JPS6330229B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a composite storage and transportable cartridge that separately contains at least two different fluid compositions that are cured upon mixing.

A system that cures by mixing a composition or chemical product divided into two parts (2
Currently, many types of part hardening systems are used in various places. For example, adhesives, binders, fillers, structural fillers, coatings, seals, liners, etc. Such systems generally consist of a resinous fluid composition in combination with another fluid composition that acts as a curing agent.
Pigments, plasticizers and other transformation ingredients may be incorporated into one or both of the two main parts of the system. Once the two fluid compositions are homogeneously mixed together, the mixed mass is hardened to form a relatively solid, non-moldable mass.
This mass can range from relatively brittle to very resilient. Curing normally occurs at room temperature, but is accelerated at elevated temperatures. Although many of the two-part systems that cure at ambient or room temperature have a variety of excellent properties, they have traditionally been very difficult for the user to handle. Furthermore, unless special precautions are taken, there is often economic waste due to premature hardening of the material or clumping of the material in the mixing equipment.

Conventionally provided containers or cartridges for two-component systems have several drawbacks. These cartridges require that the ingredients be mixed within the cartridge or at one end of the cartridge, so the entire contents must be used at once or the unused material will be wasted. .
Squeezable tubes have also been used in some cases, but these do not allow accurate metering and therefore do not provide reliable results, especially when the viscosities of the contained compositions are different. All previously known cartridges lack a separate passageway within the protruding neck in which a partially emptied cartridge cannot be stored until further use later.

The present invention provides a composite cartridge that can be stored and transported as a new product. The cartridge separately contains at least two different fluid compositions that are later homogeneously mixed together and cured. The cartridge of the invention has an elongated cylindrical body having a circular neck projecting outwardly from its head end and a lid arrangement actuated by a plunger at its tail end. The main body is structured with an elongated cylindrical hard inner wall and an elongated cylindrical hard outer wall. The inner and outer walls are disposed concentrically and spaced from each other such that their distal ends at the tail end of the main body lie in substantially the same transverse plane. The inner wall defines a central chamber within the main body, and the inner and outer walls define a ring chamber.
One composition is housed in the central chamber and the other composition in the ring chamber. A first passageway passes through the protruding neck and communicates only with the central chamber, and a removable seal is provided at the outer end of the first passageway. A second passageway passes through the protruding neck and communicates exclusively with the ring chamber, and a removable seal is provided at the outer end of the second passageway.
An axially slidable plunger driven disc-like lid is aligned within the inner wall at the cartridge tail end. A toroidal lid driven by an axially slidable plunger is aligned between the inner and outer walls at the tail end of the cartridge. These lids allow simultaneous plunger metering of the different compositions from the cartridge in predetermined ratios, followed by mixing and curing. An inner wall retainer is provided at the cartridge head end to prevent movement of the inner wall relative to the outer wall during plunger extrusion. Provision is provided on the cartridge neck for locking the mixing nozzle onto the cartridge neck.

A preferred embodiment of the cylindrical cartridge according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.
The cartridge contains one fluid composition in a central chamber 10 and another fluid composition in a ring chamber 11 concentric with chamber 10. The cartridge is typically constructed to contain the resinizing composition in the ring chamber and the curing agent in the central chamber, although the storage locations may be reversed. This cartridge construction prevents two different compositions from mixing within the cartridge, but allows them to be metered out of the cartridge simultaneously in a predetermined ratio when mixed and cured. It's getting old.

