COUPLING

Abstract: This invention relates to an assembly of a container and a coupling for coupling said container to a device for applying a component present in the container. The coupling comprises a first and a second coupling piece that are rotatably connectable. One of the coupling pieces is provided for attachment to the container. The other coupling piece is provided for attachment to the device. The container comprises a valve for closing off said container, which valve is provided for being opened during effectuation of the coupling. One of the coupling pieces is provided with a guide and the other coupling piece is provided with a protrusion for cooperating with said guide. The protrusion is moveable within said guide, between a first position and a second position, in maximum one turn, which first position corresponds to an uncoupled state of said coupling and a closed position of the valve, and which second position corresponds to a coupled state of the coupling and an opened position of said valve. The coupling can preferably be bolted.

Description: Coupling. The present invention relates to an assembly as described in the preamble of the first claim. Such an assembly is for example used for coupling a container, wherein a compound is stored, to a device, for example a gun, for applying said compound. Such guns are amongst others used for applying compositions, that can be composed of one or more components, for example a silicone paste, polyurethane foam or a two component glue. The known assembly comprises a container and a first coupling piece, which is provided for attachment to the container. The first coupling piece is mostly made of a plastics material. The known assembly also comprises a second coupling piece, which is provided for attachment to the gun. The second coupling piece is mostly made of metal, for example aluminium or bronze. The first and the second coupling piece are rotatably connectable, by means of a screw thread. The known coupling is effected by inserting the first coupling piece into the second coupling piece, and tightening the screw thread until the stop position is reached. This is mostly performed manually. The known assembly however has the disadvantage that it is rather difficult to unscrew the screw thread. It has namely been found that the screw thread contains compound present in the container. When it is the intention of re-using the container, or the gun, and thus one or both of the coupling pieces, the coupling pieces, and the screw thread included, have to be cleaned beforehand. Depending on the nature of the compound, this can be difficult, sometimes impossible. Further investigation has revealed that the compound does not enter the screw thread during use of the device, but rather during the tightening of the screw thread, and thus during the effectuation of the coupling. To obtain a sturdy coupling, which does not loosen from itself, when the coupling pieces are released, it is necessary that the screw threads of the coupling pieces engage each other over a substantial part of their length, and thus over a plurality of windings. Thereto, the first coupling piece is rotated stepwise, a number of times with respect to the second coupling piece, until the stop position is attained. Simultaneously with the tightening of the coupling, the valve is opined by the second coupling piece. Because the valve is in contact with the second coupling piece almost from the beginning of the tightening of the coupling, the valve undergoes, from the beginning, every movement of the first and second coupling piece with respect to each other. Thereby, the valve is opined almost from the beginning of the tightening of the screw thread. Because the valve is already opined during the effectuation of the coupling, the valve leaks and the compound can leave the container before the coupling is achieved. This problem of an undesired leaking of the valve during the effectuation of the coupling, takes place particularly in case one or both coupling pieces are made of plastic. In practise, namely it has been revealed that a screw thread in plastic is rather coarse and shows a large clearance. Once insight was obtained in the nature of the problem, it became clear that the solution to preventing the leakage of the valve should not be sought in an improvement of the valve, but rather in the way in which the coupling is effectuated. It is the aim of the present invention to provide a coupling which hardly shows any leakage during the effectuation of the coupling. This is achieved according to the invention with the measures described in the characterising part of the first claim. With such an assembly, the coupling can be effectuated in one continuous movement, whereby simultaneously the valve is opined in one continuous movement. Because the action time that is exerted to the valve is short, the risk to a leaking of the valve during the effectuation of the coupling