Cartridge with a film head piece and support sleeve

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge (1) comprising: a circumferential, cylindrical cartridge wall (2) designed as a film, and a head piece (3) that is sealed and permanently connected to the cartridge wall (2), wherein the head piece (3) is designed as a film and has an end section (3a) and a fastening section (3b), wherein the end section (3a) is arranged in an interior space (10) of the cartridge (1) spaced longitudinally (6) from a first end (5a) of the cartridge wall (2), and wherein the fastening section (3b) is sealed and permanently connected to an inner surface (2a) of the cartridge wall (2). The invention also relates to a support sleeve for such a cartridge (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cartridge, in particular for silicones, comprising: a circumferential, cylindrical cartridge wall which is designed as a film, and a head piece which is sealingly and permanently connected to the cartridge wall.

[0002] Plastic jointing, sealing, and other filling substances are usually packaged in dimensionally stable cartridges. Such cartridges generally have a circumferential, cylindrical cartridge wall made of a dimensionally stable material. At a first end of the cylindrical cartridge wall, such a cartridge has a head piece, which usually has an outlet for one or more filling substances contained in the cartridge. The outlet can, for example, form an opening in a threaded connector, which is used for screwing on a nozzle or the like. At a second end, a piston is inserted into the interior of the cylindrical cartridge wall, which piston can be moved along a longitudinal direction of the cartridge wall towards the head piece in order to dispense the filling substance(s) from the cartridge via the outlet.To extrude the filler substance(s), such cartridges are typically inserted into a cartridge ejection gun. When the cartridge ejection gun is activated, a push rod presses on the piston via a pressure plate to force the filler substance(s) out of the cartridge's interior via the outlet.

[0003] The use of so-called foil cartridges is also known for packaging joint, sealing, and other filler substances. Foil cartridges are tubular containers that can be cut open at the front end to squeeze out the filler substance. The advantage of foil cartridges is that after the filler substance has been squeezed out, only the foil cartridge needs to be disposed of. With the rigid or dimensionally stable cartridges described above, however, the resulting waste volume corresponds to the full original volume of the cartridge. In addition, empty cartridges often have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. This is required by law, for example, if the filler substance is silicone.

[0004] Foil cartridges cannot usually be ejected in conventional cartridge ejection guns. DE 8901554 U1 describes a foil cartridge ejection device comprising a cylindrical tubular body for accommodating the foil cartridge, a head piece which can be placed onto the tubular body and has an outlet opening for a compound to be ejected, and a piston body which can be moved within the tubular body towards the head piece. The front end of the foil cartridge, which projects into a neck of the head piece, is cut open so that the compound can exit through the neck into a nozzle. By means of a piston rod of a cartridge ejection gun equipped with a pressure plate, the piston is pressed forward against the rear end of the foil cartridge, thereby compressing the foil cartridge as a whole. A spike for piercing the foil cartridge can be provided on an inner side of the head piece.

[0005] EP 2 768 620 B1 describes a cartridge having at least one longitudinally extending receiving chamber for a medium to be dispensed. The receiving chamber is defined by a head portion having an outlet for the medium, a base portion, and a cartridge wall configured as a film. The head portion and the base portion are each configured as a rigid part. The head portion is sealingly and permanently connected to the cartridge wall. A protective film is provided at the end of the receiving chamber defined by the head portion, sealingly closing the receiving chamber at this end.

[0006] In the cartridge described in EP 2 768 620 B1, both the head part and the base part project radially beyond the cartridge wall, so that a support sleeve, which is intended to support the cartridge when dispensing filling substances, cannot lie directly against the outside of the cartridge wall.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a cartridge which has a reduced waste volume and a high level of functional reliability and which can also be used flexibly.

[0008] This object is achieved according to one aspect of the invention by a cartridge of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the head piece is designed as a film and has an end section and a fastening section, wherein the end section is arranged in an interior of the cartridge at a distance from a first end of the cartridge wall in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the fastening section is sealingly and non-detachably connected to an inner side of the cartridge wall.

[0009] In the cartridge according to this aspect of the invention, the headpiece is not designed as a rigid component, but as a film. The film is sealingly and permanently connected to the inside of the cartridge wall by means of the fastening section. The sealing connection can be created, for example, by plastic welding or gluing. The fastening section typically has a cylindrical geometry and borders the end section of the film. Due to the cylindrical geometry of the cartridge wall, the end section of the headpiece is typically circular and spaced from a first end of the cartridge wall along its longitudinal direction.

[0010] In contrast to the protective film described in EP 2 768 620 B1 cited above, the spacing of the front section of the headpiece from the first end of the cartridge wall creates a free space in the interior of the cartridge into which a rigid connector can be inserted. This connector has an outlet for the filling substances stored in the cartridge (see below). This increases the flexibility of using the cartridge, as differently designed connectors can be inserted into the cartridge.

[0011] In contrast, in an example described in EP 2 768 620 B1, the film forming the cartridge wall is overmolded with the liquid plastic during production, which plastic forms the head part after cooling. When the film forming the cartridge wall is overmolded, the film can shrink. In addition, a head piece that protrudes radially beyond the cartridge wall has the disadvantage described above that a support sleeve used to dispense the filling substances can spread out longitudinally on the outside of the cartridge wall and possibly in the area of the head piece when pushed on. If the connecting piece is inserted into the interior of the cartridge, the problem of protrusion can be avoided.

