Improved Static Mixing Tip

Abstract

Disclosed is a static mixing tip (10) comprising a static mixer (100), a housing (110), a headspace (140), a sealing lip (20) at the base (30) of the static mixer (100) providing a seal between the base (30) and the housing (110), and a venting means (150) (e.g., vent (155)) at the sealing lip (20) and / or the housing (110) providing gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip, preferably providing a gas connection between the headspace (140) and the external ambient atmosphere outside the static mixing tip (10) during normal operation and use, such that gas trapped within the headspace (140) may escape to the external ambient atmosphere. The invention also relates to a static mixer (100) suitable for the static mixing tip (10), uses of said static mixing tip (10), and a kit of parts including said static mixing tip (10).

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved static mixing tip with a venting means, a static mixer suitable for use in a static mixing tip, the use of a static mixing tip to vent air to the surrounding atmosphere while mixing ingredients, and a kit of parts including a static mixing tip.

[0002] In the field of applicator systems, static mixing tips suitable for mixing two or more materials, such as liquids or viscous masses containing adhesives or other reactive material components, are known for industrial, construction, and dental applications. For example, EP 0 584 428 B1 discloses a spiral static mixer, and EP 1 426 099 B1, EP 0 749 776 B1, and EP 0 815 929 B1 disclose various static mixers with quadratic-based mixing elements.

[0003] The ingredients being mixed and the resulting mixture may be precious, air-sensitive, and / or irritating, and therefore their loss or spillage due to leakage from the applicator system is undesirable. For this reason, static mixing tips, such as those commonly available on the market from a variety of manufacturers, often have a tight-fitting seal with the cartridge outlet and are themselves sealed except for the static mixing tip outlet.

[0004] Although such sealed tips prevent leaks, the seal can pose potential risks. For example, before the materials to be mixed enter the static mixing tip, air is present inside the tip. If this air does not exit the mixing tip outlet before the materials to be mixed, it can become trapped in the incoming materials, causing bubbles to form in the materials. Another source of air or gas could be material within the cartridge itself. Bubbles within the cartridge container itself can result from insufficient aeration during cartridge filling or can occur due to subsequent processing of the material-filled cartridge, for example, by heating, freezing, sterilization, or irradiation. Such air or gas bubbles are undesirable because the presence of the bubbles can prevent efficient mixing of the materials, and the resulting mixture could have localized uneven or poor mixed product material properties, such as poor strength or adhesion or filling defects.

[0005] EP1896192A1 discloses an apparatus and method for venting air trapped inside a static mixing tip based on a valve assembly, a deflection channel or outlet, and a collection container with a special filtration system to retain the material but allow air to pass through. It is disclosed that the collection container can even be connected to an additional suction or vacuum device. The disclosed venting device is complex and requires significant space, which may not be feasible when applying material to small areas with limited access and working space. Furthermore, the necessary handling operations, such as connecting and terminating connections, opening and closing valves, or controlling the suction device, can be laborious if the user is wearing gloves or other protective, hygienic, or safety equipment. Furthermore, reactions between the incoming materials to be mixed begin as soon as they come into contact with each other inside the mixing tip, so there is often no time to connect additional venting device(s) to or before the mixing tip or to perform an additional pre-application venting step before the mixture begins to harden or must be applied. With the solution disclosed in EP1896192A1, efficient ventilation is complicated and requires special care, which is laborious in the case of fast-reacting adhesives.

[0006] It is difficult to expel air trapped inside a static mixing tip where none of the parts can move. A possible solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,078, which provides an inclined guide surface that presumably prevents the accumulation of any air or gas present, thus allegedly ensuring the evacuation of air and preventing the formation of bubbles. However, this inclined surface increases the length of the static mixer, as an additional surface must be provided on the static mixer, and does not help vent the air trapped in the headspace between the static mixer and the housing.

[0007] Against this background of the prior art, the present invention provides a static mixing tip that produces a uniform, bubble-free mixture without the need for additional aeration and auxiliary equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Starting from this current state of the art, the present invention provides a solution that can be applied to all types of static mixing tips and does not increase the length of the mixer. The inventors have surprisingly found a simple and cost-effective solution for venting trapped air from static mixing tips by providing vents in the sealing lip and / or housing of the static mixing tip. This solution can be applied to static mixing tips with any geometric shape.

[0009] According to the present invention, these objectives are achieved by a static mixing tip having one or more venting means present in the sealing lip and / or housing of the static mixer, which venting means provide gas flow communication between two sides of the sealing lip, i.e., the side facing the headspace (interior) and another side oriented toward the exterior, typically along the axial direction of the mixing tip (e.g., from the outlet toward the inlet(s)). The venting means is preferably embodied to provide a gas connection between the headspace and the external ambient atmosphere outside the static mixing tip, so that a portion of the gas trapped in the headspace present between the housing and the static mixer has a path to escape to the external ambient atmosphere during normal operation. Those skilled in the art will understand that any continuous path, even if relatively narrow, long, and tortuous, is sufficient for the easy passage of gas. Incoming material flows into the headspace between the static mixer and the housing through an inlet provided in the static mixer. Air present in the headspace is forced out through a vent present in the sealing lip and / or housing. Thus, the vent is sealed with material after the trapped air has escaped.The present invention also provides for the use of such static mixing tips to achieve these benefits.

[0010] Without wishing to be bound by any particular mechanism, the inventors believe that a long, tortuous path axially from the headspace to the external atmosphere along the length of the static mixer base and through narrow passages in the vent means prevents outward flow from the mixing tip and loss of valuable, irritating mass while still allowing easy passage of low viscosity air from the headspace to the external atmosphere. Thus, this vent mechanism in the claimed invention acts as a filtration system to retain viscous mass within the mixing tip while allowing air to easily escape.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the venting means are vents that are radially oriented around the sealing lip and / or housing. Such a radial orientation advantageously allows the vents to be evenly distributed.

