Multi-component cartridge

p0001The invention relates to a multi-component cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1.

p0002An input-called multicomponent cartridge shows <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE10254409A1"><text>DE 102 54 409 A1</text></patcit>, The local device for mixing and dispensing multi-component masses comprises a container having two chambers for two different flowable components, for example, for dental purposes. In order to mix the components prior to discharge, a mixing coil is disposed on a cylindrical projection at one end of the chambers. This mixing screw is surrounded by a cap arranged on a curved outlet pipe. The cap is rotatably mounted on a cylindrical projection of the chambers, and can be rotated so that the curved outlet pipe can be rotated in the direction desired for the discharge of the mixed in the outlet pipe components. For this purpose, the mixing helix is ​​flexible and bends in each case in the direction of said outlet. Upon delivery of the device, the cap is in a closed state in which it closes outlet openings of the chambers. In order to deliver the components contained in the chambers, the components are expressed by means of a piston, said chamber moves solely by the pressure of the components from the closed position to an open position. While this has the advantage that the dispensing tube can be brought by rotation into a suitable discharge position, eg for the application of dental composition on or in the teeth of a patient. However, the mounting of the cap is very difficult because the flexible mixing helix complicates the quick and easy application of the cap to the dispensing tube. Thus the sensitive flexible composite structure would have to be carefully inserted into the discharge pipe, which simultaneously would be paid to the proper fit of the cap on the cylindrical projection. Also, the displacement of the cap between the open and the closed position involves the risk of tilting the cap and the damage of the mixing helix.

p0003To simplify the fitting of a dispensing tube at a multi-component cartridge, the technique proposed with special coupling means provided in the state of discharge pipes that can be fitted onto the chambers also subsequently. For example, shows the<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="DE202006004738U1"><text>DE 20 2006 004 738 U1</text></patcit> a device for mixing two fluids, two syringe parts can be securely attached to one another in the means of an adapter element. At the syringe parts opposite side of the adapter element with a spout arranged therein mixing element can be arranged, these being similarly connected by a coupling element a bayonet. Another attachable dispensing with located therein mixer structure shows the<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="EP0319135A2"><text>EP 0319135 A2</text></patcit>, There, a security against rotation is provided by a partition wall part disposed on the syringe, which engages in a corresponding slot on the dispensing tube. In order to prevent damage to the mixer element, this is arranged before the mounting of the discharge tube in this already. In none of the known devices is, however, easily ensured that the dispensing tube when mounting can be placed neatly on the syringe part without damaging the mixer element. There is also the risk that the dispensing tube is not clean mounted on the syringe part so that the expressions of spraying the components may emerge laterally at the junctions between the syringe parts and dispensing.

p0004Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a multicomponent cartridge of the type mentioned that enables a simple and safe fitting a dispensing tube to a container of the multicomponent cartridge and reciprocating between an open and a closed position of the multicomponent cartridge.

p0005This object is achieved by a multi-component cartridge having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

p0006In the multi-component cartridge according to the invention may be characterized in that the mixer element is designed as a guide element for the axial displacement of the dispensing tube, the placing and moving of the dispensing tube are advantageously enables the container of the multicomponent cartridge.

p0007In order to improve the displaceable guidance of the dispensing, the outer contour of the mixer element and the inner contour of the dispensing tube are matched to one another in an advantageous manner. Further, the outer contour of the mixer element and the inner contour of the dispensing tube can be matched to one another in a particular advantageous embodiment, that the dispensing tube can be placed only in a predetermined position on the mixer element. In the production of the dispensing can not be placed upside then, whereby a faulty placing of the dispensing tube is excluded on the mixer element. The invention is characterized in that the outer contour of the mixer element and the inner contour of the dispensing tube are rectangular or elliptical.

p0008Here, a reliable guidance of the dispensing tube can also be made possible if the container on its mixer-side end has a rectangular or elliptical shaped exit area, which is surrounded by a correspondingly shaped root portion of the dispensing tube.

