Multicomponent cartridge for single use

A multicomponent cartridge designed for single use includes a first storage chamber for a first component and a second storage chamber for a second component. The first storage chamber being separate from the second storage chamber. The first storage chamber is arranged coaxially around the second storage chamber and forms a ring space, with a first piston being movably received in the first storage chamber and a second piston being movably received in the second storage chamber. The first and second pistons are movable by means of a plunger to dispense the two components simultaneously. The plunger is held in a housing element (and a guide element is provided to guide the first piston in the first storage chamber and to guide the second piston in the second storage chamber, with the housing element including an engagement element which can be brought into engagement with the guide element.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/056365, filed on May 10, 2010, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 09162855.2 filed on Jun. 16, 2009, the entire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference.

The invention relates to a multicomponent cartridge for single use which is suitable for the simultaneous dispensing of two components which can be mixed before use.

Such a multicomponent cartridge is already known from DE 20 2008 007 801 U1.

It is disadvantageous in this design that a large number of individual parts has to be used. The multicomponent cartridge in accordance with the prior art is designed both for single use and for multiple use. It has, however, been found that; on a multiple use of such a multicomponent cartridge, the mixing can be uneven and that such a multicomponent cartridge can be difficult to seal after it has been used for the first time. Multicomponent cartridges which have been used therefore only have limited storage capability. The filler material comes into contact with air due to the deficient seal and it can thereby change with respect to its properties, as an example it can harden.

A multicomponent cartridge in coaxial construction, which is also shown in DE 20 2008 007 801 U1 can have fewer problems in the sealing; however, the problem of the uneven mixing remains. The uneven mixing has the consequence that, when the multicomponent cartridge is reused, the result of the mixing is different every time the multicomponent cartridge is used, thus a constant quality of the filler material cannot be achieved.

It is therefore the object of the invention to develop a multicomponent cartridge which has a simpler construction and is only designed for single use.

A further object of the invention is preventing an unintended movement of the piston by accidental actuation of the plunger.

It is a further object of the invention to optically display to the user whether a filled multicomponent cartridge is intact.

The solution includes a multicomponent cartridge which includes a first storage chamber for a first component and a second storage chamber for a second component. The first component is separate from the second component in the storage condition. The first storage chamber is arranged coaxially around the second storage chamber and forms a ring space, with a first piston being movably received in the first storage chamber and a second piston being movably received in the second storage chamber. The first and second pistons are movable by means of a plunger to dispense the two components simultaneously. The plunger is held in a housing element. A guide element is provided to guide the first piston in the first storage chamber and to guide the second piston in the second storage chamber. The housing element includes an engagement element which can be brought into engagement with the guide element. The engagement element can in particular be rotatable relative to the guide element. A displacement movement relative to a housing in which the guide element is received can be carried out by means of the guide element during the rotary movement so that a connection can be established between the first and second components by the rotary movement and displacement movement.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the guide element includes a spring element. The guide element is arranged in a housing, with the guide element being movable relative to the housing by means of a movement element.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the movement element includes an external thread which is applied to the guide element and into which an internal thread applied to the housing can engage.

The spring element can include a step at the periphery of the guide element. The step can in particular have an outer diameter which is at least slightly larger than the inner diameter of the engagement element.

The spring element can have a projection which engages into a cut-out of the housing element so that the housing element is rotationally fixedly connected to the guide element in a direction of rotation.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a groove is formed along an inner wall of the housing element.

The cut-out can extend at least up to the groove when the housing element is connected to the guide element.

The spring element can include an opening. A liberation of the spring element takes place by this opening so that it can develop its elastic properties. This means that the outer diameter of the spring element can be reduced in that the spring element is compressed to be received in the engagement element. The opening is at least partly covered by the cut-out when the guide element is assembled with the housing element.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a latch connection is provided between the guide element and the housing.

A passage can be held open by means of the latch connection, said passage leading from a discharge opening of the first storage chamber to a second discharge opening of the second storage chamber so that the first component and the second component can be dispensed together.