[0012] These vents extend inward and have a depth (D) and a width (W) that is the length of the vent's opening in the sealing lip and / or housing surface. In some embodiments of the invention, the vents have a depth (D) and / or width (W) of 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably 0.01 mm to 0.06 mm. These dimensions beneficially allow air to escape while preventing material from leaking from the static mixing tip at normal operating pressures.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the vents may be of equal size, making them easier to manufacture. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the vents may not be of equal size. Vents of various sizes allow for compensation of pressure differences that occur in various regions of the static mixing tip. When material enters the static mixing tip through the inlet, it exerts pressure on the air present inside the tip. The air is pushed by the incoming material, and pressure may not be evenly distributed inside the tip. For example, the air farthest from the inlet experiences more pressure than the air closer to the inlet. Therefore, in some preferred embodiments, the vents closer to the inlet are smaller than the vents farther from the inlet to compensate for this pressure difference.

[0014] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the vents may be unequal in size, with vents closer to the area where the two materials to be mixed physically interact being larger than vents closer to the inlet. The vents closest to the inlet are smallest relative to the other vents, and the size of the vents gradually increases to be largest at the area where the two materials to be mixed physically meet and interact. The area where the two materials first physically meet and interact is determined by the material ratio and, therefore, the type of cartridge to which the static mixing tip is configured to connect. Cartridges and static mixing tips with various ratios have different positions and relative sizes of their respective inlets and outlets so that only the correct static mixing tip is compatible with the correct cartridge. For example, as determined by computational modeling or experimentation, if the materials to be mixed are in a 1:1 ratio, the area where the two materials physically interact is in a central area approximately equidistant from the two inlets. On the other hand, if the materials to be mixed are in unequal proportions, the area where the two materials physically interact is further from the center and closer to the inlet of the material with the smaller proportion. For example, if the materials to be mixed are in a 4:1 ratio, the area where the two materials physically interact is closer to the smaller inlet than to the larger inlet, for example, within 1 / 3, preferably 1 / 4, of the distance between the nearest edges of the smaller inlet and the larger inlet. Those skilled in the art can easily determine the area where the two materials physically interact based on the ratio of the two materials; for example, if the materials to be mixed are in a 2:1 ratio, the area where the two materials physically interact is between the center and the area where the materials in a 4:1 ratio interact. In some embodiments, the vents gradually increase in size from the vent closest to the inlet to the vent closest to where the two materials to be mixed first physically meet and interact.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vents may reside on the inner surface of the housing's base. These vents may reside on the inner surface of the base of the housing and be positioned on the inner surface of the base so that a portion of the vent overlaps a portion of the interface between the sealing lip and the housing along the axial direction of the static mixing tip. This overlap ensures that trapped air finds a path through the vent to escape rather than being blocked by the sealing lip.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vents are generally evenly, preferably evenly, distributed around the sealing lip and / or housing, ensuring that air can escape evenly from all areas of the mixing tip.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the vent is embodied so that material entering the static mixing tip forces air through the vent and seals the vent. The volume of the headspace is relatively large compared to the volume of the vent and the generally narrow, tortuous path through which the air escapes. Thus, air in the headspace easily escapes through the vent as it is displaced and compressed by the incoming mass during use. Those skilled in the art will readily understand how to size the relative geometric parameters of the vent and its path, such as diameter, length, and tortuosity, so that the mass can displace the air and then partially occlude and block the vent and its path depending on the viscosity of the mass intended for use with the static mixing tip. For example, a filter path can be formed from a series of narrow, labyrinthine channels to capture material entering through the air passage opening.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a base and a body, and the inner surface of the housing connecting the base to the body is generally frusto-conical. The conical geometry smoothly guides the incoming material forward and into the housing body where the material mixes. The inventors surprisingly discovered that the frusto-conical geometry creates more free volume at the center, which offers less resistance to flow. This unique feature allows the incoming material to first occupy the volume offering the least resistance, which in this example is at the center. The resistance faced by the incoming material increases from the center, which offers the least resistance, toward the space between the housing and the sealing lip, which offers the greatest resistance. This incremental gradient of resistance from the center to the periphery of the housing ensures that the incoming material propagates without trapping air present in the headspace. The air present in the center is pushed radially by the incoming material toward the periphery and ultimately toward the sealing lip. Thus, the material propagation provided by the frusto-conical geometry advantageously obviates air already present in the static mixing tip from becoming trapped in the material.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side surface above the sealing lip at the base of the static mixer may be generally frustoconical in shape. In other words, this side surface between the top of the static mixer's base and the sealing lip may be generally frustoconical, so that the diameter of the static mixer in this embodiment increases from the top of the base to the sealing lip. The inventors surprisingly discovered that the frustoconical geometry creates more free volume between the top of the static mixer's base and the top of the base, which provides less resistance to flow. This frustoconical surface thereby creates an annular gap extending around the base that has a generally inverted triangular cross section. This inverted triangular cross section creates increasing resistance to flow from the headspace toward the sealing ring as the annular gap narrows toward the sealing ring. Thus, the frustoconical side surface allows for an incremental decrease in free volume and, therefore, an incremental increase in resistance. This incremental gradient of resistance from the top of the static mixer base to the sealing lip advantageously ensures that the incoming material propagates without trapping any air present in the headspace, or annular gap, between the housing base and the static mixer base. Thus, the less viscous air present in the annular gap between the housing base and the static mixer base is pushed downward toward the sealing lip by the more viscous incoming material. Thus, the relative material and gas propagation ratios provided by the frusto-conical geometry advantageously prevent air that may already be present in the static mixer tip from becoming trapped in the material.