Abstract
The invention relates to a container (1) for storing and discharging at least one component with at least one chamber (4, 4a, 4b), which is sealed on a first side by a plug (9), and with one applicator (5) attached on the first side. A flow connection between the at least one chamber (4, 4a, 4b) and the side of the applicator (5) facing away from the at least one chamber (4, 4a, 4b) is opened by a relative rotational movement of the applicator (5) to the container (1) and a subsequent axial relative movement of the plug (9) to the container (1) and the applicator (5), in particular due to pressure of the at least one component on the plug (9). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for storing and discharging at least one component.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A container for storing and discharging at least one component with at least one chamber sealed on a first side by a plug and an applicator mounted on the first side, wherein the plug is displaceable relative to the chamber from a storage position, in which a flow connection between the chamber and the applicator is interrupted by the plug, in a discharging position, in which the chamber is in flow communication with the applicator, characterized in that a flow connection between the at least one chamber and the side of the applicator facing away from at least one chamber is opened by a relative rotation of the applicator to the container and a subsequent axial relative movement of the plug to the container and the applicator, in particular due to pressure on the plug of the at least one component and in that the plug has a first blocking element and the applicator has a second blocking element, and that the applicator is rotatable relative to the chamber from a storage position, in which the blocking elements are aligned with each other, so that these prevent a displacement of the plug, to a provision position, in which the blocking elements are aligned with each other so that axial displacement of the plug, in particular by the internal pressure of the at least one component, is enabled.
18. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that on the container and/or the applicator locking means are provided, which allow a relative rotational movement of the applicator to the container in a first rotational direction and prevent rotation in another rotational direction.
19. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the applicator is axially fixed to the container in the storage position and in the provision position.
20. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the applicator is rotatable from a mounting position, in which the applicator can be attached axially on the container, relative to the chamber first into the storage position and then further in the provision position.
21. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the container has a receptacle for the applicator with at least one radially inwardly directed bayonet protrusion and the applicator has a connection portion, which is insertable in the receptacle, with at least one radially outwardly bayonet protrusion and has a flange-like retaining portion with enlarged outer diameter on its the receiving opposing end.
22. Container according to claim 18, characterized in that the catch means impede a relative rotational movement between the applicator and the container.
23. Container according to claim 19, characterized in that the first blocking element is a web or a projection on the applicator, and that the second blocking element is a web or a projection, which at least in the storage position overlaps with the web or projection of the plug.
24. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the plug has at least one bypass channel through which a flow connection from the at least one chamber to the applicator is established in its discharge position.
25. Container according to claim 18, characterized in that the at least one chamber has at least one discharge opening, and that the plug at least one closure section, which in the storage position of the plug is inserted sealingly into the discharge opening.
26. A container according to any claim 18, characterized in that the plug has a preferably circular outer contour and is non-rotatably guided in the container both in the storage position and in the discharging position.
27. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the plug has a substantially circular disk-shaped basic form and periphery sealing means located on its side facing the at least one chamber and/or on its outer circumference, a blocking element formed by two mutually perpendicular webs and located on its side facing away from the at least one chamber and at least one breakthrough as a bypass channel.
28. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the at least one chamber is sealed with a piston on its side facing away from the plug, which integrally formed with the container via at least one predetermined breaking point.
29. Container according to claim 17 with a separate plunger, which is designed for insertion into the at least one chamber.
30. Method for discharging at least one component from a container with at least one chamber, which is sealed on a first side by a plug, and with an applicator being rotatably attached on the first side, which prevents axial movement of the plug in a storage position, wherein plug has a first blocking element and the applicator has a second blocking element, wherein the method comprises the steps of: i) rotating the applicator relative to the container from a storage position, in which the blocking elements are aligned with each other, so that these prevent a displacement of the plug, to a provision position, in which the applicator does not prevent axial movement of the plug, wherein in the provision position the blocking elements are aligned with each other so that axial displacement of the plug, in particular by the internal pressure of the at least one component, is enabled, ii) displacing the plug from a storage position in which a flow connection between the chamber and the applicator is interrupted by the plug, into a discharge position, in which the chamber is in flow communication with the applicator.
31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that rotation of the applicator is allowed by catch means located on the container and/or the applicator in a rotational direction and prevented in another rotational direction.
