device through the adhesive inlet port and flows out of the device after passing through the adhesive dispenser housing interior 16 through the adhesive outlet nozzles 3. Further, two gas nozzle housings 12 are connected to the adhesive dispenser housing 2, one each Have gas inlet opening 7. The gas outlet nozzles 8 are formed by a gap 14, which is formed by joining at least one gas nozzle housing 12 to the adhesive distributor housing 2. Here, the gas nozzle housing in the region of the nozzle has a recess 13, so that a gap 14 between the adhesive distributor housing and the nozzle housing forms, which acts as a gas outlet nozzle. The gas 10 is supplied to the device through the gas inlet opening 7 and flows out of the device after passing through the gas nozzle housing interior through the gas outlet nozzles 8. Thus, the gas inlet opening 7 and gas outlet nozzle 8 communicate with each other. The outflow direction axis 5 of the adhesive outlet nozzles 3 and the outflow direction axis 9 of the gas outlet nozzle 8 describe here an acute angle α, that is, the flow of adhesive 6 and gas 10 meet below the device at an acute angle to each other.

Fig. 1b shows a schematic view of the bottom 26, that is, the side on which the adhesive outlet nozzles 3 are arranged, the embodiment of a device 1, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 has been described. The adhesive outlet nozzles 3 are in this case arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing 2 in a row.

Fig. 1c shows one to Fig. 1b similar view of an embodiment in which the adhesive outlet nozzles 3 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distribution housing 2 in two parallel and laterally offset rows.

Fig. 2a and Fig.2b show a schematic longitudinal side view and a cross section through one of Fig. 1a and 1b corresponding embodiment of a device 1 for adhesive application, in which, however, the gas outlet nozzle is part of the adhesive distribution housing.

The Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show different schematic views and a cross section through a preferred embodiment of an apparatus 1 for adhesive application, wherein the gas outlet nozzle is connected to the adhesive-dispensing housing.

The adhesive dispensing housing 2 has an adhesive inlet opening 4, which is connected to an adhesive supply channel 21. This adhesive inlet opening is centrally mounted on the top 25 of the adhesive dispensing sub-housing, or device. In this adhesive supply channel, a mixer 20 is present. Particularly suitable as a mixer is a static mixer which mixes and supplies the two components of an adhesive (not shown in this illustration) to the device.

In the embodiment shown here, the adhesive distribution housing 2 has two adhesive distribution sub-housings 2 a and 2 b, which are screwed together by means of screws 24. In the adhesive distribution housing interior 16, a distributor plate 18 with a plurality of through holes 19 is present. This distributor plate is in particular made of a plastic, preferably of a plastic, on which the adhesive is worse Adhesion, preferably polyolefin or Teflon®. In order to ensure easy maintenance, the two adhesive distribution sub-housings 2a and 2b at the contact edge to the interior 16 through a recess to position the distributor plate and to fix.

On the underside 26 of the device 1 are two parallel, laterally offset, and running in the longitudinal direction of the device rows of adhesive outlet nozzles 3 is present. The adhesive outlet nozzles 3 are realized in the particularly advantageous embodiment shown here by interchangeable removable adhesive outlet nozzles 17, which are shown for clarity again in the separate circled cross-sectional view of the right main figure. The adhesive outlet nozzles 17 are advantageously made of a polyolefin, in particular of polyethylene or polypropylene. The replaceable removable adhesive outlet nozzles 17 are recessed in bores 15 which are provided in the adhesive manifold housing on the underside 26 of the device. These holes are sized in diameter so that the adhesive outlet nozzles 17 sit tight, i. that they are easily removable, but that they can not accidentally fall out of the holes or slip.

The gas outlet nozzles 8 are each formed by a gap 14, which is formed by the joining of the two gas nozzle housing 12 to the adhesive distribution housing 2. In this case, the gas nozzle housing in the region of the nozzle has a recess 13, so that a gap 14 between adhesive distributor housing and nozzle housing forms, which acts as a gas outlet nozzle. The gas nozzle housings are bolted to the intermediate adhesive manifold housing 2 by means of screws from the longitudinal side surfaces 27 of the gas nozzle housings, or device.

At each nozzle housing two gas inlet openings 7 are present, to which a gas supply, or gas supply channel 22, are attached. The outflow direction axis 5 of the adhesive outlet nozzles 3 and the outflow direction axis 9 of the gas outlet nozzle 8 each describe an acute angle α.

Fig. 3b shows a schematic view of the top of the device just described. 1

Fig. 3c shows a schematic side view in the longitudinal direction of a device. 1

Fig. 3a shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the line AA of 3b respectively. 3 c by a device 1.

FIG. 4a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a device 1 with movable gas outlet nozzle 8. The selection of the cross section corresponds to that of Fig. 3a , The movable gas outlet nozzles 8 are realized in the embodiment shown here in the form of pivotable gas outlet nozzles 8a. On the underside 26 of the device, gas nozzle housing 12 and adhesive distributor housing 2, or 2b, a recess in which a rotatable cylinder 30 is inserted with a narrow incision, which acts as a gas outlet nozzle.

In the illustration shown here, it can be seen that the magnitude of the acute angle α between outflow direction axis 5 of the adhesive outlet nozzles 3 and the outflow direction axis 9 of the pivotable gas outlet nozzle 8a can be easily varied by rotating the cylinder. The existing on the left side of the illustration pivotable gas discharge nozzle 8a describes a relatively large acute angle α _1, whereas the existing on the right side of the illustration pivotable gas discharge nozzle 8a describes a relatively small acute angle α. ₂ The angle α, and α ₁ and α _2, the individual pivotable nozzles may be set differently and during application, or to change during the application.

