cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartridge (10) for a dispensing device, with at least one non-inherently-rigid, elongated film pouch (18), which has a cross-sectional area (19) and a chamber (20) for receiving a composition, with a head part (12) for interacting with the film pouch (18), with an inherently rigid insert (16), which is connected to the film pouch (18) on a side facing the head part (12), and with a cover film (14), which closes an opening (22), arranged on a side facing the head part (12), of the film pouch (18). The head part (12) has a region which is provided for resting against the cover film (14). The head part (12) has an expansion space (74) for the film pouch (18), which has a cross-sectional area (72) in a region facing the film pouch (18). The cover film (14) is designed with substantially consistent material properties. A ratio of the cross-sectional area (72) of the region, facing the film pouch (18), of the expansion space (74) to the cross-sectional area (19) of the associated film pouch (18) is between 10% and 50%.

Description

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

[0002] Cartridges are primarily used for storing material such as glue, sealing compound, mortar, paint, or lubricants. In addition, the material can easily be applied to an object via the cartridges, provided that the cartridge is inserted into a corresponding dispensing device. The material can be applied precisely using the dispensing device. For example, a rod of the dispensing device presses against a base of the cartridge, as a result of which the volume of the cartridge is compressed, such that the material located in the cartridge is pressed out of an opening. An attachment can be attached to the cartridge so that the material can be applied to the object in a controlled and precise manner.

[0003] Such a cartridge is known, for example, from DE 295 01 255U1 , the cartridge comprising a film pouch, the ends of which are each closed with a clip, and a head part for receiving the film pouch. Since the film pouch is manufactured from a single piece of film, it must be designed to be correspondingly robust. However, this makes opening the film pouch more difficult and requires high opening forces. In addition, there is a high degree of variation in the opening forces due to random wrinkling in the region of the end, and small opening cross-sections are achieved due to the mechanical properties of the films used. In order to be able to open this robust film to the desired extent, a piercing device with two piercing spades is provided.

[0004] In addition, EP4072968 A1 discloses a cartridge for a dispensing device, which has a non-inherently-rigid, elongated film pouch. The film pouch has a chamber for receiving a composition and a head part for interacting with the film pouch. In addition, the film pouch has an opening, which is closed by a cover, on a side facing the head part. In order to be able to achieve targeted and defined opening of the cover to the desired extent, the cover is designed with a predetermined breaking region.

[0005] The provision of the predetermined breaking region requires additional production-related effort, as a result of which the production process of such a cartridge is undesirably cost-intensive. In addition, 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 consistent opening properties are achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments relating to the subject matter of the independent claims can be found in the dependent claims.

[0008] Proposed is a cartridge for a dispensing device, with at least one non-inherently-rigid, elongated film pouch, which has a cross-sectional area and a chamber for receiving a composition, with a head part for interacting with the film pouch, with an inherently rigid insert, which is connected to the film pouch on a side facing the head part, and with a cover film, which closes an opening, arranged on a side facing the head part, of the film pouch, wherein the head part has a region which is provided for resting against the cover film, wherein the head part has an expansion space for the film pouch, which has a cross-sectional area in a region facing the film pouch.

[0009] According to the invention, it is provided that the cover film be designed with substantially consistent material properties, and a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch be 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 for this purpose. Accordingly, a production process can be carried out particularly simply and cost-effectively. In addition, reliable opening of the cartridge is achieved when applying an opening pressure that is within an advantageously small range, wherein a desired large opening is achieved for the exit of the material contained in the film pouch. A required opening pressure may, for example, be about 1,000 N with a fluctuation of, in particular, less than ±200 N, so that, even with manually operable dispensers and in particular at low temperatures, little force is required to open the particular cartridge. In the case of automatedly operable dispensers, this can greatly reduce the risk of overload cutoff.

[0011] Because a 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 film pouches, wherein a very short lead time of a component to be opened first can be achieved. This can advantageously reduce waste.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cross-sectional area of the film pouch is greater than or equal to 900 mm2, and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 10% and 35%. It has been shown that this achieves particularly reliable and predictable opening results for such film pouches. If the film pouch has a circular cross-section, the diameter is preferably greater than about 35 mm.

[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 region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 15% and 25%. If the film pouch has a circular cross-section, the diameter is preferably less than about 35 mm.

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

[0015] 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 region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 20% and 40%.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, an extension of the expansion space in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge is between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. This makes it easy to safely open the film pouch before it comes to rest against a bottom of the expansion space. In addition, the required installation space is advantageously small.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, the cover film has a tear propagation force between 1 N and 8 N, preferably between 2 N and 5 N. The tear propagation force is measured according to DIN 53363 at a test speed of 100 mm / min. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve 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 an achieved opening can easily have a desired size in this way.

[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 makes it possible to achieve 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 direction and / or transverse direction between 100 N / mm2 and 250 N / mm2, preferably between 150 N / mm2 and 200 N / mm2, wherein the tensile strength is ascertained according to DIN EN ISO 527-T3. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve 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 makes it easy to achieve desired material properties.