Description
[0061] Shown schematically
[0062] FIG. 1 a longitudinal section of a container according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
[0063] FIG. 2 an exploded view of the components of the container shown in FIG. 1,
[0064] FIG. 3 an exploded view of the components of a container according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
[0065] FIG. 4a a longitudinal section of the container shown in FIG. 3 in the mounting position of the applicator,
[0066] FIG. 4b a top view of the container shown in FIG. 4a,
[0067] FIG. 4c a top view of the container shown in FIG. 4a without applicator,
[0068] FIG. 4d a partially broken view of a detail of the container shown in FIG. 4a,
[0069] FIG. 5a a sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 3 in the storage position of the applicator,
[0070] FIG. 5b a top view of the container shown in FIG. 5a,
[0071] FIG. 5c a partially broken view of a detail of the container shown in FIG. 5a,
[0072] FIG. 6a a sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 3 in the provision position of the applicator and the discharging position of the plug,
[0073] FIG. 6b a top view of the container shown in FIG. 6a,
[0074] FIG. 6c a partially broken view of a detail of the container shown in FIG. 6a,
[0075] FIG. 7 the container of the second embodiment and two further applicators according to the invention,
[0076] FIG. 8a-c the plug shown in FIG. 2 in top view, in longitudinal section and in perspective view,
[0077] FIG. 9a-c the plug shown in FIG. 3 in top view, in longitudinal section and in perspective view,
[0078] FIG. 10a-c the piston shown in FIG. 2 in perspective view, in top view and in longitudinal section,
[0079] FIG. 11a-c the piston shown in FIG. 3 in perspective view, in top view and in longitudinal section,
[0080] FIG. 12 a side view of a gun for use with a container shown in FIG. 1 or 3,
[0081] FIG. 13a-b a plunger of the gun shown in FIG. 12 in top view and in longitudinal section,
[0082] FIG. 14a-b a alternative plunger of a gun shown in FIG. 12 in top view and in longitudinal section,
[0083] FIG. 15a-c a further embodiment of a container according to the invention in perspective view, exploded view and longitudinal section, and
[0084] FIG. 16a-b a partially broken view of the flow pattern of the components in the open state of the container shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, respectively.
[0085] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 1 according to the invention is shown. The container 1 is formed with housing 2 substantially cylindrical on the in- and outside and is sealed at the proximal end by a piston 3. In this embodiment only one chamber 4 is formed for receiving a component within the housing 2. The piston 3 can be moved, for example by means of a gun 30 shown in FIG. 12, in the direction of the first (distal) side, i.e. to the right in FIG. 1, whereby the volume of the chamber 4 is reduced specifically. To improve the mechanical connection of a plunger of a dispensing gun with the piston 3, the same preferably exhibits a notch 3a, which can partially receive the tip of the plunger of the dispensing gun and thus prevents or at least impedes slipping of the plunger.
[0086] Attached to the container 1 is applicator 5, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 provided with a cannula 6. For this purpose, the container 1 has a sleeve-like receptacle 2a with radially inwardly directed bayonet projections 7 for attaching an applicator 5 on the first (distal) side facing the applicator 5. The applicator 5 has a socket-like connection section 5a with radially outwardly directed bayonet projections 8. The bayonet projections 7 and 8 allow the applicator 5 to be mounted in a mounting position on the container 1 and to transfer the applicator 5 by rotating into a storage position and into a provision position.
[0087] In the area enclosed by the socket-like connection section 5a of the applicator 5, a plug 9 sealing chamber 4 is provided between the applicator and the container 1. In the storage position of the plug 9 shown in FIG. 1, the same is held non-displaceable in the container 1. This is achieved by means of a first blocking element 10 formed on the plug 9 and a second blocking element 11 formed onto the applicator 5, which in this position are aligned with one another such that they prevent displacement of the plug 9 relative to the applicator and thus also relative to the container 1. In this preferred embodiment, the plug 9 has coding means 9a which prevent rotation of the plug 9 relative to the chamber 4. For this purpose, the chamber 4 has corresponding coding means 4c. Thereby, a correct positioning of the plug 9 is ensured and inadvertent rotation of the first and second blocking elements 10 and 11 to each other due to rotation of the plug 9 is prevented.
