TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention regards a device for dispensing a liquid, if desired a viscous liquid, in a uniformly distributed manner along a surface to be treated.

STATE OF THE ART

Devices are known for the controlled dispensing of a liquid along a surface to be treated. Such distribution devices comprise dispensing means, such as a manifold having a plurality of openings, placed in fluid communication with a feed duct through which the liquid to be dispensed is fed, under pressure.

The dispensing openings are suitably spaced from each other and positioned along the manifold in a uniformly distributed manner in order to facilitate a uniform distribution of the liquid along the surface.

A similar device can be used for dispensing a liquid glue along a surface to be subsequently coupled with another surface, for example for attaining stratified panels or similar composite bodies.

Generally, even if a similar application device can be practically used, the same is not free of drawbacks with reference, in particular, to the need to prevent the obstruction of the single openings along the distribution manifold.

Following the dispensing of a liquid glue, in fact, it is necessary to clean the dispensing device in order to prevent possible glue residues from accumulating at the dispensing openings, obstructing them.

If the openings are obstructed, it is then necessary to free the same, in fact blocking the device and intervening, from time to time, on each opening.

It is quite clear that a similar maintenance is costly in terms of time, due to the need to intervene on each opening, as well as cost due to the impossibility of using the dispensing device for a specific period.

Hence there is the need in the field to provide a dispensing device which has practical use and easy maintenance, in the scope of a solution capable of ensuring a high production rate and reducing the need to free the single dispensing openings at the end of each production cycle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Hence, the main object of the present invention is to improve the state of the art relative to a dispensing device adapted to uniformly distribute a liquid on a surface to be treated. In the scope of such task, one object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device that is practical to use and easy to maintain.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device having a plurality of dispensing ducts adapted to ensure a uniform distribution of a liquid along a surface to be treated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device configured for ensuring an optimal dispensing of the liquid from the ducts in the scope of a solution that allows easily restoring the operation of the dispensing device if the ducts are obstructed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a dispensing device according to claim 1 is provided.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention are clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for dispensing a liquid, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the enclosed drawing tables in which:

figure l is a bottom perspective view of a device for dispensing a liquid according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a top perspective view of the dispensing device pursuant to figure 1;

figure 3 is a side view of the dispensing device according to the present invention;

figure 4 is a sectional view, along the plane IV-IV of the dispensing device illustrated in figure 3;

figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of a component of the dispensing device according to the present invention; figure 6 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present invention;

figure 7 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the enclosed figures, a device for dispensing a liquid according to the present invention is indicated overall with 1.

In the following description, the liquid to be dispensed is a viscous liquid such as a glue, even if it is intended that the present invention can be equally used for dispensing any one liquid or liquid mixture of various viscosity.

With the term“liquid” it is intended to indicate, indiscriminately, a liquid or a mixture of liquids without any limitation.

The dispensing device 1 comprises a body 2, within which a liquid can be fed, and dispensing means 3, operatively associable with the body 2, for the uniformly distributed dispensing of the liquid outside the dispensing device 1 itself, along a surface to be treated.

The body 2 has at least one feeding opening 4, sealingly connectable to means for feeding a liquid under pressure in the dispensing device 1, not illustrated in the enclosed figures since not forming the subject-matter of the present invention.

The body 2, in addition, at its interior delimits a hydraulic distribution circuit 5 adapted to place the at least one distribution opening 4 in fluid communication with the dispensing means 3.

The body 2 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction A of the body 2 itself, with a rectangular or substantially rectangular plan extension, to define an elongated element known in the field as“distribution comb”.

The body 2 has an upper portion 6, at which the at least one feeding opening 4 is made, and a lower portion 7 with which the dispensing means 3 are associable.

With the term lower and upper, it is intended to indicate specific portions of the body 2 as oriented during use of the dispensing device 1, with reference for example to that illustrated in the enclosed figures, hence independent of further orientations which the body 2 can assume. More precisely, if the body 2 is placed with the upper portion 6 directed downward, such portion will in any case be referred to as the upper portion and, analogously, the lower portion 7 will always be referred to as the lower portion even if directed upward.

The hydraulic circuit 5, as will be better described, has a branch structure for distributing the fluid along the entire extension of the body 2 substantially with the same pressure value. In such a manner, a uniform dispensing of the fluid under pressure is ensured through the dispensing means 3.