[0012] In one embodiment, the longitudinal distance between the first end of the cartridge wall and the front section of the head piece is at least 0.3 cm. If the fastening section faces the first end of the cartridge, its longitudinal length is limited by the distance between the first end of the cartridge and the front section of the head piece. However, the fastening section should have a sufficient surface area to withstand the forces when the filling substances are dispensed from the cartridge and to prevent the head piece from detaching from the cartridge wall. A sufficient distance between the first end of the cartridge wall and the front section of the head piece is generally also required to fix the connecting piece in the cartridge or to secure it against falling out (see below).

[0013] In a further embodiment, the cartridge comprises a rigid connector piece that is inserted into the cartridge at the first end and has an outlet for the discharge of filling substances stored in the cartridge. The connector piece preferably has a peripheral edge for contact with the inside of the cartridge wall and / or with an inside of the fastening section of the headpiece. Since the interior of the cartridge is sealed by the foil headpiece, the material of the rigid connector piece can be selected virtually freely.

[0014] For the purposes of this application, the term "dimensionally stable" means that a component, e.g., the connector, does not change its shape during normal use and can be deformed elastically at most without significant force. Compared to a dimensionally stable component, a foil component, e.g., the foil cartridge wall, is significantly thinner. The thickness of the foil cartridge wall and the foil headpiece is generally less than approximately 0.5 mm, possibly less than 0.3 mm, or less than 0.2 mm.

[0015] As described above, the connector can be inserted into the cartridge at the first end where the head piece is sealed and permanently connected to the cartridge wall. The connector is typically inserted lengthwise into the interior of the cartridge until it, or more precisely a plate-shaped section of the connector, rests against the front section of the foil head piece. The circumferential edge fixes the connector in the radial direction to the inside of the cartridge wall or the fastening section. The diameter of the circumferential edge of the connector can be adapted to the diameter of the inside of the cartridge wall or the inside of the fastening section in such a way that the edge of the connector presses against the inside of the circumferential side wall, so that it is pressed in during insertion and secured against falling out.The outlet of the connector can, for example, be an opening in a nozzle formed on the plate-shaped portion of the connector. The nozzle can be provided with a thread to attach a nozzle or the like for dispensing the filling substances from the cartridge.

[0016] In principle, it is possible to permanently connect the connector to the inside of the cartridge wall or to the inside of the mounting section, for example, by welding or gluing. The detachable attachment or fastening of the connector to the cartridge wall also makes it possible to deliver the cartridge to a filler and separately supply the filler with the connector or a desired type of connector, or to reuse the existing connector for a new cartridge.

[0017] In a further development of this embodiment, a locking section, preferably in the form of a folded film section, is formed on the fastening section of the head piece in order to hold the dimensionally stable connecting piece in the cartridge. The locking section can form a folded end of the fastening section that is not connected to the inside of the cartridge wall. In this case, after the fastening section (without the locking section) has been connected to the inside of the cartridge wall, the locking section can be folded and brought into contact with the inside of the fastening section. If necessary, the folded film section can be connected to the inside of the fastening section, e.g., by welding or gluing.

[0018] The folded foil section serves as a locking section, as when inserting the connector into the cartridge, the peripheral edge of the connector moves past the folded foil section until the end facing the first end is located behind the end of the folded foil section in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge. The free end of the folded foil section forms a shoulder that effectively prevents the connector from moving toward the first end of the cartridge and thus from falling out of the cartridge.

[0019] To dispense the filler substances, the film headpiece, or more precisely the front section, must be made permeable to the filler substances. This can be achieved in various ways.

[0020] In one embodiment, the rigid connector has at least one mandrel for piercing the front section of the headpiece. As described above, the connector is inserted longitudinally into the interior of the cartridge. The mandrel presses against the front section of the foil headpiece and pierces it.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the front section of the head part has a perforation, which is preferably covered by a protective film that is detachably attached to the front section. The perforation makes it easier to pierce the front section of the film head piece. The perforation can be introduced into the film, for example, by punching, e.g., in the form of a cross-shaped punch or the like. The perforation can be covered by a protective film that is detachably or peelably applied to the front section of the film head part. The peelable protective film is removed by an operator before the connecting piece is inserted into the cartridge. In this case, the use of the mandrel described above or the use of another tool for piercing the front section of the film head piece can be dispensed with.However, it is fundamentally possible to use a head piece in this case as well, which has at least one mandrel to pierce the front section of the foil head piece.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the cartridge comprises a piston which can be inserted into an interior of the cartridge at a second end of the cartridge wall opposite the first and can be displaced longitudinally along the cartridge wall in a sealing manner. Like the connecting piece, the piston is also a dimensionally stable component. After the cartridge has been filled with the filling substances, the piston is inserted into the interior of the cartridge in order to seal the interior. When the filling substances are dispensed via the outlet at the first end of the cartridge wall, the piston is displaced longitudinally towards the first end of the cartridge wall.

[0023] In a further development, a film is attached to a side of the piston facing the interior of the cartridge. The film on the side facing the interior of the cartridge, the film headpiece, and the film cartridge wall completely surround the fill substances with film components. The film can be applied to the side of the piston facing the interior of the cartridge in a single step, for example, using the IML process, but the film can also be subsequently applied / welded in a separate step. With this design, there are few restrictions on the material selection for the piston, as the film acts as a barrier to the piston, which is not attacked by the filling material. In contrast, applying a protective film to the end of the piston facing away from the interior of the cartridge, as described in EP 2 768 620 B1, is not effective in protecting the piston itself.

