WO1996018556A1 - Use of a spray can for expelling a synthetic foam - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns the use of a spray can suitable for expelling a synthetic foam and comprising separate containers for a foam component and for an additional component, the contents of the containers being initially kept apart and brought together before the spray can is used by an externally operated device. In order to introduce additives into a setting foam simply, without any need for subsequent operations, and without causing the additives to attack the foam component and thus reduce the shelf life, it is proposed that in a spray can of the above mentioned type, one of the containers should hold a single-component synthetic foam, while the other should hold additives extraneous to the foam such as aromatic substances, irritants, colouring agents, etc.

Description

 USE OF ONE TO APPLY A PLASTIC SCENE

SUITABLE SPRAY CAN

The invention relates to the use of a spray can suitable for bringing out a plastic foam, which has a container for a foam component and an additional component, the contents of which are initially separated from one another, but can be brought together before use of the spray can by means of an externally actuated device are.

Such spray cans are known from practice. They are used exclusively for spraying two-component plastic foam, one of the foam components being accommodated in one of the containers. Before the two-component plastic foam is sprayed, the two components must be brought together via an actuating device. The sprayed foam is characterized by particularly favorable material properties. A common area of application for such two-component plastic foams is, for example, the sealing of windows in buildings or the fastening of door frames, the two-component plastic foam being introduced between the window frame or door frame and the associated building opening. A more recent area of application for one-component plastic foams is the use in so-called scent fences. A foam bale made of one-component plastic foam is mixed with fragrances. For this purpose, the one-component plastic foam is applied, for example, to the tip of posts which are spaced apart from one another and, after curing, is mixed with fragrances, for example by injection. Fragrance fences of this kind are arranged, for example, on roads that lead through forest areas and on which game changes are to be expected. The fragrances introduced into the foam bales are perceived, for example, by animals. If the fragrance corresponds to the smell of a natural enemy of the animal that perceives the fragrance, it is put on a kind of alert. If a further stimulus is added, such as the sound of a moving car, many animals refrain from crossing the street in such a place. If there is no such additional alarm signal, the scented fence does not represent an obstacle for the animals. In this way traffic safety is significantly increased on the one hand and on the one hand, the animals are not prevented from moving naturally. One-component plastic foam is particularly suitable as a carrier for the fragrances by weathering the foam ball over time and thereby continuously releasing part of the fragrance introduced into the foam ball. The effect of the fragrance thus also lasts for a period of about 3 to 4 months. However, the attachment of such foam balls, which are mixed with fragrances, is extremely time-consuming, since the foam ball is first attached and the fragrance has to be introduced only after a further curing phase, usually 24 hours. For this reason, efforts have been made to provide at least one of the components in the spray can with fragrances in order to avoid the fragrances being subsequently introduced. However, it has been shown that reactions take place between the fragrances and the plastic foam chemicals, as a result of which the properties of the sprayed plastic foam, the action of the fragrances and product safety are severely impaired. This has been shown in particular in tests with one-component foam.

The object of the invention is to provide a curable foam with admixtures in a simple manner, without subsequent work being necessary or the foam component being attacked by the admixture or the active ingredients themselves, thereby reducing the possible storage time of the spray can.

The object is achieved in that when using a spray can of the type mentioned one of the containers is provided for receiving one-component plastic foam and the other for receiving non-foam admixtures such as fragrances, irritants, dyes etc. .

In addition to solving the problem, there is also the advantage that the finished foams can be provided with a high concentration of admixture, which was not possible using the previous methods. By adding pepper or other natural substances, for example, properties can be achieved that were previously only possible by adding synthetic chemicals. It may prove advantageous to use a spray can which has an outer container and an inner container arranged in the outer container, the one-component plastic foam being arranged in one of the containers and the non-foam admixtures being arranged in the other container.

It has proven to be advantageous if the one-component plastic foam is accommodated in the outer container and the non-foam admixtures are accommodated in the inner container.

It is also advantageous if the one-component plastic foam is a one-component polyurethane foam.

Single-component silicone foams have also proven to be suitable.

The mode of operation and functioning of the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment.

Show it:

1 shows a spray can used according to the invention in the filled state prior to its use in a sectional oblique view, the filling of the spray can not being shown,

Fig. 2 shows the spray can of Figure 1 in a state shortly before its use.

Figure 1 shows a spray can 1 with a lid 2, a bottom

3 and a wall 4. The lid 2 is connected to the wall 4 at a first fold point 5 and the bottom 3 is connected to the wall

4 connected at a second fold point 6. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the spray can 1 is essentially cylindrical and has an opening 8 in the cover 2, into which opening 8 a cup-shaped insert 9 is inserted. The pot-shaped insert 9 is connected to the cover 2 at a third fold point 10.

