The invention relates to a cartridge system with two containers respectively provided with an outlet connector and a common connecting section provided with a positioning aperture for a mixer, and with a static mixer with inlet connectors and a positioning element. Further, the invention relates to a static mixer that is especially suited for use with such a cartridge system.
Cartridge systems of the type cited at the beginning are known from WO 2011/041917 and EP 0 723 807 B1. These types of known cartridge systems most often have a bayonet joint for connecting the static mixer and the containers of the cartridge. Often, it is an important aspect of the connection between the mixer and the cartridge that the mixer should be placed on the cartridge in a certain position so that the inlet and outlet connectors meet, whereby it is to be avoided that the mixer is out of alignment. For this reason, so-called coding elements must be provided that prevent a firm connection between the mixer and the cartridge if the mixer is out of alignment when it is placed on the cartridge. Thereby, the known cartridge systems cannot reliably ensure that any misaligned contact between the inlet and outlet connectors relative to the cartridge is avoided.
This can lead to a so-called cross contamination, i.e. the component in one of the outlet connectors comes in contact with the component in the other outlet connector in the area of the inlet or outlet connectors already, and can react there, and perhaps harden, which is unwanted.
Further, from DE 20 2011 002 407 U1, a mixer having a guide rib is known which can be mounted on a cartridge by means of a retaining clip.
Mixers and cartridge systems of this type also sometimes have the problem that one of the components to be discharged from the cartridge tends to flow at a faster rate, i.e. discharges faster from the respective container than the component within the other container. Concerning this, it is known from EP 0 584 428 B1 or EP 0 664 153 B1, to design the inlet area of a mixer in such a way that the component tending to run ahead is caught in the inlet area of the mixer or is redirected before the components are mixed in the mixing area of the mixer. But these steps are connected with an increase in the flow resistance within the mixer due to multiple redirections of the component, which is found to be a disadvantage, depending on the viscosity.
From EP 1 972 387 A2, a mixer is known, which can be mounted to a cartridge by means of an adapter. The adapter has a pin-like protrusion that can engage with a corresponding aperture on the cartridge housing to establish alignment relative to the cartridge.
In contrast, it is the objective of the present invention to provide a cartridge system and a static mixer for such in which no cross contamination can occur. A further aspect of the present invention lies in the improvement of the flow characteristics within the mixer, and a simple and reliable connection between the mixer and the cartridge.
According to the invention, this problem is solved with a cartridge system with the characteristics of claim 1. The connection between the two containers (cartridge) and the mixer is thereby preferably accomplished by a threaded connection, whereby the connection section of the containers has a ring with an inner thread surrounding the outlet connectors, while the mixer has an outer thread which is provided, for example, on the outer side of the mixer housing. According to the invention, the length of the inlet connectors, 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 placing the mixer onto the containers, the positioning element engages with the positioning aperture, before the inner thread and the outer thread engage. Additionally, according to the invention, the inner thread and the outer thread engage before the inlet connectors and the outlet connectors make contact.
For this, the positioning element, which can be designed as a bar or a latch, for example, projects in the direction toward the cartridge beyond the inlet connectors of the mixer according to a preferred embodiment. Thus, the positioning element first engages with the slot or similar aperture at the cartridge while the mixer is being mounted to the cartridge, before the threads of the inner thread collar of the cartridge and the outer thread of the mixer can engage. In addition, as the inlet connectors of the mixer and the outlet connectors of the cartridge can come in contact only then, when the thread of the cartridge and the mixer engage, it is ensured that by engaging the positioning element with the corresponding positioning aperture, the alignment of the mixer relative to the cartridge is determined first, before the remaining components can make contact.
Thereby, the positioning element can facilitate bringing the mixer close to the cartridge, as well as ensure a positive alignment and association of the mixer with the cartridge. This has the advantage that the mixer and cartridge can be brought together easily and intuitively with more degrees of freedom compared to known bayonet connections. In other words, the positioning element according to the invention differentiates itself from a coding element that is known, for example, from EP 0 723 807 B1, among other things therein, that the mixer is guided in the cartridge and brought into the desired alignment even before the actual connection of the mixer and the cartridge begins. Furthermore, from the start of the connection process, the positioning element ensures the correct alignment of the inlets and outlets with respect to each other, in the absence of these being able to make contact in a different alignment. The threaded connection also ensures an especially firm and secure interlock of the mixer in the cartridge, whereby this interlock can be released easily.
