Patent Description:
Many paste-like medium applicators are known from prior art, having an inlet opening for coupling with a paste-like medium container or a paste-like medium dispenser, and a plurality of outlet openings, through which the paste-like medium is applied onto a surface. Paste-like medium containers may be in the form of a cylindrical cartridge and provided with a plunger which, when activated, presses the paste-like medium out of a bag- or tube-shaped container. Applicators can be used in conjunction with gun-shaped tools for dispensing a paste-like medium. Using an applicator, a paste-like medium is evenly applied onto a surface. Due to their complex shape, applicators are made from plastics known from prior art and consist of at least two injection moulded pieces. When manufacturing an applicator, different pieces need to be assembled and bonded by gluing, welding or in another suitable way. This is time consuming and makes the production more expensive.

Document <CIT> discloses an applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including: a hollow body defining an internal volume; a connector at a first end of the body for allowing a viscous material source to be connected to the applicator nozzle; and, a closed tip at a second end of the body, the tip including at least one surface engaging tip surface, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one surface engaging tip surface to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings.

Document <CIT> discloses a brush applicator having a tapered inner wall and inwardly extended flange inside of a nozzle, which secures a molded or crimped brush assembly. Two edge applicators apply a substantially uniform thin layer of adhesive or glue only on the edge surface of a workpiece. A first edge applicator applies glue through an exit and a second embodiment of the edge applicator has a roller with side flanges and with a reduced portion in-between. A flat surface applicator may have plural vanes and channels inside of two outer walls to distribute adhesive to a wider flat exit. A biscuit applicator applies glue on two side surfaces of elliptical slots that are formed by biscuit cutters. The glue flows through plural vanes or plural transversely positioned openings and passes to form two opposite layers of glue. A dowel applicator applies a thin substantially uniform layer of glue on the wall of a dowel-receiving hole prior to installation of dowel pins. The glue is applied using a cylindrical nozzle body with plural projections and a reduced diameter portion. A wet well prevents applicator from clogging by hardened glue. The wet well fits tightly over the cap and the entire inner space of the wet well is saturated with moisture/solvent from a water/solvent retainer. A viscous-material applicator dispenses a plurality of beads on the floor or on backside of the workpieces. The viscous-material applicator includes a nozzle that has a flat but wide exit at outlet end, wherein the nozzle has plural vanes or flow restraints to diverge the flow of adhesive to a wider outlet end that has a plurality of orifices.

Document <CIT> discloses a folding nozzle in the form of an attachment to an application device that contains a nozzle designed for the application of component adhesives and sealants. According to the invention, an application device comprises a nozzle.

The technical problem is how to provide a monolithic paste-like medium applicator.

The technical problem is solved by a paste-like medium applicator comprising an inlet opening of the paste-like medium applicator, a plurality of outlet openings for applying a paste-like medium onto a surface to be treated, and a distribution channel for distributing the paste-like medium from the applicator's inlet opening to the outlet openings,
wherein the paste-like medium applicator is formed of a first elongated half-shell comprising four side walls and a bottom, in which the inlet opening of the applicator is disposed, and a second elongated half-shell comprising four side walls and a bottom, in which a plurality of outlet openings are arranged, wherein the side walls of the two half shells have at each open end an integrally shaped circular edge surface, which, in the working position of the applicator, abut each other so that the half-shells define a distribution channel, wherein the first and second half-shells are in each case on one of their longitudinal sides integrally connected by means of a film hinge and the first and second half-shells being respectively provided with latching elements with a barb and the second and first half shells being respectively provided with receiving elements for receiving the latching elements so that in the working position of the applicator each latching element with the barb is latched in the corresponding receiving element.

The advantage of the applicator according to the invention is its monolithic configuration. In the manufacturing process of the applicator various pieces need not be assembled and bonded to a final product, which results in lower production costs and shorter production time. The half shells of the applicator are moved from the open position to the working position by simply being folded around the film hinge and pressed against each other, so that the latching elements lock into the receiving elements, which can also be done by the end user before use.

The invention is described in more detail in the following by way of various embodiments.

The technical problem is solved by a paste-like medium applicator <NUM> comprising an inlet opening <NUM> of the paste-like medium applicator, a plurality of outlet openings <NUM> for applying a paste-like medium onto a surface to be treated, and a distribution channel <NUM> for distributing the paste-like medium from the applicator's inlet opening to the outlet openings,
wherein the paste-like medium applicator is formed of a first elongated half shell <NUM> comprising four side walls and a bottom, in which the inlet opening <NUM> of the applicator is disposed, and a second elongated half shell <NUM> comprising four side walls and a bottom, in which a plurality of outlet openings <NUM> are arranged, wherein the side walls of the two half shells have at each open end an integrally shaped circular edge surface <NUM>, which, in the working position of the applicator, abut each other so that the half-shells define a distribution channel, wherein the first and second half-shells are in each case on one of their longitudinal sides integrally connected by means of a film hinge <NUM> and the first <NUM> and second <NUM> half-shells being respectively provided with latching elements <NUM> with a barb and the second <NUM> and first <NUM> half-shells being respectively provided with receiving elements <NUM> for receiving the latching elements <NUM> so that in the working position of the applicator each latching element with the barb is latched in the corresponding receiving element.

