EP3608013A1 - Segment de mélange, mélangeur statique, ensemble de distribution et procédé de mélange d'un matériau à composants multiples - Google Patents

Segment de mélange, mélangeur statique, ensemble de distribution et procédé de mélange d'un matériau à composants multiples Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3608013A1
EP3608013A1 EP18188299.4A EP18188299A EP3608013A1 EP 3608013 A1 EP3608013 A1 EP 3608013A1 EP 18188299 A EP18188299 A EP 18188299A EP 3608013 A1 EP3608013 A1 EP 3608013A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mixing
inlets
outlets
mixing segment
inlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP18188299.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Joachim Schoeck
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Medmix Switzerland AG
Original Assignee
Sulzer Mixpac AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sulzer Mixpac AG filed Critical Sulzer Mixpac AG
Priority to EP18188299.4A priority Critical patent/EP3608013A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2019/070302 priority patent/WO2020030456A1/fr
Priority to DE212019000341.9U priority patent/DE212019000341U1/de
Publication of EP3608013A1 publication Critical patent/EP3608013A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/40—Static mixers
    • B01F25/42—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions
    • B01F25/43—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction
    • B01F25/432—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flows; Cross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa
    • B01F25/4321—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flows; Cross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa the subflows consisting of at least two flat layers which are recombined, e.g. using means having restriction or expansion zones
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/50—Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants
    • B01F33/501—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use
    • B01F33/5011—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use portable during use, e.g. hand-held
    • B01F33/50114—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use portable during use, e.g. hand-held of the hand-held gun type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/2305—Mixers of the two-component package type, i.e. where at least two components are separately stored, and are mixed in the moment of application

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mixing segment of a static mixer.
  • the invention further relates to a static mixer comprising a plurality of mixing segments, to a dispensing assembly comprising a static mixer and a multi-component cartridge filled with respective materials, as well as to a method of mixing multi-component material using a dispensing assembly.
  • Static mixers respectively mixing tips, as they are also known as, are used to mix multi-component material dispensed from a multi-component cartridge.
  • Such static mixers are used in a plethora of fields of application ranging from industrial applications, such as the use of adhesives to bond structural components one to another, or as protective coatings for buildings or vehicles, to medical and dental applications, for example, to make dental molds.
  • the multi-component material is, for example, a two-component adhesive comprising a filler material and a hardener.
  • a two-component adhesive comprising a filler material and a hardener.
  • the multi-component material has to be thoroughly mixed.
  • the static mixers comprise several mixing segments arranged one after the other that repeatedly divide and re-combine part flows of the multi-component material to thoroughly mix the multi-component material.
  • the material remaining in the static mixer after the dispensing process is generally discarded as it remains in the static mixer.
  • the multi-component material can be comparatively expensive and may only be used for one application at a time. This is particularly true, for example in the dental field, where only part of the multi-component material stored in the cartridge is used for one application/patient at a time with the remaining multi-component material being stored in the multi-component cartridge for future applications.
  • the excessive use of large volumes of multi-component material remaining in a static mixer after a single use leads to unnecessary cost.
  • Such a mixing segment is configured for a static mixer and comprises a plurality of mixing segments for mixing a multi-component material, the mixing segment comprising:
  • wave-shaped mixing segment having at least two and optionally three inlets and three outlets.
  • Prior art wave-shaped mixing segments such as helical mixers sold by Sulzer Mixpac for dental, Industrial and other applications, respectively comprise only two inlets and two outlets, with a division of the part flow of materials taking place between directly adjacent mixing segments, by arranging the inlets of one mixing segment at 90° relative to the outlets of the directly adjacent mixing segment.
  • the respective part flows flowing through a passage of the mixing segment are redistributed by an initial compression and subsequent relaxation within the passage of the mixing segment.
  • no division or combination of part flows of the material takes place within one mixing segment of the mixing element.
  • the present invention makes it possible to divide and combine part flows of material both within a mixing segment and between directly adjacent mixing segments to further improve the mixing efficiency.
  • the mixing segments put forward in the present invention not only permit the redistribution of the individual flow paths within a mixing segment, but also make available a division and a combination of part flows of the multi-component material within the mixing segment in addition to the previously known division and combination between adjacent mixing segments. This is done in order to improve the through mixing of the multi-component material, to ensure a reduction in the pressure loss of the materials flowing through the static mixer and to minimize the amount of material left behind in a static mixer to increase the overall mixing efficiency that can be achieved by the static mixer in comparison to prior art mixers.
