EP2288556A1 - A container for extrudable material - Google Patents

A container for extrudable material

Info

Publication number
EP2288556A1
EP2288556A1 EP09746120A EP09746120A EP2288556A1 EP 2288556 A1 EP2288556 A1 EP 2288556A1 EP 09746120 A EP09746120 A EP 09746120A EP 09746120 A EP09746120 A EP 09746120A EP 2288556 A1 EP2288556 A1 EP 2288556A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
outlet
plug
chub
release member
container according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP09746120A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2288556B1 (en
Inventor
Paul Evans
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2288556A1 publication Critical patent/EP2288556A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2288556B1 publication Critical patent/EP2288556B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B05B11/026—Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005—Components or details
    • B05B11/0008—Sealing or attachment arrangements between sprayer and container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005—Components or details
    • B05B11/0037—Containers
    • B05B11/0054—Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B05B11/028—Pistons separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B05C17/00569—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes with a pump in the hand tool
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B05C17/00583—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes the container for the material to be dispensed being deformable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/56—Linings or internal coatings, e.g. pre-formed trays provided with a blow- or thermoformed layer
    • B65D5/60—Loose, or loosely attached, linings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/3205—Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/325—Containers having parallel or coaxial compartments, provided with a piston or a movable bottom for discharging contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/771—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing fluent contents by means of a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm
    • B65D83/7713—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing fluent contents by means of a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm the contents of a flexible bag being expelled by a piston, or a movable bottom or partition provided in the container or the package
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B05C17/00503—Details of the outlet element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B05C17/00553—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes with means allowing the stock of material to consist of at least two different components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/009—Lower closure of the 51-type