Preferably, the positioning latch is guided funnel-shaped in the aperture in sliding manner when the outlet connectors and the inlet connectors are slid into each other forming a seal. In other words, the positioning latch is in contact with the aperture during the assembly of the mixer on the containers of the cartridge and aligns the inlet and outlet connectors as well the threads with each other. In practice, this is especially relevant for a cartridge inserted in a discharge device when a mixer is frequently exchanged, as the inlet and the outlet connectors are hereby usually hidden from the user, so that it is important that the connectors and the threads align automatically.
Prior to the first start-up of such a cartridge system, a small amount of the components contained in the containers is often discharged without placing the mixer onto the cartridge. The discharge of components takes place via plungers within the containers so that by discharging a small amount of the components prior to the first mixing process, possible tolerances within the container or the position of the plungers, or the fill levels of the containers can be compensated, in order to, as much as possible, feed both components evenly at the beginning of the actual mixing process. Because of the ring with the thread surrounding the outlet connector of the cartridge, there is a risk that the inner thread of the ring will be contaminated by components discharging from the containers, which can also make mounting the mixer more difficult. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet connectors therefore project over the ring surrounding the outlet connectors in the direction of the mixer. Because of the protrusion of the outlet connectors with respect to the ring, a contamination of the interior area of the ring is avoided as much as possible, and the components escaping from the cartridge can be captured and discarded.
The cartridge system according to the invention is suitable for components that are to be mixed at a mixing ratio of 1:1, and also for mixing ratios other than 1:1. To control the flow-through amounts at various dosing ratios, the inner diameters of the outlet channels of the cartridge are preferably selected to be of the same size for both components, whereby on account of, for example, cylindrical cores in the interior of the outlet channels, a volume of the outlet channels can be selected that corresponds to the desired dosing ratios. Thus it is possible, for example, to locate cylinder cores of this type attached using bars at the center within the outlet connectors. Hereby, it can be sufficient to provide such a cylinder core in only one of the two outlet connectors. Alternatively, or in addition to the cylinder cores, in at least one of the two inlet connectors of the mixer, a cross section tapering can be provided. This (inner) cross section tapering can be designed as an insert or as a conically extending channel, for example, so that for mixing ratios that are different than 1:1, the correct amount of the components arrives in the mixer.
The problem on which the invention is based is also solved by a static mixer with the characteristics of claim 4. For this, a static mixer according to the invention has a mixing area that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mixer and in which a mixing element is provided, and a coupling section that is suitable for connecting the mixer with the cartridge. Thereby, the coupling section can have two inlets respectively in flow connection with the mixing area via channels, and a positioning element. According to the invention, the coupling section also has an outer thread so that the coupling section can be formed by different components of the mixer, in particular, by the housing and an insert. Further, preferably, the two inlets are designed as connectors at a distance from each other, having a separating wall between them. To avoid cross contamination, the positioning element preferably projects over the two inlets of the mixer in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In particular, the positioning element also projects over a separating wall that is perhaps provided and over the housing of the mixer so that the positioning element must first be inserted into the corresponding aperture of the cartridge before other components of the mixer come in contact with the cartridge.
According to a preferred embodiment, for mixing ratios other than 1:1, a first inlet has a reservoir chamber associated with it that is located between the first inlet and the mixing area, and has a cross section surface that is larger than the cross section surface of the channel section between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber. In other words, the cross section surface of the inlet channel of the mixer is smaller than the cross section surface of the reservoir chamber so that in the reservoir chamber, a component that tends to run forward can be caught, as a result of which this component reaches the actual mixing area with a delay or only a subsequent flow of this component reaches the actual mixing area.
The flow characteristics within the static mixer have shown to be particularly favorable when the cross section surface of the channel section located between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber is approximately 80% and approximately 150% of the cross section surface of an aperture, or a channel section that ends in the mixing area. As a result of this avoidance of cross section tapering downstream of the reservoir chamber, even more viscous components with comparably lower delivery forces can be delivered.
Furthermore, it is preferred when the channel section located between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber is opposite to an aperture or an (additional) channel section in axial direction that ends, for example, in the mixing area. Even an absence of redirections or their minimization in the channel located between the inlet and the mixing area minimizes the flow resistance. Alternatively, the channel section located between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber in axial direction can be located offset to an aperture or an (additional) channel section that ends, for example, in the mixing area.
If the effect of one component running forward as a result of the mixer design according to the invention is compensated or is to be minimized, it is preferred when the channel that connects the second inlet with the mixing area reaches into the mixing area as directly as possible, whereby this channel can run past the reservoir chamber or through it. For mixing ratios other than 1:1 it is additionally preferred when the cross section surface of this second channel is smaller than the channel section between the first inlet and the reservoir chamber.