  • a first inlet is connected to first and second outlets and a second inlet and optionally a third inlet is/are connected to a third outlet, with the respective inlets being connected to the respective outlets via respective passages to deflect respective part flows of the multi-component material from said first, second and optionally third inlets to said first, second and third outlets by means of division and combination of the part flows within the mixing segment.
  • the use of at least two and optionally three inlets and three outlets provides a plurality of part flow paths along which the multi-component material can flow, be divided and mixed.
  • Increasing the number of flow paths within a mixing segment leads to an improvement of the mixing results achieved, since the respective part flows of the multi-component material are divided and re-combined more frequently into different part flow paths. This enables the mixing efficiency to be further improved by reducing the waste volume of material left behind in the static mixer.
  • the mixing segments are generally designed in order to achieve the best possible mixing results while using as small a volume of the respective material of the multi-component material as possible in order to limit the waste of multi-component material.
  • the shape of the mixing segments contributes to the quality of the mixing result and also to the volume of multi-component material left behind in the static mixer.
  • By forming the mixing segments such that they comprise curved walls respectively surfaces to guide the multi-component material between the inlets and the outlets facilitates the mixing of the multi-component material and also reduces the space available within the mixing segment in which the multi-component material can be left behind after a dispensing process has taken place, as less so-called dead space results in curved mixing segments.
  • less of a volume of multi-component material is required to achieve a thorough mixing of the multi-component material while the absence of edges or angled surfaces in the flow paths reduces the pressure loss in the mixing segment.
  • the combination of a reduction in pressure loss, the reduction in dead space and the improvement of the mixing results leads to an overall improvement of the mixing efficiency.
  • a curved surface is a surface that is not flat, i.e. planar, but rather is a surface that is rounded or curved in one or more dimensions, such as the outer surface of a ball, an apple, or an orange, i.e. a surface that does not comprise angled surfaces, such as edges, pockets, and protrusions etc.
  • each flow path is further facilitated by dividing e.g. the material made available at the largest flow path into two smaller flow paths and combining two smaller flow paths made available at the e.g. two outer inlets to then be available at the centrally arranged outlet.
  • This division and combination within the mixing segment also contributes to the compression and relaxation of the material present within a flow path allowing this to be redistributed to further improve the mixing efficiency.
  • Curved surfaces on the one hand, facilitate a guiding function of the walls of the passages and, on the other hand, are simple to manufacture in an injection molded process, in particular in comparison to so-called three way or four way mixers as well as T-mixers also sold by Sulzer Mixpac.
  • the mixing segment may be provided with two inlets and one of the inlets is connected to two of the outlets and the remaining one of the two inlets is connected to the other one of the three outlets, optionally wherein a main extent of the inlets is arranged such it is rotated by an angle of rotation of at least 45°, preferably of at least substantially 90° or of 90°, about the longitudinal axis with respect to a main extent of the outlet.
  • a mixing segment is made available in which the mixing efficiency is improved in comparison to prior art wave-mixing segments.
  • three inlets are provided and two of the three inlets are connected to only one of the three outlets and the third of the three inlets is connected to the other two of the three outlets, optionally wherein a main extent of the inlets is arranged such that it is in parallel to, or at least substantially in parallel to a main extent of the outlet(s) to which it is connected via the respective passage.
  • a main extent of the inlets is arranged such that it is in parallel to, or at least substantially in parallel to a main extent of the outlet(s) to which it is connected via the respective passage.
  • a curvature of the curved surfaces is selected such that a cross-section of the respective passage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis gradually changes in size between the respective inlets and the outlets.
  • forming the walls of the respective passages such that their curvature gradually changes a cross-section of the respective passage means that no abrupt changes in the direction of the flow path are brought about by elements that can be regarded as blocking elements which leads to a more uniform flow of the multi-component material within a mixing segment. This design hence results in a low pressure loss and thus in a higher mixing efficiency.
  • a cross-section that gradually changes in size is a cross-section that increases or decreases in size by small degrees, for example linearly or in a curved manner, without jumps in the change in size as e.g. provided by steps, edges, recesses, protrusions or the like.
  • At least some and preferably all of the curved surfaces of the mixing segment may be curved in two dimensions. In this way the curved surfaces of the mixing segment may resemble a structure formed by a freeform surface. Such surfaces can be designed and manufactured in a comparatively simple manner and enable the production of mixing segments having uniform flow paths present therein.
  • a surface that is curved in two dimensions is for example the outer surface of a rugby ball, and can generally be described as a surface that is curved both in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and in a second direction in parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • a uniform flow path is a flow path in which no elements are present that negatively influence the speed of the respective material flowing in each of the respective passages, so that the speed of the material flowing in each of the respective passages is effectively the same and in which the different passages transport similar volume flows of material.
