JPH0322208B2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing of at least two different fluid compositions, said apparatus comprising: a cartridge (37) having therein plural separate chambers (4, 6) for containing separate fluid compositions to be dispensed; a neck portion (8) provided at a discharging first end of said cartridge; plural separate passageways (10, 12) extending through said neck portion, each said passageway opening into a separate respective said chamber, the arrangement being such that the simultaneous application of pressure to the fluid compositions in each said separate chamber causes, in cooperation with a back pressure from the restriction of said passageways, compression of the fluid compositions, and thus causes the fluid compositions to be extruded in a predetermined ratio through the respective said passageways; and means for controlling the flow of the fluid compositions through the respective said passageways, for preventing run-on of the fluid compositions through said respective passageways due to decompression of the fluid compositions upon removal of the pressure, and thereby for preventing dispensing of the fluid compositions through said respective passageways in a ratio other than said predetermined ratio, said controlling means comprising a valve member (18) having therethrough plural passage portions (22, 24) said valve member being mounted within said neck portion for movement with respective thereto between an open first position, whereat said passage portions are aligned with respective said passageways, thereby permitting extrusion of the fluid compositions through said passageways in said predetermined ratio, and a closed second position, whereat said flow portions are out of alignment with said respective passageways and said passageways are blocked by said valve member, thereby preventing any passage of the fluid compositions through said passageways.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for blending or blending and mixing a plurality of different types of fluid components, and in particular a device for blending or blending two fluid components that solidify when mixed together and have different degrees of compression. Relating to a device for mixing with.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus that can be used to store, transport, dispense and mix, and extract at least two of the above fluid components.

Unlike hydrodynamic liquids, most single-component or multi-component adhesives, sealants, and mastics contain some amount of entrained air, which is mixed into the components during formation or mixing. It is something. The degree of entrained air is permissible and regulated for technical or commercial reasons. Additionally, some of the fillers used in such components are themselves compressible. for example,
Such compressible fillers include fine glass spheres or air spheres. Furthermore, air bubbles are trapped in the cartridge containing the ingredients when the cartridge is filled with the ingredients, and such trapped air bubbles are compressed and expanded during the extraction process. The cartridge can expand and contract depending on the gap between the supported walls or the movement of the end supporting wall.

From the above results, while the back pressure from the nozzle is taken into account and pressure is applied to the component, compression of the component occurs to some extent and the component is extracted from the cartridge. When the extraction pressure motive force is removed, it is often observed that the component continues to flow out of the nozzle for a period of time while the component expands. This continued outflow is
It can be used as part of the material extracted for a specific task, or it can be disposed of.

In general, such continuous spillage does not severely affect the functionality of cartridges that extract single-component materials, and the nature of continuous spillage is a negligible disadvantage compared to the usefulness of such equipment. and is acceptable.

On the other hand, with multi-component or multi-component materials, the continued spillage problem is magnified and complicated and adversely affects the chemistry of the other component materials.

For example, when simply dispensing, or dispensing and mixing, multiple liquid components, such as reactive adhesive systems, from cartridges such as coaxial cartridges, the above problems are more likely to occur; Materials will continue to flow out more or less than other components or materials. This fact is due to the factors mentioned above, and also due to the fact that the blending ratio between the components increases the possibility of unbalanced compression and expansion. Unlike the continuous flow of a single component, the result of different continuous flow between the materials of a multi-component material is that the blending ratio of the multiple components will become incorrect at some point. This results in small fractions being extracted from mixing devices, such as cartridges and series static mixers, which are not in the correct ratio. Numerous experimental results on multiple cartridge extraction of various binary reaction systems have shown that very few reaction systems fall within the acceptable limits of a given binary mixing ratio at the beginning and end of the flow;
It is determined that most of them produce a small fraction of the extraction ratio that is inappropriate either visually or in terms of their performance. The overall benefit of the device is reduced by the need for some special skill or testing procedure to control the quality at the beginning and end of the mixed component flow from multiple components. In some cases, this can lead to situations that are completely unacceptable. That is, as the user extracts the long bead of adhesive, the user discards the initial volume of extraction until a visible color change occurs indicating the proper predetermined mix ratio. However, if small quantities are used, such as when the user repeatedly starts and stops to obtain a small portion of the mixed components, the production efficiency will be significantly reduced due to incorrect ratio mixing. . Additionally, many reactant systems do not visually change color between incorrect and correct ratios. This further increases the uncertainty in determining that the mixing ratio is correct.

