PATENT ABSTRACT
A method of filling a collapsible package in a cartridge for use with a caulking gun is provided. The method comprises pressurizing an internal space of a collapsible package to expand the package. Drawing a vacuum external to the collapsible package and removing the positive internal pressure. The vacuum maintains the package in an expanded state. A nozzle is then inserted into the collapsible package to reverse fill the package with a vicious material.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
[0001]     This patent application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/183,107, filed Jun. 26, 2002, titled METHOD OF FILLING DISPENSING CARTRIDGES, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/908,420, titled DISPENSING CARTRIDGES HAVING COLLAPSIBLE PACKAGES FOR USE IN CAULKING GUNS, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,112, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/391,798, filed Sep. 9, 1999, titled PACKAGING FOR MULTI-COMPONENT MATERIALS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME, abandoned. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is related to self contained cartridges containing chemicals for use in conventional caulking guns, and more particular, the present invention relates to small, single-use, hand-held packaging for the containment and delivery of viscous, pasty reactive chemicals (primarily of the 2-component type, but also comprising 1-component reactive types) that are frequently used as adhesives, sealants, potting compounds, anchoring pastes, etc.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Both 1-component and multi-component (but preponderantly, 2-component) chemistries, which include adhesives, sealants, potting compounds, anchoring pastes, and the like (represented by such chemistries as epoxies, polyurethanes, polysulfides, acrylics, silicones, polyesters, etc.), are used throughout the world for bonding, sealing, encapsulating, anchoring and coating many different items in construction, manufacturing, aerospace, medical, transportation, consumer and other market areas. With 2-component chemistries, the two reactive materials are maintained separate from one another and unmixed until just prior to use. To use 2-component chemistries, the components are often mixed in a separate container and applied either using an automatic dispenser or manually. Alternatively, one frequently uses a specialized or custom dispenser having parallel cartridges to dispense the 2-component chemistries with the mixing being accomplished by a static mixer inside the dispensing nozzle.  
         [0004]     Despite the inconvenience of having to mix 2-component chemistries or purchase specialty components prior to use, the industry considers 2-component chemistries superior in performance and prefers using 2-component chemistries in most applications. Generally, the industry prefers 2-component chemistries because they frequently have better physical and chemical properties than 1-component chemistries. However, while 2-component chemistries are currently and widely used in certain industries (both from bulk containers and from pre-loaded specialized packaging), such use has been restricted to using relatively expensive and relatively specialized application or dispensing equipment. Therefore, there is a need to provide a reactive-chemical dispensing cartridge packaging, which could be used for both 1-component or multi-component chemistries, that is capable of use in common, standard, inexpensive caulking guns of the type generally found in hardware stores, home centers, paint stores and the like.  
         [0005]     It has been recognized previously by such inventors as, for example, Creighton (U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,682), Maziarz (U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,922) and Konuma (U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,066) that it would be advantageous to have a package that permitted the dispensing of 2-component chemistries from common, standard caulking guns, so that all users in all markets could take advantage of the high performance provided by such 2-component chemistries, while enjoying the low cost and ready availability of such standard dispensing equipment. Yet, none of the prior invention disclosures disclose a package design that is: uncomplicated to use by the applicator, technically feasible to manufacture (especially regarding the factory-filling of such containers with high viscosity, pasty materials), sufficiently rugged in its resistance to damage before use, economically viable overall, suitable for dispensing even high viscosity sealants or adhesives, easily recyclable, or comprehensively practical enough to be introduced into or gain acceptance by commercial markets.  
         [0006]     Creighton, for instance, discloses no practical design, feasible method of manufacturing, or reasonable method of factory-filling his package with adhesives or sealants (and, consequently, this design has never been commercialized). The Maziarz design, while having found some commercial success, requires the use of a separate rigid adapter to permit the primary all-rigid package to be used in a standard caulking gun, and the maximum volume of material that can be placed into this primary package is only about ¼ to ½ the volume normally possible from packages typically used in such dispensing equipment (and the package cannot be readily recycled). The Konuma design also requires the use of a separate rigid adapter in order to be usable in a standard, common caulking gun. Also, the Konuma design involves a primary collapsible-film package that is much more prone to damage during transport, storage, adapter-insertion or use than typical rigid cartridges that are widely used in standard, common caulking guns.  
