Dual Fluid Cartridge Assembly

Abstract

The dual fluid cartridge assembly (30) includes a cartridge (32), a flange (56), and a piston tube (36). The cartridge has a channel and the flange described above. The flange has a cavity (78) extending from a cavity opening (80) to a cavity bottom (82). The cavity opening is positioned within the channel of the cartridge, and the cavity bottom is positioned externally of the cartridge. The piston tube has an extended end (57) that is at least partially positioned within the channel. The extended end is positioned within the cavity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to dual fluid cartridge assemblies, and more particularly to systems and methods for connecting piston seals and transfer tubes within a dual fluid cartridge assembly.

[0002] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a claim of the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 453,731, filed February 2, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Single and multi-fluid cartridge assemblies for dispensing fluid materials, such as reactive adhesives, are generally known, and such fluid cartridge assemblies typically include two components that need to remain separate and rapidly available after mixing. An example of a single-fluid cartridge assembly is disclosed in commonly owned International Application PCT / US02 / 39041, filed December 6, 2002. Examples of multi-fluid cartridge assemblies are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,220,261, 4,961,250, and 5,310,091.

[0004] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,091, a dual fluid cartridge has front and rear chambers formed by an outer cartridge and an inner cartridge, respectively. Piston seals are used to separate the fluids in the cartridges from each other. Movement of the inner cartridge under the influence of a plunger causes the inner cartridge and an upper piston to advance axially within the outer cartridge. The inner cartridge is in fluid communication with a piston tube (tubular piston), which extends through the front chamber to a cartridge outlet. Movement of the inner cartridge within the outer cartridge causes the fluids in the inner and outer cartridges to be dispensed. To fill the inner and outer cartridge chambers with fluid, fluid is forced into the cartridge outlet causing the inner cartridge and the upper piston to retract axially into the outer cartridge.

[0005] During the process of filling the inner and outer cartridge chambers with fluid, a force is applied to the piston that can cause the piston tube to break away from the outer cartridge. The risk of breakaway is generally low, but the severity of the resulting problem can be quite high. In conventional systems, it is difficult to detect if the piston tube has broken away from the outer cartridge, and methods of such detection include, for example, air pressure testing or destructive analysis. In air pressure testing, the air pressure in the outer and inner cartridge chambers is checked for air pressure decay individually, and then the two chambers are checked for air pressure decay together. If both chambers show a large pressure decay individually and neither chamber shows a large pressure decay together, it is suggested that the piston tube has broken away from the cartridge assembly. However, air pressure testing is time-consuming and expensive, and requires appropriate testing equipment. Destructive analysis disassembles or destroys the fluid cartridge, which may render the fluid cartridge useless. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Application No. PCT / US02 / 39041 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,261 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,250 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 5,310,091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method for filling and dispensing fluid from a cartridge assembly and for detecting whether the piston tube has become disengaged from the outer cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above needs are met to a large extent by the dual fluid cartridge assembly disclosed herein. The dual fluid cartridge assembly includes an outer cartridge and a piston tube. The outer cartridge extends axially from a proximal end to a distal end. The outer cartridge has a bottom wall with an inner edge and a flange. The bottom wall is positioned toward the distal end of the outer cartridge. The flange extends at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall and defines a cavity extending axially from the cavity opening to the cavity bottom. The cavity bottom is axially distal to the bottom wall. The piston tube has an extended end positioned within the cavity.

[0009] Another aspect of the dual fluid cartridge assembly includes an outer cartridge and a piston tube. The outer cartridge has a bottom wall and a flange. The bottom wall has an inner edge that defines a cartridge outlet. The flange extends at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall and defines a cavity that extends axially from the cavity opening to the cavity bottom. The bottom wall is axially distal to the cavity opening and the cavity bottom is axially distal to the bottom wall. The piston tube has an extended end positioned within the cavity.

[0010] Another aspect of the dual fluid cartridge assembly includes a cartridge with a channel, a flange, and a piston tube. The flange is coupled to the cartridge and defines a cavity extending from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom. The cavity opening is positioned within the channel of the cartridge and the cavity bottom is positioned exterior to the cartridge. The piston tube is positioned at least partially within the channel. The piston tube has an extended end positioned within the cavity.

