Head plate device, storage container device, cartridge arrangement, dispensing apparatus, and their usage

Abstract

A head plate device is disclosed for a cartridge arrangement for a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least two flowable components. The head plate device includes at least two separate outlet openings for respectively dispensing the at least two flowable components, and at least two separate inlet passages of the head plate device through which the at least two flowable components can be introduced and flowed through separately from one another. A corresponding storage container device, a cartridge arrangement, and a dispensing apparatus combining a head plate device and a storage container device with a mixer device are disclosed.

Claims

1. A head plate device for a cartridge arrangement for a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least two flowable components, the head plate device comprising: at least two separate outlet openings for respectively dispensing at least two flowable components; and at least two separate inlet passages configured to introduce and flow the at least two flowable components separately from one another to a respective one of the outlet openings, wherein: each of said inlet passages of the head plate device is configured for, sealing cooperation with one respective outlet passage of a storage container device; at least one of the inlet passages of the head plate device includes an inlet opening region of essentially circularly shaped cross-section with at least one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery; at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery includes at least one engaging element, where the at least one engaging element extends radially from the respective inner periphery or outer periphery; the at least one engaging element includes a plurality of engaging elements provided on at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of at least one of the inlet or outlet opening region of at least one of the of the inlet and the outlet passages; and individuals of pairs of adjacent engaging elements of the plurality of engaging elements on a respective periphery are positioned either: (1) directly adjacent to and in direct contact with each other, or (2) on the respective periphery with a gap element between them formed by a free portion of the respective periphery.

2. The head plate device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one engaging element is configured to engage with a cooperating and essentially complimentary engaging element of a corresponding outlet passage of a storage container device in a state where the inlet passage of the head plate device, sealingly cooperates with outlet passage of the storage container device, thereby ensuring at least one of: (i) a snap, lock, latch, or click into place, (ii) a form fit, (iii) a press fit, (iv) a force fit, and (v) a torque proof cooperation between the inlet passage of the head plate device and the outlet passage of the storage container device by preventing at least a rotational movement about a respective symmetry axis (A) underlying the essentially circularly shaped cross-section of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the inlet passage of the head plate device, thereof.

3. The head plate device according to claim 1, further comprising: opposed first and second sides, wherein the at least two separate inlet passages are formed on one of the first and second sides; wherein the at least two separate outlet openings are formed on the other one of the first and second sides; and wherein a number of inlet passages is identical to a number of outlet openings.

4. The head plate device according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of engaging elements wherein a first fraction of the plurality engaging elements is configured for achieving torque proof cooperation between the inlet passage of the head plate device and a respective outlet passage of a storage container device, and wherein a second fraction of the plurality of engaging elements is configured for achieving an engagement between the inlet passage of the head plate device and a respective outlet passage of the storage container device thereby avoiding an axial movement and an inadvertent spatial separation thereof.

5. The head plate device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one engaging element is formed as a male member protruding either from the inner periphery of the respective inlet or outlet opening region of the respective inlet or outlet passage radially inwardly or from the outer periphery of the respective inlet or outlet opening region of the respective inlet or outlet passage radially outwardly.

6. The head plate device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one engaging element is formed as a female member recessing either from the inner periphery of the respective inlet or outlet opening region of the respective inlet or outlet passage radially outwardly or from the outer periphery of the respective inlet or outlet opening region of the respective inlet or outlet passage radially inwardly.

7. The head plate device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one engaging element is formed as or comprises at least one of: (A) a fin element extending axially and/or circumferentially with respect to the respective inlet or outlet opening region; (B) a slit extending axially and/or circumferentially with respect to the respective inlet or outlet opening region; (C) an element with one of a polygonal, rectangular, triangular, semicircular and oval cross section in the axial direction each on the respective periphery and extending axially and/or circumferentially with respect to the respective inlet or outlet opening region; (D) an elastic and/or solid element extending axially and/or circumferentially with respect to the respective inlet or outlet opening region; and (E) a resilient element extending axially and/or circumferentially and configured for a resilient movement in radial a direction perpendicular to an axial and/or to a circumferential direction with respect to the respective inlet or outlet opening region.

8. The head plate device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of engaging elements is formed with an essentially identical shape.

9. The head plate device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of engaging elements on the respective periphery is a sequence of alternating male and female structures.

