EP2384820B1 - Cartridge system and application tube for such a cartridge system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cartridge system for mixing and applying a mixed material, in particular a medical cement, comprising two mutually parallel cartridges and a mixing chamber with an outlet opening, wherein the cartridges each comprise at least one opening in the cartridge walls, which connect the cartridges with the mixing chamber, and the cartridges each comprise a delivery piston for expelling output components of the mix from the cartridges through the openings.

Cartridge systems for mixing and applying a mix may consist of several components and are intended to ensure safe storage and secure closure for components in at least two cartridges prior to use. Immediately before the application of the mix, the cartridge system should be safe and easy to open, with a synchronous opening of the individual cartridges is desirable.

Reactive pasty two-component or multicomponent systems must be stored separately after their preparation until application in order to prevent premature, unintended reactions of the components. Cartridge systems for the application of pasty two- or multi-component systems have been known for decades. Examples are the documents CH 669 164 A5 . EP 0 607 102 A1 . EP 0 236 129 A2 . DE 3 440 893 A1 . US 4,690,306 A . US 2009/062808 A1 . EP 0 787 535 A1 . WO 2006/005 206 A1 . EP 0 693 437 A1 .
EP 0 294 672 A1 . EP 0 261 466 A1 and EP 2 008 707 A1 called. The pasty two-component or multi-component systems are usually mixed directly during application by means of static mixers. Examples are the documents GB 1,188,516 A . US 2,125,245 A . US 5,968,018 A . US 4,068,830 A . US 2003/179648 A1 . EP 0 664 153 A1 and EP 0 289 882 A1 cited. After filling the cartridges with reactive pastes, they must be kept closed until application. Movable pistons, which also serve to discharge the contents of the cartridge, usually seal off the cartridge bottoms. For closing the cartridge system head of the cartridge system, a number of solutions have been proposed.

A simple but very effective principle is to close the cartridge head with a rotatable shutter ( EP 0 431 347 A1 . DE 20 17 292 A . US 3,215,298 A ). The closure is unscrewed before application. Subsequently, a discharge tube is screwed into a thread on the cartridge head or fixed with a thread simulating pin system. The disadvantage of this is that the user has to perform twice rotational movements until the paste material can be expelled. Furthermore, it may happen that the closure is unscrewed and the discharge tube is placed later. Between the opening of the cartridges and the insertion of the dispensing tube, especially when volatile substances are contained in the pastes, components of the pastes may evaporate.

The closure currently used very frequently, especially in the adhesives and sealants industry, is based on the fact that the wall material of the cartridge is made very thin at the cartridge head, so that this wall can easily be pierced. When piercing particles are removed from the wall, which thereby enter the pasty material.

The back of the cartridges is usually closed by moving pistons designed to expel the pastes during application. For moisture and air sensitive pastes aluminum cartridges can be used, which are closed with plastic piston and are pressed over the sealing aluminum cylinder, which are closed on one side, for sealing. During the application of the pastes, the aluminum cylinder, which is closed on one side, is moved together with the piston with the help of extrusion guns to the front in the direction of the cartridge head and the paste is expelled. In medical applications, however, contact of pastes with aluminum surfaces can be problematic.
When using cartridge systems for sterile pasty medical devices, it is necessary that not only the pastes but also the cartridges and the secondary packaging are provided in sterile form to the medical user. For example, after aseptic filling of the previously sterilized cartridges, these can be transferred directly into a sterile packaging. Furthermore, it may be useful for certain products to sterilize the surfaces of the filled cartridges together with the packaging after packaging. In addition to the gamma sterilization, the polymerizable paste systems can not be used, it is possible to sterilize with the gas ethylene oxide.

A problem with paste systems containing monomers with high vapor pressure, however, is in such a sterilization with gas, that after the actual sterilization, in the removal of the residual ethylene oxide by the action of vacuum, some of the monomers in the cartridges evaporated, while a gas phase form in the cartridges and thus can exert pressure against the pistons. This means that the pistons are undesirably moved in the direction of the cartridge bottoms and in extreme cases are expelled from the cartridges so that the pastes can flow out.

For decades, polymethyl methacrylate bone cements have been used in medicine for the permanent mechanical fixation of total joint endoprostheses. These are based on powder-liquid systems. Polymethyl methacrylate bone cements based on the use of cement pastes have also recently been proposed ( DE 10 2007 050 762 B3 . DE 10 2008 030 312 A1 . DE 10 2007 052 116 A1 ). For such cements so far no suitable cartridge systems have been proposed.

When using bone cements for fixation of total joint endoprostheses, it must always be borne in mind that the surgical staff are under pressure during these operations. In medical applications of cartridge systems for the application of paste-like polymethyl methacrylate bone cements, these should therefore be designed in principle so that they are largely resistant to user errors and can be operated quickly and safely even in stress situations.