The elongated cylindrical main body of the cartridge has a rigid elongated cylindrical inner wall 16 and a rigid elongated outer cylindrical wall 21 as its structure. These walls are mounted concentrically and spaced apart from each other. The tail ends 17 and 22, ie the tail end of the cartridge, are set to lie substantially in the same plane. A first passage formed by a circular wall 19 passes through the protruding neck of the cartridge and opens only into the central chamber 10 . The outer end of the first passageway is a removable seal 20. This seal consists of a tip cover or wall in FIG. This tip cover 20 can be easily removed by cutting, thus eliminating the seal. A second passage formed by the cavity between the circular inner wall 19 and the circular outer wall 24 also extends through the neck structure projecting from the cartridge head end.
This second passage communicates only with the ring chamber 11. Second
The outer end of the passageway is closed with a removable seal, shown as tip cover 25 in FIG. This seal 25 is also removed by cutting.
A disc-like lid 12 is aligned within the tail end of the inner wall 16. A toroidal lid 13 is aligned within the tail ends of the inner wall 16 and outer wall 21 . Both lids slide in the axial direction of the cartridge against the plunger as both fluid compositions are forced out of the cartridge.
The diameter of each of the inner and outer walls is uniform over the entire length of the cartridge body. The inner wall 16 is provided with a retainer so that it cannot be moved relative to the outer wall 21 when plunger extrusion takes place. This refrain is Finn 2
6, 27, 28, and 29, and is installed only at the end of the cartridge head. The neck 24 is provided with fastening equipment, such as threads 37, for attaching a mixing nozzle thereto.

In this cartridge embodiment, the end cap 12
13 and possibly the removable seal of the cervical passageway, all wall portions delimiting the internal chamber 10 and the external chamber 11 are preferably provided with threads or other locking features. is integrally molded. Also preferably, all sections or parts of the entire outer wall structure 14 are spaced apart from all corresponding sections or parts of the entire inner wall structure 15, and all those parts are concentric with the center of the cartridge. It is configured so that

For example, one integral internal wall structure includes a main section 16 that is rigid, elongated, hollow cylindrical and open at its tail end 17, and a rigid shoulder section 18 that extends radially inwardly from its head end. , and a cervical passageway section 19 projecting axially outwardly from shoulder 18 . The shoulder 18 may be tapered or flat, but is preferably slightly frustoconical. The neck 19 may also optionally have a small taper. All these parts or sections are completely sealed and continuous. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tip cover 20 is also integrally sealed with the neck 19. This integral inner wall could be fabricated by a single molding of polypropylene or high density polyethylene or other suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the main cylindrical section 16 and the head end section could be molded separately and later welded or otherwise joined together in a sealed configuration.

The integral outer wall 14 similarly includes a rigid elongated cylindrical body part 21 with an open tail end 22, a rigid shoulder part 23 extending radially inward from the head end thereof;
and a circular hard neck portion 24 projecting outward from the shoulder portion 23. This wall structure is continuous like a seal. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer wall cylindrical body 21 is somewhat longer than the inner wall cylindrical main section 16 and is spaced outwardly less than about one third of the inner wall neck section 19. Its tail end 22 is radially aligned with the tail end 17 of the inner wall. The shoulder 23 is preferably flat, optionally frustoconically shaped, and towards the cervical section 19 of the inner wall;
It extends to an extent that it is spaced apart from this neck. The neck 24 of the outer wall structure 14 is preferably of a smaller diameter than the cylindrical main section 16 of the inner wall and is spaced outwardly from the neck section 19 of the inner wall. The neck 24 is substantially cylindrical, but may be somewhat tapered to facilitate removal from the mold and depending on the shape of the mixing nozzle to be attached thereto. The outer end of the neck 24 is provided with a tip cover or removable seal 25. In some cases, the tip covers 20 and 25 could be integrated. As with the inner wall structure 15, the outer wall base structure may be molded from high density polyethylene or polypropylene or nylon or other suitable organic plastic material.

