DYNAMIC MIXER, DISPENSING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF DISPENSING MULTI-COMPONENT MATERIAL FROM A CARTRIDGE

Abstract

A dynamic mixer has two inlets arranged at an inlet side of the dynamic mixer and an outlet arranged at an outlet side of the dynamic mixer. The mixing element of the dynamic mixer is configured to be coupled to a drive shaft to drive the mixing element about a longitudinal axis of the mixing element.

Claims

1. A dynamic mixer comprising: at least two inlets arranged at an inlet side of the dynamic mixer; an outlet arranged at an outlet side of the dynamic mixer; and a mixing element configured to be coupled via a coupling to a drive shaft to drive the mixing element about a longitudinal axis of the mixing element, the mixing element comprising a rotor body and at least three rows of rotor blades arranged one after another and projecting radially from the rotor body away from the longitudinal axis between the rotor body and a housing accommodating the dynamic mixer, the rotor body decreasing in size from the inlets towards the outlet at least over 30% of a length of the rotor body, a first row of at least three rows of rotor blades arranged at a different axial position along the longitudinal axis of the mixing element in comparison to the third row of the at least three rows of rotor blades at least three rows of stator blades are provided with a respective row of the at least three rows of stator blades being arranged in alternating arrangement with the at least three rows of rotor blades each of the at least two inlets formed by a passage having an inlet opening and a mixer entry opening formed adjacent to the first row of the at least three rows of rotor blades, a respective inlet opening for the at least two inlets arranged in parallel to the mixer entry opening, and in parallel to an outlet opening of the outlet.

2. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one row of the at least three rows of rotor blades is arranged at a part of the rotor body decreasing in size.

3. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rotor body comprises a conical shaped part arranged at a rear end of the mixing element, and the third row of the at least three rows of rotor blades is arranged projecting from the conical shaped part.

4. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rotor body comprises a cylindrical shaped part at a front end, with the first row and a second row of the at least three rows of rotor blades projecting from the cylindrical shaped part (26″).

5. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 3, wherein the at least three rows of rotor blades includes only three rows of rotor blades, with the first row and a second row of rotor blades of the three rows of rotor blades comprising a same number of rotor blades and the third row of rotor blades comprising fewer rotor blades than either of the first and second rows of rotor blades.

6. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first and second rows of rotor blades each comprise between 10 and 20 rotor blades, or the third row of rotor blades comprises between 5 and 9 rotor blades.

7. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a number of rows of the at least three row of stator blades is equal to a number of rows as the at least three rows of rotor blades, with the alternating arrangement starting at the at least two inlets starting with the first row of the at least three rows of rotor blades and with a final row of the at least three rows of stator blades being arranged closer to the outlet than a final row of the at least three rows of rotor blades, or between three and ten stator blades are arranged in each row of stator blades, or wherein a number of stator blades in the at least three row of stator blades is less than a number of the rotor blades in the at least three row of rotor blades or a number of the stator blades in the at least three row of stator blades is equal to a number of the rotor blades in the at least three row of rotor blades, or the coupling is formed at or in a part of the rotor body.

8. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least three rows of rotor blades includes four rows of rotor blades with each row of rotor blades being arranged at a different axial position along the longitudinal axis of the mixing element in comparison to a remaining row of rotor blades.

9. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 8, wherein two or three rows of the four rows of rotor blades comprises a same number of rotor blades.

10. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein an axial gap along the longitudinal axis between directly adjacent rotor blades of at least three rows of rotor blades and stator blades of at least three rows of stator blades is selected in the range of 0.01 to 0.4 mm.

11. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a radial gap between an inner surface of the housing and one of the rotor blades in the at least three rows of rotor blades and between one of the stator blades and the rotor body is selected in the range of 0.01 to 0.4 mm.

12. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional size of each of the at least two inlet increases between the inlet opening and the mixer entry opening.

13. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein an area between two directly adjacent rotor blades of the first row of the at least three rows of rotor blades, the rotor body and the housing is an open area, and the mixer entry opening has a mixer inlet area, with the mixer inlet area being greater than the open area.

14. A dispensing assembly comprising: a dispenser; a cartridge; for multi-component material configured to be received in the dispenser; and the dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, the dispenser comprising the drive shaft to be coupled to the mixing element of the dynamic mixer to drive the mixing element about the longitudinal axis of the mixing element upon dispensing the multi-component material from the cartridge.

