Cartridge having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve separable therefrom, and method for producing the cartridge

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for a viscous material (2), which cartridge can be inserted into a cartridge gun (100), the cartridge comprising: a) a cylindrical cartridge body (10) having a proximal end (11) and a distal end (12), wherein the cartridge body (10) delimits a cartridge interior (14) which is intended to receive the viscous material (2); b) a cartridge cap (30), which is detachably fastened to the distal end (12) of the cartridge body (10) and has a dispensing outlet (31); c) a plunger unit (40) which can be displaced along a longitudinal axis (13) of the cartridge body (10) in the direction of the distal end (12) in order to press the viscous material (2) out of the cartridge interior (14) through the dispensing outlet (31). The invention is characterised in that the cartridge body (10) has an outer sleeve (15) and an inner sleeve (14), which is fixed by the cartridge cap (30) at the distal end (12) and by a fixing element (60) detachably fastened to the proximal end (11) in such a way that, when the cartridge cap (30) is detached from the distal end (12) and when the fixing ring (60) is detached from the proximal end (11) of the cartridge body (10), the inner sleeve (16) can be separated from the outer sleeve (15). The invention also relates to a method for producing the cartridge (1).

Description

[0001] Henkel AG & Co. KGaA March 14, 2025

[0002] “Cartridge with outer sleeve and detachable inner sleeve and method for producing the cartridge”

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a cartridge for a viscous material that can be inserted into a cartridge gun. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing the cartridge.

[0005] For both professional applications and private use, various viscous materials, such as silicone, acrylic and adhesives, are supplied as standard in cartridges from which the material can be dispensed using a cartridge gun.

[0006] EP 4 241 894 A1 discloses a cartridge comprising a cylindrical cartridge body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the cartridge body defines a cartridge interior that serves to accommodate the viscous material. The cartridge further comprises a cartridge cap that is releasably attached to the distal end of the cartridge body and has a dispensing outlet, as well as a piston unit that can be displaced along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge body toward the distal end to force the viscous material from the cartridge interior through the dispensing outlet.

[0007] According to EP 4 241 894 A1, the cylindrical cartridge body can be made of cardboard, which is more environmentally friendly than a cartridge body made of plastic. To ensure adequate protection against environmental influences such as moisture, etc., the viscous material is contained in a separate tubular bag made of plastic film. The tubular bag is closed at each end with a small clip, similar to a sausage tail. Before the viscous material can be dispensed, the tubular bag must be opened. This is done using a sharp tip that is molded onto or attached to the cartridge cap and protrudes into the cartridge interior. When the piston unit is moved towards the cartridge cap, the tubular bag, previously inserted into the cartridge interior, is pressed against the sharp tip and thus automatically opened. The viscous material can then pass through the dispensing outlet and be applied as needed.

[0008] However, the use of the film-like tubular bag does have disadvantages: Filling the tubular bag is time-consuming because its ends must be closed with clips. It has also been shown that when the bag is opened automatically using the sharp tip described above, particularly with highly viscous materials, greater forces must be applied to the piston unit to ensure the tubular bag is slit open safely. In individual cases, this can lead to the user abandoning such a cartridge after a failed attempt and losing a future customer. Alternatively, it is also possible to open the tubular bag before inserting it into the cartridge interior using a cutting tool such as a knife or scissors. However, this represents an additional work step and can lead to contamination of the viscous material if the cutting tool has not been cleaned before opening the tubular bag.

[0009] The advantage of using a tubular bag is that once the cartridge is empty, the plastic tubular bag can be easily separated from the cardboard cartridge body, allowing for separate recycling. However, with a cardboard cartridge body, which is also known from the prior art and coated on the inside with a plastic barrier layer, separate recycling is not readily possible due to the strong bond between the cardboard and the plastic.

[0010] The object underlying the invention is to provide a cartridge that can be produced in a resource-saving manner, can be reliably emptied using a cartridge gun and can be easily recycled after emptying.

[0011] The object underlying the invention is achieved with the subject matter according to claim 1. Exemplary embodiments can be found in the subclaims to claim 1.