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a base and a body, and the exterior surface connecting the base to the body has more than one rib. The rib can be in the form of a buttress. The buttress is a structure extending from the base of the housing that slopes toward the body of the housing. The rib provides better stability to the housing and allows the retaining ring to "seat" on the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the ribs present on the exterior surface connecting the base to the body of the housing are evenly spaced. The even spacing of the ribs provides uniform stability to the retaining ring.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing lip and / or housing includes four or more vents. When four or more vents are evenly distributed around the sealing lip and / or housing, trapped air can exit each quadrant smoothly and more quickly from all directions. This even exit of air helps establish a uniform pressure gradient on all sides, avoiding the trapping or formation of air bubbles.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a base and a body, and the inner surface of the housing base includes alternating crests and indentations below the sealing lip and in front of the sealing lip in the axial direction of flow from the cartridge. In one embodiment, the crests and indentations extend axially in front of the sealing lip but do not overlap the sealing lip. In a preferred embodiment, the alternating crests and indentations are equally spaced around the periphery of the inner surface of the housing base. In some embodiments, the crests have a height between 0.05 mm and 0.35 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, and more preferably between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm. In some embodiments, the indentations have a depth between 0.05 mm and 0.35 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, and more preferably between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm. In some embodiments, the crests and indentations begin below the portion of the housing that contacts the sealing lip and can have an axial length between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm. Without wishing to be bound by any particular mechanism, crests on the inner surface of the housing base below the sealing lip may prevent the vents in the sealing lip from being damaged during assembly of the mixing tip (insertion of the mixer into the housing) and may also allow air to more easily escape after passing through the vents. The inner surface of the housing base may have two or more, preferably five or more, and more preferably seven or more evenly spaced, alternating crests and indentations. Those skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned vents in the sealing lip may similarly be configured with crests and indentations.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vent is embodied to allow air, but not viscous mass, to pass through it under normal dispensing operation at pressures below 2 bar. Viscous masses include adhesives, sealants, impression materials, and their two-component precursors and mixtures, particularly during mixing and dispensing operations. These viscous masses can have viscosities of 0.1 Pa·s to 100,000 Pa·s at standard room temperature and pressure, or alternatively, at least 0.5, 1, 2, or 10 Pa·s. The incoming material forces air present inside the static mixing tip through the vent, sealing it. The specific location and geometry (diameter and length) of the vent can be used to ensure that only air, but not material, can escape under normal pressure. Those skilled in the art will understand that air can easily travel through long, narrow, tortuous paths, but highly viscous masses cannot. Therefore, adjusting the geometric parameters of the vent and escape path allows only air, but not mass, to pass through. Those skilled in the art will understand that these geometric parameters can be readily selected, for example, by computational modeling, depending on the viscosity of the mass to be retained and the operating pressure. It may be possible that at extremely high pressures, above about 2 bar, material may leak from the vent. However, these high pressures are difficult to achieve unless deliberately applied, and therefore are generally not of consequence. Under normal circumstances, such as dispensing using a manual or battery-operated dispenser, the vent of the present invention functions satisfactorily and is sealed by the incoming material.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vent may be generally conical in shape and may be provided on the sealing lip and / or the housing. If the vent is present on the sealing lip, the base of the cone is on the surface of the sealing lip, while the tip of the cone is internal to the sealing lip. If the vent is present on the housing, the base of the cone is on the internal surface of the base of the housing, while the tip extends into the housing. The inwardly extending conical geometry ensures that only air can pass through the vent. In another embodiment of the present invention, the vent may have a generally concave hemispherical or cubic shape. In some embodiments, the vent may be a combination of the above shapes.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, vents may be present on both the sealing lip and the housing. The vents on the sealing lip may or may not (but do not necessarily) coincide with the vents in the base of the housing.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the static mixer of the static mixing tip includes a plurality of mixing elements that separate the material to be mixed into a plurality of streams, a means for layered joining of the mixing elements, each having a transverse edge and a guide wall extending at an angle relative to the transverse edge, and a guide element disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis and provided with an opening, the static mixer including the transverse edge, a continuous lateral guide wall, and at least two guide walls disposed between the guide walls, each having a lateral end section and at least one lower section, and each terminating in a separating edge, thereby defining at least one opening on one side of the transverse edge and at least two openings on the other side of the transverse edge. This special geometry of the static mixer results in high mixing efficiency with reduced dead volume and reduced pressure drop.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the static mixer of the static mixing tip includes a plurality of mixing elements that separate the material to be mixed into a plurality of streams, each mixing element including first and second guide walls having a common transverse edge and a separating edge at an end opposite the common transverse edge, the guide walls forming a curved, continuous transition between the separating edge and the common transverse edge, the transverse edge dividing the material to be mixed, and the first and second guide walls and the common transverse edge of the mixing elements dividing the material into six paths. The common transverse edge prevents plugging of the mixer while reducing pressure drop and dead volume.