[0024] During transport of the cartridge or if the filling substances accidentally heat up, the piston may be displaced along the cartridge wall toward the second end of the cartridge and unintentionally detach from the cartridge, causing the filling substances to leak out of the second end. This is particularly problematic when using a cartridge with a foil cartridge wall, as the frictional forces between the cartridge wall and the piston are reduced compared to a conventional cartridge.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the cartridge has a base part that is permanently connected, in particular sealingly, to the cartridge wall at a second end of the cartridge wall, preferably to an inner side of the cartridge wall. The base part has an opening for inserting the piston into the interior of the cartridge, and the base part preferably projects at least partially radially beyond an outer side of the cartridge wall. The base part can be a dimensionally stable component, but can also be designed as a film.

[0026] The base part stabilizes the cartridge and also makes it easier to fill. Like the foil head piece, the base part is preferably permanently connected to the inside of the cartridge wall, e.g. welded or glued. The base part can be sealingly connected to the inner wall of the cartridge, but this is not absolutely necessary. The base part can have a section that projects radially beyond the outside of the cartridge wall, e.g. in the manner of a circumferential edge, which forms a stop for a support sleeve that is pushed from the first end of the cartridge onto the outside of the cartridge wall. The section preferably projects radially beyond the outside of the cartridge by at least 0.3 mm. The base part is preferably essentially annular so that the piston can be inserted through the base part into the interior of the cartridge.Since the cartridge wall itself is made of a film, it is advantageous if the base part (partially) protrudes beyond the cartridge wall in the longitudinal direction, as this allows the cartridge to be set up and stored in an upright position.

[0027] In a further development, the base part has at least one, preferably resilient, retaining element protruding beyond the inside of the cartridge wall to prevent displacement of the piston towards the second end of the cartridge. The retaining element(s) are preferably designed in the manner of resilient latching hooks which, starting from a circumferential edge of the base part (angled), are aligned towards the interior. When the piston is inserted into the cartridge, the resilient retaining elements are pressed radially outwards. As soon as the piston, or more precisely the outer edge of the piston, has moved past the retaining elements, the resilient retaining elements move radially inwards and thus prevent displacement of the piston inserted into the cartridge towards the second end of the cartridge.It has proven advantageous for the base part to have a plurality of retaining elements arranged at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction. In particular, the retaining elements can be designed in the form of circular sectors. The retaining elements in the form of circular sectors can extend to the center of the base part, but it is generally sufficient for the retaining elements to project inward only along a radially outer edge of the base part.

[0028] A second aspect of the invention relates to a cartridge of the type mentioned at the outset, which is designed according to the first aspect of the invention .In the cartridge, the cartridge wall has, in the region of a second end, at least one holding element and / or a holding section projecting beyond the inside of the cartridge wall in order to prevent movement of a piston which can be displaced in a sealing manner in the longitudinal direction along the cartridge wall in the direction of the second end of the cartridge, and / or the cartridge wall has, in the region of the second end, at least one holding element or a holding section projecting beyond an outer side of the cartridge wall in order to limit movement of a support sleeve which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction along an outer side of the cartridge wall in the direction of the second end of the cartridge.

[0029] In the cartridge according to the second aspect of the invention, the provision of a base part can generally be completely dispensed with, since the above-described function of the base part, namely protecting the piston from falling out of the cartridge and forming a stop for the support sleeve, can be taken over by the cartridge wall.

[0030] For this purpose, sections of the cartridge wall can be formed as retaining sections by appropriately reshaping them, and / or one or more retaining elements can be formed on the cylindrical cartridge wall. The reshaping of the cartridge wall in the region of the second end can also serve to stabilize the cartridge as a whole.

[0031] In one embodiment, the piston projects at least partially longitudinally beyond the second end of the cartridge wall. The piston can have a circumferential, e.g., cylindrical section that projects beyond the second end of the cartridge wall and forms a support surface for the cartridge so that the cartridge can be set up and stored in an upright position. However, for setting up the cartridge, it is not absolutely necessary for the piston to have a circumferential, projecting section; rather, it is sufficient if the piston has several projecting areas that can serve as supports for setting up the cartridge.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the retaining portion protruding beyond the inner side and / or the retaining portion protruding beyond the outer side is formed by a flanged edge. In this case, the foil of the cartridge wall is folded outward at the second end to limit the support sleeve from moving toward the second end of the cartridge wall and / or folded inward to limit the movement of the piston. In this case, the folded flanged edge forms a contact surface for the support sleeve.

[0033] In one embodiment, the holding elements protruding beyond the inside and / or the holding elements protruding beyond the outside form sections of the cartridge wall that are partially separated (usually punched out) from the cartridge wall. The partially separated sections are connected on at least one side to the remaining, cylindrical cartridge wall. The connection of the partially separated sections to the at least one side can be designed, for example, in the manner of a film hinge. Due to the fact that the cartridge wall is designed as a film, the partially separated sections of the cartridge wall have a certain flexibility, i.e. they are typically elastically springy. The side along which the partially separated sections are connected to the cartridge wall can be aligned in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge or the cartridge wall.In this case, the partially separated sections typically extend from the connection side in the axial direction to the first end of the cartridge wall. However, it is also possible for the connection side to be oriented at a different angle (other than 90°) to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge wall. In particular, the connection side can run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge wall, so that the partially separated sections extend in the radial direction.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the retaining elements protruding beyond the inner side and / or the retaining elements protruding beyond the outer side are formed by folding sections of the cartridge wall that protrude beyond the second end of the cartridge wall, wherein the protruding sections are preferably at least partially connected, in particular welded, to the inner side of the cylindrical cartridge wall or at least partially to the outer side of the cylindrical cartridge wall. By folding and typically by the additional welding, the protruding, folded sections of the cartridge wall are aligned towards the first end of the cartridge wall in order to fulfill their function as retaining elements.

