Mixer and dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a delivery device having two containers (4a, 4b) that are connected with each other and a mixer (3). Preferably, the mixer can be connected with the containers (4a, 4b) by an outer thread (17). Thereby, the mixer has a coupling element (13), a mixer housing (11) rotatable relative to it and a mixing element (12) that is housed in the mixer housing (11).

Claims

1. A mixer with a coupling element having inlet connectors, a mixer housing rotatable relative to the coupling element that has an outlet opening and an opposite inlet end in which the coupling element is housed, and a mixing element housed in the mixer housing that defines a longitudinal axis of the mixer, wherein the inlet end of mixer housing has an outer thread for connecting with a cartridge and the coupling element has a positioning latch that extends parallel to the inlet connectors protruding over inlet connectors in the direction facing away from outlet opening, wherein the coupling element has two annular protrusions on its side facing the outlet opening between which a surrounding groove is formed with which an annular protrusion of mixer housing engages in sealing manner.

2. A mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling element has sealing means on its side facing outlet opening.

3. A mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein the inlet connectors of the coupling element form channels extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mixer that end via at least one radial opening respectively, in a mixing area formed by the mixer housing.

4. A mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein the cross section of at least one opening ending in the mixing area is reduced by a partition.

5. A mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein the positioning latch is tapered in the direction facing away from the outlet opening.

6. A mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling element is retained in the mixer housing freely rotatable and perhaps displaceable by a limited amount in axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mixer.

7. A mixer as recited in claim 1 wherein the coupling element has a bearing sleeve, in which the mixing element is mounted rotatable and sealed.

8. A mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the mixer housing comprises a plurality of detents with a radial groove being provided in said detents.

9. A delivery device with at least two containers connected with each other that have a common outlet section with outlet connectors for each of the containers, and a mixer that can be connected detachable with the outlet section of the containers as recited in claim 1, that has a coupling element with inlet connectors that are respectively connectable with one outlet connector, a mixer housing and a mixing element housed in the mixer housing, wherein the outlet section of the containers has an inner threaded section for a connection with the outer threaded section of the mixer housing, and that the outlet section of the containers has a plate at which the outlet connectors end flush, whereby the plate is attached to an annular collar, in which the inner, threaded section is formed, wherein the outlet section of the containers or the coupling element of the mixer has a positioning latch extending parallel to the inlet connectors or the outlet connectors, and that in the coupling element of the mixer or in the outlet section of the containers an opening contour is provided for receiving the positioning latch.

10. A delivery device as recited in claim 9, wherein the positioning latch protrudes over the inlet connectors in the direction facing away from the outlet opening in such a way, that the inlet connectors and the outlet connectors engage only then, when the positioning latch is at least partially housed in opening contour, and/or that the positioning latch and the opening contour are designed in such a way that the positioning latch can be inserted into the opening contour only in one exact position and/or that the positioning latch is guided to slide funnel-shaped into opening, when the outlet connectors are inserted into the inlet connectors to establishing a seal.

11. A mixer as recited in claim 9, wherein the inlet end of the mixer housing comprises a plurality of detents with a radial groove being provided in said detents.

12. A mixer with a coupling element having inlet connectors, a mixer housing rotatable relative to the coupling element that has an outlet opening and an opposite inlet end in which the coupling element is housed, and a mixing element housed in the mixer housing that defines a longitudinal axis of the mixer, wherein the inlet end of mixer housing has an outer thread for connecting with a cartridge and the coupling element has a positioning latch that extends parallel to the inlet connectors protruding over inlet connectors in the direction facing away from outlet opening, wherein the coupling element has at least one catch protrusion protruding radially outward that engages with a radial groove in the inlet end of the mixer housing.

13. A delivery device with at least two containers connected with each other that have a common outlet section with outlet connectors for each of the containers, and a mixer that can be connected detachable with the outlet section of the containers as recited in claim 1, that has a coupling element with inlet connectors that are respectively connectable with one outlet connector, a mixer housing and a mixing element housed in the mixer housing, wherein the outlet section of the containers has an inner threaded section for a connection with the outer threaded section of the mixer housing, and that the outlet section of the containers has a plate at which the outlet connectors end flush, whereby the plate is attached to an annular collar, in which the inner, threaded section is formed, wherein a central opening is provided in the plate for housing mixing element and/or ribs are formed in plate.

14. A mixer with a coupling element having inlet connectors, a mixer housing rotatable relative to the coupling element that has an outlet opening and an opposite inlet end in which the coupling element is housed, and a mixing element housed in the mixer housing that defines a longitudinal axis of the mixer, wherein the inlet end of mixer housing has an outer thread for connecting with a cartridge and the coupling element has a positioning latch that extends parallel to the inlet connectors protruding over inlet connectors in the direction facing away from outlet opening, wherein the mixer housing has two annular protrusions on its inlet end between which a surrounding groove is formed with which an annular protrusion of the coupling element engages in sealing manner.

