EP2764909A2 - Mixing device for two-component cartridges - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has inner and outer supply channels (3, 5) for respective components, where the outer channel coaxially encloses the inner channel. The inner channel ends into a mixing zone (6) over an outlet with an outlet opening (7). The mixing zone is designed as an annular chamber, and the outlet opening is aligned parallel to an axis (4) of the supply channels. A mixing tube is provided with a mixing zone, and mixing elements (9) are arranged in an area of the mixing zone of the mixing tube, where the outlet opening is formed in an inner wall of the annular chamber.

Description

The present invention relates to a mixing device for two-component cartridges or similar containers with two different components according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such a mixing device comprises an inner feed channel for the first component and an outer feed channel for the second component. Inner and outer feed channels are arranged coaxially with each other, with the outer feed channel enclosing the inner feed channel. The outer feed channel opens directly into a first mixing zone. The inner feed channel also opens into the first mixing zone via at least one outlet with an outlet opening. The outlet has a deflection device for deflecting the first component radially outward. The mixing apparatus further comprises a mixing tube having a second mixing zone following downstream of the first mixing zone. In the mixing tube a plurality of axially successive mixing elements are arranged in the region of the second mixing zone.

A mixing device of the type mentioned is, for example GB 2484694 B known. In this mixing device, the inner feed channel is delimited by a short length of pipe which is inserted into the inlet region of a nozzle which can be attached to a two-component cartridge. The diameter of the short pipe section is substantially smaller than the diameter of the nozzle, so that between the nozzle wall and pipe section there is an outer channel which surrounds the inner feed channel. The inner feed channel serves to supply the first component, the outer feed channel enclosing the inner feed channel serves to supply the second component. In the region of a first mixing zone, the first component is first led out of the inner feed channel radially out of the short pipe piece. The short piece of pipe includes four radially outwardly projecting semi-tubular outlets that reach up to the inner wall of the nozzle. Each of the outlets thus completely intersects the outer feed channel in the radial direction. The semi-tubular outlets are open against the flow direction of the second component, which is guided through the outer feed channel. The first component, which flows through the inner feed channel, is deflected by the four outlets first radially outward and then in the circumferential direction and finally detected by the flow of the second component.

The premixed components then enter together in the second mixing zone.

A mixing device of the type mentioned is also off EP 2258466 A1 known. This mixing device also comprises an inner feed channel, which is coaxially surrounded by an outer feed channel. The inner feed channel is limited relative to the outer feed channel by a short piece of pipe. The inner supply channel has four outlets, which are formed at the flow-outgoing end of the short tube piece as radially protruding extensions. All four outlets are open in the flow direction of the second component. The outlet openings of the outlets are aligned perpendicular to the axis of the two feed channels.

Both in the mixing device GB 2484694 B as well as in the mixing device EP 2258466 A1 enter the two premixed components in the second mixing zone in a so-called spiral mixer. This is a juxtaposition of several spiral mixing elements, which follow each other axially and are oriented alternately opposite to each other. In the two known from the prior art mixing devices relatively many mixing elements are required to achieve a homogeneous two-component mixture. The use of many spiral mixing elements leads to a high flow resistance. The two-component mixture can therefore be pressed only with great effort. As a result, the operation of the known mixing devices for the user is relatively cumbersome. The usage Many spiral mixing elements also make the mixing device more expensive and result in the mixing device becoming relatively long and therefore unwieldy.

Another mixing device for two-component cartridges is out EP 2527029 A2 known. The components to be mixed meet in this mixing device on a baffle plate having an upstream projecting mandrel. The baffle plate has a plurality of radially projecting star arms, through which the mixing zone is segmented in the circumferential direction. This mixing device also requires a relatively large number of spiral mixing elements, some with further baffle plates arranged between the spiral mixing elements. This also results in a relatively large flow resistance. Even with the out EP 2527029 A2 known mixing device, the operation is therefore relatively cumbersome.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved mixing device of the type mentioned, which ensures easy operation, can be produced cheaply, is handy to handle, and provides optimal mixing of the two components.

The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Accordingly, in a mixing device of the type mentioned above, a solution according to the invention is provided when the first mixing zone is formed as an annular chamber, wherein the outlet opening of the outlet aligned parallel to the axis of the feed channels and in an inner wall of the annular chamber is formed.