is very small. Such a continuous one turn movement, consequently allows to minimise the leaking of the valve, during the effectuation of the coupling, A priori, it may seem that the screw thread and the protrusion and guide in the assembly of the present invention, are equivalent. The assembly according to this invention does indeed present a solution to the above described problem of the leaking of the valve, whereas the screw thread does not solve this problem. According to the invention, the first and second coupling piece are preferably provided with means for bolting said coupling. This is namely of importance for preventing a loosening of the coupling in case the container contains a pressurised compound. In the known assembly, this is achieved in that the screw threads engage each other over a plurality of windings. The means for bolting the coupling are preferably unboltable, so that the coupling can be re-used several times, i.e. opined and closed several times. According to the invention, the means for bolting the coupling preferably comprise a snap lock. Such a snap lock is bolted automatically when the coupling is effectuated. The protrusion and guide according to the invention preferably comprise at least one pin-and-groove connection. With such a pin-and-groove connection, the coupling can be effectuated in one short movement. Thereby a large tolerance can be provided, so as to facilitate the insertion of the pin in the groove, without thereby opining the valve and involving a risk to leaking of the valve. The valve is namely only opined upon the movement of the pin in the groove, when the coupling piece that is provided for attachment to the device, acts upon the valve. The pin-and-groove connection preferably comprises two diametrically opposed pins, and two diametrically opposed grooves, which grooves are provided to co-operate with said pins, so as to prevent that the coupling pieces, upon effectuation of the coupling, can be canted with respect to each other. The coupling piece provided for attachment to the container, preferably comprises means for attaching said coupling piece to the flange of the container head. The container mostly comprises a substantially cylindrical container body, which is at its lower portion, closed off with a bottom and at its upper portion with a container head. The container head is attached to the container body by means of a substantially circular flange. The container head comprises in its centre an opining with a substantially circular valve flange, for attaching the valve. With the known container, the coupling piece is attached to the valve flange. The known container however has the disadvantage that the it is very difficult, sometimes impossible, to unscrew the coupling. Thereby it appeared that upon unscrewing, when some force is exerted to the coupling piece, the coupling piece can be moved with respect to the container, in peripheral direction of the valve flange. This can for example occur when the screw thread is fastened rather thoroughly, or when the screw thread contains some of the compound from the container. Such a movement of the coupling piece can also take place, when some force is exerted to the coupling piece, upon tightening of the screw thread. By attaching the coupling piece to the flange of the container head, the contact surface between the coupling piece and the container, is significantly increased. The presence of an increased contact surface involves that an increased frictional resistance has to be overcome in order to permit the coupling piece to be moved with respect to the container. This allows to obtain an improved attachment of the coupling piece to the container, and to prevent that the coupling piece is moveable with respect to the container. The coupling piece preferably also comprises means for attaching the coupling piece to the valve flange. In that way, a double attachment of the coupling piece to the container can be obtained. In that way also, the contact surface and the frictional resistance which has to be overcome in order to allow the coupling to be moved with respect to the container, can be further increased. According to the invention, the first and second coupling piece are preferably made of a plastics material, whether or not provided with fibrous reinforcing material. The coupling pieces are preferably made of nylon-6 or polypropylene. Thereby, use can be made of the intrinsic resilience of the plastics material for the bolting and unbolting of the snap lock. The invention is further elucidated in the following figures and description of the figures. Figure 1 shows a device for applying a two-component composition. Figure 2 shows a cross section of a first preferred embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, with the coupling in respectively the uncoupled (figure 2a) and the coupled state (figure 2b). In figure 3a and 3b, respectively a top view and a side elevation