Patent Application
20150246766
The invention relates to a container for dispensing a multi-component mixture. Containers of this type are known in the prior art, and may have separate chambers for accommodating various components which, prior to or during dispensing from the container, are mixable with one another to form a multi-component mixture. Known containers are generally used for multi-component cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,481 discloses a container arrangement for dispensing a multi-component mixture, comprising a first mixing container having a receiving space containing a first component, and a container opening which is closable by a cap, the cap in turn having a closeable, protruding dispensing nozzle. In addition, a second container containing a further component may be coupled to the mixing container in such a way that both components may be brought into contact with one another and mixed, wherein the resulting multi-component mixture may be dispensed from the dispensing nozzle. An accumulation of portions of the first component in the area of the dispensing nozzle may be problematic, and therefore the mixing ratio of the dispensed multi-component mixture may be variable.
A further example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,938. The mixing container disclosed here comprises a mixing space containing a first component. The mixing space has a dispensing opening which is closed by a screw cap having a dispensing nozzle. The cap in turn has a receiving chamber for a second component, which is openable by turning the cap in such a way that the second component may be brought into the mixing space for the first component. After the components are mixed, the multi-component mixture may be dispensed via the dispensing nozzle. Here as well, portions of the second component may remain in the area of the dispensing nozzle, which could result in a nonuniform mixing ratio of the multi-component mixture.
A similar mixing container having a dispensing opening which is closeable by means of a closure cap is also disclosed in DE 1646116 A1. Here as well, a first receiving area for a first component is provided. A further component is provided in a reservoir in the closure cap, the reservoir being openable by the user in order to bring the second component into the receiving area for mixing with the first component.
A further mixing device is disclosed in DE 3606003 A1. Here, a double-chamber container is disclosed which is used for accommodating two filling components to form a ready-to-use preparation prior to removal from the container, the double-chamber container being made up of two container chambers which can be separately filled and joined together one on top of the other, and which are separated from one another by a separating element which is openable for mixing the filling components. In addition, the opening of the nozzle of the container has a tube that extends into the interior of the container, the length of the tube that extends into the interior of the container being selected so that during emptying out of the contents of the container, the tube specifically withholds the quantity of one of the filling components in the container. Here as well, however, in particular prior to mixing, portions of one of the filling components may remain, which could result in a nonuniform mixing ratio of the multi-component mixture.
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved container for dispensing an adhesive.
This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the subclaims.
The basic concept of the invention is the use of a container for dispensing an adhesive in the form of a multi-component mixture, the container having a dispensing opening, wherein an inner space is provided which has at least two separate chambers that are used for accommodating one component each, wherein devices are provided that allow combining and mixing of the components in the inner space, wherein a hollow connecting tube that protrudes from the dispensing opening into the inner space is provided, the connecting tube providing a connecting channel between the inner space and the dispensing opening, and the connecting tube on its side opposite from the dispensing opening being in contact with one of the components prior to mixing, and wherein one or more barrier means is/are provided for the connecting tube in order to prevent contamination of the connecting channel by this component, the barrier means being removable for dispensing the multi-component mixture.
The use of a hollow connecting tube which protrudes into the inner space, which may also function as the mixing space of the two components, has significant advantages. At their end regions, i.e., at the top side and at the bottom side, the containers usually have dead spaces in which portions of a component present there are not able to mix to the desired extent with the other component(s). These dead spaces may be due to the structural shape of the container. Thus, for example, flexible containers, in particular having flexible side wall areas, may be used which are kneadable or deformable for mixing the components, wherein the container may have a shoulder area at the top side which has a greater material thickness, and a base area which is thicker in comparison to the side wall areas. These areas are generally not as flexible and kneadable or deformable as the side wall areas, so that it may not be possible for portions of a component present there to adequately mix with the further component(s). In addition, in particular corners, undercuts, and narrow sections of the inner space may be present in particular at the top side of the container facing the dispensing opening, which likewise may be referred to as a dead space, since here as well, deficiencies in the mixing result may occur due to portions of a component present there not being adequately mixable with the further component(s). Furthermore, the condition and/or the properties of a component may also play a further role. In particular sticky and/or viscous materials may have a tendency to adhere to the inner wall areas of a container surrounding the inner space, which may significantly influence the mixing specifically in the area of the top side due to corners, edges, constrictions, and/or tapered areas.