[0012] According to the invention, the cartridge body comprises an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve which bears against an inner side of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is fixed by the cartridge cap at the distal end and by a fixing element detachably attached to the proximal end such that the inner sleeve can be separated from the outer sleeve upon detachment of the cartridge cap from the distal end and upon detachment of the fixing ring from the proximal end of the cartridge body. In other words, the inner sleeve is fixed to the outer sleeve exclusively or at least primarily by the cartridge cap and the fixing ring. If this fixation is eliminated by removing the cartridge cap from the distal end of the cartridge body and the fixing element from the proximal end of the cartridge body, the inner sleeve can be separated from the outer sleeve, for example by axial withdrawal.After removing the cartridge cap and the retaining element, no tools or special force are required to separate the inner and outer sleeves. There is no material bond between the outer and inner sleeves.

[0013] The outer sleeve can be made from a material based on plant fibers. For example, the outer sleeve can be made from cardboard. After the cartridge has been emptied and the cartridge cap, piston unit, fixing element, and inner sleeve have been separated, the outer sleeve can be disposed of with the waste paper and thus returned to the recycling cycle. The sleeve can already be made from recycled paper, making the cartridge an even more sustainable product. The outer sleeve can also be made from a lightweight plastic. The inner sleeve can be made from plastic, aluminum, or a combination of plastic and aluminum. The inner sleeve can be single-layer or multi-layered. The wall thickness of the inner sleeve can be 40 to 500 μm, preferably 50 to 400 μm. In one embodiment, the wall thickness is 60 to 70 μm.

[0014] The inner sleeve can be formed by a sheet with a width greater than the circumference of the outer sleeve, wherein, in a rolled-up state, two longitudinal edges of the sheet overlap to form an overlapping area. For example, if the diameter of the outer sleeve is 47 mm, which corresponds to a circumference of approximately 148 mm, the width of the sheet is more than 148 mm, for example, 150 mm to 160 mm. With a width of 160 mm, the overlapping area would be 12 mm wide. In one embodiment, the overlapping area is 1 to 20% of the (total) width of the sheet.

[0015] The sheet can be a plastic film, preferably a thermoplastic film. Preferred materials are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The sheet can be made of aluminum or a combination of plastic and aluminum.

[0016] The arch is preferably rectangular, so that the two longitudinal edges run parallel to each other. Accordingly, any overlapping area also has a constant overlap width. The length of the arch preferably corresponds to the length of the outer sleeve or, as explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment, is greater than the length of the outer sleeve.

[0017] The two longitudinal edges can be fastened together in the overlapping area. Preferably, a weld seam is provided in the overlapping area, extending parallel to the longitudinal edges. The weld seam can extend over the entire length of the sheet. It is also possible for the weld seam to have individual, separate sections or points for fastening the longitudinal edges.

[0018] In one embodiment, the inner sleeve is pressed against the inside of the outer sleeve by an elastic restoring force. If, for example, a (flat) sheet is used to form the inner sleeve, which is elastically deformed when rolled up into a roll or cylinder and is inserted axially into the outer sleeve in this elastically deformed state, the restoring forces ensure that the roll or inner sleeve expands again until it comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The remaining restoring forces result in the roll / inner sleeve being pressed against the outer sleeve with a residual tension. The residual tension is preferably small so that the inner sleeve can be pulled out of the outer sleeve by hand after the cartridge cap and the fixing element have been separated from the outer sleeve.In this embodiment, the longitudinal edges are not firmly connected to one another, so that the width of the overlapping area can vary and the diameter of the inner sleeve can adapt to the diameter of the outer sleeve. In this embodiment, after the cartridge cap and the fixing element have been separated, there is only a frictional connection between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, which can, however, be easily removed. Accordingly, the fixing of the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve in this embodiment is achieved primarily or almost exclusively via the cartridge cap and the fixing element.

[0019] The releasable attachment of the cartridge cap to the distal end of the cartridge body can be achieved by a distal clamping force. A portion of the inner sleeve is preferably located between the cartridge cap and the distal end of the cartridge body, which is clamped to the distal end by the interaction of the cartridge cap and the outer sleeve, thus securing it to the distal end. The releasable attachment can have an undercut so that the cartridge cap snaps into a locked position upon connection. The undercut can be designed such that the locking can be released again by a moderate separation force.

[0020] The releasable attachment of the fixation element to the proximal end of the cartridge body can be achieved by a proximal clamping force. A portion of the inner sleeve can be clamped between the fixation element and the outer sleeve. Similar to the releasable attachment of the cartridge cap, the releasable attachment of the fixation element can have an undercut so that the fixation element snaps into a locked position.

