EP2444336A1 - Double discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a storage chamber (2) for first component and a storage chamber (3) for second component, which are arranged side by side and having outlets for the components, at the distal end (5). The plungers (7,8) are penetrated into respective storage chambers and are provided with pistons for discharging respective components. The outlets of the chambers are faced away from the proximal end (4), at a guide element and each plunger is arranged adjacent to respective pistons at a guide element, such that the guide elements intervene mutually.

Description

The invention relates to a double-discharge device for discharging two flowable components according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Double discharge devices such as double syringes are often used for storage and discharge of two-component systems, in which the two components should first come into contact with one another for the respective application, in order then to harden for example. For this purpose, two separate storage chambers are provided, each of which includes one of the two components. In each pantry, a plunger is provided with a piston to discharge the respective component through an outlet from the pantry. The two plungers are usually designed in the form of a double pestle. Typically, these discharge devices are provided with a static mixer whose entrance area is connected to the outlets of the two storage chambers. By applying pressure to the two plungers, the two components are conveyed through the respective outlets in the static mixer, where the two components are intimately mixed and then discharged as a homogeneous mass in the application.

Frequently, the contents of such double syringes are consumed only after several applications. In such cases, the static mixer is removed after use and the double syringe is provided with a closure cap which closes the two outlets. For the next application is then the cap removed, a new static mixer is placed and the components are discharged through the mixer.

In the storage chambers, a piston is provided in each case, which is moved by the plunger and expels the respective component through the outlet. For this purpose, devices are known in which the pistons constitute separate components in the respective storage chamber, which are then moved by manually or mechanically operated rams. But there are also known devices in which the pistons are each formed directly on the plunger, that is, the pistons are not separate components, but the plunger are designed in their end region as a piston.

Of great importance in such dual-discharge devices is the seal between the pistons and the wall of the respective storage chamber. Here often occur problems, especially in such devices in which the pistons are integrally formed on the plunger. By the plunger, which serve the movement of the piston, bending and torsion moments are transmitted directly to the piston, which have tilts of the piston with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective storage chamber result. As a result of this tilting of the pistons, unwanted leaks result, that is to say the components located in the storage chambers can reach the end of the storage chamber facing away from the outlet between the respective piston and the wall of the storage chamber and escape there into the environment.

This problem is to be solved by the present invention. It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a double discharge device, which can be designed in particular as a double syringe, in which the pistons are integrally formed on the respective plunger, with a better seal between the piston and the wall of the storage chamber is realized, which also in Bending or torsional moments remains reliable.

The object of the invention solving this object is characterized by the features of the independent claim.

According to the invention, therefore, a double discharge device for discharging two flowable components is proposed with a first supply chamber for the first component, with a second supply chamber for the second component, wherein the two supply chambers are arranged side by side and at their distal end in each case an outlet for the first or for the second component, with a first plunger for penetrating into the first storage chamber and with a second plunger for penetrating into the second storage chamber, wherein on each plunger in each case a piston for discharging the respective component is integrally formed, which sealingly through the respective Wall of the storage chamber is guided, wherein each storage chamber has at its end remote from the outlet end at least a first guide member and each ram adjacent to the respective piston has at least one second guide member, wherein the first and the second guide member for gegens eitigen interventions are configured.

By the two respectively interlocking guide elements on the one hand at the proximal, i. Bending and torsional moments, such as may be caused for example by the actuation of the plunger, at least to a large extent introduced into the wall of the storage chamber and can in the vicinity of the end of the plunger designed as a piston end of the storage chamber and the other end remote from the respective outlet - if at all - only in a significantly attenuated form on the end formed as a piston impact the respective ram, so that tilting of the piston can be significantly reduced or completely avoided. This results in a significantly improved seal between the piston and the wall of the storage chamber.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first guide element is a groove in the wall of the storage chamber and the second guide element is a web which can engage in the groove. This interaction between web and groove ensures a besoders good transmission of torsional moments in the wall of the pantry.

Advantageously, each web is each designed to be longer than the groove cooperating with it, because by this measure, the Guide length, ie the distance over which the plunger are guided in their movement in the direction of the respective outlets through the groove can be increased.

It has proved to be particularly advantageous if each plunger has four webs which are distributed equidistantly over the circumference of the plunger. This embodiment with four grooves and four webs, which are each offset by 90 ° with respect to the circumferential direction to each other, a particularly good protection of the piston against tilting can be realized.