  • Mixing segments that are arranged directly adjacent to one another may be spaced apart from one another by means of spacers.
  • the spacers are then present at at least one of the walls forming the respective inlets and one of the walls forming the respective outlets.
  • the mixing segment may be formed in an injection molding process from a plastic material. Injection molded processes enable the bulk manufacture of a plethora of mixing segments in a comparatively short period of time in a simple and reproducible manner.
  • the shape of the static mixer and hence of the mixing segments is defined by the injection mold.
  • spacers facilitates the avoidance of too complex shapes in the region between the transition of one mixing segment to the next as the inlets and outlets of the directly adjacent mixing segments can be spaced apart from one another through the use of such spacers.
  • spacers may also be used as flow stabilizing elements at the inlets and outlets of the mixing segments, as the region in which the spacers are arranged permit the flow of material to stabilize in that region as the flows of material do not experience any deflections in this region, as the passages do not comprise any deflection elements at the inlets and/or the outlets of the mixing segments.
  • the spacers may be formed of webs of material, i.e. strip of materials or projections, that extend at least partly over a complete length of a respective wall forming the respective inlet or outlet, i.e. a web of material may be a strip of material that extends beyond the height of the wall over a part of the length of the wall.
  • the spacer(s) may integrally be formed with the mixing segment, optionally from the same material as the mixing segment. Forming such spacers that they only extend over a part of the length of a wall forming part of the inlet or outlet of the mixing segment further facilitates the release of the mixing segment from the injection mold thereby improving the manufacture of static mixers.
  • Walls forming part of the respective inlets and/or of the respective outlets of the mixing segments may be arranged in parallel to one another or at least substantially in parallel to one another at a respective inlet opening or at a respective outlet opening in the plane extending at least substantially perpendicular to or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with the respective inlets and outlets optionally being elongate inlets and outlets.
  • the provision of such inlets and/or outlets leads to a particularly beneficial mixing efficiency particularly for mixing segments that are arranged within a housing having a cuboid like inner shape.
  • an elongate inlet respectively and elongate outlet is an inlet respectively an outlet that has a longer length than width.
  • Parts of the walls forming part of the respective inlets and/or the respective outlets may be arranged in parallel to one another or at least substantially in parallel to one another at a respective inlet opening or at a respective outlet opening in the plane extending at least substantially perpendicular to or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
  • the remaining parts of the walls may then be arranged as converging or diverging from one another at the respective inlet opening or the respective outlet opening.
  • Such shapes of inlet and/or outlet openings permit the tailoring of improved flow paths of the multi-component material within a series of mixing segments to further improve the mixing efficiency achievable with such a static mixer.
  • Walls forming part of the respective inlets and/or the respective outlets may alternatively be arranged as diverging from one another along a complete length of the respective wall at the respective inlet opening or the respective outlet opening in the plane extending at least substantially perpendicular to or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
  • This design yields a particularly good mixing efficiency for static mixers arranged within a housing having a cylindrical inner shape.
  • the walls forming at least a part of the respective inlets and/or outlets may comprise edges at the respective inlets and/or outlets, with said edges optionally having a varying thickness along a length of the edge. In this way parts of the mixing segment can be improved in view of their manufacture in an injection mold.
  • a mixing segment may further comprise wedge shaped sections arranged in one or more of the respective passages. These wedge shaped sections, on the one hand, can improve the flow of multi-component within a mixing segment and, on the other hand, reduce the volume of dead space present within a mixing segment by being formed in regions of the mixing segment where such a dead space is likely to occur.
  • a wedge shaped section is a section that has a thick edge and a thin edge with the side walls tapering from the thick edge to the thin edge possibly with the side walls being formed by rounded or curved surfaces.
  • an area of a centrally lying inlet may occupy between 40 to 60 % of a complete area of the combined inlet openings and in particular at least substantially 50% or 50% thereof.
  • a ratio of the area of the inlet openings can be selected in the range of 1.5:2:1.5 to 1:3:1, in particular of at least substantially 1:2:1 or of 1:2:1.
  • the three outlets of a mixing segment are arranged next to one another, with an area of a centrally lying outlet being able to occupy between 40 to 60 % of a complete area of the combined outlet openings and in particular at least substantially 50% or 50% thereof.
  • a ratio of the area of the outlet openings that are arranged next to one another is selected in the range of 1.5:2:1.5 to 1:3:1, in particular of at least substantially 1:2:1 or of 1:2:1.
  • the present invention relates to a static mixer, the static mixer comprising a plurality of mixing segments of which at least some are configured as a mixing segment discussed in the foregoing.
