REPAIR NOZZLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a repair nozzle for dispensing viscous materials that can be used in the automotive sector from a container comprising said materials, by means of an associated dispensing gun having a proximal product feed end comprising means for detachably fastening the repair nozzle onto the container and at least one seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container.

Description

The present invention relates to a nozzle for producing, in particular for reproducing and recreating and restoring, material beads, in particular of adhesives and/or sealants having different surface structures, in the automotive sector.

In automotive sector mass production, such beads are applied automatically by application robots. The beads serve to adhesively bond sheet metal parts or as insulation against noise or temperature influences, or are used as sealing. The application nozzles or robot nozzles used are as a rule fabricated from metal and must have long service lives, to prevent failure of the application robot due to a defective application nozzle during mass production. Subsequent application of adhesives and/or sealants, for example to reproduce or recreate such a structure in the automotive sector, in particular after an accident, is not possible with the known mode of application using an application nozzle. The aftermarket, in particular most auto shops, do not have a requisite application robot at their disposal. In addition, even purchasing a specific application nozzle for that use is not sensible for the aftermarket, in particular the repair market, due to the high cost of the application nozzle.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a nozzle, for the aftermarket and in particular for the repair market, for dispensing viscous materials in the automotive sector in order to reproduce or restore structures created by mass production

This invention is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated by the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the invention is to use a repair nozzle to dispense viscous materials usable in the automotive sector from a container, such as e.g. a cartridge or a tubular pouch or film pouch, containing the viscous material, by means of an associated dispensing gun. The repair nozzle comprises a proximal product feed end which comprises means for detachably fastening the repair nozzle onto the container, and at least one seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container.

The viscous materials used can be, in particular, adhesives and/or sealants and/or noise- and/or vibration-damping materials known in particular in the aftermarket and/or in mass production in the automotive sector, which can be viscous or highly viscous or even pasty. These materials are contained in containers. Conceivable as containers that are used are, in particular, known cartridges that can be made up, for example, of a plastic material or of aluminum. The cartridges usually comprise a cylindrical body, a movable piston being provided at one end for extruding the adhesive and/or sealant contained in the cartridge, and an outlet opening being provided at the opposite end for dispensing of the viscous material. The piston is displaced inside the cartridge by impingement of a force, so that the viscous material can be dispensed. The general term “container” is of course also to be understood to embrace the use of similar suitable containers known to one skilled in the art, in particular the use of known film pouches and/or tubular pouches.

Dispensing guns suitable for use are, in particular, cartridge guns. It is preferred to use pneumatically operating guns, in which the viscous material can be dispensed from the container via a nozzle by means of a pneumatic system. These guns are particularly suitable for use with a repair nozzle according to the invention since compressed air is available in most auto shops, thereby making low-effort dispensing of the viscous material possible for the user. It is particularly suitable to use a special compressed-air gun for ejecting viscous to low-viscosity material, as described in International patent application PCT/EP2006/004600. With regard to the aspects relating to the cartridge gun, reference may be made to the stated citation, the disclosure content of which in this respect supplements the disclosure of the present patent application. Also conceivable is the use of entirely mechanically acting guns known to one skilled in the art. These are suitable, for example, for use in areas in which compressed air is not available. The use of pneumatically acting cartridge guns is, however, preferred, since in the automotive sector in particular, highly viscous materials such as e.g. adhesives and/or sealants are often applied, so that the use of special pneumatic guns that can generate higher extrusion pressures than purely mechanically acting guns is particularly suitable.

The repair nozzle is preferably fabricated from plastic. The repair nozzle is preferably a disposable product. The nozzle is therefore disposed of after dispensing of the viscous material. No provision is made in this case for cleaning of the nozzle, so that working time can be reduced and further adjuvants and cleaning substances for removing material residues can be omitted. The means for detachably fastening the nozzle onto the container are preferably provided at the proximal product feed end. This can be, in particular, a threaded region that can be brought into engagement with a corresponding threaded region of the container in order to fasten the nozzle onto the cartridge. When the repair nozzle is used with a film pouch and/or tubular pouch as a container for the viscous material, suitable adapters or attachments known in the existing art, which comprise a region that enables detachable fastening of the nozzle using the means recited above, are preferably utilized. In the context of use of a nozzle having a threaded region, an adapter that comprises a corresponding threaded region is especially conceivable.