[0011] Another aspect of the dual fluid cartridge assembly includes an outer cartridge, an upper seal, an inner cartridge, and a piston tube. The outer cartridge contains a first fluid, the outer cartridge having a cylindrical outer wall, a bottom wall, and a flange. The cylindrical wall defines a channel. The bottom wall has an inner edge that defines a cartridge outlet. The flange extends at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall and defines a cavity that extends axially from the cavity opening to the cavity bottom. The bottom wall is axially distal to the cavity opening, and the cavity bottom is axially distal to the bottom wall. An upper seal is positioned within the channel, the upper seal configured to seal the first fluid within the outer cartridge. The inner cartridge contains a second fluid. The piston tube is at least partially positioned within the channel. The piston tube has an extended end positioned within the cavity. The piston tube is configured to provide a fluid flow path from the inner cartridge to the cartridge outlet.

[0012] The foregoing summary of the invention as well as the following detailed description of example embodiments of the present application will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings example embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dual fluid cartridge assembly. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dual fluid cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a loading position taken along line 2-2. [Diagram 3] 2 is another cross-sectional view of the dual fluid cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 1 in an empty position taken along line 2-2. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a partially simplified diagram of an air vent path formed within the inner cartridge. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the inner cartridge shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inner cartridge taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the inner cartridge shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8A] FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of the distal end of the dual fluid cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of the distal end of the dual fluid cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent close-up view of the distal end of the dual fluid cartridge assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A dual fluid cartridge assembly is disclosed that contains two separate fluids, e.g., a resin and a hardener. The cartridge assembly may be coupled to a conventional mixing nozzle so that the mixed fluids can be applied to a workpiece with a standard dispensing device, e.g., a caulking gun. The cartridge assembly improves the interface between components and reduces the risk of components becoming dislodged or broken during operation with improved fault detectability.

[0015] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "proximal" and "distal" generally refer to a position closer to or toward a person manipulating a cartridge assembly, and a position further from and / or away from a person manipulating such cartridge assembly, respectively. The terms "axial", "radial", and "lateral" refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The term "substantially" means significantly greater or greater in degree, but not necessarily to the full extent specified. Such terms include the above terms, derivatives of these terms, and terms of roughly equal importance.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a dual fluid cartridge assembly 30. The cartridge assembly 30 is adapted for dispensing by a caulking gun 20, which has a plunger (not visible in the drawing), a handle 24, and a trigger 26. The cartridge assembly 30 is inserted into the caulking gun 20 in a conventional manner. When the trigger 26 is pulled by the handle 24, the plunger 22 advances in an axial direction A toward a distal end 28 of the cartridge assembly 30, assuming that the ratchet arm 32a is in the position shown in FIG. 1. As will be explained in more detail below, movement from a proximal end 27 of the cartridge assembly 30 to a distal end 28 of the cartridge assembly 30 results in axial movement of an inner cartridge positioned within an outer cartridge of the cartridge assembly 30. Axial movement of the inner cartridge within the outer cartridge results in dispensing and application of fluid to a workpiece via a cartridge outlet and a nozzle, such as a static mix nozzle, in a manner similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,091.

[0017] The cartridge assembly 30 may include a vent path to atmosphere so that air within the inner cartridge, and optionally the outer cartridge, may be vented to atmosphere during the filling process of the inner and outer cartridges to prevent the development of trapped air pockets within the inner and outer cartridges, which are known to result in voids in the fluid within the inner and outer cartridges, resulting in uneven mixing of the fluid and, consequently, reduced fluid performance.

[0018] 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of cartridge assembly 30. Cartridge assembly 30 is shown in a filled position in Fig. 2 and in an empty position in Fig. 3. Cartridge assembly 30 includes outer cartridge 32, inner cartridge 34, integral piston seal / piston tube 36 having lower seal portion 39, and upper seal 38.