         [0007]     One commercial package and product currently being sold in Europe (by Artur Fischer (UK) Ltd.—named “FIP 300 SF”) has a 2-part “sausage” or “chub”, sealed at each end with a strong metal clip, inserted into a rigid plastic caulking cartridge that can be installed in a common, standard caulking gun. Before use, the user pulls one end of the collapsible sausage, with a metal clip attached to it, through the treaded cartridge outlet port and cuts the metal clip is cut off with a knife—thus opening the sausage for dispensing. Then, the user screws a nozzle on the threaded outlet a, with the nozzle typically having a static mixer inside, and mixes/dispenses the 2-component, low viscosity, polyester anchoring mortar.  
         [0008]     Several problems exist with this design. First, because the plastic film of the sausage is pulled into and left inside the narrow outlet of the cartridge, the wad of plastic film bunched up inside the outlet port can greatly restrict the flow of the chemical components during dispensing—which may only be a moderate problem if the viscosity of the fluids is very low (as in the case of this commercial “FIP 300 SF” product), but can be a great problem if the product viscosity is high and the product is pasty. Second, it is possible for the chemical components to contact and foul portions of the interior of the rigid cartridge either during dispensing or during spent-sausage removal from the rigid cartridge—making cartridge reuse or recycling very problematic or impossible, and messy in either case. Third, the rigid cartridge has several avenues of gaseous fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the interior of the package that could partly endanger the shelf life of certain reactive sealants or adhesives during prolonged storage.  
         [0009]     It is important to note that many previous inventors have described and, in some cases, commercialized 2-component specialized packaging that is suitable for use only in specialized, relatively expensive dispensing equipment, but not suitable for use in common, standard and inexpensive caulking guns. The commercial market place and the patent literature are replete with many instances of such inventions. Examples of such designs can be found in the works of Blette (U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,928), Sauer (U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,028), Koga (U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,251), Camm (U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,770), Vidal (U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,861), Anderson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,919), Penn (U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,373), Schiltz (U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,860), Giannuzzi (U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,757), etc. The present invention, however, permits the use of such reactive materials in simple, affordable and readily available caulking guns, so that virtually everyone, in all industries, can enjoy the benefits of said reactive materials at a low overall cost.  
         [0010]     Notably, previous attempts at creating a practical 2-component package for this use have not addressed the need to be able to factory-fill, in a practical manner, such packaging with high viscosity, pasty adhesives and sealants. Either this issue has not been dealt with at all in previously disclosed designs, or, when addressed, the methods outlined or implied have not been feasible. For instance, Keller (U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,510) describes a device that has some similarities to the present invention, but Keller&#39;s design calls for the collapsible-film pouches within the device to be attached to one or more relatively small diameter dispensing nozzles that cannot be practically used for filling the pouches causing the pouches to be filled from the rear of said pouches (i.e., at the piston end)—as virtually all previous designers appear to have done, with such a filling approach not being readily or easily accomplished in a practical way. (Notice, in the context of this application, collapsible-film pouches and collapsible packages are generally used interchangeably). In particular, filling pouches from the rear and non-attached end can cause pinching, a crimping of the pouches, which inhibits the dispensing of the chemicals contained in the pouches. Furthermore, by filling the pouches from the rear, it is difficult, if not impossible, to completely fill the pouches with chemicals to fully use the possible volume.  
         [0011]     Keller is a useful example of problems associated with conventional methods for filling chemicals in collapsible-film package (and possible explains why none have been successfully commercialized). For example, by filling the package from the rear (which is conventional and exemplified by Keller), the pouch must be held or gripped at the package edge. The gripping to effectuate a filling procedure can damage or weaken the film at the edge and make the edge prone to failure. Further, when filling the packages external to a cartridge body (again conventional and exemplified by Keller and the other cited prior art), they are susceptible to bulging along the length.  
         [0012]     When the package bulges, it becomes difficult to insert the bulging package in the cartridge body without damaging the package. Even assuming the package was filled without damaging the edges, and inserted in the cartridge body without damaging the package, sealing the open end of the package (i.e., the end that was filled) is problematic at best. In particular, gathering the open end of the package to seal the package with a traditional clip would likely cause voids or unused space, which is not efficient. Alternatively, using a seal, such as a heat seal, runs the risk of fouling the sealing surface with the chemicals and causing a weaker seal. Finally, and specific to the Keller disclosure, the plunger is not removable from the rear end of the cartridge body (see sealing ring and lips in Keller  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 ). Thus, the packages in Keller must be filled external to the cartridge body and then inserted in the body, which exemplifies the methods of conventional devices.  
