Multiple component cartridge with ventilation device

p0001The invention relates to a multi-component cartridge which is suitable for the simultaneous discharge of at least two components, the discharge of the two components being effected separately. Only immediately before use can the two components be mixed in order to be fed as a mixture of their intended use.

p0002Such a multi-component cartridge is already known from the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO9105731A"><text>WO9105731</text></patcit> known. This multi-component cartridge comprises a first and a second cavity, which can be filled with one component each. The first cavity and the second cavity are in the form of a cylinder and are arranged side by side. Each of the two cavities opens into an outlet nozzle through which one of the components emerges. A static mixer can be connected to the two outlet nozzles in which the components emerging separately from the outlet nozzles are mixed with one another. Instead of the static mixer, a closure element can be connected to the outlet nozzles which serves to close the two openings formed by the outlet nozzles. This shutter member is required to separately store the two components in the first and second cavities and shield them from environmental influences such as light, atmosphere and the like.

p0003A seal can be applied on the filling end of the first and second cavities opposite the outlet nozzles, which seal also serves to separate the two components separately in the first and second cavities. This seal is then attached to the filling of the first and second cavities with the corresponding component at the filling end. The filling of each of the two cavities thus takes place at the filling end of the multi-component cartridge. In order for the seal to fulfill its purpose, no air must be enclosed between the seal and the corresponding component after the filling, ie means must be provided for the air to escape before the filling is completed. The seal is in direct contact with the corresponding component after the end of the filling. These funds are in the<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="WO9105731A"><text>W09105731</text></patcit> Are formed as ventilation slots which are arranged in the wall of the first and second cavities at the filling end. Thus, when the gasket is inserted into the corresponding cavity after completion of the filling, air that is between the component and the gasket can escape through the slots.

p0004A disadvantage of this structure is that, when filling via the corresponding outlet nozzle, such an arrangement of ventilation slots is ineffective. A filling via the outlet nozzle is made, in particular, when the multi-component cartridge is filled only shortly before application. The multi-component cartridge is supplied in an empty state and filled with the corresponding components by the user or an intermediary immediately before use.

p0005It is therefore an object of the invention to develop a multi-component cartridge which can be filled from the outlet side, air trapped in the filling material being able to escape at the beginning of the filling before the filling is completed.

p0006The solution comprises a multi-component cartridge which comprises a first supply chamber for a first component and a second supply chamber for a second component. The first component is separate from the second component in the storage state. The first storage chamber is arranged next to the second storage chamber, a first piston being accommodated movably in the first storage chamber, and a second piston being movably received in the second storage chamber. The first and second pistons are movable by means of a discharge means such as a ram or by applying pressurized fluid to discharge the two components simultaneously.

p0007Each of the first and second supply chambers has a filling end and a discharge end, and the first and second supply chambers are connected to one another at least at the outlet end, the first and second supply chambers having a first and second longitudinal dimension which extends between the corresponding filling end and the corresponding one Exit end. The first storage chamber has a first inner wall and the second storage chamber has a second inner wall, the corresponding outlet end opening into a corresponding outlet element in an opening opening. A venting element is arranged upstream of the mouth opening at least one of the inner walls at least one of the first or second supply chambers, the venting element extending over a maximum of one third of the longitudinal dimension of the supply chamber.

p0008According to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the multi-component cartridge, the venting element is designed as a projection. In particular, the venting element can each comprise a first elevation and a second elevation. When the venting element is designed as a raised portion, the discharge of air can be effected in a simple manner during the filling of the corresponding supply chamber. The air enclosed between the filling mass and the piston forms a bubble, which is generally located in the vicinity of the inner wall of the supply chamber.

p0009The piston bears against the inner wall of the supply chamber via an elastic piston lip, along the entire circumferential dimension of the supply chamber with the recess of the venting element. If the venting element is designed as a raised portion, the piston lip of the curvature of the surface of the inner wall caused by the elevation can not follow sealingly. As a result, a gap or gap is formed between the inner wall and the piston lip in the region of the elevation. This gap is too narrow for the filling compound to escape through this gap, in particular when the filling compound is viscous. The gap, however, is wide enough to allow the air, which has accumulated in the bladder between the filling mass and the piston, to escape.