view of the second coupling piece, and in figure 3c and 3d, respectively a top view and a side elevation view of the effectuated coupling are shown. Figure 4a shows a second preferred embodiment of the coupling according to the invention; figure 4b shows a cross section of the second preferred embodiment in cross section. The device shown in figure 1 comprises a gun 4 for applying a two-component composition. A first container 3 contains a first component under pressure. A second container 5 contains a second component under pressure. The first container 3 is provided with a first coupling piece 1 , which fits into the second coupling piece 2. The second coupling piece 2 is provided for being connected to the gun 4. The first coupling piece 1 and second coupling piece 2 are rotationally connectable. The coupling pieces 1 and 2 are preferably made of a plastics material, for example nylon 6 or polypropylene. The container 3 preferably has a substantially cylindrical body 10, and is provided with a container head 7. The container head 7 is connected to the container body 10, by means of a flange 6. The container head 7 contains a central hole with a valve flange 8, for receiving a valve 9. In the first preferred embodiment of the assembly shown in figure 2, the first coupling piece 1 is on the one hand, connected through a first recess 17 in its circumferential rim 16, to the flange 6 of the container head 7, and on the other hand, through a second recess 18 to the valve flange 8. The circumferential rim 16 preferably comprises a protrusion 15, preferably a snap rim, which is provided to co-operate with the flange 6, for strengthening the attachment of the first coupling piece 1 to the container 3. The valve 9 is fixed to the first coupling piece 1 by means of an at least partially compressible valve sealing ring 30. The valve 9 can be opined in the direction of the internal volume of the container 3. The component present in the container 3, can leave the container 3 through a passageway 32 in the valve 9, and further through the second coupling piece 2 towards the gun 4. The external surface of the first coupling piece 1 , preferably comprises a protrusion 11. The second coupling piece 2 preferably comprises a guide 21 , which is provided for co-operating with the protrusion 11. The protrusion 11 is provided to be movable within said guide 21 , between a start position 28 and a stop position 29. The protrusion 11 and guide 21 are preferably formed by a pin 11 and groove 21 , respectively. The embodiment shown in figure 2, comprises two diametrically opposed pins 11 and grooves 21. Because the pins 11 and grooves 21 are applied diametrically with respect to each other on the respective coupling pieces 1 , 2, the process for producing such coupling pieces 1 , 2 can be simplified. For the production of such coupling pieces, use can be made of a mould comprising two mirror symmetrical mould halves. For the opining and closing of the mould, the mould halves are movable from and to each other along a substantially straight line, whereby the use of rotating mould halves can be avoided. The groove 21 has such a length that the pin 1 1 can be moved from the start position 28 to the stop position 29, within maximally one turn. The length of the groove 21 can for example be equal to the circumference of the second coupling piece 2, or smaller. Protrusion 11 and guide 21 can be provided with complementary, co-operating surfaces, so as to obtain an improved grip. Guide 21 can be provided with a recess, extending in the direction of the lower rim 24 of the second coupling piece 2, so as to facilitate the insertion of the protrusion 11 , without thereby opining the valve 9. Thereby a certain degree of play can be provided. The protrusion 11 can have various shapes. It can for example be square, rectangular or any other shape. The guide 21 can be open towards the outer surface of the second coupling piece 2, or a groove-like recess in the internal surface of the wall of the second coupling piece 2, or comprise a set of rails applied to the internal surface of the second coupling piece 2, in which the protrusion 11 can be engaged. It is also possible to reverse the protrusion 11 and guide 21 , i.e. to provide the protrusion 11 on the second coupling piece 2 and the guide 21 on the first coupling piece 1. The first and second coupling piece 1 , 2 are preferably provided with a snap lock 12, 13, 14, 22, for bolting the coupling in an unboltable way. A snap lock has the advantages of bolting automatically, form itself. Thereto, the circumferential rim 20 of the second coupling piece 2, comprises at least one recess 22. The recess 22 is provided to co-operate with a lip 12, applied to the circumferential rim 16 of the first coupling piece 1. The lip 12 is connected with the circumferential rim 16 through a connecting piece 13. The lip 12 comprises at the top, a jaw 14, which is provided to co-operate with the