EP2868392A1 - Sleeve, discharge device comprising the sleeve and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sleeve (1) for a discharge device (2). The discharge device (2) is suitable for receiving a collapsible cartridge (3) containing a dischargeable medium. The cartridge (3) and the sleeve (1) can be arranged relative to each other such that during discharge of the medium, the sleeve (1) can support a cartridge wall (9) of the cartridge (3) in at least one section. A length (L) of the sleeve (1) is substantially parallel to a discharge (A) changeable.

Description

The invention relates to a sleeve, a discharge device and a method for discharging a medium from a cartridge according to the preamble of the independent claims.

In the industrial sector, in construction, for example in the construction of buildings, and also in the dental field cartridges are often used to store flowable substances and discharge as needed for each application. Examples of such substances are joint sealants, compounds for chemical dowels or chemical anchors, adhesives, pastes or molding compounds in the dental field. Usually, these cartridges are made of plastic and are produced in an injection molding process.

A distinction is made between a one-component system in which the material to be discharged consists of only one component, and two-component or multi-component systems in which at least two different components are stored in separate chambers of the same cartridge or in separate cartridges, the components being discharged be intimately mixed by means of a dynamic or a static mixing device. An example of this is two-component adhesive, which harden only after the mixing of the two components.

From the WO 2011/131483 A1 a stanchion cartridge is known having at least one longitudinally extending receiving chamber for a medium to be discharged, with a cartridge bottom and with a cartridge wall defining the receiving chamber, wherein the cartridge is made by a thermoforming process or a blow molding process and is controllably designed collapsible.

However, this known prior art may lead to the collapse of the cartridge for discharging the medium by the pressure exerted the cartridge can break, burst, bulge or inflate, whereby an increased residual volume can remain in the cartridge and also a cleaning of the Support cartridge of deposits may be necessary.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known, in particular thus a sleeve, a discharge device and a method for discharging a medium to provide the cartridge, with which a breaking, bursting or puffing of the cartridge during the discharge largely avoidable is.

These objects are achieved by the sleeve, the discharge device and the corresponding method according to the independent claims.

The dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention relates to a sleeve for a discharge device. The discharge device is suitable for receiving a collapsible cartridge containing a dischargeable medium. The cartridge and the sleeve can be arranged relative to each other such that during dispensing of the medium, the sleeve can support a cartridge wall of the cartridge in at least one section. A length of the sleeve is substantially parallel to a direction of discharge changeable.

This has the advantage that during the discharge of the medium, the sleeve can support or stabilize the cartridge wall substantially laterally to the discharge, so that a breaking or bursting of the cartridge can be prevented during discharge for a reliable discharge of the medium. Due to the variability of the length of the sleeve can be ensured that when collapsing the cartridge for discharging the medium, the sleeve does not affect the discharge or possibly only slightly. Thus, a discharge of the medium from the cartridge can be made more reliable, and also optionally a subsequent cleaning effort can be minimized, which makes the handling more efficient and cheaper. Furthermore, by largely preventing the inflation of the cartridge during discharge, reproducibility of the discharged amount of medium can be improved; This makes it possible to achieve a more reliable and reproducible mixing result; In particular, this is advantageous when using frustoconical cartridges in cylindrical support cartridges.

The collapsible cartridge may have a receiving volume for the medium in the range from 10 ml to 1000 ml, preferably from 25 ml to 600 ml and more preferably from 50 ml to 300 ml.

Preferably, the sleeve is configured such that by means of the sleeve by a discharge of the medium to the sleeve substantially perpendicular to the discharge pressure exerted in the range of 1 bar to 30 bar, preferably from 5 bar to 25 bar and more preferably from 10 bar to 20 bar is receivable.

Preferably, the length of the sleeve is reversibly changeable. This has the advantage that the sleeve is reusable and optionally adjustable to different cartridge lengths.

Preferably, a protective cover is arranged on the cartridge side facing the sleeve. The protective cover is designed in particular as a protective film. When used as intended, the protective cover is arranged at least in a portion between the sleeve and the cartridge.

Preferably, the protective cover is arranged wegnehmbar.