The buttress structure of radially spaced rigid fin members 26, 27, 28, and 29, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, maintains the inner and outer walls apart and also provides thrust pressure on the inner wall when extrusion occurs. This prevents its inner wall 15 from being moved generally towards the shoulder 23 of the outer wall 14. The fin member is substantially aligned toward the center of the cartridge. The fins extend particularly in the direction of the thrust axis between the outer surface of the shoulder section 18 and the inner surface of the shoulder 23. A minimum of three fins is sufficient, and five to six or more fins are unnecessary. The restraint strength of the fins is created by the fins extending approximately one-third or the entire length of the neck section 19 and extending radially to the outer wall neck 24. The fin members may extend from the inner wall shoulder 18 and neck 19 to a portion of the outer wall cylindrical body 21 located radially outwardly from the shoulder and neck. As shown in FIG. 3, the fin member may be integrally molded with the inner wall and may be joined within the outer wall by a friction fit or snap fit, or by ultrasonic welding or other known methods. No bracing elements are provided in the spaces between the inner and outer walls along the length of the main cylindrical section.

The disc-like lid 12 and the donut-like lid 13 act as a seal to prevent leakage of fluid composition from the cartridge chambers 10,11. The lids are configured to be expanded by a plunger. Lid 1
2,13 are made of organic plastic materials such as high density polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or nylon.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the lid. For the sake of convenience, this lid will only be described with respect to the disc-shaped lid 12. The central disc portion 31 of the lid is concave when viewed from the side of the cartridge that faces the contents of the cartridge. A ring or flange or skirt 32 extends rearwardly from this concave surface. An annular wiper or scraper or O-ring 33 is provided on the outer periphery of this skirt and projects outwardly and preferably axially forward. When the disc plunger is pressed against the dorsal or convex side of the central concave portion 31, the degree of concavity of the portion 31 is reduced;
The disk portion 31 thus has a relatively flat shape. This causes the skirt or flange 32 to expand outwardly. As a result, the scraper ring 33 is pressed firmly against the inner surface of the cartridge inner wall 15 and thus scrapes or wipes composition from the inner surface as extrusion occurs.

The donut-shaped lid 13 is also made in the same manner. As seen in FIG. 1, the central or intermediate portion between the inner annular flange or skirt 34 and the outer skirt 35 is recessed so that the surface facing the composition within the ring chamber is annularly concave. In the case of this donut-shaped lid, too, when pressed by a donut or ring plunger, the annular concave surface is expanded and flattened so that the inner and outer annular flanges or skirts 34 and 35 of the donut-shaped lid are pushed into the ring chamber 11 of the cartridge.
Press against the inner and outer surfaces that define the Fourth
Scraper elements such as those shown at 33 are provided on both the inner and outer skirts 34 and 35 and perform a similar function.

Prior to extruding the contents from the cartridge, the seals 20, 25 of the passageway through both necks 19, 24 must be removed by cutting them transversely. One or more annular marks 36 may be provided on the outer circumference of the outer neck 24 to guide the cutting. In the drawing, marks in the form of three annular projections 36 are shown. When using the cartridge, the user first cuts between the first and second projections 36 from the outermost side. Then, when the remainder of the cartridge contents is to be used later, a cut is made between the second and third projections 36.
In addition to protrusions, marks such as annular grooves or printing may also be provided. However, annular projections or ribs are more preferred. This is because when the mixing nozzle is attached to the neck, it becomes an O-ring that seals against the inner surface of the nozzle.

The entire length of the outer surface of the protruding neck 24 or the part between the mark 36 and the shoulder 23 is provided with a fastening device 37 for fixedly mounting a static mixing nozzle (see FIG. 9) on the neck. Usually this will be a thread that threads into the internal thread of the nozzle, but other fastening or locking devices can also be used, such as external clamps. Alternatively, the neck 24 may include an annular groove and the nozzle may include an inwardly directed flange or ring that fits into the annular groove.

A removable outer cover 38 is retained at the tail end of the cartridge in a snap-like or friction seal to keep the inner lid 12 closed during transport and storage of the cartridge.
and protect 13. If the cover 38 were sealed, its removal during use would be accomplished by cutting across the tail end. The material of the outer cover 38 may be metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. Some types of compositions contained within cartridges are very sensitive to moisture.
Therefore, a desiccant agent contained in a porous membrane bag 39 may be placed between the outer cover 38 and the inner lids 12, 13 to reduce or dehumidify the interior of the cartridge. The cartridge may also be equipped with a locking or fastening arrangement 40 for attachment to a specially designed metering plunger device. This fastening device may be a thread, an annular groove, or an annular rib provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 14 of the tail end of the cartridge. This device 40 is of a type that cooperates with a corresponding fastening device provided on the applicator device (plunger device) in order to hold the cartridge during plunger ejection.