In addition, a projecting collar can be provided in the region of the proximal product feed end for bracing the repair nozzle against the container. When a force acts on the repair nozzle, for example upon placement of the repair nozzle onto a substrate in order to discharge the viscous material, the repair nozzle is braced against the container by the projecting collar so that, in particular, damage to the repair nozzle and/or the container and/or loosening of the repair nozzle that is fastened on the container, resulting from the force acting on the repair nozzle, can be avoided. With some dispensing guns the collar can furthermore serve to brace the repair nozzle against the dispensing gun. For this, the repair nozzle is connected to the container by way of said connecting means, and placed into the dispensing gun together with the container. The repair nozzle preferably projects at least with its distal end out of an opening of the dispensing gun. The opening is dimensioned such that the collar of the repair nozzle can be braced at the proximal end against the parts of the dispensing gun delimiting the opening. The opening is therefore preferably smaller than the collar of the repair nozzle. When pressure is then applied via the dispensing gun onto the container in order to dispense the viscous material from the container, the latter along with the repair nozzle is pressed in the direction of the distal product dispensing end of the repair nozzle. The projecting collar of the repair nozzle causes a bracing of the repair nozzle against the cartridge gun to occur, so that displacement of the cartridge along with the nozzle is prevented, and the viscous material can be dispensed via the repair nozzle.

The repair nozzle furthermore comprises at least one seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container. With this seal element it is possible, in particular, to ensure that upon dispensing of material via the repair nozzle, no material that is to be dispensed emerges between the repair nozzle and the container, in particular in the region of the detachable fastening between the two components. The use of at least one such seal element is necessary in particular because of the materials to be dispensed. These materials, in particular adhesives, sealants, and/or noise- and/or vibration-damping materials, are usually viscous and/or highly viscous. Dispensing of the materials via the nozzle occurs with application of a great deal of force and/or pressure, so that even very small interstices between the repair nozzle and the container could result in undesired emergence of material. This material that has emerged can no longer be used as intended and can contaminate and/or endanger the dispensing gun, the work environment, or the user him- or herself. An undesired emergence of material of this kind could also result in a pressure loss in the nozzle that can negatively affect, in particular, the application result, i.e. the formation of the discharged bead.

Suitable in particular as a seal element is use of a sealing ring that is provided at the proximal end of the repair nozzle and, upon fastening on the repair nozzle onto the container, comes into contact with the container in such a way that sealing is enabled. Further approaches are, of course, also possible. In particular, alternatively or additionally, the means for detachable fastening can act as a seal element and contain a sealing function. The aforementioned use of a threaded region as a means for detachable fastening is especially conceivable in this context. A sealing function can already be achieved within the thread itself by means of a precise configuration of the thread turns and accurate adaptation to the corresponding thread of the container, in particular with the smallest possible tolerances. The fastened connection between the repair nozzle and the container is thus self-sealing because of the precise configuration, by the fact that the thread region of the repair nozzle is configured such that upon installation of the repair nozzle on a container, the thread turns rest closely against the flanks of the corresponding thread of the container. Any emergence of material to be dispensed can thus be prevented. Penetration of material into the thread, which would complicate unfastening of the repair nozzle from the container, can furthermore be prevented. Undesired wastage of material, and contamination of the working means and/or the work environment and/or the user him- or herself can be avoided by way of the sealing capability.

The use of a repair nozzle according to the invention brings many advantages. In particular, surface structures that have been produced automatically in the context of mass production in the automotive sector can be reproduced or recreated by auto shops, for example in the event of repair, in the aftermarket and in particular in the repair market. Accident damage to such surface structures can in particular be repaired in this fashion. The use of an application robot, which is necessary in mass production for discharging the viscous material, for example an adhesive and/or sealant, to produce the structures, can be omitted. By using a repair nozzle according to the invention, viscous materials used as standard in the automotive sector and applied automatically in mass production can thus be applied subsequently, in particular in the aftermarket, for example in auto shops, in particular in the event of repair.

A further advantage is that the repair nozzle is equipped with a slit-shaped terminating opening at a distal product dispensing end in order to dispense a material bead. This slit-shaped terminating opening has proven to be particularly advantageous for applying wide beads, the substrate being coated over a wide area with the material to be dispensed. Depending on the selection of the material to be dispensed, an outstanding adhesive and/or sealing effect and/or noise- and/or vibration-damping effect, in particular, can thus be obtained. The repair nozzle is preferably used to dispense viscous materials onto substrates that do not have any large gap dimensions, so that the use of a slit-shaped terminating opening is particularly suitable. The beads applied via the repair nozzle according to the present invention in the automotive sector serve in particular for adhesive bonding of sheet-metal parts, as insulation against acoustic or temperature influences, or as sealing. The material bead is relatively wide in relation to its height because of the slit-shaped terminating opening. The bead is a rippled flat bead of well-defined dimensions, i.e. the width and/or height and/or appearance of the bead correspond to the design of the adhesive and/or sealant bead of the original equipment manufacturer, which has hitherto been achieved exclusively via robot application. With the material bead dispensed by way of the repair nozzle there is furthermore no overspray. The user thus obtains a material bead having sharp rather than ragged edges. In addition, the slit-shaped terminating opening can be used to provide a material surface that exhibits a continuous film and thus provides an improved adhesive bond resp. seal.