The arrangement of the protective cover in at least one section between the sleeve and the cartridge has the advantage that the sleeve can be protected against deposits of medium to be discharged, so that it can be used repeatedly reliably. In particular, the use of a removable protective cover has the advantage that the protective cover is optionally replaceable if necessary; As a result, a life of the sleeve can be improved.

Of course, it is also conceivable to connect the protective cover firmly with the sleeve. This has the advantage that operating errors are avoidable and the protective cover is easily adaptable to the corresponding sleeve.

Preferably, the sleeve comprises at least two sleeve segments, which are arranged movable relative to each other for changing the length.

The sleeve segments are preferably arranged so as to be displaceable relative to one another in a direction substantially parallel to the discharge direction. In particular, the sleeve segments are telescopically; such an arrangement is also referred to as a box sleeve.

The configuration of the sleeve with at least two sleeve segments, which are mutually movable or displaceable, has the advantage that the sleeve is simple and inexpensive to produce and good at various requirements with respect to the cartridge used or the Discharge device is adjustable, for example by selecting the size and / or number of sleeve segments.

The at least two sleeve segments are preferably coupled to one another in such a way that the sleeve segments are displaceable relative to one another by at most the smaller of the segment lengths of the at least two sleeve segments relative to a movement substantially opposite to the discharge direction, in particular starting from the shortest possible length of the sleeve when used as intended sleeve.

This has the advantage that the sleeve segments are not movable so far relative to each other that no support can be guaranteed by the sleeve. For example, the coupling can take place by hooking the sleeve segments together with respect to a movement substantially opposite to the discharge direction; Preferably, the sleeve segments have such arranged hooks, so that adjacent sleeve segments are coupled to one another and displaceable relative to each other, in particular the hooks are formed as the discharge substantially vertically arranged projections, wherein the hooks are preferably formed integrally with the sleeve segment; Alternatively, of course, additional coupling elements such as rails, racks or coupling gear can be provided.

Preferably, a segment transition region from a sleeve segment to an adjacent sleeve segment on the cartridge side facing such a rounding and / or chamfer, so that damage to the cartridge wall during discharge is substantially avoidable.

This has the advantage, in particular when using thin-walled cartridges, optionally with a thermoforming method or a blow-molding method, that the cartridge wall in the Segment transition region is exposed to very high loads, in particular due to the movement of the sleeve segment.

In the context of the application, a rounding and / or chamfering of the segment transition region is understood to mean that edges may be formed by surface sections of the segment transition region which may be in contact with the cartridge when used as intended, the surface sections enclosing an obtuse or obtuse angle; The angle is determined between the surface sections on the cartridge side facing. Particularly preferably, the regions of the segment transition region, which may be in contact with the cartridge when used as intended, are designed to be substantially continuous and differentiable. In the context of the application, a substantially continuous and differentiable range is understood to mean that the region has no kinks or jumps at which a mathematically right-sided derivative is unequal to a left-sided derivative around the kink point; in this sense, for example, the magnitude function f (x) = | x | not differentiable at the point x = 0.

Preferably, a protective device is arranged in at least one segment transition region and preferably all segment transition regions on the side facing the cartridge. In particular, the protective device is designed as a ring which is preferably yielding or elastic.

This has the advantage that the probability of damage to the cartridge during discharge in the segment transition areas can be significantly reduced.

Preferably, a sleeve segment is made of a plastic. In particular, the sleeve is made of a plastic. For example, glass fiber reinforced or carbon fiber reinforced plastics or any mixtures thereof can be used.

This has the advantage that the sleeve is inexpensive to produce and may optionally be designed as a disposable part.

Preferably, a sleeve segment is made of a metal. In particular, the sleeve is made of a metal. For example, aluminum, steel or metal alloys can be used.

This has the advantage of increased longevity of the sleeve segments or possibly the sleeve, which among other things reduces waste.

Preferably, the sleeve is designed in the discharge as widening. In particular, the sleeve widens conically and is preferably designed as a truncated cone. This has the advantage of a more controllable collapsibility of the cartridge.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a discharge device comprising a support cartridge for receiving the cartridge. The discharge device further comprises a sleeve as described above.