Depending on the type of fluid composition contained within the cartridge, the wall structure of the cartridge may be a laminated structure of layers of different materials, as shown in FIG. For example, an inner film 41 of cured elastomeric polyurethane resin, polytetrafluoroethylene, or other resin may be adhered onto a base wall structure 42 of molded high density polyethylene or polypropylene. A metal foil 43 will be placed over the entire outer surface, especially the outer surface of the inner wall structure. A film 44 of polyurethane or other dense hardened material is then adhered thereon. If desired, a metal foil such as aluminum may be embedded within the high density plastic base wall structure. Aluminum or other metal foil could also be bonded to the inner surface of one or both of the wall structures 14, 15, either left exposed or overlaid with a high density plastic material. . Furthermore, it may be suitable for the walls to be of metallic construction.

The laminated structure of the outer wall 14, the inner wall 15, and the plunger-operated lids 12, 13 is designed to completely block out gas vapors or moisture that could alter or destroy the composition in the cartridge. Various combinations may be made depending on the situation. The walls of the cartridge could be constructed of paper alone, or a paper material combined with a penetrating agent and a suitable layer, provided that the content composition could be adequately protected by the paper. Those walls 14, 15 of the cartridge are
It is desirable that the material has a sufficiently high crush strength and is rigid or semi-rigid so that it does not burst or break due to the thrust forces applied during extrusion. Walls that are thin and therefore inflated or expanded like a balloon by the thrust force during extrusion are
It may be advantageous to use an applicator extrusion device with a sleeve or shell to restrict its expansion. High-density plastic walls, on their own or in combination with specially designed applicator equipment, provide sufficient strength and rigidity to ensure accurate metered extrusion without damage during transport. Can be done.

The coating of the wall of the casing can be simply produced by passing it through a solution of the required coating composition, for example an elastomeric polyurethane, followed by curing at room temperature or under heat, depending on the composition. If a metal foil layer is provided within the wall, the embedding of that layer will occur at the same time as the wall is molded.

The lids 12, 13 are capable of various variations. FIG. 5 shows one variant embodiment thereof, which includes a flat, rigid central portion 45 in which the plunger engages. A rim edge 46, preferably having an outwardly annular concave shape, engages in a wiping or scraping manner against the walls of the cartridge. The rim 46 projects from both sides of the central disk 45 in the form of a skirt or flange. It goes without saying that the embodiment of FIG. 5 also applies to a donut-shaped lid.

