U.S. patent application number 09/861971 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for two-component cartridge system.
Invention is credited to Horner, Terry A., Mottram, Daniel William.
Application Number | 20020170926 09/861971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25337259 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020170926 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Horner, Terry A. ; et
al. |
November 21, 2002 |
TWO-COMPONENT CARTRIDGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A cartridge system for multi-component reactive viscous fluids
which includes a plurality of syringe elements conjoined and
discharging into an outlet having a matching plurality of outlet
passageways therein. The cartridge has a frangible cap that seals
the outlet passageways prior to use, is broken away from the outlet
for dispensing and has plugs insertable into the passageways to
reseal the cartridge after use. The plugs preferably have lead-in
chamfers and a sealing ledge. Orientation means are provided to
prevent cross-contamination upon resealing. A cooperating dispenser
gun incorporates registration and retention means to secure the
cartridge in position and has an integral cap removal and retention
tool.
Inventors: |
Horner, Terry A.;
(Allentown, NJ) ; Mottram, Daniel William; (Cream
Ridge, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SELITTO, BEHR & KIM
203 MAIN STREET
METUCHEN
NJ
08840-2727
US
|
Family ID: |
25337259 |
Appl. No.: |
09/861971 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/137 ;
222/326; 222/391; 222/541.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05C 17/00513 20130101;
B29C 45/0081 20130101; B05C 17/0052 20130101; B05C 17/01 20130101;
B65D 81/325 20130101; B05C 17/00553 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/137 ;
222/326; 222/391; 222/541.5 |
International
Class: |
B67D 005/52 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A cartridge system for simultaneously dispensing two component
materials, comprising: (a) a cartridge having a pair of reservoirs,
each for holding one of the two component materials; (b) on outlet
disposed at an end of said cartridge, said outlet having two
passageways therein, a first of said two passageways communicating
with said first reservoir and a second of said two passageways
communicating with said second reservoir; and (c) a cap having a
pair of plugs extending from a surface thereof, said pair of plugs
attached to said outlet with a first of said pair of plugs sealing
said first passageway and a second of said pair of plugs sealing
said second passageway, said first and second plugs being
detachable from said outlet to permit dispensing the component
materials, said first and second plugs being insertable into said
first and second passageways, respectively, to reseal said
cartridge after the materials have been dispensed.
2. The cartridge system of claim 1, wherein said pair of plugs are
monolithically formed with said outlet and are attached thereto by
a frangible portion, said frangible portion breaking when said cap
is detached from said outlet.
3. The cartridge system of claim 2, further including a divider
wall extending from said outlet between said first passageway and
said second passageway, said divider wall isolating the two
component materials during dispensing.
4. The cartridge system of claim 3, wherein said pair of plugs
bridges said divider wall.
5. The cartridge system of claim 4, wherein said outlet is threaded
to receive a nozzle with a lumen and a female threaded portion at
one end, said lumen having a threshold proximate said female
threaded portion with a shape complementary to said divider wall,
said divider wall matingly inserting into and partitioning said
threshold.
6. The cartridge system of claim 5, wherein said nozzle has a
static mixer positioned within said lumen.
7. The cartridge system of claim 2, wherein said first plug has
different dimensions than said second plug and each are matingly
received within said first and second passageways, respectively,
thereby preventing said first plug from being inadvertently
inserted in said second passageway and said second plug from being
inadvertently inserted in said first passageway.
8. The cartridge system of claim 7, wherein said first plug and
said second plug differ in size.
9. The cartridge system of claim 7, wherein said first plug and
said second plug differ in shape.
10. The cartridge system of claim 2, further comprising cap
orientation means, including a first orientation element
incorporated on said cap and a second orientation element
incorporated on said outlet, said first and second orientation
elements permitting said cap to be installed on said outlet in only
one selected relative orientation.
11. The cartridge system of claim 3, wherein said cap has a tab
extending from said cap parallel to said pair of plugs and said
divider wall has a notch for receiving said tab, said tab fitting
within said notch only when said first plug is inserted in said
first passageway and said second plug is inserted in said second
passageway.