  • the plurality of mixing segments may be arranged in series one after another along a longitudinal axis of the static mixer to form a mixing element. Moreover, the outlets of one mixing segment may be arranged next to the inlets of the next mixing segment of the series. In this connection the elongate inlets of at least some of the plurality of mixing segments may be arranged such that their extents are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another or in parallel to one another.
  • the individual mixing segments of the series can be separate from one another, but preferably at least some of the individual mixing segments of the series are connected to one another and are especially integrally formed as part of one mixing element or as one mixing element, for example in an injection molding process.
  • the present invention relates to a dispensing assembly, the dispensing assembly comprising a static mixer and a multi-component cartridge filled with respective materials.
  • the multi-component cartridge can thus be filled with materials selected from the group of members consisting of topical medications, medical fluids, wound care fluids, cosmetic and/or skin care preparations, dental fluids, veterinary fluids, adhesive fluids, disinfectant fluids, protective fluids, paints and combinations of the foregoing.
  • Such fluids and hence the dispensing assembly can therefore be expediently used in the treatment of target areas such as the nose (e.g. anti-histaminic creams etc.), ears, teeth (e.g. molds for implants or buccal applications (e.g. aphtas, gum treatment, mouth sores etc.), eyes (e.g. the precise deposition of drugs on eyelids (e.g. chalazion, infection, anti-inflammatory, antibiotics etc.), lips (e.g. herpes), mouth, skin (e.g.
  • the fluids and hence the dispensing assembly can also be used in an industrial sector both for the production of products as well as for the repair and maintenance of existing products, e.g. in the building industry, the automotive industry, the aerospace industry, in the energy sector, e.g. for windturbines, etc.
  • the dispensing assembly can, for example, be used for the dispensing of construction material, sealants, bonding material, adhesives, paints, coatings and/or protective coatings.
  • the present invention relates to a method of mixing multi-component material using a dispensing assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a dispensing assembly 1 comprising a static mixer 2 and a multi-component cartridge 3.
  • the multi-component cartridge 3 shown in Fig. 1 is a two-component cartridge 3' that is filled with respective two-component materials M, M', for example, a hardener and a binder material.
  • the static mixer 2 comprises two inlets 4, 4' at a first end 5 thereof.
  • the two inlets 4, 4' connect to outlets 6, 6' of the two-component cartridge 3'.
  • the inlets 4, 4' receive the outlets 6, 6' of the two-component cartridge 3'. It should be noted in this connection that other forms of interaction between the inlets 4, 4' and the outlets 6, 6' are possible.
  • a housing 7 of the schematically illustrated static mixer 2 further comprises alignment means 8, 8' that enable a correct alignment of the inlets 4, 4' of the static mixer 2 relative to the outlets 6, 6' of the two-component cartridge 3'.
  • the alignment means 8, 8' can for example be configured as bayonet-like connection means (not shown) and hence also act as a kind of attachment means (not shown) to attach the static mixer 2 to the two-component cartridge 3'.
  • Other kind of attachment means such as a locking ring can also be used and are well known to the person skilled in the art.
  • the housing 7 further has a dispensing outlet 9 at a second end 10 of the static mixer 2.
  • the mixed multi-component material M, M' is dispensed via the dispensing outlet 9 following its passage through the static mixer 2.
  • the dispensing outlet 9 is arranged at a longitudinal axis A of the static mixer 2.
  • the longitudinal axis A extends from the inlets 4, 4' of the static mixer 2 to the outlet 9 of the static mixer 2.
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a mixing element 11 of the static mixer 2.
  • the mixing element 11 is composed of six wave-shaped mixing segments 12.
  • the six mixing segments 12 are arranged in series one after another along the longitudinal axis A of the static mixer 2.
  • Each mixing segment 12 comprises an inlet region 13 and an outlet region 14.
  • the outlet region 14 of one mixing segment 12 is arranged next to the inlet region 13 of the next mixing segment 12 of the series.
  • Each inlet region 13 comprises first, second and third inlets 13', 13", 13"' arranged at a first side 15 of the mixing segment 12 (see also Fig. 8 in this regard).
  • Each outlet region 14 comprises first, second and third outlets 14', 14", 14'" arranged at a second side 16 of the mixing segment 12 oppositely disposed of the first side 15, with the longitudinal axis A of the static mixer 2 corresponding to the longitudinal axis A of the mixing segment 12 and extending between the first and second sides 15, 16.
  • the first and third inlets 13', 13'" of each mixing segment 12 are connected to the second outlet 14".