The above problems can be solved to some extent by increasing the size of the mixer and nozzle to reduce outlet back pressure. However, large mixers and nozzles are usually not preferred in this type of reaction system.

This problem will be specifically explained below. That is, during pressurized extraction in a two-component cartridge system, the less compressible material begins to flow before the other material, while the other material compresses.
As the compression of the other material, ie, the more compressible material, increases, the flow of this other material increases until the two-component material flows through the mixer at the desired predetermined blend ratio. Therefore, after an initial incorrect ratio mix with a high proportion of low compressibility material, the mix components become correct.
Low compressibility material, while removing extraction pressure
That is, materials with high hydrodynamic properties stop flowing immediately, whereas materials with high compressibility, ie, materials with low hydrodynamic properties, continue to flow. In this state, the highly compressible and low hydrodynamic components account for the majority of the mixed components, and their occupancy is based on the compressibility that should have flowed with the low compressibility materials during the initial start-up to achieve the desired predetermined mix ratio. corresponds to a high amount of material. The final outflow at this stop will be an incorrect ratio. If the equipment were to be shut down for a period of time to complete the expansion process, the mixer would tend to contain an inappropriately high proportion of highly compressible and poorly hydrodynamic components. Therefore, if pressure were to be applied again and extraction was started, a mixture with a high proportion of the more compressible material would be extracted first, followed by a mixture with a higher proportion of the less compressible components. Become. The above chain of events repeats between each cycle of starting, stopping, and restarting extraction. However, during continuous use, the amount left in the cartridge chamber decreases, resulting in a decrease in the degree of compression and expansion. At an economical cartridge size, the capacity will always be large enough to cause the misratio mixing described above.

Of course, in a device for extracting at least two fluid components, the device operates in such a way that the flow can be stopped and started without continuous flow and that even small portions, shots, or beats can be accurately extracted. This is desirable.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for blending and extracting, or blending, mixing and extracting at least two fluid components with different degrees of compression. Such devices include a cartridge having a plurality of independent chambers for containing separate fluid components. A neck is provided adjacent the first discharge end of the cartridge. A plurality of independent passageways extend through the neck, each opening into a separate chamber. Simultaneously applying pressure to the fluid components in separate chambers from the second end of the cartridge to its first end causes the fluid components to compress to different degrees in concert with the resistance provided by the passageways, causing the fluid components to compress to different degrees through each passageway. Fluid components are extracted at a predetermined mixing ratio. Arrangements are provided to control the flow of the fluid component through each passage to prevent continued flow of the fluid component through each passage due to expansion of the fluid component upon removal of pressure, thereby preventing the flow of the fluid component from occurring outside of the predetermined blending ratio. This formulation ratio prevents fluid components from being extracted through each passage. This configuration includes a valve member having a plurality of flow path portions extending therethrough. The valve member is mounted within the neck and has a first open position in which the flow passage portions are aligned with the respective passages and extracts fluid components through the passages at a predetermined blending ratio; a second valve member blocking the passageway to prevent fluid components from flowing through the passageway;
The valve member is movable between a closed position and a closed position.

With the above configuration, continuous outflow of fluid components can be prevented. By moving the valve member to its closed position, the passageway is closed, preventing continued escape of any fluid components. It is clear that closing the passageway in this way also controls the flow of the fluid components through the passageway, and furthermore, the closure of the passageway prevents and prevents the continued non-uniform outflow of the fluid components. This makes it possible to prevent the above-mentioned extraction components from being produced at inappropriate ratios.