A preferred measure is to design each groove at its end facing the respective outlet expiring. As a result, the webs can easily slide out of the respective groove during the plunger movement, without deteriorating the seal.

In practice, it has proved to be advantageous if the length of each groove is at least 15%, preferably at least 20%, of the length of the respective storage chamber. As a result, a particularly good leadership of the plunger and a particularly low tendency to tilt of the piston is realisiet.

In a preferred embodiment, each outlet has a circular cross section. The outlets are completely separated so that cross-contamination between the two outlets is avoided.

Preferably, the two outlets are part of a coupling device, which is designed to cooperate with a static mixer or a cap. By this measure, the outlets can be easily connected with a static mixer for discharging the components or with a cap that closes the outlets until the next application.

In practical terms, it is advantageous due to the ease of handling, if the coupling device is designed for a bayonet connection.

An advantageous measure consists in that the coupling device comprises coding means, which is designed for interaction with coding elements of a static mixer or a closure cap. This ensures that the static mixer or cap can only be connected in exactly one orientation with the coupling device and thus with the outlets of the storage chambers. This can effectively prevent cross-contamination or clogging of the outlets.

With regard to the storage of the components, it is advantageous if a closure cap is provided, which is detachably connected to the coupling device and which closes the two outlets.

For discharging the two components, it is preferred if a static mixer is provided which is detachably connected to the coupling device, wherein each outlet is connected to an inlet of the static mixer. Embodiments are also possible in which an adapter is provided between the mixer and the coupling device, which has coding means which interact with the coding means of the coupling device.

Further advantageous measures and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Fig. 1:

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemässen Doppel-Austragsvorrichtung in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Vorratskammern,

Fig. 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorratskammern von dem den Auslässen abgewandten Ende mit einem Einblick in die Vorratskammern,

Fig. 4:

einen Längsschnitt durch eine der Vorratskammern entlang der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5:

eine schematisierte Querschnittdarstellung durch eine der beiden Vorratskammern im Bereich der Nuten,

Fig. 6:

einen Ausschnitt aus der Wand einer Vorratskammer mit einer der Nut,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht der beiden Stössel des Ausführungsbeispiels,

Fig. 8:

eine Aufsicht auf die beiden Stössel, und

Fig. 9:

einen Ausschnitt aus einem Stössel, welcher einen der Stege im Schnitt zeigt.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the drawing. In the schematic drawing show partly in section:

Fig. 1:

An embodiment of an inventive double discharge device in a perspective view,

Fig. 2:

a perspective view of the pantries,

3:

a perspective view of the pantry from the end remote from the outlets with an insight into the pantries,

4:

a longitudinal section through one of the pantries along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 5:

a schematic cross-sectional view through one of the two pantries in the region of the grooves,

Fig. 6:

a section of the wall of a storage chamber with one of the groove,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of the two rams of the embodiment,

Fig. 8:

a view of the two pestles, and

Fig. 9:

a section of a plunger, which shows one of the webs in section.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive double-discharge device, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 and is designed as a double syringe 1. The double syringe 1 is intended for storing or discharging two flowable components which are intended to be brought into contact or mixed with each other just prior to their use. Such a two-component system is, for example, a two-component adhesive. After mixing the two separately stored components of the adhesive cures and thereby unfolds its adhesive power.

The double syringe 1 has two adjacently arranged storage chambers, namely a first storage chamber 2 for a first component and a second storage chamber 3 for the second component, each storage chamber extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis A from a proximal end 4 to a distal end 5. The storage chambers 2,3, form a double cartridge. For a better understanding shows Fig. 2 another perspective view of the two storage chambers 2,3 and Fig. 3 a perspective view of the storage chambers 2.3 on the proximal end 4, with an insight into the proximal end of the two storage chambers 2.3. The two storage chambers 2, 3 are connected to each other at its proximal end 4 via a connecting piece 41, which is designed for the manual operation of the double syringe 1 as a finger rest.

Each storage chamber 2, 3 has at the distal end 5 in each case an outlet 21, 31 for the first and for the second component (see Fig. 2 ). Each outlet 21, 31 is designed as a separate outlet 21, 31, which in each case has a circular cross section as a flow cross section for the respective component. The two outlets 21, 31 are spaced from each other and form the part of a coupling device 6, which for cooperation with a static mixer 10 (see Fig. 1 ) or a closure cap 9 is configured. Fig. 1 shows the double syringe 1 with me on the outlets 21, 31 placed and locked cap 9. In the illustration in Fig. 2 this cap is removed, so that the view of the outlets 21, 31 is free. In this embodiment, the coupling device 6 is designed for a bayonet connection. Thus, either the cap 9 or the static mixer 10 via the coupling device 6 in the form of a bayonet lock with the two outlets 21, 31 connectable.