10. The head plate device according to claim 1, wherein the individuals of pairs of adjacent engaging elements of the plurality of engaging elements on the respective periphery are positioned directly adjacent to and in direct contact with each other.

11. The head plate device according to claim 1, wherein the individuals of pairs of adjacent engaging elements of the plurality of engaging elements on the respective periphery are positioned on the respective periphery with the gap element between them formed by the free portion of the respective periphery.

12. The head plate device according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one engaging element on the respective periphery is configured to achieve a form fit, press fit or force fit, and configured as a male element having a tapered shape with at least one of a reduced height in a radial direction and a reduced width in circumferential direction each towards the respective inlet or outlet opening, or a female element having a tapered shape with at least one of an increased depth in the radial direction and an increased width in circumferential direction each towards the respective inlet or outlet opening.

13. The head plate device according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one engaging element is configured in order to allow a mechanical coding by way of its shape, its position and/or its orientation on the respective periphery.

14. A storage container device for a cartridge arrangement for a dispensing apparatus and configured for storing a flowable component, the storage container device comprising: a storage chamber for storing a flowable component; and an outlet passage through which a flowable component is to be discharged; wherein: the outlet passage of the storage container device is configured for sealing, cooperation with one respective inlet passage of a head plate device, the outlet passage of the storage container device includes an outlet opening region of essentially circularly shaped cross-section with at least one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery; at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery includes at least one engaging element, and the at least one engaging element extends radially from the respective inner periphery or outer periphery; and the at least one engaging element includes a plurality of engaging elements provided on at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of at least one of the inlet or outlet opening region of at least one of the of the inlet and the outlet passages.

15. The storage container device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one engaging element of the outlet passage of the storage container device is configured to engage with a cooperating and essentially complimentary engaging element of a corresponding inlet passage of a head plate device in a state where the outlet passage of the storage container device sealingly, cooperates with the respective inlet passage of the head plate device, thereby ensuring at least one of: (i) a snap, lock, latch, or click into place, (ii) a form fit, (iii) a press fit, (iv) a force fit, and (v) a torque proof cooperation between the inlet passage of the head plate device and the outlet passage of the storage container device by preventing at least a rotational movement about a respective symmetry axis (A) underlying the essentially circularly shaped cross-section of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the inlet passage of the head plate device, thereof.

16. A cartridge arrangement for a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least two flowable components, comprising: a head plate device having at least two separate outlet openings for respectively dispensing at least two flowable components; and at least two separate inlet passages configured to introduce and flow the at least two flowable components separately from one another to a respective one of the outlet openings, wherein: each of said inlet passages of the head plate device is configured for, sealing cooperation with one respective outlet passage of a storage container device; at least one of the inlet passages of the head plate device includes an inlet opening region of essentially circularly shaped cross-section with at least one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery; and at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery includes at least one engaging element, where the at least one engaging element extends radially from the respective inner periphery or outer periphery; and at least two storage container devices for receiving or for providing a respective chamber for a respective one of the at least two flowable components, wherein at least one of the storage container devices is configure to include: a storage chamber for storing a flowable component; and an outlet passage through which a flowable component is to be discharged; wherein: the outlet passage of the storage container device is configured for sealing, cooperation with one respective inlet passage of a head plate device; the outlet passage of the storage container device includes an outlet opening region of essentially circularly shaped cross-section with at least one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery; at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery includes at least one engaging element, and the at least one engaging element extends radially from the respective inner periphery or outer periphery; the at least one engaging element includes a plurality of engaging elements provided on at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of at least one of the inlet or outlet opening region of at least one of the of the inlet and the outlet passages; and individuals of pairs of adjacent engaging elements of the plurality of engaging elements on a respective periphery are positioned either: (1) directly adjacent to and in direct contact with each other, or (2) on the respective periphery with a gap element between them formed by a free portion of the respective periphery.

17. The cartridge arrangement according to claim 16, wherein each of the at least two storage container devices is filled with material of one of the at least two flowable components.

18. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least two flowable components, having and comprising: a cartridge arrangement according to claim 16; and a mixer device, wherein the mixer device is attachable or attached to the cartridge arrangement and configured for receiving from the cartridge arrangement the at least two flowable components, for mixing the at least two flowable components, and for dispensing them in a mixed state.