An essential ingredient of pasty polymethyl methacrylate bone cements is the monomer methylmethacrylate. This monomer evaporates easily and has a fairly high vapor pressure at room temperature. When using methylmethacrylate-containing pastes, it is therefore essential to note that in the event of vacuum, as in the case of degassing in the context of sterilization with ethylene oxide, the cartridge pistons in the cartridges are moved through the evaporating methyl methacrylate and, in extreme cases, can be expelled from the cartridges.

A generic cartridge system is based on the packaging of pasty multicomponent systems in tubular bags ( WO 2010/006455 A1 ). The sealed tubular bag are introduced into cartridges. Tubular bags have the advantage that they are suitable for packaging pastes containing volatile components. Tubular bags made of composite materials, such as aluminum composite bags, are particularly suitable for this purpose. The opening of the tubular bag is made by cutting, which rotate when the dispensing tube is screwed in. As the blades rotate, the bags are cut open to provide openings in the cartridges for dispensing the contents. The pasty bag contents are then squeezed through these openings in the cartridges in the direction of the static mixer.

The disadvantage of this is that the packaging of pasty materials in tubular bags and in addition in cartridges is very expensive and reserved only for special applications. For many applications, especially in the medical field, it is also problematic that parts of the cut tubular bag can peel off and then get into the pasty components and so can contaminate the mix.

In the DE 10 2007 044 983 A1 Furthermore, a discharge device is described, which has one or more sealing elements which are pushed out over a pressure built up in the chambers. Thus, the chambers are opened when a sufficient pressure is built up via pistons, which are advanced into the chambers.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a cartridge system that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, but at the same time ensures a safe and easy opening of the cartridges. A secure storage and a secure closure for paste-like components in at least two cartridges before their use should be ensured. Immediately prior to the application of the pastes, the cartridge system should be able to be opened safely and quickly with as little effort as possible in order to enable simple application during operations and thus reduce or overcome the problems of the previous cartridge systems and their closure systems. So it should be developed a closure system, which closes cartridges for several components safely and allows a quick uncomplicated opening of the individual cartridges. When placing the dispensing tube as possible operator errors of the user should be avoided.

These objects are achieved in that a closure arranged displaceably in the mixing chamber is arranged such that it closes the openings of the cartridges in a starting position and that the openings for the mixing chamber are at least partially open in an end position of the displaceable closure, wherein the displaceable Closure is displaceable from the starting position to the end position. The sliding closure is a cavity body open on both sides. A discharge tube is displaceably arranged in the interior of the mixing chamber, wherein the discharge tube comprises an outlet tube tip facing the outlet opening or extending out of it and an extension facing the cartridge bottom which is completely closed in the direction of the cartridge bottom. The extension includes openings in the sidewalls facing the cartridge walls, with a continuous connection extending inside the discharge tube from the openings to the discharge tube tip in which a static mixer is preferably located, the outer diameter of the extension being less than or equal to the inner diameter of the mixing space and greater than the inner diameter of the closure, while the remainder of the discharge tube located inside the mixing space has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the closure.

It can be provided that the mixing chamber is a hollow body, in particular a hollow cylinder, with hollow body walls, wherein the openings in the cartridges extend through the hollow body wall into the mixing space.

It is also proposed that the mixing space between the cartridges is arranged, in particular such that the cartridge walls are partially executed with the hollow body wall in one.

The invention also proposes that the mixing space is arranged parallel to the cartridges.

It can be provided that a movable rod is arranged parallel to the delivery piston in the interior of the mixing chamber, which is fixedly connected to the delivery piston via at least one web and / or a plate, wherein the rod on the outlet opening side facing a locking means and in the mixing chamber a counter-locking means is mounted, which cooperates with the locking means of the rod such that a movement of the rod out of the mixing chamber and thus the delivery piston from the cartridges out clearly difficult, in particular prevented.

It can further be provided that the cartridge walls and / or the mixing chamber walls have at least one slot starting at the bottom of the cartridge, which is arranged parallel to the cartridge axis, wherein the width of the slot or slots for receiving the or the webs is sufficient and the length of the slot or slots in particular extends to at least half of the cartridge length.

It can be provided that in the mixing chamber a stop, preferably in the form of pins or webs, is arranged, which limits the movement of the displaceable closure towards the center of the mixing chamber and thereby the end position of the displaceable closure is defined.

It is also proposed that the displaceable closure is arranged in press fit in the mixing chamber.

It can also be provided that the displaceable closure is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the mixing space.