Furthermore, the double discharge device 1 comprises a first plunger 7 for penetrating into the first storage chamber 2 and a second plunger 8 for penetrating into the second supply chamber 3. In the embodiment described here, the first plunger 7 and the second plunger 8 are designed as double plunger 78 in which the two plungers 7, 8 are connected to one another via a common pressure plate 79 at their end which does not penetrate into the storage chambers 21, 31.

Both the storage chambers 2, 3 and the plungers 7, 8 are preferably made of a plastic, wherein the plastic used for the plunger 7.8 need not be the same as that used for the storage chambers 2.3. Usually, both the one double cartridge forming storage chambers 2.3 as well as a double ram 78 forming plunger 7,8 produced by an injection molding.

For a better understanding shows Fig. 7 a perspective view of the two plunger 7,8, which are designed as double tappet 78. Further shows Fig. 8 a plan view of the two plunger 7,8 from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A direction. How this particular the representations in the Fig. 7 and 8th show, the plunger 7.8 are each constructed with a truss structure. This truss structure represents a very good compromise between the lowest possible material consumption and stiffness as possible, in particular bending stiffness. As this particular Fig. 8 shows, the plunger 7, 8 each over slightly more than half of its circumference with a continuous wall 72, 82 configured. On the one hand, this facilitates the sliding of the plungers 7, 8 in the storage chamber 2, 3 and increases the rigidity of the plungers 7, 8 and, on the other hand, enables the removal of the double plunger 78 or the plunger 7, 8 in the injection molding process.

At each of the plunger 7,8 a piston 71 and 81 is integrally formed respectively at its end. The pistons 71, 81 serve to discharge the two components from the storage chambers 2 and 3, respectively, and are respectively guided sealingly through the wall of the associated storage chamber 2 or 3. The pistons 71, 81 are not configured as separate components but are made in one piece with the rams 7 and 8 respectively.

To discharge the two components, the first in Fig. 1 illustrated cap 9 of the coupling device 6 and thus released from the two outlets 21, 31 and the static mixer 10 is connected by means of bayonet locking with the coupling device 6. This results in each of the outlets 21, 31 each have a flow connection with an associated inlet of the static mixer 10. Now, the two plungers 7, 8 by pressurizing the pressure plate 79, for example by manual pressing, deeper into their associated storage chambers 2, 3, whereby the two pistons 71, 81, the first and the second component through the respective outlet 21 and, 31 in the static Promote mixer. In the static mixer 10, the two components are intimately mixed in a conventional manner to form a homogeneous mass and then exit at the end of the static mixer 10 facing away from the storage chambers 2, 3 for the application. After completion of the application of the static mixer 10 is removed from the coupling device 6 and replaced by the cap 9, which thus again closes the two outlets 21 and 31.

Preferably, the coupling device 6 has coding means 61, which are designed to cooperate with coding elements of the static mixer 10 or the closure cap 9, so that the closure cap 9 or the static mixer 10 is placed on the pantries or the outlets 21, 31 in exactly one orientation can be.

In contrast to the double-discharge devices known from the prior art, in the double-discharge device 1 according to the invention each storage chamber 2, 3 is located at its proximal, ie. At least one first guide element 11 facing away from the outlet 21, 31, and each plunger 7, 8 has at least one second guide element 12 adjacent to the respective piston 71, 81, the first guide element 11 and the second guide element 12 engaging with each other are designed.

In the embodiment described here, the first guide elements are respectively grooves 11 in the wall bounding the interior of the storage chambers 2, 3 and the second guide elements are respectively webs 12 which are arranged on the outside of the plunger 71 and 81 and for engaging in the respective Grooves 11 are configured. Both the grooves 11 and the webs 12 each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis A.

Due to the intermeshing grooves 11 and webs 12 results in a much improved and extended leadership of the plunger 7, 8 and thus in particular the piston 71, 82. These are much less prone to tilting, so that a significantly improved seal between the pistons 71, 81 on the one hand and the wall of the storage chamber 2, 3 on the other results. Bending or torsional moments as well as twists as they can arise, for example, by pressing the pressure plate 79 in the manual operation of the double tappet 78 are introduced via the cooperating grooves 11 and webs 12 in the wall of the storage chamber 2 and 3 and can - if at all - Act on the pistons 71, 81 only in a strongly attenuated form. In particular, in bending loads shortens by the meshing grooves 11 and webs 12 of the lever arm, with which the forces can act on the piston 71, 81, whereby the piston can be less well brought by such forces to tilt.