recess 22 in the circumferential rim 20 of the second coupling piece 2. If so desired, the jaw 14 and the recess 22 can be provided with co-operating, complementary profiles. The jaw 14 is preferably movable from and towards the coupling piece so as to obtain an unboltable bolt, as is shown in figure 2b. The second coupling piece 2 comprises an extremity 27 for coupling the second coupling piece 2 to the gun 4. The second coupling piece 2 preferably comprises a one way valve 23 so as to avoid that the compound flows back from the gun 4 to the container 3. The second coupling piece 2 further comprises a lower rim 24, which fits to the outer surface of the first coupling piece 1 when the coupling is effectuated. The internal rim 25 of the second coupling piece 2 is provided for engaging leak free against valve 9, after effectuation of the coupling. In this internal rim 25, a shaft 26 is provided wherein a part of the valve 9 fits, and through which the component coming from the container 3 can flow to the gun 4, through the one way valve 23. Upon effectuation of the coupling, the first coupling piece 1 is inserted into the second coupling piece 2. Thereby, the protrusion 1 1 is inserted in a start position 28 in the corresponding guide 21 , as is shown in figure 3d. Thereafter, the first coupling piece 1 is rotated with respect to the second coupling piece 2, over maximally one turn, in one continuous movement. Thereby, the pin 1 1 is moved from its start position 28, towards a stop position 29, in the direction of the arrow in figure 3d. Simultaneously, the valve 9 is moved in the direction of the internal volume of the container 3, in one continuous movement (figure 2b), and the valve seal ring 30 is partially compressed. By the movement of the valve 9 in the direction of the internal volume of the container 3, the valve 9 is opined, en the compound can flow from the container 3, through the passageway 32 in the valve 9, towards the second coupling piece 2, in the direction of the arrows. Thereby, the one way valve 23 in the second coupling piece 2 is opined, where after the compound further flows in the direction of the gun 4, as is indicated by the arrows. When the protrusion 1 1 reaches its end position 29, jaw 14 on the first coupling piece 1 engages the recess 22 on the second coupling piece 2, and the coupling is bolted. To unbolt the coupling, use is made of the intrinsic resilience of the plastics material of which the coupling pieces 1 and 2 are made. Thereto, the lower side of lip 12 is pushed in the direction of the container 3, as is shown in figure 2b, so that the jaw 14 leaves the recess 22. Thereafter, the protrusion 1 1 can be moved in guide 21 , in a direction against the direction of the arrow (figure 3d). When the protrusion 1 1 has arrived at its start position 28, the first 1 and second 2 coupling piece can be uncoupled. Another preferred embodiment of the assembly of the present invention is shown in figure 4a and b. According to this embodiment of the assembly, the bolt 11 , 12, 13, 22 is not applied to the circumferential rim of the coupling pieces 1 , 2, but is the bolt provided to co-operate with the protrusion 11. The first coupling piece 1 comprises a protrusion, preferably a pin 11 which co-operates with a guide, preferably a guide 21 applied to the second coupling piece 2. The pin 11 is moveable within said guide 21 , in the direction of the arrow in figure 4a, between a start position 28 for inserting the pin 11 in the guide 21 , and a stop position 29 which corresponds with a coupled state of the coupling. In order to facilitate the insertion of the pin 11 in the guide 21 , an amount of play is provided in the start position 28, by means of a recess, which extends from the start position 28 in the guide 21 , towards the lower rim 34 of the second coupling piece 2. The second coupling piece comprises on its outer surface, at the position of the stop position 29 of the guide 21 , a lip 35. The lip 35 cooperates with the pin 11 , for allowing the coupling to be bolted. Thereto, the lip 35 is, on its side which faces the pin 11 , provided with a jaw 36, for keeping the pin 11 in its stop position 29. As is indicated in figure 4a, the pin 11 and jaw 36 can comprise complementary, co-operating surfaces. The lip 35 is attached to the second coupling piece 2, by means of a connecting piece 37. As is indicated by the dotted line in figure 4b, the lip 35 is preferably moveable from and towards the pin 11 , and from and towards the second coupling piece 2. Such a coupling can be effectuated by inserting the first coupling piece 1 into the second coupling piece 2, and inserting the pin 11 in its start position 28 in the guide 21. Thereafter, the pin 11 is moved from its start position 28, in the direction of the stop position 29, by turning the first coupling piece 1 over maximum one turn with respect to the second coupling piece 2. When it has reached the neighbourhood of