12. The cartridge system of claim 2, further including indicia
provided on said cap and on said outlet for graphically indicating
the relative orientation of said cap and said outlet that
corresponds to said first plug inserting in said first passageway
and said second plug inserting into said second passageway.
13. The cartridge system of claim 2, wherein said first plug and
said second plug each have a chamfered peripheral edge on an end
thereof distal to said cap to aid in introducing each into said
first passageway and said second passageway, respectively.
14. The cartridge system of claim 13, wherein said plugs have a
peripheral ledge disposed intermediate said chamfered peripheral
edge and said cap, said frangible portion at least partially
clipping over said ledge when said first plug and said second plug
are inserted in said first passageway and said second passageway,
respectively, to thereby promote the formation of a seal
therebetween.
15. The cartridge system of claim 2, wherein said cap has a flange
disposed at right angles to said first and second plugs, said
flange abutting said outlet when said first and second plugs are
inserted into said first and second passageways, respectively.
16. The cartridge system of claim 2, wherein said cap has an
opening therein for receiving a tool adapted to provide leverage to
remove said cap from said outlet for dispensing the contents
thereof.
17. The cartridge system of claim 1, wherein said reservoirs are in
the form of a pair of parallel cylinders and further comprising a
dispenser gun with a cartridge tray for removeably receiving and
holding said cartridge, said dispenser gun having a pair of piston
elements selectively moveable by actuator means for urging the two
component materials from said reservoirs through said outlet.
18. The cartridge system of claim 17, wherein said tray has an end
wall distal to said actuator means, said end wall having a slot for
slidably receiving said outlet of said cartridge.
19. The cartridge system of claim 18, further including a
wedge-shaped element attached to a bottom surface of said tray and
extending upwards between said pair of cylinders for holding said
cartridge in said tray.
20. The cartridge system of claim 17, wherein said tray has an end
wall distal to said actuator means, said end wall having a cap
removal tab formed therein, said cap removal tool insertable into
said opening provided in said cap.
21. The cartridge system of claim 20, wherein said cap removal tool
has a friction fit relative to said opening in said cap to allow
said cap to be retained on said cap removal tab.
22. The cartridge system of claim 20, wherein said end wall has a
nozzle tip snap-off orifice therein.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to two-component cartridge
systems for viscous fluids, and more particularly to a resealable
two-component cartridge for storing and dispensing reactive
materials that are stored separately and mixed upon expulsion from
the cartridge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dual dispenser cartridges for two-component reactive
material systems, such as epoxy glue, molding compounds, foams and
sealants are known and typically have a pair of parallel conjoined
syringes, i.e., having a pair of barrels for independently storing
two different components and a corresponding pair of conjoined
plungers that are slidable in the barrels in piston fashion. When
the plungers are simultaneously pushed into the pair of parallel
conjoined barrels, the two different materials of the two-component
system are simultaneously and proportionally ejected at the outlet
end of the syringe pair. In simple, non-commercial systems, the
ejecta is most likely to be deposited upon a surface whereon it can
be mixed, e.g., by a paddle. Commercial systems typically utilize a
nozzle which is threaded onto the outlet and which may include a
static mixer. In either case, it remains an objective to improve
the simplicity and economy of design of the cartridge, to provide
an effective cap that can be removed and replaced to store unused
materials and to maintain the separation of chemically reactive
components until they are dispensed for their intended purpose,
i.e., to prevent cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is known
to result in the unintentional chemical reaction between the
reactive components resulting in plugging of the cartridge and
spoilage of the contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The problems and disadvantages associated with the
conventional techniques and devices utilized to store and dispense
two-component reactive material systems are overcome by the present
invention which includes a cartridge system for simultaneously
dispensing two component materials with a cartridge having a pair
of reservoirs, each for holding one of the two component materials.