FIG. 6 shows that the neck protruding from the head end 47 of the cartridge is provided with check valve structures 48 and 49, and when the movement of the plunger for extrusion is stopped, the subsequent flow from the tip of the passage of the neck is provided. Figure 3 shows a structure that blocks the release of a fluid composition. Those check valves 48,
49 is comprised of a plurality of valve petals or flaps in an annular arrangement extending inwardly from an annular "hinge" or from the wall material. The mutually adjacent inner edges of the flaps cooperatively engage each other. The flap is formed of a relatively rigid, but pliable or bendable plastic material common to the material making up the walls of the cervical passageway. Each flap is separated by a cut line or a line of material that is thinned or weakened so that it is easily ruptured by the pressure of the plunger extrusion. The flaps expand or open when subjected to plunger extrusion pressure to allow the composition to exit, and close when the pressure is removed. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the wall structure 5 forming the outlet passage for the central chamber
A check valve 48 at the tip of 0 protrudes to the outermost side. That is, the check valve 49 at the tip of the outlet passage of the ring chamber
It protrudes even further outward. The flaps of the valve 49 are disposed around the central passageway wall 50 and the inner leading edges of the flaps are bonded to the wall 50 by a thin web of breakable material or brought into tight abutment against the wall 50. be made into A threaded cap 51 having an internal configuration to complement the valve structure of the neck is removably screwed onto threads 52 on the neck to protect the valves 48, 49 and hold the valve flap in the closed position. . This type of removable seal for the cervical passage is especially
This may be useful if a partially consumed cartridge is to be stored until it can be used again at a later time.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the neck of the cartridge is axially projected, but only because the neck is laterally displaced or offset from the cartridge centerline. Further, the passages 54 and 55 passing through the neck are arranged side by side adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the fin retainer shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is not required at the head end. The shoulder 56 is reinforced or thickened to act as a restraint to prevent longitudinal movement of the inner wall 57 relative to the outer wall 58. Removable seals for passageways 54, 55 are comprised of removable plug assemblies and caps. Plug 59 connects passage 54 and plug 60
fits snugly into passageway 55 and closes it. Plugs 59 and 60 are connected by plate 61 to form a plug assembly so that they can be easily inserted into and removed from both passages as an integral part. A threaded cap 62 is removably fastened to the neck screw 63 to retain its removable seal of the plug assembly.

A variety of two-part systems with two fluid compositions contained within the cartridge are possible. These two parts will be conveniently referred to herein as the "Part A" composition and the "Part B" composition. As a specific example, an epoxy (e.g., epichlorohydrin/bisphenol type A) is the base component of Part A, and a curing agent or catalyst for curing this epoxy (e.g., modified polyamide, dihydrazide, etc.) is part A. It is considered to be the base component of B. Also, amides, amines, urethanes, and other diisocyanate-reactive materials could be applied as one part and the diisocyanate as the other part. Also, butyl, such as low molecular weight butyl rubber or rubber precures, would be one part and a curing agent, such as P-quinone dioxime, would be the other part. Two-part systems containing polysulfides and silicon are also well known. Foaming two-part systems are also known. The cartridge of the present invention may be applied to a variety of other two-part systems now existing and developed in the future. Fillers, pigments, plasticizers and other additives may be included as necessary. Even highly reactive or moisture-sensitive substances, such as diisocyanates, can be transported or stored for considerable periods of time by means of this cartridge, provided that suitable impermeable walls are provided.

Filling the chamber of the cartridge with a fluid composition without introducing harmful environmental gases or moisture may be accomplished by well-known techniques. Needless to say, filling and capping can also be carried out under vacuum conditions. However, such a method is expensive. Therefore, in many cases, filling is carried out in an environment with as low humidity as possible, even if moisture contamination is quite harmful, and a plastic (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene) blowpipe that runs along the walls of the cartridge chamber is inserted into the chamber. In this way, the lid is attached to the cartridge. Gas entrained within the cartridge chamber filled with the composition is forced out of the cartridge through the blowpipe by the pressure applied to the filled composition upon attachment of the lid. The blowpipe is then pulled out.

FIG. 9 shows one preferred embodiment of the mixing nozzle. The nozzle comprises a cylindrical joint part 65 of a particular design for the neck, which has an internal fastening arrangement (e.g. internal thread) 64 cooperating with the fastening or locking arrangement (e.g. thread) 37 of the neck of the cartridge. . After eliminating the neck seal, or at least removing the protective end cap and allowing complete opening by simply breaking the thin web seal, the nozzle fitting portion 65 is attached to the cartridge neck and locked. be done. The nozzle is tapered at 66 between the joint 65 and the static mixing chamber 69. Inside the chamber 69, a series of static mixing elements 67, such as curved triangular parts, are provided. A screen 68 is provided just before the fluid composition is extruded onto the workpiece or use surface to provide final static mixing.