p0010According to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the venting element comprises two elevations which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the supply chamber. Between the two elevations, a channel is formed which forms a flow path for the air, which during filling is located between the filling mass flowing in through the corresponding outlet opening and the piston to be displaced in the direction of the filling end by the filling mass. The channel between the elevations is also particularly advantageous because a precisely defined gap width can be produced. This means that the optimum gap width can be set in advance for filling compounds with different rheological properties by adjusting the height of the elevations.

p0011At least one of the first and second pistons each has a piston body and a piston lip, the piston being held in contact with the inner wall of the corresponding supply chamber by means of the piston lip, the piston lip filling an annular space between the piston body and the inner wall of the supply chamber, Up of the venting element has a maximum height which is smaller than the distance of the piston body from the inner wall.

p0012At least one of the first or second elevations is designed as a rib. This rib can, for example, take the form of a web, a projecting edge or a bead.

p0013The first elevation is preferably arranged essentially parallel to the second elevation so that a channel is formed between the first elevation and the corresponding second elevation. If the channel has a substantially constant width, a substantially constant flow cross-section forms within which the air flows.

p0014The piston has a height which indicates the distance between the piston surface which is assigned to the filling compound and the opposite piston surface. The length of the venting element is smaller than the height of the piston.

p0015According to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the venting element is arranged opposite the partition wall. An air bubble, which is located between the filling mass and the piston, is removed by the venting, that is to say an air-filled cavity between the filling mass and the piston is made to disappear. The compressible medium in the cavity, the air, is replaced by an incompressible medium, the filling mass. During the escape of the air, pressure is relieved, that is to say a part of the inner wall of the corresponding storage chamber is temporarily subjected to a lower pressure than the pressure on the part of the supply chamber which contains the filling mass. The wall of the supply chamber is not completely rigid. In order to prevent distortion of this wall during the venting, the inner wall of the first supply chamber is to be relieved in such a way that the resulting force is directed onto the inner wall of the first supply chamber opposite the resulting force on the inner wall of the second supply chamber. Thus, the two resulting forces stand out in the ideal case or at least partially cancel one another out. Partial compensation takes place when the mixing ratio deviates from 1: 1, that is, for example, 2: 1, 4: 1 or even 10: 1. In the case of a 10-fold volume of the first component relative to the second component, the air of the first component enclosed between the filling mass and the piston will also be a multiple of the enclosed air of the second component. If the said resulting forces at least partly compensate, a warpage of the wall of the supply chamber can be avoided. Such distortion can be disadvantageous because it can lead to oblique positions of the piston and thus, in extreme cases, to the leakage of filling compound.

p0016The first supply chamber has a first longitudinal axis and the second supply chamber has a second longitudinal axis. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the venting element extends parallel to the corresponding longitudinal axis.

p0017Each of the supply chambers preferably has a circumferential dimension, wherein the venting element has a width of at most 1/20, preferably 1/50, particularly preferably 1/100 the circumferential dimension of the corresponding supply chamber. The width of the venting element is limited in particular because the two points at which the piston lip lifts away from the inner wall in order to allow the air to pass through are to be as close to each other as possible. This ensures that the resulting forces which act in the circumferential direction essentially cancel out. If the width of the venting element is small, the tangents of a first circumferential point and a second circumferential point are only a small angle to one another relative to the circumferential dimension of the corresponding inner wall. The consequence of this is that the forces acting in the circumferential direction, which are directed opposite one another along these tangents, largely compensate for each other.

p0018The venting element preferably has a height of at most one percent, preferably 0.5%, particularly preferably 0.25%, of the diameter of the supply chamber. At a higher height, the piston lip would lift off so far from the inner wall of the corresponding storage chamber that an outlet of filling material through this opening can no longer be ruled out.