[0028] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the static mixer of the static mixing tip includes five or more mixing elements, which may preferably be connected to one another via a common bar element. The common bar provides strength to the mixing elements by making them more rigid, and therefore the presence of the common bar makes the mixing elements more resistant to breakage.

[0029] The static mixing tip of the present invention can have more than one inlet. The inlet allows the materials to be mixed to enter the body, which helps to push air out through the vent. The present invention provides a desired solution regardless of the number of inlets or the number of materials to be mixed. For example, a static mixing tip may have two or three inlets to mix two or three components, and this does not affect the function of the vent because the vent is located on the sealing lip and / or housing and is not affected by the number of inlets.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, a static mixing tip is used to release air trapped inside the static mixing tip through unique vents present in its sealing lip and / or housing to dispense a substantially air-free mixture.

[0031] The static mixers, housings and retaining rings of the present invention can be made using standard manufacturing methods such as injection, slush, compression or blow molding, or alternatively by thermoforming, vacuum forming or casting.

[0032] The static mixer, housing, and retaining ring of the present invention can be made from plastic, metal, or glass, preferably plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the static mixer, housing, and retaining ring of the present invention can be made from a thermoplastic resin, preferably polypropylene (PP). These various plastics are rigid when solid and can be easily molded into a desired shape. Additionally, these plastics are relatively inexpensive and therefore are preferred materials.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention allows for the combination of the subject matter of various claims and embodiments to the extent that such combinations are technically feasible. In such combinations, the subject matter of any one claim may be combined with one or more subject matter of any other claim. In such subject matter combinations, the subject matter of any one static mixing tip, static mixer, kit of parts, and use claim may be combined with the subject matter of one or more other static mixing tip, static mixer, kit of parts, and use claim. For example, the subject matter of any one claim may be combined with any number of subject matter of any other claim to the extent that such combinations are technically feasible.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will understand that combinations of the subject matter of various embodiments of the present invention are also possible without limitation in the present invention. For example, the subject matter of one of the above-mentioned static mixing chip, static mixer, kit of parts, and use embodiments can be combined with one or more subject matter of other of the above-mentioned static mixing chip, static mixer, kit of parts, and use embodiments without limitation, as long as it is technically feasible.

[0035] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to various embodiments of the invention and to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a static mixing tip through the static mixer, retaining ring, and housing. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a static mixer. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the base of the static mixer. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a housing. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing. [Figure 3C] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of material (dotted arrows) and air (solid arrows) flowing through a static mixing tip. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with a vent therein that is concave hemispherical in shape. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with a vent therein that is conical in shape. [Figure 5C] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with a vent therein that is cubic in shape. [Figure 5D] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with a vent in the housing that is concave hemispherical in shape. [Figure 5E] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with a vent in the housing that is conical in shape. [Figure 5F] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with a cubic shaped vent present in the housing. [Figure 5G] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with vents present in the sealing lip and housing that are concave hemispherical in shape. [Figure 5H] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with vents present in the sealing lip and housing that are conical in shape. [Figure 5I] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip with vents present in the sealing lip and housing that are cubic in shape. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip having concave hemispherical shapes and equal sized vents. [Figure 6B] 1 is an enlarged schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip, where the static mixer is suitable for mixing two materials in a (1:1) ratio and the vents have various sizes. [Figure 6C] 1 is an enlarged schematic top view of a cross section through a sealing lip at the base of a static mixer, the static mixer being suitable for mixing two materials in unequal ratios, e.g., 4:1, and the vents having various sizes. [Figure 7A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a suitable static mixer having one of various types of mixing elements. [Figure 7B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a suitable static mixer having one of various types of mixing elements. [Figure 7C] 1 is a schematic diagram of a suitable static mixer having one of various types of mixing elements. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic view of the headspace. [Figure 9A] 1 is an x-ray image of a bead of two materials mixed using a model static mixing tip having no venting means or conical geometry on the interior surface of the housing. [Figure 9B] 10 is an x-ray image of a bead of two materials mixed using a model static mixing tip having a venting means but no conical geometry on the interior surface of the housing. [Figure 9C] 10 is an x-ray image of a bead of two materials mixed using a model static mixing tip having a venting means and a conical geometry on the interior surface of the housing. [Figure 10A]10 is a CT scan image of a bead of two materials mixed using a model static mixing tip with no venting means or conical geometry on the interior surface of the housing. [Figure 10B] 10 is a CT scan image of a bead of two materials mixed using a model static mixing tip having a venting means but no conical geometry on the interior surface of the housing. [Figure 10C] 1 is a CT scan image of a bead of two materials mixed using a model static mixing tip having a venting means and a conical geometry on the interior surface of the housing. [Figure 11] 1 is an enlarged schematic view of an annular gap between the base of the housing and the generally frustoconical side above the sealing lip at the base of the static mixer. FIG. [Figure 12A] FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic view of the inner surface (60') of the base of the housing, including the crest (171) and recess (172). [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the inner surface (60') of the housing base, including evenly spaced crests (171) and indentations (172). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] definition As used in this specification and the claims of this application, the following definitions shall apply.

[0038] Typically along the axial direction of the mixing tip (e.g., from outlet 80 towards inlet(s) 50), the vent means 150 functions to provide a gas connection or gas flow communication (e.g., through the sealing lip 20) between two sides of the sealing lip 20, i.e., one side oriented towards the headspace (interior) 140 and another side oriented towards the outside, for example, preferably between the upper gap or headspace 140 in the base 60 of the housing 110 and the outside external ambient atmosphere, in this example, to support a continuous escape or release path for gas trapped within the space. The vent means 150 may typically be positioned in and / or around the sealing lip 20, and in other cases (in the absence of the vent means 150) seals the upper gap (headspace 140) in the base 60 of the housing 110 and does not allow air to pass through. The ventilation means (or specifically vent 155) may be positioned on the sealing lip 20 and / or the housing 110, for example, may pass completely or partially through the sealing lip 20 and / or the housing 110. Thus, the ventilation means (or specifically vent 155) inter alia provides gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip (20).

[0039] Ambient pressure is normal atmospheric pressure, e.g., 1 atm at sea level, which may decrease to about 0.3 atm with increasing altitude. Pressure may also vary based on temperature. Under normal conditions, atmospheric pressure may be, for example, the pressure inside a building, such as a dental office or construction site, in which the claimed invention may be used.

[0040] Typical operation of static mixing tips is in the mixing and dispensing of fluids, such as adhesives, sealants, coatings, and fluids for industrial, construction, medical, cosmetic, and dental applications, including impression materials or other reactive material components, using a manual, battery-powered, or pneumatic dispenser. Typical operating pressure is the pressure exerted by the dispenser, which may also depend on the viscosity of the material to be dispensed. Typical internal pressures of static mixing tips can range from 2 atm to 25 atm. Typical viscosities of the material to be dispensed range from 0.1 Pa·s to 100,000 Pa·s at standard room temperature and pressure.

[0041] Radial means perpendicular to the direction of material flow or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0042] Axial means parallel to the direction of material flow or parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0043] CT scan means computed tomography scan.