19. A method for storing, mixing, and/or dispensing at least two flowable components which include at least one of a sealant and an adhesive and/or for at least one of installing, fixing, gluing, sealing, and repairing a window of a wind shield or wind screen of a vehicle, the method comprising: filling a cartridge with the two flowable components; and dispensing the two flowable components for the cartridge, the cartridge including: a head plate device having at least two separate outlet openings for respectively dispensing at least two flowable components; and at least two separate inlet passages configured to introduce and flow the at least two flowable components separately from one another to a respective one of the outlet openings, wherein: each of said inlet passages of the head plate device is configured for, sealing cooperation with one respective outlet passage of a storage container device; at least one of the inlet passages of the head plate device includes an inlet opening region of essentially circularly shaped cross-section with at least one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery; and at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery includes at least one engaging element, where the at least one engaging element extends radially from the respective inner periphery or outer periphery; and the cartridge being in combination with: at least two storage container devices for receiving or for providing a respective chamber for a respective one of the at least two flowable components, wherein at least one of the storage container devices is configure to include: a storage chamber for storing a flowable component; and an outlet passage through which a flowable component is to be discharged; wherein: the outlet passage of the storage container device is configured for sealing, cooperation with one respective inlet passage of a head plate device; the outlet passage of the storage container device includes an outlet opening region of essentially circularly shaped cross-section with at least one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery; at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery includes at least one engaging element, and the at least one engaging element extends radially from the respective inner periphery or outer periphery; the at least one engaging element includes a plurality of engaging elements provided on at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of at least one of the inlet or outlet opening region of at least one of the of the inlet and the outlet passages; and individuals of pairs of adjacent engaging elements of the plurality of engaging elements on a respective periphery are positioned either: (1) directly adjacent to and in direct contact with each other, or (2) on the respective periphery with a gap element between them formed by a free portion of the respective periphery.

Description

(1) Further details of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

(2) FIGS. 1A, B are schematic and cross-sectional side-views which demonstrate an embodiment of the head plate device according to the present invention before and in cooperation with storage container devices.

(3) FIG. 1C, D are a schematic and cross-sectional side-views of an embodiment of the head plate device according to the present invention before and in cooperation with a mixer device.

(4) FIGS. 2A, B are cross-sectional side-views which demonstrate an embodiment of a head plate device before and in cooperation with storage container devices, having already attached a mixer device.

(5) FIGS. 3A, B provide different views of a further embodiment of a head plate device according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side-view of a detail of the head plate device showing in enlarged form one of the inlet passages.

(7) FIGS. 5A-E provide different views of a storage container device according to the present invention.

(8) FIGS. 6-8 present different views of designs for inlet and outlet opening regions according to the present invention.

(9) FIGS. 9A-F are cross-sectional side-views elucidating possible shapes of engaging elements used in the present invention.

(10) FIGS. 10A-D demonstrate by means of schematic and cross-sectional side-views different designs for connecting inlet opening regions and outlet opening regions assigned to each other.

(11) FIGS. 11A-B are schematic front views elucidating different arrangements of plurality of male engaging elements on an outer periphery of an inlet or outlet passage.

(12) FIG. 12A-D are schematic side-views demonstrating different arrangements of pluralities of engaging elements on outer peripheries of an inlet or outlet passage.

(13) In the following, embodiments of the invention are described. All described embodiments in the following and their properties and technical features may be combined in any way, i.e. there is no limitation that certain described embodiments, properties and technical features may not be combined with others.

(14) The same reference symbols in the figures describe the same or equivalent components, even if a detailed description is not repeated for each occurrence thereof.

(15) In the following, reference is taken to the figures in detail. The trihedrons shown in the figures elucidate the position and the orientation of the respective components and portions of the head plate device 45, of the storage container device 90, of the cartridge arrangement 100, and of the dispensing apparatus 1 according to the present invention with respect to each other and in relation to space, in particular when compared between the different views of the figures.

(16) FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic and cross-sectional side-views of an embodiment of a head plate device 45 according to the present invention before and in cooperation with respective storage container devices which may be formed according to the present invention.

(17) FIGS. 1C and 1D are schematic and cross-sectional side-views of an embodiment of a head plate device 45 according to the present invention before and in cooperation with a mixer or mixer device 10.