The use of the hollow connecting tube, which protrudes into the inner space, is provided for this purpose. On the one hand, a design of a container is conceivable in which a first component is present from the outset in the inner space in the area of the top side. When the components that are used are mixed together within the inner space, use of the protruding connecting tube may avoid the situation that residues in the area of the top side facing the dispensing opening are dispensed through the dispensing opening, since the connecting tube protrudes into the inner space, and dispensing from the dispensing opening takes place via the hollow connecting tube, i.e., the connecting channel. The hollow connecting tube thus allows communication of the inner space, utilized as a mixing space, with the dispensing opening, the hollow inner tube extending over the dead space in the area of the top side of the container.
In an alternative design, initially none of the components are present in the inner space in the area of the top side. In this case, this does not take place until the components are mixed. Here as well, however, it is possible that one of the components may flow in the direction of the dead space and not be adequately mixed. Due to the hollow connecting tube, however, in this case as well, dispensing of the component or of the mixture present here in a mixing ratio which is not predetermined may be avoided.
To allow effective bridging of the dead space, the side wall areas surrounding the inner space, or the side walls, have a flexible and/or elastic design, at least in places, and the connecting tube preferably protrudes far enough into the inner space that contact of the inner surface of the flexible and/or elastic side wall area surrounding the inner space with the distal end of the portion of the connecting tube protruding into the inner space is possible by manual, and thus customary, application of force on the side wall area. For example, a container made of a plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene may be used, the wall thickness of the flexible and/or elastic side wall area being in a range of 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably in a range of 0.7 to 0.9 mm, for example 0.8 mm. The connecting tube is preferably situated at a maximum distance of 5 mm from the inner wall of the closest side wall area, and protrudes at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, into the inner space beyond the level of the portion of the flexible and/or elastic side wall area situated on the top side.
One particular advantage of the invention described herein is the use of a barrier means for the hollow connecting tube in order to prevent contamination of the connecting channel by one of the components and/or a mixture which is not in the predetermined mixing ratio, the barrier means being removable for dispensing the multi-component mixture.
This barrier means is implementable using various options and designs. For example, the barrier means may be designed in the form of a sealing pin or a sealing spike which is removably situated in the hollow connecting tube, and which is preferably removable via the dispensing opening for dispensing the multi-component mixture. In an alternative embodiment, a sealing membrane or sealing surface, in particular on the portion of the connecting tube which protrudes into the mixing space, which seals off the connecting channel and is openable for dispensing the multi-component mixture may be used as the barrier means. In addition, the barrier means may be designed in particular by suitably selecting the structural shape of the hollow connecting tube and the components to be mixed. For example, a connecting tube may be used with a small enough diameter of the connecting channel, with an appropriate viscosity of at least one of the components, such that, for example, dispensing of this component from the dispensing opening via the connecting channel is not possible. For example, a further component may allow dilution and/or an increase in the flowability of the first-named component, the resulting multi-component mixture being dispensable via the connecting channel and the dispensing opening. Moreover, a gaseous medium, i.e., a gaseous barrier means, which is provided in the connecting channel of the connecting tube and preferably fills the connecting tube, may be used as the barrier means. In this regard, the dispensing opening is preferably closed so that the gaseous medium cannot escape through the dispensing opening. In addition, the connecting tube may be used with a small enough diameter of the connecting channel, with an appropriate viscosity of at least one of the components, such that the gaseous barrier means does not escape from the connecting channel through the component.
Of course, the invention is not limited to multi-component mixtures consisting of two components. Hence, three or more components may be used.
The container may have any shape. For example, the use of bottle-shaped containers is conceivable. In addition, containers in the shape of tubes, tubular bags, cartridges, and other container shapes that are suitable and known to those skilled in the art are conceivable. In particular a film material or a film composite material which is preferably coordinated with the properties of the multi-component mixture being used may be used as the container material.
According to the invention, the use of such a container for dispensing an adhesive as a multi-component mixture, in particular based on an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, or an acrylate resin, also known as a multi-component adhesive, is provided. An adhesive is expressly also understood to mean an adhesive having sealing properties, i.e., a sealing material. The components present in the container result in the adhesive by mixture of same. The correct mixing ratio may be essential here for the properties, in particular the adhesive force, the strength, the hardness, and/or other property features of the adhesive. Accordingly, the container is an adhesive container for dispensing a multi-component adhesive as a multi-component mixture.