This improved resistance to tilting makes it possible for the pistons 71 and 81 to have a smaller axial height H (see FIG Fig. 8 ).

In such cases, in which the storage chambers 2, 3 are filled from the proximal end 5, the grooves 11 are advantageously used for venting when inserting the plunger 7,8 in the storage chambers 2, 3 after completion of the filling.

In the embodiment described here four webs 12 are provided on each plunger 7 and 8, which are equidistantly distributed over the circumference of the respective plunger 7, 8, ie adjacent webs 12 of a plunger 7 or 8 have with respect to the circumferential direction a distance from each 90 °. Fig. 9 shows for better understanding in a sectional view a section of one of the plunger 7 or 8, in which one of the webs 12 is shown in section.

In a similar manner, four grooves 11 are provided in each of the storage chambers 2, 3, which are distributed equidistantly over the inner wall of the substantially cylindrical storage chamber 2 and 3 respectively. To illustrate this even more clearly shows Fig. 4 a longitudinal section through one of the storage chambers 2, 3 along the section line IV-IV and Fig. 5 a schematic cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A through one of the two storage chambers 2 or 3 in the region of the grooves 11. Further shows Fig. 6 in a sectional view a section of the wall of one of the two storage chambers 2 or 3 with one of the grooves 11th

As this particular Fig. 4 1, the grooves 11 each begin near the proximal end 4 and extend therefrom in the direction of the longitudinal axis A over a length L1.

On the inner wall of each storage chamber 2, 3, a retainer 13 is further provided in the region of the proximal end 4, which is designed as an easily projecting into the interior of the storage chamber 2, 3 annular rib extending in the circumferential direction along the entire inner circumference of the storage chamber 2, 3 extends. Each of the grooves 11 is arranged so as to cross the retainer 13, that is, with respect to the axial direction defined by the longitudinal axis A, the grooves 11 respectively start on one side of the retainer 13 and terminate on the other side of the retainer 13.

The webs 12 on the rams 7, 8 (see in particular Fig. 8 ) start respectively at the outlet 21, 31 facing away from the end of the piston 71, 81 where the piston 71 or 81 in the rest of the plunger 7 and 8, respectively, and extend from there in the direction of the longitudinal axis A over a length L2 the common pressure plate too 79 too. In the same axial position at the end of the piston 71 and 81 where the webs 12 begin, 7 and 8 more detents 14 are provided on the circumference of the plunger, which cooperate with the retainer 13 to complicate an unintentional pulling out of the double plunger 78. If the double plunger 78 is pulled out of the storage chambers 2, 3, then the latching lugs 14 engage with the retainer 13, whereby the movement of the double plunger 78 is inhibited. Only by an increased force can be the detents 14 pull over the retainer 13 to completely remove the double plunger from the storage chambers 2, 3.

Due to the design with four grooves 11 per pantry 2 or 3 and four bars 12 per plunger 7 or 8 results in a particularly stable cross guide, with which torsional and bending moments can be very well introduced into the wall of the pantry.

It is particularly advantageous if each web 12 is longer in each case than the groove 11 cooperating with it. This means that the length L2 is greater than the length L1. By this measure, the plunger 7, 8 and thus the pistons 71, 81 in the movement of the pistons 71, 81 in the direction of the outlets 21, 31 even longer, namely, until, during this movement, the pressure plate 79 facing the end of the webs 12 runs out of their respective associated grooves 11.

In order to simplify the running in the direction of the longitudinal axis A movement of the webs 12 from the respective groove 11, ie to allow with less effort, the grooves 11 in particular at its further lying in the storage chamber 2 or 3 end expiring configured (see Fig. 6 ). At her re Fig. 6 according to the right end, the grooves 11 in the axial direction slowly and steadily flatter, so that the webs 12 can slide out of the respective groove 11 easier in the axial direction. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the webs 12, and these are designed expiring with respect to the axial direction.

In practice, it has proven useful if the length L1 of each groove 11 is at least 15% and preferably at least 20% of the length of the respective storage chamber 2 or 3. Preferably, all the grooves 11 have the same length L1.

Preferably, all webs 12 have the same length L2.