The invention also proposes that the delivery pistons seal the cartridges tightly.

It can also be provided according to the invention that sealing means, in particular sealing rings, are arranged at the openings of the cartridges to the mixing chamber. The sealing means are intended to improve the sealing effect of the displaceable closure with respect to the openings in the cartridges, if the sealing effect of the displaceable closure by the interference fit should not be sufficient.

It can be provided that the sealing means are arranged around the openings to the mixing space between the inner wall of the mixing chamber and the displaceable shutter in the starting position.

With the invention it is also proposed that a plate and / or at least one web is firmly connected on the bottom side with the delivery piston, and a locking means is connected to the plate and / or the at least one web, wherein the locking means extends into the mixing chamber and there in a Gegenarretierungsmittel engages, so that movement of the plate and / or the at least one web and the delivery piston is blocked in the direction of the cartridge bottom and in the interior of the mixing chamber a Entarretiervorrichtung is provided which is fixedly connected to the sliding closure, so that when moving the shiftable Closure in his Endpostition, a release of the locking means takes place, so that a movement of the plate and / or the at least one web and the delivery piston in the direction of the cartridge bottom is possible.

It can also be provided that the discharge pipe comprises a static mixer. Finally, it is proposed that the discharge pipe is fixedly connected to the sliding closure, so that both form a common part of the Kartsuchenssystems.

This cartridge system and the associated closure system of the cartridge system are based on the surprising finding that a reliable and easy-to-use opening of the cartridge system is made possible by means of a movable shutter, without having to destroy a component such as the cartridge wall when opening the cartridges, so that no contamination of the components to be mixed or of the mixed material with the material of the component is to be feared. This enables a secure closure of the multi-component cartridges and a quick, uncomplicated, simultaneous opening of the individual cartridges of the system. The placement of the dispensing tube causes a forced, synchronous opening of the cartridges, so that the cartridges are opened only when the dispensing tube is mounted, thereby avoiding potential operator errors of the user.

Such a cartridge system and such a closure system can be made entirely from inexpensive plastic injection molded parts. The cartridge system makes it possible to move the pistons synchronously in the cartridges when force is applied in the direction of the cartridge system head and thus to evenly press out the pastes so that the mixing ratio of the pastes to one another is ensured.

A further simplification and ensuring the operability of such a cartridge system results from the fact that a movement of the delivery piston can be reliably prevented under the influence of vacuum.

For the purposes of the present invention, the mixing space is to be understood as meaning the area which is located between the at least two cartridges and the areas adjacent thereto. It extends from the cartridge bottom, ie the rear, bottom-side part of the cartridge system, to the outlet opening on the cartridge system head on the front side of the cartridge system, ie also includes the interior of the cartridge system head. Not everywhere in the mixing chamber, the mixing of the starting components of the mix has to be done, but otherwise only in parts of the same. A mixing chamber which is connected with hoses to the cartridges, and therefore the mixing chamber is not in the geometrical sense exactly between the cartridges is also according to the invention.

Under a sliding closure in the context of the present invention, a closure is to be understood, which is initially in the initial position by a fixed connection to the walls of the gap, for example, by thin bridges, if this solid compound has predetermined breaking points, which at a force Break on the closure and thus allow the movement of the closure under force. It is proposed that the fixed connection or the fixed connections with the predetermined breaking points are provided from the openings of the cartridges in the direction in which the closure, when opening moves to an entry of particles of the fractures into the mix or into the starting components of the mix. The end position in the sense of the invention is not to be understood as a final end position. For example, it would be conceivable to provide that the displaceable closure can also be moved from the end position to the starting position and then the cartridges of the cartridge system can be refilled. As a result, the cartridge system is reusable. Likewise, then, the starting position, like the end position, is to be understood as one of at least two positions into which the displaceable shutter is displaceable.

Figur 1:

ein erfindungsgemäßes Kartuschensystem mit integriertem Austragsrohr in Querschnittansicht,

Figur 2:

eine Aufsicht auf die Vorderseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartuschensystems ,

Figur 3:

eine Aufsicht auf den Kartuschenboden eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartuschensystems,

Figur 4:

eine Querschnittansicht eines Kartuschensystems ,

Figur 5:

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartuschensystems , und

Figur 6:

eine Aufsicht auf einen Kartuschenboden eines zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Kartuschensystems.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to sixteen diagrammatically illustrated drawings. Showing:

FIG. 1:

an inventive cartridge system with integrated discharge tube in cross-sectional view,

FIG. 2:

a plan view of the front of a cartridge system according to the invention,

FIG. 3:

a plan view of the cartridge bottom of a cartridge system according to the invention,

FIG. 4:

a cross-sectional view of a cartridge system,

FIG. 5:

a side view of a cartridge system according to the invention, and

FIG. 6:

a plan view of a cartridge bottom of a second cartridge system according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a cartridge system according to the invention in cross-sectional view. The discharge tube (380) is integrated in the closed position of the closure (360) in the mixing chamber (320) of the cartridge system. For the commissioning of such Cartridge system, the discharge pipe (380) from the direction of the cartridge bottom (333) in the direction of the outlet opening (322) is pressed.