[0088] In the state of the container 1 shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 5 is already pre-installed on the container 1 in such a way that the container can be put into use without further assembly steps. It is particularly advantageous that the current embodiment of the invention allows pre-mounting and usage of a metal cannula 6 by the manufacturer, which shows no visible corrosion during storage of corrosive and/or caustic substances in the chamber 4 during prolonged storage (e.g. more than 2 weeks).
[0089] The housing 2 of the container 1 is preferably provided with a retaining section 2b on the (proximal) side facing away from the applicator 5, wherein retaining section 2b projects radially from the container 1. In this case, the retaining section 2b has a flange-type outer diameter being larger than housing 2, so that the container can be held securely against displacement in a dispensing gun. The retaining section 2b is thus suitable for fastening the container in a dispensing gun according to U.S. Pat. No. 8,602,775 B2. A gun 30 for receiving and actuating the container is shown in FIG. 12. The gun has an actuation handle 31, a holding section 32 and a receiving channel 33 for insertion of the proximal end of a container 1. A plunger, not shown in FIG. 12, may displace the piston 3 of the container 1 to discharge the component from the chamber 4.
[0090] The first blocking elements 10 of the plug 9 are also shown in FIG. 2. The blocking elements 10 form a cross arranged on the side of the plug 9 facing the applicator 5, wherein the blocking elements 10 are formed preferably radially continuous, that is to say from one radial end of the plug 9 to the opposite radial end. For the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a single chamber 4, the plug 9 is preferably formed with a proximally protruding closure portion 12. By this closure portion 12, the chamber is sealed particularly secure, so that even at elevated thermal stress (e.g., temperatures above 30 C.) and/or mechanical shocks of the container pouring of the component stored in container 4 past plug 9 can be prevented by the same.
[0091] FIGS. 3 to 6 show a further embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention having two chambers 4a and 4b, which, in this example, are concentric with one another and separated from each other by a partition wall 2c. The volume of the chambers 4a and 4b depend on the desired ratio, for example. 10:1 to 1:1, in particular 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 4:1, 5:1 and 10:1, and may be adapted to the components stored in the chambers. In this embodiment, the applicator 5 comprises a mixing helix 13, which can be freely rotatable mounted in the applicator 5. Alternatively, the mixing helix 13 is integrally connected to the plug 9.
[0092] FIGS. 4 to 6 show in sectional view and top view different positions of the applicator 5 and their effect on securing the plug 9 of a container 1 according to FIG. 3.
[0093] FIG. 4 a shows a sectional view of a container 1 in the assembly position according to FIG. 3, wherein the applicator 5 is detachably connected to the housing 2. Furthermore, a catch means 14 is shown in the depicted position, which forms an attack surface for manual rotation of the applicator 5. Therefore, the radially inwardly directed bayonet protrusions 7 of the container 1 and the radially outwardly directed bayonet protrusions 8 of the applicator 5 slide past one another in the axial direction, namely they do not overlap one another. In this position, the applicator 5 can therefore be separated non-destructively from housing 2.
[0094] FIG. 4b shows catch means of the container 1 provided on the side of the housing 2 facing the applicator and formed semicircular recesses 15a, 15b and 15c. Therein a catch means 14 provided on the connection section 5a of the applicator 5 engages (FIGS. 5b and 6b). The recesses 15a-c allow a precise and defined rotational position of the applicator 5 in mounting (FIG. 4), storage (FIG. 6), and provision position (FIG. 6), and impede rotation of the applicator 5 to prevent inadvertent rotation. FIGS. 4d, 5c and 6c show the position of the radially inwardly directed bayonet protrusions 7 of the container 1 and the radially outwardly directed bayonet protrusions 8 of the applicator 5 in the three rotational positions, i.e. in the mounting position, in the storage position and in the provision position.
[0095] The shape of the catch means 15a-c formed on the container 1 (see FIG. 4c) is such that rotation from the mounting position to the storage position takes place via a rounded corner of the semicircular recess 15a. Likewise, the rotation from the storage position to the provision position via considerable rounded corners, so that little force must be applied for rotation of the applicator in this direction of rotation.