Fig. 4b shows the bottom 26 of the just below Fig. 4a The movement of the cylinder 30 can be done manually or automatically. In particular, such an automatic movement is possible by, for example, as in Fig. 4b shown, at least one end of the cylinder, a gear 29 is present, which can be rotated by a motor. Such a movement device is advantageously installed in the end face surfaces 28 of the device. The end face may be screwed to the adhesive distribution housing and / or gas nozzle housing in particular.

In another variant, not shown here, the movable or pivotable, gas outlet nozzle is not realized in the form of a slot extending over the greater part of the length of the device but in the form of a plurality of smaller individually or together movable or pivotable, gas outlet nozzles. This plurality of gas nozzles may optionally be moved individually or in groups, or pivoted.

FIG. 5a shows a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive device, in particular one in detail already in Fig. 3a 3b and 3c described device 1, when applying and distributing an adhesive on a flat substrate. The device 1 is moved parallel to the substrate surface at a distance x ₁ . Here, the adhesive 6 is supplied through the adhesive supply channel of the device 1, pressed through the distributor plate 18 in the interior of the adhesive-Verteilgehäuse-interior 16 through the individual adhesive-discharge nozzles and applied to the surface of the substrate. The gas 10 is supplied via the gas supply channel 22 and gas inlet opening 7 of the device 1, more precisely the gas nozzle housing 12, and directed under pressure via the gas outlet nozzle 8 on the adhesive out. Through the interaction of gas flow and adhesive flow, the adhesive is swirled and forms a uniform surface adhesive application. Due to the lateral displacement of the two rows of adhesive discharge nozzles, the adhesive front is slightly wavy.

Fig. 5b On the other hand, a corresponding schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a non-inventive device 1 'when applying an adhesive to a flat substrate. The device 1 'is moved parallel to the substrate surface at a distance x ₁ '. Due to the absence of the gas outlet nozzles, the adhesive application is very inhomogeneous distributed on the substrate surface 23.

Of course, the embodiments according to the Fig. 1a to 5a be combined with each other as desired.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the preceding figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

Adhesive distribution housing

2a, 2b

Adhesive-dispensing housing part

3

Adhesive discharge nozzles

4

Adhesive Einlassöfifnung

5

Outflow direction axis of the adhesive outlet nozzle 3

6

adhesive

7

Gas inlet opening

8th

gas discharge nozzle

8a, 8b

swiveling gas outlet nozzle

9

Outflow direction axis of the gas outlet nozzle. 8

10

gas

11

gap

12

Gas nozzle housing

13

recess

14

gap

15

drilling

16

Adhesive distribution housing interior

17

replaceable adhesive outlet nozzles

18

distribution plate

19

Through opening

20

Mixer, static mixer

21

Adhesive supply channel

22

Gas supply channel

23

substrate surface

24

screw

25

Top of the device 1

26

Bottom of the device 1

27

Longitudinal side surface of the device 1

28

End face of the device

29

gear

30

rotatable cylinder

α, α ₁ , α ₂

Angle between axes 5 and 9

x ₁

Distance between adhesive distributor housing 2 and substrate surface 23

1'

Device according to the prior art

2 '

Distribution box according to the prior art

3 '

Adhesive outlet nozzles according to the prior art

x ₁ '

Distance between adhesive distributor housing 2 'and substrate surface 23

Claims (15)

An adhesive application apparatus (1) comprising an elongated adhesive dispensing housing (2) having a plurality of adhesive dispensing nozzles (3) spaced at intervals on one side of the adhesive dispensing housing, and at least one adhesive inlet opening (4),
characterized in that the device further comprises at least one gas inlet opening (7) and at least one arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distribution housing gas outlet nozzle (8), which is part of the adhesive distribution housing or is connected thereto, and which is in communication with the gas inlet opening in which the outflow direction axis (5) of the adhesive outlet nozzles (3) and the outflow direction axis (9) of the gas outlet nozzle describe an acute angle (α). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas is nitrogen or air, in particular dried air. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality of adhesive outlet nozzles (3) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing (2), in particular in at least two rows parallel to each other. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas outlet nozzle (8) by a gap (14), which is formed by the joining of at least one gas nozzle housing (12) to the adhesive-Verteilgehäuses (2), wherein the gas nozzle housing in the region Nozzle has a recess (13), so that a gap (14) between the adhesive distributor housing and gas nozzle housing forms, which acts as a gas outlet nozzle (8). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acute angle (α) has a value between 70 ° and 2 °, in particular between 5 ° and 45 °, preferably between 10 ° and 30 ° C. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least two gas outlet nozzles (8) which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive distributor housing on different sides of the adhesive outlet nozzles (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the adhesive distributor housing a plurality of bores (15) are present, in which interchangeable removable adhesive outlet nozzles (17) are arranged embedded. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further in the adhesive-Verteilgehäuse interior (16), in which a distributor plate (18) having a plurality of through holes (19) are present. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mixer (20), in particular a static mixer (20), in an adhesive supply channel (21) which is connected to the adhesive inlet opening (4) is present. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas outlet nozzle (8) is designed to be movable. Method for applying and distributing an adhesive, in which i) an adhesive (6) is supplied to a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 via the at least one adhesive inlet opening (4) and exits the device through the plurality of adhesive outlet nozzles (3) and onto a substrate surface (23) is applied; such as ii) a gas (10) of a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 via the at least one gas inlet opening (7) is supplied through the at least one gas outlet nozzle (8) emerges from the device and the adhesive (6) flows against. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the adhesive-Verteilgehäuses at a distance (x ₁ ) between the adhesive distribution housing (2) and substrate surface (23) over the substrate surface (23) is moved. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the adhesive (6) is a two-component adhesive. A method according to claim 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that the adhesive (6) is a polyurethane adhesive. Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 10 or a method according to one of claims 11 to 14 for bonding flat substrates, in particular panels.

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