         [0013]     If the issue of efficiently filling such packages at the factory is not adequately addressed (and the factory-filling of such high viscosity, pasty materials as adhesives and sealants into hand-held, collapsible-film packaging is far more difficult than the factory-filling of low-viscosity, thin fluids), then it becomes difficult or impossible to economically produce such a package/product combination.  
         [0014]     Moreover, the Keller device is not designed as a totally self-contained, integrated package, to be used in a common caulking gun; and, rather than recycling the main rigid cartridge body as taught below in the present invention, Keller&#39;s disclosed design calls for his rigid housing to be very stoutly built and aims at the repeated re-use of the stout, rigid housing by inserting fresh, collapsible-film pouches—which are relatively much more fragile and subject to damage, compared to integrated, mostly-rigid containers—into them in the field after the previously-used pouches have been emptied.  
         [0015]     It is well known in the trade that 1-component, all-rigid, all-plastic polyethylene caulking cartridges typically used to contain many or most sealant and adhesive chemistries (and dispensed using common, standard caulking guns) are not currently used to contain 1-component, reactive, moisture-curable polyurethane sealants or adhesives. The reason is that such all-plastic containers do not provide sufficient moisture vapor permeability resistance to prevent premature and rapid curing of highly moisture sensitive polyurethanes during storage. Yet, because of the unsurpassed weather and damage resistance (as well as low cost) afforded by such rigid all-plastic containers (compared to the paperboard/aluminum foil cartridges most commonly used for such polyurethanes today), it would be advantageous to use such rigid, plastic containers for such products.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     To attain the advantages of and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method for filing cartridges for use with a conventional caulking gun include securing a collapsible package to the cartridge and applying pressure to an internal space of the collapsible package to expand the package. Drawing a vacuum on the cartridge to reduce pressure in the cartridge and removing the pressure applied to the internal space. The reduced pressure maintains the package in an expanded state. The package is filled and the vacuum released to increase the pressure in the cartridge. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, explain the goals, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a conventional caulking cartridge (prior art);  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of a conventional caulking cartridge (prior art);  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a conventional caulking gun designed for use with cartridge  1  and  4  (prior art);  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a conventional collapsible-film package used to contain reactive sealants or adhesives (prior art);  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a conventional industrial bulk-caulking gun designed for use with the collapsible-film package  11  (prior art);  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows industrial bulk-caulking gun  14  having collapsible-film package  11  insert without the manifold  15  (prior art);  
         [0024]     FIGS.  7 -A to  7 -D show a conventional method of filling cartridge  1  and  4  (prior art);  
         [0025]     FIGS.  8 -A to  8 -M show a show a method of filling a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]     FIGS.  9 -A to  9 -B show an embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0027]     FIGS.  10 -A to  10 -B show another embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]     FIGS.  11 -A to  11 -C show still another embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]     FIGS.  12 -A to  12 -B show still another embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]     FIGS.  13 -A to  13 -B show still another embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  shows a variant of the inside wall configuration shown in  FIG. 11 -A;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of a plunger in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0033]     FIGS.  16 -A to  16 -C show a method of using plunger  119  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of a plunger in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0035]     FIGS.  18 -A to  18 -C show a method of using plunger  129  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 19 -A shows still another embodiment of a plunger in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 19 -B shows a cross-sectional, perspective view of a cartridge usable with plunger  139  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0038]     FIGS.  19 -C 1  to  19 -C 2  show plunger  139  and cartridge  140 ;  
         [0039]     FIGS.  19 -D 1  to  19 -D 2  show the  139  and cartridge  140 ;  
         [0040]     FIGS.  20 -A and  20 -B show pouches  152  and  153 , and inner tube wall grooves  148  in more detail;  
         [0041]      FIG. 21  shows still another embodiment of a plunger in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0042]     FIGS.  22 -A to  22 -C shows a method of venting in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0043]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional caulking cartridge  1 . Caulking cartridge  1  includes a rigid cartridge body  3 , an integral nozzle  2 , and a plunger (not specifically shown). The plunger is slidably coupled to the rigid cartridge body  3  on the end opposite the integral nozzle  2 . Caulking cartridge  1  is a standard, common all-rigid caulking cartridge that is widely used throughout the world for containing and dispensing 1-component chemistries. Chemicals contained within cartridge  1  would be in direct contact with the inside walls of cartridge body  3 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows another conventional caulking cartridge  4 . Caulking cartridge  4  includes a rigid cartridge body  6  and a non-integral nozzle  5 . Rigid cartridge body  6  has a threaded nub  9  at one end and a plunger (not shown) at the other end. Non-integral nozzle  5  has matching threads  8 . Typically, non-integral nozzle  5  is attached to caulking cartridge  4  by an attachment piece  7 . Caulking cartridge  4  also is widely used throughout the world for containing and dispensing 1-component chemistries. Again, chemicals contained within cartridge  4  would be in direct contact with the inside walls of cartridge body  6 .  