Preferably, the sleeve is releasably attachable to and / or in the support cartridge. This has the advantage that the sleeve is exchangeable depending on the cartridge used. In addition, it is possible to replace an optionally damaged sleeve, without having to replace the discharge.

Preferably, the sleeve can be coupled to a discharge ram and / or decoupled to the particular reversible change in the length of the sleeve. This has the advantage that the sleeve for an operator can be easily brought into an initial position for inserting a new cartridge in the discharge.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for discharging a medium from a collapsible cartridge by means of a Discharge. The discharge device is in particular designed as described above. The method comprises the step of providing the discharge device comprising a support cartridge for receiving the cartridge. In addition, the discharge device comprises a discharge ram. A sleeve is in particular releasably attached to and / or in the support cartridge, wherein the cartridge and the sleeve are arranged to each other such that during discharge of the medium, the sleeve supports a cartridge wall of the cartridge in at least one section. A length of the sleeve is substantially parallel to a direction of discharge changeable.

Subsequently, the step of discharging the medium from the collapsible cartridge by means of the discharge by moving the Austragsstössels along the discharge takes place to an outlet side. During the movement of the discharge ram, the length of the sleeve is reduced, the cartridge wall of the cartridge being supported by the sleeve at least in one section.

Fig. 1

Schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Austragseinrichtung;

Fig. 2

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Kartusche zur Verwendung in der Austragseinrichtung gemäss Figur 1;

Fig. 3

Schematische Darstellung einer alternativen erfindungsgemässen Austragseinrichtung;

Fig. 4a-c

Schematische Darstellung von Hülsensegmenten in verschiedenen Stellungen zueineinander

Fig. 5

Perspektivische Darstellung der Austragseinrichtung gemäss Figur 1 in einer ersten Stellung;

Fig. 6

Perspektivische Darstellung der Austragseinrichtung gemäss Figur 1 in einer zweiten Stellung;

Fig. 7a-b

Schematische Darstellung von alternativen erfindungsgemässen Hülsensegmenten mit Rundungen und Fasen

Fig. 8

Perspektivische Darstellung von zwei Kartuschen für eine Austragseinrichtung;

Fig. 9

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Austragseinrichtung für die zwei Kartuschen gemäss Figur 8.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments for better understanding, without the invention being limited to the embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of an inventive discharge;

Fig. 2

Perspective view of a cartridge for use in the discharge according to FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 3

Schematic representation of an alternative discharge device according to the invention;

Fig. 4a-c

Schematic representation of sleeve segments in different positions to each other

Fig. 5

Perspective view of the discharge according to FIG. 1 in a first position;

Fig. 6

Perspective view of the discharge according to FIG. 1 in a second position;

Fig. 7a-b

Schematic representation of alternative inventive sleeve segments with curves and bevels

Fig. 8

Perspective view of two cartridges for a discharge device;

Fig. 9

Perspective view of a discharge device for the two cartridges according to FIG. 8 ,

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive discharge 2.

The discharge device 2 according to FIG. 1 is in an initial position before the discharge of a medium from a collapsible cartridge 3, which is arranged in the discharge device 2. The discharge device 2 comprises a support cartridge 10 for receiving the cartridge 3, which in the discharge direction A is designed to be conically widening and in the present case forms a truncated cone.

A discharge tappet 7 is partially arranged in the support cartridge 10, wherein the discharge tappet 7 can act on the cartridge 3 by means of an end face by moving the discharge tappet 7 along the discharge direction A.

In the support cartridge 10, a sleeve 1 is arranged, which surrounds the cartridge to the cartridge wall 9 at least during the discharge support, so that the cartridge 3 does not burst due to the pressure exerted on the cartridge 3 to discharge.

The sleeve 1 comprises a plurality of sleeve segments 5 which are displaceable relative to one another with respect to the discharge direction A and have a length L. The sleeve segments 5 are formed so collapsible that the collapsible cartridge 3 can be compressed to discharge the medium.

