Cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartridge (10) for a dispensing device, comprising at least one non-rigid, elongated foil bag (18) having a cross-sectional area (19) and a chamber (20) for receiving a mass, a head (12) for interacting with the foil bag (18), a rigid insert (16) connected to the foil bag (18) on a side facing the head (12), and a cover film (14) that closes an opening (22) of the foil bag (18) located on a side facing the head (12). The head (12) has a region designed to abut the cover film (14). The head (12) has a spreading space (74) for the foil bag (18), which has a cross-sectional area (72) in a region facing the foil bag (18). The cover film (14) is manufactured with essentially constant material properties.The ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the area of ​​the spreading space (74) facing the foil bag (18) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated foil bag (18) is between 10% and 50%.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for a squeezing device.

[0002] Cartridges are primarily used for storing materials such as adhesives, sealants, mortar, paint, or lubricants. Furthermore, the material can be easily applied to an object via the cartridges, provided the cartridge is inserted into a suitable dispensing device. The dispensing device allows the material to be applied precisely. For example, a rod of the dispensing device presses against the base of the cartridge, compressing the volume of the cartridge and forcing the material inside out of an opening. An attachment can be attached to the cartridge to allow the material to be applied to the object in a controlled and precise manner.

[0003] Such a cartridge is known, for example, from DE 295 01 255 U1. The cartridge comprises a film bag, each end of which is closed with a clip, and a head section for holding the film bag. Since the film bag is made from a single piece of film, it must be designed to be correspondingly robust. However, this makes opening the film bag more difficult and requires high opening forces. In addition, random folding in the area of ​​the end results in a high dispersion of the opening forces, and small opening cross-sections are achieved due to the mechanical properties of the film used. In order to be able to open this robust film to the desired extent, a piercing device with two piercing spatulas is provided.

[0004] Furthermore, EP4072968 A1 discloses a cartridge for a dispensing device comprising an elongated film bag that is not inherently rigid. The film bag has a chamber for receiving a mass and a head portion for interacting with the film bag. Furthermore, the film bag has an opening on a side facing the head portion, which is closed by a cover. In order to achieve a targeted and defined opening of the cover to the desired extent, the cover is designed with a predetermined breaking point.

[0005] Providing the predetermined breaking point requires additional production effort, making the manufacturing process for such a cartridge undesirably costly. Furthermore, it is difficult to achieve consistency in the specific shape of the predetermined breaking point.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a cartridge in which constant opening properties are achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the independent claims can be found in the dependent claims.

[0008] A cartridge for a squeezing device is proposed, with at least one non-inherently rigid, elongated film bag having a cross-sectional area, which has a chamber for receiving a mass, with a head part for interacting with the film bag, with an inherently rigid insert which is connected to the film bag on a side facing the head part, and with a cover film which closes an opening in the film bag arranged on a side facing the head part, wherein the head part has a region which is provided for contact with the cover film, wherein the head part has an expansion space for the film bag which has a cross-sectional area in a region facing the film bag.

[0009] According to the invention, it is provided that the cover film is designed with substantially constant material properties, and a ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the region of the expansion space facing the film bag to the cross-sectional area of ​​the associated film bag is between 10% and 50%.

[0010] A cartridge designed according to the invention is easy to open, and no piercing aids or the like are required. Accordingly, a manufacturing process can be carried out particularly simply and cost-effectively. Furthermore, reliable opening of the cartridge is achieved when an opening pressure is applied that is advantageously within a small range, whereby a desired large opening for the discharge of the material contained in the film bag is achieved. The required opening pressure can be, for example, around 1000 N with a fluctuation, in particular, of less than 200 N, so that even with manually operated squeezing devices or dispensers and in particular at low temperatures, little force is required to open the respective cartridge. With automated squeezing devices, the risk of overload shutdown can be greatly reduced.

[0011] Because the force required to open a cartridge designed according to the invention lies within a narrow tolerance range, a desired opening sequence can be achieved in two-component systems with two foil pouches, with a very short lead time for the component to be opened first. This advantageously reduces waste.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the foil bag is greater than or equal to 900mm², and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion chamber facing the foil bag to the cross-sectional area of ​​the associated foil bag is between 10% and 35%. It has been shown that this achieves particularly reliable and predictable opening results with such foil bags. If the foil bag has a circular cross-section, the diameter is preferably greater than approximately 35mm.

[0013] A further improvement in the opening results in terms of reliability and predictability can be achieved if the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion chamber facing the film bag to the cross-sectional area of ​​the associated film bag is between 15% and 25%. If the film bag has a circular cross-section, the diameter is preferably less than approximately 35 mm.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cartridge is less than 900mm², and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion chamber facing the film bag to the cross-sectional area of ​​the associated film bag is between 15% and 50%, particularly preferably between 15% and 35%. It has been shown that this results in particularly reliable and predictable opening results for film bags with such a cross-section. If the film bag has a circular cross-section, the diameter is preferably less than approximately 35mm.