[0035] The protruding sections may be bent and folded individually, but the protruding sections may also be connected to a peripheral section of the cartridge wall, which is itself bent as a whole and folded toward the first end of the cartridge wall, thereby aligning the protruding sections toward the first end of the cartridge wall. The folded section may, if necessary, be further bent to form the flanged edge described above, which projects beyond the outer side of the cartridge wall.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the cartridge has a support sleeve comprising a cylindrical sleeve wall that rests against an outer side of the cartridge wall. The support sleeve can be made of a plastic material, but this is not absolutely necessary, since the support sleeve is only needed to stabilize the cartridge during dispensing of the filling substances. A support sleeve made of cardboard, paperboard, or another suitable material can also fulfill this purpose. The support sleeve can be inserted into a cartridge dispensing gun together with the rest of the cartridge to dispense the filling substances from the cartridge. Alternatively, the support sleeve can be attached to the cartridge dispensing gun, and the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge dispensing gun without the support sleeve. In this case, the support sleeve can be used multiple times.Replacing the support sleeve is only necessary if the support sleeve becomes dirty or damaged during the discharge of the filling substances.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the headpiece, the piston, and / or the support sleeve are / are at least partially, in particular entirely, made of a recycled plastic or consist of a recycled plastic. By using film components for those areas of the cartridge that come into contact with the filling substances, it is possible to use recycled plastic for the rigid components of the cartridge.

[0038] The support sleeve comprises a cylindrical sleeve wall for engagement with the outer side of the cartridge wall of a cartridge which is designed as described above (wherein no rigid connection piece is inserted into the cartridge), wherein a rigid connection piece for insertion into the cartridge is attached to a first end of the cylindrical sleeve wall, wherein the connection piece is preferably connected to the cylindrical sleeve wall of the support sleeve via at least one predetermined breaking element.

[0039] In the support sleeve described here, the dimensionally stable connecting piece is integrated into the support sleeve and can be detached from it by breaking through at least one predetermined breaking point. The predetermined breaking point(s) can in particular be arranged on a radially outer edge of the connecting piece and can be broken through by applying a force to the front side of the connecting piece, for example to a nozzle formed on the connecting piece. When the force is applied, the connecting piece can be pushed into the interior of the cartridge and brought into contact with the front section of the foil head piece. The force on the connecting piece can be applied manually by an operator. Preferably, the force is applied to the connecting piece by a cartridge ejection gun into which the support sleeve is inserted together with the cartridge.When the force builds up in the cartridge dispensing gun, a push rod acts on the cartridge piston via a pressure plate, pressing the connector connected to the support sleeve against a face plate of the cartridge dispensing gun. The connector then plunges into the cartridge and separates from the cylindrical wall of the support sleeve.

[0040] The film components described above, as well as the rigid components, are typically made of plastics commonly used in cartridges—with the possible exception of the support sleeve (see above). These plastics can be, for example, polyamides (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyolefins in general. If the filler is silicone, polypropylene cannot generally be used; in this case, HDPE is typically used. As described above, the plastics can also be recycled plastics.

[0041] In particular, the film components do not necessarily have to be made of a single material; they can also be laminates. A laminate consists of several film layers bonded together. The film components, especially the film cartridge wall, can also be printed. The structure of the film components depends on the specific requirements of the cartridge and the respective filler substances and can be customized. For example, by selecting suitable film materials, the barrier properties of the cartridge against oxygen and water vapor, or even the resistance of the cartridge to aggressive filler substances, can be increased.

[0042] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings. The embodiments shown and described are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather serve as examples for describing the invention.

[0043] The invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a foil head piece, a foil cartridge wall and a base part, which together form a cartridge, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the cartouche of Fig. 1 and a connector which can be inserted into the cartridge at a first end, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 1 with the connector inserted into the cartridge, Fig. 4 a representation analogous to Fig. 3 , in which the connecting piece has a mandrel for piercing a front section of the foil head piece, Fig. 5 a representation analogous to Fig. 3 , in which a perforation on the front section of the film head is covered by a protective film, Fig.6 a partial section of a cartridge, which is analogous to Fig. 3 is formed with a piston inserted into the cartridge at a second end, on the side of which facing the interior of the cartridge a film is applied, Fig. 7 a sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 6 , Fig. 8a-d schematic representations of a support sleeve for a cartridge, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, wherein the support sleeve has a cylindrical sleeve wall to which a connecting piece is connected via web-shaped predetermined breaking elements, Fig. 9a,b Sectional views of a cartridge without a base part, in which flanged edges or holding elements for the piston are formed on the cylindrical cartridge wall, Fig. 10a,b schematic representations of a cylindrical cartridge wall on which projecting retaining elements are formed in the form of partially separated sections of the cartridge wall, as well as Fig. 11a,b schematic representations of a blank of a cartridge wall, at the second end of which projecting sections are formed, and of a cylindrical cartridge wall with holding elements formed by folding the projecting sections of the blank.