The sleeve segments 5 have a segment length S. The sleeve segments 5 are coupled to one another in such a way that the sleeve segments 5 are displaceable relative to one another at most by the smaller of the segment lengths S of the at least two sleeve segments 5 relative to a movement substantially opposite to the discharge direction A.

The discharge tappet 7 is designed in two parts and comprises a first tappet 12 and a second tappet 13. The second tappet 13 is arranged in the first tappet 12.

In the openings 15 and the recesses 16 pins 14 are arranged for coupling or decoupling of the plunger. In the support cartridge 10 also recesses 17 are arranged. The pins 14 can be moved in a decoupling position in the recesses 15. In this case, the pins no longer engage in the recesses 16, so that decoupling of the plunger can take place, whereby a residual volume of medium in the cartridge 3 can be minimized after discharge through an outlet (not shown) located in the outlet side 11 , On the outlet side 11, a static or dynamic mixing device can be arranged according to the requirements, if, for example, the cartridge 3 contains at least two different components to be mixed as a medium; Alternatively or additionally, a delivery pipe can be arranged for conveying the medium to an application site.

In FIG. 2 a collapsible cartridge 3 is shown in a perspective view, as in the discharge according to FIG. 1 can be used. The cartridge 3 has a cartridge bottom 8 and a cartridge wall 9.

Same reference characters mean the same features in all figures.

In FIG. 3 an alternative inventive discharge device is shown schematically. The sleeve segments 5 of the sleeve 1 are made of plastic.

In contrast to FIG. 1 is designed as a protective film 4 protective cover between the collapsible cartridge 3 and the sleeve 1 is arranged. In the present case, the protective cover also has the function of a protective device for the cartridge 3, so that the cartridge 3 is better protected against damage, in particular in the segment transition regions 6. For this purpose, the protective film 4 is elastically reversible.

The Austragsstössel 7 is integrally formed in contrast to the two-piece, decoupled Austragsstössel according to FIG. 1 , An outlet 21 is disposed in the outlet side 11 for discharging the medium from the cartridge 3.

In the FIGS. 4a-c are fragmentarily shown two sleeve segments 5 in different relative positions to each other schematically. These sleeve segments 5, for example, to form the sleeves as in the FIGS. 1 and 3 shown used. For example, the sleeve according to FIG. 3 seven such sleeve segments to form the sleeve.

The sleeve segments 5 have projections 18 for hooking the sleeve segments 5, so that the sleeve segments 5 at most by the smaller of the segment lengths S of the two sleeve segments 5 relative to each other are displaceable relative to a movement substantially opposite to the discharge direction A. In the present case, the sleeve segments 5 all have the same segment length S, these are opposite to the discharge direction A by a maximum segment length S displaced, starting from the shortest possible length L of the sleeve in the discharge.

In FIG. 4a is the relative arrangement of the sleeve segments 5 according FIGS. 1 and 3 shown in an initial position. In FIG. 4b is an intermediate position of the sleeve segments 5 shown to each other and in Figure 4c an end position after discharge according to FIG. 6 ,

In FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the discharge device 2 according to the invention FIG. 1 shown in an initial position. In FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the discharge device 2 according to the invention FIG. 1 shown in an end position. The length L of the sleeve 1 according FIG. 5 is greater than the length L of the sleeve 1 according to FIG. 6 , The sleeve segments 5 were displaced from each other during the discharge of the medium from the collapsible cartridge 3, so that the length L of the sleeve 1 was reduced.

The length L of the sleeve according to FIG. 6 essentially corresponds to the segment length S according to FIG. 1 ,

In the FIGS. 7a-b sleeve segments according to the invention with curves 19 and chamfers 20 are shown. The sleeve segment 5 according to Figure 7a has in the segment transition areas on the cartridge side facing curves 19 which are formed continuously. The sleeve segment 5 according to FIG. 7b has chamfers 20 in these segment transition regions, wherein the surface portions of the sleeve segment with the chamfer 20 form a blunt or obtuse angle W.

In FIG. 8 are in perspective two cartridges 3 for receiving in a discharge according to FIG. 9 shown.

