Cartridge system and static mixer therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge system with two containers (2a, 2b) respectively having an outlet connector (4a, 4b), and a common connection section for a mixer (1) having a positioning aperture (7), and with a static mixer (1) with inlet connectors (14a, 14b) and a positioning element (16). The connection section of the cartridge comprises a ring (5) having an inner thread (6) that surrounds the outlet connectors (4a, 4b), whereby the mixer (1) has an outer thread (11). Further, the invention relates to a static mixer (1) for a cartridge system of this type.

Claims

1. A cartridge system with two containers respectively having one outlet connector and a common connection section having a positioning aperture for a mixer, and with a static mixer having inlet connectors and a positioning element, wherein the connection section is provided with a ring having an inner thread surrounding the outlet connectors, and wherein the mixer has a housing having an outer thread and an insert with the inlet connectors and the positioning element projecting beyond the inlet connectors in the direction toward the containers, the insert housed axially secured in the mixer housing and rotatable relative to the mixer housing, whereby the lengths of the inlet connectors, of the outlet connectors and the positioning element, as well as the position of the positioning aperture are coordinated with each other in such a way, that when mixer is placed onto containers, the positioning element engages with the positioning aperture before the inner thread and the outer thread engage, and that the inner thread and the outer thread engage before the inlet connectors and the outlet connectors come in contact.

2. A cartridge system as recited in claim 1, wherein the outlet connectors protrude beyond the ring surrounding them.

3. A cartridge system as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner diameters of the two outlet connectors are equal, whereby in at least one of the two outlet connectors, a cylinder core is provided and/or at least one of two inlet connectors has a cross-sectional tapering.

4. A static mixer for a cartridge system as recited in claim 1, in particular for mixing two components, having a mixing area extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mixer and in which a mixing element is provided, the inlet connectors respectively connected in flow connection with the mixing area via channels and a positioning element, wherein the outer thread for connecting the mixer with a cartridge, the two inlets are designed as connectors at a distance to each other that have a separating wall between them, and the positioning element protrudes over the two inlets in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

5. A mixer as recited in claim 4 that consists of precisely two components one of which is a housing forming the mixing area and which is flared in the area of the coupling section relative to the mixing area, and the other component is an insert that is housed axially secured in the housing and is rotatable relative to it.

6. A mixer as recited in claim 4 for mixing two components in a mixing ratio other than 1:1, wherein a reservoir chamber is associated with the first inlet, that is located between first inlet and the mixing area and has a cross section surface that is larger than the cross section surface of a channel section between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber.

7. A mixer as recited in claim 6, wherein the cross section of channel section that is located between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber is between 80% and 150% of the cross section surface of an opening or a channel section that ends in the mixing area.

8. A mixer as recited in claim 6, wherein the channel section located between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber is opposite an opening in axial direction, or is opposite to a channel section, for example in the mixing area.

9. A mixer as recited in claim 6, wherein the channel section located between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber, is located in axial direction toward an opening or offset with a channel section, for example ending in the mixing area.

10. A mixer as recited in claim 6, wherein the channel, that connects the second inlet with the mixing area has a cross section surface that is smaller than the cross section surface of the channel section between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber.

11. A mixer as recited in claim 4, wherein the separating wall provided between the connectors of inlets projects over these connectors.

12. A mixer as recited in claim 4, wherein the insert is provided with the mixer element, the two inlets and the positioning element, whereby the mixing element can be separated from the two inlets and the positioning element by a predetermined breaking point.

13. A mixer as recited in claim 4, wherein the channel that connects second inlet with the mixing area leads past the reservoir chamber or through it, so that the channel ends in the mixing area not until downstream of the reservoir chamber.

14. A mixer as recited in claim 4, in particular, for mixing two components in a 1:1 mixing ratio, wherein the outer diameter of both connectors of the inlets are of equal size.

Description

(1) In the following, the invention is described in further detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment and by referring to the drawings.

(2) The following are shown schematically:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section through a cartridge system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cartridge system according to FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 3 shows a detail of the cartridge system according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

(6) FIG. 4 shows the components of a mixer according to the invention for the cartridge system according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

(7) FIG. 5 shows a mixer according to the invention for the cartridge system according to FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment.