[0044] The terms "air" and "gas" are used interchangeably.

[0045] Crest(s) means a raised surface, such as a protrusion or projection, that projects from a surface.

[0046] By depression(s) is meant a depression in a surface or a hollow space cut into a surface, such as a groove or channel.

[0047] The prefixes "a," "an," and "the" can refer to either the singular or the plural, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0048] Numerical values ​​in this application relate to average values. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, a numerical value should be understood to include the same numerical value when reduced to the same number of significant figures, and numerical values ​​that differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement techniques of the type described in this application to determine the value.

[0049] 1 is a cross-sectional view through the inlet of a static mixing tip 10. The static mixer 100 is disposed within a mixer housing 110. The housing 110 is received within a retaining ring 120 that serves to provide connection to a cartridge, for example, a cartridge containing the materials to be mixed and dispensed. The retaining ring 120 may have a bayonet coupling and / or other coding mechanism to ensure proper controlled coupling with the intended cartridge.

[0050] 2A shows a schematic diagram of a static mixer 100 having a sealing lip 20, a base 30, a mixing body or assembly of mixing elements 40, and a flange 130. The mixing body 40 has a geometry suitable for mixing the incoming materials. The geometric shape of the mixing body 40 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a spiral, or may include multiple components that separate the material to be mixed into multiple streams, and each mixing element includes a lateral guide wall having a transverse edge, where the lateral guide wall extends parallel to the longitudinal flow direction of the material to be mixed and the transverse edge is the edge of the lateral guide wall that divides the material to be mixed, first and second wall sections for further dividing the material into six flow paths, where each of the first and second wall sections includes a guide wall perpendicular to the lateral guide wall, and end section walls perpendicular to the guide wall, where the end section walls are perpendicular to the lateral guide wall, and the first and second wall sections are arranged opposite each other.

[0051] 2B shows the base 30 of the static mixer 100. The base 30 may have one or more inlets 50 for accepting incoming materials into the static mixer. The materials to be mixed pass through the inlets 50 and are discharged at the top of the base 30 of the static mixer 100, where they enter the housing 110.

[0052] The base 30 has a sealing lip 20 around its periphery. This sealing lip 20 is positioned at a specific depth from the top of the base 30 of the static mixer 100. The sealing lip 20 may preferably be an integral part of the static mixer 100 or may be manufactured separately and then attached to the static mixer 100. The sealing lip 20 may be a rim or strip, or may have any suitable geometric shape that provides an effective seal to prevent material from leaking in the reverse direction from the mixing tip (opposite the desired direction of material flow, e.g., toward an attached cartridge or syringe) during its normal operation and use. The sealing lip 20 may have one or more venting means 150, such as a vent 155. The vent 155 is preferably conical, with the tip of the cone extending inside the sealing lip 20. The vent 155 may alternatively be concave hemispherical. The function of the vent 155 is to permit the passage of gas or air (gas flow communication) between the two sides of the sealing lip 20 (e.g., through the sealing lip 20), but to prevent the passage of viscous materials. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various geometries, particularly narrow or tapering geometries, may be used to accomplish this function. If there is more than one vent 155 in the sealing lip 20, the vents are preferably evenly spaced. At the bottom of the base 30 of the static mixer 100 is a flange 130 that supports the housing 110. The housing 110 seats on this flange 130.

[0053] 3A and 3B show schematic views of a housing 110, with the housing 110 having a base 60 and a body 70. The exterior surface of the body 70 of the housing 110 may be generally cylindrical or rectangular. The exterior surface of the base 60 of the housing 110 may be generally cylindrical. The exterior surface of the base connecting the base 60 to the body 70 may be generally perpendicular to the body 70 of the housing 110.

[0054] 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of housing 110. An inner surface 170 of housing 110 connecting base 60 to body 70 may be generally conical. Housing 110 has an outlet 80 through which mixed material exits the static mixing tip. The surface of housing 110 connecting outlet 80 to body 70 may be generally conical or cylindrical.

[0055] 3C shows an isometric view of the housing 110, the exterior surface of which connecting the base 60 to the body 70 may have one or more ribs 90. The ribs 90 may be angled surfaces or shaped as buttresses connecting the base 60 to the body 70 of the housing 110. The ribs 90 may be evenly spaced.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of material (dotted arrows) and air (solid arrows) flowing through the static mixing tip 10. The incoming material (dotted arrows) flows through the inlet 50 of the static mixer 100 into the headspace 140 between the base 60 and the body 70 of the housing 110. The air (solid arrows) present in the headspace 140 is forced downward by the incoming material through the sealing lip 20 and / or the vent 155 present in the housing 110. As a result, the relatively narrow vent 155 is sealed by the viscous material. Thus, there is gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip 20 (i.e., through the sealing lip 20), but there is an obstruction or blockage of material flow communication. Therefore, the air present in the headspace 140 can escape to the external ambient atmosphere outside the static mixing tip 10 due to the gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip 20. Thus, the gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip 20 is part of a longer gas flow communication between the headspace 140 and the bottom opening of the retaining ring 120. Therefore, any air trapped in the headspace 140 can flow toward and through the sealing lip 20 via the venting means 150 (vent 155), past the end of the static mixer's base 30 and flange 130, and to the lower end of the housing's base 60 and retaining ring 120, which is typically connected to the cartridge outlet(s) by threaded or other mechanical connection means. This threaded or other mechanical connection between the cartridge (containing the material(s) to be mixed and dispensed) and the static mixing tip 10 is impermeable to the material but is not completely airtight. Therefore, this air is then forced out of the cartridge into the static mixing tip 10, partially by the pressure of the central flow of the material(s), through the mechanical connection means to the external atmosphere. Thus, the gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip 20 is actually part of a much longer gas flow communication between the headspace 140 and the external atmosphere, which therefore allows any trapped air in the headspace 140 to escape to the external atmosphere rather than being trapped as bubbles within the dispensed material emerging from the outlet 80.