[0021] In one embodiment, the piston unit has an outer piston, an inner piston, and an expansion ring, wherein the outer piston is expanded radially by the expansion ring when the inner piston is pressed against the expansion ring or the outer piston by the cartridge gun. The inner piston can have a piston body in which at least one slot is provided, which extends axially from the expansion ring to a contact surface for a pressure plate of the cartridge gun. The expansion ring is preferably not slotted. Due to the slot-free and thus closed circumference, the expansion ring has a certain dimensional stability, which allows forces to be easily transferred to the outer piston.

[0022] In one embodiment, the piston body is designed in the form of a hollow cylinder having an inner wall and an outer wall, with the slot extending radially from the inner wall to the outer wall. Preferably, exactly one slot is provided. The outer piston, inner piston, and expansion ring can be made of PE or PP. They can be made of paper / cardboard or a combination of plastic and paper.

[0023] Due to the slot, which can expand or contract during cartridge operation in the cartridge gun, the inner piston exhibits a certain degree of flexibility, so that any angular or positional misalignment of the cartridge gun's pressure plate, which acts on the inner piston, is not, or not completely, transferred to the outer piston. Due to its flexibility, the inner piston can at least partially compensate for the angular and / or positional misalignment of the pressure plate, so that the outer piston remains aligned against the inner wall of the cylindrical cartridge body, preventing bulging or other damage to the cartridge body, or jamming the pressure plate in the cartridge body.

[0024] The piston body of the inner piston can have an outer body sleeve and an inner body sleeve, which are connected to each other by a plurality of radial webs. The wall thickness of the outer body sleeve and the wall thickness of the inner body sleeve can each be 0.5 to 5 mm. The ratio of an outer diameter of the outer body sleeve to an outer diameter of the inner body sleeve can be in a range of 1.2 to 2.

[0025] In one embodiment, the expansion ring has a first, circumferential end edge with a smaller diameter and a second circumferential end edge with a larger diameter, with the first end edge being attached to the piston body of the inner piston and the second end edge being attached to the piston crown of the outer piston. Preferably, the end edge with the smaller diameter is attached in one piece to the piston body of the inner piston.

[0026] In an initial state, the piston unit can be connected to the fixing element via connecting webs. The connecting webs preferably extend from the fixing element to the inner piston of the piston unit. The connecting webs are designed as predetermined breaking points. They can be separated without significant axial force when the inner piston and outer piston are moved along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body. Due to the fixing element axially fixed at the proximal end, the piston unit is securely connected to the cartridge body in the initial state and cannot be lost during distribution or trade, or when handling the cartridge before insertion into the cartridge gun.

[0027] The distal end may comprise a distal butt edge. The proximal end may comprise a proximal butt edge, wherein at least one of the two butt edges is covered by a material section applied to the outer sleeve, wherein the material section covering the butt edge rests against both an inner and an outer side of the outer sleeve in a region adjacent to the butt edge. The material section protects the at least one covered butt edge from moisture that could penetrate the material of the outer sleeve via the otherwise exposed butt edge. The material section is preferably made of paper if the outer sleeve is made of cardboard.

[0028] The material section or an additional material section can be the arc described above that forms the inner sleeve. In this case, the inner sleeve can protrude beyond the outer sleeve on both of its end faces along its longitudinal axis, with a projection on both end faces serving to be placed or folded over the respective abutting edge. An outer end of the projection can then be attached to the outside of the outer sleeve. The outer end of one projection can be attached to the outside of the outer sleeve by placing the cartridge cap on the distal end. Accordingly, the fixing element can also be designed such that when connected to the proximal end, the outer end of the projection covering the proximal abutting edge is attached to the outside of the outer sleeve.

[0029] The outer sleeve made of cardboard can be designed as a winding sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a tear-open aid designed as a material weakening, which extends from the proximal or distal end substantially along the longitudinal axis.

[0030] In addition to simplifying the separation of the outer sleeve (preferably made of cardboard) and inner sleeve (preferably made of a plastic film), the cartridge according to the invention offers the advantage that the piston unit comes into contact with the inner sleeve rather than the inner surface of the outer sleeve. This results in a friction pair with lower friction values, so less force is required to dispense the viscous material.