p0009In order to ensure fixation of the dispensing tube in an open position and / or in a closed position of the dispensing tube, are in one advantageous embodiment of the invention the container and / or the discharge pipe holding elements, in particular latching grooves and corresponding latching tabs are provided. In this way, interference can be output on the one hand the components, but on the other hand, the chambers are sealingly closed, thereby drying out or premature curing of the existing components in the chambers can be prevented. Particularly advantageous output openings of the chambers can be sealed closed by arranged on the dispensing tube corresponding sealing elements. In addition, the locking lugs and grooves help ensure the user that the dispensing tube is in the correct position.

p0010To prevent accidental disconnection of the dispensing tube from the container and yet to allow a proper discharge of the components from the chambers in the dispensing tube, are provided on the container and / or the dispensing tube fuse elements.

p0011In a manufacturing technology advantageous embodiment, the mixer element consists of a dimensionally stable material, wherein it is advantageous to shape mixer element and the container in one piece.

p0012Additional details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show it<dl id="dl0001"><dt><b>Fig. 1</b></dt><dd>a three-dimensional view of a multi-component cartridge with attached dispensing tube in a closed position;</dd><dt><b>FIG. 2</b></dt><dd>a three-dimensional view of a portion of the multicomponent cartridge from <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> without dispensing tube;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 3</b></dt><dd>a cross-sectional view of the discharge side end of a container of the multicomponent cartridge from <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> without dispensing tube;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 4</b></dt><dd>the cross section of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> with dispensing tube in an open position; </dd><dt><b>Fig. 5</b></dt><dd>a detailed view of the upper end of the container <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 4</figref>;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 6</b></dt><dd>a three-dimensional view corresponding to the detail of <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 5</figref>;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 7</b></dt><dd>a schematic view of the upper end of the container with attached dispensing tube in an open position;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 8</b></dt><dd>the representation of <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> with the discharge tube in the closed position.</dd></dl>

p0013In the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> designed as a double syringe multicomponent cartridge comprises a container 1, which has two essentially cylindrical and is firmly connected with each other chambers 2, 3 for receiving different components. The components are the two components of a two-component adhesive, which may be mixed to the adherends together only shortly before application here. However, it can be stored in the chambers and other components, for example for dental applications.

p0014To express the components from the chambers 2, 3, the multi-component cartridge, as with such a dual syringes usual, a Ausdrückstößel 4 which of in <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> can be pushed down to the other end of the multicomponent cartridge out. At the other, discharge end of the chambers 2, 3 a discharge pipe 5 is arranged. The discharge tube 5 has a substantially square cross-section and a discharge opening 6 for discharging the mixed components. This is correspondingly formed locking elements 7, 7 'in an in<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> kept closed position shown, wherein the operation of the securing members 7, 7 'will be explained later in detail.

p0015As from <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>. <figref idrefs="f0003">3</figref> is apparent in which the discharge side end of the container 1 is shown without discharge pipe 5, a number of deflecting elements provided with mixer element 8 is provided at a substantially elliptical shaped output portion 9 of the container first The output area 9 extends the chambers 2, 3 channel-to dispensing openings 2 ', 3' at its upper end through which the components from the chambers 2, 3 may be issued in the formed by the patch dispensing tube 5 mixing chamber 10, 10 ', when the dispensing tube 5 in the in<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> open position shown is.

p0016As particularly well in <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 5</figref> recognizable, the components can back flow into the substantially elliptical mixing chamber 10 by pressing in the 4 Ausdrückstößels the discharge side of the container. 1 Because of the pressure on the components they continue to flow out through the mixer element 8 and the dispensing tube 5 to the discharge opening 6, wherein they are mixed evenly and efficiently in the mixer element. 8

p0017To the dispensing tube 5 securely in the <figref idrefs="f0003 f0004 f0005">Figures 4-7</figref> to hold open position shown, the dispensing tube 5 at its chamber end a to the elliptically shaped exit area 9 of the container 1 correspondingly shaped attachment area 11 which especially in combination with elliptical circumferential projections 9 ', 9 "a reliable guidance of the dispensing tube 5 of the open enables the closed position back and forth. in order to prevent that the discharge tube 5 is withdrawn from the container 1 by mistake, for. example, when opening the discharge pipe 5, the securing members 7, 7 'at its discharge end latching lugs 12, 12 ', which, due to the flexible formed securing members 7, 7 when placing the order tube 5' can be pressed and the slanted chamber side ends of the boss portion 11 to the outside. after placing the dispensing tube 5, the locking lugs engage 12, 12 'then on substantially horizontal surfaces of the boss portion 11 and thus prevent its removal.

p0018In order to keep the dispensing tube 5 in the open position, are attached to the securing members 7, 7 'holding elements in the form of latching projections 13, 13' are provided, which engage in corresponding locking grooves 14, 14 'on the discharge pipe 5 as shown in <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> particularly clearly. In order also in in<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 8</figref> closed position shown to lock the dispensing tube 5 in this position, the nose portion 11 of the dispensing tube 5 additional locking grooves 15, 15 ', which in turn in the to the fuse elements 7, 7' engage arranged latching projections. 13

p0019To be in the closed position of the dispensing tube 5 to the dispensing openings 2 '3,' closing sealing, has the inside of the neck region 11, two substantially annular, located towards the discharge inwardly tapered, frustoconical in cross section sealing plugs 16, 16 '. Because of their special shape, facilitate the plugs 16, 16 'closing the output openings 2', 3 ', where the extraction of the sealing plug 16, 16' ', 3' a certain force has to be overcome from the output ports 2 to addition to the support members 5 to prevent 13, 13 'and 14, 14' accidental opening of the dispensing tube.

p0020In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the guidance of the dispensing 5 is ensured in the mixer element 8 by whose adapted to one another square inner and outer contour, the cross section both of the mixer element 8 and the dispensing tube 5 is therefore substantially square. Thus, the components are pressed completely as possible by the mixer element 8, is the distance between the inner contour of the dispensing tube 5 and the outer contour of the mixer element 8 as small as possible, wherein the moving of the dispensing tube 5 must still be possible. In addition, can prevent erroneous placement of the dispensing tube 5 on the mixer element 8 by the easily recognizable from the exterior orientation of the elliptical shape of the boss portion 11 and the output portion 9 of the container. 1 Since the mixer element 8 consists of a dimensionally stable material, a reliable guidance of the dispensing tube 5 is ensured exclusively in the axial longitudinal direction of the multicomponent cartridge.

p0021In an alternative, not shown in the drawing here embodiment of the invention the outer contour of the mixer element 8 and the inner contour of the dispensing tube 5 are rectangular, ie have a substantially rectangular cross section, so that already thereby a rotating guide of the dispensing tube 5 is secured. In addition, it is advantageous in such an embodiment that the dispensing tube 5 can be placed only in the 'necessary for secure sealing and engagement of the sealing plugs 16, 16' in the discharge openings 2 ', 3 position on the mixer element. 8 In this case, the boss portion 11 of the discharge 5 and the output section 9 of the container 1 can also have other shapes with other cross-sections, for example circular. Through the special shaping of the mixing element 8 is still made sure that the dispensing openings 2 ', 3' and the plugs 16, 16 'always engage with each other.

p0022In place of fuse elements shown in the drawings shown embodiment 7, 7 'with arranged thereon locking lugs 12, 12', other suitable securing means may be provided. Corresponding locking projections at the base portion 11 of the dispensing tube 5, instead of the locking grooves 14, 14 '15 and 15' are provided, which are to be provided instead of the latching projection 13, 13 'to the fuse elements 7, 7' then corresponding locking grooves.