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a container for extrudable material comprising a flexible bag, often referred to as a "chub" containing the extrudable material.
  • Chubs are conventionally manufactured from flexible sheet synthetic plastics material formed, during the manufacturing process, into a continuous tube defining a longitudinal cavity filled with the extrudable material. For some applications a tuck is formed in the tube so as to define a second longitudinal cavity extending alongside the first, this second cavity being filled with a second extrudable material. On dispensation from the chub, these materials react, normally to produce a hardening effect, though in principle other chemical effects such as foaming would be possible. After filling, pairs of wire pieces are crimped around the tube at regular intervals and the tube is then cut between the crimps of each pair to form individual chubs each sealed at opposite ends.
  • each chub is then placed in a cylindrical injection moulded cartridge so that one crimped end of the chub passes through an outlet port of the cartridge.
  • a plunger or piston slides into the other end of the cartridge.
  • the user cuts through the chub, just inwardly of the crimp, to allow its contents to be released.
  • the user screws a nozzle or mixer onto the cartridge and uses a conventional extrusion gun to drive the plunger further into the cylinder, compressing the chub and forcing its contents out of the outlet port and nozzle.
  • a twin compartment chub is employed as described above, it is normal for the nozzle to contain an insert or mixer element designed to assist in the mixing of the components.
  • Patent specification EP0754633 recognises the above problem and attempts mitigate it in the arrangement shown in Fig 3 by providing a cutting mechanism that is operated immediately before use of each cartridge. However this does not solve the problem that the user has to perform a cutting operation
  • Patent specification WO2007/026169 describes a proposal to overcome the problem by using a wire crimp at one end of the chub that is sufficiently weak to be forced off the chub by the pressure created by the extrusion gun.
  • this necessitates the use of a non-standard chub manufacturing process.
  • the requirement to weaken the chub sufficiently to allow it to break open under the pressure applied by the extrusion gun necessarily compromises the chub's effectiveness in safely containing its contents before use.
  • a container for extrudable material comprising means defining an outlet for the material and a flexible bag containing the extrudable material, the bag having a discharge end that extends into the outlet, characterised by closure means that interfits with the outlet so as to hold the discharge end closed.
  • closure means is a plug and the discharge end of the bag is held between an outer surface of the plug and an inner surface of the outlet.
  • An alternative would be to form the plug in two or more parts with the discharge end of the bag held between those parts.
  • Yet another possibility would be to form the closure means in the form of a ring or clip that fully or partially surrounds the outlet, with the discharge end of the chub trapped beneath it.
  • a removable release member screws on to the outlet and is used to hold the plug firmly in position until ready for use.
  • the release member and the plug are formed with detent means designed so that, when the release member is screwed into position during manufacture, the release member and the plug or other closure means become locked together in an axial direction (whilst still allowing relative rotation about the axis). Consequently, when the release member is removed by the user, the closure means is automatically removed with it. The user then needs only to fit the nozzle onto the outlet and to place the cartridge in a suitable gun before use.
  • the "detent means" can easily be formed by a resiliently flexible flange on the release member designed to snap over a corresponding shoulder on the outlet port (or vice-versa).
  • FIG. 1 shows an axial cross-section through a cartridge constructed in accordance with the invention, before fitting of a closure cap, shown separately;
  • Fig 2 is similar to Fig 1 but showing the cap fitted onto the cartridge;
  • FIG. 3 shows a nozzle for fitting onto the cartridge in place of the cap after the latter is removed;
  • FIG 4 illustrates a side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention
  • Fig 5 shows an axial cross-section through an alternative plug assembly in place of the plug shown on Figs 1 and 2;
  • Fig 7 is a view similar to Fig 5 but showing a locking ring in place of the plug shown on Figs 1 and 2.
  • the illustrated cartridge (shown with its middle section removed for ease of illustration) comprises a cylinder 1 of cardboard or other biodegradable material having an axis Y - Y and a plunger IA inserted at one end.
  • the other end of the cylinder 1 receives an end piece 2 formed from injection moulded synthetic plastics material.
  • the end piece 2 defines an outlet 3 having a screw threaded exterior surface 4 and a cylindrical inner surface 5.
  • a twin-compartment chub 6 is formed from flexible laminated sheet plastics material having at least one layer specifically designed to isolate its toxic contents from the atmosphere.
  • a chub 6 is inserted through the left hand end of the cylinder 1.
  • Neither compartment of the chub is filled to maximum capacity, allowing one crimped end to be squashed and manipulated so that the crimped end projects through the opening 3.
  • the projecting end carrying the crimp 9B is then folded over the edge of the outlet 3 and a plug 10 inserted into the latter.
  • the plug 10 has a lip 1OA and a cylindrical body portion rounded at its free end to facilitate insertion into the outlet 3.
  • This body portion has a flat (in alternative constructions this could be a groove) precisely dimensioned so that, when the plug is pushed home, the resulting space between the plug and the outlet surface 5 is filled by the flexible plastics material of the chub.
  • the lip 1OA has a groove to receive the folded-over end of the chub.
  • the cardboard tube 1 can be made of sustainable and recyclable material and is less costly to supply than the conventional tubular injection moulded cartridge. Where the type of gun that includes an enclosed cylindrical cartridge holder is to be employed, the cardboard cylinder 1 is not required since the cylindrical cartridge holder will provide its function of resisting radial distention of the chub during the extrusion process.
  • FIG 4 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • This embodiment includes components exactly the same as those shown in Figs 1 to 3 with the exception that the cardboard tube 1 and the plunger IA are omitted.
  • the remaining components are placed in a conventional extrusion gun of the type that includes a permanent, i.e. non-disposable, cylinder 14 which, for the purposes of illustration is shown as transparent, though in practice this will not always be so.
  • a plunger 15 forming a conventional part of the extrusion gun and attached to shaft 16, is driven, by the action of trigger 17, directly into engagement with the chub.
  • the empty chub and its associated components 2 and 12 are discarded for recycling.
  • the plug 10 is replaced by a plug 18 formed as a single moulding having two parts 18A and 18B joined by a hinge 18C.
  • the two parts are designed to hinge closed with a small space 18D between them, dimensioned to receive exactly the end of the chub but none of its contents so that a perfect seal is formed when the two parts of the plug are held together by the interaction of the plug with the interior surface of the outlet.
  • the end of the chub and the crimp are removed during manufacture, using a knife K.
  • Fig 7 shows another variation where, the closure means is defined by a ring 19 that surrounds the outlet so that the end of the chub is trapped by radial pressure between the outlet and the ring.
  • the excess material at the end of the chub and the crimp are removed by knife K during manufacture and before the release member in the form of cap 11 is applied.
  • the cap 11 is shown as closed but this is not essential and it could equally well take the form of a ring open at both ends.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