Further advantages are obtained by the use of a robot nozzle that comprises a seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container, in combination with a slit-shaped terminating opening. The slit-shaped terminating opening causes an increase in the pressure in the interior of the nozzle as compared with a conventional nozzle opening, which encompasses a substantially larger terminating area and, for the same force and/or applied pressure, permits a larger volumetric flow of material to be dispensed. It is therefore particularly useful and advantageous to equip the repair nozzle with one or more seal elements when a repair nozzle having a slit-shaped terminating opening is used, since because of the high internal pressures of the repair nozzle, even very small defects or interstices can result in improper material discharge.

It has proven particularly advantageous to use a seal element at the proximal product feed end in the region of a product feed opening of the repair nozzle, the seal element being configured as a sealing lip ring extending in a proximal direction. The sealing lip ring preferably extends annularly around the product feed opening. Because it extends proximally, the sealing lip ring projects toward the container upon fastening of the repair nozzle onto a container. The sealing lip ring preferably extends in such a way that it comes into contact with the container when the repair nozzle is fastened on, and thus brings about sealing between the repair nozzle and container.

A further advantage is the configuration of the repair nozzle with a jacket region that preferably surrounds a product conduit for transporting the material from the product feed end to the product dispensing end, protruding ribs being provided on the jacket region at least in the region of the fastening means in order to reinforce the fastening means and/or to facilitate fastening of the repair nozzle on the container. The use of ribs on the jacket surface is advantageous especially when a repair nozzle having a threaded region is used. The ribs make possible a reinforcement of the threaded region by preventing deformation of the thread and providing a stiffening capability for the repair nozzle. Destruction of the thread, in particular when force is applied onto the repair nozzle during material application, can be avoided. When the thread is configured as a seal element, the ribs additionally enhance the sealing function as a result of stiffening. No deformation of the thread occurs even when a large amount of force and/or pressure is applied, so that a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and container in the assembled state can be guaranteed. A further advantage of the ribs is to facilitate fastening of the repair nozzle onto a container. The ribs offer a good grasping capability for the user in order to fasten the repair nozzle, for example by twisting the latter when a thread is used as a connecting technology.

A further advantage is the formation of a guide projection on the jacket region, in particular in order to facilitate a guidance capability of the repair nozzle along an edge upon dispensing of the material. The guide projection is preferably provided at the distal output end of the repair nozzle. The projection can, in this context, be integrally formed onto the nozzle. When a repair nozzle having a slit-shaped terminating opening is used, the guide projection can furthermore be utilized by the user to detect the orientation of the slit when fastening the repair nozzle onto a container. A view of the slit-shaped terminating opening is no longer necessary.

A further advantage is the formation of a collar at the proximal product feed end in order to brace the repair nozzle against the container. The use of such a collar allows, in particular, forces acting on the repair nozzle to be transferred onto the container, and damage to the repair nozzle to be avoided.

A further advantage is the beveled configuration of the region delimiting the product feed opening at the proximal end of the repair nozzle, in order to enable simple assembly of the repair nozzle with a container. It is conceivable here to equip the inner wall, delimiting the product feed opening, of the jacket surface with a bevel, in such a way that a funnel shape open in a proximal direction is provided in the region of the product feed opening in order to facilitate introduction of the container into the product feed opening.

A further advantage in the context of use of a repair nozzle is the fact that the latter is equipped with a product conduit in order to transport, from the product feed end to the product dispensing end, the material to be dispensed; and with an end cap that comprises the slit-shaped terminating opening and is integrally formed onto the product dispensing end, which cap is convex in the distal direction of the nozzle. This shape has proven to be particularly advantageous. The product conduit preferably tapers from the proximal product feed end toward the distal product dispensing end in order to increase the flow velocity of the material within the product conduit. A slight taper is also suitable for compensating for the drop in the pressure of the material due to friction against the internal walls of the product conduit. Equipping the repair nozzle with an end cap convex in the direction of the distal product dispensing end allows particularly simple production of the repair nozzle. In particular, unmolding of repair nozzles made from plastic using the injection molding process is substantially simplified by a convex end cap. In addition, a repair nozzle having a convex end cap exhibits outstanding flow characteristics, so that the pressure drop of the material in the repair nozzle can be reduced. This nozzle shape is particularly suitable for applications in which no size adaptation of the material bead has to be made. For example, a special repair nozzle is used, which can be equipped with a slit-shaped terminating opening prefabricated for the material to be dispensed and/or for a specific utilization instance. A repair nozzle of this kind can provide the user in every case with the correct terminating opening for the material to be dispensed and/or utilization instance, so that errors can be avoided.