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

[0023] Through appropriate material properties of the core film, a barrier against aggressive filling materials and a water vapor barrier can be created. The barrier layer may, for example, comprise 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).

[0024] The inner film in particular has the task of ensuring chemical resistance and preferably has good welding properties. The inner film preferably has a barrier layer, e.g., with coextruded polyamide and / or polyethylene (PAPE), and a polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) layer that is sealable on the inside.

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

[0026] The head part can preferably be suitable for receiving a plurality of film pouches, which may have different compositions. The head part separates the different compositions up to the outlet opening, such that the different compositions can come into contact only after the outlet opening. This is important in the case of two-component adhesives, for example. By providing different diameters of the outlet openings for the particular film pouches, a desired mixing ratio of the different compositions can be set.

[0027] The compositions located in the cartridge can be a chemical composition or a liquid-for example, components of a two-component mixture.

[0028] Sealing compounds, multi-component mortars, multi-component coating compounds, multi-component paints, multi-component foam precursors, multi-component adhesives, multi-component sealing compounds, and multi-component lubricants can thus be stored in the corresponding film pouches.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cartridge has at least one second, elongated film pouch which is not inherently rigid and has a chamber for receiving a composition. The cartridge can thus be used as multi-component packaging. For example, a resin component, e.g., an epoxy resin component, is arranged in one film pouch, and a hardener component for a two-component adhesive is arranged in a further film pouch.

[0030] The second film pouch can have the same length as the first film pouch, in which case a ratio of the bases of the film pouches determines a mixing ratio to be achieved. As an alternative to this, it is also possible for two film pouches to be used which have different lengths.

[0031] The total thickness of the cover can be between 50 μm and 200 μm. In particular, it is provided that the total thickness be between 65 μm and 150 μm.

[0032] Further advantages can be found in the following description of the figures. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form further meaningful combinations.

[0033] In the figures, identical and equivalent components are provided with the same reference signs.

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a side view of a cartridge according to the invention with two film pouches;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the cartridge according to FIG. 1 in an exploded view;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cartridge according to FIG. 1; and

[0038] FIG. 4 schematically shows a structure of a cover according to FIG. 1.EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0039] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a cartridge 10 in a side view or in an exploded view in a longitudinal section.

[0040] The cartridge 10 comprises a head part 12, two covers 14, two inserts 16, and two film pouches 18.

[0041] The film pouches 18 are not inherently rigid and each have a cylindrical and substantially elongated shape with a cross-sectional area 19. The film pouches 18 each delimit a chamber 20 and have an opening 22, wherein the chamber 20 is in particular closable by means of the film pouch 18 so as to be sealed.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the film pouch 18 is formed by a base part 24 and a film tube 26. The base part 24 has a base 28 and a collar 30 extending around the base 28. The film tube 26 is attached on the outside of the collar 30 by welding or gluing. In principle, the film tube 26 can also be attached to the inside of the collar 30 by welding or gluing.

[0043] The film tube 26 can be produced, for example, from a film by gluing or welding edge regions. It is also possible for a prefabricated film tube or a prefabricated film pouch to be used.

[0044] The base 28 is, for example, circular, such that the chamber 20 is cylindrical, with a circular cross-sectional area 19. In principle, however, any shape of the base 28 is conceivable—for example, rectangular or polygonal.

[0045] The insert 16 is inherently rigid and is inserted on the inside through the opening 22 at least partially into the corresponding chamber 20 of an associated film pouch 18. The insert 16 has a step 48 with two outward-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.

[0046] On a surface 46 facing the head part 12 and thus facing upwards, a material extension 54 is provided, which projects substantially 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.

[0047] The inner side 38, facing the chamber 20, of the insert 16 encloses a passage 60, which conically tapers in the direction of the head part 12.

[0048] In principle, the insert 16 is ring-shaped, such that it can be coupled to the cylindrical film tube 26, wherein an inner side of the film tube 26 is connected to the insert 16. The film tube 26 is preferably welded or glued to the insert 16.

[0049] The cover 14 is provided between the head part 12 and the insert 16, as can be seen in FIG. 2. In the assembled state of the cartridge 10, the cover 14 rests in radially outer regions on the stepped raised portion 48, substantially on the two surfaces 44 and 46. The cover 14 is connected to the insert 16, e.g., 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 in the assembled state of the cover 14.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the head part 12 here has two receptacles 66, which interact with the inserts 16 and the cover 14 in the assembled state. The head part 12 has a circumferential inner surface 70, which is associated with each film pouch 18 and rests against the respective cover 14 in the assembled state.

[0051] Here, each receptacle 66 has two regions 68 and 72. Denoted by 68 is a support region in which the cover 14 preferably rests in the assembled state or comes to rest at least partially, preferably almost completely, during an opening process.

[0052] Denoted by 72 is a cross-sectional area of an expansion region or expansion space 74, which extends upwards from the film pouch 18 in the longitudinal direction L in the direction of the head part 12.

[0053] The head part 12 also has an outlet nozzle 76 with an outlet opening 78 and an outlet channel 80. The outlet opening 78 is in fluidic connection with the expansion space 74 and the receptacle 66 via the outlet channel 80.