[0044] Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 show a cartridge 1 , which has a circumferential, cylindrical cartridge wall 2 and a headpiece 3 both of which are formed as foil. The cartridge 1 also has a bottom part 4which in the example shown is made of foil, but can also be made of a dimensionally stable component. The cartridge wall 2 is at a first end 5a with the headpiece 3 and at a second end 5b permanently connected to the base part 4. The cylindrical cartridge wall 2 is formed from a rectangular foil blank, which is rolled up and whose adjacent sides are in a Fig. 1 The two cartridges are connected, or more precisely welded, to each other in the overlapping area shown in the hatched area. Alternatively, the cylindrical cartridge wall 2 can be formed from a film tube.

[0045] The foil head piece 3 has a frontal, circular or disc-shaped section 3a and a cylindrical mounting section 3b The fastening section 3b adjoins the radially outer edge of the front section 3a and is in the longitudinal direction 8 (cf. Fig. 3 ) of the cartridge 1 towards the first end 5a the cartridge wall 2. The fastening section 3a of the head piece 3 is Fig. 1 hatched outside sealing and inseparable with an inside 2a the foil cartridge wall 2. In the example shown, this is a welded connection, but the sealing and non-detachable connection can also be an adhesive connection or the like. The base part 4, which is essentially annular, is also non-detachably and, in the example shown, also sealingly connected to the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2. The area on the outside of the annular circumferential wall of the base part 4, which is connected to the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2, is in Fig. 1 also shown hatched.

[0046] The base part 4 also has a radially extending outer side 2bthe cylindrical cartridge wall 2 protruding edge area 7 The edge region 7 protrudes beyond the second end 5b of the cartridge 1 not only radially but also longitudinally 8. The projecting edge region 7 of the base part 4 forms a support surface for setting up the cartridge 1.

[0047] The base part 4 also has a central opening 9 on which a Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 not shown piston into an interior 10 of cartridge 1 (cf. Fig. 3 ) can be inserted. The base part 4 also has a plurality of resilient holding elements projecting beyond the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2 11In the example shown, the resilient holding elements 11 protrude radially inwards from the circumferential edge of the base part 4 and are aligned at an angle to the longitudinal direction 8 of the cartridge 1 in the direction of the first end 5a of the cartridge 1. In the example shown, the holding elements 11 are formed from a flat blank of the base part 4 by punching circular sectors into the blank, which were then bent over in order to suitably align the holding elements 11. Since the holding elements 11 are only connected to the annular edge of the base part 4 on one side, they have a certain elasticity and are pressed radially outwards when the piston is inserted via the second end 5b of the cartridge wall into the interior 10 of the cartridge 1.

[0048] As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the front section 3a of the foil head piece 3 is spaced from the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2. In the example shown, the distance A in the longitudinal direction 8 between the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2 and the front section 3a of the head piece 3 is approximately 0.5 cm, but the distance A can also be larger or smaller and, for example, be approximately 0.3 cm. The spacing of the front section 3a of the head piece 3 from the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2 makes it possible to insert a dimensionally stable connecting piece into the cartridge 1. 12 to use.

[0049] The rigid connecting piece 12 has an outlet 13for dispensing filling substances, which in the example shown is designed in the form of a threaded connector with a through-hole. A nozzle or the like can be attached to the threaded connector for dispensing the filling substances. The connecting piece 12 has a plate-shaped section to which a radially outer, cylindrically circumferential edge 12a which serves to engage the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2. In the example shown, in which the fastening section 3b of the head piece 4 protrudes from the front section 3a in the direction of the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2, the peripheral edge 12a is brought into contact with the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2 when the connecting piece 12 is inserted. As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the connecting piece 12 is pushed in so far when inserted into the cartridge 1 that the plate-shaped section of the connecting piece 12 is brought into contact with the front section 3a of the head piece 4.

[0050] As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, a support sleeve is attached to the outside 2b of the cartridge wall 2 14 which consists of a cylindrical sleeve wall 19 The Fig. 1 The edge 7 of the base part 4, which projects radially beyond the outer side 2a of the cartridge wall 2, serves as a contact surface for the support sleeve 14 and prevents the support sleeve 14 from being displaced beyond the second edge 5b of the cartridge wall 2.

[0051] In order to ensure that the filling substances can be discharged from the cartridge 1 through the outlet 13, it is necessary to pierce the foil head piece 3 in the front section 3a. This can be done in different ways. Fig. 4 In the example shown, the connecting piece 12 has a mandrel 15which is mounted in the threaded connector forming the outlet 13. When the connecting piece 12 is inserted into the cartridge 1, the mandrel 15 is pressed against the end section 3a of the foil head piece 3 and pierces it. The mandrel 15 is formed on a cap-shaped section of the outlet 13, which is cut off from the outlet 13 before the filling substances are dispensed, so that the mandrel 15 does not obstruct the filling substances during dispensing. To facilitate piercing with the mandrel 15, the end section 3a of the foil head piece 3 can have a perforation, but this is not absolutely necessary.

