EP2241371A1 - Multiple component systems optimised for mixture control - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a component such as paste e.g. white colored base paste or lightly colored base paste and lightly colored color paste, to be dispensed in a strand, and another component. Stripes of the white colored base paste or lightly colored base paste and lightly colored color paste are arranged in a container with a removal opening. The pastes are separately stored. A device for producing the stripes of the pastes is provided at the opening such that pastes result in a stripe pattern in a discharged strand, which is provided for mixing with the latter component. An independent claim is also included for a method for mixing control of a multi-component system to be mixed by a user.

Description

The invention relates to multi-component systems optimized for mixing control.

In the case of so-called self-curing / chemically curing multicomponent systems such as impression materials, adhesives, denture materials, veneering materials or composites, at least two components are mixed by the user. Divided into the various liquid or pasty components, the materials contain substances such as crosslinkers, activators, catalysts and / or inhibitors, which upon mixing initiate a more or less rapid polymerization reaction leading to the formation of elastomers or plastics.

To achieve the desired elastomer or polymer properties, a good and uniform mixture is necessary.

In the case of two-component systems, which are offered in double cartridges or similar and are automatically mixed during dosing by means of static or dynamic mixers, a satisfactory mixing quality can generally be assumed.

However, multi-component systems,. offered in individual containers such as tubes or cartridges, must be manually be mixed with a spatula. For dental impression materials, the components are often colored differently to provide the user with optical mixing control.

In particular, in the case of condensation-crosslinking silicone impression compounds, however, it is the practice to offer a single universal activator fluid or paste for many differently colored base pastes.

This has the advantage that the user has fewer components to stockpile. Even more important in these systems, however, is that it allows the user by varying the metering ratio it is possible to adjust the material individually to the desired or situation-specific processing time.

The disadvantage of this universal activator, however, is that its coloring may only have little influence on the mixed color. This also means a reduced mixing control.

At present, it is difficult for the customer to recognize in the color of certain multicomponent systems whether there is sufficient mixing. This leads to loss of time because one tends to mix too thoroughly. If this does not happen, the product may be claimed as defective and thorough technical advice is required to solve the "user problem".

To avoid the described disadvantages, the task is to achieve a good mixing control, especially in systems in which the universal activator / catalyst (liquid and paste) is still weakly colored and thus only slightly influences the mixed color in combination with all different base paste colors.

The object is achieved in that at least one of the two components, preferably the base paste, is filled in multiple colors, preferably in tubes.

1. 1. In der Tube ist ein Einsatz, der die Grundpaste von der Farbpaste getrennt hält. Durch kleine Löcher in diesem Einsatz wird beim Ausfördern an der Außenseite des Pastenstranges ein Streifen an Farbpaste erzeugt. Dadurch ist es möglich eine Farbpaste hinzuzufügen. Die Abfüllung erfolgt dabei zweistufig. Erst die Farbpaste in den Einsatz, und darüber dann die Grundpaste.
2. 2. Die neuere und flexiblere Methode, gleich mehrere verschiedene Farbstreifen in die Paste zu bringen ist es, eine ganz normale Tube zu verwenden, in die in einem Füllvorgang mittels einer speziellen Fülldüse die Streifen bereits in der Tube erzeugt werden.

Two methods have been used for years to produce streaks, especially with toothpaste.

1. 1. In the tube is an insert that keeps the base paste separated from the color paste. Through small holes in this insert, a strip of color paste is produced during the discharge on the outside of the paste strand. This makes it possible to add a color paste. The filling takes place in two stages. First the color paste in the insert, and then the base paste.
2. 2. The newer and more flexible method of bringing several different color stripes into the paste is to use a normal tube into which the strips are already produced in the tube in a filling process using a special filling nozzle.

When dispensing and dosing the multicolored filled paste the user receives analogous to the toothpaste a preferably white / whitish base base paste with intensely colored stripes. The relatively weakly colored activator is then metered in and still provides a clear contrast to the white base base paste.

However, when mixing these two components, which are tricolor, the intense streaks of color ensure that the user has excellent control over the quality of the blending.

The mixed colors can be set exactly as they have always been, so that the user has the accustomed result in front of him.

Of course, it is also possible to provide multi-colored systems according to the invention, which do not have the above-mentioned universal component.

The obvious advantages of the invention are:

The user / customer, usually the dentist or his helper, can easily see, without additional effort, when was sufficiently mixed.

Another advantage for the production is that the base pastes can be produced without coloring, which significantly reduces the cleaning effort when changing the product. The coloring takes place only when filling the precursor for the colored strip.

As a primary packaging special tubes can be used with the appropriate inserts. It is advantageous if the strips are produced in the packaging by means of special nozzles. Thus, several different color stripes can be generated. In addition, this technique can be used in normal tubes or even with cartridges, syringes or disposable packaging such as sachets or cans.

Claims (4)

For the mixing control optimized arrangement of several user to be mixed components, consisting of a to be issued in the strand paste A and at least one other component B, where A from A1 of a white or pale colored base paste and A2 consists of at least one intensively colored color paste, characterized in that in a container with discharge opening Predetermined stripes are arranged from A1 to A2 or from A2 to A1 , or • A1 and A2 are stored separately, and at the discharge opening a device for generating strips of A1 in A2 or A2 in A1 is provided, so that A1 and A2 together result in a striped pattern in the applied strand which is intended to be mixed with the at least one further component B. A method for mixing control in multi-component systems to be mixed by the user from a paste A to be dispensed in the strand and at least one further component B, where A is A1 of a white or pale colored base paste and A2 consists of an intensely colored color paste, characterized in that A1 and A2 together result in a striped pattern in the applied strand and the strand is mixed with the at least one further component B until the user has the impression of a homogeneously colored mixture. Arrangement or method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component A1 is white, light gray or ivory. Arrangement or method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the color paste A2 is present in several differently colored parts.