the stop position 29, the pin 11 comes into contact with the jaw 36 of the lip 35. Thereby, the lower part of lip 35 is moved by the pin 11 , in a direction that points away from the second coupling piece 2, as is indicated by the dotted line in figure 4a. When the pin 11 reaches its stop position 29, the lip 35 is moved back towards the second coupling piece 2. The coupling is than bolted, because the complementary surfaces of the pin 11 and the jaw 36, maintain the pin 11 in its stop position 29. To unbolt the coupling, the jaw 36 is moved in a direction that points away from the second coupling piece 2, by moving the upper part of the lip 35 in the direction of the second coupling piece 2. Because the pin 11 is no longer maintained in its stop position 29, by the jaw 35, the pin 11 can be moved from its stop position 29 towards its start position 28, and the coupling pieces 1 , 2 can be moved in a direction against the direction of the arrow, and be uncoupled. List of reference numbers. 1. first coupling piece 20. circumferential rim 2. second coupling piece 21. guide 3. container 22. recess 4. gun 23. one way valve 5. container 24. lower rim 6. flange container head 25. internal rim 7. container head 26. shaft 8. valve flange 27. extremity 9. valve 28. start position 10. container body 29. stop position 11. protrusion 30. valve sealing ring 12. lip 31. upper rim 13. connecting piece 32. hole 14. jaw 33. internal surface 15. snap rim 34. lower rim 16. circumferential rim 35. lip second embodiment 17. first recess 36. jaw second embodiment 18. second recess 37. connecting piece 19. open space

Claims: CLAI S. 1. An assembly of a container and a coupling for coupling said container to a device for applying a component present in said container, which coupling comprises a first and a second coupling piece that are rotatably connectable, whereby one of said coupling pieces is provided for attachment to said container, and the other of said coupling pieces is provided for attachment to said device, which container comprises a valve for closing off said container, which valve is provided for being opined during effectuation of the coupling, characterised in that one of the coupling pieces is provided with a guide and the other coupling piece is provided with a protrusion for co-operating with said guide, which protrusion is moveable within said guide, between a first position and a second position, in maximum one turn, which first position corresponds to an uncoupled state of said coupling and a closed position of the valve, and which second position corresponds to a coupled state of the coupling and an opined position of said valve. 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said first and second coupling piece are provided with means for bolting said coupling. 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said means for bolting said coupling comprise a snap lock. 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said first coupling piece comprises a first peripheral rim which is provided with at least one lip, and said second coupling piece comprises a peripheral rim which is provided with at least one recess, and said lip is provided with a jaw which co-operates with said recess for bolting said coupling. 5. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said protrusion and said guide comprise a pin-and- groove connection. 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said coupling pieces are essentially circularly shaped, and said pin-and- groove connection comprises two pins, applied diametrically with respect to each other, and two diametrically with respect to each other applied grooves, which grooves are provided to co-operate with said pins. 7. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said container comprises a container head with a flange, and one of said coupling pieces comprises means for attaching said coupling piece to said flange. 8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that said means comprise a recess, which recess is provided in the interior side of said peripheral rim of said coupling piece, and a snap rim, which is provided to co-operate with said flange of said container head. 9. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that said coupling piece further comprises means for attaching said coupling piece to a valve flange provided in said container head. 10. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said first and second coupling piece are made in plastic, preferably nylon 6 or polypropylene. 11 . A container provided with one of the coupling pieces as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10. 12. A device comprising an assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, and a gun for applying the compound.

Inventors: SCHRAVEN JOHN, SCHRAVEN, JOHN
Applicants: SCHRAVEN JOHN, SOUDAL, SCHRAVEN, JOHN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65D83
IPC codes: B05B9, B65D83