Description

(1) In the following, the invention will be explained in further detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment and by referring to the drawing.

(2) Schematically shown are:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a delivery device according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 2 shows the delivery device according to FIG. 1 prior to putting on the mixer.

(5) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the delivery device according to FIG. 1 while the mixer is being placed on it.

(6) FIG. 4 shows the mixer according to the invention in a perspective view.

(7) FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the mixer according to FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 6 shows the components of the mixer according to FIG. 4 in an exploded view.

(9) FIG. 7 shows the rear side of the coupling element of the mixer according to FIG. 4.

(10) FIG. 8 shows the front side of the coup ing element of the mixer according to FIG. 4.

(11) FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the coupling element of the mixer according to FIG. 4.

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

(13) FIG. 11 shows the locking element according to FIG. 10 in a perspective view.

(14) FIG. 12 shows a detail of an additional embodiment of a delivery device in a perspective view.

(15) FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of a mixer in a perspective view, and

(16) FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of the mixer according to FIG. 13 in a cartridge system.

(17) Delivery device 1 that is shown in FIG. 1 through 3 consists of a double cartridge 2 and a mixer 3 that can be connected detachable with double cartridge 2. In the illustrated embodiment, double cartridge 2 is formed by two integrally connected containers 4a, 4b that have a different cross section in order to accept different volumes of two different components, in particular, a base mass and a catalytic mass for the production of a dental product. The two containers, 4a, 4b are closed by delivery plungers 5a, 5b at their end facing away from mixer 3, which can be pushed forward within double cartridge 2, in order to deliver the components contained in containers 4a, 4h by means of mixer 3. The embodiment according to FIG. 1 is a so-called directly filled cartridge, in which the components are directly housed in containers 4a, 4b. Alternatively, it is also possible to accept components in pouches that are in turn inserted into the containers.

(18) Each of the two containers 4a, 4b has an outlet connector 6a or 6b, whereby the outlet connectors form a common outlet section of double cartridge 2. For this, the two outlet connectors 6a, 6b are provided with a plate 7, which extends perpendicular to outlet connectors 6a, 6b, so that outlet connectors 6a, 6b end flush with plate 7. In the direction of mixer 3, a surrounding collar 8 that is provided with an inner thread 9 projects away from a plate 7. Further, an arched opening 10 is formed in plate 7. Between the two containers 4a, 4b of double cartridge 2, a channel extends for housing a drive shaft (not shown), which also ends flush with a central opening 7a in plate 7. Different than in the illustrate embodiment, openings 7a and 10 can also be designed as a common opening.

(19) As can be seen in the illustration in FIG. 6, mixer 3 consists of a mixer housing 11 that forms a mixing area in its interior, a mixing element 12 housed in the mixer housing and a coupling element 13 (cover), which can be connected with the mixer housing. At its end facing away from double cartridge 2, mixer housing 11 is provided with an outlet opening 14 that is tapered with respect to the cylindrical section of mixer housing 11 that forms the mixing area. The inlet end of mixer housing 11 that is opposite to outlet opening 14 is widened pot-like to house coupling element 13. Coupling element 13 can thereby be locked into mixer housing 11, by means of a surrounding groove 15 designed into mixer housing 11 into which an annular catch protrusion 16 can snap on the outer side of coupling element 13. Thus, coupling element 13 is retained freely rotatable in mixer housing 11. Depending on the size of groove 15 and catch protrusion 16, coupling element 13 can, however, displace slightly in axial direction, for example, less than approximately 1 mm relative to the mixer housing in axial direction.

(20) Mixer 3 that is shown in the Figures is a dynamic mixer in which mixing element 12 can be driven by the drive shaft (not shown). For this, mixing element 12 extends through a central opening in coupling element 13 and can engage with the central opening 7a in plate 7 of the outlet end of double cartridge 2. Mixing element 12 bears several mixing blades with which components fed into the mixing area by double cartridge 2, can be mixed with each other before these discharge from outlet opening 14.

(21) The mixer housing is provided with an outer thread 17, which is provided on the outside of the pot-like enlarged inlet end of mixer housing 11. Outer thread 17 and inner thread 9 are coordinated with each other to connect mixer 3 with double cartridge 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the threads are a three-part thread with three threaded sections. Hereby it is possible to engage threads 9 or 17 at respectively three points offset by 120. Beyond that, only a small rotation of mixer 3 relative to double cartridge 2 is required for screwing the mixer onto the double cartridge. The threaded connection can be designed in such a way that a defined snap-in position is indicated tactile and/or audible when mixer 3 is screwed onto double cartridge 2 completely. This can be accomplished, for example, thereby that the thickness of the treaded segments (spiral-shaped threaded ribs) slightly increases at the end of the screw-in path and decreases subsequently, so that a small resistance must be overcome in order to completely tighten or release the threads.