For filling the double discharge device 1, there are basically two options. Either the storage chambers 2, 3 are filled through the outlets 21, 31 or they are filled from the proximal end 4 of.

In the first method, the double tappet 78 is inserted into the storage chambers 2, 3 until the pistons 71, 81 rest against the distal end 5 of the respective storage chamber 2, 3. Now, the first component is introduced through the first outlet 21 and the second component through the second outlet 31. By the inflowing components, the two pistons 71, 81 are moved back in the direction of the proximal end 4 until the locking lugs 14 come into engagement with the retainer 13. Then that is Filling process ended, and the outlets 21, 31 are closed with the cap 9.

In the second method, the double tappet 78 is not yet introduced into the storage chambers 2, 3. The first and the second storage chamber 2 and 3 are filled from the proximal end 4 ago with the first or with the second component, wherein the outputs 21 and 31 are closed. The maximum filling level is reached when between the first and the second component and the retainer still a free space is present, which corresponds in the axial direction just the height H of the piston 71, 81 in the axial direction. Of course, the storage chambers 21, 31 may also be less filled. After filling the double ram 78 is inserted into the storage chambers 2 and 3 and moved forward until the locking lugs 14 jump over the retainer 13 away and lock there. Here, the grooves 11 support the escape of air during insertion of the double plunger.

When emptying the storage chambers 2, 3, i. When discharging the two components through the outlets 21, 31 in the static mixer provide the engaging in the grooves 11 webs 12 for a secure and stable guidance of the piston 71, 81. During the movement of the double plunger 78 and the piston 71, 81 in Direction of the outlets 21, 31, the pistons 71, 81 guided by the grooves 11 and the webs 12 until the pressure plate 79 facing the end of the webs 12 from the grooves 11 runs out. The height of the webs 12 and the elastic properties of the material from which the plungers 7, 8 and the storage chambers are made 2.3 are selected so that the webs 12, when they leave the grooves 11 along the wall of the storage chamber 2 or 3, do not cause leakage along the piston.

The inventive double-discharge device 1 is suitable for example for double syringes 1, in which the filling volume of the storage chambers 2, 3 is 25 ml.

In the embodiment described here, the two storage chambers 2, 3 have the same size and in particular the same Diameter. This is particularly the case when the two components are to be mixed in a ratio of 1 to 1. Of course, such embodiments are possible in which the two storage chambers 2, 3 have different size and in particular different diameter at the same axial length. Such embodiments are advantageous for realizing other mixing ratios such as 2 to 1, 4 to 1 or 10 to 1.

Claims (12)

Double discharge device for discharging two flowable components with a first storage chamber (2) for the first component, with a second storage chamber (3) for the second component, wherein the two storage chambers (2,3) are arranged side by side and at its distal end (5) each having an outlet (21,31) for the first and for the second component, with a first plunger (7) for penetrating into the first storage chamber (2) and with a second plunger (8) for penetrating into the second storage chamber (3), wherein on each plunger (7,8) in each case a piston (71,81) is formed for discharging the respective component, which is sealingly guided through the respective wall of the storage chamber (2,3), characterized in that each storage chamber (2, 3) has at least one first guide element (11) at its end (4) facing away from the outlet (21, 31), and at least one second each ram (7, 8) adjacent to the respective piston (71, 81) Führungsel ement (12), wherein the first and the second guide element (11,12) are designed for mutual engagement. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first guide member is a groove (11) in the wall of the storage chamber (2,3) and the second guide member is a web (12) which can engage in the groove (11). Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each web (12) is each longer than the cooperating groove (11). Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each plunger (7,8) has four webs (12) which are distributed equidistantly over the circumference of the plunger (7,8). Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each groove (11) at its respective outlet (21,31) facing end is designed to be expiring. Device according to one of claims 2-5, wherein the length (L1) of each groove is at least 15%, preferably at least 20% of the length of the respective storage chamber (2,3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each outlet (21,31) each having a circular cross-section. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two outlets (21,31) are part of a coupling device (6), which is configured for cooperation with a static mixer (10) or a closure cap (9). Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the coupling means (6) is designed for a bayonet connection. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the coupling device (6) comprises coding means (61) which is designed to cooperate with coding elements of a static mixer (10) or a closure cap (9). Device according to one of claims 8 to 10 with a closure cap (9) which is releasably connected to the coupling device (6) and which closes the two outlets (21,31). Apparatus according to any one of claims 8-10, including a static mixer (10) releasably connected to the coupling means (6), each outlet (21, 31) being connected to an inlet of the static mixer (10).

Images