Sealing apparatus

• US 20040216806A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dunlop GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Dunlop GmbH (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Eckhardt, Arnold
• Granted Patent: US 6,968,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/166 Devices or methods for introducing sealing compositions into articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2030/00 Pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/28 and associated with receptacle hodlers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0238 utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on liquids in storage containers for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0288 Container connection means for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for sealing inflatable objects, especially tires, consisting of a container that contains sealing agents and has a gas inlet which can be connected to a gas pressure source and an outlet that can be coupled to an object that is to be sealed. The gas inlet and the outlet are connected to each other via the interior of the container. The gas inlet and the outlet are embodied in a discharge unit that is detachably connected to the container and is preferably screwed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the sealing of inflatable articles, in particular tires, comprising a container containing a sealant and having a gas inlet which can be connected to a gas pressure source and an outlet which can be coupled to the article to be sealed, with the gas inlet and the outlet communicating with one another via the internal space of the container, characterized in that the container is made pressure-tight, has a bottleneck-like connection section and is releasably connectable to a substantially cylindrical connection stub of an extraction unit in that the gas inlet which can be connected to the gas pressure source and the outlet which can be coupled to the article to be sealed are made as an inlet duct and as an outlet duct in the extraction unit and each extend inside the connection stub in the region of their free end communicating with the internal space of the container,

wherein the gas puts the free space above the sealant level under pressure and presses the sealant through the outlet line into the article to be sealed when the container is coupled to the connection stub of the extraction unit with the opening facing down.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the container can be screwed to the cylindrical connection stub of the extraction unit.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the opening of the container is sealed, in particular with a foil, and is broken open by parts disposed inside the connection stub on the screwing into the connection stub.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the inlet duct of the extraction unit which can be connected to the gas pressure source and the outlet duct of the extraction unit which is to be coupled to the article to be sealed extend approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection stub.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the inlet duct, and the outlet duct each extend inside the connection stub of the extraction unit in the region of their free end communicating with the interior space of the container.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the free ends of the inlet duct and of the outlet duct each do not extend beyond the free end of the connection stub of the extraction unit.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the inlet duct and the outlet duct have passage sections extending into the connection stub.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the passage sections extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connection stub.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the inlet duct and the outlet duct extend coaxially at least regionally.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the inlet duct and the outlet duct extend coaxially in the region of free ends communicating with the interior space of the container.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the free ends of the inlet duct and/or of the outlet duct are each made, in particular chamfered, to break open a seal closing the opening of the container.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the gas pressure source consists of a small-capacity compressor or of a motor vehicle central compressor.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the extraction unit is provided with a standing surface on its side remote from the container in the state connected to the container.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the extraction unit includes an at least substantially cylindrical connection section which is made as a connection stub for the container at its one-end and which connects to a foot section, whose side remote from the container is formed as a standing surface, at its other end.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a filling line made as a hose, which can be coupled to a valve of the article to be sealed, can be coupled to an outer section of the outlet duct of the extraction unit.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is made for the compulsory venting of an article to be sealed connected to the outlet via the filling line.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the side of the container remote from the extraction unit is made as a standing surface.

18. An apparatus for sealing inflatable articles, the apparatus comprising:

a container having an internal space for a sealant;

an extraction unit for being releasably connected to the container;

a gas inlet of the extraction unit for being connected to a gas pressure source and an outlet of the extraction unit for being coupled to the article to be sealed, the gas inlet and the outlet communicating with one another via the container internal space; and

means for maintaining the container in a position to direct a flow of gas from the inlet through the sealant into the internal space to press the sealant out of the outlet.

19. An apparatus for sealing inflatable articles, the apparatus comprising:

a container having a bottleneck portion and an internal space for a sealant;

an extraction unit having a substantially cylindrical connection stub for releasable connection to the bottleneck portion of the container;

a gas inlet of the extraction unit for being connected to a gas pressure source and an outlet of the extraction unit for being coupled to the article to be sealed, the gas inlet and the outlet communicating with one another via the container internal space; and

the gas inlet and the outlet of the extraction unit comprise input and output ducts extending in coaxial relation to one another and disposed in the cylindrical connection stub of the extraction unit.

20. An apparatus for sealing inflatable articles, the apparatus comprising:

a container having an internal space for a sealant and a connection portion comprising a seal for the container;

an extraction unit having a connection stub for releasable connection to the container;

the connection stub comprising surfaces for breaking open the container seal upon connection of the extraction unit to the container; and

a gas inlet of the extraction unit for being connected to a gas pressure source and an outlet of the extraction unit for being coupled to the article to be sealed, the gas inlet and the outlet communicating with one another via the container internal space.

21. A method for sealing inflatable articles using a container having an internal space containing a sealant comprising:

connecting an extraction unit having an inlet and an outlet to the container;

connecting a gas pressure source to the inlet of the extraction source;

connecting the outlet of the extraction unit to an article to be sealed; and

directing a flow of gas from the gas pressure source through the sealant into the internal space to mix the sealant and to increase pressure in the internal space to press the sealant out of the outlet of the extraction unit.

22. The method of sealing inflatable articles of claim 21 wherein the container comprises a connection portion comprising a screw thread and the connection step comprises

connecting the extraction unit to the container by mating a screw thread of the extraction unit with the screw thread of the container.

23. The method of sealing inflatable articles of claim 21 wherein the container comprises a seal and the method comprises breaking the seal of the container during the connecting step.