         [0045]     While cartridges  1  and  4  are generally shown to have a cylindrical shape, other geometries are equally possible. Typically, however, conventional caulking guns, explained below, are designed to receive substantially cylindrical cartridges.  
         [0046]      FIG. 3  shows a typical conventional caulking gun  10 . Conventional caulking gun  10  has a push-plate  10   a , a push-rod  10   b , and a trigger  10   c . Conventional caulking gun  10  currently is considered the most widely available and most reasonably priced caulking dispenser known. Users have used caulking gun  10  for over half a century, and it is currently considered the preferred means of dispensing 1-component chemistries.  
         [0047]     Conventional caulking cartridge  1  is used with conventional caulking gun  10  by inserting cartridge  1  into an associated cavity (not specifically labeled) in caulking gun  10  such that nozzle  2  protrudes out of a slot (also not specifically labeled) in caulking gun  10  opposite the push-plate  10   a . To use caulking gun  10  and cartridge  1  after the cartridge is inserted into caulking gun  10 , a user “pulls” trigger  10   c . Pulling trigger  10   c  causes push-rod  10   b  to apply pressure to push-plate  10   a . Push-plate  10   a , in-turn, applies pressure to the plunger (not shown) in rigid cartridge body  3  causing the plunger to move towards the nozzle  2 . The movement of the plunger towards the nozzle causes the 1-component chemicals to be dispensed out of nozzle  2 .  
         [0048]     Using conventional caulking cartridge  4  is similar to using caulking cartridge  1  except that a user typically must perform two additional steps. First, nub  9  typically has a cap, cover or plug that prevents inadvertent discharge of the chemicals and to protect the chemicals from the environment. Thus, the user must remove the cap, cover or plug. After removing the cap, cover or plug, the user then connects nozzle  5  to nub  9  by screwing nozzle  5  on nub  9 . Once nozzle  5  is attached to nub  9 , the operation of conventional cartridge  4  is identical to conventional cartridge  1 .  
         [0049]     One disadvantage of conventional caulking cartridges  1  and  4  is that the chemicals contained in the cartridge are in direct contact with the inside surfaces of the caulking bodies  3  and  6  as well as the nozzles  2  and  5 . By being in direct contact with the bodies and nozzles, the chemicals foul the bodies and nozzles making their reuse or recyclability difficult, if not impossible.  
         [0050]     Another disadvantage of conventional cartridges  1  and  4  is that, typically, the bodies  3  and  6  do not provide sufficient isolation from the environment. Thus, conventional cartridges are normally used only for non-reactive chemistries, if the cartridges are made of only plastic.  
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a prior art collapsible package  11  for 1-component chemistries. Collapsible package  11  is generally known in the art as a “sausage” or “chub.” Collapsible package  11  has a collapsible wall  12  that is, typically, sealed at each end with a mechanical sealing device  13 . Mechanical sealing device  13  is typically a metal or plastic clip. While collapsible package  11  is shown to be generally cylindrical, other geometries are possible. While collapsible package  11  can be used to contain non-reactive chemistries, the collapsible package  11  is typically moisture impervious, thus allowing collapsible package  11  to contain reactive chemistries also (typically reactive chemicals are ones that react when exposed to humidity in the air). Moreover, mechanical sealing device  13  could be replaced by other sealing means, such as, heat seals.  