[0096] FIG. 5a again shows, in a sectional view, a container 1 according to FIG. 3 in the storage position of the applicator 5. In the storage position, the first and second blocking elements 10 and 11 are aligned with one another such that a displacement of the plug 9 in the distal direction is prevented. In addition, in the storage position, the bayonet projections 7 and 8 overlap at least partially with each other (FIG. 5c), so that a non-destructive removal of the applicator 5 from the housing 2 is not possible in this position. FIG. 5b shows the top view of the container 1 in the storage position of FIG. 5a.
[0097] FIG. 6a shows a sectional view of a container 1 according to the invention according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the discharging position. In addition, to illustrate the operation of the flow connection between the chambers 4a/4b and the applicator 5, the plug 9 is shown displaced from its storage position to its discharging position, while piston 3 is still shown in its initial position. After the forward movement of the plug 9 in the axial direction, the first and second blocking elements 10 and 11 in the axial direction at approximately the same height but laterally offset from one another.
[0098] In the provision position of FIGS. 6a and 6b, the bayonet protrusions 7 and 8 overlap in such a way that the applicator is firmly held on the housing 2 even at high application pressure. Preferably, the form closure of the bayonet protrusions 7 and 8 in the provision position is at a maximum, i.e. the bayonet protrusions 7 and 8 overlap on the entire length of at least one of the bayonet projections.
[0099] In FIG. 6a, the coding means 9a of the plug 9 are shown. If the plug 9 seals the chambers, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 5a, these coding means 9a engage in recesses 16 provided here on the partition wall 2c, whereby only a certain orientation of the plug 9 for closing the chambers 4a, 4b is possible, otherwise the coding means 9a prevent a fitting placement of the plug 9. In addition, when displacing the plug 9, the same is guided in the recesses 16, as long as the coding means 9a still engage with the recesses 16. This prevents tilting, jamming or twisting of the plug 9 when displaced into the discharging position, which has often led to problems during discharging the components in conventional containers.
[0100] By moving the plug 9 in its discharging position, discharge openings 17a and 17b of the chambers 4a and 4b are unblocked. Therefore, the components can initially flow through the discharge openings 17a and 17b into the space between the housing and plug. This may already lead to a certain pre-mixing of the components, which subsequently continue to flow through the plug 9 and past the blocking elements 10 and 11 into applicator 5, in which they are further mixed by the mixing helix 13.
[0101] FIG. 7 shows a container 1 according to the second embodiment with applicator 5 and two further examples of suitable applicators. Also shown are catch means 14 provided on the applicator 5, the radially outwardly directed bayonet protrusions 8 and second blocking elements 11 arranged in the interior of the receiving portion 5a of the applicator 5.
[0102] FIG. 8 depicts the plug 9 according to the first embodiment with fastening section 12, coding means 9a and blocking element 10. In the plan view of plug 9, also shown in FIG. 8, the preferably cross-shaped configuration of the blocking element 10 is illustrated. In addition, recesses 9b formed by the free space between the webs of the blocking element 10 are shown, which form a bypass channel in the discharging position of the plug.
[0103] FIG. 9 shows a plug 9 for a container with two concentric chambers. In this case, the closure section 12 is made shorter to allow a higher volume of the internal chambers.
[0104] In FIG. 10a-c, piston 3 according to the first embodiment is shown having notch 3a in a perspective drawing (FIG. 10a), as a plan view (FIG. 10b) and side view (FIG. 10c). The piston 3 has a seal 18 on the (distal) side facing the applicator 5 in order to seal the chamber airtight. It is also advantageous that when discharging the components almost no residues remain within the chamber.
[0105] In FIGS. 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b, the piston rods or plungers 34 and 34 corresponding to the notch 3a are shown. These are designed with coaxial discharge contours such that an inner discharge protrudes over an outer discharge contour being located opposite to the inner discharge contour (FIG. 13a, 13b) or vice versa (FIG. 14a, 14b).
[0106] In this way, a potential forerun of a base or catalyst component in one of the chambers of the container can be compensated. These plungers can also be used for containers with only one chamber, in which case the variant according to FIGS. 14a and 14b is preferred, since the application force can be better transmitted to the piston through the outer annular contact surface of the plunger.