Extrudable material is often supplied in flexible tubular bags, called “chubs”, that are sealed at opposite ends. Sometimes, the chub has separate longitudinal compartments containing different materials that react together when mixed. To extrude the material the chub is placed in an extrusion gun, one end of the chub is cut open, and the material is then squeezed from the chub through an outlet. The step of cutting the chub is inconvenient for the user. The problem is solved by arranging one end of the chub (6) so that it extends into a component (2) that defines an outlet (3) and by including a plug (10) or other closure means that interfits with the outlet (3) so as to hold the discharge end of the chub closed until the plug is removed. In a preferred construction a removable release member (11) screws on to the outlet (3) and is used to hold the plug (10) firmly in position until ready for use. The release member (11) and the plug (10) are formed with detent means (11A, 10C) designed so that, when the release member (11) is screwed into position during manufacture, the release member (11) and the plug (10) become locked together in an axial direction. Consequently, when the release member (11) is removed by the user, the plug (10) is automatically removed with it. The user then needs only to fit a nozzle onto the outlet and to place the cartridge in a suitable gun before use.

Description

Description
[0001] A CONTAINER FOR EXTRUDABLE MATERIAL
[0002] This invention relates to a container for extrudable material comprising a flexible bag, often referred to as a "chub" containing the extrudable material.
[0003] Chubs are conventionally manufactured from flexible sheet synthetic plastics material formed, during the manufacturing process, into a continuous tube defining a longitudinal cavity filled with the extrudable material. For some applications a tuck is formed in the tube so as to define a second longitudinal cavity extending alongside the first, this second cavity being filled with a second extrudable material. On dispensation from the chub, these materials react, normally to produce a hardening effect, though in principle other chemical effects such as foaming would be possible. After filling, pairs of wire pieces are crimped around the tube at regular intervals and the tube is then cut between the crimps of each pair to form individual chubs each sealed at opposite ends.
[0004] In one known technique, described in patent specification EP0754633, each chub is then placed in a cylindrical injection moulded cartridge so that one crimped end of the chub passes through an outlet port of the cartridge. A plunger or piston slides into the other end of the cartridge. Immediately before use, the user cuts through the chub, just inwardly of the crimp, to allow its contents to be released. The user then screws a nozzle or mixer onto the cartridge and uses a conventional extrusion gun to drive the plunger further into the cylinder, compressing the chub and forcing its contents out of the outlet port and nozzle. Where a twin compartment chub is employed as described above, it is normal for the nozzle to contain an insert or mixer element designed to assist in the mixing of the components.
[0005] Users find it inconvenient and time consuming to perform the process of cutting through the chub each time a new cartridge is loaded into the gun. The problem cannot satisfactorily be overcome by performing the cutting process during manufacture because the integrity of the chub is relied upon to isolate its contents, which may be toxic, from the environment. In the case of a two-part chub there is the additional problem that the separate components would not be isolated from each other.
[0006] Patent specification EP0754633 recognises the above problem and attempts mitigate it in the arrangement shown in Fig 3 by providing a cutting mechanism that is operated immediately before use of each cartridge. However this does not solve the problem that the user has to perform a cutting operation
[0007] Patent specification WO2007/026169 describes a proposal to overcome the problem by using a wire crimp at one end of the chub that is sufficiently weak to be forced off the chub by the pressure created by the extrusion gun. However, this necessitates the use of a non-standard chub manufacturing process. Furthermore, the requirement to weaken the chub sufficiently to allow it to break open under the pressure applied by the extrusion gun necessarily compromises the chub's effectiveness in safely containing its contents before use.
[0008] According to the invention there is provided a container for extrudable material comprising means defining an outlet for the material and a flexible bag containing the extrudable material, the bag having a discharge end that extends into the outlet, characterised by closure means that interfits with the outlet so as to hold the discharge end closed.
[0009] The interfit between the closure means and the outlet can be achieved in a number of different ways. In a preferred configuration the closure means is a plug and the discharge end of the bag is held between an outer surface of the plug and an inner surface of the outlet. An alternative would be to form the plug in two or more parts with the discharge end of the bag held between those parts. Yet another possibility would be to form the closure means in the form of a ring or clip that fully or partially surrounds the outlet, with the discharge end of the chub trapped beneath it.
[0010] In a preferred construction a removable release member screws on to the outlet and is used to hold the plug firmly in position until ready for use. The release member and the plug are formed with detent means designed so that, when the release member is screwed into position during manufacture, the release member and the plug or other closure means become locked together in an axial direction (whilst still allowing relative rotation about the axis). Consequently, when the release member is removed by the user, the closure means is automatically removed with it. The user then needs only to fit the nozzle onto the outlet and to place the cartridge in a suitable gun before use. The "detent means" can easily be formed by a resiliently flexible flange on the release member designed to snap over a corresponding shoulder on the outlet port (or vice-versa).