  • the second inlet 13" is connected to the first and third outlets 14', 14'".
  • the respective inlets 13', 13", 13'" are connected to the respective outlets 14', 14", 14'" via respective passages 17 to deflect respective part flows M" of the multi-component material M, M' from said inlets 13', 13", 13'" to said outlets 14', 14", 14'".
  • the respective passages 17 have walls 18 that are formed by curved surfaces 18'.
  • the walls 18 are configured to separate the respective inlets 13', 13", 13'" from one another in the inlet region 13. Moreover, the walls are configured to separate the outlets 14', 14", 14"' from one another in the outlet region 14.
  • a main extent of the inlets 13', 13", 13'" is arranged such that it is in parallel to, or at least substantially in parallel to a main extent of the outlet(s) 14', 14", 14"' to which it is connected via the respective passage 17.
  • a curvature of the curved surfaces 18' is selected such that a cross-section of the respective passage 17 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A gradually changes in size between the respective inlets 13, 13', 13", 13'" and the outlets 14, 14', 14", 14'” .
  • a cross-section of the respective passage 17 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A is smallest in a middle region 32.
  • the middle region 32 is generally the region arranged between the respective inlets 13, 13', 13", 13'" and outlets 14,14', 14", 14'", in particular the region arranged directly between the respective inlets 13, 13', 13", 13"' and outlets 14,14', 14", 14"'.
  • the cross-section gradually reduces in size between the inlet 13, 13', 13", 13'” and the middle region 32 and then gradually increases in size between the middle region 32 and the outlet 14, 14', 14", 14'” in order to achieve the desired compression and relaxation of the multi-component material M, M' in each flow path for a thorough throughmixing thereof.
  • the cross-section of the respective passage 17 in the middle region 32 is approximately 30 to 80%, especially 40 to 60% of the cross-section of the respective passage at the inlet 13, 13', 13", 13'" and/or at the outlet 14, 14', 14", 14'".
  • the shape of one of the respective passage 17 between the inlets 13, 13', 13", 13"' and the outlets 14, 14', 14", 14'" is elliptical or at least substantially elliptical in at least some cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the shape of one of the respective passage 17 between the inlets 13, 13', 13", 13'" and the outlets 14, 14', 14", 14'” is hyperbolic or at least substantially hyperbolic in at least some cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the shape of one of the respective passages 17 between the inlets 13, 13', 13", 13"' and the outlets 14, 14', 14", 14'" is V-shaped or at least substantially V-shaped in at least some cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • An angle between the two shanks, i.e. the two walls 18, 18' forming the shanks, of the V-shaped or at least substantially V-shaped cross-section being selected in the range between 20° to 180° in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the mixing segment 12 comprises a passage 17 having a V-shaped structure in some cross-sections, such as the one e.g. shown in Fig. 2
  • the V-shaped shape of the mixing segment 12 may be mirrored between the inlet 13 and the outlet 14 and the V-shaped shape of the mixing segment 12 changes over a length of the mixing segment 12 in parallel to the longitudinal axis A from e.g. an angle of 30° between the walls 18, 18' for the central passage 17 at the inlet to 330° between the walls 18, 18' for the central passage at the outlet 14, with the passage 17 at the inlet having the V-shaped outer walls 18, 18' not being the same passage at the outlet 14 having the V-shaped outer walls 18, 18'.
  • the shape of the respective passage 17 between the inlets 13, 13', 13", 13'" and the outlets 14, 14', 14", 14'” is a mixture of elliptical and/or hyperbolic and/or v-shaped or a mixture of at least substantially elliptical and/ at least substantially hyperbolic and/or at least substantially V-shaped in at least some cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the mixing segments 12 can be designed using e.g. freeform surface modeling such that the curved surfaces of each mixing segment 12 are curved in two dimensions.
  • each of the passages 17 is preferably designed such that it has no angular surfaces respectively geometrical elements that may cause dead spaces to arise, with dead spaces being regions in which multi-component material M, M' can collect and not further participate in the mixing procedure and with the dead spaces, for example, being formed by pockets, protrusions and edges etc.
  • the flow path M" enters the first of six mixing segments 12 via the second inlet 13" and exits the mixing segment via the third outlet 14"'.
  • the flow path M" then enters the second mixing segment 12 at the third inlet 13"' and exits the second mixing segment 12 via the second outlet 14".
  • the flow path M" then enters the third mixing segment at the second inlet 13" and exits the third mixing segment 12 via the first outlet 14' to enter the third inlet 13'" of the fourth mixing segment 12 of the series.
  • This progression of the flow path M" continues up until the flow path M" exits the sixth mixing segment 12 of the mixing element 11 via the third outlet 14"'.
  • Ends 20 of the walls 18 of the curved surfaces 18' that form part of the respective inlets 13', 13", 13'" and of the respective outlets 14', 14", 14'" are arranged as diverging from one another at a respective inlet opening 21 and at a respective outlet opening 22 in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the ends 20 of walls In the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, the ends 20 of walls generally have a V-shape, more precisely a rounded V-shape and diverge from a common point 23.
  • Fig. 3 shows a further type of mixing element 11 with a mixing segment 12.
  • Spacers 19 are arranged between directly adjacent mixing segments 12 of the mixing element 11.
  • the spacers 19 are present at ends 20 of the walls 18 forming the parts of the respective first, second and third inlets 13', 13", 13"'.
  • spacers 19 may also be formed alternatively or additionally at the walls 18 of the curved surfaces 18' forming parts of the respective first, second and third outlets 14', 14", 14"'.
  • the spacers 19 are formed of webs 19' of material that extend partly over a complete length of the end 20 of the wall 18 forming said part of the respective inlet 13', 13", 13'".
  • the spacer 19 is integrally formed with the mixing segment 12 and from the same material as the mixing segment 12. It should be noted in this connection that the web 19' of material could be formed from a different material and could be formed by a different form of element.
  • the ends 20 of the walls 18 forming part of the respective inlets 13', 13", 13'" and/or the respective outlets 14', 14", 14'” are arranged in parallel to one another at the respective inlet opening 21 and at the respective outlet opening 22 in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the respective inlets 13', 13", 13'" and outlets 14', 14", 14'" of the mixing segments 12 thus have an elongate shape (see also the examples shown in Figs. 8c and 8d in this regard).
  • Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a further mixing element 11.
  • the mixing segments further comprise wedge shaped sections 24 arranged in two of the respective passages 17 of each mixing segment 12.
  • the wedge shaped sections 24 project into the passages 17 from ends 20 of the walls 18 separating the first, second and third inlets 13', 13", 13'", respectively the outlets 14', 14", 14'" from one another.
  • the wedge shaped sections 24 are also configured to occupy a so-called dead space, in which multi-component material M, M' can collect without being readily mixed. Due to the lack of mixing, the multi-component material M, M' can often remain within a static mixer 2 at these positions without having been mixed. Through the provision of the wedge shaped sections 24 the amount of multi-component material M, M' remaining within a static mixer 2 after its use can hence be significantly reduced and the mixing results can further be improved.
  • the wedge shaped sections 24 project from the curved surfaces 18 as a triangular prism 25, with a vertex 26 of the respective prism 25 pointing either in or away from the direction of the longitudinal axis A.
  • parts of the walls 18 forming part of the respective inlets 13', 13", 13"' and of the respective outlets 14', 14", 14'" are arranged in parallel to one another at the respective inlet opening 21 and at the respective outlet opening 22 in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the remaining parts of the walls 18 are arranged as diverging from one another at the respective inlet opening 21 and at the respective outlet opening 22.
  • the most spaced apart part of the walls 18 are aligned with two further vertices 27 of the prism 25.
  • the respective bottom face 25' of the prism 25 forms part of the flow path in the region of the respective second inlet 13" or second outlet 14".
  • Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a further mixing element 11.
  • the ends 20 of the walls 18 forming the respective parts of the inlets 13', 13", 13'" and of the outlets 14', 14", 14'” are formed of straight sections of material.
  • the straight sections are arranged such that the walls 20 present in the inlet region 13 and the walls 20 present in the outlet region 14 diverge from one another. This means that a spacing at one side 28 of the mixing segment 12 between the walls 18 is less than a spacing at the oppositely disposed side 29 of the mixing segment 12between the walls 18.
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a further mixing element 11.
  • the mixing element 11 of Fig. 6 is configured to be placed into a cuboid shaped housing 7.
  • an envelope enclosing the mixing segment 11 along the longitudinal axis A of the mixing segments 12 is cuboid or at least substantially cuboid in shape.
  • the inlets 13', 13", 13"' and the outlets 14', 14", 14'" have a generally rectangular shape at the inlet and outlet openings 21, 22.
  • Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a further mixing element 11.
  • the mixing segments 12 each comprise first and second inlets 13', 13" as well as first, second and third outlets 14', 14", 14'".
  • the first inlet 13' is connected to the first and third outlets 14', 14'" and the second inlet 13" is connected to the second outlet 14".
  • a main extent of the inlets 13', 13" is arranged such it is rotated by an angle of rotation of 90° about the longitudinal axis A with respect to a main extent of the outlets 14', 14", 14'".