15. A method of dispensing multi-component material from the cartridge using the dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, the method comprising: making available a respective component of a multi-component material at the inlets of the dynamic mixer; guiding the respective component of the multi-component material towards the mixing element of the dynamic mixer via the inlets of the dynamic mixer as a flow of material; repeatedly interrupting the flow of material when the flow of material comes into contact with one of a stator blade of the at least three rows of stator blades and a rotor blade of the at least three rows of rotor blades of the dynamic mixer to bring about a rotation of the flow of material relative to the longitudinal axis for mixing the multi-component material, with the flow of material being interrupted at least six times upon passage between the at least two inlets and the outlet.

16. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mixer entry opening is formed directly adjacent to the first row of the at least three rows of rotor blades.

17. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 7, wherein between six and eight stator blades are arranged in each row of stator blades.

18. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein an axial gap along the longitudinal axis between directly adjacent rotor blades of at least three rows of rotor blades and stator blades of at least three rows of stator blades is 0.2 mm.

19. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional size of each of the at least two inlet continuously increases between the inlet opening and the mixer entry opening.

20. The dynamic mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein an area between two directly adjacent rotor blades of the first row of the at least three rows of rotor blades, the rotor body and the housing is an open area, and the mixer entry opening has a mixer inlet area, with the mixer inlet area being larger than an inlet area of the inlet opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective part sectional view of a first type of dynamic mixer;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a top view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 1 with part of the housing removed along the sectional line A:A of FIG. 2;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a further dynamic mixer taken along the sectional line A:A of FIG. 2;

[0052] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 4 with a housing part removed;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a perspective part sectional view of a further type of dynamic mixer;

[0054] FIG. 7 is a top view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 6;

[0055] FIG. 8 is a view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 6 with part of a housing removed along the sectional line A:A of FIG. 7; and

[0056] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a dispensing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In the following, the same reference numerals will be used for parts having the same or equivalent function. Any statements made having regard to the direction of a component are made relative to the position shown in the drawing and can naturally vary in the actual position of application.

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a perspective part sectional view of a first type of dynamic mixer 10. The dynamic mixer 10 has two inlets 12 arranged at an inlet side 14 of the dynamic mixer 10. The dynamic mixer has an outlet 16 arranged at an outlet side 18 of the dynamic mixer 10. A mixing element 20 of the dynamic mixer 10 is arranged between the two inlets 12 and the outlet 16. The mixing element 20 is configured to be coupled to a drive shaft 22 (see FIG. 9) via a coupling 24 to drive the mixing element about a longitudinal axis A of the mixing element 20. The coupling 24 can either be formed in the rotor body 26 or at the rotor body 26, e.g. within a shaft extending from the rotor body 26, with the shaft being integrally formed with the rotor body 26.

[0059] The mixing element 20 comprises a rotor body 26 arranged between the inlets 12 and the outlet side 18. A first and a second row of rotor blades 28, 30 can be seen in FIG. 1 each comprising a plurality of rotor blades 28′, 30′. The respective rotor blades 28′, 30′ project radially from the rotor body 26 away from the longitudinal axis A. The first row of rotor blades 28 is arranged closer to the two inlets 12 than the second row of rotor blades 30.

[0060] The dynamic mixer 10 further comprises a housing 32 accommodating the mixing element 20. In FIG. 1 the housing 32 is formed of two parts, a base part 34 and a top part 36. The top part 36 being received in the base part by a press fit. A nose 38 of the top part 36 presses against a collar 40 of the base part 34. In an alternative way the parts can also be connected by way of a weld.

[0061] The inlets 12 of the dynamic mixer 10 are integrally formed in one piece with the base part 34. The mixing element 20 is journaled with respect to the base part 34 as indicated e.g. relative to FIG. 4.

[0062] As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the inlets 12 each comprise a passage 42 that extends between an inlet opening 44 and a mixer entry opening 46, i.e. the inlet opening 44 is arranged remote from the first row of rotor blades 28. The mixer entry opening 46 is arranged directly adjacent to the first row of rotor blades 28.

[0063] Each inlet 12 has a cross-sectional size and shape that changes between the inlet opening 44 and the mixer entry opening 46. As shown in FIG. 1 the inlet opening 44 can be formed as having a circular shape. In this connection it should be noted that also other shapes different from the circular shape are possible. The cross-sectional size of each inlet 12 increases between the inlet opening 44 and the mixer entry opening 46.