(18) The mixer device 10 is formed by a mixer housing 20 which comprises in an upper part in FIGS. 1C, D a mixing part or portion 40 and in the lower part of FIG. 1C, D an intermediate part or portion 45. The mixing part 40 of the housing 20 comprises in its interior 25 a mixing element 30. This mixing element 30 may be or form a static mixer or a dynamic mixer. In the top portion of FIG. 1C, D it is shown that the mixer housing 20 forms a tip or tip portion 26 with an outlet opening 24 for dispensing the mixture formed within the interior 25 of the mixer device 10 by mixing the at least two flowable components 11, 12.

(19) Here the shown head plate device 45 is configured for being coupled on its second or upper side 45b with the mixer device 10; thus, respective engaging elementsas for the attachment of the cartridge container devices 90or cooperating threadings or any other means be provided.

(20) The shown head plate device 45 is configured for being coupled on its first or lower side 45a with a plurality of storage container devices 90 offering respective storage chambers 91, 92 which are not shown here.

(21) Therefore, the head plate 45 comprises first and second inlet passages 50 and 60, respectively, which are separated from each other and whichafter attachment of the mixer device 10may join into the interior 25 or mixing passage 25 of the mixer device 10 where the mixing element 30 is situated.

(22) The lower part of the head plate device 45 forms the first and second inlet opening regions 51 and 61, respectively, with its first and second inlet openings 52 and 62, respectively. The first and second inlet opening regions 51 and 61 comprise inner and outer peripheries 53, 63 and 54, 64, respectively.

(23) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, each inner periphery 53 and 63 comprises an engaging element 56, 66 whichin this particular caseprotrudes from the inner periphery 53, 63 radially inside. Moreover, a first end of the engaging elements 56, 66 facing in the direction of the head plate device 45, contacts the head plate device 45, whereas a second end facing the in the direction of the respective storage container device 90, is free so that it can be inserted into a corresponding element on the storage container device 90. Thereby, the engaging elements 56, 66 block a rotation between the head casing device and the respective storage container device 90 but allow an axial movement between these two parts.

(24) The first and second inlet opening regions 51, 61 and the respective openings 52, 62 have a circular or circular cylindrical geometry which in this particular case is given by a symmetry axis which is parallel to the symmetry axis of the mixer 10 as such.

(25) In the case shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, two inlet opening regions 51, 61 are provided, therefore, the mixer 10 of FIGS. 1A to 1D is adapted for being used with two storage container devices 90 offering storage chambers 91, 92. However, the number of two storage container devices 90 and therefore the number of two inlet openings 51, 61 is not mandatory as this situation demonstrates the minimum only. At least two inlet openings 51, 61 for two storage container devices 90 to be connected thereto have to be provided.

(26) FIGS. 2A and 2B demonstrate the usage of the head plate device 45, the mixer device 10, and the storage container devices 90 of FIGS. 1A to 1D in cooperation, wherein the two storage container devices 90 offer, provide or receive storage chambers 91 and 92. FIGS. 2A and 2B describe situations before and after having attached the storage container devices 90 with its outlet passages 70 and 80 to the inlet passages 50 and 60 presented by the head plate device 45.

(27) Each of the storage container devices 90 and the offered storage chambers 91 and 92 are designed in order to store in their interior a first flowable component 11 and a second flowable component 12, respectively. In addition, the storage container devices 90 and in particular their outlet passages 80 and 90 are configured to cooperate with the inlet passages 50 and 60, respectively, of the mixer device 10 and in particular to have means for engaging with the engaging elements 56 and 66 formed on the inner periphery 53, 63 of the first and second inlet opening regions 51 and 61 of the mixer device 10.

(28) Therefore, the outlet passages 70 and 80 of the storage container devices 90 in their outlet opening regions 71, 81 compriseat suitable locationsrespective engaging elements 76, 86 which are not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and which are essentially complementary to some extent to the underlying engaging element 56 and 66 located at the first and second inlet opening regions 51 and 61 of the head plate device 45.

(29) The engagement of the engaging elements 56, 76 on the one hand and 66, 86 on the other hand ensure a torque-free and rotation-free positioning and cooperation of the storage container devices 90 and the offered first and second storage chambers 91, 92 with their first and second outlet passages 70 and 80 in or at the respective first and second inlet passages 50 and 60 of the mixer device 10 in order to enable a reliable operation of the dispensing apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

(30) Alternatively or additionally, an axial movement between the head plate device 45 and the storage container devices 90 may be suppressed in order to reduce the risk of inadvertently losing the attachment between these components; this may be achieved by the same or by different engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86, 96, 97.