A further advantage of using a convex end cap at the distal product dispensing end is provision of the slit-shaped terminating opening over a convexity summit of the convex end cap. The “convexity summit” is to be understood here as that point on the convex end cap at which the end cap projects farthest in the distal direction of the repair nozzle. Extension of the slit-shaped terminating opening over the convexity summit is particularly advantageous from the point of view of flow engineering. When the material is dispensed, it is also locally discharged sideways due to the convexity of the slit-shaped terminating opening, so that the user obtains a material bead that is wider than the diameter only of the repair nozzle in the region of the distal product dispensing end without the convex end cap.

As an alternative to equipping the repair nozzle with a convex end cap, the repair nozzle can also be provided with a product conduit for transporting the material from the product feed end to the product dispensing end; and with a jacket region that comprises the slit-shaped terminating opening and extends trapezoidally in a distal direction, the base of the trapezoidal jacket region being arranged at the distal product dispensing end. The repair nozzle can be divided into two regions, such that in the proximal region of the repair nozzle a first region can comprise a product conduit tapering slightly in a distal direction, which can be adjoined in the distal region of the repair nozzle by the trapezoidal jacket region. The taper of the product conduit once again causes an increase in the flow velocity of the material inside the product conduit and/or compensates for a drop in the pressure of the material due to friction against the internal walls of the product conduit. The trapezoidally configured jacket region is preferably hollow at the distal product dispensing end, so that the base of the trapezoidal jacket region at the distal product dispensing end forms the slit-shaped terminating opening. The slit-shaped terminating opening can of course also be constituted by only parts of the base. With a jacket region of this configuration, repair nozzles having particularly wide slit-shaped terminating openings can be manufactured so that very wide material beads can be discharged. The trapezoidal configuration of the jacket region has further advantages. It is conceivable for the trapezoidal jacket region to be cut to size by the user, by detaching parts of the jacket region in such a way that the trapezoidal jacket region no longer extends so far in a distal direction. Thanks to the trapezoidal design of the jacket region, detachment of a distal region of the jacket region is accompanied by a reduction in the size of the base of the jacket region. In the case of an above-described hollow jacket region, the above-described cutting to size would result in a reduction in the size of the slit-shaped terminating opening which then extends over the base that is new once the jacket region has been cut to size. The user is thus provided with a repair nozzle in which the slit-shaped opening can be adapted, by cutting the jacket region to size, to the material bead to be dispensed. To this end, marks and/or inscriptions and/or preferred detachment aids, for example cutting lines, can be provided on the repair nozzle and in particular on the jacket region, at which lines parts of the jacket region can be cut off by the user in order to obtain specific slit-shaped nozzle orifices. For the automotive sector in particular, a trapezoidal configuration of the jacket region has proven particularly advantageous, such that the jacket region can be cut to size in such a way that a width of between 1 cm and 12 cm can be established for the slit-shaped terminating opening. With such a region a universally usable repair nozzle can be provided, which covers the most common bead widths in particular in the automotive sector and with which the usual structures can be reproduced and/or recreated.

A further advantage of equipping the nozzle with a product conduit is the at least locally rotationally symmetrical configuration of the product conduit, the rotation axis extending from the proximal product feed end to the distal product dispensing end.

A further advantage of the at least locally rotationally symmetrical configuration of the product conduit is the provision of a slit-shaped terminating opening which extends over the rotation axis of the product conduit.

A further advantage is the provision of a repair system for reproducing structures in the automotive sector, made up of a repair nozzle, a dispensing gun, and a container containing the material to be dispensed, the repair nozzle comprising a proximal product feed end at which means are provided for mounting to the container containing the material to be dispensed, and at least one seal element being provided in order to make available a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container. With a system of this kind, the user can reproduce and/or recreate the structures manufactured automatically by mass production without having to resort, for example, to an application robot.

A further advantage in the context of use of a repair system of this kind is the fact that the repair nozzle is equipped with a distal product dispensing end, a slit-shaped terminating opening being provided at the distal product dispensing end in order to dispense a material bead. This slit-shaped terminating opening has proven to be advantageous in particular for applying wide beads, the substrate being coated over a wide area with the material to be dispensed. It is also possible to provide, via the slit-shaped terminating opening, a material surface that exhibits a continuous film and thus provides an improved adhesive bond or seal.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

• 100 Repair nozzle
• 101 Product feed end
• 102 Product dispensing end
• 103 Terminating opening
• 104 Jacket region
• 105 Product conduit
• 106 Rotation axis
• 107 Collar
• 108 End cap
• 109 Sealing lip ring
• 110 Assembly aid
• 111 Reinforcing rib
• 112 Guide projection
• 113 Threaded sleeve
• 114 Internal thread
• 115 Sealing region
• 116 Product feed opening
• 117 Bevel
• 200 Repair nozzle
• 201 Product feed end
• 202 Product dispensing end
• 203 Terminating opening
• 204 Trapezoidal jacket region
• 205 Product conduit
• 206 Rotation axis
• 207 Collar
• 208 Base
• 209 Sealing lip ring
• 210 Threaded sleeve
• 211 Internal thread
• 212 Sealing region
• 214 Cutoff aids
• 216 Product feed opening
• 300 Cartridge gun
• 301 Handle
• 302 Metering device
• 303 Receiving unit
• 304 Support region
• 305 Actuation lever
• 306 Grip region
• 307 Compressed air connector
• 308 Pressure regulator
• 309 Manometer
• 310 Discharge end
• 311 Closure cap
• 312 Opening
• 313 Cartridge
• 314 External thread
• 315 Viscous material
• 316 End region