The operating concept of the multicomponent cartridge un accordance with the invention thus differs fundamentally from the prior art. The user who requires a specific quantity of filler material takes up a multicomponent cartridge such as previously described. First, he ensures that the multicomponent cartridge is intact. For this purpose, he moves the movement element in the manner indicated on the housing of the cartridge. If this movement of the movement element cannot be carried out, the user knows that the multicomponent cartridge has already been opened.

If the user can actuate the movement element in the designated manner, he hereby opens the discharge openings so that the filler material can pass through the discharge openings and can be conveyed to the mixer. The user can align the multicomponent cartridge according to his wishes to bring the filler material to the desired location. For this purpose, he can also install the multicomponent cartridge in a commercial dispensing unit. The dispensing unit includes a pressure means which exerts a pressure onto the plunger of the multicomponent cartridge which sets the pistons into motion in their storage chambers, whereby the filler material is expelled from the corresponding storage chambers. The filler material reaches the mixer through the discharge openings, is mixed and is discharged at the end of the mixer. The end of the mixer can contain suitable elements for the positioning of the jet of the mixture of the components of the filler material.

The guide element advantageously includes the mixer, in particular a static mixer. The position of the guide element relative to the mixer is preset by this measure. However, this means that it must be expected for all multicomponent cartridges of this construction that the mixing is of the same quality. The guide element also contains the discharge openings so that the flow course for the components is the same for every single multicomponent cartridge. A better reproducibility can thus surprisingly be achieved with the concept in accordance with the invention with respect to the mixture obtained, even though a separate multicomponent cartridge is required for each load. In addition, a smaller number of individual parts results with this solution so that the assembly of the multicomponent cartridge can take place very simply.

No complicated installation steps are thus necessary for the filling and assembly of the multicomponent cartridge. It results from this that the filling can take place a short time before the intended use since the filling can be carried out decentrally at different locations. This advantage is all the more important if the filler material only has a durability for a very limited time.

The movement element includes an external thread which is applied to the guide element and into which an internal thread applied to the housing can engage. This embodiment of the movement element as a rotary element is preferred since it is easy to handle and since a defined angle of rotation can be associated with a defined gap width between the second end region of the guide element and the housing.

In accordance with a second embodiment, the piston and the plunger can be formed in one piece. This one-piece construction is advantageous since, in addition to the reduction in the sum of components and the simplification of the multicomponent cartridge associated therewith, an incorrect positioning of one of the pistons and thus an oblique position of the pistons are completely precluded. The piston part of the plunger can consequently also have a smaller construction height. The piston part is thus guided through the connection element of a housing element so that a tilting of the piston part in accordance with this embodiment can be avoided.

The plunger can preferably be connected to the housing element in one piece. The housing element with the plunger is placed onto the pistons and connected to the guide element after the filling of the storage chambers with the corresponding components and the insertion of the first and second pistons. For this purpose, an engagement element which is brought into engagement with a spring element at the guide element is located at the housing element. The housing element is thus rotationally fixedly connected to the guide element. The plunger connected to the housing element holds the pistons in their starting position so that the filler material is enclosed in the storage chambers. The filled multicomponent cartridge can be stored in this condition; the condition is called the storage condition in the following. If the plunger, pistons and housing element form a unit, this unit is connected to the guide element after the filling.

The housing element has a desired breaking point via which the plunger is connected to the housing element in the storage condition. The desired breaking point can act as a seal to keep the inner space of the housing element free of impurities. In accordance with a further embodiment, the desired breaking point includes ribs or bars which extend in the longitudinal direction with respect to the plunger axis. Furthermore, it allows the user to assess whether the multicomponent cartridge is intact. If the desired breaking point is intact, an increased resistance has to be overcome on the dispensing after the start of the dispensing procedure which is due to the fact that an increased force effort is necessary for the breaking through of the desired breaking point. The breakthrough of the desired breaking point is visible at the starting displacement of the plunger relative to the housing element and is usually audible.

The plunger is then movable relative to the housing element when the plunger is subjected to a force when a dispensing of the first and second components should take place, with the connection between the housing element and the plunger being interrupted.