(31) FIGS. 3A and 3B show different views of a head plate device according to the present invention 45 and functioning as an intermediate portion between the mixer device 10 and the storage container devices 90 in a dispensing apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

(32) FIG. 3A gives a schematic and cross-sectional side-view, FIG. 3B gives a schematic plan view from below.

(33) FIGS. 3A and 3B show the provision of a plain first inlet passage 50, i.e. an inlet passage without having any engaging element. The second inlet passage 60 is provided with a plurality of first engaging elements 66 which are formed as a sequence of circumferentially arranged recesses on an inner periphery 63 of the second inlet opening region 61 of the second inlet passage 60.

(34) Between the recesses as engaging elements 66 separating gap elements 67 are provided, i.e. regions where no engaging element 66 is located at or on the inner periphery 63 and where the inner periphery 63 of the second inlet passage 60 is left unchanged. Under such circumstances, the sequence of engaging elements 66 with gap elements 67 therebetween resembles a crown-like structure.

(35) The first engaging elements 66 yield a torque-free attachment to a respective storage container device 90 to the head plate device 45.

(36) In addition, a second engaging element 96 is provided which is formed as an annular recess running around the inner periphery 63 of the second inlet opening region 61 of the second inlet passage 60.

(37) The second engaging element 96 yields suppression of axial movement between of the attached storage container device 90 with respect to the head plate device 45. This is elucidated in more detail in connection with FIGS. 5D and 5E.

(38) Towards the inlet opening 62 of the inlet opening region 61 the engaging elements 66 extend in a tapered manner with an increasing width in the circumferential direction. This can also be seen in more detail in FIG. 4 described below.

(39) FIG. 4 shows in more detail and in enlarged form the second inlet passage 60 with its second inlet opening region 61 and its second inlet opening 62 as such, wherein at the inner periphery 63 of the second inlet opening region 61 the alternating sequence of recesses as engaging elements 66 is shown which recess from the inner periphery 63 radially inwardly into the inner periphery 63. Gap elements 67 are also shown.

(40) In connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, an application in the field of storing, mixing, and/or dispensing at least two flowable components, in particular at least one of a sealant and an adhesive and/or for at least one of installing, fixing, gluing, sealing, and repairing a window, in particular a wind shield or wind screen of a vehicle, in particular in a car is supported.

(41) For instance, inlet passage 60 shown in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 3A and 3B on right hand side may be configured for having attached by click into place action a first storage container 90 comprising an reaction acceleratore.g. waterand the other inlet passage 50 shown on the left hand side of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be configured for having attached thereto a second storage container 90, e.g. being formed as a sausage bag to be attached by glueing.

(42) Thus, cartridge arrangement 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, may be such, that a filled small cartridge as a storage container device 90 is clicked into the head plate 45 on the right hand side seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4. In addition The sausage bag as a second storage container device 90 is glued into the head plate 45 on the other (larger) side shown on the left of FIGS. 3A and 3B. This will may be a product for an any end user. Just before using it, the user will insert the cartridge into a dispensing apparatus 1 also by attaching mixer device 10.

(43) FIGS. 5A to 5C give a schematic side-view, a schematic cross-sectional side-view and a perspective and three-dimensional side-view from above, respectively, showing an embodiment of a storage container device 90 according to the present invention and offering a storage chamber 91, 92.

(44) The storage container device 90 described in FIGS. 5A to 5C is formed by a cylindrical tubular member forming a storage chamber 91, 92 for a respective first or second flowable component 11, 12. The first and second components are not indicated in these Figures. At the right-hand side in FIGS. 5A to 5C the storage container device 90 shows a first/second outlet passage 70, 80 with respective first/second outlet opening region 71, 81 terminating in a respective first/second outlet opening 72, 82.