[0064] First and second stator blades 48, 50 are also visible in the cut-away part of the housing 32. The first stator blade 48 is arranged between the first and second row of rotor blades 28, 30. The first and second stator blades 48, 50 are arranged at an inner surface 52 of the housing 32.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 1. The outlet 16 has a circular shaped outlet opening 54 via which components mixed using the mixing element 20 of the dynamic mixer 10 exit the dynamic mixer 10.

[0066] The inlet opening 44 of each inlet 12 is arranged in parallel to the mixer entry opening 46 and to the outlet opening 54 of the outlet 16.

[0067] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 1 taken along the sectional line A:A of FIG. 2. The rotor body 26 comprises a third row of rotor blades 56 arranged adjacent to the second row of rotor blades 30 along the longitudinal axis A of the mixing element 20. The third row of rotor blades 56 is arranged closer to the outlet 16 than the first row of rotor blades 28.

[0068] The rotor blades 56′ of the third row of rotor blades 56 each have a different axial position and outer size along the longitudinal axis A of the mixing element 20 in comparison to the rotor blades 28′ of the first row of rotor blades 28.

[0069] The rotor blades 56′ of the third row of rotor blades 56 is arranged at a conical shaped part 26′ of the rotor body 26. In the example shown the angle of the conical shaped part 26′ of the rotor body 26 relative to the longitudinal axis A is 25°. Generally speaking the angle of the conical shaped part 26′ and the longitudinal axis A can be selected in the range of 10 to 70°. The rotor body 26 reduces in diameter along the longitudinal axis A between the first row of rotor blades 28 and the outlet 16.

[0070] An area between two directly adjacent rotor blades 28′ of the first row of rotor blades 28, the rotor body 26 and the housing 32 is an open area 58 at a mixing inlet end 60. The mixer entry opening 46 is arranged directly adjacent to the open area 58 and hence to the mixing inlet end 60. The mixer entry opening 46 has a mixer inlet area 46′, with the mixer inlet area being greater than the open area 58. More specifically the mixer inlet area 46′ is less than twice the open area 58. The inlet opening 44 of each inlet 12 has an inlet area 44′ that is smaller than the mixer inlet area 46′ of the mixer entry opening 46.

[0071] In this connection it should be noted that it is preferable if the respective mixer inlet area 46′ of the mixer entry opening 46 has a size which corresponds to 1.4 to 1.6, preferably 1.5 or at least substantially 1.5, times the area of the respective inlet area 44′ of one of the inlet openings 44.

[0072] In this connection it should be further noted that it is preferable if an area of the outlet opening 54 is selected in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 times the sum of the inlet areas 44′ of each inlet opening 44 of each inlet 12.

[0073] It should further be noted that a width of the mixer entry opening 46 is selected in the range of 1.3 to 1.8, preferably 1.5 or at least substantially 1.5, times a spacing between the first blades 28′ of the first row of rotor blades 28 at the radial most outer point of the respective rotor blades 28′.

[0074] Respectively that the mixer inlet area 46′ corresponds to 1.4 to 1.6, preferably 1.5 or at least substantially 1.5, times the open area 58.

[0075] It should further be noted that depending on the type of two-component material to be mixed that the area of one of the two mixer inlet areas 46′ respectively the inlet area 44′ of one of the inlet openings 44 of the two inlets 12 can be smaller in size than the other one of the corresponding inlets in order to permit an adaptation of the dynamic mixer to high and low viscosity liquids.

[0076] In a top view (in this regard please also see FIG. 5) the mixer entry opening 46 has a shape resembling a ring shaped section 62 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The ring shaped section 62 having inner and outer curved side surfaces 64, 64′ and planar side surfaces 66,66′.

[0077] A row of stator blades 48′ is arranged between the first and second rows of rotor blades 28, 30, a second row of stator blades 50′ is arranged between the second and third rows of rotor blades 30, 56 and a third row of stator blades 68 is arranged between the third row of rotor blades 56 and the outlet 16.