[0057] 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic top views of cross sections through the sealing lip 20 present on the base 60 of the static mixer 100, illustrating various possible representative embodiments of the present invention, in which the vents 155 are concave hemispherical, conical, and cubical, respectively. As can be seen from these figures, the geometry of the sealing lip and its vents 155 is not particularly limited, as long as it functions to allow gas or air to pass (from one side to the other) but block the passage of viscous masses or materials; there may be one or more vents 155 present on the sealing lip 20 and / or the housing 110. The vents 155 may preferably be evenly distributed around the sealing lip 20 and / or the housing 110. The vents 155 may have various dimensions, as long as they perform the "filtering" function of being large enough to allow air to pass but small enough to prevent viscous materials from passing through them. The figures show that the vents 155 can have any shape that allows gas to pass but blocks materials. Thus, the cross-sectional area or length may vary while still performing this filtering function.

[0058] 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, and 51, these figures show that vents 155 can be present on the interior surface of the housing base 60 such that a portion of the vent 155 overlaps a portion of the contact surface 160 between the sealing lip 20 and the housing 110 along the axial direction of the static mixing tip 10. The vents 155 on the sealing lip 20 may or may not (but do not necessarily) coincide with the vents 155 in the housing base 60. Those skilled in the art will understand that useful and optimal geometries and dimensions for the venting means 150, and particularly the vents 155, can be readily determined by computational modeling and experimentation and will vary somewhat depending on the viscosity of the mass and the operating pressure at the static mixing tip 10.

[0059] FIG. 6A shows an enlarged schematic top view of a cross section through the sealing lip 20 present at the base 60 of the static mixer 100. The venting means 150 in these figures is specifically a vent 155. The depth (D) of the vent 155 is the distance between the surface of the sealing lip 20 and the innermost point of the vent. The width (W) is the length of the opening of the vent 155 at the surface of the sealing lip 20. In the case of an asymmetrical vent 155, the depth (D) and width (W) refer to the average depth and width. In this illustration, the inlets 50 are of equal size and symmetrically arranged. Similarly, all of the vents 155 may be of equal size, as shown here. One can imagine the positions of the vents 155 relative to an imaginary clock. The vent 155a closest to the inlet may be located in the area near 12 and 6 o'clock, while the vent 155b furthest from the inlet may be located in the area near 3 and 9 o'clock.

[0060] FIG. 6B shows an enlarged, schematic top view of a cross section through the sealing lip 20 at the base 60 of a static mixer 100, with vents 155 of various sizes. The static mixer 100 is suitable for mixing two materials in an equal (1:1) ratio. Accordingly, the inlets 50 are of equal size and symmetrically arranged. As can be seen, the vent 155a closest to the inlet is smaller than the vent 155b furthest from the inlet. The size of the vents can gradually increase from the smallest vent 155a closest to the inlet to the largest vent 155b furthest from the inlet. The size of the vents and their ability to allow air to pass and block clots can be easily varied by increasing or decreasing their depth (D) and / or width (W). The vents 155 can have a depth (D) and / or width (W) between approximately 0.005 mm and 0.1 mm, preferably between 0.01 mm and 0.06 mm. The vents 155 may be equal in size, or preferably unequal, with vents 155a closer to the inlet 50 being smaller than vents 155b further from the inlet 50. As determined by computational modeling or experimentation, the shaded area in the center of this figure indicates the area over which the two materials physically interact when the inlets are equal in size and the ratio of the two materials to be mixed is equal.

[0061] 6C shows an enlarged schematic top view of a cross section through the sealing lip 20 present at the base 60 of the static mixer 100, with the vents 155 having various sizes. The static mixer 100 is suitable for mixing two materials in unequal ratios (e.g., 4:1). To mix two materials in unequal ratios, the inlets 50 may have different sizes. For example, with respect to a virtual clock, the larger inlet 50 may be positioned near the 12 o'clock region, while the smaller inlet 50 may be positioned near the 6 o'clock region. The vents 155a positioned in the 11 to 1 o'clock region and the 6 o'clock region may be relatively smaller than the rest of the vents 155. The vents 155b positioned in the 4 to 5 o'clock and 7 to 8 o'clock regions may be larger than the rest of the vents 155. The size of the vents 155 may gradually increase, starting with the smallest vent 155a at 12 o'clock, in this regard, increasing in size in a clockwise direction to the region between 4 and 5 o'clock, where the vent 155b is largest. Following this, the size of the vents 155 may gradually decrease until the region near 6 o'clock, where vent 155a is smallest. Continuing clockwise, the size of the vents may gradually increase until the region near 7 and 8 o'clock, where vent 155b is largest. Thereafter, the vents 155 may gradually decrease in size until 12 o'clock. The shaded area in this diagram, closer to the smallest inlet, indicates the region where the two materials physically interact, as determined by computational modeling or experimentation.

[0062] 7A, 7B, and 7C are representative schematic diagrams of the geometries of the assembly of mixing elements 40 of the static mixer 100 according to various embodiments. These geometries are disclosed in EP 1426099 and EP 0815929. For purposes of the present invention, the particular embodiment of the assembly of mixing elements 40 is not particularly limited, as it does not significantly affect or dominate the practice of the invention as disclosed in this application.