For this purpose, the closure (360) is a hollow cylinder which press-tightly closes the openings (340) in the cartridge walls (332) and thus the cartridges (330) to the mixing space (320) in its initial position. The inner diameter of the shutter (360) is larger than the outer diameter of the front part of the discharge pipe (380) facing the discharge pipe tip (381). The apertured (385) extension (386) has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the closure (360). In addition, a step is provided between the extension (386) and the front part of the discharge pipe (380). The extension (386) is a hollow cylinder with openings (385) open towards the discharge tube tip (381) and fully closed in the direction of the cartridge bottom (333). Inside the discharge tube (380) is a static mixer (388).

When a force is applied to the mixing chamber (320) of this cartridge system from the direction of the cartridge bottom (333), for example with compressed air, the discharge tube (380) is pushed in the direction of the cartridge system head (350). Once the leading edge of the extension (386) facing the dispensing tube tip (381) strikes the cartridge bottom end of the closure (360), the dispensing tube (380) also shifts the closure (360) into the cartridge system head (350). The movement of the closure (360) is limited by a stop (374) located at the top of the cartridge system head (350). In the end position of the closure (360), the latter completely releases the openings (340) and bears against the stop (374). At the same time, the openings (385) of the extension (386) cover the openings (340).

If now a force, for example, by application of compressed air, from the direction of the cartridge bottom (333) on two delivery pistons (362) exerted, the contents of the cartridges (330) through the openings (340) and the openings (385) in the extension (386) of the discharge pipe (380). By means of the static mixer (388), the contents of the cartridges (330) in the discharge tube (380) are mixed to form a mix. Finally, the mixed mix is pushed out of the cartridge system by the discharge tube tip (381).
In this embodiment, unlike the previous embodiments, the shutter (360) is not pushed toward the cartridge bottom (333), but toward the cartridge system head (350) to expose the openings (340). The delivery pistons (362) may be interconnected via a web (not shown) such that the movement of the delivery pistons (362) is synchronized.

It may thus be provided according to the invention that in the mixing chamber (320) in the longitudinal direction of the cartridges (330) displaceable discharge tube (380) is located, which contains a static mixer (388) and the cartridge on its side facing away from the cartridge system head (350) side of the outer diameter of the discharge tube (380) is smaller than the inner diameter of the closure (360) in the form of an open hollow cylinder, that on its side facing away from the cartridge system head (350) a hollow, perforated on the lateral surface cylinder as extension (386) is arranged on the the cartridge head (350) facing away from the cartridge is sealed gas-tight whose outer diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the mixing chamber (320), and that in the mixing chamber (320) above the openings (340) of the cartridges (330) pins and / or webs as a stop ( 374) having an inner diameter greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the sliding shutter (360). This means that the discharge pipe (380) can be moved from the direction of the cartridge bottom (333) in the direction of the cartridge system head (350) by applying compressed gas. During this movement of the discharge tube (380), the displaceable closure (360) designed as a hollow cylinder is moved in the direction of the cartridge system head (350) until it abuts against webs or pins (374) on the cartridge system head (350). This movement of the hollow cylinder (360) towards the cartridge system head (350) exposes the openings (340) of the cartridges (330). At the same time, the perforations (385) of the hollow, perforated cylinder (386) move towards the openings (340) of the cartridges (330). This will open the cartridges (330). Alternatively, the movement of the discharge tube (380) may also be by mechanical force via the movement of rods, screws or bolts.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a cartridge system (1) on the cartridge system head (50). A look into the outlet opening (22) shows the mixing chamber walls (21), the fastening means (51) and in the middle the displaceable closure (60). On both sides of the cartridge system head (50) are the cartridge heads (31) of the underlying cartridges (30) (in FIG. 2 not recognizable) attached.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a cartridge system (1) from the direction of the cartridge bottom (33). The mixing space (20) bounded by the mixing space walls (21) becomes on both sides of the cartridges (30), of which only the cartridge walls (32) and the delivery pistons (62) can be seen flanked. In the middle of the open in this direction mixing space (20) is the rod (70) which projects into the interior of the mixing chamber (20). The rod (70) and the delivery piston (62) are fixedly connected to each other by the web (65). In order to allow movement of the web (65) into the interior of the cartridge system (1), a slot (75) is provided in the walls (21, 32) of the mixing chamber (20) and the cartridges (30).