[0078] The first row of rotor blades 28 comprises more rotor blades 28′ than the third row of rotor blades 56. It is preferred if less rotor blades 56′, in particular half as many rotor blades 56′, are provided in the third row of rotor blades 56 as rotor blades 28′ are provided in the first row of rotor blades 28. As also shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 as many rotor blades 30′ are provided in the second row of rotor blades 30 as are provided in the first row of rotor blades 28.

[0079] The first and second row of rotor blades 28, 30 comprise rotor blades 28′, 30′ having a like shape, in particular a rectangular shape, and size, i.e. a height of 6 mm measured in parallel to the longitudinal axis A. In this connection it should be noted that the height of the rotor blades 28′ should be at least 5 mm and is preferably selected in the range of 5 to 10 mm.

[0080] The height of the stator blades 48 of the first row of stator blades 48′ is less than the height of the rotor blades 28′, 30′ and is especially less than half the height of the rotor blades 28′, 30′ and is generally selected in the range of 20% to 50% of the height of the rotor blades 28′, 30′.

[0081] A height of the rotor blades 56′ of the third row of rotor blades 56 is greater than a height of the rotor blades 28′, 30′ of the first or second row of rotor blades 28, 30. Preferably the height of the rotor blades 56′ is selected in the range of 8 to 20 mm, especially of 10 to 12 mm.

[0082] The rotor blades 56′ of the third row of rotor blades 56 have a wedge shaped design. The design of the rotor blades 56′ of the third row of rotor blades 56 can deviate from the wedge shaped design as shown e.g. in connection with FIG. 8.

[0083] It should be noted in this connection that an axial gap along the longitudinal axis A between directly adjacent rotor blades 28′, 30′, 56′ and stator blades 48, 50, 68′ is generally selected in the range of 0.01 to 0.4 mm, and preferably is selected as 0.2 mm as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8.

[0084] It should further be noted that a radial gap between the inner surface 52 of the housing 32 and one of the rotor blades 28′, 30′, 56′ and respectively between one of the stator blades 48, 50, 68′ and the rotor body 26 is selected in the range of 0.01 to 0.4 mm, and preferably is selected as 0.2 mm as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8.

[0085] In this connection it should be noted that each of the rotor blades 28′, 30′, 50′ can have a wedge shaped outer contour, with the wedge becoming smaller as the wedge extends away from the longitudinal axis A.

[0086] Similarly the stator blades 48′, 50′, 68′ that project radially between the rotor body 26 and the housing 32 also have a wedge like outer shape, with the wedge becoming smaller as the wedge extends away from the longitudinal axis A.

[0087] It is also possible that the first row of stator blades 48′ has a smaller outer circumference in comparison to the second row of stator blades 50′.

[0088] Directly adjoining the conical shaped part 26′ the rotor body 26 also has a cylindrical shaped part 26″ at its front end 70, with the first and second row of rotor blades 28, 30 projecting from the cylindrical shaped part 26″.

[0089] A passage 74 extends between two directly adjacent rotor blades 30′ of the second row of rotor blades 30 and two directly adjacent rotor blades 56′ of the third row of rotor blades 56 between the conical shaped part 26′ and the cylindrical shaped part 26″.

[0090] A base 74′ of the respective passage 74 extends in parallel with the longitudinal axis A and as can be seen in FIG. 5 the passage 74 has a rectangular cross-section in parallel with the longitudinal axis A. The passages 74 are provided in order to ensure a reliable assembly of the dynamic mixer 10.

[0091] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a further dynamic mixer 10 similar to the view of FIG. 3. In contrast to the dynamic mixer 10 shown in FIG. 3, the angle of the conical shaped part 26′ of the rotor body 26 relative to the longitudinal axis A is 45°.

[0092] Like the rotor body 26 of the dynamic mixer 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotor body 26 of FIG. 4 has a front end 70 in the region of the mixer entry opening 46 and a rear end 72 in the region of the outlet 16. The rotor body 26 has the conical outer shaped part 26′ at the rear end 72, with the third row of rotor blades 56 projecting from the conical outer shaped part 26′.

[0093] The dynamic mixers 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 each comprise three rows of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, with the first and second row of rotor blades 28, 30 comprising the same number of rotor blades 28′, 30′ and the third row of rotor blades 56 comprising less rotor blades 56′ than either of the first and second rows of rotor blades 28, 30.