The guide element can be connected to a housing element via the engagement element. The use of the engagement element allows a simple and problem-free installation of the multicomponent cartridge after the filling of the storage chambers. The engagement element can in particular include a spring element, with the spring element being able to be formed as a step at the periphery of the guide element. The spring element engages into a cut-out of the housing element so that the housing element is rotationally fixedly connected to the guide element.

The first piston includes a ring piston which has a ring-shaped seal at its outer piston jacket. The first storage chamber is arranged coaxially to the second storage chamber since this arrangement is space-saving and a small construction volume of the multicomponent cartridge is achieved. Since the first storage chamber is ring-shaped, the first piston is designed as a ring piston. The first storage chamber could naturally also have an angled cross-section. The first piston can still be ring-shaped; however, its shape is no longer circular.

The second piston preferably has a venting element in the region of the desired breaking point since, on the insertion of the piston after the filling of the storage chambers with the corresponding components, air can remain between the filler material and the piston which can have a disadvantageous effect on the dispensing procedure. Alternatively or additionally to this, the guide element can include a venting element.

The plunger and the piston can be at least partly hollow. The material consumption for the plunger and the pistons is hereby reduced. Furthermore, the plunger and the piston can be manufactured more simply in an injection molding process when material accumulations can be avoided and thin-walled components can be used. Each of the components which form the multicomponent cartridge can be made at least partly of foamed plastic.

The use of a one-piece piston which simultaneously acts as a plunger has the following advantages:

The multicomponent cartridge can only be used in a standard dispensing unit which is widely used on the market. The end user thus does not have to acquire an additional dispensing unit, but can rather use the multicomponent cartridge with a standard dispensing unit.

The connection to the standard dispensing unit is formed by the plunger. This plunger can have a dimension suitable for the standard dispensing unit.

The multicomponent cartridge can be used for a single use. It is not suitable for multiple use. The static mixer is therefore also not exchangeable.

The multicomponent cartridge can be designed in a slimmer and narrower construction. The multicomponent cartridge can therefore be stored and transported more easily.

It is possible only to fill the multicomponent cartridge shortly before use. The empty multicomponent cartridges can therefore be stored without worry and the filler material can be stored more simply separately from the cartridges in suitable containers.

The multicomponent cartridges or their individual parts can furthermore be transported more simply and more cost-effectively in the empty condition.

In addition, the multicomponent cartridge can have protection against unintentional opening. For this purpose, the plunger can be fixedly connected to the housing surrounding it. The connection between the plunger and the housing is only broken through on the dispensing by the pressure applied onto the plunger. It is thus visible at all times whether the multicomponent cartridge is still new or whether it has already been used, that is whether it is no longer intact. In addition, on the separation of the connection between the housing and the plunger, a noise arises so that it can also be recognized acoustically whether the multicomponent cartridge was intact, that is as good as new, before use. An unauthorized refilling or reuse can be avoided in a simple manner.

The concept in accordance with the invention has fewer individual parts than the prior art. Because the mixer is, for example, fixedly connected to the housing of the cartridge, the onflow onto the mixer is the same during the whole dispensing cycle. It not only follows from this that the mixing quality of one and the same multicomponent is substantially the same for the whole dispensing cycle, but that also fewer deviations occur in the mixing quality in different multicomponent cartridges.

FIG. 1shows a first embodiment of the multicomponent cartridge1in accordance with the invention which is designed for single use. Such a multicomponent cartridge is in particular used for the metering of small and very small quantities of filler material. The multicomponent cartridge1includes a first storage chamber6for a first component8and a second storage chamber7for a second component9. The first storage chamber6is separate from the second storage chamber7so that the two components do not come into contact with one another. Such components usually interact with one another as soon as they come into contact with one another, with chemical reactions being able to take place. The interaction of the components is usually the effect which is required in an application; however, this interaction is unwanted as long as the components are not used within the framework of the intended application for them. The multicomponent cartridge thus has to be stored and transported before use, and indeed partly in the filled condition which is called the storage condition in the following. It must be ensured for the total period of the storage condition that the two components8,9do not come into contact with one another.