[0011] Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] Fig. 1 shows an axial cross-section through a cartridge constructed in accordance with the invention, before fitting of a closure cap, shown separately;
[0013] Fig 2 is similar to Fig 1 but showing the cap fitted onto the cartridge;
[0014] Fig 3 shows a nozzle for fitting onto the cartridge in place of the cap after the latter is removed;
[0015] Fig 4 illustrates a side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention;
[0016] Fig 5 shows an axial cross-section through an alternative plug assembly in place of the plug shown on Figs 1 and 2;
[0017] Fig 6 the plug of Fig 5 as viewed in an axial direction; and
[0018] Fig 7 is a view similar to Fig 5 but showing a locking ring in place of the plug shown on Figs 1 and 2.
[0019] Referring firstly to Fig 1, the illustrated cartridge (shown with its middle section removed for ease of illustration) comprises a cylinder 1 of cardboard or other biodegradable material having an axis Y - Y and a plunger IA inserted at one end. The other end of the cylinder 1 receives an end piece 2 formed from injection moulded synthetic plastics material. The end piece 2 defines an outlet 3 having a screw threaded exterior surface 4 and a cylindrical inner surface 5. A twin-compartment chub 6 is formed from flexible laminated sheet plastics material having at least one layer specifically designed to isolate its toxic contents from the atmosphere. It is formed continuously as a tubular structure having a tuck or pleat so as to define two compartments each extending along the whole length of the chub structure. During manufacture, separate extrudable materials 7 and 8 are introduced into these compartments. The resulting filled twin tubular structure is then divided into sections by pairs of wire crimps 9 A, 9B. Finally, the structure is cut between the crimps of each pair to form chubs essentially as shown at 6 in Fig 1.
[0020] During assembly, a chub 6 is inserted through the left hand end of the cylinder 1.
Neither compartment of the chub is filled to maximum capacity, allowing one crimped end to be squashed and manipulated so that the crimped end projects through the opening 3. The projecting end carrying the crimp 9B is then folded over the edge of the outlet 3 and a plug 10 inserted into the latter.
[0021] The plug 10 has a lip 1OA and a cylindrical body portion rounded at its free end to facilitate insertion into the outlet 3. This body portion has a flat (in alternative constructions this could be a groove) precisely dimensioned so that, when the plug is pushed home, the resulting space between the plug and the outlet surface 5 is filled by the flexible plastics material of the chub. The lip 1OA has a groove to receive the folded-over end of the chub.
[0022] During manufacture, after the plug has been pushed home as shown in Fig 1, the exposed end of the chub with its crimp 9A is cut off with a knife indicated schematically at K. However, the interfitting action of the plug 10 and the outlet 3 serves to hold the discharge end of the chub closed. This prevents escape and mixing of the materials 7 and 8. A release member in the form of a cap 11 is then screwed on to the outlet 3. During a first stage of this process a cam surface 1 IB of a resiliently flexible internal flange 1 IA of the cap engages against a corresponding cam surface 1OB of the plug, causing the flange 1 IA to bend and then spring with a snap action into a groove 1OC of the plug. Reverse relative axial movement of the cap and plug is prevented by engagement of the surfaces 1OD and 11C. The flange 1 IA and groove 1OC thus form a detent, latch or locking mechanism, having the effect that, when the cap is removed by the user, the plug 10 is removed with it. [0023] All the user needs to do therefore is to remove the cap 11, to screw a nozzle 12 (Fig 3) onto the outlet 2 and to fit the cartridge into a conventional gun. In use, the gun exerts pressure on the plunger IA, forcing the materials 7 and 8 through the nozzle 12 where they are mixed by a helical insert 13 before being extruded in conventional manner.
[0024] A particular benefit of the embodiment that has been described is that the cardboard tube 1 can be made of sustainable and recyclable material and is less costly to supply than the conventional tubular injection moulded cartridge. Where the type of gun that includes an enclosed cylindrical cartridge holder is to be employed, the cardboard cylinder 1 is not required since the cylindrical cartridge holder will provide its function of resisting radial distention of the chub during the extrusion process.
[0025] Referring now to Fig 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment includes components exactly the same as those shown in Figs 1 to 3 with the exception that the cardboard tube 1 and the plunger IA are omitted. The remaining components are placed in a conventional extrusion gun of the type that includes a permanent, i.e. non-disposable, cylinder 14 which, for the purposes of illustration is shown as transparent, though in practice this will not always be so. In this embodiment, a plunger 15 forming a conventional part of the extrusion gun and attached to shaft 16, is driven, by the action of trigger 17, directly into engagement with the chub. When all the materials have been extruded the empty chub and its associated components 2 and 12 are discarded for recycling.
[0026] In the design variant shown in Figs 5 and 6, the plug 10 is replaced by a plug 18 formed as a single moulding having two parts 18A and 18B joined by a hinge 18C. The two parts are designed to hinge closed with a small space 18D between them, dimensioned to receive exactly the end of the chub but none of its contents so that a perfect seal is formed when the two parts of the plug are held together by the interaction of the plug with the interior surface of the outlet. As for the embodiment of Figs 1 and 2, the end of the chub and the crimp are removed during manufacture, using a knife K.
[0027] Fig 7 shows another variation where, the closure means is defined by a ring 19 that surrounds the outlet so that the end of the chub is trapped by radial pressure between the outlet and the ring. As for the previously described embodiments, the excess material at the end of the chub and the crimp are removed by knife K during manufacture and before the release member in the form of cap 11 is applied. In the illustrated embodiments the cap 11 is shown as closed but this is not essential and it could equally well take the form of a ring open at both ends.