(8) FIG. 6 shows the components of the mixer according to FIG. 5 in a perspective view.

(9) FIG. 7 shows a detail of the cartridge system in longitudinal cross section.

(10) FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the cartridge system,

(11) FIG. 9 shows a one piece locking element in a perspective view.

(12) FIG. 10 shows the locking element according to FIG. 9 in a perspective view.

(13) FIG. 11 shows a delivery plunger with screw cap in cross section.

(14) FIG. 12 shows a screw cap according to FIG. 11 in a perspective view.

(15) FIG. 13 shows the delivery plunger according to FIG. 11 in a perspective view.

(16) FIG. 14 shows the components of a further delivery plunger with screw cap in a perspective view.

(17) FIG. 15 shows a cross section view of the open delivery plunger according to FIG. 14, and

(18) FIG. 16 shows a cross section view of the closed delivery plunger according to FIG. 14.

(19) FIG. 17 shows a cartridge system for a mixing ratio of the components of 1:1 in a perspective view.

(20) The cartridge system shown in FIG. 1 through 3 essentially consists of a mixer 1 and a double cartridge that is formed by two containers 2a, 2b, which are integrally connected, In each of the two containers 2a, 2b, a delivery plunger 3a or 3b is respectively provided for delivering the components contained in the containers. The delivery plungers can be displaced by a devicenot shownwithin the containers. On the side opposite to plungers 3a, 3b, the containers respectively have an outlet connector 4a, 4b.

(21) If the two containers 2a, 2b as shown in FIG. 1 are of different height (long in axial direction of the containers) the component contained in the higher container (2a in FIG. 1) can flow faster into mixer 1, because the corresponding channel 4a is shorter.

(22) Outlet connectors 4a, 4b are surrounded by a ring 5 provided on the front closing wall of the double cartridge that has a thread 6 on its inner side. As can also be seen in FIG. 1, connectors 4a, 4b (in FIG. 1 upward) protrude over ring 5. Outlet connectors 4a, 4b are at a distance to each other so that a gap or free space remains between them that is identifiable in FIG. 1. On the side of the cartridge facing away from ring 5, a flange or the like can be provided in order to mount the cartridge in a suitable delivery device.

(23) As can be seen in the enlarged illustration of FIG. 3, the upper facing wall in FIGS. 1 and 2 partially extends over the two cylindrical containers 2a, 2b, so that ring 5 is enclosed by a base that is penetrated by the two outlet connectors 4a, 4b and also has a positioning aperture 7, which is trapeze-shaped, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, for example. Alternatively, the cross section can also be rectangular or triangular.

(24) Mixer 1 is a so-called static mixer, i.e. it does not have an actively driven mixer element. In the embodiments according to FIG. 4 through 6, mixer 1 is respectively formed by two components, namely a mixer housing 8 and an insert 9 that is retained in housing 8 in axial direction, but is rotatable. This can be accomplished, for example, by a surrounding groove in housing 8, which snaps together with a bead-like protrusion of insert 9, as shown in FIG. 5.

(25) Housing 8 of mixer 1 consists of an elongated cylindrical tube that can be tapered at its outlet end 10. This elongated cylindrical section of housing 8 forms the actual mixing area in its interior. In contrast, the end opposite to outlet end 10 of housing 8 is flared with respect to this cylindrical area and designed as a coupling section for fastening mixer 1 to the cartridge (container 2a, 2b). For this, the coupling section has an outer thread 11, which is formed by several threaded sections according to the embodiment in FIG. 2 through 4, while an overlapping thread is provided in the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6. Additionally, bordering on thread 11, a profiled section can be provided that facilitates the actuation of mixer 1, in particular, screwing mixer 1 into the ring of the cartridge.

(26) Insert 9 has a plate 12 at which a mixer element 13 is formed, for example, a mixing helix, as well as inlet connectors 14a, 14b. The size of inlet connectors 14a, 14b is dimensioned in such a way that these can be inserted into outlet connectors 4a or 4b of the cartridge. For this purpose, inlet connectors 14a, 14b are located at a distance to each other, whereby additionally, a separating wall 15 is provided between the inlet connectors, which protrudes further from plate 12 than inlet connectors 14a, 14b. Separating wall 15 can thus engage with the gap or free space between outlet connectors 4a, 4b and thus prevent that, for example, components from outlet connector 4a end up at inlet connector 14b or the reverse.