[0031] A further object of the invention, the provision of a method for producing the cartridge described above, is achieved by the subject matter of claim 13. Embodiments can be found in the subclaims to claim 13.

[0032] The method according to the invention serves to produce a cartridge as described in claims 1 to 11 or in the exemplary embodiments outlined above. According to the invention, the inner sleeve is inserted axially into the outer sleeve, which is closed in the circumferential direction. The piston unit is then inserted at the proximal end of the cartridge body, and the inner sleeve is fixed to the outer sleeve by the fixing ring at the proximal end. The viscous material is then poured into the cartridge interior. After the cartridge interior has been filled, the cartridge cap is attached to the distal end, thereby also fixing the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve at the distal end.

[0033] In one embodiment, the sheet forming the inner sleeve is formed or rolled into a cylinder before being inserted into the outer sleeve. This rolling can create elastic restoring forces in the sheet, which press the inner sleeve radially outward against the outer sleeve after insertion into the outer sleeve.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. They show:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a section through a cartridge filled with a viscous material; Figure 2 shows a cartridge cap for the cartridge

[0036] Figure 3 shows a piston unit and a fixing element for the cartridge;

[0037] Figure 4 shows a section along the line AA in Figure 3;

[0038] Figure 5 shows the piston unit in the assembled state;

[0039] Figure 6 shows a material section for covering an outer sleeve of the cartridge;

[0040] Figure 7 first steps in cartridge production;

[0041] Figure 8 further steps for the manufacture of the cartridge; and

[0042] Figure 9 Steps to empty and recycle the cartridge;

[0043] Figure 1 shows a cartridge, designated in its entirety by 1. The cartridge 1 comprises a cylindrical cartridge body 10 with a proximal end 11 and a distal end 12. The base of the cylindrical cartridge body 10 is a circle. A cartridge cap 30 with a dispensing outlet 31 is arranged at the distal end 12. The cartridge cap 30 is a separate injection-molded plastic part that is releasably attached to the distal end 12 of the cartridge body 10.

[0044] The cartridge 1 further comprises a piston unit 40, which can be moved along a longitudinal axis 13 of the cartridge body 10. The cartridge body 10, the cartridge cap 30, and the piston unit 40 define a cartridge interior 14 of variable volume, in which a viscous material 2, for example, silicone, acrylic, a sealant, or an adhesive, is located. If the piston unit 40 is moved further upward in the illustration in Figure 1, the viscous material is discharged outward through the discharge outlet 31 (see arrow 3).

[0045] The force required to move the piston unit 40 can be exerted by a cartridge gun 100, of which only a pressure plate 101 and a pressure rod 102 are shown in Figure 1. When the viscous material 2 is extruded, the pressure plate 101 rests against a contact surface 41 of the piston unit 40. The force then exerted on the piston unit 40 is symbolized by arrow 4.

[0046] The cartridge body 10 has an outer sleeve 15 and an inner sleeve 16, which rests against an inner side of the outer sleeve 15. The inner sleeve 16 is fixed to the outer sleeve 15 at the proximal end 11 by the fixing element 60 and at the distal end 12 by the cartridge cap 30. The outer sleeve 15 is made of cardboard and designed to absorb radially outward compressive forces that act on the cartridge body 10 when the piston unit 40 moves. The inner sleeve 16 serves as a barrier layer and protects the viscous material 2 from external environmental influences such as moisture, etc.

[0047] Figure 1 shows the piston unit 40 in a position in which a certain portion of the viscous material 2 has already been pressed out of the previously larger cartridge interior 14. In an initial state, the piston unit 40 is located in close proximity to a fixing element 60 that is attached to the cartridge body 10 at the proximal end 11. Thus, almost the entire length of the cartridge body 10 can be used to hold the viscous material 2. Before the cartridge interior 14 begins to be emptied, the dispensing outlet 31 is closed by a closure element 32 (see Figure 2). This closure element must first be removed to open the dispensing outlet.