In particular a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or some other suitable plastic material, or also a composite material in particular having a barrier film or barrier layer, may be used as the container material. These container materials, composite materials, or also film composites are well known in the prior art, the latter-named being packaging materials which are made up of at least two different materials that are preferably joined to one another over the entire surface and usually not separable by hand. The selection of the film material used preferably depends on the mass contained in the single-portion package and to be dispensed. In particular, it is conceivable to use a container material or a composite material which contains an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and/or silicon oxide and/or polypropylene and/or polyethylene.
Film material produced. It may in particular be a simple plastic or metal film. However, composite materials or film composites are also conceivable as film materials. These films, composite materials, or film composites are well known in the prior art, the latter-named being packaging materials which are made up of at least two different materials that are preferably joined to one another over the entire surface and usually not separable by hand. The selection of the film material used preferably depends on the mass contained in the single-portion package and to be dispensed.
Devices for the combining may be, for example, suitable technical means which allow the components, initially separate from one another, to be combined. These types of technical means are generally known. For example, separate chambers for the components may be used, a partition or a suitable element for separating the chambers from one another being openable from the outside using a separate plunger element, for example. In addition, for example a relative motion of the chambers with respect to one another may cause the chambers to open, and thus combine the components. Moreover, it is conceivable to provide a membrane or film between the chambers which may be torn open in order to combine the components. In one advantageous embodiment, at least the side wall area surrounding the inner space has a flexible design, at least in the area of the membrane or membranes, so that the user, for example by manually applying pressure from the outside to the side wall areas, may enable tearing of the membrane and thus combining of the components.
Devices for mixing the components may in particular be the side wall areas of the container which have a flexible design, at least in places. Thus, the user may enable mixing of the components in particular by kneading and crumpling. Alternatively or additionally, further means for mixing, for example projections or passages, may be provided which allow mixture in particular by means of the turbulence which is achievable during component transport. Such means may be designed as static mixers, for example, and are well known in the prior art.
As discussed above, it has been found to be particularly advantageous for the connecting tube to have a closed design at the dispensing opening, and to provide a gaseous barrier means in the connecting channel, wherein the connecting tube, or rather, the configuration of the connecting tube, on its side opposite from the dispensing opening is coordinated with the viscosity of the first component in such a way that exchange of the gaseous barrier means with the first component in the closed state of the connecting tube may be prevented in order to prevent contamination of the connecting channel by this component, wherein for dispensing the multi-component mixture, the gaseous barrier means is removable by opening the connecting tube at the dispensing opening.
In one advantageous refinement, the internal diameter of the connecting channel, i.e., the internal opening diameter, is in a range between 0.8 mm and 2.2 mm, wherein the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) of the one component at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) is in a range of 6000 mPas to 80,000 mPas to prevent contamination of the connecting channel by these components, the barrier means being removable for dispensing the multi-component mixture.
As discussed above, it has also been found to be advantageous to provide a barrier means in the form of a sealing pin which protrudes into the connecting channel and is removable via the dispensing opening, and which allows sealing of the connecting channel at least in the portion which protrudes into the inner space. Thus, the sealing pin may have, for example, a sealing area on the end which in the installed stated faces the inner space, and which completely seals off the connecting channel from the inner space. For this purpose, for example the shape of the sealing pin may be complementary or may correspond to the cross-sectional area of the connecting channel in this area. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing pin may have a sealing shoulder or a sealing lip in particular in this area.
A further advantage is the use of a closure means for the dispensing opening, the closure means surrounding the sealing pin so that the sealing pin together with the closure means is removable to allow dispensing of the multi-component mixture via the dispensing opening. The closure means may be designed as a cap or lid. It preferably completely covers the dispensing opening, and provides an option for protecting the dispensing opening from external influences. The use of connecting means between the closure means and the container is also conceivable. Thus, for example, a thread, a snap-on connection means between the components, or other suitable connecting means may be provided. A further advantage is the use of a tamper-proof seal so that the user may quickly recognize that the package is unopened.
In one advantageous refinement of the present invention, the sealing pin fills the connecting channel, at least in places. Particularly good sealing of the connecting channel may be achieved by a shape of the sealing pin which corresponds, at least in places, to the cross-sectional shape of the connecting channel.
A further advantage is a design of the sealing pin such that the sealing pin in the installed state ends in alignment with the end of the connecting channel situated in the inner space. Alternatively, a sealing pin may be used which is longer than the connecting channel so that it protrudes, at least in places, from the connecting channel into the inner space.
In one advantageous refinement, the sealing pin, at least at its distal end or at least in the area of the distal end, has a shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the connecting channel such that the connecting channel is closable, at least in places, by this distal end of the sealing pin at the area which protrudes in the direction of the mixing space.