The invention is explained in greater detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a repair nozzle according to the invention having seal elements,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the repair nozzle of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view A-A of the repair nozzle of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a detail B of the sectioned side view of the repair nozzle of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned side view of a repair system having a dispensing gun, a container, and the repair nozzle of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 shows a detail C of the repair system of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a sectioned side view of an alternative embodiment of a repair nozzle according to the present invention having seal elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a repair nozzle 100 according to the present invention that is utilized to dispense viscous materials usable in the automotive sector, for example adhesives, sealants, and/or noise- and/or vibration-damping materials, from containers (not shown) that contain them, by means of an associated cartridge gun (not shown). Repair nozzle 100 comprises a proximal product feed end 101, with which repair nozzle 100 can be fastened detachably to a container, as well as a distal product dispensing end 102 for dispensing the material onto a substrate. Provided at proximal product feed end 101 is a product feed opening that is adjoined by a product conduit that is substantially rotationally symmetrical about a rotation axis 106 and that represents a connection, between proximal product feed end 101 and distal product dispensing end 102, for the material to be dispensed. The product conduit is surrounded by a sleeve-shaped and slightly conically tapering jacket region 104 of repair nozzle 100. Provided at proximal product feed end 101 is a collar 107, projecting radially outward with regard to rotation axis 106, that enables bracing of repair nozzle 100 against a container. Especially in the context of a force acting on repair nozzle 100 when material is dispensed, repair nozzle 100 is braced with collar 107 against the mounted container. Collar 107 thus serves for force transfer and, by providing a bracing capability, prevents possible destruction of repair nozzle 100 during material dispensing. A sealing lip ring (not evident in this view) extending in a proximal direction is integrally formed onto collar 107 as a seal element. Jacket region 104 comprises a threaded sleeve 113 at the proximal end. Threaded sleeve 113 surrounds a concealed internal thread for fastening repair nozzle 100 onto a container. Projecting assembly aids 110 that extend in an axial direction are provided around the circumference of threaded sleeve 133. Assembly aids 110 offer a good grasping capability for the user when fastening repair nozzle 100, via the inner thread, to a container. Multiple projecting ribs 111, which are adjacent to some of the assembly aids 110 and extend on the outer surface of jacket region 104 in an axial direction with regard to rotation axis 106, are provided on jacket region 104, in particular to reinforce and stabilize repair nozzle 100 and the internal thread. In particular in the context of a force acting on repair nozzle 100 during material dispensing, ribs 111 can prevent destruction of repair nozzle 100 and of thread 114 as a result of the stiffening effect. At its distal end, jacket region 104 comprises a guide projection 112. The latter protrudes from jacket region 104 and extends axially with regard to rotation axis 106. Guide projection 112 provides, in particular, a guidance capability for repair nozzle 100 along an edge as the material is dispensed, and facilitates precise material dispensing.

The material is dispensed through a slit-shaped terminating opening 103 that is provided on an end cap 108 at distal product dispensing end 102. End cap 108 is convex in the distal direction of repair nozzle 100, and slit-shaped terminating opening 103 extends over the convexity summit of the convex end cap 108. In the present exemplifying embodiment, rotation axis 106 moreover extends through slit-shaped terminating opening 103. Material beads having a low applied height as compared with the applied width on the substrate can be dispensed with slit-shaped terminating opening 103. This is greatly advantageous especially in the context of adhesive bonding of components in the automotive sector, since as large an area as possible of the substrate should be provided with the material to be dispensed, for example in order to achieve a sufficient adhesive and/or sealing effect, while the thickness of the material should be kept as low as possible. Dispensing of a wider material bead can additionally be ensured by the use of the convex end cap 108 and by the fact that slit-shaped terminating opening 103 extends over the convexity summit of end cap 108, since the material to be dispensed can be dispensed at the jacket regions of slit-shaped terminating opening 103 not only in an axial direction with regard to rotation axis 106, but also partly radially outward with regard to rotation axis 106.