The receiving elements can be formed in the form of elastic arcs <NUM>, which are integrally shaped on the second <NUM> and first <NUM> half-shell, respectively, and a respective barb <NUM> is formed by an oblique surface 11a, such that, when the half-shells move from the open position to the working position, each barb <NUM> first rests on the corresponding receiving element <NUM>, the barb with its oblique surface 11a causing elastic deformation of the receiving element <NUM> and/or the latching element <NUM> with the barb when the half shells continue moving towards each other until the half-shells <NUM>, <NUM> reach the final working position, in which the barb latches in the receiving element.

In a further embodiment, the receiving elements are formed in the form of recesses in the second and first half-shells, respectively, and the latching elements are formed by an elastic web, each barb being formed by an oblique surface such that, when the half-shells move from the open position to the working position, a respective barb first rests on the corresponding receiving element which, when the half-shells continue moving towards each other, deflects the elastic latch element with the barb, until the half-shells reach the final working position, in which the barb is latched in the receiving element.

A circular edge surface <NUM> of the first and second half-shell, respectively, is provided with at least one circular groove <NUM> and the circular edge surface of the second and first half-shells, respectively, is provided with at least one first circular ridge <NUM>, such that, in the working position, the circular groove <NUM> and the first circular ridge <NUM> engage each other, thus ensuring a better seal between the two half shells <NUM>, <NUM> and the suitability of the applicator also for higher pressures of the paste-like medium.

The first <NUM> and/or second <NUM> half-shells are provided at a respective bottom with a plurality of reinforcing ribs <NUM> arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to each longitudinal side of the half shells so as to connect the opposite longitudinal sides. Their function is to increase the mechanical strength of the longitudinal sides of the half-shells. This reduces the pressure on the latching elements when the applicator is in use.

In its longitudinal direction, the applicator is provided at both ends with one spacer element <NUM> that allows an even application of the paste-like medium onto a surface.

The outlet openings <NUM> can be formed with different diameters, such that the outlet openings in the vicinity of the centre axis of the applicator are formed with a smaller diameter, while the diameter of the outlet openings increases with the distance from the centre axis. This ensures a more even application of the paste-like medium onto a surface to be treated, as the pressure of the paste-like medium during application is highest in the central axis of the applicator and gradually decreases downstream the distribution channel in the directions of the longitudinal ends of the applicator. The diameters of the outlet openings are selected as a function of the viscosity of the paste-like medium.

The paste-like medium applicator may be provided with receiving holes <NUM> for receiving auxiliary tools, such as scrapers, trowels, blades, side spacers, stroke limiters, etc..

The paste-like medium applicator is made from plastic, preferably HDPE.

The inlet opening <NUM> of the applicator may be adapted for coupling with a paste-like medium container or a paste-like medium dispenser. Alternatively, the inlet opening <NUM> of the applicator may be formed in the form of a sleeve, the inner circular surface of which is formed by a step <NUM> for coupling with an adapter. An entry portion <NUM> of the inlet opening of the applicator may be configured in a way to be tapered to facilitate insertion of the adapter.

The invention further relates to a kit of parts comprising a paste-like medium applicator and an adapter <NUM> having an inlet opening <NUM> of the adapter, adapted for coupling to a paste-like medium container or a paste-like medium dispenser, and a tubular outlet opening <NUM> of the adapter, which is circumferentially provided with a second circular ridge <NUM>.

When the adapter is inserted into the inlet opening of the applicator, the second circular ridge <NUM> engages the step <NUM> in the inlet opening <NUM> of the paste-like medium applicator, whereby the paste-like medium applicator is fixed in position on the adapter <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A paste-like medium applicator (<NUM>) comprising an inlet opening (<NUM>) of the paste-like medium applicator, a plurality of outlet openings (<NUM>) for applying a paste-like medium onto a surface to be treated, and a distribution channel (<NUM>) for distributing the paste-like medium from the applicator's inlet opening to the outlet openings,
wherein the paste-like medium applicator is formed of a first elongated half shell (<NUM>) comprising four side walls and a bottom, in which the inlet opening (<NUM>) of the applicator is disposed, and a second elongated half shell (<NUM>) comprising four side walls and a bottom, in which a plurality of outlet openings (<NUM>) are arranged,
characterised in that the side walls of the two half-shells have at each open end an integrally shaped circular edge surface (<NUM>), which, in the working position of the applicator, abut each other so that the half-shells define a distribution channel (<NUM>), wherein the first and second half-shells are in each case on one of their longitudinal sides integrally connected by means of a film hinge (<NUM>) and the first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) half-shells being respectively provided with latching elements (<NUM>) with a barb and the second (<NUM>) and first (<NUM>) half-shells being respectively provided with receiving elements (<NUM>) for receiving the latching elements (<NUM>) so that in the working position of the applicator each latching element with the barb is latched in the corresponding receiving element.