[0048] As can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the cartridge cap has a shoulder part 33 which extends from the dispensing outlet 31 to a press ring 34. In the inserted position, the press ring 34 rests against the inside of the outer sleeve 15, with the inner sleeve 16 still being arranged between the press ring 34 and the inside of the outer sleeve 14. The inner sleeve 16 is fixed to the distal end 12 by the press fit between the press ring 34 and the outer sleeve 15 (see also Figure 1). On an outer side, the press ring 34 can have surface structures in the form of grooves 35 which, in the embodiment of Figure 2, run parallel to the longitudinal axis 13. Alternatively, the grooves can also run vertically to the longitudinal axis 13, i.e., horizontally in the illustration in Figure 2. The surface structures 35 serve to increase the clamping force between the cartridge cap 30 and the cartridge body 10.The shoulder part 33 forms an axial stop surface 36 against which the outer sleeve 16 rests when the cartridge cap 30 is in the inserted position.

[0049] Figures 3 to 5 show an embodiment of the piston unit 40 and the fixing ring 60 in the initial state, in which the piston unit 40 and the fixing ring 60 are connected via thin connecting webs 61, which are designed as predetermined breaking points and tear upon application of minimal force. Accordingly, the connecting webs 61 tear when the piston unit 40 moves away from the fixing ring 60 fixed to the proximal end 11 of the cartridge body 10 during emptying of the cartridge interior 14.

[0050] The annular fixing element 60 has a cylindrical side wall 62 with circumferential projections 63, which engage the inner wall of the outer sleeve 15 when the unit consisting of the piston unit 40 and the fixing element 60 is pushed into the proximal end 11 of the cartridge body 10. A circumferential end stop or flange 64 determines the axial position of the fixing element 60 with respect to the proximal end 11 of the cartridge body 10. By fixing the fixing element 60 to the proximal end 11, the piston unit 40 is also fixed in the initial state and cannot fall out of the cartridge body 10 and thus become lost before use in the cartridge gun 100. The interaction of the fixing element 60 and the outer sleeve 15 fixes the inner sleeve 16 to the proximal end 11.

[0051] The piston unit 40 has an outer piston 42 and an inner piston 43. Figures 3 and 4 show the outer piston 42 and the inner piston 43 in a non-assembled state. In the assembled state (see Figure 5), the inner piston 43 is partially located within an interior space 44 of the outer piston 42. The interior space 44 is defined by a slightly curved piston base 45 and a cylindrical side wall 46. Circumferential sealing lips 47 are provided on an outer side of the side wall 46, which, when the piston unit 40 is in the inserted position, rest against the cartridge body 10.

[0052] The piston unit 40 further comprises a frustoconical expansion ring 48, which is integrally formed on a piston body 49 of the inner piston 43. The expansion ring 48 has a first circumferential end edge 50 with a smaller diameter and a second circumferential and free end edge 51 with a larger diameter. In the assembled state, the second end edge 51 rests against the piston crown 45 in the region of the transition to the side wall 46. When the inner piston 43 and outer piston 42 are axially compressed, the second end edge 51 presses the outer piston 42 radially outward, thus leading to a (slight) expansion of the outer piston 42. As a result, the sealing lips 47 of the outer piston 41 are pressed against the cartridge body 10.

[0053] The piston body 49 of the inner piston 42 has a cylindrical outer body sleeve 52 and a cylindrical inner body sleeve 53. The outer body sleeve 52 and the inner body sleeve are connected to one another via several radial webs 54 distributed around the circumference, which bridge a cavity between the two sleeves 52, 53. The lower ends of the outer body sleeve 52, the inner body sleeve 53, and the radial webs 54 form the contact surface 41 against which the pressure plate 101 rests when the cartridge gun 100 presses the piston unit 40 toward the cartridge cap 30.

[0054] A slot 55 is provided in the piston body 50, which extends parallel in the axial direction (along the longitudinal axis 13) from the unslotted expansion ring 48 to the contact surface 41. The slot 55 is circumferentially delimited by two opposing radial webs, one of which can be seen in Figure 5 and is designated 54a. The circumference of the piston body 50 is completely interrupted by the slot 55. Figure 2 clearly shows that the slot 55 extends to the expansion ring 48 but does not interrupt its closed circumference.

[0055] Due to the slot 55, the inner piston 43 is flexible and therefore does not transmit, or only to a reduced extent, tensions or undesirable forces resulting from an obliquely and / or off-centered pressure plate 101 on the contact surface 41 to the outer piston 41. The outer piston 42 can therefore be guided more easily through the cartridge body 10 in the longitudinal direction. Damage to the cartridge body 10 caused by greater radial forces from the outer piston 42 (for example, in the form of bulges or cracks) can thus be avoided, even if the wall thickness of the cartridge body is small or a softer material such as cardboard is selected for the cartridge body.