[0063] 8 shows an enlarged schematic view of the headspace 140. As can be seen, the inner surface 170 of the housing 110, which connects the base 60 to the body 70, is generally frustoconical. A , R B and R C is the resistance faced by the incoming material (mass) at various locations within the headspace 140. A is the resistance in the region around the center of the headspace 140 (e.g., near the center of the base 30 and / or near the mixing element assembly 40), and R B is the resistance away from the center of the headspace 140. R C is the resistance in the area above the sealing lip 20, between the base 60 of the housing and the base 30 of the static mixer. Due to the housing's novel shape, there is more free volume in the center of the headspace, and thus the incoming material experiences the least resistance in the center. Therefore, R A is lowest, which causes the incoming material to occupy the area primarily around the center of the headspace first, thereby pushing the trapped air outward toward the sealing lip 20. Resistance gradually increases from the center toward the periphery of the housing, so that R B is R A As the free volume decreases further, the resistance increases, so that the resistance R in the region above the sealing lip 20, between the base 60 of the housing and the base 30 of the static mixer, C is R B This incremental slope of resistance (R A <R B <R C) ensures that the incoming material propagates without entrapment of air present in the headspace 140 and that the incoming material is eventually impeded by the sealing lip 20 and prevented from exiting in the reverse direction through the vent 155, thereby providing gas flow communication for the air between the two sides of the sealing lip 20 (i.e., through the sealing lip 20). As can be seen from this illustration, a gradient of increasing resistance to flow is easily created by using headspace geometries with smaller cross sections (progressively narrower) moving from the central region of the headspace to the lower periphery where the sealing lip 20 is located. Suitable geometries include a generally cone, a generally triangular pyramid, a generally square pyramid, a generally triangular prism, and variations thereof, including truncated cones, such as a generally frustum of a cone.

[0064] 11 shows an enlarged schematic view of the annular gap 190 between the housing base 60 and the static mixer base 30. As can be seen, the side surface 180 between the top of the static mixer base and the sealing lip 20 is generally frustoconical. D and R E is the resistance faced by the incoming material (mass) at various locations within the annular gap 190. R D is the resistance in the region around the upper portion of the annular gap 190 (e.g., near the top of the base 30), and R E is the resistance in the area at the bottom of the annular gap 190, closer to the sealing lip 20. Due to the novel shape of the side surface 180 between the top of the static mixer base 30 and the sealing lip 20, there is more free volume at the top of the annular gap 190, and therefore the incoming material is less likely to penetrate the bottom R of the annular gap 190. E Less resistance R at the top compared to D , thereby pushing the trapped air downward toward the sealing lip 20. The resistance gradually increases from the top of the annular gap 190 to the bottom of the annular gap 190 toward the sealing lip 20. This incremental gradient of resistance (R D <R E) ensures that the incoming material propagates without entrapment of air present within the annular gap 190 and that the incoming material is eventually impeded by the sealing lip 20 and prevented from exiting in the reverse direction through the vent 155, thereby providing gas flow communication for the air between the two sides of the sealing lip 20 (i.e., through the sealing lip 20). As can be seen from this illustration, a gradient of increasing resistance to flow is easily created by using annular gap geometries having smaller cross sections (progressively narrower) moving from the top of the annular gap 190 to the lower periphery where the sealing lip 20 is located. Suitable geometries include a generally cone, a generally triangular pyramid, a generally square pyramid, a generally triangular prism, and variations thereof including a truncated cone, such as a generally frustum of a cone.

[0065] FIG. 12A shows an enlarged schematic view of the inner surface 60′ of the housing base, including a crest 171 and a recess 172. The crest 171 and recess 172 are located below the point where the sealing lip 20 contacts the inner surface 60′ of the housing base (in front of the sealing lip 20 in the direction of flow from the cartridge). The presence of the recess 172 prevents a portion of the sealing lip 20 from contacting the inner surface 60′ of the housing base, thereby preventing the vent 155 in the sealing lip 20 from rubbing due to friction, particularly during assembly. Friction could damage the vent 155, causing it to lose its ability to allow air to pass through. The recess 172 allows the vent to remain intact, particularly for rigid or hard materials, such as in the case of a breakable mixing tip such as that disclosed in EP 3826704. Thus, in one embodiment, the mixing tip, having a vent and a crest and depression, is a user-breakable mixing tip that allows the outlet of the mixing tip to be increased in diameter.

[0066] FIG. 12B shows a bottom view of the inner surface 60′ of the housing base, which includes evenly spaced crests 171 and depressions 172 to allow trapped air to flow smoothly from all directions and to avoid damage all around. [Example]

[0067] Comparisons and Examples A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of incorporating the ventilation means 150, particularly the vent 155, and the generally frusto-conical geometry of the inner surface 170 of the housing 110, particularly above the headspace 140, into various model static mix tips 10.

[0068] X-ray images and CT scans were performed to measure the size and density of air bubbles in the extruded beads from various different model static mixing tips. In these examples, a standard material composition of self-adhesive, self-hardening resin cement (SpeedCEM Plus™ from Ivoclar Vivadent AG) was used in a standard cartridge with a 1:1 ratio and a commonly available hand dispenser. All model static mixing tips tested had the same mixing element assembly as in FIG. 7A.

[0069] Comparative Example 1: A static mixing tip without a vent and without a housing with a conical inner surface was tested for its performance in producing an extruded bead of mixed material. Figures 9A and 10A are X-ray and CT scan images of a bead of two materials mixed using a static mixing tip without a vent or a conical geometry on the inner surface of the housing. Large air bubbles (0.04 mm) were observed throughout the length of the bead. 3 (more than 10 ...

[0070] Comparative Example 2: In this example, a static mixing tip without venting but with a housing including a conical inner surface was tested. A bead was made from two materials using a static mixing tip without venting but with a generally frustum-conical geometry on the inner surface of the housing. X-ray and CT scan images were obtained, revealing large air bubbles throughout the length of the bead. Therefore, simply providing a conical inner surface on the housing is not effective in preventing air bubble entrapment.