In the mixing device according to the invention, the first component is deflected radially outward before the first mixing zone and impinges on the second component in the first mixing zone substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the second component. Compared to the already known from the prior art mixing devices, the premixing of the two components is thereby significantly improved. Due to the improved premixing of the two components, the number of mixing elements in the second mixing zone be significantly reduced. The mixing device according to the invention therefore builds shorter overall, can be produced more favorably, and still provides optimum mixing of the two components. In contrast to the mixing devices known from the prior art, the first mixing zone in the circumferential direction is not segmented by the outlet or the outlets of the inner feed channel. The outlets are not in the radial direction over the inner feed channel. There is a uniform mixing instead. The greatest advantage of the mixing device according to the invention is that the number of mixing elements in the second mixing zone can be significantly reduced, whereby the flow resistance is reduced. The invention thereby provides a mixing device which can be operated effortlessly and without particularly great expenditure of force.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Unless otherwise indicated, all directions in the context of the present invention refer to the common axis of the two feed channels.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention it is provided that the inner feed channel is delimited by an inner tube which separates the inner feed channel from the outer feed channel, the diverter being formed by a lid of the inner tube perpendicular to the axis of the two feed channels is aligned. As a result, the mass flow of the first component can be redirected radially outwards in a particularly effective manner. In this embodiment, the geometry of the mixing device according to the invention is also kept particularly simple, which allows a simple and cost-effective production. The lid is preferably spaced from the flow exit end of a length of tubing defining the inner feed channel. Further, the lid is preferably circular in shape and aligned coaxially with the inner feed channel.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mixing device has downstream of the outlet and in front of the second mixing zone via a second deflection device for deflecting the premixed components radially inwards. Preferably, the second deflection device is a stepped constriction of the flow channel arranged after the outlet.

The mixing of the two components can be further improved if the outer feed passage upstream of immediately before the first mixing zone is interrupted by a plurality of radially extending ribs, wherein the ribs are distributed uniformly over the circumference. The mass flow of the second component conducted through the outer feed channel is divided into several strands by the ribs so that the first component can enter between these strands into the first mixing zone.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner feed channel opens into the first mixing zone via a plurality of outlets, the outlets being distributed uniformly over the circumference and each having an outlet opening. In this embodiment, the quasi-mass flow of the first component is divided into a plurality of strands which meet uniformly distributed over the circumference of the outer flow of the second component. For mixing, it is advantageous if each outlet opening is aligned parallel to the axis of the feed channels. It is very particularly advantageous if the outer feed channel is interrupted by a plurality of radially extending ribs before the first mixing zone, and the inner feed channel opens into the first mixing zone via a plurality of outlets, the number of outlets corresponding to the number of ribs, and the outlets and the ribs viewed in the circumferential direction are respectively arranged in the same position. As a result, optimum premixing of the two components is achieved in the first mixing zone. Preferably, at least 6 outlets and 6 ribs, more preferably at least 8 outlets and at least 8 ribs are provided.

A particularly simple construction of the mixing device according to the invention is achieved when the cover is connected via webs to the inner tube, which define the outlet openings of the outlets between them. For the mixing, it has also proved advantageous if the lid in radial Completing direction with the outer circumference of the tube. It is also advantageous for the mixing of the two components, when the webs are parallel to the axis and attach to the inner circumference of the inner tube, which limits the inner feed channel. As a result, the outlet openings between the webs are set back slightly relative to the outer circumference of the inner tube, which improves the mixing of the two components.

The structure of the mixing device according to the invention is simplified in the event that the outer feed is interrupted immediately before the first mixing zone by a plurality of radially extending ribs, further, when the ribs are formed on the tube.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mixing device is completely integrated in a nozzle which can be attached to a two-component cartridge. In this case, the mixing tube is formed with the second mixing zone through the nozzle. This embodiment ensures that two-component cartridges can be equipped in the simplest possible way with the mixing device according to the invention.

The structure of the mixing device further simplifies when a wall portion of the nozzle forms the boundary of the outer feed channel. A particularly simple handling, in particular during assembly of the device according to the invention results when the mixing elements of the second mixing zone are connected to the tube, which forms the outer boundary of the inner feed channel, and are preferably made in one piece with the tube. The mixing device according to the invention thus consists at best of only two parts, which are inserted into one another for mounting.

Ais Mischelemente of the second mixing zone are preferably a plurality of axially successively arranged and alternately counter-rotating spiral mixing elements are used.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Zweikomponentenkartusche mit angesetzter Düse mit einer integrierten Mischvorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt durch die Düse der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Zweikomponentenkartusche ohne integrierte Mischvorrichtung,

Fig. 3

einen Längsschnitt durch die Düse mit integrierter Mischvorrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht eines für die erfindungsgemäße Mischvorrichtung erforderlichen Düseneinsatzes,

Fig. 5

einen Längsschnitt durch den Düseneinsatz aus Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine Schrägansicht des in den Fig. 4 und 5 gezeigten Düseneinsatzes,

Fig. 7

eine geschnittene Detailansicht des unteren Endes des in Fig. 6 gezeigten Düseneinsatzes,

Fig. 8

die Detailansicht aus Fig. 7 mit umhüllender Düsenwand.

An embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of a two-component nozzle with attached nozzle with an integrated mixing device according to the present invention,

Fig. 2

a longitudinal section through the nozzle of in Fig. 1 shown two-component cartridge without integrated mixing device,

Fig. 3

a longitudinal section through the nozzle with integrated mixing device,

Fig. 4

a side view of a nozzle insert required for the mixing device according to the invention,

Fig. 5

a longitudinal section through the nozzle insert Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6

an oblique view of the in the 4 and 5 shown nozzle insert,

Fig. 7

a sectional detail view of the lower end of in Fig. 6 shown nozzle insert,

Fig. 8

the detail view Fig. 7 with enveloping nozzle wall.

For the following statements applies that the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. If reference signs are contained in a drawing, which are not discussed further in the associated description of the figures, reference is made to preceding or subsequent description of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a conventional two-component cartridge 2 with attached nozzle 14. The nozzle 14 is formed in a conventional manner as a slightly tapered tube and screwed onto a nozzle of the two-component cartridge 2. On the outer circumference, the nozzle 14 has four uniformly distributed over the circumference extending in the longitudinal stiffening ribs 16. As can be seen from the following figures, a mixing device 1 according to the invention is integrated into the nozzle 14.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the in Fig. 1 shown nozzle 14 without the nozzle insert 21 shown in the following figures, which is required for the mixing device according to the invention. The longitudinal section Fig. 2 clearly shows that the nozzle 14 is formed as a slightly tapered tube. At the cartridge side end, it has an internal thread 15, which serves for screwing to the two-component cartridge. The thread 15 is followed by a lower cup-shaped broader section 17, which merges via a step 19 in the upper narrow section 16. At the step 19 between the lower wide portion 17 and the upper narrow portion 18 are a plurality of ribs 20 as spacers in the direction of the thread from. The function of these ribs will be explained below. The nozzle 14 is formed substantially rotationally symmetrical and therefore defines an axis 4. The two components flow substantially in the axial direction through the nozzle, wherein take place in the mixing device diverse deflections.

FIG. 3 also shows a longitudinal section through the nozzle 14 with a required for the inventive mixing device 1 nozzle insert 21. Different views of the nozzle insert 21 are shown in the following figures. The exact function of the insert 21 will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. In FIG. 3 It can already be seen that the nozzle insert 21 in the lower portion 17 of the nozzle 14 defines an inner feed channel 3 and an outer feed channel 5, through which the two components are passed from the two-component cartridge into a first mixing zone 6. After the in Fig. 2 Step 19 of the outer nozzle wall, the premixed components enter a second mixing zone 8, which extends in the nozzle shown approximately over half of the upper narrow portion 18 of the nozzle.

As the 4 to 6 1, the nozzle insert 21 essentially consists of a short pipe section 12 and a plurality of axially successive and alternately oriented spiral mixing elements 9 attached thereto. All the mixing elements 9 are arranged in the second mixing zone 8 of the mixing device 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown are only eight provided these mixing elements. Nevertheless, a very homogeneous mixing of the two components is achieved with the mixing device according to the invention. When the nozzle insert 21 is inserted into the nozzle 14, the previously mentioned short pipe section 12 is located in the lower wide section 17 of the nozzle 14. It essentially serves to delimit the inner feed channel 3 from the outer feed channel 5.

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the short pipe section 12. On the outer circumference of the pipe section are eight evenly distributed over the circumference ribs 11, which, as in Fig. 8 is shown, reach up to the inner wall of the lower portion 17 of the nozzle. The ribs 11 divide the outer feed channel 5 into eight strands. In Fig. 8 It can also be seen that the outer feed channel opens into an annular chamber 6. This forms the first mixing zone of the mixing device according to the invention. The flow-exit-side end of the short tube section 12 is closed by a circular lid 10. However, the cover 10 is slightly spaced from the flow outlet side end of the short tube piece 12 and connected thereto via a plurality of webs 13 extending parallel to the axis 4. In the mixing device according to the invention as many webs are provided as ribs 11. The webs 13 are also uniformly distributed over the circumference and define between them in each case an outlet opening 7 for that component which is passed through the inner feed channel. The mass flow conducted through the inner feed channel 3 is deflected radially outwards due to the cover 10 through the outlet openings 7 and, in the first mixing zone 6, strikes the second component, which is passed through the outer feed channel 5 into the first mixing zone. For optimum mixing of the two components, the outlet openings 7 and the ribs 11, viewed in the circumferential direction, are each arranged in the same position. A strand guided radially outwards through an outlet opening 7 of the component guided through the inner feed channel 3 is thereby guided in the circumferential direction between two strands of the second component. It should be noted that in the mixing device according to the invention neither the ribs 11 nor the webs 13 must necessarily be present. For example, cover 10 and pipe section 12 as separate components be executed. In this case, the connecting bridges 13 were not required. The two components 10 and 12 would have to be attached separately to the nozzle 14. If the webs 13 were not present, there would only be a single outlet opening in the form of a cylindrical surface between the cover 10 and the end of the short pipe section 12 on the outlet side. Like the illustrated outlet openings 7, this outlet opening would also be oriented exclusively parallel to the axis 4. If the webs 13 are provided, the ribs 11 could alternatively be dispensed with, for example.