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge system (1). Between the two cartridges (30), which are recognizable by the delivery pistons (62) and the cartridge walls (32), there is the mixing chamber (20), which is delimited by the mixing chamber wall (21). The delivery pistons (62) are constructed as hollow cylinders closed on both sides. Inside the mixing chamber (20), the rod (70) is arranged. The rod (70) and the delivery pistons (62) are interconnected by the web (66). In which the cartridges (30) with the mixing chamber (20) connecting walls (21, 32) slots (75) are provided which allow movement of the web (66) and the web (65) inside the cartridge system (1).

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a cartridge system. Between the two cartridges (30) of the mixing chamber (20) is arranged. Actually, only the mixing chamber walls (21) or the cartridge walls (32) would be visible from the outside. On the head side of the cartridge system (1) of the cartridge system head (50) is arranged, while the cartridge bottom (33) of the web (65) is arranged.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a cartridge bottom of an alternative cartridge system for mixing a mixed material consisting of three components. For this purpose, the cartridge system comprises three cartridges, of which only the cartridge walls (132) and the delivery pistons (162) can be seen from the direction of the cartridge bottom. Between the cartridge walls (132) is the mixing chamber (120), in the middle of which a rod (not shown) is arranged. The rod and the delivery piston (162) are fixedly connected to each other with webs (165). The entire cartridge system is enclosed by an additional sheath (179).

All described embodiments can be easily transferred to a cartridge system with three, four or more cartridges for mixing a mix with three, four or even more components. When using very many components, the cartridges are expediently not to be designed with a cylindrical shape.

1. a) um einen inneren Hohlzylinder oder einen inneren unregelmäßig oder regelmäßig geformten Hohlkörper zwei oder mehrere Kartuschen (30330) angeordnet sind, deren Längsachsen parallel zur Achse des inneren Hohlzylinders (20, 120, 320) oder des unregelmäßig oder regelmäßig geformten Hohlkörpers (Mischraum (20, 120, 320) sind,
2. b) dass unterhalb der Kartuschenköpfe eine oder mehrere Öffnungen (40, 340) in den Kartuschenwänden (32, 132, 332) angeordnet sind,
3. c) dass diese Öffnungen (40, 340) die Innenräume der Kartuschen (30, 330) mit dem Innenraum des inneren Hohlzylinders (20, 120, 320) oder des inneren unregelmäßig geformten Hohlkörpers verbinden,
4. d) dass vom hohlen Körper (50, 350) bis zum Kartuschenboden (33, 333) ein durchgängiger Hohlraum ausgebildet ist,
5. e) dass im inneren Hohlraum ein in Längsrichtung des Hohlraums verschiebbarer Verschluss (60, 360) in Presspassung angeordnet ist,
6. f) dass die Kartuschen (30, 330) mit Förderkolben (62, 162, 362) verschlossen sind,
7. g) dass die Förderkolben (62, 162,362) an der dem Kartuschenboden (333) abgewandten Seite durch zumindest einen Steg (65, 165) oder eine Platte miteinander verbunden sind,
8. h) dass sich im inneren Hohlzylinder (20, 120, 320) oder inneren unregelmäßig oder regelmäßig geformten Hohlkörper ein Stange (70) befindet, die in Längsrichtung der Förderkolben (62, 162, 362) angeordnet ist, die an den Stegen (65) oder der Platte mit einem Ende befestigt ist, und eine Länge von mindestens der Länge der Förderkolben (62, 162, 362) hat,
9. i) dass die Stange (70) an der dem Kartuschenkopf (31) zugewandten Seite gezahnt ist, wobei die Spitzen der Zähne in Richtung Kartuschenboden (333) ausgerichtet sind,
10. j) dass die Stange (70) einen Querschnitt kleiner dem Querschnitt des inneren Hohlzylinders (20, 120, 320) oder des inneren unregelmäßig oder regelmäßig geformten Hohlkörpers hat,
11. k) dass am Ende des inneren Hohlzylinders (20, 120, 320) oder des inneren unregelmäßig oder regelmäßig geformten Hohlkörpers an der dem Kartuschenboden (333) zugewandten Seite eine flexible Rastung angeordnet ist, die einen Querschnitt kleiner oder gleich der gezahnten Stange (70) hat und einem Austragsrohr (380) mit einem an der Auslassöffnung (381) abgewandten Seite angeordnetem Außengewinde (82), bei dem sich ein statischer Mischer (88, 388) im Innenraum des Austragsrohrs (80, 380) befindet, dass sich an der der Auslassöffnung (381) abgewandten Seite ein an der Mantelfläche perforierter Hohlzylinder (386) oder ein perforierter unregelmäßig oder regelmäßig geformter Hohlkörper befindet, aufgebaut ist.