[0071] Example 1: In this example, a static mixing tip having a venting means and no housing with a conical inner surface was tested. Figures 9B and 10B are X-ray and CT scan images of beads of two materials mixed using a static mixing tip having a venting means according to the present invention, specifically a vent like that shown in Figures 2A and 2B, but without the conical geometry on the inner surface of the housing. The static mixing tip includes a static mixer having a base and a housing having a base and a body. The base has one or more inlets for receiving incoming materials into the static mixer. The housing has an outlet through which the mixed materials exit the static mixing tip. A sealing lip is present on the base of the static mixer, providing a seal between the static mixer base and the housing. A vent means provides gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip. As can be seen from the figure, only small air bubbles (with a volume between 0.01 mm and 0.04 mm) were trapped in the segments of the bead. It has therefore been observed that the ventilation means (vent) according to the present invention significantly reduces the size and volume of air bubbles trapped in the mixed material, since it provides gas flow communication (e.g., through the sealing lip) between two sides of the sealing lip, i.e., the side facing the headspace (interior) and outlet, and another side oriented towards the exterior and inlet(s).

[0072] Example 2: In this example, a static mixing tip having a venting means, specifically a vent, and a housing including a generally frusto-conical inner surface was tested. Figures 9C and 10C are X-ray and CT scan images of beads of two materials mixed using a static mixing tip having a venting means that is a vent as in Example 1 and a conical geometry on the inner surface of the housing. The static mixing tip includes a static mixer having a base and a housing having a base and a body. The base has one or more inlets for receiving incoming materials into the static mixer. The housing has an outlet through which the mixed materials exit the static mixing tip. A sealing lip is present on the base of the static mixer, providing a seal between the static mixer base and the housing. A vent means provides gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip. No air bubbles were observed in the bead. It has therefore been observed that the combination of the venting means and the generally frusto-conical inner surface of the inner surface of the housing provides the best results in minimizing or even eliminating air bubbles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Static Mixing Chips 20 Sealing Lip 30 Static Mixer Base 40 Mixing Element Assembly 50 entrance(s) 60 Housing base 60' Inside of the housing base 70 Housing body 80 exit 90 ribs 100 Static Mixer 110 Housing 120 retaining ring 130 flange 140 Headspace 150 Ventilation means 155 Vent(s) 155a Vent(s) nearest to inlet(s) 155b Vent(s) farthest from inlet(s) 160 Contact surface between seal lip and housing 170 frustum inner surface 171 Crest on the inner surface of the base of the housing 172 Recess on the inner surface of the housing base 180 frustoconical side at the base of the static mixer 190 Annular gap between the base of the housing and the base of the static mixer

Claims

1. A static mixing chip (10), comprising: a static mixer (100) having a base (30); a housing (110) having a base (60) and a body (70); Equipped with a base (30) having one or more inlets (50) for receiving incoming materials into the static mixer; a housing (110) having an outlet (80) through which the mixed material exits the static mixing tip; a headspace (140) located between the housing (110) and the static mixer (100); A static mixer tip (10) having a sealing lip (20) on the base (30) of the static mixer (100) that provides a seal between the base (30) of the static mixer (100) and a housing (110), one or more venting means (150) are present on the sealing lip (20) and / or the housing (110) of the static mixer (100); A static mixing tip (10) characterized in that the venting means (150) are embodied to provide gas flow communication between the two sides of the sealing lip (20).

2. 2. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means (150) includes vents (155) oriented radially around the sealing lip (20) and / or the housing (110), and the inner surface (60′) of the base includes a crest (171) and a recess (172) in front of the sealing lip (20) in the axial direction of material flow through the mixing tip (10).

3. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation means (150) comprises a vent (155) having a depth (D) and / or width (W) of 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm.

4. 4. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means (150) includes vents (155) that are equal or unequal in size, and if unequal, the vents (155a) closer to the inlet (50) are smaller than the vents (155b) further from the inlet (50).

5. 5. The static mixing tip of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means includes unequal sized vents, the vent being larger than the vent closer to the inlet, the vent being closer to the area where the two materials to be mixed coming from the inlet physically meet and interact.

6. 6. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means (150) includes a vent (155) positioned on the inner surface of the base such that a portion of the ventilation means (150) overlaps a portion of the contact surface (160) between the sealing lip (20) and the housing (110) along the axial direction.

7. 7. The static mixer tip of claim 1, wherein the venting means includes vents that are substantially evenly distributed around the sealing lip and / or housing of the static mixer, the sealing lip and / or housing includes four or more vents, and the inner surface of the base includes two or more evenly distributed alternating crests and depressions.

8. 8. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means (150) includes a vent (155) embodied such that material entering the static mixing tip (10) forces air through the vent (155) and seals the vent (155).

9. The static mixing tip (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing (110) includes a generally frustoconical inner surface (170) connecting the base (60) to the body (70).

10. 10. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (110) includes an outer surface connecting the base (60) to the body (70), the outer surface including one or more ribs (90).

11. 11. The static mixing tip (10) of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means (150) comprises a vent (155) embodied in such a way that air, but not viscous mass, can pass through the vent (155) during normal mixing and dispensing operations at pressures below 2 bar.

12. 12. The static mixer chip of claim 1, wherein the static mixer comprises a sealing lip, a base, a flange, and an assembly of mixing elements that separate the material to be mixed into multiple streams, each mixing element comprising first and second guide walls having a common transverse edge and a separating edge at an end opposite the common transverse edge, the guide walls forming a curved, continuous transition between the separating edge and the common transverse edge, the transverse edge dividing the material to be mixed, the first and second guide walls and the common transverse edge of the mixing elements dividing the material into six flow paths, and the static mixer comprises five or more mixing elements connected to each other via a common bar element.

13. 13. A static mixer (100) suitable for a static mixing chip (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a sealing lip (20) in the form of a protruding ridge or rim or strip around the periphery of the base (30) of the static mixer (100), the sealing lip (20) including one or more radially oriented openings therein embodied to allow gas to pass through the sealing lip (20).

14. 13. Use of a static mixing tip (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 to mix two or more components and substantially release air trapped inside the static mixing tip (10) to provide a substantially air-free homogenous mixture.

15. A kit of parts comprising a static mixing tip (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a cartridge containing dental, medical or construction material, the cartridge having an outlet suitable for connection to an inlet (50) of the static mixing tip (10).

Images