A further advantage is the use of a sealing pin that is longer than the connecting channel, and that protrudes, at least in places, from the connecting channel into the inner space. It may thus be ensured particularly well that a described inadvertent contamination of the connecting channel by one of the components is prevented.
As an alternative to the use of a sealing pin or a gaseous barrier means, it may prove to be useful, as discussed above, to use a sealing membrane as the barrier means, whereby the sealing membrane is provided at the portion of the connecting tube which protrudes into the mixing space, and at that location seals off the connecting tube or the connecting channel and is openable for dispensing the multi-component mixture. The connecting tube is preferably made of a plastic material, the membrane preferably being made of the same material and preferably being integrally molded onto the connecting tube.
In one advantageous refinement, the membrane is openable by application of pressure on the container. It has proven to be particularly advantageous here that the container has a flexible design, at least partially or in places, in particular in the area of the side wall areas surrounding the inner space, to allow deformation of the container, at least in places, by external application of pressure. Application of pressure on the membrane may thus be made possible in order to open the membrane for dispensing the multi-component mixture. Alternatively, a puncturing means in the form of a spike may be provided, with which the membrane may be pierced, in particular from the direction of the dispensing opening, and thus opened.
A further advantage of all described barrier means which are employed is the use of a connecting tube which, at least at the portion which protrudes into the inner space, has a circular cross section, at least in places, the diameter being in the range of 0.8 mm to 2.2 mm.
In addition, it has been found to be advantageous to select or adjust the mentioned one component in such a way that the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) of the one component at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) is in a range of 6000 mPas to 80,000 mPas.
Another advantage is the use of a further component that has a dynamic viscosity which at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) is lower than the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) of the above-mentioned one component at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)), the latter component preferably being in contact with the connecting tube prior to mixing.
The components are particularly advantageously used, or selected and/or chosen, in such a way that the multi-component mixture that results from mixing the components has a lower dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) than the one component which is in contact with the connecting tube prior to mixing.
A further advantage is the division of the inner space into various chambers, used for accommodating one component in each case, by means of at least one detachable seam or detachable membrane. Two chambers are preferably used for two components, wherein both chambers are separated from one another by the seam or membrane. It has proven to be particularly advantageous to use a seam or membrane in conjunction with a container which is made of a film material, in particular at its side wall areas surrounding the inner space. The seam or membrane can be welded into the film material. It has been found to be particularly advantageous here that the container, in particular in the area of the side wall areas surrounding the inner space, has a flexible design, at least partially or in places, to allow deformation of the container, at least in places, by external application of pressure. An application of pressure on the membrane may thus be made possible in order to open the membrane for combining and mixing the components.
A further advantage is the provision of the container with a side wall area which in places has a flexible design such that the multi-component mixture may be dispensed and/or the components may be mixed together in particular by the user manually applying pressure to the side wall area.
In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, insulation elements are provided on the side wall areas and in particular on flexibly designed side wall areas which are preferably used, for example to also allow processing of reactive multi-component mixtures which, for example, react exothermically during the mixing in the container.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are indicated in the figures, which show the following:
The connecting tube 19 also protrudes in the opposite direction, from the shoulder area 8 into the inner space 2 of the container 1. The connecting tube 19 is hollow, or more precisely, has the shape of a hollow cylinder, and with an inner wall 21 defines a connecting channel 23 which allows communication of the inner space 2 with the dispensing opening 6 for dispensing the multi-component mixture 14. The diameter of the connecting tube 19 is preferably in a range of 0.8 mm to 2.2 mm, and is approximately 1.2 mm in the exemplary embodiment shown.
The inner space 2 is also divided into two chambers. A first chamber 9 is provided for accommodating a first component 12, in this case an epoxy resin, for example, for the multi-component mixture 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first chamber 9 in the direction of the top side 4 is defined in particular by the shoulder area 8, and laterally, by the side wall area 3. Accordingly, the connecting tube 19 which protrudes into the inner space 2 at the same time protrudes into the first chamber 9, so that the first component 12 present in the first chamber 9 is in contact with the connecting tube 19. The first component has a dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) in a range of preferably 6000 mPas to 80,000 mPas, and 20,000 mPas in the exemplary embodiment shown.