The cartridges 3 have outlets 21 arranged on the outlet side 11. In addition, a fastening device 22 is provided for example for a static mixer; Of course, other applicators, such as, for example, cannulas can be arranged on the fastening device 21.

Typically, the two cartridges contain different adhesive components that can be mixed by a static mixer located downstream of the outlets 21 on the fastener 22.

In the present case, the two cartridges 3 have an identical receiving volume for the two components. Of course, it is also conceivable to use cartridges with different receiving volumes according to the requirements and the discharge device used.

In FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inventive discharge 2 shown.

The discharge device 2 has a support cartridge 10 configured to receive the two cartridges 3. In addition, the discharge device 2 comprises a static mixer 23 which is connected to the in FIG. 8 shown fastening device 22 is fastened.

The discharge device 2 further comprises a drive 24 comprising an electric motor for actuating the dispensing tappets not visible here. The discharge device 2 comprises two discharge tappets for essentially simultaneous discharge of the two cartridges 3.

The discharge ram can be as in FIG. 1 or 3 be shown formed.

Claims (15)

Sleeve (1) for a discharge device (2) for receiving a collapsible cartridge (3) containing a dischargeable medium, wherein the cartridge (3) and the sleeve (1) are arranged to each other such that during a discharge of the medium, the sleeve (1 ) can support a cartridge wall (9) of the cartridge (3) in at least one section, characterized in that a length (L) of the sleeve (1) is substantially parallel to a discharge (A) changeable. Sleeve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the length (L) is reversibly changeable. Sleeve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the cartridge (3) facing side of the sleeve (1) a protective cover, in particular a protective film (4) is arranged, wherein when used as intended, the protective cover at least in one Section between the sleeve (1) and the cartridge (3) is arranged. Sleeve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective cover is arranged wegnehmbar. Sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (1) comprises at least two sleeve segments (5), which are arranged relative to each other movable to change the length (L). Sleeve (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve segments (5) with respect to a direction substantially parallel to the discharge (A) are arranged displaceable relative to each other. Sleeve (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least two sleeve segments (5) are coupled together such that the sleeve segments (5) at most by the smaller of the segment lengths (S) of the at least two sleeve segments (5) relative to each other are displaceable with respect to a movement substantially opposite to the discharge direction (A). Sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a segment transition region (6) from a sleeve segment (5) to an adjacent sleeve segment (5) on the cartridge (3) side facing such a rounding and / or bevel, that damage to the cartridge wall (9) when discharging is substantially avoidable. Sleeve (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that in at least one segment transition region (6) and preferably all segment transition regions (6) on the cartridge (3) side facing a protective device is arranged, wherein the protective device is in particular designed as a ring, the is preferably yielding or elastic. Sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sleeve segment (5) and in particular the sleeve (1) is made of a plastic. Sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (1) in the discharge direction (A) is designed to be in particular conically widening. Discharge device (2) comprising a support cartridge (10) for receiving the cartridge (3) and further comprising a sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Discharge device (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the sleeve (1) on and / or in the support cartridge (10) is releasably attachable. Discharge device (2) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the sleeve (1) with a discharge ram (7) can be coupled and / or decoupled to the particular reversible change in the length (L) of the sleeve (1). Method for discharging a medium from a collapsible cartridge (3) by means of a discharge device (2), in particular according to one of claims 13 to 15, comprising the following steps: - Providing the discharge device (2) comprising a support cartridge (10) for receiving the cartridge (3) and a discharge ram (7), wherein a sleeve (1) and / or in the support cartridge (10) is in particular releasably attached, wherein the Cartridge (3) and the sleeve (1) are arranged such that during discharge of the medium, the sleeve (1) a cartridge wall (9) of the cartridge (3) is supported in at least one section, and wherein a length (L) of the Sleeve (1) is substantially parallel to a discharge direction (A) variable; - Discharging the medium from the collapsible cartridge (3) by means of the discharge device (2) by moving the Austragsstössels (7) along the discharge (A) to an outlet side (11), wherein during the movement of the Austragsstössels (7) the length (L ) of the sleeve (1) is reduced and the cartridge wall (9) of the cartridge (3) is supported by the sleeve (1) at least in one section.

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