Each chamber has a unique volume so that each fluid component is extracted at a desired predetermined mixing ratio.

The neck preferably extends forwardly from the first end of the cartridge.

The device may also have a mixing and extracting device connected to the neck for receiving the fluid components to be extracted through each passage, mixing the fluid components into a mixture component, and extracting the mixture components. can. In an advantageous development of the invention, the mixing and extraction device may include a nozzle structure removably engaged to the surface of the neck. The nozzle structure consists of a nozzle member that fixes a mixing element that can mix only the extraction pressure of fluid components and is placed at the discharge end of the neck, and a nozzle member that fits into a part of the nozzle member and is screwed into the surface of the neck. , and a flange-like coupling thereby holding the nozzle in place on the neck. Preferably, the valve member is mounted on the neck for rotation between an open position and a closed position. In a preferred arrangement, the neck has an enlarged block section with openings that transversely interrupt and intersect the plurality of passageways. The valve member has a stem portion pivotally fitted within the opening. The channel section consists of two parallel holes passing through the stem section in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the stem section. This stem portion may be cylindrical. The valve member further includes:
It may have an irregularly shaped head which is integral with the first end of the stem portion at a position outside the block and which allows engagement of a tool for rotating the valve member. A device may be provided on the head for providing a visual indication of the orientation of the bore and whether the valve member is in the open or closed position. The second end of the stem portion may be provided with a groove at a position external to the blocking portion, into which a locking device may fit to maintain the valve member within the blocking portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of independent chambers of the cartridge include a first cylindrical chamber and a second annular chamber coaxially surrounding the first chamber.
The first and second chambers respectively contain first and second components that solidify upon mixing.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Specific preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As a specific example, an apparatus for preparing, mixing, and extracting two fluid components that solidify when mixed will be described. As mentioned above, these two components have different degrees of compression. These two components include known adhesives,
It may be a sealant or mastic type ingredient,
Similarly, other materials that solidify upon mixing as would be obvious to those skilled in the art may be used. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to two-component systems, but can also be used with systems capable of formulating, mixing, and extracting two or more components. Further, the present invention is intended to be directed to an apparatus for blending and extracting multiple fluid components, as well as an apparatus for blending, mixing, and extracting multiple fluid components.

The device of the invention comprises a cartridge, generally indicated by the reference numeral 2, in which a first chamber 4, for example cylindrical in shape, and a second chamber 6, for example annular, surrounding it, are provided. . These two chambers are completely independent of each other and contain fluid components of different degrees of compression that solidify when mixed together. A neck 8 extends forward from the discharge end of the cartridge 2. Through the neck 8 are first and second passages 10, 12 opening into the chambers 4, 6, respectively. The second ends of the chambers 4 and 6 each have a closing member 1
4 and 16 are hermetically sealed.

applying pressure to the closure members 14, 16 simultaneously;
That is, applying pressure to the fluid components in chambers 4, 6 forces the fluid components toward the discharge end of the cartridge. The two fluid components tend to compress due to the back pressure created by the resistance in the passages 10, 12 and also by the mixing device attached to the neck 8, which will be explained in more detail below. Such compression occurs for the reasons mentioned above, but the two components have different degrees of compression. With passages 10, 12 open, the less compressed fluid component begins to flow through that passage first. Initially, the more compressible fluid components attempt to compress, and their outflow through the corresponding passages is delayed until their compression is complete. After this initial improper ratio condition, continued application of extraction pressure will extract the two fluid components through each passage 10, 12 at a desired predetermined mixing ratio. However, upon removal of the extraction pressure, the two fluid components tend to expand. There is thus a tendency for the above-mentioned continuous outflow to occur. Furthermore, because the degrees of compression of the two fluid components are different, the degree of this continued flow will also be different. This results in the above-mentioned incorrect ratio portion.