[0015] A further improvement of the opening results in terms of reliability and predictability can be achieved if the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the area of ​​the expansion space facing the film bag to the cross-sectional area of ​​the associated film bag is between 20% and 40%.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the expansion space extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. This allows for easy and secure opening of the foil bag before it comes into contact with the base of the expansion space. Furthermore, the required installation space is advantageously kept to a minimum.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cover film has a tear strength between 1 N and 8 N, preferably between 2 N and 5 N. The tear strength is measured according to DIN 53363 at a test speed of 100 mm / min. This advantageously allows for consistent opening properties.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cover film has an elongation at break of less than or equal to 110%, preferably between 75% and 100%. It has been shown that this allows the resulting opening to have the desired size in a simple manner.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cover film has a modulus of elasticity between 0.8 GPa and 6 GPa, preferably between 2.5 GPa and 5 GPa. This advantageously allows for consistent opening properties.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cover film has a tensile strength in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction between 100 N / mm² and 250 N / mm², preferably between 150 N / mm² and 200 N / mm², with the tensile strength being determined according to DIN EN ISO 527-T3. This advantageously allows for consistent opening properties.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cover film has a three-layer structure with an outer film, a core film, and an inner film. This allows desired material properties to be achieved in a simple manner.

[0022] The mechanical properties can be significantly influenced by means of the outer film, whereby the outer film is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (oPET), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (boPET), oriented polypropylene (OPP) or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).

[0023] By selecting the appropriate material properties for the core film, a barrier can be created against aggressive contents and a water vapor barrier. The barrier layer can, for example, comprise aluminum or coatings of silicon oxide and / or aluminum oxide on PET, biaxially oriented PP (BOPP), PA, polylactide (PLA), or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH).

[0024] The inner film's primary function is to provide chemical resistance and preferably has good sealing properties. The inner film preferably has a barrier layer, for example, coextruded polyamide and / or polyethylene (PAPE), and a sealable polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) layer on the inside.

[0025] The cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion space can in principle be designed as desired and can be, for example, circular, oval or similar.

[0026] The head section can preferably be designed to accommodate multiple film bags, each of which may have different masses. The head section separates the different masses up to the outlet opening, so that the different masses can only come into contact after the outlet opening. This is important, for example, for two-component adhesives. By providing different diameters of the outlet openings for the respective film bags, a desired mixing ratio of the different masses can be set.

[0027] The masses contained in the cartridge can be a chemical mass or a liquid, for example components of a two-component mixture.

[0028] Sealants, multi-component mortars, multi-component coating compounds, multi-component paints, multi-component foam precursors, multi-component adhesives, multi-component sealants and multi-component lubricants can be stored in the corresponding foil bags.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cartridge has at least one second, non-rigid, elongated foil pouch with a chamber for receiving a compound. The cartridge can thus be used as a multi-component package. For example, one foil pouch contains a resin component, such as an epoxy resin component, and another foil pouch contains a hardener component for a two-component adhesive.

[0030] The second foil bag can be the same length as the first foil bag, in which case the ratio of the base areas of the foil bags determines the desired mixing ratio. Alternatively, it is also possible to use two foil bags of different lengths.

[0031] The total thickness of the cover can be between 50 µm and 200 µm. Specifically, the total thickness is intended to be between 65 µm and 150 µm.

[0032] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0033] In the figures, identical and similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals.

[0034] They show: Fig. 1 a side view of a cartridge according to the invention with two foil bags; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the cartridge according to Fig. 1 in an exploded view; Fig. 3 a top view of the cartridge according to Fig.1 ; and Fig. 4 a schematically shown structure of a cover according to Fig. 1 . Example:

[0035] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a cartridge 10 in a side view and in an exploded view in a longitudinal section.

[0036] The cartridge 10 comprises a head part 12, two covers 14, two inserts 16 and two foil bags 18.

[0037] The film bags 18 are not inherently rigid and each have a cylindrical and substantially elongated shape with a cross-sectional area 19. The film bags 18 each define a chamber 20 and have an opening 22, wherein the chamber 20 can be sealed, in particular, by the film bag 18.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the film bag 18 is formed by a base part 24 and a film tube 26. The base part 24 has a base surface 28 and a collar 30 extending around the base surface 28. The film tube 26 is attached to the collar 30 on the outside by welding or gluing. In principle, the film tube 26 can also be attached to the collar 30 on the inside by welding or gluing.

[0039] The film tube 26 can, for example, be made from a film by gluing or welding edge areas. It is also possible to use a prefabricated film tube or a prefabricated film bag.