(27) In the illustrated embodiment, a positioning element 16 is formed at one end of separating wall 15 that is elongated with respect to it, which has an approximately triangular or trapeze-like cross section and can thus be inserted accurately fitting into positioning aperture 7 of the cartridge. Positioning element 16 thereby projects not only over separating wall 15 and inlet connectors 14a, 14b, but also protrudes over housing 8 of mixer 1 in the direction toward the cartridge. This has the effect that when mixer 1 is placed on the cartridge, first positioning element 16 enters into the space surrounded by ring 5 in the absence of the remaining components of mixer 1 coming in contact with the cartridge or its outlet connectors. Only when positioning element 16 is engaged with positioning aperture 7 of the cartridge can mixer 1 be placed onto the cartridge so that thread 11 of the mixer engages with thread 6 of the cartridge. By screwing housing 8 of mixer 1 into ring 5 of the cartridge, outlet connecters 4a, 4b and inlet connectors 14a, 14b then also become engaged. Positioning element 16 thereby penetrates through aperture 7 with its free end, so that the exact alignment of the mixer can be controlled even from the outside. To do so, the free end of positioning element 16 can be colored or marked in another way.

(28) To facilitate the insertion of positioning element 16 into positioning aperture 7, positioning element 16 can, as shown, be slanted at its free end or tapered conically. Additionally, in the base of ring 6, ribs or similar elements can be provided that guide positioning element 16 in the direction toward positioning aperture 7. In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, positioning element 16 is formed at mixer 1 and the corresponding aperture 7 at the cartridge. The advantages according to the invention can also be realized, however, when the positioning element is formed at the cartridge and the aperture at the mixer.

(29) On the side of plate 12 that is opposite to positioning element 16, an additional separating wall 17 can be provided that is aligned perpendicular to first separating wall 15 in the illustrated embodiment, so that separating wall 17 separates the components flowing in through inlet connectors 14a, 14b into two streams respectively. Thereby, mixer element 13, according to a preferred embodiment, is connected with separating wall 17 by a predetermined breaking point. This is especially important for previously used mixers in whose mixing area the two-component material has hardened and that remain, as is customary, as closure until the cartridge is used again. Because of the rigid one-part connection between mixer helix and inlet channels, it is advantageous to provide the predetermined breaking point on the mixer helix in the proximity of the inlet channels to ensure that it is easy to screw off the mixer, and to avoid having to screw the helix against the polymerized material.

(30) As can be seen, in particular, in the illustration in FIG. 5, starting at inlet connector 14a for the component that is smaller by volume, from container 2a, a cylindrical channel 18 extends in the direction toward the mixing area. Separating wall 17 can thereby partially extend into channel 18 and/or channel section 19a.

(31) In contrast, subsequent to inlet connector 14b for the larger component by volume coming out of container 2b, the volume widens downstream of plate 12, toward the reservoir chamber that has a larger cross section surface than the corresponding inlet connector 14b. Thereby, inlet connector 14b forms a first channel section 19a and reservoir chamber 19b, an enlarged channel section. Downstream of reservoir chamber 19b, an aperture 19c or an additional channel section can be provided that ends, for example in the mixing area.

(32) The size of reservoir chamber 19b can thereby be variably changed by the position of a wall 20 that extends perpendicular to separating wall 17 in the illustrated embodiment. To the extent the component entering through inlet connector 14b tends to run forward, the amount of this component that runs forward can first be captured in reservoir chamber 19b before the subsequent component stream reaches into the mixing area together with the other component. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the component entering through inlet connecter 14b can arrive in the mixing chamber coming from the reservoir chamber 19b without any further redirection. This minimizes the flow resistance.