The insert 9 is also provided with an opening 11, into which a component 13 forming part of a spray head 12 is inserted. The component 13 is positively connected to the insert 9. A passage opening 14 is provided in the center of the component 13, in which a plunger 15 with a star-shaped cross section is slidably mounted. At the lower end 16 of the plunger 15, it is circular in cross section and forms a valve together with the component 13. A spring 17 supported on the component 13 presses the plunger 15 against the component 13 in such a way that the passage opening 14 is closed. The component 13 also has a thread 18 for receiving a metering device or the like.

On the component 13 there is a sleeve 19 which has openings 20 on its upper part. Arranged in the sleeve 19 are two pistons 21 and 22 which are displaceably mounted therein and which together with the sleeve 19 form an inner container 23. Both pistons 21 and 22 are provided with through bores 24 and 25, through which a pull rod 26 is axially displaceably guided. The pull rod 26 has an access 27, a predetermined breaking point 28, a substantially spherical thickening 29 and a substantially cylindrical thickening 30. At its upper end, the pull rod 26 is guided axially displaceably through a bore 31 in the plunger 15.

The lid 2, the bottom 3, the wall 4 enclose an outer container 32, in which the inner container 23 is arranged.

The lid 2, the bottom 3, the wall 4, the insert 9 and the pull rod 26 are preferably made of metal. The component 13, the plunger 15, the sleeve 19 and the pistons 21 and 22 are preferably made of plastic.

The mode of operation and functioning of the invention are explained in more detail below. The spray can 1 is shown in its initial position in FIG. 1, 32 single-component polyurethane foam being in the outer container and 23 fragrances in the inner container. In addition, there is propellant gas in the outer container 32. Both the one-component polyurethane foam, the fragrances and the propellant gas are not shown for the sake of clarity.

^" To spray the one-component polyurethane foam, the pull rod 26 on the pull handle 27 is now pulled up out of the spray can 1, as can be seen from FIG. 2. As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the cylindrical thickening 30 comes into engagement with the Piston 22, which is thereby lifted in. The fragrance arranged between the pistons 21 and 22 also simultaneously raises the piston 21 until it strikes the spring 17. In its uppermost position, the openings 20 in the sleeve 19 are uncovered, as a result of which the fragrance arranged in the inner container 23 is brought together with the polyurethane foam through the openings 20. By pulling on the pull rod 26, the piston 22 slowly moves upwards, bringing the entire contents of the inner container 23 together with the one-component polyurethane foam. As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the spherical thickening 29 is in the uppermost position of the piston 22 arranged in the bore 31 of the plunger 15, the spherical thickening 29 axially fixing the pull rod 26. The bore 31 of the plunger 15 made of plastic is deformed accordingly.

Now e.g. a complete mixing of the one-component polyurethane foam with the fragrance can be effected by shaking the spray can 1.

The one-component polyurethane foam mixed with fragrance can then be sprayed. For this purpose, the pull rod 26 is broken off at its predetermined breaking point 28 and a spray attachment (not shown) is screwed onto the thread 18 of the spray head 12 spaced from the component 13 becomes. Since the remaining part of the plunger 15 is essentially star-shaped in cross section, the one-component polyurethane foam mixed with fragrances can now emerge from the spray nozzle 1 through the openings 20, past the piston 21, along the plunger 15. The pressure required to escape is generated by the propellant gas. As soon as the pushing down of the plunger 15 is ended, the spring 17 pushes the plunger 15 into its initial position, as a result of which the spray can 1 is closed.

By using the spray can 1 in combination with one-component polyurethane foam and fragrances, the workflow can be e.g. reduce significantly when creating scent fences. The fact that the fragrance and the one-component polyurethane foam are separated from one another during the storage of the spray can 1 prevents chemical reactions between the fragrance and the polyurethane foam. The fragrances can have different smells. It is also conceivable to mix several fragrances in order to achieve the desired effect. In addition, irritants or dyes can be used instead of the fragrances. Various one-component plastic foams can also be used.

Claims

EXPECTATIONS 1. Use of a spray can (1) suitable for dispensing a plastic foam, which has a container (23, 32) for a foam component and an additional component, the contents of which are initially separated from one another, but before use of the spray can via one of externally operated device (26) ^{~ Can be brought} together, characterized in that one of the containers (23, 32) is provided for holding single-component foam and the other container for holding non-foam additives, such as fragrances, irritants, Dyes, etc. 2. Use of a spray can according to claim 1, which has an outer container (32) and an inner container (23) arranged in the outer container (32), characterized in that the one-component plastic foam in one of the containers and the Non-foam admixtures are arranged in the other container. 3. Use of a spray can according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the one-component plastic foam is accommodated in the outer container (32) and the non-foam admixtures are accommodated in the inner container (23). 4. Use of a spray can according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the one-component plastic foam is a one-component polyurethane foam. 5. Use of a spray can according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the one-component plastic foam is a one-component silicone show.