Claims

Claims
[0001] A container for extradable material comprising means defining an outlet for the material and a flexible bag containing the extrudable material, the bag having a discharge end that extends into the outlet, characterised by closure means that interfits with the outlet so as to hold the discharge end closed.
[0002] A container according to Claim 1 characterised by a release member and complementary screw threads on the release member and the outlet allowing the release member to be threaded onto the outlet during assembly and means for locking the release member and the closure means together so that, unscrewing of the release member in preparation for extrusion of the material, causes the plug to be withdrawn from the outlet.
[0003] A container according to Claim 2 characterised by a detent mechanism that engages to lock the release member and the closure means together when the release member is screwed onto the outlet during assembly.
[0004] A container according to any preceding Claim characterised in that the closure means is a plug.
[0005] A container according to Claim 4 characterised in that the discharge end is held between the plug and an internal surface of the outlet.
[0006] A container according to Claim 4 characterised in that the plug has two or more parts and in that the discharge end is held between the plug parts.
[0007] A container according to any preceding Claim characterised in that the flexible bag has two compartments for different extrudable materials that react together when mixed, each compartment having an open end that extends into the outlet and is pinched closed by the plug.
[0008] A container according to any preceding Claim characterised by a housing defining a tubular supporting structure for the flexible bag.
[0009] A container according to Claim 8 characterised in that the housing is defined by a single moulding of synthetic plastics material.
[0010] A container according to Claim 8 characterised in that the housing is formed from a cardboard tube and an end piece that fits onto the tube and is moulded from synthetic plastics material.
EP09746120.6A 2008-05-16 2009-05-15 A container for extrudable material Active EP2288556B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0808946A GB2455372B (en) 2008-05-16 2008-05-16 A container for extrudable material
PCT/GB2009/050529 WO2009138803A1 (en) 2008-05-16 2009-05-15 A container for extrudable material

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2288556A1 true EP2288556A1 (en) 2011-03-02
EP2288556B1 EP2288556B1 (en) 2013-11-13

Family

ID=39596025

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09746120.6A Active EP2288556B1 (en) 2008-05-16 2009-05-15 A container for extrudable material

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EP (1) EP2288556B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2436715T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2455372B (en)
WO (1) WO2009138803A1 (en)

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ES2938782T3 (en) * 2020-07-08 2023-04-14 Soudal Cartridge and cartridge assembly for use in an extrusion gun
PL3936454T3 (en) 2020-07-08 2023-03-13 Soudal Cartridge cap and cartridge assembly
EP4731542A1 (en) 2023-06-20 2026-04-29 Paul Evans A chub type container for holding a two-part extrudable material and a method of manufacturing said container

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009138803A1 (en) 2009-11-19
GB2455372B (en) 2009-12-30
ES2436715T3 (en) 2014-01-03
GB0808946D0 (en) 2008-06-25
EP2288556B1 (en) 2013-11-13
GB2455372A (en) 2009-06-10
GB2455372A8 (en) 2009-07-01

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