According to the invention, an arrangement is provided for controlling the flow of the two fluid components through the passages 10, 12, each passage 1 due to the expansion of the fluid components upon removal of the extraction pressure.
Preventing the extraction of two fluid components passing through 0,12. More specifically, such an arrangement according to the present invention includes a valve member generally designated by the reference numeral 18. Valve member 18 has a preferably cylindrical stem portion pivotably mounted within neck 8 . The stem portion 20 has holes 22 and 24.
The first and second flow path portions have a shape of .
The valve member 18 is pivotable so that the stem portion 20 is pivotable in a sealed manner within an opening 26 passing through the enlarged block portion 28 of the neck 8. More specifically, the flow path portion 22,
24 are aligned with corresponding passageways 10, 12 to allow fluid components to be extracted through the passageways at a desired predetermined formulation ratio.
The open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the flow path section 2
2, 24 and the corresponding passages 10, 12 are not aligned and the passages 10, 12 are blocked by the valve member, thereby completely preventing the flow of fluid components through the passages. The valve member 18 is rotatable relative to the block portion 28 between.

The valve member has a head 30 at its first end. The head 30 is integral with the stem portion 20 at a position external to the block portion 28 and has an angular shape, such as a hexagonal shape, to permit engagement thereof with a tool for rotating the valve member. An alignment device, such as a linear indicator 32, may be provided on the head 30 to indicate the orientation of the holes 22, 24 and provide a visual indication of whether the valve member is now in an open or closed position. The second end of the stem portion 20 may be provided with a groove at a position external to the block portion 28, and a suitable element such as a lock ring 34 may be fitted into the groove to secure the valve member within the block portion 28. 18 may be retained.

It will be appreciated that rotating the valve member 18 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2 will cease the flow of fluid components through the passageways 10, 12. This prevents the above-mentioned continued outflow, unequal continued outflow of the two components, and the consequent fraction of the incorrect ratio from occurring.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a mixing and brewing device connected to the neck 8, indicated generally by the reference numeral 36 in FIG. 12, the fluid components are mixed to form a mixed component having a desired predetermined mixing ratio, and this mixed component is then extracted. Such an arrangement has a nozzle removably connected to the surface of the neck 8. Specifically, a nozzle member 38 is arranged at the discharge end of the neck 8, and this nozzle member 38 includes a mixing element 4 that can perform mixing only by the extraction pressure of the fluid components.
0 is fixed inside it. The flange-like coupling ring 42 is fitted into a portion of the nozzle member 38 and is further threadedly engaged with the surface of the neck portion 8 . This holds the nozzle member 38 in place relative to the neck. The mixing extraction device 36 is intended to be a series static mixing device.
Given the configuration shown in FIG.
It is clear that the two fluid components do not come into contact until the fluid components are discharged into the interior of the fluid component. Afterwards,
The two fluid components do not mix and solidify at a point that would lock the device 36 on the neck 8, which device 36 can be immediately removed when desired. The two fluid components never mix in the cartridge 2, neck 8 and valve member 18 regions.

The present invention has been described and illustrated in the form of its preferred embodiments above, but with respect to the specifically detailed and illustrated configuration,
It will be obvious that various structural modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it should be understood that the cartridge configuration, neck configuration, closure member configuration as well as the mixing extraction nozzle configuration
It is also possible to use one such as that disclosed in US Patent Application No. 31,789 (April 20, 1979). It is further contemplated that the apparatus of the present invention may be used with suitable configurations for applying extraction pressure to multiple fluid components. Such an extraction pressure application device is
For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 31789 (filed on April 1979)
May 20th). US Patent Application No. 31,789 (April 20, 179) is a prior art document to this application.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the valve member according to the present invention has been rotated 90 degrees with respect to the position shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an end view of the device as seen from the left side of FIG. 1 without the mixing nozzle shown. 2... Cartridge, 4... First chamber, 6... Second chamber, 8... Neck, 10... First passage, 12...
Second passage, 14, 16... Closing member, 18... Valve member, 20... Stem portion, 22... First flow path portion, 24... Second flow path portion, 26... Opening, 28
. . . block portion, 30 . . . head, 32 . . . indicator, 34 . . . rotary ring, 36 .