According to a preferred embodiment, the body 2 is modular, in the sense that it comprises single plate elements mutually couplable with each other in order to form the hydraulic circuit 5.

More in detail, with reference to that illustrated in the enclosed figures, the body 2 can comprise an upper plate 8, at least one intermediate plate 9 and a lower plate 10, connectable superimposed on each other.

It is in any case intended that the body 2 can comprise a greater or lesser number of plate elements, for example 4, 5 or more or 2, as a function of specific use requirements. According to a further version of the present invention, not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the body 2 can be attained as a single body, at its interior delimiting the branched hydraulic circuit 5. By way of example, the body 2 could be obtained by means of a casting process or by means of three-dimensional molding, etcetera.

In the following description, reference will be made to a body 2 of modular type.

The dispensing device 1 comprises connection means 11 for connecting the dispensing means 3 to the body 2.

If the body 2 is of modular type, it is observed that the connection means 11 also allow to connect together the single plate elements which constitute the body 2 itself.

The upper plate 8 comprises a duct 12, with vertical extension, which leads on the lower part from the upper plate 8 itself and defines a channel in fluid communication with the at least one feeding opening 4.

The at least one intermediate plate 9 can comprise a first chamber 13 with elongated shape, with horizontal extension, made in proximity to the upper portion, during use, of at least one intermediate plate 9.

The first chamber 13 is open on the upper part and hence is accessible from the top.

The first chamber 13 is extended along the longitudinal direction A of the body 2 for a length less than that of the at least one intermediate plate 9, in central position with respect thereto (see figure 4).

The first chamber 13 is branched at least at the opposite ends 14 into vertical channels 15 which lead into respective second chambers 16 made at a lower portion of the at least one intermediate plate 9 (see figure 4).

The second chambers 16, at least two in number, are spaced mirrored from each other. In addition, the second chambers 16 are symmetrically extended with respect to the at least one intermediate plate 9.

The second chambers 16 are open on the lower part, hence resulting accessible from the lower portion of the at least one intermediate plate 9.

The lower plate 10 has respective vertical channels 17, spaced from each other and positioned so as to face each other, at least in proximity to respective opposite ends of each of the second chambers 16 made in the at least one intermediate plate 9.

The respective vertical channels 17 lead to outside the lower plate 10 at the upper portion thereof.

The lower plate 10 then has a third chamber 18 which is extended substantially for the entire length of the lower plate 10, along the longitudinal direction A, and is open on the lower part.

The third chamber 18 is accessible from the lower portion of the lower plate 10.

The respective vertical channels 17 are in fluid communication with the third chamber 18.

From that set forth above, it is evident that the hydraulic circuit 5 allows distributing the fluid within the body 2 with a substantially uniform pressure along the extension of the lower portion 7, in the longitudinal direction A.

By mutually connecting the upper plate 8, the at least one intermediate plate 9 and the lower plate 10, the circuit 5 is defined, associating - in mutual fluid communication - the duct 12 with the first chamber 13 and the second chambers 16 with the respective vertical channels 17.

Further versions of the dispensing device 1 are possible, not illustrated in the enclosed figures, in which the body 2 can have a size along the longitudinal direction A greater than that of the illustrated version.

In such case, in order to ensure a distribution of the fluid within the body 2 with a substantially uniform pressure, it is possible to provide for a greater number of modular elements, for the purpose of ensuring a sufficient branching of the hydraulic circuit 5, according to a diagram similar to that described above.

By way of a non-limiting example, a hydraulic circuit 5 of larger type could comprise further chambers placed in cascade, in fluid communication, with the first chamber 13 or with the second chambers 16, upstream of the third chamber 18, for the purpose of feeding the fluid under pressure in a uniformly distributed manner within the latter. According to such version, further vertical channels 15 could be also present along the first chamber 13 and not only at the ends 14 thereof and, analogously, further respective vertical channels 17 could be present for ensuring a uniform distribution of the liquid at the lower portion 7 of the body 2.

The dispensing means 3 are configured in order to be operatively connected to the lower portion 7 of the body 2.

More precisely, the dispensing means 3 are configured for being sealingly connected to the lower plate 10, on the side opposite the at least one intermediate plate 9.

In particular, the dispensing means 3 are configured for being operatively associable, in fluid communication, with the third chamber 18.

It is observed that the liquid is fed along the third chamber 18 substantially with a constant pressure value for the entire length of the third chamber 18 itself, along the longitudinal direction A.

The dispensing means 3 comprise an insert 19 with elongated shape, along which a plurality of ducts 20 are made in a through manner, as well as a frame element 21 delimiting a shaped seat 22 for housing and retaining in position the insert 19 itself with shape coupling.

The insert 19 can be made of any suitable material, e.g. polylactic acid (PL A) or nylon. By connecting the dispensing means 3 below the body 2 and, more precisely, to the lower plate 10, the single ducts 20 on one side are placed in fluid communication with the interior of the third chamber 18, made in the lower plate 10, and on the other side they lead outside the dispensing device 1.

The body 2 and the dispensing means 3 have through seats 23 engageable by the connection means 11 in order to ensure their mutual connection.

The through seats 23 are positioned so as to not interfere with the hydraulic circuit 5. Such through seats 23 are then formed in the plates 8, 9, 10 of the body 2 as well as in the frame element 21, such that by inserting the connection means 11 and clamping them the plates 8, 9, 10 are in fact packed together and the clamping is caused of the frame element 21 towards such plates, thus removably constraining the insert 19.

According to a preferred version, the through seats 23 can be made aligned along two rows that are parallel and spaced with respect to each other, between which the hydraulic circuit 5 is centrally delimited.

The connection means 11, which in the enclosed figures are partially illustrated in order to facilitate the comprehension of the dispensing device 1, can be configured as bolts, screws with suitable nuts or similar means suitable for such purpose.

As stated above, the frame element 21 is configured for housing and retaining the insert 19 in abutment with the lower plate 10, with the frame element 21 connected below the body 2.

More in detail, the frame element 21 defines an undercut connection portion 24 for the insert 19, along the fluid dispensing direction to outside the dispensing device 1.

For such purpose, it is observed that the insert 19 has a head portion 25 and a bottom portion 26, in which the head portion 25 has an area with plan extension greater than that of the bottom portion 26 (see figure 5).

According to one version of the present invention, the head portion 25 can comprise a perimeter edge 27 which is laterally extended around the insert 19 (see figures 4 and 5). In such case, the undercut portion 24, delimited by the frame element 21, has a respective edge portion 28 complementary to the insert 19.

Preferably, the height, i.e. the dimension which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction A and extends from the liquid introduction end to the liquid dispensing end of the perimeter edge 27, is slightly greater than the height of the undercut portion 24. Hence, for example, the height of the perimeter edge 27 is one, two or three tenths of a millimeter greater than the height of the undercut portion 24.

Such expedient, if provided, ensures a suitable clamping of the insert 19 by the frame 21 as well as a correct packing and clamping of the dispensing means 3 with the body 2 when the connection means 11 are clamped.

More precisely, the edge portion 28 of the frame element 21 is complementary to the perimeter edge 27 of the insert 19.

The edge portion 28 in fact supports the perimeter edge 27 with the insert 19 introduced into the frame element 21, thus retaining the insert 19.

According to a further version, the insert 19 can have a shape converging or substantially converging from the head portion 25 to the bottom portion 26 (see figure 6). In such case, the shaped seat 22 has a converging progression complementary to that of the insert 19 for the same previously-described aims.

With reference now to the embodiment illustrated in figure 7, this is relative to a device similar to those of figures 1 to 6, but in which the body 2 comprises only one upper plate 8 and one lower plate lOa, hence without any intermediate plate.

In such case, the upper plate 8 or the lower plate lOa can have configuration different from the above-described embodiments.

For such purpose, the upper plate 8 can comprise a duct 12 that leads (on the lower part with reference to the figure) from the upper plate 8 itself and defines a channel in fluid communication with the at least one feeding opening 4.

The lower plate lOa can instead delimit a fourth chamber 31, if desired with elongated shape, for example with horizontal extension, made in proximity to the upper portion, upper during use, of the at least one lower plate lOa. Clearly, the fourth chamber 31 can also be delimited by the upper plate 8.

The fourth chamber 31 can be open on the upper part or towards the upper plate 8 and hence accessible from the top. This can be extended along the longitudinal direction A of the body 2 for a length less than that of the lower plate lOa, for example in central position with respect thereto.

Then, also a fifth chamber 32 is provided for, open on the lower part or towards the dispensing means 3 so as to dispense the liquid fed therein within the ducts 20.

The fifth chamber 32 can be substantially extended for the entire length of the lower plate lOa, along the longitudinal direction A. The fifth chamber 32 can have extension greater than the fourth chamber 31.