[0056] The top of the piston crown 45 (see Figure 3) can optionally be provided with information intended to simplify the recycling of the various components of the cartridge 10. The inner piston 43 and the fixing element 60, like the outer piston 42, can each be an injection-molded plastic part.

[0057] To form the inner sleeve 16, a flat material section or sheet 80 made of a plastic film can be used (see Figure 6). The sheet 80 can be formed into a cylinder, which is then pushed axially into the outer sleeve 15. Since a length 81 of the sheet 80 is greater than a length L of the outer sleeve 15, the sheet can be positioned in the outer sleeve such that a projection 82, 83 is present at the proximal end 11 and the distal end 12, respectively.

[0058] The projection 82 can then be folded over a proximal abutting edge 17, so that an outer end of the projection 82 rests against the outside of the outer sleeve 15, thus protecting the abutting edge 17 from moisture ingress. The fixing element 60 can be designed such that at the proximal end it fixes not only the section of the arch that lies within the outer sleeve 15 (and thus forms the inner sleeve 16), but also the projection 82 to the outside of the outer sleeve 15. The same applies to the distal abutting edge 18 at the distal end 12, which is covered by the projection 83. The projection 83 is fixed by the cartridge cap 30.

[0059] In the rolled-up state of the sheet 80 with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the outer sleeve 15, an overlapping area 84 is created, which can optionally be used to firmly connect the longitudinal edges 85, 86 of the sheet 80 to one another (for example by means of a weld seam).

[0060] The outer sleeve 15 can be a winding core made of cardboard or paper. The outer sleeve 15 can include a tear-open aid formed as a weakened portion of the material, which extends from the distal end 12 along the longitudinal axis 13. The tear-open aid is indicated in Figure 6 as a dashed line and is provided with the reference numeral 19.

[0061] Figures 7 to 9 show how the cartridge according to the invention can be manufactured.

[0062] First, the sheet 80, which is preferably formed as a plastic film, is formed into a cylinder, whereby the longitudinal edges 85, 86 can overlap. The resulting cylinder, which is designated 16 here like the inner sleeve, is inserted axially into the outer sleeve 15. After insertion, the cylinder or inner sleeve 16 is clamped at the proximal end 11 by the fixing element 40 (see Figure 7).

[0063] Now to Figure 8: The cartridge interior 14 is now sealed by inserting the piston unit 40 at the proximal end 11, which here corresponds to the lower end of the vertically aligned cartridge body 10. As already explained above, the piston unit 40 and fixing element 60 can also be inserted as a unit into the outer sleeve 16. The cartridge interior 14 can then be filled with the viscous material 2 via a filling device 5. After filling, the cartridge cap 30, including the closure element 32, is placed on the distal end 12. The cartridge 1 is delivered to the user in this state via the distributor / retailer.

[0064] The user opens the dispensing outlet 31 by detaching the closure element 32 (see Figure 9). The thus opened cartridge 1 can now be used with a cartridge gun 100 (see Figure 1) to apply the viscous material 2. After emptying, the individual components of the cartridge 1 can be separated from one another. In particular, the outer sleeve 15 and inner sleeve 16 can be separated from one another after the cartridge cap 30 and the fixing ring 60 have been removed from the outer sleeve 15.

[0065] List of reference symbols

[0066] 1 cartridge

[0067] 2 viscous material

[0068] 3 Arrow (viscous material escaping)

[0069] 4 Arrow (Power)

[0070] 5 Filling apparatus

[0071] 10 cartridge bodies

[0072] 11 proximal end

[0073] 12 distal end

[0074] 13 Longitudinal axis

[0075] 14 Cartridge interior

[0076] 15 Outer sleeve

[0077] 16 inner sleeve / cylinder

[0078] 17 proximal edge

[0079] 18 distal edge

[0080] 19 Tear-off aid

[0081] 30 cartridge cap

[0082] 31 Discharge outlet

[0083] 32 locking element

[0084] 33 shoulder part

[0085] 34 Press ring

[0086] 35 Surface structure / groove

[0087] 36 Stop surface

[0088] 40 piston unit

[0089] 41 Attachment area

[0090] 42 outer bulbs

[0091] 43 inner pistons

[0092] 44 Interior

[0093] 45 piston crown

[0094] 46 side wall

[0095] 47 Sealing lip

[0096] 48 Expanding ring

[0097] 49 piston body

[0098] 50 first end edge

[0099] 51 second end edge

[0100] 52 outer body sleeve

[0101] 53 inner body sleeve radial web slot fixing element connecting webs cylindrical side wall projection end stop / flange bend length projection projection overlap area long edge long edge cartridge gun pressure plate pressure rod