The first storage chamber6is arranged coaxially around the second storage chamber7and forms a ring space10. The ring space can be formed in circular ring shape. The first storage chamber6is separated from the second storage chamber7by a dividing wall28so that the two components8,9can be stored separately. In this embodiment, the second storage chamber7extends along a longitudinal axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis27of the multicomponent cartridge. The dividing wall28forms the outer boundary of the second storage chamber7and surrounds the storage chamber7as a jacket. The dividing wall28opens at a first end30into a second discharge opening29. The second component9can be guided through the second discharge opening29to the mixer14, see alsoFIG. 3. A plurality of second discharge openings29can also be provided between which bars31are arranged which form the connection to the mixer14.

The dividing wall28is a part of the guide element11. The dividing wall28has a second end32which serves for the receiving of a second piston4. The second piston4is movably received in the second storage chamber7. This second piston4slides along an inner side33of the dividing wall28of the guide element11in the direction of the first end30when the filler material located in the second storage chamber7, that is the second component9, should be expelled. The guide element11is provided to guide the second piston4in the second storage chamber7.

A first piston3is movably received in the first storage chamber6. The guide element11is provided to guide the first piston3in the first storage chamber6. The first storage chamber6is bounded at its inner side by the dividing wall28and at its outer side by a jacket element34of the guide element11. The jacket element34opens at a first end region35into a first discharge opening13. The first component8can be guided through the first discharge opening13to the mixer14, see alsoFIG. 3orFIG. 6. A plurality of first discharge openings13can also be provided between which connection bars36are arranged which form the connection to the dividing wall28or to the mixer14.

The jacket element34is a part of the guide element11. The dividing wall28and the jacket element34have an end region35which serves for the reception of a first piston3. The first piston3is movably received in the first storage chamber6between the jacket element34and the outer side38of the dividing wall28. This first piston3slides along the outer side38of the dividing wall28of the guide element11in the direction of the end region35when the filler material located in the first storage chamber6, that is the first component8, should be expelled. The guide element11is provided to guide the first piston3in the first storage chamber6.

The guide element11includes a mixer14which is in particular formed as a static mixer. The guide element11and the mixer14are in particular designed as a single component.

The first and second pistons3,4are movable by means of a plunger5to dispense the two components8,9simultaneously. The plunger5is in particular designed so that it lies on the first and second pistons3,4. The plunger5is connected in one piece to a housing element17as long as the multicomponent cartridge is in the storage condition. The housing element17has a desired breaking point50via which the plunger5is connected to the housing element17in the storage condition. This desired breaking point50is broken through at the start of the dispensing of the filler material, as is shown inFIG. 4. The plunger contains two concentric plunger bodies46,47, an inner plunger body46and an outer plunger body47. The inner plunger body46lies on the second piston4; the outer plunger47lies on the first piston3. A ring-shaped cut-out48is arranged between the inner plunger body and the outer plunger body and serves for the reception of the dividing wall28when the filler material is dispensed from the first and second storage chambers6,7. The inner plunger body46and the outer plunger body47are connected to one another so that they move together in the dispensing procedure to displace the pistons3,4in the corresponding storage chambers6,7. A connection element49adjoins the plunger body and is designed such that it can be fit into a commercial dispensing unit. The connection element49is also arranged within the housing element17. The connection element49can include a hollow space50which serves to save material.

The guide element11can be connected to a housing element17by means of an engagement element18.

The first and the second pistons3,4can be connected to one another, as is shown inFIG. 2. They can in particular be formed as a single piston component39. The piston component39has a slit40which serves for the reception of the dividing wall28of the guide element11. The piston4adjoins the inner side of the slit. The piston4has at least one sealing element41which is in particular formed as a sealing lip. An advantage of the use of a piston component39is founded in the fact that the piston component can be guided in a manner secure against tilting. On the one hand, the second end32of the dividing wall28engages into the slit40; on the other hand, the outer piston jacket25is guided along the jacket34of the guide element11. The outer piston jacket25has at least one ring-shaped seal24; the inner piston jacket45likewise has at least one ring-shaped seal23.