FIG. 2 is a side view of repair nozzle 100 of FIG. 1. That region of jacket region 104 embodied as threaded sleeve 113, having an enlarged circumference as compared with the remaining jacket region 104, is embodied at proximal product feed end 101. Threaded sleeve 113 comprises projecting assembly aids 110. A reinforcing rib 111, which extends axially in a distal direction on jacket region 104, is integrally formed onto one assembly aid 110. A further reinforcing rib 111 is provided on the other side of repair nozzle 100 and is not visible in the view shown. Collar 107 is integrally formed on at the proximal end of threaded sleeve 113. The proximal termination of repair nozzle 100 at proximal product feed end 101 is formed by a projecting sealing lip ring 109. Also apparent at distal product dispensing end 102 is guide projection 112, which protrudes from jacket region 104 and projects locally in a distal direction into convex end cap 108.

FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view A-A of the repair nozzle of FIG. 2. Repair nozzle 100 comprises a product conduit 105 that is rotationally symmetrical at least locally about rotation axis 106. Product conduit 105 represents a connection, between proximal product feed end 101 and distal product dispensing end 102, for the material to be dispensed. Product conduit 105 thus connects product feed opening 116 to slit-shaped terminating opening 103 on the convex end cap 108. Product conduit 105 tapers from proximal product feed end 101 toward distal product dispensing end 102 in order to increase the flow velocity of the material within product conduit 105 and/or in order to compensate for a drop in the pressure of the material due to friction against the inner walls of product conduit 105. Product conduit 105 is surrounded by the sleeve-shaped jacket region 104 of repair nozzle 100. Jacket region 104 comprises reinforcing ribs 111 and is equipped, at proximal product feed end 101, with an internal thread 114 with which repair nozzle 100 can be fastened or mounted onto a container having a corresponding external thread. Internal thread 114 is a precision thread that is designed for the size of the corresponding external thread of a container, in such a way that a sealing function is achieved inside the thread by way of a sealing region 115. The fastened connection between repair nozzle 100 and a container is therefore self-sealing as a result of the precise configuration, by the fact that internal thread 114 of repair nozzle 100 is configured such that upon mounting of repair nozzle 100 onto a container, the thread turns rest closely against the flanks of the corresponding thread of the container. The external threads of the containers used are generally standardized and have a defined size, so that as a result of the precise embodiment of the thread turns of internal thread 114 and accurate adaptation to the corresponding thread of the container, in particular with the smallest possible tolerances, a sealing function can already be achieved within the thread. Internal thread 114 of the repair nozzle thus provides, with sealing region 115, a first seal element of repair nozzle 100. Undesired or defective emergence of material to be dispensed can be prevented, and penetration of material into the thread—which would complicate unfastening of repair nozzle 100 from the container can furthermore be avoided.

In the context of the configuration of internal thread 114 as a first seal element, the assembly aids (not depicted in this view) and/or reinforcing ribs 111 additionally enhance the sealing function as a result of the stiffening. Even when a large force and/or pressure is acting, almost no deformation of internal thread 114 occurs, so that a sealing capability between repair nozzle 100 and the container in the mounted state can be ensured. A further advantage of the assembly aids and/or reinforcing ribs 111 is a simplification of the fastening of repair nozzle 100 onto the container. The assembly aids and/or reinforcing ribs 111 offer a good grasping capability for the user in order to fasten repair nozzle 100, for example when screwing the corresponding external thread of a container into internal thread 114 of repair nozzle 100.

In addition, sealing lip ring 109 is provided in the region of proximal product feed end 101 as a further seal element. Said ring annularly encloses product feed opening 116 and extends in a proximal direction. Because of its proximal extension, sealing lip ring 109 protrudes toward the container when repair nozzle 100 is fastened onto a container. The extension of sealing lip ring 109 is configured in such a way that upon fastening of repair nozzle 100, the ring comes into contact with the container and thus brings about sealing between repair nozzle 100 and the container. It is of course conceivable for repair nozzle 100 to comprise only one of the seal elements described.

FIG. 4 shows a detail view B of the sectioned side view of repair nozzle 100 of FIG. 3. As is evident from the sectioned view, sealing lip ring 109 can form a right triangle having two sides of equal length, the vertex of the right angle pointing in a proximal direction. Sealing lip ring 109 is integrally formed onto collar 107. Sealing lip ring 109 can nevertheless be a separate component and/or can be connected to a different part of the repair nozzle. It is also possible to fabricate sealing lip ring 109 from a different material than the repair nozzle, for example in order to achieve an improved sealing effect. Sealing lip ring 109 annularly surrounds product feed opening 116. In the present exemplifying embodiment the boundary region delimiting product feed opening 116, made up of the mutually abutting outer surface of collar 107 and inner wall of jacket region 104, is beveled. This beveled embodiment of the region at the proximal end of the repair nozzle delimiting product feed opening 116 makes possible easy mounting of the repair nozzle on a container. The bevel makes available a funnel shape, open in a proximal direction, in the region of product feed opening 116 in order to facilitate introduction of the container into product feed opening 116.