(33) Static mixer 1 that is shown in FIG. 4 through 6 has several advantages with respect to known static mixers. First, a secure and firm interlock with the cartridge is possible as a result of threaded connection 6, 11. Additionally, the mixer is enabled to be released and lifted off the cartridge by being screwed off. The two-part construction of mixer 1 also has cost advantages. The free rotatability of insert 9 in mixer housing 8 thereby makes a simple and cost effective assembly in whichdifferent than in known mixersno attention needs to be paid to the alignment of the components. Separating wall 15 and outlet connectors 4a, 4b that protrude opposite to ring 5 additionally largely prevent contaminations or cross contaminations.

(34) As the result of a different size or geometry of positioning element 16, and corresponding aperture 7 in the base of threaded collar 5, a clear association between certain cartridges and the pertaining mixers can be defined. This is especially advantageous for distinguishing between different mixing ratios of the components. Thus, for example, a mixer for a mixing ratio of 1:1 of the components cannot be placed onto a cartridge designated for a mixing ratio of, for example, 1:10 and the reverse.

(35) Further, in FIGS. 5 and 8, a cross section tapering is formed in inlet connector 14a that takes the mixing ratios of the components other than 1:1 into consideration at the same outer diameter of the two inlet connectors.

(36) In FIG. 7, a gasket seal is shown in detail between the two components of the mixer. Hereby, a cone seal is provided in the mixer between the inner side of housing 8 and the outer side of insert 9. In order to connect these two components with each other in a freely rotatable manner, a catch connection with a surrounding groove 21 is provided in the housing and a surrounding bar 22 in the insert. The gasket seal has corresponding conical sealing surfaces 23, 24 that are formed above the groove or bar on the inner side of housing 8 and the outer side of insert 9 in FIG. 7. When the mixer is screwed infor reasons of the required free rotatabilitythe at first open surrounding cone seal is positively closed and friction-locked in the end position.

(37) FIG. 8 shows a further cross section view of the cartridge system, whereby the case is shown when a user attempts to place the mixer onto the cartridge incorrectly (tilted). An important feature of the cartridge system according to the invention is the avoidance of an undesired carryover of catalytic components and base components that could lead to respectively contaminate the other paste component. This could occur as the result of an accidental, unintended insertion of the positioning latch first into one and then into the other channel, or by touching the inlet and outlet channels of cartridge and mixer during an unfavorably tilted placement in the wrong position, or analogously, in the case of a tilted reinsertion of a locking stopper

(38) These unfavorable constellations are avoided by the interaction and the geometric design and configuration of the positioning latch, thread and separating wall, as shown in FIG. 8. Hereby, according to the invention, the positioning latch is designed at the mixer (or at a locking stopper) in such a way that it cannot be inserted into the outlet channels. Further, the separating wall is dimensioned in such a way that it only allows small tilling angles between the outlet channel of the cartridge. At the outlet channels of the cartridge, contours can be added that further limit the play for the separating wall used with respect to unfavorable tilting angles. A locking stopper can have an additional sleeve-like collar (at the position, where the thread is located on the mixer) and thus also avoid unfavorable tilting angles.

(39) Independent of the previously described features of the mixer and/or the cartridge, the invention also relates to a one-piece locking element shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, which can be placed on the containers 2a, 2b that form a double cartridge, instead of mixer 1. Two stoppers 21 are provided for closing the double cartridge, which can be inserted into outlet connectors 4a or 4b and seal them. The stoppers are respectively connected with a sleeve via a bar 22 that acts as torsion spring, which can be inserted into the collar of the outlet end of the double cartridge. A flared edge of the sleeve that has a knurling rests on the front of the collar, when the locking element has been placed in the double cartridge to seal it.

(40) The locking element can be secured in the collar (ring 5) by means of engagement hooks 23 that engage with the threaded segments of inner thread 6 and thereby interlock the locking element on the double cartridge. To release the locking element, the sleeve with the knurling can be slightly rotated, whereby bar 22 deflects, as stoppers 21 first continue to be stuck in outlet connectors 4a or 4b. This twisting of bar 22 that acts as torsion element makes it possible that the engagement hooks are disengaged from the threaded segments of inner thread 6, so that the locking element can be removed from the double cartridge.