To avoid wetting and in particular contamination of the connecting channel 23 by a portion of the first component 12, a sealing pin 26 is provided which is situated within the hollow connecting tube 19, i.e., in the connecting channel 23, where as a barrier means it seals off the connecting channel 23 in particular in the portion of the connecting tube 19 that protrudes into the inner space 2. The sealing pin 26 is integrally molded onto a closure 24 which is used as an option for closing the dispensing opening 6. For this purpose, in particular connecting means may be provided between the closure 24 and the protruding portion of the connecting tube 19. In particular a screw connection, a suitable snap-on connection means, or other types of fasteners known to those skilled in the art which permit(s) detachable fastening of the closure 24 on or at the connecting tube 19 is/are conceivable here. For removing the closure 24 from the container 1 in order to remove the sealing pin 26 and enable the dispensing opening 6, the closure 24 has a grip element 25 for the user 16 which may be provided with slip-resistant means such as ribs or nubs. The sealing pin 26 has dimensions and a shape such that, in particular in the area of a distal end 28, i.e., in the area of the end facing in the direction of the inner space 2 in the installed state, it has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the connecting channel 23, such that the connecting channel 23 is closable by this distal end of the sealing pin 26 at the area which protrudes in the direction of the inner space 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sealing pin is cylindrical, wherein the lateral surface is provided by a sealing pin outer wall 27 which conforms to the inner wall 21 of the hollow cylindrical connecting tube 19 which determines the connecting channel 23, thus sealing off the connecting channel 23. In the installed state, the distal end 28 of the sealing pin 26 ends in alignment with the tube inner edge 20 situated in the inner space 2. However, it is possible for the distal end 28 of the sealing pin 26 to protrude beyond the tube inner edge 20 and into the inner space 2.
In addition, a second chamber 10 is provided for accommodating a second component 13—which here, for example, is a hardener for the above-mentioned epoxy resin—for the multi-component mixture 14. The further component 13 has a lower dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) than the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) of the first component 12. Moreover, it may be advantageous to coordinate the two components 12, 13 with one another in such a way that the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) of the multi-component mixture 14 resulting from the mixing is lower than the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) of the first component 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second chamber 10 is defined by the crease 7 in the direction of the bottom side 5, and laterally, by the side wall area 3. The second chamber 10 is separated and sealed off from the first chamber 9 in the direction of the top side 4 by a membrane 11, so that the two components 12, 13 may be accommodated separately from one another in the inner space 2. The membrane 11 has been provided by welding oppositely situated areas of the side wall area 3, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown, the membrane 11 is designed in such a way that it may be torn open and opened by the user 16 in particular by deforming the side wall area 3.
For dispensing the multi-component mixture 14 that is present there, the user grasps the grip element 25 of the closure 24, for example with the index finger 18 and the thumb 17 of the hand, and removes the closure 24 from the container 1. As a result, not only is the dispensing opening 6 enabled, but also the sealing pin 26 integrally molded onto the closure 24 is withdrawn from the connecting tube 19, so that the connecting channel 23 is enabled for dispensing the multi-component mixture 14 from the dispensing opening 6.
Here as well, the sealing pin 26 is used as a barrier means which allows sealing of the connecting channel 23 in the portion which protrudes into the inner space 2, whereby the sealing pin 26, as described above, together with the closure 24 is removable via the dispensing opening 6. For this purpose, the sealing pin 26 has a sealing section 29 at its distal end 28 which fills and thus seals off the connecting channel 23 in this area. The sealing section 29 ends in alignment with the end of the connecting channel 19, i.e., the tube inner edge 20, situated in the inner space 2. Alternatively, however, the sealing pin 26 may also be longer than the connecting channel 23, specifically, in such a way that the sealing pin 26, in particular with its sealing section 29, protrudes from the connecting channel 23 into the inner space 2 in places.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the internal diameter of the connecting channel 23, i.e., the internal opening diameter, is in a range of 1.2 mm, at least on its side opposite from the dispensing opening 19, wherein the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) of the one component 12 at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) is 20,000 mPas in order to prevent contamination of the connecting channel 23 by this component 12. The further component 13 also has a lower dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) than the first component 12. In addition, the two components 12, 13 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) of the multi-component mixture 14 that results from mixing the components 12, 13 is lower than the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) at room temperature (23° C. (73.4° F.)) of the first component 12, which is in contact with the connecting tube (19) prior to mixing.
The gaseous barrier means 38 is air in the present case. Of course, a dispensing opening 6 that is closed air-tight by a closure 24 is particularly advantageous. During filling of the container 1, for example via its bottom side 5 shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102012220790.2 | Nov 2012 | DE | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2013/073842 | Nov 2013 | US |
| Child | 14712248 | US |