(45) FIGS. 5D and 5E elucidate in more detail the so called a snap, lock, latch, or click into place action for attaching a cartridge container device 90 having as an engaging element 97 an annular rim running on the outer periphery 74, 84. Accordingly, the corresponding inner periphery 53, 63 of head plate device 45 has as an engaging element 96 an annular recess 96 running on or within said inner periphery 53, 63. Engaging element 96 and 97 have complimentary shapes in order to achieve cooperation and the required snap, lock, latch, or click into place action for attaching the cartridge container device 90 to the head plate.

(46) Elasticity and/or a resilient nature of one or both of the cooperating engaging elements 96 and 97 might be helpful, too, for supporting their action.

(47) In complementary correspondence to the arrangement of the inlet passage 60 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 of the head plate device 45, the outer periphery 74, 84 of the outlet passage 70, 80 of the storage container device 90 comprises male protruding engaging elements 76, 86 which protrude outwardly from the outer periphery 74, 84, whereas the inner periphery 73, 83 does not carry any engaging element.

(48) FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7D as well as 8 elucidate different aspects of the geometry, the orientation and the position of an engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 with respect to the inner periphery 53, 63, 73, 83 or outer periphery 54, 64, 74, 84 of a first/second inlet/outlet passage 50, 60, 70, 80 and its first/second inlet/outlet opening region 51, 61, 71, 81 and its respective first/second inlet/outlet opening 52, 62, 72, 82. Each of the inlet and/or outlet passages 50, 60, 70, 80 has an essentially circular geometry with a symmetry axis A.

(49) The embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7D as well as 8 all apply to inlet passages 50, 60 of a head plate device 45 and to outlet passages 70, 80 of a storage container device 90.

(50) In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the provided engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 is formed as a protrusion on the outer periphery 54, 64, 74, 84 of the respective opening region 51, 61, 71, 81. The protrusion protrudes from the outer periphery 54, 64, 74, 84 outwardly away from the symmetry axis A.

(51) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7C the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 is formed as a male protrusion on the inner periphery 53, 63, 73, 83 protruding radially inwardly toward the symmetry axis A.

(52) In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7B and 7D female recesses are provided as engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86, either recessing from the inner periphery 53, 63, 73, 83 radially outwardly away from the symmetry axis A and on outer periphery 54, 64, 74, 84 radially inwardly towards the symmetry axis A.

(53) It should be noticed that the provision of a single engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 on each of the coupling elements of the mixing device and the storage container device, respectively, is already sufficient for realizing one principle underlying the present invention, namely to ensure a torque-free and rotation-free coupling of an inlet passage 50, 60 of a head plate device 45 to an outlet passage 70, 80 of a storage container device 90 to thereby avoid rotational motion between them and thus the risk of losing the connection to the storage container device 90 in the coupled state and in particular during the mixing and dispensing operation. However, the provision of a plurality of engaging elements arranged in the circumferential direction of the respective coupling element enhances reliability of the structure during operation. Further in a case in which the engagement elements are arranged in a regular manner, an easier connection process is ensured, since more than one circumferential orientation is possible between the head plate device 45 and the storage container device 90 during coupling.

(54) The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 demonstrates a possible location of the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 in the front portion of the first and second inlet/outlet opening regions 51, 61, 71, 81 in the direction of the symmetry axis A.

(55) FIGS. 9A to 9F demonstrate by means of schematic and cross-sectional side-views possible shapes of engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86.

(56) FIGS. 9A, C, E indicate the provision of male protruding engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86 which have a rectangular, triangular or semi-circular cross-section and which extend from a respective periphery 53, 54, 63, 64, 73, 74, 83, 84.

(57) In contrast thereto FIGS. 9B, D, F demonstrate the provision of engaging elements 56, 66,76, 86 in the form of female recesses which recess from the respective periphery 53, 54, 63, 64, 73, 74, 83, 84.

(58) FIGS. 10A to D demonstrate by means of schematic and cross-sectional side-views how first and second inlet and outlet passage 50, 60; 70, 80 can be connected to each other.

(59) According to FIG. 10A the outer periphery 54, 64 of an inlet passage 50, 60 of a head plate device 45 cooperates and comes into mechanic contact with the inner periphery 73, 83 of an inlet passage 70, 80 of a storage container device 90.

(60) In contrast thereto, FIG. 10B shows that the inner periphery 53, 63 of an inlet passage 50, 60 of a head plate device 10 cooperates with and comes into mechanic contact with a respective outer periphery 74, 84 of an outlet passage 70, 80 of a storage container device 90.