p0019In order to further improve the compensation of the axial forces and the forces in the circumferential direction, the venting element can comprise a first and a second elevation, the first elevation and the second elevation being arranged at a distance from each other, the distance between the first elevation and the second elevation, Is at most a 1/20, preferably 1/50, particularly preferably 1/100 the circumferential dimension of the corresponding storage chamber.

p0020The venting element can have at least one section, which is inclined to the longitudinal axis. As a result, the exit of filling material is additionally made more difficult because the outlet path of the filling material extends. This arrangement can be advantageous, in particular, for low-viscosity filling compositions. In this case, although filling material enters the opening between the piston lip and the corresponding elevation of the venting element, it is retarded on the exit path in such a way that the piston lip is at the end of the venting element before the filling mass flows past the piston lip in the direction of the corresponding first, And second filling end. Alternatively or in addition to this, the venting element can have at least one curved section. Furthermore, the venting element may have a variable height or may also have a width which varies over the length of the venting element.

p0021The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>FIG</dt><dd>7 shows a section through a multi-component cartridge according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention</dd><dt>FIG</dt><dd>3 shows a view of a part of the multi-component cartridge according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref></dd><dt>Fig. 3a</dt><dd>A detail of the multi-component cartridge according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> In the region of the outlet openings</dd><dt>3b</dt><dd>A detail of the <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a</figref></dd><dt>FIG. 4a</dt><dd>3 shows a detail of an outlet opening of a multi-component cartridge according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref></dd><dt>FIG. 4b</dt><dd>A detail of the <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref></dd><dt>FIG</dt><dd>A variant of a venting device according to the invention</dd><dt>FIG</dt><dd>A further variant of a venting device according to the invention</dd></dl>

p0022<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Shows a first exemplary embodiment of the multi-component cartridge 1 according to the invention. In particular, such a multi-component cartridge is used for metering a filling mass, which comprises at least two components which can not come into contact with each other prior to their joint application. The multi-component cartridge 1 comprises a first supply chamber 6 for a first component 8, a second supply chamber 7 for a second component 9. The first supply chamber 6 is separate from the second supply chamber 7 so that the two components do not come into contact with each other. Such components usually interact with one another as soon as they come into contact with one another, with chemical reactions being able to proceed. This interaction of the components is usually the effect required in an application, but this interaction is undesirable as long as the components are stored. Of course, each of the components may in turn comprise a mixture of several substances. The multi-component cartridge is in fact partially stored in the filled state, which is hereinafter referred to as the storage state. For the entire duration of the bearing condition, it must be ensured that the two components 8, 9 do not come into contact with each other.

p0023The multi-component cartridge has a first filling end 12 and a second filling end 13, via which a first piston 3 and a second piston 4 can be introduced into the corresponding first and second supply chamber 6, 7. In the first supply chamber 6, the first piston 3 is movably received. In the second supply chamber 7, the second piston 4 is movably received. This first piston 3 slides along a first inner wall 24 of the supply chamber 6 in the direction of the first outlet end 14 when the filling compound located in the first supply chamber 6, ie the first component 8, is to be pushed out.

p0024The second piston 4 slides along a second inner wall 25 of the second supply chamber 7 in the direction of the second discharge end 15 when the filling compound located in the second supply chamber 7, ie the second component 9, is to be pushed out. The first component 8 and the second component 9 are designed as a transparent filling compound in this illustration, so that the arrangement of the first and second ventilation elements 22, 23 is more clearly visible.

p0025The first and second pistons 3, 4 are, for example, movable by means of a ram (not shown). The plunger is in particular designed such that it rests on the first and second plungers 3, 4. The first piston 3 is moved from the first filling end 12 toward the first discharge end 14 and the second piston 4 is moved from the second filling end 13 to the second discharge end 15 when the components 8, 9 are simultaneously discharged.