  • the respective passages 17 are formed by the walls 18 that are formed by the curved surfaces 18'.
  • the mixing segments 12 shown in Figs. 2 to 7 can have a height in the direction of the longitudinal axis A selected in the range of 2 to 20 mm. In the example of Fig. 3 the height corresponds to 10 mm. In this connection it should be noted that it is preferable if the height of the mixing segment 12 corresponds to 80 to 120 % of a width or diameter of the mixing segment 12 along the longitudinal axis A.
  • a thickness of each of the walls 18 can be selected in the range of 0.12 to 1.5 mm, especially of 0.16 to 1.05 mm. In the example shown e.g. in Fig 2 the walls 18 have a thickness that corresponds to 0.52 mm. In this connection it should be noted that it is preferable if the thickness of the walls 18 corresponds to 1 to 20% of the diameter of the mixing segment 12.
  • a diameter of the mixing segments 12 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the mixing segments 12 of Figs. 2 to 5 and 7 can be selected in the range of 1.5 to 18 mm. In the example of Fig. 7 the diameter corresponds to 10 mm. In this connection it should be noted that the diameter of the mixing segment 12 is preferably selected to be between 80 and 120% of the length of the mixing segment 12.
  • a mixing element 11 is configured for a cuboid shaped housing 7, such as the one shown in Fig. 6 , that a side length of the mixing segments 12 in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis can be selected in the range of 4 to 20 mm and in the example shown in Fig. 6 have a side length that corresponds to 10 mm.
  • the side length of the mixing segments 12 is preferably selected in the range of 80 to 120 % of the length of the mixing segment 12 along the longitudinal axis A.
  • a wall thickness of each of the walls 21, 22 is selected to be 3 to 10%, preferably of 4 to 7% of the side length, height and/or the diameter of the respective mixing segment 12.
  • ends 20 of the walls 18 forming at least a part of the respective inlets 13', 13", 13"' and the outlets 14', 14", 14"' comprise edges 21.
  • the edges 21 may have a varying thickness along a length of the edge 21.
  • the thickness may vary by up to 50% along the length of the edge 21. If an edge of varying thickness is provided then the reason for this is that the mixing segment 12 can, on the one hand, be carried out stiffer, and, on the other hand, be adapted to improve the flow and mixing path within a mixing segment 12.
  • the mixing elements 11 of Figs. 2 to 5 and 7 are configured to be placed into a cylindrical shaped housing 7 and to this end an envelope enclosing the mixing segments 12 along the longitudinal axis A of the mixing segments 12 is cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical in shape.
  • the number of mixing segments 12 per mixing element may be selected in the range of 3 to 30, in particular 4 to 20, preferably 8 to 16, mixing segments 12 in dependence on the precise application.
  • Figs. 8a to 8d show views of the inlet regions 13 of the mixing elements of Figs. 2 , 4 , 5 & 6 respectively.
  • the housing 7 surrounding the mixing segments at the inlet regions 13 is also indicated.
  • the views of the outlet regions 14 are the same which is why they have been omitted. Needless to say any comments made with regard to the design and shape of the inlet regions 13 in Figs. 8a to 8d also hold true for the corresponding outlet region 14.
  • Fig. 8a shows a view of the inlet region 13 of the mixing segments 12 described in connection with Fig. 2 .
  • the inner wall of the housing 7 and the ends of the walls 18 of the curved surfaces 18' together form the inlet openings 21 of the first, second and third inlets 13', 13", 13"'.
  • the first and third inlets 13', 13"' like the first and third outlets 14', 14" have a shape in the region of the inlet opening 21 respectively the outlet opening 22 that resembles that of a crescent.
  • the shape of the second inlet 13" like that of the second outlet 14" resembles that of a curvilinear triangle.
  • Fig. 8b shows a view of the inlet region 13 of the mixing segment 12 described in connection with Fig. 4 .
  • the inlet region 13 has a circular cross-section in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • parts of the walls 18 forming part of the respective inlets 13', 13", 13"' are arranged in parallel to one another at the respective inlet opening 21 (and at the respective outlet opening 22 respectively) in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the remaining parts of the walls 18 are arranged as diverging from one another at the respective inlet opening 21 (and at the respective outlet opening 22).
  • Fig. 8c shows a view of the inlet region 13 of the mixing segment 12 described in connection with Fig. 5 .
  • the ends 20 of the walls 18 are formed from straight sections of material that diverge from one side 28 of the mixing segment 12 to another side 29 arranged opposite from the one said side 28.