(61) FIGS. 10C and 10D demonstrate that the outlet passage 70, 80 of a storage container device 90 or the inlet passage 50, 60 of a head plate device 10 may be formed with a recess in order to receive the rim formed by the corresponding inlet passage 50, 60 or outlet passage 70, 80, in which case both of the outer periphery 54, 64 or 74, 84 and the inner periphery 53, 63 or 73, 83 either of the inlet passage 50, 60 or the outlet passage 70, 80, respectively, may be provided with respective engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86.

(62) FIGS. 11A and 11B schematically demonstrate that the respective engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86 may be positioned with a separated gap element 57, 67, 77, 87 between them as shown in FIG. 11A or in direct contact with each other without having the space, separation or gap element 57, 67, 77, 87 between them as shown in FIG. 11B.

(63) FIGS. 12A to 12D demonstrate different possible radial and circumferential extensions for the engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86 by means of which a tapered structure or configuration is realized and a form-fit, press-fit or force-fit can be obtained.

(64) FIG. 12A shows the most simple case where the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 has in both the radial direction and the circumferential direction a constant dimension, i.e. a constant width in the circumferential direction and its constant height in the radial direction. Between the respective engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86 a respective gap, spacing or gap element 57, 67, 77, 87 is provided.

(65) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B the width of the engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86 in the circumferential direction is constant, whereas in the radial direction the height of the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 decreases in the direction towards the opening 52, 62, 72, 82.

(66) In FIG. 12D the height of the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 in the radial direction is constant, whereas the width of the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 decreases in the direction towards the opening 52, 62, 72, 82.

(67) FIG. 12C shows a combination of the embodiments of FIGS. 12B and 12D. The height of the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 in the radial direction as well as the width of the engaging element 56, 66, 76, 86 in the circumferential direction both decrease from their maximum value at the distal position from the opening 52, 62, 72, 82 to a minimum value in the direction towards the opening 52, 62, 72, 82.

(68) Of course, complementary relations may be achieved when discussing female recesses as of the engaging elements 56, 66, 76, 86 within the respective peripheries 53, 54, 63, 64, 73, 74, 83, 84, wherein the recess depth may increase in the direction towards the opening 52, 62, 72, 82 and/or wherein the width of the recess shall increase in the direction towards the respective opening 52, 62, 72, 82. The latter situations are not depicted in the Figures.

(69) In particular embodiments in line with FIG. 12C or FIG. 12D provide for a self-alignment during the coupling process of the elements to be coupled due to the tapered shape provided by the non-constant width of the engagement elements. This effect is most prominent, if the respective cooperating male and female elements have corresponding tapered shapes.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(70) 1 dispensing apparatus 10 mixer, mixer device, mixing device 11 1.sup.st flowable component 12 2.sup.nd flowable component 20 mixer housing 25 interior 26 tip, tip portion 30 mixing element, mixer element 40 mixing part, mixing portion 45 head plate, head plate device, intermediate part, intermediate portion 50 1.sup.st inlet passage 51 1.sup.st inlet opening region 52 1.sup.st inlet opening 53 1.sup.st inner periphery 54 1.sup.st outer periphery 56 engagement element, engaging element 57 gap element, gap, space 60 2.sup.nd inlet passage 61 2.sup.nd inlet opening region 62 2.sup.nd inlet opening 63 2.sup.nd inner periphery 64 2.sup.nd outer periphery 66 engagement element, engaging element 67 gap element, gap, space 70 1.sup.st outlet passage 71 1.sup.st outlet opening region 72 1.sup.st outlet opening 73 1.sup.st inner periphery 74 1.sup.st outer periphery 76 engagement element, engaging element 77 gap element, gap, space 80 2.sup.nd outlet passage 81 2.sup.nd outlet opening region 82 2.sup.nd outlet opening 83 2.sup.nd inner periphery 84 2.sup.nd outer periphery 86 engagement element, engaging element 87 gap element, gap, space 90 storage container device, storage container 91 1.sup.st storage chamber 92 2.sup.nd storage chamber 96 engagement element, engaging element 97 engagement element, engaging element 98 outlet opening 99 outlet opening 100 cartridge arrangement, cartridge A symmetry axis x spatial direction y spatial direction z spatial direction