[0094] In this connection it should be noted that generally speaking the first and second rows of rotor blades 28, 30 can each comprise between 10 and 20, preferably between 12 and 16, especially 14 rotor blades 28′, 30′ and the third row of rotor blades 56 can comprise between 5 and 9, preferably between 6 and 8 and especially 7, rotor blades 56′.

[0095] The rotor body 26 is journaled at the base part 34 of the housing 32 via two annular projections 76, 78 respectively engaging ring-shaped grooves 80, 82 present in the rotor body 26. The first annular projection 76 is generally rectangular in shape and projects into the first ring-shaped groove 80. The second annular projection 78 tapers towards the longitudinal axis A and thereby engages a sidewall of the second ring-shaped groove 80. In this way a seal is formed between the rotor body 26 and the base part 34 of the housing 32 in order to avoid multi-component material from exiting the dynamic mixer 10 in the region of the coupling 24.

[0096] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 4 with the top part 36 of the housing 32 removed. As can clearly be seen each of the mixer entry openings 46 has a shape resembling the ring shaped section 62 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Moreover, the area of the mixer entry openings 46 is larger than the open area 58 between directly adjacent rotor blades 28′ of the first row of rotor blades 28, the rotor body 26 and the housing 32.

[0097] FIG. 6 shows a perspective part sectional view of a further type of dynamic mixer 10. The design differs with regard to the design shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. The differences are due to the different design of mixing element 20 which will be discussed in the following and due to the difference in design of the housing 32.

[0098] The housing 32 is a two-part housing comprising the top part 36 and the base part 34. A collar 36′ of the top part 36 engages over a ring-shaped projection 34″ of the base part 34 and engages a nose 34′ of the base part 34 to bring about a seal between the top and bottom parts 36, 34 of the housing 32.

[0099] Moreover, the housing 32 also comprises wings 84. The wings 84 are provided to stiffen the housing 32 from the outside in order to maintain the seal between the top and bottom parts 36, 34 of the housing 32.

[0100] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 6. One can see that six wings 84 are provided. The designs of FIGS. 1 to 5 do not show wings 84, it should however be noted that also the designs of FIGS. 1 to 5 can have wings 84 provided on the outside of the top part 36 of the housing 32. Generally speaking between 3 and 10 such wings 84 can be provided.

[0101] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the dynamic mixer of FIG. 6 taken along the sectional line A:A of FIG. 7. The mixing element 20 comprises four rows of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, 86 arranged one after another and projecting radially from the rotor body 26 away from the longitudinal axis A between the rotor body 26 and the housing 32 accommodating the mixing element 20 of the dynamic mixer 10.

[0102] The rotor body 26 decreases in size from the inlets 12 towards the outlet 16 at the position of each of the rotor blades 28′, 30′, 56′, 86′ of each of the four rows of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, 86. Each row of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, 86 is thus arranged at a different axial position along the longitudinal axis A of the mixing element 20. Four rows of stator blades 48′, 50′, 68, 88 are arranged at the inner surface 52 of the housing 32. The four rows of stator blades 48′, 50′, 68, 88 are arranged in alternating arrangement with the four rows of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, 86. The alternating arrangement starting at the mixer entry opening 46 is the first row of rotor blades 28 followed by the first row of stator blades 48′, followed by the second row of rotor blades 30 followed by the second row of stator blades 50′ followed by the third row of rotor blades 56, followed by the third row of stator blades 68, followed by the fourth row of rotor blades 86, followed by the fourth row of stator blades 88.

[0103] It should be noted in this connection that the fourth row of rotor blades 86 comprises less rotor blades 86′ than either of the first, second or third row of rotor blades, 28, 30, 56. It can be the case that half as many rotor blades 86′ are provided as in the first, second or third row of rotor blades, 28, 30, 56.

[0104] An outer diameter of the rotor body 26 reduces in size between each of the four rows of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, 86, such that the rotor body 26 decreases in size between the inlets 12 and the outlet 16.

[0105] Each of the rotor blades 28′, 30′, 56′, 86′ of each of the four rows of rotor blades 28, 30, 56, 86 comprises a vertical wall 90 that extends in parallel with the longitudinal axis A and a top wall 92 that extends inclined with the vertical wall 90. The angle of inclination between the top wall 92 and the vertical wall 90 can generally be selected in the range of 10 to 80° and in the example shown in FIG. 8 is 30°.