It is for example according to the invention that the cartridge system of at least two cartridges (30,330) is constructed such that

1. a) two or more cartridges (30330) are arranged around an inner hollow cylinder or an inner irregularly or regularly shaped hollow body whose longitudinal axes parallel to the axis of the inner hollow cylinder (20, 120, 320) or the irregular or regularly shaped hollow body (mixing space (20 , 120, 320),
2. b) that one or more openings (40, 340) are arranged below the cartridge heads in the cartridge walls (32, 132, 332),
3. c) that these openings (40, 340) connect the interior spaces of the cartridges (30, 330) to the interior of the inner hollow cylinder (20, 120, 320) or of the inner irregularly shaped hollow body,
4. d) that from the hollow body (50, 350) to the cartridge bottom (33, 333) is formed a continuous cavity,
5. e) that in the inner cavity a slidable in the longitudinal direction of the cavity closure (60, 360) is press-fitted,
6. f) that the cartridges (30, 330) are closed with delivery pistons (62, 162, 362),
7. g) that the delivery pistons (62, 162, 362) are connected to one another at the side facing away from the cartridge bottom (333) by at least one web (65, 165) or a plate,
8. h) that in the inner hollow cylinder (20, 120, 320) or inner irregularly or regularly shaped hollow body is a rod (70) which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the delivery pistons (62, 162, 362) which on the webs (65) or the plate is fixed with one end, and has a length of at least the length of the delivery pistons (62, 162, 362),
9. i) that the rod (70) is serrated on the side facing the cartridge head (31), the tips of the teeth being aligned in the direction of the cartridge bottom (333),
10. j) that the rod (70) has a cross section smaller than the cross section of the inner hollow cylinder (20, 120, 320) or the inner irregularly or regularly shaped hollow body,
11. k) that at the end of the inner hollow cylinder (20, 120, 320) or the inner irregularly or regularly shaped hollow body on the cartridge bottom (333) side facing a flexible latch is arranged, which has a cross section smaller than or equal to the toothed rod (70) has and a discharge pipe (380) with a remote from the outlet opening (381) side external thread (82) in which a static mixer (88, 388) in the interior of the discharge pipe (80, 380) is located on the Facing outlet opening (381) facing away Page is a perforated hollow cylinder (386) perforated on the lateral surface or a perforated irregularly or regularly shaped hollow body is constructed.

The term cartridge system is understood to mean cartridges which are constructed from two, three, four, five or more cartridges (30, 330), the individual cartridges (30, 330) being arranged parallel to one another. The cartridges (30, 330) can be cylindrical hollow bodies. These are so-called side-by-side cartridges. The cartridges may already be filled with starting components for a mix to be mixed, but may also be empty, d. H. that they are still with content, such. B. cartridges inserts must be filled.

The displaceable closure (60, 360) preferably has a closed lateral surface.

The advantage of the cartridge system is that all openings (40, 340) in the cartridges (30, 330) are closed only by a displaceable closure (60, 360). This has a slightly larger cross section than the mixing chamber (20, 120, 320). This means that the lateral surface of the displaceable closure (60, 360) is pressed against the inner wall of the mixing space (20, 120, 320) or its walls (21). When the slidable closure (60, 360) lies over the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330), they are closed. In this case, the displaceable closure (60, 360) completely overlaps the openings (40, 340) in such a way that a closed lateral surface which is sufficient for the seal abuts the inner wall (21) of the mixing space (20, 120, 320). The seal is achieved due to the contact pressure by the close contact of the lateral surface of the displaceable closure (60, 360) with the inner wall (21) of the mixing space (20, 120, 320).

Many of the plastics used in medicine, such as polypropylene, have only low static friction and sliding friction coefficients. This means that in sliding pairings of such plastics by relatively small force sliding can be effected. The sliding closure (60, 360) can therefore be displaced by the use of suitable plastics by axial movement. This makes it possible to move the displaceable body away from the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330) and thereby open the cartridges (30, 330). Thus, when the slidable shutter (60, 360) moves axially, the openings (40, 340) of all the cartridges (30, 330) can be synchronously opened simultaneously.

The cartridges (30, 330) are closed with delivery pistons (62, 362), wherein the delivery pistons (62, 362) are connected to one another at the side facing away from the cartridge bottom (333) by webs (65,) or a plate (695). This means that the delivery pistons (62, 362) form a unit and can not be moved individually. This allows a uniform expulsion of the pastes from all cartridges (30, 330) of the cartridge system possible. This feature is essential if the pistons are to be moved by direct pressurization with compressed gas.