The slit40is in particular of ring shape and has a bridge element42at the base of the groove which represents the connection between the piston3and the piston4of the piston component39. If the piston component39is moved in the direction of the discharge opening13, that is to the right inFIG. 2, for the dispensing of the filler material, the bridge element42is separated when it impacts the second end32of the dividing wall28. Subsequently thereto, the piston4and the piston3, which is formed as a ring piston22, move parallel to one another, but separated completely from one another by the dividing wall28. The ring-shaped seal23,24can include a venting element26. Alternatively to this, a venting element43,44can be attached to the guide element11, in particular to the jacket element34and/or to the dividing wall28. The venting element43is preferably attached in the proximity of the second end region37of the jacket element34. The venting element44is preferably attached in the proximity of the second end32of the dividing wall28.

FIG. 3shows a detail of the multicomponent cartridge which includes the region of the first and second discharge openings13,29. The guide element11contains a discharge opening13through which the first component8can be discharged from the first storage chamber6and the guide element11is arranged in a housing2, with the guide element11being movable relative to the housing2by means of a movement element12, whereby the discharge opening13can be released. The movement element12allows a relative movement of the housing2and of the guide element11. The movement element12in accordance with a preferred variant which is shown inFIG. 2includes an external thread15which is applied to the guide element11and into which an internal thread16applied to the housing2can engage. By actuating the movement element12, that is by rotation of the housing2relative to the guide element11, the guide element is displaced relative to the housing2such that the first end region35of the jacket element34forms a spacing from the housing2. The first discharge opening13is herewith opened, that is the component6of the filler material located in the first storage chamber6can be discharged through the first discharge opening13and can be guided in the direction of the mixer14in the passage formed between the housing2and the first end region35. In the region of the second discharge opening29, the first component8comes into contact with the second component9which is discharged, coming from the second storage chamber7, through the discharge opening29. This condition is also shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 4shows the multicomponent cartridge in accordance withFIG. 1at the end of the discharge of the filler material from the first and second storage chambers6,7. The plunger5is moved relative to the housing element17when the plunger5is loaded with a force. This force can be applied by a commercial dispensing unit or also manually. The connection between the housing element17and the plunger5, which is designed as a desired breaking point50, is interrupted when a pressure force is exerted onto the connection element49.

FIG. 5shows a detail of the multicomponent cartridge in accordance withFIG. 1in the region of the first discharge opening13in the dispensing position. The position of the guide element11relative to the housing2is thus shown inFIG. 5when the filler material has been dispensed from the first and second storage chambers6,7via the mixer14, when the dispensing is therefore ended. The filler material thus has found its intended use as the mixture of the first component8and of the second component9leaving the mixer14. Before it is possible to begin with the dispensing, that is the situation in accordance withFIG. 3is present, the movement element12, which was already described in connection withFIG. 2, must be actuated. The discharge opening13is opened by actuation of the movement element12.

In accordance with the present preferred embodiment, the passage51already mentioned in connection withFIG. 3is formed between the guide element11and the housing2by rotation of the movement element12, with the first component8being conveyed through said passage through the discharge opening or a plurality of discharge openings13to the mixer14. The discharge openings are applied in the conical wall of the first end region35of the guide element11, with the section being applied inFIG. 5such that the connection bar36is shown which connects the dividing wall28of the guide element11to the jacket element34of the guide element11.

The discharge opening13is closed in the representation in accordance withFIG. 5by the ring piston22which forms the first piston3. The discharge opening29is closed by the second piston4. The first component8, which is located in the passage51, can only be conveyed in the direction of the mixer14since at least one sealing element52is arranged between the jacket element34of the guide element11and the housing2. The jacket element34is preferably arranged cylindrically and concentrically to the housing2which likewise has a cylindrical section52. The gap54present between the jacket element34and the cylindrical section52is not changed in its width by the displacement of the housing2relative to the guide element11so that the sealing of this gap54does not present any particular problems.