[0019] When the inner cartridge 34 is in an empty position as shown in FIG. 3, a vent path from the inner cartridge 34 to the atmosphere can be provided. Filling of the inner cartridge 34 can be accomplished through the cartridge outlet 40. The cartridge outlet 40 has a nose portion 29 and a shoulder portion 31. The nose portion 29 is located distal to the shoulder portion 31 and is formed as a tubular member with an axial separator or separation wall 41 that forms two side-by-side chambers to allow for the filling of each of the fluids. To fill the inner cartridge 34, fluid is pumped through the cartridge outlet 40, through the piston tube (tubular piston) 36, and into the rear chamber 47 that forms the inner cartridge 34. Similarly, the front chamber 45 formed in the outer cartridge 32 is also filled through the cartridge outlet 40.

[0020] 4-7 show the inner cartridge 34. The inner cartridge 34 has a circular bottom plate 42 and a cylindrical side wall 44. A rod 46 (also called a "separator rod" or "exhaust rod") projects distally from the bottom plate 42 and extends to an opening 43 in the cylindrical side wall 44 of the inner cartridge 34. The slot 48 is a radial slot formed in the bottom plate 42 of the inner cartridge 34. The slot 48 formed in the bottom plate 42 of the inner cartridge 34 extends partially onto the cylindrical side wall 44 in the axial direction A, as indicated by reference numeral 50. The slots 48, 50 are configured to allow trapped air within the inner cartridge 34 to escape upwardly along the cylindrical side wall 44 of the inner cartridge 34 and out of the inner cartridge 34 through one or more notches 52 formed at the opening 43 of the inner cartridge 34. One or more slots 54 (see FIG. 3) formed in the inner sidewall of the outer cartridge 32 allow air from the inner cartridge 34 to escape through the axial slots 54 to the outside. When the lower sealing portion 39 of the piston seal / tube 36 is moved away from the empty position shown in FIG. 3, the vent path is closed. The lower sealing portion 39 of the piston seal / tube 36 may include a circumferential slot (not shown) for receiving, for example, an O-ring (not shown). The lower sealing portion 39 seals the fluid within the inner cartridge 34 from the remainder of the cartridge assembly 30.

[0021] 8A is a detailed cross-sectional view of the distal end 28a of the outer cartridge 32 shown in FIG. 2. The outer cartridge 32 is formed as a cylindrical member with a bottom wall 33 and a cylindrical side wall 35. The bottom wall 33 is positioned toward the outer cartridge distal end 28a and extends radially inward from the cylindrical side wall 35. The radial direction may be substantially perpendicular to the axial direction A. The bottom wall 33 has an outer edge 77 that extends around the circumference of the bottom wall 33. The cylindrical side wall 35 extends proximally from the outer edge 77 and defines a channel 49 that extends through the outer cartridge 32 from the proximal end 27a to the distal end 28a (see FIG. 2). The cylindrical side wall 35 has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the inner cartridge 34 to allow free axial movement of the inner cartridge 34 within the channel 49.

[0022] The outer cartridge 32 may be coupled to or may include a cartridge outlet 40 that is used to fill and dispense fluid from the inner cartridge 34 and the outer cartridge 32. The outer cartridge 23 has a flange 56 for connection to the piston tube 36. The connection between the flange 56 and the piston tube 36 substantially prevents any fluids in the front chamber 45 or the rear chamber 47 from mixing. In one aspect, the flange 56 is integrally formed with the outer cartridge 32 adjacent the bottom wall 33. The piston seal piston tube 36 has a transfer tube portion 37 and an extended end portion 57. The transfer tube portion 37 forms a conduit from the inner cartridge 34 to the cartridge outlet 40. The transfer tube portion 37 may have a cylindrical shape. Fluid in the inner cartridge 34 passes through the transfer tube portion 37 and is dispensed through an inner opening 58 to the cartridge outlet 40. Fluid in the outer cartridge 32 is dispensed into an outer opening 60. Thus, the inner opening 58 and the outer opening 60 formed along the bottom wall 33 of the outer cartridge 32, together with the axial separation wall 41, allow fluids from the inner cartridge 34 and the outer cartridge 32, respectively, to be discharged side-by-side through the cartridge outlet 40.

[0023] Flange 56 has an inner flange wall 70, an outer flange wall 72, and a bottom flange wall 74 connecting inner flange wall 70 to outer flange wall 72. Flange 56 extends at least partially along an inner edge 76 of bottom wall 33. Flange 56 may extend circumferentially about axial direction A.

[0024] The inner flange wall 70, the outer flange wall 72, and the bottom flange wall 74 define a cavity 78 within the flange 56. The cavity 78 extends in the axial direction A from a cavity opening 80 to a cavity bottom 82. The cavity opening 80 opens into a channel 49 defined by the outer cartridge 32. The inner flange wall 70 has an inner flange surface 84 that extends circumferentially about the axial direction A to define an inner opening 58 and a flange channel 86. The inner flange wall 70 may be connected to the shoulder portion 31 and the axial separation wall 41 of the cartridge outlet 40. The flange channel 86 is in fluid communication with the inner opening 58 and the transfer tube portion 37 such that fluid dispensed from the inner cartridge 34 flows through the transfer tube portion 37, the flange channel 86, and the inner opening 58 to the cartridge outlet 40.

[0025] The cavity 78 is configured to receive the extended end portion 57 of the piston seal piston tube 36. In one aspect, the extended end portion 57 can include at least one circumferential slot 88 extending about the extended end portion 57. The flange 56 can define at least one mating slot 90 in the cavity 78. The at least one mating slot 90 can cooperate with the at least one circumferential slot 88. Cooperation of the at least one mating slot 90 and the at least one circumferential slot 88 can form a snap clip between the flange 56 and the piston tube 36. An adhesive can be used to further secure the piston tube 36 within the cavity 78 of the flange 56.

[0026] The bottom flange wall 74 is positioned distally of the bottom wall 33 such that the flange 56 projects from the bottom wall 33 in the axial direction A. In one aspect, the cavity bottom 82 may also be positioned distally of the bottom wall 33 in the axial direction A such that the cavity bottom 82 is external to the outer cartridge 32. When the piston tube 36 is positioned within the cavity 78, the extension end portion 57 may extend beyond the bottom wall 33 in the axial direction A. The extension end portion 57 may be adjacent to or in contact with the cavity bottom 82.

[0027] The cavity opening 80 may be positioned near the proximal end 27a of the outer cartridge 32 relative to the bottom wall 33 such that the bottom wall 33 is distal to the cavity opening 80 in the axial direction A. In this configuration, the bottom wall 33 is positioned between the cavity opening 80 and the cavity bottom 82 in the axial direction A. Alternatively, the cavity opening 80 may be coplanar or flush with the bottom wall 33.

[0028] The shoulder portion 31 of the cartridge outlet 40 may be attached to the flange 56 and to an axial shoulder 92. The axial shoulder 92 extends from the bottom wall 33 in the axial direction A. Alternatively, the shoulder portion 31 may be attached to the flange 56 and directly to the bottom wall 33. The shoulder portion 31 forms a portion of a first flow channel 94 and a portion of a second flow channel 96. The first flow channel 94 is in fluid communication with the inner opening 58, and the second flow channel 96 is in fluid communication with the outer opening 60. The shoulder portion 31 may be angularly offset from the axial direction A, thereby forming at least a partial conical shape.

[0029] In one aspect, each of the components of the cartridge assembly 30 may be integrally formed with one another to form a unitary structure that may be formed from a single material or multiple materials. Alternatively, each of the components of the cartridge assembly 30 may be separate components that are bonded together, or some of the components may be integrally formed with one another to form a unitary structure that is bonded together with the other components.

[0030] In operation, the inner cartridge 34 can be filled with a first fluid through the cartridge outlet 40. In particular, a fill tube (not shown) can be inserted into the cartridge outlet 40 and into the inner opening 58. As mentioned above, the inner opening 58 is in fluid communication with the conveying tube portion 37 of the piston tube 36, which is in fluid communication with the inner cartridge 34. When the inner cartridge 34 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the vent path is open to the atmosphere. In particular, in this position, air is forced out of the rear of the outer cartridge 32 as the first fluid fills the inner cartridge 34. A cartridge assembly including a vent path with a vent slot is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,783, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0031] During filling of the inner cartridge 34 with the first fluid, a force is applied to the piston tube 36 pulling it away from the flange 56. The force applied to the piston tube 36 may include, for example, the force of the first fluid applied to the inner cartridge 34 and the frictional force between the lower seal 38 and the transfer tube 36 as the inner cartridge 34 slides toward the distal end 28a of the outer cartridge 32. As will be appreciated, the rear chamber 47 may be filled with the first fluid and then the front chamber 45 may be filled with the second fluid or both the rear chamber 47 and the front chamber 45 may be filled simultaneously. If the front chamber 45 is overfilled, the lower seal 38 may contact the upper seal 39, thereby applying additional force to the piston tube 36. The force applied by the lower seal 38 may be up to or may exceed 625 pounds (e.g., a fill pressure of 300 psi in the front chamber 45). Each applied force pulls the piston tube 36 away from the flange 56 .