According to the invention, the displaceable closure (60, 360) is preferably designed as a hollow cylinder, wherein it is particularly preferred that the hollow cylinder is closed over the entire cross section only on the side facing the cartridge head (31). The thus formed closure of the closure (60, 360), which may be a disk, for example, prevents the latter from spreading in the mixing space (20, 120, 320) in the direction of the cartridge bottom (333) when the pastes are expelled.

It is essential for the invention that the perforated extension (386) arranged on the discharge tube (380) or on the displaceable closure (60, 360) is moved in the longitudinal direction of the mixing space (20, 120, 320) and thus the displaceable closure (60, 360 ) is displaced along the mixing space (20, 120, 320), with the openings (385) of the perforated extension (386) being pushed over the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330). This means that by attaching the dispensing tube (380) at the same time the displaceable closure (60, 360) is moved and thus the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330) are released and at the same time the openings (85, 385) of the perforated extension (386) slide over the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330) and thereby open the cartridges (30, 330). There is a synchronous opening of the dispensing tube (380) opening the cartridges (30, 330). This makes it virtually impossible for volatile paste components to escape from the cartridges (30, 330).

It is also possible to form the displaceable closure (360) as a hollow oval in cross section or in a regular or irregular polygonal cross section. 360. The slidable closure (360) may be made of one or more materials, depending on the chemical stability requirements of the pastes and the desired slip characteristics.

According to the invention, pins, webs or a ring can be arranged as holding means (374) on the inner wall of the mixing chamber (20, 320). They limit the maximum axial displacement of the slidable closure (60, 360) towards the outlet (322).

According to the invention, the elongated perforated hollow body (86, 386) has a length in the longitudinal direction of the cartridges (30, 330) greater than or at least equal to the length of the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330). This ensures that the entire openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330) can be exposed when attaching the dispensing tube (380). Thus, an exposure of the openings (40, 340) over the entire cross section is possible.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the holding means (374) are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the cartridges (330) from the openings (40, 340) of the cartridges (30, 330) of at least the length of the extension (386) or of the closure (60 , 360). The holding means (374) are necessary so that when displacing the pastes, the displaceable closure (60, 360) can not be moved further than was previously necessary in the opening of the cartridges (30, 330).

The cartridges (330) may include one or more slots from the cartridge bottom (333) at least half the length of the cartridge aligned parallel to the cartridge axis such that the mixing chamber walls also include slots aligned in the longitudinal direction of the cartridges (330) of equal length how the slots (75) of the cartridges (30, 330) have, wherein the number of slots (75) in the mixing space walls (21) is equal to the number of slots (75) in the cartridges (30, 330) and that the slots (75) of the mixing chamber walls (21) are located above the slots (75) of the cartridges (30, 330) so that the interiors of the cartridges (30, 330) are connected to the mixing space (20, 120, 320).

It is according to the invention that the webs 65, 66, 165) have a cross section smaller than the slots (75). This means that when the cartridges (30, 330) are pressed out, the webs (65, 66, 165) can be moved through the slots (75) in the cartridges (30, 330) in the direction of the cartridge system head (50, 350). The slots (75) serve as a guide for the webs (65, 66, 165) and thus for the delivery piston (62, 162, 362bei the extrusion movement in the direction of the cartridge head

The cartridge system according to the invention is used for packaging, storage and application of pasty bone cements, dental multicomponent preparations, adhesives, sealants, cosmetics and foodstuffs. Particularly suitable is the multi-component cartridge system for the storage and application of paste-shaped polymethyl methacrylate bone cements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cartridge system

20, 120, 320

mixing room

21

Mixing chamber wall

22, 322

outlet

30, 330

cartridge

31

cartridge head

32, 132, 332

cartridge wall

33,333

cartridge base

40.340

opening

50.350

Cartridge system head

51

Fasteners on the cartridge system head

60.360

shutter

62,162,362

delivery piston

65, 165

web

66

web

70

pole

71

latching means

72

Securing means

374

attack

75

slot

76

Slashing

380

discharge pipe

381

dispensing tube

82

Fasteners on the discharge pipe

85, 385

openings

86, 386

renewal

88.388

mixer

179

jacket

Claims (11)