The cartridge has an outlet with two passageways therein, a first
of the two passageways communicates at one end with the first
reservoir and the second of the two passageways communicates at one
end with the second reservoir. The cartridge system includes a cap
having a pair of plugs extending from a surface thereof. The pair
of plugs are attached to the outlet with a first of the plugs
sealing the first passageway and a second of the plugs sealing the
second passageway. The first and second plugs are detachable from
the outlet to permit dispensing the component materials and are
reinsertable into the first and second passageways, respectively,
to reseal the cartridge after the materials have been
dispensed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0004] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual-cylinder cartridge in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the outlet end of the
cartridge of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the outlet end of the
cartridge of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in
FIG. 3, taken along section lines IV-IV and looking in the
direction of the arrows;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cartridge
shown in FIG. 4, showing the connection of the cap portion of the
cartridge to the cartridge outlet;
[0010] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view like FIG. 5, but
showing the position of a replaceable cap after the cap has been
removed for expelling a portion of the contents of the cartridge
and replaced for storage of the remainder of the contents of the
cartridge;
[0011] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the outlet end of
a cartridge in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of
the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 8a-8c are perspective views of the outlet end of a
cartridge in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the
present invention with the cap portion in various positions
relative to the cartridge; and
[0013] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a
cartridge/ejector gun assembly in accordance with a third exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a dual cylinder cartridge 10 having a
pair of cylinders 12, 14 for storing two different components, such
as the two reactive compounds used in epoxy 5 glue or molding
compound. A pair of plungers 16, 18 slide within the cylinders 12,
14 for ejecting the contents through a static mixer (See FIG. 9).
Alternatively, the contents may be ejected directly onto a
substrate in certain simple, non-commercial applications. The
plungers 16, 18 are mechanically conjoined and/or are
simultaneously, activated, e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 and described
below. In simple domestic glue dispensers, the plungers 16, 18 may
be conjoined by a common push pad. While two, cylindrical cylinders
12, 14 are shown in FIG. 1, a greater number of cylinders could be
employed and they could have a non-circular cross-sectional shape,
e.g., octagonal or hexagonal, all within the intended scope of the
present invention. The cylinders 12, 14 are mechanically joined at
the top by a bridge plate 20 from which extends a common outlet 22.
A lower bridging tab 24 mechanically connects the cylinders 12, 14
at the end distal to the outlet 22. The outlet 22 has a cap 26
which maintains an air tight seal to preserve the contents of both
cylinders 12, 14 until the cap 26 is removed to expel the contents.
The cap 26 has indicia 28, 30 indicating orientation relative to
the contents of the cylinders 12, 14, which are also signified by
matching indicia 32, 34 on the bridge plate 20. In this manner, the
cap portions (to be shown and described below) that contact the
components stored in cylinders 12, 14, respectively, will not
cross-contaminate any remaining compound to be stored after
ejecting when the cap 26 is replaced, i.e., by reversing its
original orientation. The outlet 22 has threads 36 to facilitate
threading a specialized nozzle (see FIG. 9) thereon, e.g., one
having an elongated conical shape to permit applying the
compound(s) dispensed into a hard-to-reach area. As noted above, a
nozzle containing a static mixer can also be employed. FIG. 2 shows
that the cap 26 may be provided with indicia 38 on the side thereof
matching that provided on the top at 30. The same type of indicia
38 may be provided on the opposite side of the cap 26 (but bearing
a similarity to indicia 28).
[0015] FIG. 3 shows that the outlet 22 is divided into two separate
conduits or passageways 54, 56 by a divider wall 55 (see FIG. 4) to
permit the compounds separately stored in cylinders 12, 14 to be
dispensed through the outlet 22 without mixing. The divider wall 55
may be provided with an internal hollow 40 (see FIG. 3) to decrease
plastics usage and to decrease material stress and distortion
associated with the injection molding process. The separation of
the reactive components is also maintained by divider wall
extension 42 that extends from the dispenser end 44 of the outlet
22. Accordingly, even after the reactive compounds are ejected out
of the outlet 22, they are kept separated. As noted above,
commercial applications frequently utilize a nozzle/static mixer
394, 395 (See FIG. 9) that is threadedly received and retained on
the outlet 22. The divider wall 42 can be formed to partially
insert into the nozzle/static mixer 394, 395 to insure that no
mixing of components occurs prior to the entrance of the compounds
into the nozzle/static mixer 394, 395. The cap 26 has a pair of
separate nozzle plugs 46, 48 that are inserted into separate outlet
apertures, e.g., 168, 170 (see FIG. 7) as will be seen and
described below. The cap 26 also has an abutment flange 50 to limit
the insertion depth of the plugs 46, 48. A grasping orifice 52 is
provided on the cap 26 to permit the insertion of a screwdriver
blade or another tool to provide leverage for breaking the cap 26
away from its integral mounting on the outlet 22 to eject the
stored compounds.