[0032] The cavity 78 extends an optimal distance from the cavity bottom 82 to the cavity opening 80 to minimize the risk of the piston tube 36 being dislodged from the cavity 78 in the flange 56 during a filling operation. In one aspect, the distance between the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 is at least 2.5 millimeters. Preferably, the distance between the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 is at least 8 millimeters. The distance that the cavity 78 extends provides extra distance for the interface between the extended end portion 57 of the piston tube 36 and the cavity 78 to increase the retention of the piston tube 36 within the cavity 78, additional distance for improved or additional retention interface features between the extended end portion 57 and the cavity 78, and the option to improve fluid flow through the cartridge outlet 40 by increasing the size of the inner opening 58 and the outer opening 60.

[0033] The distance between the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 may also be related to the diameter of the flange 56. For example, the distance between the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 may be selected based on the diameter of the inner surface 79 of the inner flange wall 70. The inner surface 79 defines at least a portion of the cavity 78. In one aspect, the ratio of the distance from the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 to the diameter of the inner surface 79 is greater than 0.19. In another aspect, the ratio of the distance from the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 to the diameter of the inner surface 79 is between 0.5 and 0.7. For example, if the diameter of the inner surface 79 is 10 millimeters, the distance between the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 should be between 5 millimeters and 7 millimeters. In a preferred aspect, the ratio of the distance from the cavity bottom 82 and the cavity opening 80 to the diameter of the inner surface 79 is between 0.6 and 0.65. In another preferred aspect, the ratio of the distance from the cavity bottom 82 and cavity opening 80 to the diameter of the inner surface 79 is 0.62.

[0034] 8B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the flange 56 with the extended end portion 57 of the piston tube 36 positioned within the flange 56. The extended end portion 57 can include at least one sealing bead 98. The sealing bead 98 protrudes from the extended end portion 57 toward the flange 56. The sealing bead 98 can contact the inner flange wall 70, the outer flange wall 72, and / or the bottom flange 74. In one aspect, the sealing bead 98 can be positioned toward a distal end of the extended end portion 57. The contact of the sealing bead 98 with the flange 56 can substantially prevent intermixing of fluids within the front chamber 45 and the rear chamber 47.

[0035] 9 is a partially transparent view of the distal end 28a of the outer cartridge 32. The flange 56 is made of a translucent material, such as polypropylene. The translucent material allows a person or a visual system to view at least partially through the flange 56 into the cavity 78. The piston tube 36 may be made of an opaque material. The material of the piston tube 36 is of a different color than the color of the flange 56. Additionally, the color of the material of the piston tube 36 is preferably different from the color of the fluid in the chambers 45, 47. When the extended end portion 57 of the piston tube 36 is positioned in the cavity 78, a person or a visual system positioned outside the cartridge assembly 30 can see the piston tube 36 in the cavity 78. When the piston tube 36 is removed from the flange 56, a person or a visual system positioned outside the cartridge assembly 30 can see that the piston tube 36 has been removed. Viewing the piston tube 36 in the cartridge assembly 30 provides a quick way to assess whether the cartridge assembly 30 remains fully intact without the need for more complex or invasive testing. It will be appreciated that other components of the outer cartridge 32 may be made of a translucent material, including the bottom wall 33 and the cylindrical side wall 35 .

[0036] In one aspect, the outer flange wall 72 and / or the bottom flange wall 74 can have a reduced thickness. For example, the thickness of the outer flange wall 72 and the bottom flange wall 74 can be less than the thickness of the bottom wall 33 of the outer cartridge 32. The reduced thickness of the outer flange wall 72 and / or the bottom flange wall 74 can increase the visibility of the presence of the piston tube 36 within the cavity 78 by a person or a visual system.