p0026The first and second supply chambers 6, 7 are connected to one another at least at the outlet end 14, 15 in such a way that the position of the first supply chamber 6 relative to the second supply chamber 7 is determined. The first and second supply chamber 6 has a first longitudinal dimension 16 which extends between the first filling end 12 and the first outlet end 14. The second supply chamber 7 has a second longitudinal dimension 17 which extends between the second filling end 13 and the second outlet end 15 Respectively. The first supply chamber 6 has a first inner wall 24 and the second supply chamber 7 has a second inner wall 25. The first and second inner walls 24, 25 surround the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7.

p0027The respective outlet end 14, 15 of the supply chamber 6, 7 opens into an outlet element 18, 19 which contains a corresponding first outlet opening 20 and a second outlet opening 21, <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> Are visible. The first component 8 is thus pushed out of the first storage chamber 6 into the first outlet element 18 and passed through the first mouth opening 20. The same applies to the second component 9, which is pushed into the second outlet element 19 and guided through the second mouth opening 21. Subsequent to the first and second port openings 20, 21, two strands of the first and second components 8, 9 are formed which are either fed into this application in this form or, alternatively, introduced into a mixer connected to the first and second outlet elements 18, In which the two strands are mixed with one another.

p0028A venting element 22, 23 is arranged upstream of the corresponding orifice 20, 21 at least one of the inner walls 24, 25 of at least one of the first or second supply chambers 6, 7, the venting element 22, 23 extending over a maximum of one third of the longitudinal dimension 16, Corresponding supply chamber 6, 7. The venting element 22, 23 is provided in order to allow air trapped between the corresponding piston 3, 4 and the filling mass to escape from the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7. The multi-component cartridge is filled via the first outlet element 18 or the second outlet element 19. Before filling, the piston 3, 4 is located at a position which is as small as possible from the first or second outlet end 14, 15. In this position of the piston, there is only a small quantity of air between the corresponding piston 3, 4 and the outlet end 14, 15, which here serves as a wall with a piston<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> Is shown in FIG.

p0029When the first component 8 and the second component 9 enter the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7, the air located between the corresponding piston 3, 4 and the filling mass is compressed and can be passed through the space between the piston 3, 4 and the inner wall 24, Through the venting element 22, 23.

p0030The venting element 22, 23 can in particular be designed as a projection 37, 38, 39, 40, as shown in FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a</figref> or <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref> Is shown. The venting element 60 according to FIG<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref> Or the venting element 61 according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref> Can be designed as a bump.

p0031The first venting element 22 according to the exemplary embodiment according to the invention <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> as <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 3a or FIG. 3b</figref> Each have a first elevation 37 and a second elevation 38. The second deaeration element comprises, according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> as <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a or FIG. 4b</figref> A first elevation 39 and a second elevation 40, respectively.

p0032At least one of the first and second pistons 3, 4 each has a piston body 33, 34 and a piston lip 35, 36, the piston 3, 4 being in contact with the corresponding inner wall 24, 25 of the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7 by means of the piston lip Is stable. The piston lip 35, 36 thus forms a seal for the filling mass, by means of which the filling compound is prevented from leaving the supply chamber. The piston lip 35, 36 fills an annular space between the piston body 33, 34 and the inner wall of the reservoir chamber 6, 7.

p0033In the region of the venting element 22, 23, the contact between the piston lip 35, 36 and the inner wall 24, 25 is interrupted. The venting element is in particular designed as a projection 37, 38, 39, 40. The piston lip lies on this elevation, but can not follow the course of this elevation in a sealing manner, whereby the abovementioned clearance remains. The corresponding elevation 37, 38, 39, 40 of the venting element 22, 23 in particular has a maximum height 52, 53 which is smaller than the distance of the piston body 33, 34 from the inner wall 24, 25. The piston body 33, 34 slides without contact in the interior of the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7, the fluid-tight contact between the piston 3, 4 and the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7. The piston body 33, 34 has a smaller outer diameter than the diameter of the corresponding supply chamber 6, Is effected via the piston lip 35, 36.