[0052] In the Fig. 5 In the example shown, the front section 3a of the film head piece 3 has a perforation in the form of a cross-shaped punch (in Fig. 5 not shown). The perforation is covered by a protective film on a side facing the first end of the cartridge wall 216 which prevents the filling substances from accidentally escaping. The protective film 16 is peelable and can be removed from the front section 3a before the connector 12 is inserted into the cartridge 1.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows cartridge 1 of Fig. 4 und Fig. 5 , which also has a piston 17 The piston 17 is inserted into the cartridge 1 at the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2 and is displaceable in a sealing manner in the longitudinal direction 8 of the cartridge wall 2. The piston 17 is a dimensionally stable component, on the side of which facing the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2, in the example shown, a film 18The interior space 10 of the cartridge 1 is thus defined by the foil headpiece 3, the foil cartridge wall 2, and the foil 18 attached to the piston 17. The connecting piece 12 and the piston 17 therefore do not come into direct contact with the filling substances, so that a large number of (plastic) materials can be used for these components, especially recycled materials.

[0054] Fig. 7 shows cartridge 1 of Fig. 6 in the filled state in a sectional view, in which the connecting piece 12 inserted into the cartridge 1 can also be seen. The plate-shaped section of the connecting piece 12 has a curvature that is adapted to a curvature on the side of the piston 17 facing the first end 5a of the cartridge 1. As in Fig. 7 As can be seen, the front section 3a of the foil head piece 3 is pressed by the filling substances against the curved plate-shaped section of the connecting piece 12. The Fig. 7 The retaining elements 11, which can also be seen and are attached to the base part 4, serve as a stop and prevent the piston 17 from being pushed out of the cartridge 1 by the pressure exerted by the filling substances at the second end 5b. The retaining elements 11 act like barbs, which press against the piston 17 on a side facing the second end 5b of the cartridge 1 when the piston is displaced towards the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2.

[0055] The Fig. 3 bis Fig. 7 The protective sleeve 14 shown consists of the cylindrical sleeve wall 19. Fig. 8a -d each show a support sleeve 14' which differs from the Fig. 3 bis Fig. 7 The protective sleeve 14 shown in FIG. 1 differs in that, in addition to the cylindrical sleeve wall 19, which is pushed onto an outer side 2a of the cartridge wall 2 in order to stabilize the cartridge wall 2 during the discharge of the filling substances, it has the connecting piece 12 described above. The connecting piece 12 is at a first end 20a the cylindrical sleeve wall 19 is attached to the front side and has predetermined breaking elements 21 in the form of webs extending in the radial direction to the cylindrical sleeve wall 19. Due to the presence of the connecting piece 12, the sleeve wall 19 can be injection-molded together with the connecting piece in one tool.

[0056] To insert the connector 12 into the cartridge 1, first insert the cartridge 1 (without the connector 12) into the support sleeve 14' as shown in Fig. 8b The support sleeve 14' with the inserted cartridge 1 is then inserted into a cartridge ejection gun 22 which are very schematic in Fig. 8d When the cartridge ejection gun 22 is operated, a push rod 23 via a printing plate 24 on the piston 17 to force the filling substances out of the interior 10 of the cartridge 1 via the outlet 13. The cartridge 1 is pressed against a front plate 25 the cartridge ejection gun.

[0057] When pressed against the end plate 25, a force is applied to the connecting piece 12, which displaces the connecting piece 12 into the interior 10 of the cartridge 1. The peripheral edge 12a of the connecting piece 12 has a length that essentially corresponds to the distance A between the end section 3a of the foil head piece 3 and the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2. As shown in Fig. 7 As can be seen, the circumferential edge 12a of the connecting piece 12 inserted into the cartridge 1 is flush with the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2 and also with the first end 20a of the cylindrical sleeve wall 19.

[0058] Alternatively to the Fig. 8d In the example shown, a support sleeve 14, such as that shown in Fig. 3 shown, be a component of the cartridge dispensing gun 22. In this case, the cartridge 1 is inserted into the support sleeve 14 of the cartridge dispensing gun 22. In this case, the connecting piece 12 can be delivered separately and is inserted into the cartridge 1 before inserting the cartridge 1 into the cartridge dispensing gun 22, as described above in connection with Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 It is understood that the cartridge 1 can also be delivered with the connector 12 already installed.

[0059] The cartridges 1 described above have in common that they have a base part 4. However, such a base part 4 is not absolutely necessary, as will be shown below with reference to the Fig. 9a ,b , Fig. 10a ,b and Fig. 11a ,b `described cartridges 1.

[0060] Fig. 9a,b each show a cartridge 1, which differs from the one in Fig. 7 differs from the cartridge 1 shown in that, instead of using the base part 4, the dimensional stability of the cartridge 1 at its second end 5b is increased by shaping the cartridge wall 2 to stabilize it. In addition, the shaping of the cartridge wall 2 can ensure that the piston 17 is held in the cartridge 1 and that the movement of the support sleeve 14 or 14' in the direction of the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2 is limited.

[0061] At the Fig. 9a In the cartridge 1 shown, the cartridge wall 2 has, directly at the second end 5b, a first holding section in the form of a first flanged edge, which protrudes outwards beyond the outer side 2b of the cartridge wall 2 26 and a second holding section in the form of a second flanged edge slightly spaced from the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2 27 which projects beyond the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2. The two flanged edges 26, 27 are produced by reshaping the material of the cartridge wall 2. The first flanged edge 26 limits the movement of the support sleeve 14 toward the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2, and the second flanged edge 27 limits or prevents the movement of the piston 17 toward the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2.