[0037] After filling the inner cartridge 34 with the first fluid, the outer cartridge 32 can be filled with the second fluid. The outer cartridge 32 is also filled through the cartridge outlet 40, rather than through the exterior opening 60. After filling the inner cartridge 34 and the outer cartridge 32, a human or a vision system can inspect the flange 56 to ensure that the piston tube 36 has not been removed from the outer cartridge 32. A cap (not shown) can be used to close the cartridge outlet 40 of the cartridge assembly 30.

[0038] The fluid within the cartridge assembly 30 may then be dispensed by the caulking gun 20 as shown in FIG. 1. In operation, as the plunger 22 advances in the axial direction A toward the distal end 28 of the cartridge assembly 30, the inner cartridge 34 moves in the axial direction A toward the cartridge outlet 40. As the inner cartridge 34 advances in the axial direction A, it forces a first fluid from the inner cartridge 34 into the piston tube 36 and through the flange channel 86, the inner opening 58, and the first flow channel 94 to the cartridge outlet 40. As the inner cartridge 34 advances in the axial direction A, the upper seal 38 advances in the axial direction A toward the cartridge outlet 40. Initially, the upper seal 38 and the lower seal portion 39 are in juxtaposition when the cartridge assembly 30 is full. However, as the inner cartridge 34 advances in the axial direction A, the inner cartridge 34 pushes the upper seal 38 in the axial direction A, thereby dispensing the second fluid in the outer cartridge 32 through the outer opening 60 and the second flow channel 96 and out the cartridge outlet 40.

[0039] As will be understood, the above description provides examples of the disclosed system and method. However, it is envisioned that other implementations of the present disclosure may differ in detail from the above-described embodiments. Any reference to the present disclosure or its embodiments is intended to refer to the specific embodiments described at that time, and is not intended to imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure more generally. Any derogatory or derogatory description of a particular feature indicates that such feature has no preference, but does not completely exclude such feature from the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: an outer cartridge extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end, said outer cartridge comprising: a bottom wall with an inner edge, the bottom wall positioned toward the distal end of the outer cartridge; a flange extending at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall, the flange at least partially axially projecting from the bottom wall, the flange defining a cavity extending axially from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom; the cavity bottom is located distal to the bottom wall in the axial direction, and the flange defines a mating slot in the cavity; A dual fluid cartridge assembly including a piston tube with an extended end positioned within said cavity, said extended end defining a circumferential slot which cooperates with said mating slot.

2. 2. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the cavity bottom is external to the outer cartridge, the bottom wall has an outer edge, and the outer cartridge further has an outer wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall in a direction opposite to the axial direction.

3. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 2 , wherein the outer wall defines a channel, and the piston tube is positioned at least partially within the channel.

4. 4. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange has an inner flange wall, an outer flange wall, and a bottom flange wall connecting the inner flange wall to the outer flange wall, the inner flange wall, the outer flange wall, and the bottom flange wall defining the cavity within the flange.

5. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 4 , wherein the inner flange wall has an inner flange surface defining a flange channel extending axially through the flange, the flange channel being in fluid communication with the piston tube.

6. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cavity further extends circumferentially about said axial direction.

7. 2. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said cavity extends a distance of at least 2.5 millimeters from said cavity bottom to said cavity opening.

8. 2. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a distance from the cavity bottom to the cavity opening to a diameter of an inner surface of the flange is greater than 0.

19.

9. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said mating slot cooperates with said circumferential slot to form a snap clip between said flange and said piston.

10. 2. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall is axially distal to said cavity opening, said bottom wall extending radially inward from a cylindrical side wall of said outer cartridge.

11. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: an outer cartridge extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end, said outer cartridge comprising: a bottom wall with an inner edge, the bottom wall positioned toward the distal end of the outer cartridge; a flange extending at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall, the flange defining a cavity extending axially from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom; the cavity bottom is located distal to the bottom wall in the axial direction, and the flange defines a mating slot in the cavity; a piston tube having an extended end positioned within the cavity, the extended end defining a circumferential slot cooperating with the mating slot; A dual fluid cartridge assembly, wherein the flange is made of a translucent material and the extended end of the piston tube positioned within the cavity is visible through the flange from a location exterior to the dual fluid cartridge assembly.

12. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: an outer cartridge extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end, said outer cartridge comprising: a bottom wall with an inner edge, the bottom wall positioned toward the distal end of the outer cartridge; a flange extending at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall, the flange defining a cavity extending axially from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom; the cavity bottom is located distal to the bottom wall in the axial direction, and the flange defines a mating slot in the cavity; a piston tube having an extended end positioned within the cavity, the extended end defining a circumferential slot cooperating with the mating slot; A dual fluid cartridge assembly, wherein the flange has a thickness that is thin enough that the extended end of the piston tube is visible through the flange.

13. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: an outer cartridge extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end, said outer cartridge comprising: a bottom wall having an inner edge defining a cartridge outlet; a flange extending at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall, the flange defining a cavity extending in the axial direction from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom; the bottom wall is distal to the cavity opening in the axial direction, the cavity bottom is distal to the bottom wall in the axial direction, and the flange defines a mating slot in the cavity; a piston tube having an extended end positioned within the cavity, the extended end defining a circumferential slot cooperating with the mating slot; A dual fluid cartridge assembly, wherein the cavity bottom is external to the outer cartridge.

14. 14. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein the flange protrudes at least partially axially from the bottom wall, the axial direction being a first axial direction, the bottom wall having an outer edge, and the outer cartridge further having an outer wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall in a second axial direction, the second axial direction being opposite to the first axial direction.

15. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 14 , wherein the outer wall defines a channel, and the piston tube is positioned at least partially within the channel.

16. 16. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 15, wherein the flange has an inner flange wall, an outer flange wall, and a bottom flange wall connecting the inner flange wall to the outer flange wall, the inner flange wall, the outer flange wall, and the bottom flange wall defining the cavity within the flange.

17. 17. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 16, wherein the inner flange wall at least partially defines the cartridge outlet, and the bottom wall extends radially inward from a cylindrical side wall of the outer cartridge.

18. The dual fluid cartridge assembly of claim 14 , wherein the mating slot cooperates with the circumferential slot to form a snap clip between the flange and the piston.

19. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: an outer cartridge extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end, said outer cartridge comprising: a bottom wall having an inner edge defining a cartridge outlet; a flange extending at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall, the flange defining a cavity extending in the axial direction from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom; the bottom wall is distal to the cavity opening in the axial direction, the cavity bottom is distal to the bottom wall in the axial direction, and the flange defines a mating slot in the cavity; a piston tube having an extended end positioned within the cavity, the extended end defining a circumferential slot cooperating with the mating slot; A dual fluid cartridge assembly, wherein the flange is made of a translucent material and the extended end of the piston tube positioned within the cavity is visible through the flange from a location exterior to the dual fluid cartridge assembly.

20. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: a cartridge having a channel; a flange coupled to the cartridge, the flange defining a cavity extending from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom, the cavity opening being positioned within the channel of the cartridge and the cavity bottom being positioned external to the cartridge, the flange protruding at least partially axially from the cartridge, the flange defining a mating slot within the cavity; a piston tube having an extended end, the piston tube being positioned at least partially within the channel, the extended end being positioned within the cavity, the extended end defining a circumferential slot that cooperates with the mating slot.

21. 1. A dual fluid cartridge assembly comprising: an outer cartridge containing a first fluid, said outer cartridge comprising: a cylindrical outer wall defining a channel; a bottom wall having an inner edge defining a cartridge outlet; a flange extending at least partially along the inner edge of the bottom wall, the flange defining a cavity extending axially from a cavity opening to a cavity bottom, the flange defining a mating slot within the cavity; The bottom wall is located on a distal side of the cavity opening when viewed in the axial direction, and the cavity bottom is located on a distal side of the bottom wall when viewed in the axial direction; an upper seal positioned within the channel, the upper seal configured to seal the first fluid within the outer cartridge; an inner cartridge containing a second fluid; a piston tube having an extended end, the piston tube positioned at least partially within the channel, the extended end positioned within the cavity, the piston tube configured to provide a fluid flow path from the inner cartridge to the cartridge outlet, the extended end defining a circumferential slot that cooperates with the mating slot.

Images