To reduce the risk of a cross contamination even further, it is preferred when the separating wall provided between the connectors of the inlets projects over these connectors in the direction toward the cartridge. Even if in a delivery of components prior to the start of the first mixing process, residuals of the components are present at the outlet connectors of the cartridges, these are not able to soil or contaminate the inlet connectors of the mixer, because of the separating wall. The same applies when one mixer that has already been used is removed and a new mixer is placed onto the cartridge. Regardless of the positioning element, even the separating wall is a contributing factor so that the mixer cannot be placed onto the cartridge in any position.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixer consists of precisely two components, namely, a housing and an insert that is axially secured and housed in the housing rotatable with respect to it. The housing thereby forms, in particular, a cylindrical mixing area and has an expanding area relative to the mixing area that forms the coupling section. This flared section of the housing can be provided with an outer thread with which the mixer can be firmly connected with the cartridge. As a result of the rotatability of the insert relative to the housing, an interlock of the mixer at the cartridge can be established by screwing, even if prior to that, the insert of the mixer is aligned relative to the cartridge by means of the positioning element. This also makes it possible that while the mixer is being screwed onto the cartridge, the inlet connectors of the mixer and the outlet connectors of the cartridge engage. To do so, preferably, the inlet connectors of the mixer are inserted into the outlet connectors of the cartridge.
The sealing between the two components of the mixer can be established axially and/or radially. An axial sealing with two consecutively abutting sealing sections of the housing or the insert in the longitudinal direction of the mixer has the advantage that the sealing effect is improved when the threaded connection with the cartridge is tightened. The insert of the mixer can thus first be freely rotatable in the housing and the sealing function takes effect (completely) only after the mixer is mounted onto the cartridge. The radial seal has the advantage that for it, for example, a radial groove and a surrounding radial bar can be used that can be provided for a freely rotatable connection of the two components of the mixer.
In cartridge systems, it is customary to leave the mixer mounted to the cartridge after the mixing process, whereby the components that are still contained in the mixer can react with each other in the mixer and harden. In this way, the mixer forms a lock for the cartridge which can be removed prior to another use of the cartridge with a new mixer. As a result of the threaded connection according to the invention, between the mixer and the cartridge, the housing of the mixer must be screwed out of the threaded ring of the cartridge. But at the same time, the insert of the mixer continues to be connected twist-safe with the cartridge via the positioning element and the inlet connectors. Screwing off the mixer therefore requires, a relative rotational motion between the insert of the mixer and the housing of the mixer, whereby such a relative motion is made more difficult when the components have hardened, when the mixer element, for example, a mixing helix is designed integral with the insert.
It is therefore preferred when the insert of the mixer has the mixing element, the two inlets and the positioning element as an integrated component, whereby the mixer element can be separated from the two inlets and the positioning element via a predetermined braking point.
In the following, the invention is described in further detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment and by referring to the drawings.
The following are shown schematically:
The cartridge system shown in
If the two containers 2a, 2b as shown in
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
As can be seen in the enlarged illustration of
Mixer 1 is a so-called static mixer, i.e. it does not have an actively driven mixer element. In the embodiments according to
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
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.
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 connectors 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.
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.
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.
As can be seen, in particular, in the illustration in
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.
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
Static mixer 1 that is shown in
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.
Further, in
In
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
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
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.
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
The locking stopper shown in
In
Plunger 100 shown in
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.
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.
An alternative embodiment of a delivery plunger with screw cap is shown in
A cartridge for a mixing ratio of the components of 1:1 is shown in
1 Mixer
2
a, 2b Container
3
a, 3b Delivery plunger
4
a, 4b Outlet connector
5 Ring
6 Thread
7 Positioning aperture
8 Housing
9 Insert
10 Outlet aperture
11 Thread
12 Plate
13 Mixing element
14
a, 14b Inlet connector
15 Separating wall
16 Positioning element
17 Separating wall
18 Channel
19
a First channel section
19
b Reservoir chamber
19
c 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
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2011 111 046 | Aug 2011 | DE | national |
PCT/EP2011/068784 | Oct 2011 | EP | regional |
10 2012 003 390 | Feb 2012 | DE | national |
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/240,298 filed Feb. 21, 2014 which is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/065689 filed Aug. 10, 2012, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 102011111046.5 filed Aug. 24, 2011 which claims priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2011/068784, filed Oct. 26, 2011 which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102012003390.7 filed Feb. 23, 2012. The entire disclosure contents of these applications are herewith incorporated by reference into the present application.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170157581 A1 | Jun 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14240298 | US | |
Child | 15440664 | US |