[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the outlet 22 has two separate
passageways 54, 56 communicating with cylinders 12, 14,
respectively. The passageways 54, 56 are plugged by plugs 46, 48,
which are still connected to the outlet 22, i.e., the cap 26 has
not yet been removed. FIG. 5 shows that the plugs 46, 48 (48 is
shown) are connected to the dispenser end 44 of the outlet 22 by a
frangible bridge 58 extending between the outlet dispenser end 44
and the plug 48. To release the compound(s) contained within the
cylinders 12, 14, the cap 26 is bent back and/or away from the
outlet 22 in order to break the frangible bridge 58 and remove the
plugs 46, 48 from their position blocking the passageways 54, 56.
The plugs 46, 48 have a taper 60 on their peripheral edge to assist
in inserting them back into the passageways 54, 56 to reseal the
dispenser 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. Each of the plugs 46,
48 have an enlarged portion 62 terminating in a ledge 64. When the
plugs 46, 48 are inserted and pressed into the passageways 54, 56
to reseal the cartridge 10, the remnants of the frangible bridge 58
extending from the dispenser end 44, clip over ledge 64, holding
the cap 26 in position and increasing the tightness of the seal
made by the cap 26 to increase the length of time that the
compounds stored in the cartridge can be kept without
degradation.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows the cap 26 positioned on the outlet 22 with the
plugs 46, 48 extending into and sealing the passageways 54, 56. The
cartridge 10 may be injection molded from polymers such as
polypropylene or polyamide. It should be appreciated that the cap
26 shown in the foregoing figures and described above, works in
conjunction with the divider wall extension 42, viz., by bridging
thereover. More particularly, a central hollow 66 disposed between
the plugs 46, 48 accommodates the divider wall extension 42, both
before and after removal and replacement of the cap 26.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a first alternative embodiment of the present
invention. In describing this alternative embodiment and subsequent
alternative embodiments, the same reference numbers as were used
above to refer to elements of the above-described embodiment shall
be used but incremented by 100, 200, etc. to describe features
having the same or similar form and function, unless otherwise
noted. In FIG. 7, the passageways 154, 156 terminate in outlet
apertures 168, 170, respectively having unique shapes relative to
one another. The plugs 146, 148 have complementary shapes in order
to be received within corresponding outlet apertures, 168, 170. In
this manner, the cap 126 can only be replaced on the cartridge
outlet 122 in one orientation, thereby preventing
cross-contamination between the contents issuing from passageways
154, 156, respectively. The apertures 168, 170 have different
cross-sectional areas, which would be particularly suitable for a
two-component system wherein the stoichiometric ratio of the first
component to the second is not 1:1, e.g., 2:1, 3:1, etc. While the
apertures 168, 170 shown have different cross-sectional areas, this
is not required. For example, the present invention could be
practiced with apertures 168, 170 having a different shape but the
same cross-sectional area, e.g., circular and triangularly shaped
apertures 168, 170.
[0019] FIG. 8a shows an outlet 222 with orientation features that
allow the apertures 268, 270 to be the same shape and still
constrain cap 226 replacement orientation, i.e., such that the cap
226 only inserts into the outlet 222 in one selected orientation to
prevent cross-contamination. More particularly, the cap 226 has a
depending orientation tab 272 that is accommodated in a mating
notch 274 in the divider wall 242, but only in the permissible
resealing orientation. (Note that one of the plugs, viz., 248 in
FIGS. 8a and 8b and 246 in FIG. 8c, has been cut away to permit
visualization of the interaction between the tab 272 and the notch
274.) As shown in FIG. 8b, the notch 274 accommodates the tab 272
permitting the plug 246 to enter and reseal outlet aperture 268.