[0040] The base area 28 is, for example, circular, so that the chamber 20 is cylindrical with a circular cross-sectional area 19. In principle, however, any shape of the base area 28 is conceivable, for example, rectangular or polygonal.

[0041] The insert 16 is inherently rigid and is inserted at least partially into the corresponding chamber 20 of an associated film bag 18 through the opening 22. The insert 16 has a step 48 with two outwardly directed outer surfaces 42 and 44, wherein the outer surface 42 is provided for interaction with the film tube 26 and the outer surface 44 is provided for interaction with the cover 14.

[0042] On a surface 46 facing the head part 12 and thus facing upwards, a material extension 54 is provided which projects essentially perpendicularly from the surface 46 parallel to the horizontal H, i.e. in the longitudinal direction L. The material extension 54 has a predefined height and serves to connect the cover 14 to the insert 16 in a welding process.

[0043] The inner side 38 of the insert 16 facing the chamber 20 encloses a passage 60 which tapers conically in the direction of the head part 12.

[0044] Basically, the insert 16 is ring-shaped so that it can be coupled to the cylindrical film tube 26, with an inner side of the film tube 26 being connected to the insert 16. Preferably, the film tube 26 is welded or glued to the insert 16.

[0045] Between the head part 12 and the insert 16, the cover 14 is provided, as can be seen from Fig. 2In the assembled state of the cartridge 10, the cover 14 rests in radially outer regions on the stepped elevation 48, essentially on the two surfaces 44 and 46. The cover 14 is connected to the insert 16, for example, by welding or gluing, and closes the passage 60. Accordingly, the cover 14 closes the chamber 20, so that the chamber 20 is preferably completely sealed when the cover 14 is in the assembled state.

[0046] The head part 12 has, as shown in Fig. 2 As can be seen, two receptacles 66 which, in the assembled state, interact with the inserts 16 and the cover 14. The head part 12 has a circumferential inner surface 70 assigned to each film bag 18, which is in contact with the respective cover 14 in the assembled state.

[0047] Each receptacle 66 has two regions 68 and 72. 68 denotes a support region in which the cover 14 preferably rests in the assembled state or at least partially, preferably almost completely, during an opening process.

[0048] 72 denotes a cross-sectional area of ​​an expansion region or expansion space 74 which extends upwards from the film bag 18 in the longitudinal direction L in the direction of the head part 12.

[0049] The head part 12 further comprises an outlet nozzle 76 with an outlet opening 78 and an outlet channel 80. The outlet opening 78 is in fluid communication with the expansion chamber 74 and the receptacle 66 via the outlet channel 80.

[0050] The Fig. 2The outlet nozzle 76 shown has two outlet channels 80 which are in fluid communication with the respective receptacle 66 and are separated from one another by a partition 82 which extends from a connecting web 84 separating the receptacles 66 to the outlet opening 78.

[0051] It can be provided that the two outlet channels 80, as in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown, have a different cross-section, in particular a different diameter, in order to adjust a mixing ratio of the masses, as will be explained below.

[0052] The outlet nozzle 76 further includes a thread 86 through which an attachment (not shown) can be attached to the outlet opening 78 of the head portion 12. This attachment can be part of a dispensing device into which the cartridge 10 can be inserted or placed.

[0053] The cover 14 has a Fig. 4apparent three-layer structure with an inner layer or inner film 100, which faces the interior 20, an adjoining core layer or core film 110 and an in turn adjoining outer layer or outer film 120, which in the assembled state faces the head part 12.

[0054] The inner film 100 in this case has a sealable inner layer 102, which in this case is made of polyethylene (PE), but can also be made of polypropylene (PP) or the like, for example. Adjoining the inner layer 102 is a barrier layer 104 of the inner film 100, which is made of a coextruded polyamide and / or polyethylene (PAPE), for example. The inner film has the particular task of providing chemical resistance to a filling material and providing good welding properties for connecting the cover to the insert 16.

[0055] The core film 110 has, in particular, a barrier layer 112, which preferably comprises aluminum or coatings of silicon oxide and / or aluminum oxide on PET, biaxially arranged PP (BOPP), PA, polylactide (PLA), or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Furthermore, the core film 110 in this case has an adhesion-promoting layer 114 or PE melt. The core film 110 has, in particular, the function of creating a barrier against aggressive filling materials and a water vapor barrier.

[0056] The outer film 120 can be used to significantly influence the mechanical properties of the cover 14, wherein the outer film is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (oPET), oriented polypropylene (OPP) or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).

[0057] The covers 14 have constant material properties, ie there is no intended weakening area.