FIG. 5furthermore shows sealing elements55,56,57on the outer side of the second end region36of the jacket element34. These sealing elements55,56,57play a role in the filling of the first and second storage chambers6,7with the corresponding first and second components8,9. When the storage chambers6,7are being filled, the guide element11contacts the inner wall of the housing2. The gap51ideally has the gap width zero. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the gap width can be locally larger than zero; the sealing elements55and56are therefore provided to prevent the first component8located in the discharge opening13from being able to enter into such a narrow gap. The sealing elements56and57prevent the second component9from being able to enter into a narrow gap51via the discharge opening29. It is thus avoided by the sealing elements that the first and second components enter into the gap and come into unwanted contact there.

FIG. 5as alsoFIG. 6orFIG. 7furthermore show that the housing2can be connected to a housing element17by means of an engagement element18. The engagement element18includes a spring element19. The spring element19is formed as a step20at the periphery of the housing2. The spring element19engages into a cut-out21of the housing element17so that the housing element17is rotationally fixedly connected to the housing2.

FIG. 6shows a multicomponent cartridge in accordance with a second embodiment in accordance with which the first piston3and the plunger5are formed in one piece. The design and the mode of operation of this multicomponent cartridge otherwise does not differ from the first embodiment; reference should thus be made substantially to the description ofFIGS. 1 to 5.

A substantial difference to the preceding embodiment lies in the fact that the pistons3,4are formed in one piece with the plunger5. Since the plunger is likewise connected in one piece to the housing element17, the number of components is reduced by at least one component with respect to the previous embodiment. The pistons3,4are designed to be hollow or thin-walled at least in part, which can have advantages in the manufacture of the pistons in addition to the reduced material consumption.

FIG. 7shows a detail of the piston of the multicomponent cartridge in accordance withFIG. 6.FIG. 7is the illustration corresponding toFIG. 2in which the different design of the piston3can be seen. The piston3together with the piston4forms a piston component39and are separated from one another by the cut-out48. The cut-out48serves for the reception of the dividing wall28. Reference is made toFIG. 3with respect to the illustration of the region of the dispensing openings. The venting element43is also shown inFIG. 7, as well as the venting element44at the inner side of the dividing wall33. The venting element preferably has the shape of at least one groove-like recess in the inner side of the dividing wall. A plurality of venting elements44are particularly preferably arranged symmetrically to one another; inFIG. 7, four venting elements44are arranged symmetrically to one another.

FIG. 8shows the multicomponent cartridge in accordance withFIG. 6in the dispensing position. Reference is made to the description ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 9shows a detail of the multicomponent cartridge in accordance withFIG. 6in the region of the discharge opening in the dispensing position. The mode of operation likewise corresponds to the mode of operation in accordance withFIG. 5so that reference is made to the description there.

FIG. 10shows the multicomponent cartridge in accordance with one of the preceding embodiments in a view from above. The guide element11can be connected to a housing element17by means of an engagement element18. The engagement element18can include a spring element19. The spring element19can include a step20at the periphery of the guide element11. A projection68is furthermore partly visible which will be looked at in more detail inFIG. 14toFIG. 16.

FIG. 11andFIG. 12show a further variant of the multicomponent cartridge. The same parts are in turn provided with the same reference symbols so that reference is made to the corresponding description in the preceding embodiments.FIG. 11thus shows a longitudinal section through the multicomponent cartridge. The first and second pistons3,4are movable by means of a plunger5to dispense the two components8,9simultaneously. The plunger5is in particular designed such that it is formed in one piece with the first piston and the second piston4is received in the plunger5. The plunger5is connected in one piece to a housing element17as long as the multicomponent cartridge is in the storage condition. The second piston4is in particular held in the plunger5by a plug connection58. Alternatively, a screw connection or a latch connection could also be provided for this purpose, that is a connection by means of which the second piston4is held in the plunger in form-fitted or force-transmitted form. The plug connection58in particular includes at least one holding element59, preferably a plurality of holding elements which are formed as holding ribs. Four holding ribs with which the second piston4is held and centered are particularly preferred. The inner edge or inner surface of the holding ribs can be in conical form so that the second piston4can be fit in. The second piston4simultaneously takes over the function of a plunger. The first end61of the second piston4at the media side is guided in the dividing wall28. The second piston4can, as shown, be designed as a solid body or can also, to save material and weight, be formed at least partly as a hollow body.