(22) Further, on the outside of mixer housing 11, wings 18 are provided that facilitate screwing in mixer 3 manually. Wings 18 thereby extend between a flange 19 that surrounds the cylindrical part of mixer housing 11, and the pot-like expanded inlet end of the mixer housing. Flange 19 affords the advantage that wings 18 cannot lead to an irregular contraction delay in the cylindrical part of mixer housing 11. This in turn ensures that the mixing blades of mixing element 12 can be stripped off with very narrow tolerances at the cylindrical inner wall of the mixing area formed by mixer housing 11. This is an advantage for a homogeneous mixture. Alternatively, or in addition to wings 18, other means can also be provided that facilitate the manual screwing on of mixer 3, for example, a (multi) angular design of sections of mixer housing 11.

(23) The design of coupling element 13 can be seen in FIG. 7 through 9, whereby FIG. 7 shows the rear side facing double cartridge 2, and FIG. 8 the opposite front wall of coupling element 13. Two inlet connectors 20a, 20b are formed in the coupling element that protrude in the direction toward double cartridge 2 out of a rear wall of coupling element 13. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the size of inlet connectors 20a, 20b is selected in such a way that these can be inserted into outlet connectors 6a, or 6b of double cartridge 2. Inlet connectors 20a, 20b form channels that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mixer, i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation of mixing element 12. Via openings 21a, 21b, the channels end radially into an area that forms the mixing area of mixer housing 11. Opening 21a for the larger component by volume is reduced in its cross section by a partition 22, as a result of which a running ahead of this component can be prevented.

(24) Further, at coupling element 13, a positioning latch 23 is formed which likewise extends from the rear side of coupling element 13 in the direction toward double cartridge 2. Positioning latch 23 is convexly curved in the illustrated embodiment, and adapted to the contour of opening 10 in plate 7 of double cartridge 2. As can be seen in the Figures, positioning latch 23 projects over inlet connectors 20a, 20b in the direction toward double cartridge 2. In other words, when mixer 3 is placed onto double cartridge 2, first positioning latch 23 makes contact with plate 7 until positioning latch 23 engages with opening 10. Hereby, inlet connectors 20a, 20b of mixer 3 become aligned with

(25) the openings ending in plate 7 of outlet connectors 6a or 6b. At the same time, the end of mixing element 12 that protrudes out of coupling element 13 can engage with the central opening of plate 7. For an easier finding of opening 10, positioning latch 23 is tapered at an incline or rounded at its free end. Alternatively or additionally, opening 10 can be designed larger than positioning latch 23 and/or be tapered.

(26) For sealing mixing element 12 in coupling element 13, a bearing sleeve 24 is provided in coupling element 13, in which mixing element 12 is mounted rotatable. Bearing sleeve 24 thereby has a free end aligned in the direction to outlet opening 14 of mixer 3, while the opposite end of bearing sleeve 24 ends in the rear wall of coupling element 13. The free end of bearing sleeve 24 can thus abut at mixing element 12 in sealing manner.

(27) At the front end of coupling element 13 facing outlet opening 14 of mixer 3, two surrounding, annular protrusions 25a, 25b are provided that are concentric to each other, so that between them, a surrounding groove 25c is formed. Correspondingly, in the inlet end of mixer housing 11 that expands like a pot, an annular, surrounding protrusion 26 is formed that can engage with groove 25c. In a not yet screwed together condition with double cartridge 2, mixer 3 can have a little play between the free end of annular protrusion 26 and the base of the groove of groove 25c, so that coupling element 13 is freely rotatable within mixer housing 11. When mixer 3 is placed onto the outlet end of double cartridge 2 and is screwed tight, the rear wall of coupling element 13 abuts at plate 7 of double cartridge 2. Hereby, coupling element 13 is slightly displaced in axial direction toward outlet opening 14 of mixer 3 relative to mixer housing 11, so that the free end of protrusion 26 rests on the base of the groove of groove 25c that is formed between protrusions 25a and 25b in sealing manner. Even when the delivery pressure rises, for example, as a result of a fast feed rate of delivery plunger 5a or 5b, coupling element 13 is pushed in the direction toward outlet opening 14 so that the seal between annular protrusion 26 and the base of the groove seals more effectively.