[0058] During the extrusion of the cartridge 10, the base part 24 of the chamber 20 is pressed toward the head part 12, for example by means of a plunger of a squeezing device. This leads to an increase in the pressure in the chamber 20, which is directed toward the cover 14, whereby the mass located in the chamber 20 is pressed against the cover 14. The cover 14 moves in the cross-sectional area 72 into the expansion space 74, wherein the film bag 18 bursts open upon an increase in pressure, in this case, for example, with an actuating force of approximately 1000 N with a fluctuation of in particular less than ± 200 N.

[0059] To achieve constant and easily adjustable opening properties, it has proven particularly advantageous if the ratio of the cross-sectional area 72 of the expansion space 74 to the cross-sectional area 19 of the associated film bag 18 is between 10% and 50%. If the cross-sectional area 19 of the film bag 18 is larger than approximately 300 mm² and, in the case of a circular cross-section, the diameter is larger than approximately 35 mm, it has proven particularly advantageous if the ratio is between 15% and 25%.

[0060] If the cross-sectional area 19 of the film bag 18 is less than about 300 mm 2 and, in the case of a circular cross-section, the diameter is less than about 35 mm, it has proven particularly advantageous if the ratio is between 20% and 40%.

[0061] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, an extension 90 of the expansion space 74 in the longitudinal direction L of the cartridge 10 is between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. This allows for a simple, secure opening of the foil bag 18 before it comes into contact with the base of the expansion space 74. Furthermore, the required installation space is advantageously kept small.

[0062] In order to achieve a defined opening of the respective film bag 18, it has further proven advantageous if the cover or cover film 14 has a tear force between 1 N and 8 N, preferably between 2 N and 5 N, wherein the tear force is measured according to DIN 53363 at a test speed of 100 mm / min. Furthermore, the cover 14 has an elongation at break of less than or equal to 110%, preferably between 75% and 100% and a modulus of elasticity between 0.8 GPa and 6 GPa, preferably between 2.5 GPa and 5 GPa. In addition, the cover 14 has a tensile strength in the longitudinal direction and / or transverse direction between 100 N / mm 2< and 250 N / mm 2< , preferably between 150 N / mm 2< and 200 N / mm 2< , wherein the tensile strength is determined according to DIN EN ISO 527-T3.

[0063] After opening the respective foil bag 18, the mass contained therein can flow through the passage 60 of the insert 16 and the resulting opening from the chamber 20 into the outlet channel 80. The mass can thus flow out of the head part 12 through the outlet opening 78 and, for example, be applied to an object.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiments, the cartridge 10 comprises two chambers 20 and a corresponding number of covers 14, inserts 16, foil bags 18, receptacles 66 and outlet channels 80. In general, any number of the aforementioned components is possible.

Claims

1. A cartridge (10) for a squeezing device, comprising at least one non-rigid, elongated film bag (18) having a cross-sectional area (19) and a chamber (20) for receiving a mass, comprising a head part (12) for interacting with the film bag (18), comprising an inherently rigid insert (16) connected to the film bag (18) on a side facing the head part (12), and comprising a cover film (14) closing an opening (22) of the film bag (18) arranged on a side facing the head part (12), wherein the head part (12) has a region intended for contact with the cover film (14), wherein the head part (12) has an expansion space (74) for the film bag (18), which has a cross-sectional area (72) in a region facing the film bag (18), characterized in thatthe cover film (14) is designed with substantially constant material properties, and a ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the region of the expansion space (74) facing the film bag (18) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated film bag (18) is between 10% and 50%.

2. Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional area (19) of the film bag (18) is greater than or equal to 900 mm 2 and the ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the region of the expansion space (74) facing the film bag (18) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated film bag (18) is between 10% and 35%.

3. Cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the region of the expansion space (74) facing the film bag (18) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated film bag (18) is between 15% and 25%.

4. Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe cross-sectional area (19) of the film bag (18) is less than 900 mm 2 and the ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the region of the expansion space (74) facing the film bag (18) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated film bag (18) is between 15% and 50%.

5. Cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that the ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the region of the expansion space (74) facing the film bag (18) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated film bag (18) is between 20% and 40%.

6. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an extension (90) of the expansion space (74) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the cartridge (10) is between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm.

7. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe cover film (14) has a tear strength between 1 N and 8 N, preferably between 2 N and 5 N.

8. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover film (14) has an elongation at break of less than or equal to 110%, preferably between 75% and 100%.

9. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover film (14) has an elastic modulus between 0.8 GPa and 6 GPa, preferably between 2.5 GPa and 5 GPa.

10. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover film (14) has a tensile strength in the longitudinal direction and / or transverse direction between 100 N / mm2 and 250 N / mm2, preferably between 150 N / mm2 and 200 N / mm2.

11. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover film (14) has a three-layer structure with an outer film (120), a core film (110) and an inner film (100).

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