FIG. 12in this respect shows a longitudinal section which, with respect to the longitudinal section ofFIG. 11, is placed along a plane which is rotated by 45° with respect to the section plane ofFIG. 12. It is shown inFIG. 12that an intermediate space60, which is shown in even more detail inFIG. 13, lies between the holding elements59.

FIG. 13shows, in detail, the second end62of the second piston4disposed opposite the media-side end61. This second end62is held in the plunger5by the previously described plug connection58. The intermediate space60, or each of the intermediate spaces when a plurality of intermediate spaces is provided, opens into a relief63. Gas, in particular air, from the second storage chamber7can be guided through the relief63via the venting element44out of the cut-out48through a bore65into a passage64in the interior of the plunger. The passage64can be open to the atmosphere, as shown inFIG. 1, or can be provided with a closure element, as shown inFIG. 11or inFIG. 12. The relief63can include one or more grooves, in particular three grooves which are arranged an angle of 120° to one another. A venting of the cut-out48can thus take place by means of the relief or reliefs63in conjunction with the intermediate space60, said cut-out forming the intermediate space between the outer plunger body47connected to the first piston3and the second piston4.

FIG. 14shows a detail of the housing element17which is designed for the engagement of the movement element12. The plunger5, omitted here for simplification, is arranged in the interior of the housing element17. The plunger is held in the housing element17.

The guide element11includes a movement element12is and designed such that the first piston3is guided in the first storage chamber6and the second piston4is guided in the second storage chamber7, with the pistons and the storage chambers likewise being omitted in this illustration. The second storage chamber7is arranged coaxially within the first storage chamber6, that is the first storage chamber6surrounds in an annular manner the second storage chamber6separated by a dividing wall28, as was shown in one of the preceding embodiments.

The housing element17includes an engagement element18which can be brought into engagement with the guide element11. The engagement element18includes a step20. The step20can at least partly have an outer diameter which is at least slightly larger than the inner diameter of the engagement element18. The engagement element18has a cut-out21.

A groove66is formed along an inner wall of the housing element17. The groove66serves for the reception of the step20of the guide element11so that the housing element17can be held secure against being lost (captively) on the guide element11.

A spring element19is arranged at the end of the guide element11which faces the housing element17. The spring element19in accordance with the embodiment shown includes an opening67in the jousting element17and a projection68.

The projection68of the spring element19engages into the cut-out21of the housing element17when the housing element17is pushed over the guide element11and the spring element19can expand in the cut-out21. The housing element17is rotationally fixedly connected to the housing2in a direction of rotation, the fixing direction, by means of the spring element19. In the fixing direction, the projection68of the spring element19forms an abutment, that is at least one part of the projection68engages into the cut-out21. A rotation of the housing element17relative to the guide element11in the fixing direction is hereby prevented.

A rotation of the housing element17relative to the guide element11in the opposite direction of rotation is, however, possible.

The cut-out21extends at least up to the groove66in accordance with the embodiment in accordance withFIG. 14. The opening67serves for the release of the spring element19so that the spring element19is elastically deformable relative to the surface of the guide element11. The opening67thus ensures a sufficient elasticity of the spring element19. The opening has a width which can reduce on the assembly so that the spring element19can be fit into the groove66of the engagement element18.

The opening67is at least partly visible through the cut-out21when the movement element12is assembled with the housing element17.