The alternative orientation of the cap 226 relative to the outlet
222 is shown in FIG. 8c wherein the interference between the
divider wall 242 (opposite to the notch 274) and the tab 272
prevents plug 248 from entering outlet aperture 268. Because
correct orientation is assured by the tab 272 and divider wall 242
with notch 274, the apertures 268, 270 may either be the same shape
and dimensions or of different shapes and dimensions, as
desired.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows an dispenser gun 376 for ejecting the compounds
contained in a two-component cartridge 310 and which has a
cartridge tray 377 affixed to an actuator 378. The actuator 378 is
of conventional design, such as might be encountered in a common
caulking gun having a friction or ratchet advance mechanism. The
degree of advancement of the actuator mechanism is controlled by
squeezing handles 379, 380, one or both of which moves relative to
the other in a conventional manner. In addition to purely
mechanical advance mechanisms, the present invention would work
equally well with a hydraulic, compressed air or electromagnetic
advance mechanism, e.g., as might be encountered on a production
line. The ejector gun 376 has at least one actuator rod 381 and a
piston rod 382, 383 for each cylinder 312, 314, respectively.
Alternatively, the actuator rod 381 can serve as a piston rod,
e,g,. replacing 382.
[0021] The actuator rod 381 and piston rods 382, 383 are conjoined
at one end by a bridge bar 384 to which a pull knob 385 is
attached., such that all rods 381, 382, 383 move simultaneously as
an assembly. A piston plate 386 is attached to piston rod 383 at
the end thereof proximate to the cartridge tray 377. A second,
larger piston plate 387 is affixed to the end of piston rod 382 and
actuator rod 381. In this manner, the ejector gun 376 can be
utilized for cartridges having cylinders 312, 314 of the same or
different diameters. As depicted in FIG. 9, the cylinders 312, 314
are the same diameter but they could be of different diameters for
the purpose of dispensing reactive compounds in other than a 1:1
ratio. In that instance, the larger of the cylinders 312, 314 can
be positioned proximate the larger piston plate 387, with the
smaller of the cylinders 312, 314 positioned proximate piston plate
386. The present invention does not require that the pistons 386,
387 have different dimensions, i.e., they may have the same
dimensions.
[0022] The tray 377 is held to the actuator portion 378 by a
plurality of fasteners 389, by welding, gluing or other
conventional means. Distal to the actuator 378, the tray has an end
plate 390 with a cartridge docking cutout 391 for slideably
receiving and embracing the cartridge 310 at the base of the outlet
322. A cap removal tab 392 extends from an upper corner of the end
plate 390 and has dimensions approximating the internal dimensions
of the grasping orifice 352 provided in the cap 326 (See FIG. 3,
reference number 52 for an enlarged view of a grasping orifice.)
Given this relationship, the cap removal tab 392 can be inserted
into the grasping orifice 352 to exert a twisting force to snap the
cap 326 off the outlet 322 to open the cartridge 310. The removal
tab 392 may be dimensioned relative to the grasping orifice 352 to
have a friction fit therein such that cap 326 can be left on the
removal tab 392 while the cartridge 310 is in use. In this manner,
the cap 326 is not lost or subjected to contamination while the
cartridge 310 is in use and may be readily retrieved for resealing
the cartridge when ejecting is completed.
[0023] A nozzle tip orifice 393 may be incorporated in the end
plate 390 for aiding in the removal of portions of the nozzle tip.
More particularly, a nozzle 394, which may incorporate a static
mixing element 395 (in dashed lines) is provided with a snap-off
tip 396. The tip 396 may be snapped off to control the outlet
aperture size of the nozzle 394, That is, the tip 396 has a
predetermined outlet aperture size. When the tip 396 is snapped
off, a larger diameter outlet aperture results. The nozzle tip
orifice 393 accommodates the tip 396 therein and provides leverage
over the tip 396 to aid in snapping it off. A cartridge support 397
extends up from the bottom of the tray 377 and inserts between the
cylinders 312, 314 to prevent lateral motion of the cartridge 310
to retain the cartridge in alignment with the motion of the piston
plates 386, 387 to maximize the transfer of force from piston
plates 386, 387 to expel the compound from the cartridge 310.
[0024] It should be understood that the embodiments described
herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art
may make many variations and modifications without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *