INJECTION FLANGE

Abstract: An injection flange for use with dispensers of flowable materials such as sealants, adhesives, fillers and caulking compounds is disclosed. The injection flange comprises a housing (17) having a cavity (24), on one side of which is a flange (11) disposed about a lower opening and, on another side, an upper opening (26) in which there is disposed in sliding engagement therewith a tubular member (12) having a passage to convey the material from an inlet end (13) of the member, which is adapted for connection to the dispenser, to an outlet end (22) of the member (12) disposed within the cavity (24), the outlet end (22) and the inlet end (13) each having a protuberance (15, 21) to restrict the portion of the tubular member (12) therebetween to a sliding movement in the upper opening (26) between a closed position, in which the outlet end (22) of the passage (23) is blocked in the upper opening (26) in a manner so as to restrict or prevent the flow of material into and out of the outlet (22) and into the cavity (24), and an open position, in which material may flow into and from the outlet (22) into the cavity (24).

Description: INJECTION FLANGE Field of the Invention This invention relates to dispensers for materials such as sealants, adhesives, fillers, caulking compounds and the like, particularly to devices for use with these dispensers, that are adapted to facilitate the dispensing of these materials, especially epoxy resin and/or polyurethane type fillers and adhesives, into apertures and cracks. Background of the invention Dispensers for materials such as sealants, adhesives, fillers, caulking compounds and the like are well-known. Such dispensers may comprise, in their simplest form, a defor able tube. Dispensers of this type are typically used by the home handyman where there is a requirement for relatively small quantities of material to be dispensed on a number of occasions over a relatively long period of time. However, trade usage of dispensers requires not only a greater robustness of construction, but also a greater material holding capacity and ability to repeatedly permit the dispensing of materials. Thus, in one form, trade dispensers may comprise a "gun" arrangement which essentially consists of a frame with a cradle or skeleton or barrel adapted to hold a cylindrical container of material which has an opening at one end and a disc disposed in sealing engagement in the container at the other end, the gun having a trigger which when operated advances a plunger in a manner so as to move the disc along the cylinder, thereby forcing material out of the opening. The opening, which is generally smaller in diameter than the cylinder, is usually formed into a nozzle or has a screw thread or other connecting means to allow a nozzle to be fitted. .These cylindrical containers are generally referred to as barrels. There are also known dispensers that operate in a like manner but are capable of co-dispensing two materials each of which is separately contained, but is dispensed through a single nozzle. Examples of these materials are two part epoxy resin fillers and adhesives. Alternatively, a pumping machine may be used in place of these dispensers. In this form material is delivered under pressure by a pump to a flexible hose which may be connected to a variety of outlets. One use for these dispensers in the trade is the filling of cracks and holes in masonry walls. For this purpose, one end of a flexible hose is fitted to the outlet of the barrel containing the filling material, whilst the other end of the hose is fitted to a device which comprises a barb/tube at one end and at the other end a flange disposed around the tube, the flange being in a plane at right angles to the axis of the tube. In order to produce a level finish of filler in the hole, the tube must not project beyond the flange. In the trade these devices are referred to as "face fixed crack injection flanges" and there are three basic types available. The first type has a metal flange disposed around a plastic tube which is threaded at one end. A flexible hose is threaded at both ends to allow it to be screwed onto the tube and the cartridge. The second type has a metal flange and thread into which is screwed a grease nipple. Filler is dispensed using this face fixed crack injection flange by way of a grease gun, grease gun hose and coupler. The third type comprises a plastic flange disposed around a plastic tube adapted for connection to a flexible hose. In use, the flexible hose is attached to the end of the faced fixed crack injection flange and a quantity of surface sealing compound is applied to the flange thereof. It is then positioned over the crack to be filled and adhered to the wall around the crack. Depending on the extent of the crack, a number of these face fixed flanges may be used spaced apart along the length of the crack to ensure that the crack is evenly filled. At the same time the surface sealing compound is applied to seal off the crack. The surface sealing compound is then allowed to cure. On dispensing filler, it is forced into the crack via the passage in the tube. Dispensing is continued until the back pressure prevents further operation of the dispenser. The flexible hose is then removed from the end of the face fixed flange which remains adhered to the wall over the crack. Using the first type of face fixed crack injection flange, when the flexible hose is removed, a sealing cap must be screwed onto the flange to prevent filler flowing out of the crack. Using the second type of face fixed flange, on removal of the hose, the flange is automatically sealed off. Once the filler has set, the face fixed flange is removed. One disadvantage in the operation of the first type of fixed face crack injection flanges that has been identified by the present inventor is that because the back pressure developed when a hole is filled may be quite high, particularly in small holes, when the flexible hose is removed an operator may be sprayed, possibly in the eyes, with filler. Given the toxic nature of fillers, such as epoxy resins and/or polyurethanes, that is clearly a serious disadvantage. Additionally, when the flexible hose is removed, the back pressure will cause filler to be discharged, rapidly if the back pressure is high. It is therefore necessary, when a flange of the first type is used, for an operator to quickly cap or otherwise stem the flow. Other disadvantages of the face fixed crack injection flanges are a) no means is provided to allow them to be readily located over a crack; b) the sealing compound applied to the flange has a tendency to block its outlet into the crack; c) in the case of the second type, only filler in bulk form may be dispensed; d) adhesion over a crack isn't always satisfactory; and e) there is a lack of flexibility in use. Summary of the Invention To meet these disadvantages, the present inventor seeks to provide a device in the form of an injection flange that incorporates a non-return valve to prevent back flow of filler. Accordingly, the present invention consists in an injection flange for use with a dispenser of a material which is flowable under pressure, comprising a housing having a cavity, on one side of which is a flange disposed about a lower opening and, on another side, an upper opening in which there is disposed in sliding engagement therewith a tubular member having a passage to convey the material from an inlet end of the member, which is adapted for connection to the dispenser, to an outlet end of the member disposed within the cavity, the outlet end and the inlet end each having a protuberance to restrict the portion of the tubular member therebetween to a sliding movement in the upper opening between a closed position, in which the outlet end of the passage is blocked in the upper opening in a manner so as to restrict or prevent the flow of material into and out of the outlet and into the cavity, and an open position, in which material may flow into and from the outlet into the cavity. Description of the Invention For ease of connection to the flexible hose attached to the dispenser and for safety purposes, the tubular member may be provided with a barbed portion at its inlet end. As the flexible hose will usually be uniform in bore, the cross sectional size of the inlet of the tubular member will be the same as the outlet of a dispenser. Preferably, the tubular member will be disposed with its longitudinal axis at right angles to the plane of the flange and for ease of construction will be circular in section. In this way, the upper opening through which the tubular member slides will also be circular in section. In order to provide for a range of connection options, the tubular member may also be adapted to accept an adaptor having a threaded portion at one end and a luer slip connection at the other. In this case, the luer slip end is slid into the tubular member to give a friction fit. The protuberances on the tubular member may be in the form of flanges disposed around the outer surface of the tubular member and in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof. To ensure even distribution of pressure, these flanges may be continuous around the outer surface. In the case of a flange in this form on the outlet end, it may be formed into a skirt having an upper surface which, in the closed position, seals against an inner surface of the cavity immediately below the second opening so as to ensure that, when the tubular member is in the closed position, no material is able to pass out of the outlet and into the cavity or vice versa. Preferably the dimensions of the skirt will be such that back pressure exerted on the skirt end resulting from filling a crack with material will b<-_ sufficient to cause movement from the open to the closed position. Within the cavity and below the protuberance, the tubular member may be provided with or formed into a pin. Such a pin would be placed in the hole to be filled and would serve to locate the injection nozzle over the crack. The length of the pin would be such that in the closed position, it would be wholly within the cavity. To facilitate adhesion of the flange on the lower opening to the wall, a step slightly raised above the surface of the flange, in contact with the wall and around the lower opening, may be provided. The step would be raised approximately the thickness of the film of surface sealing compound placed on the flange when it is adhered on the wall. This step also functions to prevent surface sealing compound moving into the crack to be filled. Thus the possibility of a crack being blocked or partially occluded is avoided. To assist in anchoring the injection nozzle in position over a crack, the flange may be provided with a plurality of holes. In use the holes will fill with the surface sealing compound used to adhere the flange to a substrate, such as a wall, as it is forced from the undersurface of the flange. The material will then set in the holes thereby providing better anchoring to a wall. Brief Description of the Drawings In order to better appreciate the nature of this invention, an embodiment will now be described in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view; Fig. 3 is a plan view; and Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of an injection nozzle of the invention, whilst Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the injection nozzle of Figs. 1-4 in its closed position, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the injection nozzle of Figs. 1-4 in its opened position. In the figures, the injection flange 10 comprises a tubular member 12 and a housing 17 having a cavity 24 and a flange 11. The housing 17 has an upstanding, cylindrical wall 25 on the lower edge of which is disposed the flange 11 in a plane at right angles to the wall 25 and the axis of tubular member 12. Within wall 25 is cavity 24. The upper and lower ends of wall 25 define upper opening 26 which comprises a concentric cylindrical wall 28 and lower opening 27 which is continuous with cavity 24. Disposed in the upper opening 26 is the tubular member 12 which is circular in section. On the outside surface of the tubular member 12 are barbed portions 14 to facilitate the connection of a coupling or flexible hose to the inlet end 13. Within the tubular member 12 is a passage 23 which extends from inlet end 13 to the outlet end 22. Tubular member 12 is able to slide in opening 26 between a closed position as shown in Fig. 5 and an open position as shown in Fig. 6, and is retained in housing 17 by the sliding fit in opening 26, flange 15 on the inlet end of the tubular member and skirt 21 on the outlet end of the tubular member. The flange 15 is disposed around the circumference of tubular member 12 and has a diameter greater than that of the opening 26. Skirt 21 is also circular in section and in the closed position seals across opening 26. Thus skirt 21 acts to prevent any flow of material into or out of outlet 22 when in the closed position. Disposed below the outlet 22 and the skirt 21, is a pin 20 which serves to locate the injection nozzle 10 over a hole to be filled. The length of pin 20, as shown in Fig. 5, is such as to be wholly contained within the cavity 24 when the tubular member is in the closed position. Disposed around the lower opening 27 is a step 19 which is raised slightly above the plane of flange 11. Arrayed in flange 11 are six circular holes 18 to permit excess filler to be forced from below flange 11 when it is adhered to a wall. These holes 18 are formed with walls in the flange which taper inwardly from an upper surface to an under surface of the flange 11. Due to this taper, excess filler will, when set in the holes, serve to further anchor the injection flange to a wall. The under surface of the flange 11, that is the surface which is adhered to a wall, is provided with a surface roughness to facilitate adhesion to a wall. In this embodiment, the housing 17 and tubular member 12 are separately injection moulded in plastics material and then assembled into an injection flange of the invention by forcing the tubular member 12 through opening 26. The downwardly sloping shape of flange 15 and the flexibility of the plastics material facilitates this assembly. In use, a small amount of surface sealing compound is applied to lower surface of flange 11 and, with the tubular member 12 in the opened position, the injection nozzle is located over a crack by placing pin 20 therein and twisting. Excess sealing compound flows through holes 18. A flexible hose attached to a dispenser is then attached to inlet 13 by placing it over barbs 14. Filler is then forced into the injection nozzle 10 by activation of the dispenser. The filler flows through passage 23 and into cavity 24 via outlet 22. As the hole to be filled lies immediately below cavity 24, filler will flow into the hole until it is filled. Once it is filled, cavity 24 will fill and will continue to do so until the pressure of filler in the cavity on skirt 21 forces the tubular member 12 into the closed position, in which outlet 22 is blocked in opening 26 by wall 28 and the seal of skirt 21 against the lower end of wall 28. The flexible hose is then disconnected from the inlet end 13. Once the filler is set in the hole, the injection flange 10 is removed. Alternatively, as the pressure of filler in the cavity 24 increases sufficiently to exert back pressure, an operator may sense this back pressure and manually move the tubular member 12 from the open to the closed position. The flexible hose may be then disconnected or disconnected in one action as the tubular member is moved. In situations where there are a plurality of holes to be filled that are interconnected, as a hole is filled, rather than sensing back pressure, filler will be observed in an adjacent hole. An operator may then discontinue the dispensing operation and close the injection flange as outlined above. The injection flange described above is particularly suited for use with epoxy resin and/or polyurethane type fillers. However, it should be noted that a variety of fillers, caulking compounds, sealants, adhesives and the like may be used. The injection nozzle of the invention may be made in a range of sizes to suit holes of varying dimensions. Similarly, the injection nozzle may be made from a variety of materials, particularly synthetic plastics materials. Although this invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims: CLAIMS : - 1. An injection flange for use with a dispenser of a material which is flowable under pressure, comprising a housing having a cavity, on one side of which is a flange disposed about a lower opening and, on another side, an upper opening in which there is disposed in sliding engagement therewith a tubular member having a passage to convey the material from an inlet end of the member, which is adapted for connection to the dispenser, to an outlet end of the member disposed within the cavity, the outlet end and the inlet end each having a protuberance to restrict the portion of the tubular member therebetween to a sliding movement in the upper opening between a closed position, in which the outlet end of the passage is blocked in the upper opening in a manner so as to restrict or prevent the flow of material into and out of the outlet and into the cavity, and an open position, in which material may flow into and from the outlet into the cavity. 2. An injection flange as in claim 1 wherein the tubular member is provided with a barbed portion at its inlet end. 3. An injection flange as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the tubular member is adapted to accept an adaptor having a luer slip connection at one end and a threaded portion at the other. 4. An injection flange as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tubular member and the upper opening through which the tubular member slides are circular in section and the tubular member is disposed with its longitudinal axis at right angles to the plane of the flange. 5. An injection flange as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the protuberances on the tubular member comprise flanges disposed around the outer surface of the tubular member and is a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof. 6. An injection flange as in claim 5, wherein the flanges are continuous about the outer surface of the tubular member. 7. An injection flange as in claim 6 wherein the flange in the outlet end is formed into a skirt having an upper surface which in the closed positions seals against an inner surface of the cavity immediately below the second opening, in a manner such that when the tubular member is in the closed position, no material is able to pass out of the outlet and into the cavity or vice versa. 8. An injection flange as in claim 7 wherein the skirt is dimensioned such that back pressure exerted on the skirt and resulting from filling a hole with material will be sufficient to cause movement from the open to the closed position. 9. An injection flange as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tubular member is provided with or formed into a pin of a length such that in the closed position, it is wholly within the cavity. 10. An injection flange as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the flange has a step disposed around the lower opening. 11. An injection flange as in claim 10 wherein the flange is provided with a plurality of holes formed therein between said step and an outer edge thereof. 12. An injection flange as in claim 11 wherein the holes are formed with walls in the flange which taper inwardly from an upper surface to an under surface of said flange. 13. A method of filling an aperture with a material comprising connecting an injection flange as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 to a dispenser containing the material, ensuring that the injection flange is in the open position, adhering the flange of the injection flange to a surface surrounding the aperture to be filled, forcing material under pressure out of the dispenser and into the aperture until it is filled ensuring that the injection flange is in the closed position and disconnecting the dispenser.

Inventors: COUNDOURIS PETER, COUNDOURIS, PETER
Applicants: SVENIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, SVENIC AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E04G23
IPC codes: E04G23