Claims

1. Cartridge (1) for a viscous material (2) which can be inserted into a cartridge gun (100), comprising: - a cylindrical cartridge body (10) having a proximal end (11) and a distal end (12), wherein the cartridge body (10) defines a cartridge interior (14) which serves to receive the viscous material (2); - a cartridge cap (30) which is releasably attached to the distal end (12) of the cartridge body (10) and has a dispensing outlet (31), - a piston unit (40) which can be displaced along a longitudinal axis (13) of the cartridge body (10) in the direction of the distal end (12) in order to press the viscous material (2) from the cartridge interior (14) through the dispensing outlet (31); characterized in that the cartridge body (10) has an outer sleeve (15) and an inner sleeve (14) which is fixed by the cartridge cap (30) at the distal end (12) and by a fixing element (60) releasably fastened to the proximal end (11) in such a way that when the cartridge cap (30) is detached from the distal end (12) and when the fixing ring (60) is detached from the proximal end (11) of the cartridge body (10), the inner sleeve (16) can be separated from the outer sleeve (15).

2. Cartridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer sleeve (15) is made of a material based on plant fibers.

3. Cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner sleeve (16) is made of plastic, aluminum or a combination of plastic and aluminum.

4. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner sleeve (16) is formed by an arc (80) with a width which is greater than the circumference of the outer sleeve (15), wherein in a state formed into a cylinder two longitudinal edges (85, 86) of the arc (80) overlap and form an overlap region (84).

5. Cartridge (1) according to 4, characterized in that the two longitudinal edges (85, 86) are fastened to one another in the overlapping region (84).

6. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inner sleeve (16) is pressed against an inner side of the outer sleeve (15) by an elastic restoring force.

7. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening of the cartridge cap (30) to the distal end (12) of the cartridge body (10) is produced by a distal clamping force.

8. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fastening of the fixing element (60) to the proximal end (11) of the cartridge body (10) is produced by a proximal clamping force.

9. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the piston unit (40) has an outer piston (42), an inner piston (43) and an expansion ring (48), wherein the outer piston (42) is expanded in the radial direction by the expansion ring (48) when the inner piston (43) is pressed by the cartridge gun (100) against the expansion ring (48) or the outer piston (42), and wherein the inner piston (43) has a piston body (49) in which at least one slot (55) is provided, which extends in the axial direction from the preferably unslotted expansion ring (48) to an attachment surface (41) for a pressure plate (101) of the cartridge gun (100).

10. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in an initial state the fixing element (60) and the piston unit (40) are connected to one another via connecting webs (61).

11. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the distal end (12) comprises a distal abutting edge (18) and the proximal end (11) comprises a proximal abutting edge (17), wherein at least one abutting edge (17, 18) is covered by a material section applied to the outer sleeve (15), wherein the material section covering the abutting edge (17, 18) lies in a region adjacent to the abutting edge both on an inner side and on an outer side of the outer sleeve (15).

12. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outer sleeve (15) is designed as a winding sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve (15) comprises a tear-open aid (19) designed as a material weakening, which extends from the proximal end (11) or distal end (12) substantially along the longitudinal axis (13).

13. A method for producing a cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inner sleeve (16) is inserted axially into the outer sleeve (15), the piston unit (40) is inserted at the proximal end (11) and the inner sleeve (16) is fixed to the outer sleeve (15) by the fixing ring (60) at the proximal end (11), the viscous material (2) is filled into the cartridge interior (14), the cartridge cap (30) is fastened to the distal end (12), whereby the inner sleeve (16) is fixed to the outer sleeve (15) at the distal end (12).

14. Method according to claim 13 and claim 4, characterized in that the sheet (80) forming the inner sleeve (16) is formed into a cylinder before being inserted into the outer sleeve (15).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the rolling up creates elastic restoring forces in the sheet (80), by means of which the inner sleeve (16) is pressed radially outwards against the outer sleeve (15) after insertion into the outer sleeve (15).

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