  • Fig. 8d shows a view of the inlet region 13 of the mixing segment 12 described in connection with Fig. 6 .
  • This is configured to be positioned within a housing 7 of cuboid shape.
  • the inlet region 13 is divided into three inlet openings 21, with a sum of the area of the inlet openings 21 of the second and third inlets 13', 13'" corresponding to the same area as that of the second inlet 13".
  • the three inlets 13', 13", 13' like the three outlets 14', 14", 14'” have a rectangular shape at the respective inlet and outlet opening 21, 22.
  • a drawing such as those shown in connection with Fig. 8a to 8d would show a circle of a cylindrical shaped housing 2 in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and two walls 18 extending in parallel to one another, with the first and the third inlets 13', 13'" having a semicircular shape either side of the elongate second inlet 13".
  • the walls 18 that are formed by the curved surfaces 18' comprise edges 30 that are configured to be arranged directly adjacent to an inner surface 31 (see Figs. 8a to 9b ) of the housing 7 of the static mixer 2.
  • the edges 30 may generally be aligned relative to the inner surface 31 in such a way that none of the multi-component material M, M' can pass between the edges 30 and the inner surface 31.
  • Figs. 9a and 9b show views of the inlet region 13 and of the outlet region 14 of the mixing element of Fig. 7 .
  • the inlet region 13 is divided into two inlet openings 21 respectively having half the overall area of the combined inlet openings 21.
  • the division is made by the wall 18 of the curved surface 18' as indicated in Fig. 9a .
  • the outlet region 14 is divided into three outlet openings 22, with a sum of the area of the outlet openings of the second and third outlets 14', 14'" corresponding to the same area as that of the second outlet opening 14".
  • an area of the inlet opening 21 of the second inlet 13 i.e. the centrally lying inlet, occupies between 40 to 60 % of a complete area of the combined inlet openings 21. It is preferred if the inlet opening 21 of the second inlet 13" occupies at least substantially 50% or 50% of the combined area of the inlet openings 21 of the first, second and third inlets 13', 13", 13'".
  • outlets 14', 14", 14'" are provided and arranged next to one another, then an area of a centrally lying outlet opening 22 of the outlet 14" occupies between 40 to 60 % of a complete area of the combined outlet openings 22. It is preferred if the outlet opening 22 of the second inlet occupies at least substantially 50% or 50% of the combined area of the outlet openings 22 of the first, second and third inlets 13', 13", 13"'.
  • multi-component material M, M' is dispensed from the multi-component cartridge 3, 3'.
  • the multi-component material M, M' is then guided to the static mixer 2.
  • the mixing element 11 of the static mixer 2 either two (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) or three (see e.g. Figs. 2 to 6 ) respective part flows M" of multi-component material M, M' are made available at the first inlet 13' and the second inlet 13" and, if provided, the third inlet 13'" of the first mixing segment 12 of the series of mixing segments 12 forming the mixing element 11 of the static mixer 2.
  • This division and combination of part flows M" takes place within one mixing segment. This causes at least a partial mixing of the part flows M" within said one mixing segment 12. This mixing of the part flows M" takes place in addition to the division and combination of part flows M" that takes place also in prior art mixers at the interface between directly adjacent mixing segments 12.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
EP18188299.4A 2018-08-09 2018-08-09 Segment de mélange, mélangeur statique, ensemble de distribution et procédé de mélange d'un matériau à composants multiples Withdrawn EP3608013A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18188299.4A EP3608013A1 (fr) 2018-08-09 2018-08-09 Segment de mélange, mélangeur statique, ensemble de distribution et procédé de mélange d'un matériau à composants multiples
PCT/EP2019/070302 WO2020030456A1 (fr) 2018-08-09 2019-07-29 Segment de mélange, mélangeur statique, ensemble de distribution et procédé de mélange d'un matériau à composants multiples
DE212019000341.9U DE212019000341U1 (de) 2018-08-09 2019-07-29 Mischsegment, statischer Mischer und Abgabevorrichtung zum Mischen von Mehrkomponentenmaterial

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18188299.4A EP3608013A1 (fr) 2018-08-09 2018-08-09 Segment de mélange, mélangeur statique, ensemble de distribution et procédé de mélange d'un matériau à composants multiples

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EP (1) EP3608013A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE212019000341U1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020030456A1 (fr)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1426099A1 (fr) * 2002-12-06 2004-06-09 Mixpac Systems AG Mélangeur statique

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1426099A1 (fr) * 2002-12-06 2004-06-09 Mixpac Systems AG Mélangeur statique

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DE212019000341U1 (de) 2021-02-18

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