In Fig. 8 It can also be seen that the cover 10 is spaced a distance from the stepped transition 19 between the lower portion 17 and the upper portion 18 of the nozzle. It should be noted that the annular chamber 6 is not segmented in the area in front of the ribs 20 by radially extending elements in the form of ribs, webs or the like. There, where the two components meet for the first time, there is a uniform annulus, which ensures optimal mixing of the two components.

Finally, the function of the mixing device according to the invention is explained in summary. The first component flows through the inner feed channel 3 initially in the axial direction up to the outlet openings 7. Through the cover 10, the first component is deflected there radially outwardly and enters the annular mixing chamber as a first mixing zone 6 a. The second component also flows through the outer feed channel 5 in the axial direction to the first mixing zone 6 and also enters into the same in the axial direction. The two components are premixed in the first mixing zone 6 and flow past the lid 10 in the axial direction. Due to the step-shaped transition 19 then takes place in turn a radial deflection to the inside. The radial deflection in turn follows an axial deflection in the second mixing zone 8. The double deflection already leads before the second mixing zone to a further mixing of the two components. In the second mixing zone, a homogeneous mixing of the two components is then achieved. With the invention Mixing device, however, a good pre-mixing of the two components is achieved already in the first mixing zone 6, since the two components meet in the region of the first mixing zone substantially perpendicular. Therefore, in the first mixing zone, vortices are also generated which favor mixing.

Claims (11)

Mixing device (1) for two-component cartridges (2) or similar containers with two different components, with an inner feed channel (3) for the first component, wherein the inner feed channel defines an axis (4), an outer feed channel (5) the second component, the outer feed channel coaxially enclosing the inner feed channel (3), - A first mixing zone (6), wherein the outer feed channel (5) opens into the first mixing zone (6), further wherein the inner feed channel (3) via at least one outlet with an outlet opening (7) also in the first mixing zone (6) opens, and wherein the outlet has a deflection device for deflecting the first component radially outward, - and a mixing tube with a second mixing zone (8) downstream of the first mixing zone (6), wherein in the mixing tube in the region of the second mixing zone (8) a plurality of axially successive mixing elements (9) are arranged, characterized in that
the first mixing zone (6) is designed as an annular chamber, wherein the outlet opening (7) of the outlet is aligned parallel to the axis (4) of the feed channels (3, 5) and formed in an inner wall of the annular chamber. Mixing device (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the inner feed channel (3) is delimited by an inner tube (12) which separates the inner feed channel (3) from the outer feed channel (5), the deflection device being formed by a cover (10) of the inner tube (12) perpendicular to the axis (4) of the two feed channels (3, 5) is aligned. Mixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the mixing device has downstream of the outlet and before the second mixing zone via a second deflection device for deflecting the premixed components radially inward. Mixing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the outer feed channel (5) is interrupted immediately upstream of the first mixing zone (6) by a plurality of radially extending ribs (11), the ribs (11) being distributed uniformly over the circumference. Mixing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
the inner feed channel (3) opens into the first mixing zone (6) via a plurality of outlets, the outlets being distributed uniformly over the circumference and each having an outlet opening (7). Mixing device (1) according to claim 5,
characterized in that
the number of outlets corresponds to the number of ribs (11), wherein the outlets and the ribs (11), viewed in the circumferential direction, are each arranged in the same position. Mixing device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized
characterized in that
the lid (10) is connected to the inner tube (12) via webs (13), wherein the webs (13) define between them the outlet openings (7) of the outlets. Mixing device (1) according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the lid (10) terminates in the radial direction with the outer circumference of the tube (12). Mixing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the mixing device (1) is completely integrated in a nozzle (14) which can be attached to a two-component cartridge (2). Mixing device (1) according to claim 9,
characterized in that
a wall portion of the nozzle (14) forms the boundary of the outer feed channel (5). Mixing device (1) according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized in that
the mixing elements (9) of the second mixing zone (8) are connected to the tube (12) which forms the outer boundary of the inner feed channel (3) and are preferably made in one piece with the tube (12).

Images