p0034The first piston 3 has a first height 44 and the second piston 4 has a second height 45. The length 42, 43 of the corresponding ventilation element 22, 23 is smaller than the corresponding height 44, 45 of the piston. The length 42, 43 of the venting element is greater than the distance of the piston lip 35, 36 from the corresponding outlet end 14, 15 when the piston 3, 4 is in the end position in which it is closest to the corresponding outlet end 14, 15.

p0035In <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> It is shown that the first supply chamber 6 is arranged next to the second supply chamber 7. The first supply chamber 6 is separated from the second supply chamber 7 by a partition wall 28, so that the two components 8, 9 can be stored separately. In this exemplary embodiment, the first supply chamber 6 extends along the longitudinal axis 26, the second supply chamber 7 extends along the longitudinal axis 27. The first supply chamber 6 and the second supply chamber 7 open at the first outlet end 14 into a first outlet opening 10 and at the second outlet end 15 in FIG A second outlet opening 11.

p0036Through the first outlet opening 10 and the second outlet opening 11, the first and the second component 8, 9 can be passed to a mixer (not shown here). A plurality of first or more second outlet openings may also be provided between which webs are formed.

p0037The venting element 22, 23 is designed according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref> Opposite the partition wall 28. That is, the venting takes place at a point which is as far away as possible from the partition wall 28.

p0038The first supply chamber 6 has a first longitudinal axis 26 and the second supply chamber 7 has a second longitudinal axis 27, wherein the ventilation element 22, 23 according to one of the FIGS <figref idrefs="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIG. 1 to FIG. 4b</figref> Extends parallel to the corresponding longitudinal axis 26, 27. In this way, the air is ejected substantially in a direction parallel to Unlock is computing longitudinal axis.

p0039Each of the supply chambers 6, 7 each has a circumferential dimension 31, 32, wherein the venting element 22, 23 has a width of at most 1/20, preferably 1/50, particularly preferably 1/100 the circumferential dimension 31, 32 of the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7.

p0040In particular, the venting element 22, 23 has a height of at most one percent, preferably 0.5%, particularly preferably 0.25%, of the diameter of the storage chamber 6, 7.

p0041The first elevation 37, 39 and the second elevation 38, 40 are arranged at a distance 46, 47 from one another, the spacing 46, 47 between the first elevation 37, 39 and the second elevation 38, 40 being at most one 1/20 1/50, particularly preferably 1/100 of the circumferential dimension 31, 32 of the corresponding supply chamber 6, 7.

p0042<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a</figref> Shows a detail of the multi-component cartridge according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> In the region of the first and second outlet openings 10, 11. The first venting element 22 is shown along the partially illustrated first inner wall 24 of the first supply chamber 6.

p0043<figref idrefs="f0003">3b</figref> Is a detail of the <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a</figref>, Which shows the venting element 22 in an enlarged scale. In particular, one of the first elevations 37, 38 is formed as a rib. The first elevation 37 is arranged parallel to the second elevation 38, so that a channel 29 is formed between the first elevation 37 and the second elevation 38.

p0044<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref> Shows a detail of the second outlet opening 11 of a multi-component cartridge according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> The second venting element 23 is shown along the partially illustrated second inner wall 25 of the second supply chamber 7.

p0045<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4b</figref> Shows a detail of the <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref>, Which shows the second venting element 23 on an enlarged scale. In particular, one of the second elevations 39, 40 is formed as a rib. The first elevation 39 is arranged parallel to the second elevation 40 so that a channel 30 is formed between the first elevation 39 and the second elevation 40.

p0046<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref> Shows a variant of a venting device according to the invention. The venting element 22, 23 has at least one section 41, 48, 49, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 26, 27.

p0047<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref> 10 shows a further variant of a venting device according to the invention. The venting element 22, 23 has at least one section 41, 48, 49, which has at least one curved section 50, 51.

p0048The venting element 22, 23 according to each of the preceding exemplary embodiments can have a variable height 52, 53.

p0049The venting element 22, 23 according to each of the preceding exemplary embodiments can have a width 54, 55 which varies over its length 42, 43.