Controlled metered extrusion of the two separated fluid compositions from the head end of the cylindrical composite cartridge in order to homogeneously mix them within the mixing nozzle accomplishes this extrusion. This is done by an extrusion device that holds the cartridge in position relative to two concentric plungers and guides their movement.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to the present invention, with the intermediate portion omitted; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and FIG. This is a perspective view showing the fin retainer integrally molded with the inner wall and the laminated structure of the wall, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the lid operated by the plunger of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a variation of the cartridge head end; FIG. 7 is a sectional view of yet another variation of the short cartridge head; and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a variation of the cartridge head end.
9 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the static mixing nozzle, 10...Cartridge central chamber, 11...Ring chamber, 12, 13...Lid, 14...Outer wall, 15...
Inner wall, 20, 25... Removable seal, 24...
Neck, 26-29... Retainer fin, 36... Cutting mark, 37... Thread strip, 38... Rear cover,
39... Desiccant bag, 40... Fastening equipment, 47
...Cartridge head end, 48, 49...Check valve,
51... Cap, 52... Screw thread, 53... Cartridge neck, 54, 55... Passage, 57... Inner wall, 58... Outer wall, 59, 60... Plug, 62
... Cap, 63 ... Thread, 65 ... Mixing nozzle joint part, 67 ... Mixing element, 68 ... Screen, 69 ... Mixing chamber.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A composite storage and transportable cartridge containing in separation at least two different fluid compositions which are later homogeneously mixed together and cured, comprising an elongated cylindrical body and comprising: The main body has a circular neck projecting outwardly from the head end thereof and a lid device operated by a plunger provided at the tail end thereof, and the main body has an elongated cylindrical hard inner wall and an elongated cylindrical hard inner wall. Structured with a hard outer wall,
The inner wall and the outer wall are located concentrically and spaced apart from each other, the ends of which at the aft end of the body are in substantially the same transverse plane, and the inner wall defines a central chamber within the body. and the inner and outer walls define a ring chamber, one of the compositions is contained within the central chamber and the other composition is contained within the ring chamber, a first passageway passing through the protruding neck, and a first passageway passing through the protruding neck; a removable seal is provided at the outer end of the first passageway, a second passageway passing through the protruding neck and communicating only with the ring chamber, and a removable seal is provided at the outer end of the first passageway; a donut fitted within the inner wall at the tail end of the cartridge and moved by an axially slidable plunger; A shaped lid is fitted between the inner wall and the wall at the tail end of the cartridge, and both lids simultaneously meter and extrude the different compositions from the cartridge in a predetermined ratio with a plunger, followed by mixing and curing. The head end of the cartridge is provided with a guard for the inner wall to prevent movement of the inner wall relative to the outer wall when plunger extrusion is performed and to lock the mixing nozzle on the neck. A fastening device is provided in the neck for causing a peripheral annular flange to exert a wiping action against the inner wall when the disc-like lid is moved by the plunger and towards the opposite side of the central chamber. The donut-shaped lid has a recessed concave structure,
and an annular concave structure recessed in a direction opposite to the ring chamber. A cartridge characterized by: 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second passage is provided concentrically around the first passage. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device on the neck is formed of a thread. 4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the removable seals of the first and second passages have a check valve structure. 5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least one of the removable seals comprises a plug removably fitted within the end of the associated passageway. 6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the removable seals of the first and second passages are comprised of caps that are removably screwed over the ends of the neck. 7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the removable seal of at least one of the first and second passageways comprises a tip cover integral with the end of the passageway. 8. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the structure of the inner wall and outer wall is made of an organic plastic material. 9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first passageway joins an inwardly directed annular shoulder at the head end of the inner wall, and the second passageway joins an inwardly directed annular shoulder at the head end of the outer wall. a radially spaced substantially axle between the inner wall shoulder and the outer wall shoulder, the inner wall retainer coupled to the facing annular shoulder and preventing movement of the inner wall relative to the outer wall; A cartridge consisting of a rigid fin member that is aligned in the direction. 10. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall retainer is constituted by a shoulder at the head end of the cartridge.