[0107] In addition, this discharge contour can also be used for a 1-component compule. Particularly preferred here is the outer discharge contour on the inner discharge contour out to evenly distribute the forces over a larger area here.
[0108] In FIG. 11a-c, the piston 3 is shown for a container with two concentric formed chambers. In the perspective drawing shown in FIG. 11a, an annular, axially almost continuous recess 19 is shown, which receives the partition 2c when the piston is pressed into the housing 2 with the chambers 4a, 4b. The piston 3 comprises sections 3b (cylindrical) and 3c (annular) corresponding to the two chambers 4a, 4b, which are arranged with seals 18 at the transition of a chamber to a wall limiting the chamber, for example the partition wall 2c. Although the radially inner portion 3b and the radially outer portion 3c are guided separately in the chambers, the piston 3 of a preferred embodiment is integrally formed, which greatly simplifies the assembly of the container and the filling with the components. For this purpose, preferably three, webs 20 are preferably provided between the sections 3b and 3c and are broken off during insertion of the piston 3 into the container through the partitions wall 2c, so that the sections 3b and 3c can be guided separately in the chambers 4a and 4b. In other words, the integrally designed piston 3 automatically divides during assembly into two sections 3b and 3c separately guided into the chambers.
[0109] It is preferred if the webs 20 are fixed to the radially inner portion 3b with a rupture edge, which is designed to be significantly thinner compared to the thickness of the webs 20 and thereby forms a predetermined breaking point. Further, it is preferable to form the webs 20 on the radially outer portion 3c so as to prevent the webs 20 from breaking off at the portion 3c. In other words, the webs 20 break off only at the radially inner portion 3b and remain connected to the radially outer portion 3c. This can prevent the webs 20 from being completely separated from the sections 3b and 3c and blocking the piston 3 from being pushed into the housing 2.
[0110] In a further preferred embodiment, the radially outer portion 3c has a recess 21 which can receive the webs 20 broken from the radially inner portion 3b. In other words, when inserting the piston 3 into the housing 2, the webs 20 fold away into the recesses 21 of the radially outer section 3c provided for this purpose, and then lie substantially flush at the side of the section 3c facing the partition wall 2c. The recesses 21 therefore allow a reception of the webs 20, whereby blocking of the sections 3b and 3c is prevented. A further effect of the recesses 21 can be seen in the fact that damage to the partition wall 2c is prevented by the webs 20 broken off at the section 3b, whereby a leakage of a chamber due to damage to the walls and greatly reduced storage stability is prevented.
[0111] A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 15a to 15c. The container 1 is designed as a syringe, which can be operated manually without a pistol (FIG. 12). For this purpose, the retaining section 2b compared to the embodiments according to FIG. 1 or 3 is formed enlarged as a flange, which serves to support fingers during actuation.
[0112] In addition, a plunger 34 is provided, which comprises an enlarged support surface for manual operation at its proximal end. In the illustrated embodiment, the container is configured with two mutually coaxial chambers and with a plunger 34 having a pin-like inner portion and a cylindrical outer portion, i.e. for two components. Accordingly, the piston 3 has two separate piston elements. However, it is also possible to provide the syringe-like configuration for containers with only one chamber or with multiple chambers.
[0113] The flow path of the components in the open state of the container from the respective chamber into the applicator is shown in FIGS. 16a and 16b for a one-component container and a two-component container. It can be seen how the components shown by arrows in FIGS. 16a and 16b apply pressure on the respective plug 9 in order to displace it in the direction of the applicator 5 until the components can pass through the respective bypass channel 9b through the plug 9 or can pass the plug 9 entirely.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0114]
TABLE-US-00001 1 container 2 housing 2a receptacle 2b retaining portion 2c partition wall 3 piston 3a notch 3b cylindrical section 3c annular section 4 chamber 4a, 4b chamber 4c coding means 5 applicator 5a connection section 6 metal cannula 7 bayonet protrusion 8 bayonet protrusion 9 plug 9a coding means 9b bypass channel 10 blocking element 11 blocking element 12 closure section 13 mixing helix 14 locking means 15a-15c recess 16 recess 17a, 17b discharge opening 18 sealing 19 recess 20 web 21 recess 30 gun 31 actuation handle 32 retaining section 33 receiving channel 34 plunger