(28) Preferably, collar 8 of double cartridge 2, as well as the inlet section of mixer 3 are designed in such a way that the respective threads 9. 17 are slightly recessed so that mixer 3 can first be inserted into collar 8 without an engagement of the threads. In this position, mixer 3 can be aligned relative to double cartridge 2 by being rotated until positioning latch 23 meets opening 10. The threads only engage thereafter and the inlet connectors are guided into the outlet connectors. In other words, mixer 3 can only be placed onto double cartridge 2 in a single position. For this reason, a cross contamination of the mixer inlet connectors by the cartridge outlet connectors at the start is impossible.

(29) Additionally, a purely tactile, intuitive positioning of the mixer is possible as a result of the rotating motion of the mixer in the collar. A visual control or an exact placement of the mixer is not necessary. A further advantage of the mixer according to the invention lies therein, that no special alignment of the coupling element relative to the mixer housing or the double cartridge is required. Thus, an additional cost-generating assembly step including the required quality control is not necessary.

(30) Alternative to the positioning of mixer 3 illustrated in the Figures with respect to double cartridge 2 by means of the positioning latch, the inlet connector of the mixer can also be designed with a larger diameter (for example, base component) longer than the other inlet connector with the smaller diameter (e.g. catalytic component). Even in this way, a positioning and alignment can take place, as the larger inlet connector cannot be inserted into any other opening within plate 7 than the opening of the corresponding outlet connector. A positioning latch is therefore not necessary.

(31) Regardless of the features of the mixer described above and/or the cartridge, the invention also relates to a one piece locking element 27 that is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, which can be placed onto double cartridge 2 instead of mixer 3. For locking double cartridge 2, two stoppers 28a, 28b are provided that can be inserted into outlet connectors 6a or 6b to seal them. Stoppers 28a, 28b are connected with a sleeve 30 by a bar 29 that acts as torsion spring, which can be used in collar 8 of the outlet end of double cartridge 2. An expanded edge of sleeve 30 that is provided with a knurling 31 rests on the front side of collar 8 when locking element 27 is inserted in double cartridge 2 in sealing manner.

(32) Locking element 27 can be secured in collar 8 by means of engagement hooks 32 that engage behind the threaded segments of inner thread 9 and thus interlock locking element 27 on the double cartridge. To release locking element 27, sleeve 30 with knurling 31 can be rotated slightly, whereby bar 20 deflects, as stoppers 28a, 28h at first continue to be in outlet connectors 6a or 6b. This deflection of bar 29 that acts as torsion element makes it possible that engagement hooks 32 are made to

(33) disengage from the threaded segments of inner thread 9, so that locking element 27 can be removed from double cartridge 2.

(34) A preferred embodiment of the design of the delivery device is shown in FIG. 12. Thereby, between or under outlet connectors 6a, 6b, ribs 33 are formed on plate 7, that protrude from plate 7. On the one hand, this prevents an erroneous placement of the mixer so that positioning latch 23 finds opening 10 more easily, and on the other hand, it can prevent a carryover of material. When the mixer is exchanged, a material discharge from the inlet and/or outlet connectors can rarely be avoided entirely. Contact of the two material components stored separately in the cartridge must, however, be avoided prior to the intended mixing in the mixer, as the material components would otherwise react with each other. Transverse ribs 33 catch such material components in the section between the ribs and thus prevent a fast carryover to the respectively other outlet channel.

(35) The mixer shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 has annular frontal sealing surfaces 34 at coupling element 13 that are provided around inlet channels 20a, 20h, and on which the respective outlet connectors 6a, 6b come to rest. These sealing surfaces have a frontal sealing effect in addition to the radial sealing surface at the exterior circumference of the connectors.

(36) Different than in the illustration in FIGS. 5 and 14, for a better mixing homogeneity, it can be advantageous to install an additional mixing blade or mixing element at the upper (outlet side) end of mixing element 12 in the direction of the mixer outlet, where FIGS. 5 and 14 has a pointed cone, which follows the contour of the tapered mixer sleeve and projects into the mouth of the mixer.

(37) TABLE-US-00001 Reference numbers: 1 Delivery device 2 Double cartridge 3 Mixer 4a, b Container 5a, b Delivery plunger 6a, b Outlet connectors 7 Plate 7a Opening 8 Collar 9 Inner thread 10 Opening 11 Mixer housing 12 Mixing element 13 Coupling element 14 Outlet opening 15 Groove 16 Catch protrusion 17 Outer thread 18 Wings 19 Flange 20a, b Inlet connectors 21a, b Opening 22 Partition 23 Positioning latch 24 Bearing sleeve 25a, b Protrusion 25c Groove 26 Protrusion 27 Locking element 28a, b Stopper 29 Bar 30 Sleeve 31 Knurling 32 Engagement hook 33 Rib 34 Frontal sealing surfaces