[0062] The Fig. 9b The cartridge 1 shown also has the flanged edge 26 projecting beyond the outer side 2b of the cartridge wall 2. At the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2, holding elements 11 are formed, which are analogous to those in connection with Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 The holding elements 11 described serve to limit the movement of the piston 17 in the direction of the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2. The holding elements 11 are formed on a lateral edge of a blank of the cartridge wall 2, which is folded back towards the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2 after the cylindrical cartridge wall 2 has been produced. The folded-back section of the cartridge wall 2 is welded to the inner side 2a of the remaining, cylindrical cartridge wall 2. The holding elements 11 are as in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 designed in the manner of locking hooks and project beyond the folded-back section of the cartridge wall 2 in the direction of the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2. The holding elements 11 are connected on one side to the folded-back section of the cartridge wall 2 and press with their free ends against the piston 17 when the piston is moved in the direction of the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2. The flanged edge 26 is formed after welding the folded-back section by bending the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2 with the folded-back section (i.e. with twice the wall thickness) outwards.

[0063] In the Fig. 9a,b In the cartridges 1 shown, the fastening section 3a of the head piece 3 has a locking section which is in the form of a folded film section 28is designed to hold the dimensionally stable connecting piece 12 in the cartridge 1. The film section 28 folded back towards the second end 5b of the cartridge 1 is welded to the inside of the fastening section 3b of the film head piece 3. A free end of the film section 28 folded back towards the second end 5b of the cartridge wall 2 forms a shoulder with which a free end of the circumferential edge 12a of the connecting piece 12 engages when the connecting piece 12 is inserted into the cartridge 1.

[0064] As in Fig. 9a,b As can also be seen, the connecting piece 12 has a mandrel 15, which can be used, as described above, to pierce the end section 3a of the foil head piece 3. Unlike in Fig. 4 As shown, the outlet 13 does not have a cap-shaped section that must be removed before use of the cartridge 1. Rather, the mandrel 15 is connected via predetermined breaking points to the inside of the outlet 13 or the threaded connector. After piercing the end section 3a of the foil headpiece 3, the mandrel 15 can be broken out of the connector 12, revealing the opening for the filling substances.

[0065] Unlike this in Fig. 9a,b As shown, it is possible for the piston 17 to protrude at least partially in the longitudinal direction 8 beyond the second end 5b of the cartridge wall in order to form a support surface for setting up the cartridge 1. This function is used in the Fig. 9a,b shown cartridges 1 taken from the flanged edge 26.

[0066] In the Fig. 10a,b In the example shown, first holding elements 11a projecting beyond the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2 and second holding elements 11b projecting beyond the outer side 2b of the cartridge wall 2 are formed. The first and second holding elements 11a, 11b are formed as sections partially separated from the cartridge wall 2, which are bent toward the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2 and toward the outer side 2b of the cartridge wall 2, respectively. Fig. 10a,b In the example shown, the first and second holding elements 11a, 11b are rectangular and are connected to the cartridge wall 2 with one side in the manner of a film hinge. Openings are formed on the cartridge wall 2 by the partial separation in the area of the first and second holding elements 11a, 11b. It is therefore necessary to form the first and second holding elements 11a, 11b in an area of the cartridge wall 2 in which no filling substances are present. In this case, the piston 17, which lies sealingly against the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2, prevents the filling substances from escaping through the openings in the cartridge wall 2. It is understood that the holding elements 11a, 11b or the partially separated sections of the cartridge wall 2 are Fig. 10a ,b may deviate from the rectangular geometry shown.

[0067] The side with which the partially separated sections 11a, 11b are connected to the cartridge wall 2 can be aligned in different ways with respect to the longitudinal axis 8 of the cartridge 1: The side of the connection can, for example, be aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 8 of the cartridge 1, as is the case with the first, outwardly projecting holding elements 11a of Fig. 10a is the case, which are axially aligned. In the Fig. 10b In the example shown, the side to which the first and second, radially aligned holding elements 11a, 11b are connected is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 8 of the cartridge 1.

[0068] In Fig. 10b It can also be seen how the protruding first retaining elements 11a limit the movement of the support sleeve 19 toward the second end 5b of the cartridge 1. It is generally possible to use the openings in the cartridge wall 2 to attach a support ring or the like to the cartridge wall 2. However, the attachment of a support ring or a base part 4 is generally not necessary.

[0069] As in Fig. 10a As can be seen, to increase the stability of the cartridge wall 2, the film can be doubled in the region of the first and second holding or locking elements 11a, 11b. For the doubling, the film of the cartridge wall 2 can be folded, and the folded section of the film can be welded to the outer side 2b of the cartridge wall 2. It is also possible for the film to have several folds or several layers that are welded together in the region of the openings in the cartridge wall 2 in order to increase the stability of the cartridge.

[0070] Fig. 11a,b show a blank of a cartridge wall 2 and a cylindrical cartridge wall 2 formed from the blank. As in Fig. 11a As can be seen, projecting sections 11a, 11b are formed on the blank of the cartridge wall 2, which are folded back in the overlapping area towards the first end 5a of the cartridge wall 2 before or after the formation of the cylindrical cartridge wall 2 by welding. The projecting sections 11a, 11b are alternately folded outwards or inwards to form the first and second holding elements 11a, 11b, as shown in Fig. 11b is indicated. As a rule, the protruding, folded sections 11a, 11b are welded to the inner side 2a of the cartridge wall 2 or to the outer side 2b of the cartridge wall 2, but this is not absolutely necessary.

