Adhesive cartridge

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12240674-B2
Application number	US-201917273479-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 4, 2019
Priority date	Sep 4, 2018
Publication date	Mar 4, 2025
Grant date	Mar 4, 2025

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an adhesive cartridge for an automated brick laying machine, the adhesive cartridge comprising a bladder for the adhesive, a shell for the bladder, the shell comprising an aperture therethrough, and at least one valve assembly for controlling adhesive flow, the valve assembly comprising a valve body, at least a portion of which extends through the aperture and into the shell. Also disclosed is a method for assembling the adhesive cartridge, a method of filling the adhesive cartridge and an automated bricklaying machine having a bricklaying and adhesive applying head incorporating the adhesive cartridge.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adhesive cartridge for an automated brick laying machine, the adhesive cartridge comprising a bladder for the adhesive, a shell for the bladder, the shell comprising an aperture therethrough, and at least one valve assembly for controlling adhesive flow, the valve assembly comprising a valve body, at least a portion of which extends through the aperture and into the shell and wherein the valve assembly is configured to allow controllable adhesive filling of and dispensing from the adhesive cartridge; and
wherein the at least a portion of the valve body also extends through an aperture in the bladder and the valve body comprises a first valve port providing an opening inside of the bladder, a second port providing an opening outside of the shell, a passageway extending between the first and second ports, and a third port intersecting the passageway and opening outside of the shell.

2. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a valve element which comprises a passageway therethrough to permit flow between the first and second ports of the valve body, a membrane seal blocking this passageway, and wherein the valve element is movable relative to the valve body between a first position in which it blocks the third port, and a second position in which it opens the third port, wherein the valve assembly includes a seal between the valve body and the valve element to prevent ingress of adhesive therebetween and the valve element has a thread or barb to assist in positioning thereof relative to the valve body.

3. The adhesive cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the valve element comprises a generally elongate, tubular and cylindrical body comprising a portion defining a piston at a first end, and a tube connection fitting at a second end, and a portion comprising an external screw thread between the ends.

4. The adhesive cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the second port of the valve body is defined by a collar provided with an internal screw thread, so that the valve element can be screwed into and out of the valve body.

5. A method for filling the adhesive cartridge of claim 2 with adhesive, the method comprising the steps of evacuating the bladder of air using a vacuum pump, and then filling the bladder with the adhesive, the step of evacuating the bladder including moving the valve element to its second position, in which it opens the third port, and then applying the vacuum pump via the third port to evacuate air from the bladder.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein post evacuation, the method comprises the further step of pumping adhesive into the cartridge via the third port, and then setting the valve element to its first position, in which it closes the third port to seal the adhesive in the cartridge, wherein the adhesive is pumped into the cartridge from an adhesive supply via a first line which is connected to the third port via a valve that is also connected to the vacuum pump via a second line, the valve operable to selectively open and close each line to the third port.

7. A method of preparing the adhesive cartridge of claim 2 for use with an automated bricklaying machine including a brick laying and adhesive applying head, the method comprising the steps of securing the adhesive cartridge to the brick laying and adhesive applying head and connecting a supply line to the adhesive cartridge.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method comprises the further steps of securing an adhesive fitting with a sharpened tip to the supply line, and then inserting the adhesive fitting into and down the passageway through the valve element tip first, until the sharpened tip punctures the membrane seal, to thereby allow adhesive to flow from the bladder into the supply line.

9. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the valve body is generally elongate, tubular and cylindrical, and comprises the first valve port at a first end, the second valve port at a second end, and the third valve port in a side thereof.

10. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a spigot defines the first valve port, and the spigot comprises an external screw thread and wherein the adhesive cartridge further comprises a nut for the spigot, where both the spigot and the nut comprise a flange between which a portion of the bladder is captured, and sealed against adhesive leaks by way of at least one washer clamped between the flanges and wherein the third valve port comprises an internal thread for receiving a tube connection fitting.

11. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the valve body further comprises a groove extending around an outside diameter thereof, wherein in use, this groove receives a clip to assist in the securement of the valve assembly to the shell, wherein the clip reduces relative movement between the valve assembly and the shell.

12. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive cartridge comprises a cuboid shape and the shell comprises a box, wherein the shell is made of a material selected from cardboard, corflute, plastic or a hybrid material and optionally the material has a water resistant coating that is further optionally reflective.

13. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the bladder is made of a flexible aluminium composite foil.

14. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is for a single-use.

15. The adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive cartridge is adapted to be releasably secured with respect to a brick laying and adhesive applying head of an automated brick laying machine and supply an adhesive for application onto bricks when secured.

16. A method for assembling the adhesive cartridge of claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of securing the valve assembly with respect to the bladder, and then placing the bladder, and a portion of the valve assembly, inside of the shell and then securing the valve assembly with respect to the shell.

17. A brick laying and adhesive applying head assembly for an automated brick laying machine, wherein the head assembly is adapted to releasably retain an adhesive cartridge of claim 1 that is configured to dispense adhesive therefrom onto a brick.

18. An automated brick laying machine comprising the brick laying and adhesive applying head assembly of claim 17 .

19. An adhesive cartridge for an automated brick laying machine, the adhesive cartridge comprising a bladder for the adhesive, a shell for the bladder, the shell comprising an aperture therethrough, and at least one valve assembly for controlling adhesive flow, the adhesive cartridge being characterized in that the valve assembly comprises a valve body comprising a first port providing an opening inside of the bladder, a second port providing an opening outside of the shell, a passageway extending between the first port and the second port, and a third port intersecting the passageway and opening outside of the shell wherein the valve assembly further comprises a valve element which comprises a passageway therethrough to permit flow between the first port and the second port of the valve body, a membrane seal blocking this passageway, and wherein the valve element is movable relative to the valve body between a first position in which it blocks the third port, and a second position in which it opens the third port, wherein the valve assembly, so as to allow controllable adhesive filling of, and dispensing from, the adhesive cartridge, and wherein the adhesive cartridge is adapted to be releasably secured and connected with respect to the automated brick laying machine, so

Assignees

• Fastbrick Ip Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Pivac Mark Joseph
• Apfelthaler Harald

Classifications

• B05C5/0225

  characterised by flow controlling means, e.g. valves, located proximate the outlet (B05C5/0258, B05C5/0275 take precedence; supply valves upstream the coating head B05C11/1036) · CPC title

• B05C5/002

  the work consisting of separate articles (B05C5/0208 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65D85/70

  for materials not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B65D2583/005

  Dispensers provided with a replaceable cartridge, recharge or pouch located within the dispenser · CPC title

• E04G21/22 Primary

  for setting building elements with mortar, e.g. bricklaying machines · CPC title