The repair system depicted in FIG. 5, for reproducing and/or recreating structures in the automotive sector, is made up of repair nozzle 100 shown in FIG. 1, a dispensing gun or cartridge gun 300, and a container 313 containing a material 315 to be dispensed, for example an adhesive and/or sealant. In the present case a cartridge is utilized as container 313. The cartridge comprises a substantially cylindrical body, a movable piston for extruding the material contained in the cartridge being provided at one end, and a base surface having an outlet opening for dispensing the material being provided at the opposite end. The outlet opening makes available a hollow-cylindrical attachment that is arranged axially with respect to the cylindrical body of the cartridge but has a smaller diameter. The attachment is equipped with an external thread that can be brought into engagement with an internal thread of repair nozzle 100.

Cartridge gun 300 comprises a handle 301 that provides the user with the ability to operate and guide cartridge gun 300. For this, handle 301 contains a grip region 306 that can be equipped with slip-inhibiting means or can have an ergonomic shape, in order to offer the user a secure hold when working with the system. Handle 301 is equipped with a support region 304, at which a receiving unit 303 is connected to handle 301. Receiving unit 303 has a hollow cylindrical shape and serves to receive container 313 filled with material 315 to be dispensed. Product dispensing occurs at a discharge end 310 of receiving unit 303. Provided for this on handle 301 is a metering device 302 with which the user can regulate the dispensing of material 315 contained in container 313. The present exemplifying embodiment refers to a pneumatically acting cartridge gun 300, dispensing of material 315 being made possible by the use of compressed air. A compressed air connector 307 is provided for this on handle 301. The user can connect a pressure medium, for example a compressor, to this compressed air connector. A pressure regulator 308 is attached to handle 301 in order to regulate the pressure. Using a manometer 309 provided on handle 301, the user can read off the pressure that is present at cartridge gun 300 and is set via pressure regulator 308. In order to regulate the pressure for application of material 315 to be dispensed, metering unit 302 can be operated via an actuation lever 305 that is attached to handle 301 and can be pivoted in the direction of handle 301. Dispensing of material 315 present in container 313 can be regulated by the extent to which actuating handle 305 is pivoted and by the air pressure set at pressure regulator 308. An advance element (not shown) that can be displaced within receiving unit 303 is provided in receiving unit 303 in order to dispense material 315. An impingement of pressure upon the advance element causes the latter to be displaced, and to press container 313, arranged in receiving unit 303 and having material 315 to be dispensed, toward discharge end 310 of receiving unit 303. Receiving unit 303 comprises a closure cap 311 at discharge end 310. In the present exemplifying embodiment this closure cap 311 is connected via a screw thread to the cylindrical receiving unit 303, and comprises an opening 312 aligning concentrically with the hollow-cylindrical shape of receiving unit 303. Material 315 can be dispensed through this opening 312 out of container 313 that is present in receiving unit 303.

In order to prepare the system to commence work, repair nozzle 100 is connected to container 313. Container 313 comprises for this purpose an external thread 314 that can be brought into engagement with the corresponding internal thread of repair nozzle 100. To commence work with the system, container 313 is introduced into the cavity of receiving unit 313 in such a way that repair nozzle 100 protrudes out of receiving unit 303. Closure cap 311 is then slid over repair nozzle 100 and connected to receiving unit 303 via the above-described screw connection. In the installed state, repair nozzle 100 protrudes through opening 311 out of receiving unit 313. As a result of an impingement of pressure on the advance element (not shown) to dispense material 315, container 313 is pressed in the direction of discharge end 310 and becomes braced against closure cap 311. Because of this bracing, the pressure that acts does not move container 313 together with repair nozzle 100, but instead the advance element moves inside container 313 so that material 315 to be dispensed is extruded out of container 313, travels into the product conduit of repair nozzle 100, and lastly can be dispensed through slit-shaped terminating opening 103.