(41) Similar to the mixer, the locking stopper has a positioning latch 16 that can be designed in such a way that after it penetrates outward through a corresponding aperture in the cartridge, it becomes visible to the user. This has the advantage of a visual control as to whether the locking stopper and/or the positioning latch have been inserted properly. The torsion element of the locking stopper can, as shown in FIG. 9, have a radial S shape in order to also secure a corresponding rotation path even when the locking stoppers having small diameters.

(42) The locking stopper shown in FIG. 10 is also equipped with a separating wall 17 thatsimilar to the mixerlies between stoppers 21. In the illustrated embodiment, separation wall 17 is provided with constrictions in the proximity of stoppers 21, which makes it easier to place the lock on it without any tilting.

(43) In FIGS. 11 through 13, a delivery plunger with screw cap is shown which can be used in the cartridge system according to the invention for delivering the components out of the containers. Hereby, the plunger is provided with a vent that makes it possible to let air escape from the respective container when it is filled with the component and the delivery plunger is used. As several substances have the tendency to react with the residual air remaining in the cartridge after the cartridge has been filled and the plunger is being used in the cartridge, the goal is to let as much of the residual air as possible escape from the container. Possibly remaining residual air in the container between the plunger and the substance in the cartridge is further considered to be disadvantageous, because the residual air forms a compressible pillow that makes the precision of dosing the substance during an application out of the cartridge more difficult.

(44) Plunger 100 shown in FIGS. 11 through 13 has a base body 101 that has a lateral wall provided with sealing means and a front wall that has a vent 102. This vent 102 extends through the entire base body, so that an air exchange between the side of the front wall (in feed direction) and the rear side of plunger 100 is possible. Thereby, in vent 102, a locking element 103 is mounted rotatable, whereby a vent can be opened or closed by a relative rotation of locking element 103. In other words, it is possible to establish or block the flow connection between the side of plunger 100 that lies in the feed direction and the rear side of the plunger 100 by a rotation of locking element 103.

(45) For this, on the inner surface of vent 102, a surrounding protrusion 104 is formed that engages with a corresponding groove 105 in locking element 103 in order to interlock with it. Protrusion 104, as well as groove 105 are respectively provided with through holes that can be brought into alignment in order to release a ventilation channel, or into non-alignment in order to close the ventilation channel. Thereby, the bore hole extends through groove 105 that is perpendicular to it, which can be formed slightly deeper than the bore so that protrusion 104 can securely close the bore holes.

(46) To optimize the imperviousness of the plungers with screw cap (discharge of impression material out of the closed ventilation channel under delivery conditions) star-shaped ventilation slots 106 are designed conically tapered, so that the total cross section surface is reduced to a fraction, for example, to 1/100 of the original cross section surface. In this way, trapped air can continue to escape unimpeded when the cartridge is being closed, however, there is a strong impediment against impression material passing toward the ventilation valve.

(47) An alternative embodiment of a delivery plunger with screw cap is shown in FIGS. 14 through 16, in turn consisting of a base body 101 and a locking element 103. Additionally, a gasket ring 107 is provided. In the embodiment in FIGS. 14 through 16, only a single vent 102 is provided between base body 101 and locking element 103, so that this variant can also be used in close quarters. A comparison of FIGS. 15 and 16 shows how vent 102 opens (FIG. 15) or closes (FIG. 16) depending on the rotational position of locking element 103 in base body 101.

(48) A cartridge for a mixing ratio of the components of 1:1 is shown in FIG. 17. The two containers 2a, 2b hereby have the same dimensions.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(49) 1 Mixer 2a, 2b Container 3a, 3b Delivery plunger 4a, 4b Outlet connector 5 Ring 6 Thread 7 Positioning aperture 8 Housing 9 Insert 10 Outlet aperture 11 Thread 12 Plate 13 Mixing element 14a, 14b Inlet connector 15 Separating wall 16 Positioning element 17 Separating wall 18 Channel 19a First channel section 19b Reservoir chamber 19c Aperture 20 Wall 21 Stopper 22 Bar (torsion element) 23 Engagement hook 100 Plunger 101 Base body 102 Vent 103 Locking element 104 Protrusion 105 Groove 106 Ventilation slot 107 Gasket ring