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A cartridge having a plurality of independent chambers for accommodating different fluid components to be blended and extracted, a neck portion formed at a first discharge end of the cartridge, and a neck portion extending through the neck portion and each having a plurality of independent chambers. an apparatus for dispensing and extracting at least two dissimilar fluids having different degrees of compression from a second end of the cartridge to the first end, the apparatus having a plurality of independent passageways opening into each of the chambers, the apparatus comprising: Simultaneously applying pressure to the fluid components in the separate chambers together with the back pressure from the restriction of the passage compresses the fluid components to different degrees, and
The fluid components are extracted through the passages at a predetermined mixing ratio, the flow of the fluid components through each passage is controlled, and the fluid components are continued to flow from each passage by expansion of the fluid components when pressure is removed. means for preventing extraction of fluid components through each passage at a formulation ratio other than the formulation ratio by preventing outflow, the control and prevention means comprising a valve member having a plurality of flow passage sections; the valve member comprises a first open position in which the flow path portions are aligned with the respective passages to allow the fluid components to be extracted through the passages at the predetermined blending ratio; a second valve member that is not aligned and the passageway is blocked by the valve member, thereby preventing flow of fluid components through the passageway;
1. A mixing and extracting device for a plurality of different fluid components, characterized in that the device is mounted within the neck so as to be movable relative to the neck between a closed position and a closed position. 2. The device for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 1, wherein each of the chambers has a volume for performing extraction at the predetermined blending ratio. 3. The device for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 1, wherein the neck extends forward from the first end of the cartridge. 4. A mixing and extracting means connected to the neck for receiving a plurality of fluid components extracted through each of the passages, mixing the plurality of fluid components to form a mixed component, and extracting the mixed component. An apparatus for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 1. 5. The mixing and extracting device for a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 4, wherein the mixing and extracting means comprises a nozzle structure detachably connected to the outer surface of the neck. 6. The nozzle structure is fitted into a nozzle member having a mixing element fixed therein, which is disposed at the discharge end of the neck and can achieve the mixing only by extraction pressure of fluid components, and a part of the nozzle member. a flange-like coupling that is threadedly engaged with an outer surface of the neck to hold the nozzle member in position relative to the neck; Ingredient mixing and extraction equipment. 7. The device for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is attached to the neck so as to be rotatable between the open and closed positions. 8 wherein the neck has an enlarged block portion through which an opening transversely interrupts the plurality of passageways, and the valve member includes a stem portion pivotally fitted within the opening; 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the sections consist of parallel holes extending through the stem section in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the stem section. 9. The device for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 8, wherein the stem portion has a cylindrical shape. 10 the valve member includes a head integral with the first end of the stem portion outside the block portion and shaped to engage a tool for rotating the valve member; 9. A mixing and extracting device for a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 8. 11. The valve member has means for visually indicating whether the valve member is in the open position or the closed position by being provided on the head and indicating the direction of the hole. An apparatus for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 10. 12. The second end of the stem portion has a groove at a location outward of the block portion, and a locking device is provided for fitting within the groove to retain the valve member within the block portion. An apparatus for blending and extracting a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 10. 13. The plurality of dissimilar fluid components according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent chambers comprises a first cylindrical chamber and a second annular chamber coaxially surrounding the first chamber. Preparation extraction equipment. 14. The blending and extraction of a plurality of different fluid components according to claim 13, wherein the first and second chambers respectively accommodate first and second fluid components that solidify when mixed together. Device.