[0106] Each stator blade 48, 50, 68′, 88′ of the four rows of stator blades 48′, 50′, 68, 88 has a bottom wall 94 that extends in parallel with the top wall 92 and a side wall 96 that extends in parallel with the longitudinal axis A. The angle of inclination between the bottom wall 94 and the side wall 96 can generally be selected in the range of 100 to 170° and in the example shown in FIG. 8 is 120°.

[0107] The respective axial gap thus extends between the side walls 96 and the vertical walls 90. The respective radial gap thus extends between the top walls 92 and the bottom walls 94.

[0108] Each of the inlets 12 is formed by the passage 42. The respective inlet opening 44 and the mixer entry opening 46 are arranged in parallel to one another and to the outlet opening 54 of the outlet 16.

[0109] In all of the designs of the dynamic mixer 10 shown it should be noted that between three and ten, preferably seven, stator blades 48, 50, 68′, 88′ can be arranged in each row of stator blades 48′, 50′, 68, 88.

[0110] It should further be noted that less stator blades 48, 50, 68′, 88′ are provided than rotor blades 28′, 30′, 56′, 86′.

[0111] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a dispensing assembly 98. The dispensing assembly comprises a dispenser 100, a cartridge 102, filed with a multi-component material M, M′, received in the dispenser 100 and a dynamic mixer 10. The dispenser 100 comprises the drive shaft 22 that can be coupled to the coupling 24 of the mixing element 20 of the dynamic mixer 10 to drive the mixing element 20 about the longitudinal axis A of the mixing element 20 on dispensing the multi-component material M, M′ from the cartridge. The dispenser 100 further comprises a motor 104 to drive the drive shaft 22 and a receptacle 106 configured to receive the multi-component cartridge 102.

[0112] Upon dispensing the multi-component material M, M′ from the cartridge two pistons (not shown) are moved within the cartridge towards the dynamic mixer 10 via two plungers (also not shown) of the dispensing assembly 98. In this way a respective component of the multi-component material M, M′ is made available at one of the two inlets 12 of the dynamic mixer 10. The respective component of the multi-component material M, M′ is guided towards the mixing element 20 of the dynamic mixer 10 via the inlets 12 of the dynamic mixer 10 as a flow of material (not shown).

[0113] The mixing element 20 is rotated while the flow of material is guided through the dynamic mixer 10 in order to constantly move slices of the flow of material of the respective components of the multi-component material M, M′ not only in the direction of the outlet 16, but also in a radial direction, so that the different slices of components of the multi-component material M, M′ come into contact with one another and are thereby mixed prior to exiting the outlet 16. When the flow of material comes into contact with one of a stator blade 48, 50 and a rotor blade 28′, 30′, 56′ of the dynamic mixer 10 the flow of material is repeatedly interrupted to bring about the rotation of the flow of material relative to the longitudinal axis A for mixing the multi-component material M, M′, with the flow of material being interrupted six, eight or more times on its passage between the inlets 12 and the outlet 16.

[0114] While the respective components are guided through the inlets, a diameter of the flow of material is expanded in the direction towards the mixing element 20 of the dynamic mixer 10 between the inlets 12 and the mixing element 20, in order to reduce the flow speed of the multi-component material M, M′ for an improvement of the mixing quality.

[0115] If passages 74 are provided between different rows of rotor blades 30, 56, these can further improve the mixing results of the mixed multi-component material M, M′ as the flow of material can be interrupted at further dedicated positions introducing further vortices to bring about a momentary stop of the flow of the multi-component material M, M′ which ensures an improved through mixing of the multi-component material M, M′.

[0116] The dynamic mixers 10 taught in the foregoing can be formed e.g. in an injection molding process or using a 3D printer from a plastic material. This means that the housing 32 and the mixing element 20 are each formed from a plastic material.

[0117] The material of the mixing element 20 can be selected harder than a material of the housing 32. In this connection it should be noted that the base part 34 and the top part 36 of the housing can be formed from the same material or a different material.

[0118] A material of the mixing element 20 and hence that of the rotor blades 28′, 30′, 56′, 86′ of the mixing element 20 and/or a material of the housing 32 and hence that of the stator blades 48, 50, 68′, 88′ can be selected having a SHORE D hardness in the range of 50 to 90, preferred materials for these components are Polypropylene (PP) and Polyoxymethylene (POM) and hence the preferred range of the SHORE D hardness is selected in the range of 60 to 88.