FIG. 6 shows a detail view C of the repair system of FIG. 5, in which repair nozzle 100 is mounted on container 313 containing material 315 to be dispensed. For this, internal thread 114 of repair nozzle 100 has been brought into engagement with a corresponding external thread 314 of the container. In the mounted state, sealing lip ring 109 of repair nozzle 100 lies adjacently against an end region 316 of container 313. In the present exemplifying embodiment, a mutual rotation of the two threaded regions 114, 314 has occurred, in such a way that sealing lip ring 109 locally is pressed and/or cuts into end region 316 of container 313 so that secure sealing can be ensured even in a context of production-related surface irregularities on end region 316. Sealing ring 109 can nevertheless be configured flexibly, for example, and can adapt to end region 316 of the container by being screwed onto external thread 315 so that a sealing function results, for example, by means of a deformation of sealing lip ring 109, without cutting into end region 316. In the present exemplifying embodiment, sealing of repair nozzle 100 with respect to container 313 occurs by way of two seal elements: on the one hand via threaded regions 114, 314 by providing a high-precision internal thread 114 of the repair nozzle and thereby providing a sealing region 115, and on the other hand via the projecting sealing lip ring 109 that makes possible a sealing capability against end region 316 of cartridge 313.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a repair nozzle 200 having a proximal product feed end 201 and a distal product dispensing end 202, and having a product conduit 205. Product conduit 205 connects a product feed opening 216 at proximal product feed end 201 to a slit-shaped terminating opening 203 at distal product dispensing end 202. Product conduit 205 is configured, in the proximal region of repair nozzle 200, substantially rotationally symmetrically about a rotation axis 206 and is surrounded, in the direction of distal product dispensing end 202, by a trapezoidal jacket region 204 that comprises slit-shaped terminating opening 203. Trapezoidal jacket region 204 is configured in such a way that a base 208 is arranged at distal product dispensing end 202. Slit-shaped terminating opening 203 extends over base 208 of trapezoidal jacket region 204. Also provided at proximal product feed end 201 is a collar 207, projecting radially outward with regard to rotation axis 206, that serves to brace repair nozzle 200 against a container. Trapezoidal jacket region 204 comprises, on the surface, multiple cutoff aids 214 arranged parallel to base 208. These cutoff aids 214 represent marks at which the user can cut off portions of trapezoidal jacket region 204. Because of the trapezoidal shape of jacket region 204, cutting off a portion at distal product dispensing end 202 is accompanied by a reduction in the size of base 208. Cutting off a portion of trapezoidal jacket region 204 thus also, because of the reduction in the size of base 208, reduces the size of slit-shaped terminating opening 203 that extends over base 208. The user can thereby vary the size of slit-shaped terminating opening 203 by cutting off portions of trapezoidal jacket region 204, in order to adjust said opening to the material to be dispensed or to the size of the desired material bead.

Jacket region 204 comprises reinforcing ribs (not shown) and is equipped, at proximal product feed end 201, with an internal thread 211 with which repair nozzle 200 can be mounted on a container having a corresponding external thread. Internal thread 211 is a precision thread as described above, which provides a first seal element by way of a sealing region 212. In addition, a sealing lip ring 209 is provided in the region of proximal product feed end 201 as a further seal element. Said ring annularly surrounds product feed opening 216 and extends in a proximal direction. As a result of the proximal extension, when repair nozzle 200 is fastened onto a container, sealing lip ring 209 protrudes in the direction of the container. The extension of sealing lip ring 209 is configured in such a way that it comes into contact with the container when repair nozzle 200 is fastened on, and thus produces sealing between repair nozzle 200 and the container. It is of course also conceivable for repair nozzle 200 to comprise only one of the seal elements described.

Claims

1. A repair nozzle for dispensing viscous materials, usable in the motor vehicle sector, from a container containing them, by means of an associated dispensing gun having a proximal product feed end, which comprises means for detachably fastening the repair nozzle onto the container and at least one seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container.

2. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a distal product dispensing end is provided, which comprises a slit-shaped terminating opening in order to dispense a material bead.

3. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein at least one seal element is provided on the proximal product feed end on a product feed opening, and is configured as a sealing lip ring extending in a proximal direction.

4. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein protruding ribs, for reinforcing the fastening means and/or for facilitating fastening of the repair nozzle on the container, are provided on a jacket region at least in the region of the fastening means.

5. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a guide projection is integrally formed onto the jacket region in order to facilitate a guidance capability of the repair nozzle along an edge.

6. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a collar for bracing the repair nozzle against the container is integrally formed onto the proximal product feed end.

7. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the region delimiting the product feed opening is beveled in order to enable simple assembly of the repair nozzle with a container.

8. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a product conduit is provided in order to transport the viscous material from the product feed end to the product dispensing end; and an end cap comprising the slit-shaped terminating opening is integrally formed onto the product dispensing end, which cap is convex in the distal direction of the repair nozzle.

9. The repair nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the slit-shaped terminating opening extends over a convexity summit of the convex end cap.

10. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a product conduit is provided in order to transport the viscous material from the product feed end to the product dispensing end; and a jacket region comprising the slit-shaped terminating opening is provided, which region extends trapezoidally in a distal direction, the base of the trapezoidal jacket region being arranged at the distal product dispensing end.

11. The repair nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the product conduit is configured, at least locally, rotationally symmetrically about a rotation axis.

12. The repair nozzle according to claim 11, wherein the slit-shaped terminating opening extends over the rotation axis of the product conduit.

13. A repair system for recreating structures in the motor vehicle sector, made up of a repair nozzle, a dispensing gun and a container containing a viscous material, the repair nozzle comprising a proximal product feed end as well as means for detachably fastening the repair nozzle onto the container and at least one seal element for providing a sealing capability between the repair nozzle and the container.

14. The repair system according to claim 13, wherein a distal product dispensing end is provided, which comprises a slit-shaped terminating opening in order to dispense a material bead.