The lower plate lOa then has respective channels 33, e.g. vertical or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction A, if desired four, which are spaced, if desired equidistant, with respect to each other and positioned so as to each be extended from the fourth 31 to the fifth 32 chamber, thus placing in fluid communication such chambers 31, 32, hence conveying the dispensing liquid from the fourth chamber 31 to the fifth chamber 32 and from this into the ducts 20.

Also in such case, preferably the body 2 and the dispensing means 3 have through seats 23 engageable by the connection means 11 in order to ensure their mutual connection. Such through seats 23 would then be formed in the plates 8, lOa of the body 2 as well as in the frame element 21, such that by inserting the connection means 11 and clamping them, the plates 8, lOa are in fact packed and the clamping is caused of the frame element 21 towards such plates, thus removably constraining the insert 19.

As it will be understood, in a device according to the present invention, by disconnecting the frame element 21 from the body 2 it is possible to remove the insert 19 from the frame element 21 itself. This is naturally obtained by disengaging the connection means 11.

The insert 19 can then be easily substituted if the plurality of ducts 20 are obstructed, thus allowing easily and quickly restoring full operation of the dispensing device 1. According to a preferred version of the present invention, the plurality of ducts 20 are made along at least one row 29 (see figures 1 and 5).

More in detail, the single ducts 20 can be aligned with each other in longitudinal direction A and suitably spaced for the purpose of obtaining a uniform distribution of the liquid along a surface to be treated.

It is intended that the dispensing device 1 according to a further version of the present invention, not illustrated in the enclosed figures, can comprise an insert 19 having a plurality of ducts 20 aligned in two or more rows.

According to such version the ducts 20 of a first row could be aligned or offset along the longitudinal direction A with respect to those of an adjacent row and have the same pitch or substantially the same pitch.

If the single rows have the respective ducts 20 offset with respect to those of an adjacent row, for example according to a right angle arrangement, it is possible to obtain a still more uniform dispensing of the liquid under pressure on the surface to be treated.

In the enclosed figures, the bottom portion 26 of the insert 19 is illustrated projecting below the frame element 21.

It is intended that further embodiments are possible, in which the bottom portion 26 is flush with the lower portion of the frame element 21.

According to one version of the present invention, the dispensing device 1 can comprise a plurality of nozzles 30 operatively connectable to the insert 19 (see figure 4, in which a single nozzle 30 is illustrated with a discontinuous dashed line, even if it is intended that each duct 20 can have a respective nozzle 30 connected thereto).

The nozzles can be connected to the bottom portion 26 of the insert 19, for the purpose of adjusting the jets of the liquid exiting from the plurality of ducts 20. Indeed, as is generally known, a nozzle allows locally increasing the exiting speed of a liquid with respect to that which the liquid itself possesses at the opening to which the nozzle is corrected. Possibly, the nozzles could be of orientable type in order to modify the dispensing direction of the liquid exiting from the dispensing device 1 according to specific use requirements.

Hereinbelow, the operation of the dispensing device 1 is briefly described.

A dispensing device 1 is provided with the body 2 and the dispensing means 3 mutually connected by means of the connection means 11. Then, one connects the upper plate 8 of the body 2, and more precisely the at least one feeding opening 4 to the feed means. Then, one feeds a liquid under pressure within the body 2 where, due to the configuration of the circuit 5, it is distributed within a third chamber 18 made in the lower plate 19 of the body 2 itself, which is in turn connected in fluid communication with the ducts 20.

Within the third chamber 18, the liquid has a substantially constant pressure, thus allowing a uniform dispensing of the same through the single ducts 20.

Once the dispensing of the liquid has terminated, if such liquid is a glue it could be solidified and obstruct one or more of the ducts 20. Hence, in order to restore the full operation of the dispensing device 1 it is possible to remove the dispensing means 3, upon release of the connection means 11.

Once the dispensing means 3 are separated from the body 2, one proceeds by removing the insert 19, having the plurality of ducts 20, from the frame element 21 and one substitutes this with a new insert 19 which has all the ducts 20 free.

Then, the dispensing means are newly connected to the lower portion 7 of the body 2, placing the single ducts 20 in direct fluid communication with the third chamber 3 present in the lower plate 10 of the body 2.

The above-described dispensing device 1 is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations within the protective scope of the following claims.