FIG. 15shows a view of the multicomponent cartridge1in accordance with the invention with a detail which shows the spring element19. The spring element19is attached as a projection68to the guide element11in accordance withFIG. 15. The spring element19can also have different embodiments which allow a rotation of the housing element17relative to the guide element11in a direction of rotation, but block a rotation in the fixing direction.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the spring element19is formed in one piece with the guide element11. The spring element19has a substantially cylindrical shape. The projection68of the spring element19, which is in engagement with the cut-out21, deviates from this cylindrical shape since it extends outwardly with respect to the jacket surface of the cylinder which envelops the spring element19. If, in contrast, the housing element17is rotated relative to the guide element11in the direction of rotation, the projection68comes into contact with the groove66of the housing element17. In this position, the outer contour of the projection68essentially follows the jacket surface of the cylinder which envelops the spring element19. The projection68can in this respect exert a defined pressure force onto the inner wall in the region of the groove66so that it can be set how easily the rotation in the direction of rotation can take place.

In the condition in which the projection68is in engagement with the cut-out21, said projection can project in the axial direction beyond the plane which contains the end69of the guide element11, which is easily visible inFIG. 16.FIG. 16shows a detail ofFIG. 15in which the projection68is in engagement with the housing element17.

FIG. 17shows a section through a multicomponent cartridge in accordance with the variant shown inFIG. 11in the closed condition. The individual elements of the multicomponent cartridge have the same designations as inFIG. 11and reference is made to the description ofFIG. 11with respect to their function.

The guide element11is movable relative to the housing2by means of the movement element12. The movement element12includes an external thread15which is applied to the outer side of the guide element11and into which an internal thread16applied to the housing2can engage.

In accordance with the embodiment shown, the communication path for the first component8and for the second component9into the mixer14can be opened by this relative movement between the guide element11and the housing2. The opened position is shown inFIG. 22.FIG. 22differs fromFIG. 17only in that a passage which corresponds to the passage51ofFIGS. 4,5,8,9is formed between the guide element11and the housing2.

To keep the communication path open for the first component8and for the second component9, the guide element11and/or the housing2has a latch connection.

FIG. 18shows a section through the multicomponent cartridge in accordance withFIG. 17in the region of the piston3which is made as a ring piston. A preferred embodiment for a latch connection is shown in this section. The latch connection includes a nose70which arranged at the inner wall of the housing2and which is shown as detail E inFIG. 21. A corresponding counter-element71is arranged in an oppositely disposed position in accordance withFIG. 18. A rotation by 180° can in particular take place between the open position and the position in which the latch connection is closed, that is in which the nose engages into the counter-element71. This selection has the particular advantage that a rotation by 180° means a pleasing handling for the user because in this case he can carry out the rotation with a single movement of the hand. He would have to release his grip at least once for a rotation by 360°.

FIG. 19is a detail C ofFIG. 17in which the seal between the guide element11and the housing2is shown to prevent a discharge of the component8in the direction of the movement element12. A sealing lip72is arranged at the outer wall of the guide element11in accordance with this embodiment. The sealing lip72is disposed in an indentation73of the housing2so that the component8does not move further than up to the sealing lip in the storage condition. If the two components are now dispensed, the pressure acting on the sealing lip increases. To avoid that leaks arise in the region of the sealing lip due to the increase pressure on the dispensing of the components and that components8can move in the direction of the movement element12, an increase in the contact pressure of the sealing lip at the inner wall of the housing is provided. This increase in the contact pressure is achieved in that the sealing lip27is moved by the guide element11by the relative movement of the guide element11with respect to the housing2into a section74of the housing2which has a smaller inner diameter than the indentation73. The contact pressure of the seal at the inner wall of the housing is hereby increased. A sealing effect is thus ensured during the dispensing of the components since the sealing lip72can withstand the higher internal pressures which are present on the dispensing of the components. The corresponding position of the sealing lip is shown inFIG. 24.

FIG. 20is a detail D ofFIG. 18which in particular shows the counter-element71which serves for the connection to the nose70. The counter-element71for this purpose has an indentation75which serves for the reception of the nose70. The latch connection formed from this is shown in the latched condition inFIG. 23and in detail inFIG. 25. The positions of the nose and of the corresponding counter-element can naturally also be swapped over, that is the nose is located on the guide element11and the counter-element is located at the inner wall of the housing2, a solution which is not shown graphically here.