[0054] The outlet nozzle 76 shown in FIG. 2 has two outlet channels 80, which are in fluidic connection with the respective receptacle 66 and are separated from one another by a partition 82, which extends from a connecting piece 84 separating the receptacles 66 to the outlet opening 78.

[0055] It can be provided that the two outlet channels 80, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, have different cross-sections, in particular different diameters, in order to set a mixing ratio of the compositions, as explained below.

[0056] The outlet nozzle 76 also has a thread 86 by means of which an attachment (not visible) can be attached to the outlet opening 78 of the head part 12. This attachment can be part of a dispensing device into which the cartridge 10 can be inserted or placed.

[0057] The cover 14 has a three-layer structure (shown in FIG. 4) with an inner layer or inner film 100, which faces the interior 20, an adjoining core layer or core film 110, and, in turn, an adjoining outer layer or outer film 120, which in the assembled state faces the head part 12.

[0058] The inner film 100 here has a sealable inner layer 102, which is made with a polyethylene (PE) but may also be made with a polypropylene (PP) or the like. The inner layer 102 is adjoined by a barrier layer 104 of the inner film 100, which is made, for example, with a coextruded polyamide and / or polyethylene (PAPE). The inner film in particular has the task of providing chemical resistance to a filling material and of providing good welding properties for connecting the cover to the insert 16.

[0059] The core film 110 in particular has 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 here has an adhesion-promoting layer 114 or PE melt. The core film 110 in particular has the function of creating a barrier against aggressive filling materials and a water vapor barrier.

[0060] The mechanical properties of the cover 14 can be significantly influenced by means of the outer film 120, wherein the outer film is preferably made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (oPET), oriented polypropylene (OPP), or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).

[0061] The covers 14 have consistent material properties, i.e., no predetermined weakened region is provided.

[0062] While the cartridge 10 is being dispensed, the base part 24 of the chamber 20 is pressed in the direction of the head part 12—for example, by means of a stamp of a dispensing device. This causes the pressure in the chamber 20, which is directed in the direction of the cover 14, to increase, as a result of which the composition 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 pouch 18 bursts open when the pressure increases—for example, here, at an actuating force of about 1,000 N with a fluctuation of in particular less than ±200 N.

[0063] In order to achieve consistent and easily settable 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 pouch 18 is between 10% and 50%. If the cross-sectional area 19 of the film pouch 18 is greater than about 300 mm2 and the diameter of a circular cross-section is greater than about 35 mm, it has proven particularly advantageous if the ratio is between 15% and 25%.

[0064] If the cross-sectional area 19 of the film pouch 18 is less than about 300 mm2 and the diameter of a circular cross-section is less than about 35 mm, it has proven particularly advantageous if the ratio is between 20% and 40%.

[0065] 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 makes it easy to safely open the film pouch 18 before it comes to rest against a bottom of the expansion space 74. In addition, the required installation space is advantageously small.

[0066] In order to achieve a defined opening of the particular film pouch 18, it has also proven advantageous if the cover or cover film 14 has a tear propagation force between 1 N and 8 N, preferably between 2 N and 5 N, wherein the tear propagation 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 / mm2 and 250 N / mm2, preferably between 150 N / mm2 and 200 N / mm2, wherein the tensile strength is ascertained according to DIN EN ISO 527-T3.

[0067] After opening the particular film pouch 18, the composition 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 composition can thus flow out of the head part 12 through the outlet opening 78 and be applied, for example, to an object.

[0068] In the embodiments shown, the cartridge 10 comprises two chambers 20 and a corresponding number of covers 14, inserts 16, film pouches 18, receptacles 66, and outlet channels 80. In general, any number of the components mentioned is possible.

Claims

1. A cartridge for a dispensing device, with at least one non-inherently-rigid, elongated film pouch, which has a cross-sectional area and a chamber for receiving a composition, with a head part for interacting with the film pouch, with an inherently rigid insert, which is connected to the film pouch on a side facing the head part, and with a cover film, which closes an opening, arranged on a side facing the head part, of the film pouch, wherein the head part has a region which is provided for resting against the cover film, wherein the head part has an expansion space for the film pouch, which has a cross-sectional area in a region facing the film pouch,wherein the cover film is designed with substantially consistent material properties, and a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 10% and 50%.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the film pouch is greater than or equal to 900 mm2, and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 10% and 35%.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 15% and 25%.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the film pouch is less than 900 mm2, and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 15% and 50%.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the region, facing the film pouch, of the expansion space to the cross-sectional area of the associated film pouch is between 20% and 40%.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an extension of the expansion space in a longitudinal direction (L) of the cartridge is between 3 mm and 8 mm.

7. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover film has a tear propagation force between 1 N and 8 N.

8. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover film has an elongation at break of less than or equal to 110%.

9. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover film has a modulus of elasticity between 0.8 GPa and 6 GPa.

10. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover film has a tensile strength in the longitudinal direction and / or transverse direction between 100 N / mm2 and 250 N / mm2.

11. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover film has a three-layer structure with an outer film, a core film, and an inner film.

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