1. Cartridge system for mixing and applying a mixing ware, in particular a medical cement, comprising two cartridges (30, 330) that are arranged parallel to each other, and a mixing space (20, 320) having an outlet opening (322), whereby the cartridges (30, 330) each comprise at least one opening (340) in the cartridge walls (32, 332) that connect(s) the cartridges (30, 330) to the mixing space (20, 320), and the cartridges (30, 330) each comprise a feed plunger (62, 362) for expelling starting components of the mixing ware out of the cartridges (30, 330) through the openings (340), whereby a closure (360) that can be shifted in the mixing space (32, 320) is arranged in the mixing space in a manner such that it closes the openings (340) of the cartridges (30, 330) in a starting position and in that the openings (340) to the mixing space (20, 320) are opened, at least in part, in a final position of the shiftable closure (360), whereby the shiftable closure (360) can be shifted from the starting position to the final position, characterised in that the shiftable closure (360) is a hollow body that is open on both sides, and a dispensing tube (380) is arranged such as to be shiftable on the inside of the mixing space (20, 320), whereby the dispensing tube (380) comprises an open dispensing tube tip (381) that faces the dispensing opening (322) or projects from it and an extension (386) facing the cartridge floor (333), which extension is completely closed in the direction of the cartridge floor (333), and the extension (386) comprises openings (385, 485) in the side walls facing the cartridge walls (332), whereby a continuous connection extends on the inside of the dispensing tube (380) from the openings (385, 485) to the dispensing tube tip (381), whereby the external diameter of the extension (386, 486) is smaller than or equal to the internal diameter of the mixing space (20, 320) and is larger than the internal diameter of the closure (360), whereas the remainder of the dispensing tube (380) that is situated inside the mixing space (20, 320) has an external diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the closure (360).
2. Cartridge system according to claim 1, characterised in that the mixing space (20, 320) is a hollow cylinder with hollow body walls, whereby the openings (340) in the cartridges (30, 330) extend through the hollow body wall (21) into the mixing space (20, 320).
3. Cartridge system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mixing space (20, 320) is arranged between the cartridges (30, 330), in particular is arranged appropriately such that the cartridge walls (32, 332) are provided as the same part as the hollow body wall, at least in part.
4. Cartridge system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   the mixing space (20, 320) is arranged such as to be parallel to the cartridges (30, 330).
5. Cartridge system according to claim 4, characterised in that the inside of the mixing space (20, 320) has a mobile rod (70) arranged in it parallel to the feed plungers (62, 362) and fixedly connected to the feed plungers (62, 362) through at least one fin (65, 66) and/or a plate, whereby the rod (70) comprises a snap-in locking means on the side facing the outlet opening (22, 322) and an opposite snap-in locking means is attached in the mixing space (20, 320) that acts in concert with the snap-in locking means of the rod (70) in a manner such that a motion of the rod (70) out of the mixing space (20, 320) and therefore a motion of the feed plungers (62, 362) out of the cartridges (30, 330) is significantly hampered, in particular is prevented.
6. Cartridge system according to claim 5, characterised in that the cartridge walls (332) and/or the mixing space walls include at least one slit (75) that starts at the cartridge floor (333) and is arranged parallel to the cartridge axis, whereby the width of the slit or slits (75) is sufficient to take up the fin or fins (65, 66, 165) and the length of the slit or slits (75) extends, in particular, to at least half of the length of the cartridge (76).
7. Cartridge system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   a limit stop (374), preferably in the form of pegs or fins, is arranged in the mixing space (20, 320) and limits the motion of the shiftable closure (360) in the mixing space (20, 320) and thus defines the end-position of the shiftable closure (360).
8. Cartridge system according to claim 7, characterised in that the limit stop (374) is provided in the cartridge system head (350), in particular at the outlet opening (322), and in that the feed plungers (62, 162, 362) and/or the dispensing tube (280) can be subjected to the application of compressed air.
9. Cartridge system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   the shiftable closure (360) is arranged in the mixing space (20, 120, 220, 320) in a press-fit manner and/or is shiftable in longitudinal direction of the mixing space (20, 120, 320).
10. Cartridge system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    a plate and/or at least one fin (65, 165) are fixedly connected to the feed plungers (62, 162, 362) on the floor side, and a locking means (70, 71) is connected to the plate and/or at least one fin (65, 165), whereby the locking means (70, 71) extends into the mixing space (20, 120, 320) and therein engages a counter-locking means (72) such that a motion of the plate and/or at least one fin (65, 165) and feed plungers (62, 162, 362) in the direction of the cartridge floor (33, 333) is blocked, and an unlocking facility (691) is provided on the inside of the mixing space (20, 120, 320) that is fixedly connected to the shiftable closure (60, 360) such that shifting the shiftable closure (60, 360) into its end-position is accompanied by an unlocking of the locking means (70, 71) such that a motion of the plate and/or at least one fin (65, 165) and feed plungers (62, 162, 362) in the direction of the cartridge floor (33, 333) is made feasible.
11. Cartridge system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    the dispensing tube (380) comprises a static mixer (388).

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