Claims

1. Cartridge (1), comprising: an encircling cylindrical cartridge wall (2), which is designed as a film, a head piece (3), which is connected sealingly and non-detachably to the cartridge wall (2), characterized in that the head piece (3) is designed as a film and has an end-face portion (3a) and a fastening portion (3b), wherein the end-face portion (3a) is arranged in an interior (10) of the cartridge (1) at a distance in the longitudinal direction (8) from a first end (5a) of the cartridge wall (2), and wherein the fastening portion (3b) is connected sealingly and non-detachably to an inner side (2a) of the cartridge wall (2).

2. Cartridge according to Claim 1, in which a distance (A) in the longitudinal direction (8) between the first end (5a) of the cartridge wall (2) and the end-face portion (3a) of the head piece (3) is at least 0.3 cm.

3. Cartridge according to one of Claims 1 or 2, further comprising: a dimensionally stable connection piece (12), which is inserted into the cartridge (1) at the first end (5a) of the cartridge wall (2) and which has an outlet (13) for the emergence of filling substances stored in the cartridge (1), wherein the connection piece (12) preferably has an encircling rim (12a) for contact with the inner side (2a) of the cartridge wall (2) and / or with an inner side of the fastening portion (3b) of the head piece (3).

4. Cartridge according to Claim 3, in which a latching portion, preferably in the form of a folded film portion (28), is formed on the fastening portion (3a) of the head piece (3) in order to hold the dimensionally stable connection piece (12) in the cartridge (1).

5. Cartridge according to one of Claims 3 or 4, in which the dimensionally stable connection piece (12) has at least one spike (15) for piercing the end-face portion (3a) of the head piece (3).

6. Cartridge according to one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the end-face portion (3a) of the head piece (3) has a perforation, which is preferably covered by a protective film (16), which is releasably attached to the end-face portion (3a).

7. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a piston (17), which can be inserted at a second end (5b) of the cartridge wall (2) into an interior (10) of the cartridge (1) and can be moved sealingly in the longitudinal direction (8) along the cartridge wall (2).

8. Cartridge according to Claim 7, in which a film (18) is attached to a side of the piston (17) which faces the interior (10) of the cartridge (1).

9. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a base part (4), which is connected non-detachably, in particular sealingly, to the cartridge wall (2), preferably to an inner side (2a) of the cartridge wall (2), at a second end (5b) of the cartridge wall (2), wherein the base part (4) has an opening (9) for the insertion of the piston (17) into the interior (10) of the cartridge (1), and wherein the base part (4) preferably projects at least partially beyond an outer side (2b) of the cartridge wall (2) in the radial direction.

10. Cartridge according to Claim 9, in which the base part (4) has at least one, preferably resilient, retention element (11) projecting beyond the inner side (2a) of the cartridge wall (2) in order to prevent movement of the piston (1) in the direction of the second end (5b) of the cartridge (1).

11. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cartridge wall (2) has, in the region of a second end (5b), at least one retention element (11, 11b) projecting beyond the inner side (2a) of the cartridge wall (2), and / or a retention portion (27), in order to prevent movement, in the direction of the second end (5b) of the cartridge wall (2), of a piston (17) which can be moved sealingly in the longitudinal direction (8) along the cartridge wall (2), and / or in which the cartridge wall (2) has, in the region of the second end (5b), at least one retention element (11a) projecting beyond an outer side (2b) of the cartridge wall (2), or a retention portion (26), in order to limit movement, in the direction of the second end (5b) of the cartridge wall (2), of a support sleeve (14) which can be moved in the longitudinal direction (8) along an outer side (2b) of the cartridge wall (2).

12. Cartridge according to Claim 11, in which the piston (17) projects at least partially beyond the second end (5b) of the cartridge wall (2) in the longitudinal direction (8).

13. Cartridge according to Claim 11 or 12, in which the retention portion (27) projecting beyond the inner side (2a) and / or the retention portion (26) projecting beyond the outer side (2b) is formed by a beaded rim.

14. Cartridge according to one of Claims 11 to 13, in which the retention elements (11b) projecting beyond the inner side (2a) and / or the retention elements (11a) projecting beyond the outer side (2b) form portions of the cartridge wall (2) which are partially cut free from the cartridge wall (2).

15. Cartridge according to Claim 13 or 14, in which the retention elements projecting beyond the inner side (2a) and / or the retention elements projecting beyond the outer side (2b) are formed by folding portions (11a, 11b) of the cartridge wall (2) which project beyond the second end (5b) of the cartridge wall (2), wherein the projecting portions (11a, 11b) are preferably at least partially welded to the inner side (2a) of the cylindrical cartridge wall (2) or at least partially to the outer side (2b) of the cylindrical cartridge wall (2).

16. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, in which the head piece (3), the piston (17) and / or the support sleeve (14) are / is formed at least partially, in particular completely, from a recycled plastic.

17. Cartridge according to one of Claims 1, 2 or 4 to 16, further comprising: a support sleeve (14') having a cylindrical sleeve wall (19), which rests against an outer side (2b) of the cartridge wall (2), wherein a dimensionally stable connection piece (12) for insertion into the cartridge (1) at a first end (5a) of the cartridge wall (2) is attached to a first end (20a) of the cylindrical sleeve wall (19), wherein the connection piece (12) is preferably attached to the cylindrical sleeve wall (19) of the support sleeve (14') via at least one predetermined breaking element (21).

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