         [0052]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a specialized, or industrial, caulking gun  14 . Industrial caulking gun  14  has an end manifold  15  and a rigid barrel  16 . Industrial caulking gun  14  also has a push-plate/plunger, push-rod and trigger (none of which are specifically labeled in the drawing). The push-plate/plunger, push-rod and trigger are arranged and function in a manner similar to conventional caulking gun  10 , described above. End manifold  15  is removable (i.e., either threaded or bayonet fitting) so that collapsible package  11  may be inserted into the barrel  16  of the industrial caulking gun  14 . Notice that unlike conventional caulking gun  10 , which has an open cavity to receive rigid cartridges  1  or  4 , the barrel  16  of industrial caulking gun  14  completely surrounds the collapsible package  11 . Because rigid barrel  16  completely surrounds collapsible package  11 , collapsible package  11  does not need to provide its own rigidity.  
         [0053]     Collapsible package  11  has been known in the trade for many years, and offers the benefits of providing good shelf stability for the contained chemicals, low package cost, and minimal packaging waste (both in weight and volume). However, such packages cannot be used in standard, common caulking guns without special adapters because the collapsible-film of the packages would burst without being well supported by a surrounding cylindrical rigid structure, such as, for example, barrel  16 .  
         [0054]     In operation, a user would remove end manifold  15  from industrial caulking gun  14  and insert collapsible package  11 . The user would then remove clip  13  nearest the outlet of the gun, or otherwise puncture collapsible package  11 , and insert package  11  in barrel  16 . Normally clip  13  is removed with a knife. End manifold  15  would then be placed back in industrial caulking gun  14 . With the manifold in place, and the clip  13  removed, pulling the trigger will cause the chemicals contained in collapsible package  11  to be extruded from the barrel  16  through the nozzle associated with end manifold  15 . The actual operation of industrial gun  14  is similar to the operation of conventional caulking gun  10 .  
         [0055]     In normal operation, the collapsible film of the sausage folds up like an accordion as it is progressively squeezed by the action of the push-plate and push-rod (not shown) of the industrial caulking gun  14 . Once the contents of the collapsible package  11  are dispensed, the substantially or completely empty collapsed package  11  and remaining clip  13  are removed and disposed. Industrial caulking gun  14  would then be ready to dispense another collapsible package  11 . Notice, end manifold  15  and barrel  16  may become partially fouled during use and may require cleaning prior to the next use of industrial caulking gun  14 .  
         [0056]     Generally, collapsible packages for use in the industrial caulking guns  16  contain only 1-component chemistries. Although at least one inventor, Blette, for example, has described a 2-component package designed for use in such single-barreled industrial caulking guns  16 , even though no such 2-component package as designed by Blette appears to have ever been commercialized.  
         [0057]     FIGS.  7 -A to  7 -D show the conventional, normal and universally used method of filling standard, rigid caulking cartridges  1  ( FIG. 1 ) using a filling nozzle  17 . While FIGS.  7 -A to  7 -D show filling a rigid cartridge  1 , the method of filling rigid cartridge  4  would be identical. Conventionally, filling nozzle  17  is designed with as wide a diameter opening as is possible to facilitate the flow of high-viscosity, pasty chemistries using low fluid pressures. As shown in  FIG. 7 -A, a large-diameter factory filling nozzle  17  is inserted into inlet  21  (obviously, caulking cartridge  1  has the plunger removed) into rigid cartridge body  3  to the opposite end of rigid cartridge body  3  to allow for “bottom-up” filling. The industry uses bottom-up filling because if filling nozzle  17  remained at inlet  21 , the high-viscosity, pasty chemicals would not readily flow to the nozzle end of caulking cartridge  1  causing either large pockets of trapped air in the filling or cartridge overflow.  
         [0058]     The bottom-up approach to factory-filling has proven itself as the preferred method in the adhesives and sealants industry over many years.  
         [0059]     In  FIG. 7 -A the inlet  21  of the all-rigid cartridge  1  is usually positioned directly underneath the factory filling nozzle  17 , which typically has a large inside diameter of 1.25″, or more (so that the high viscosity, pasty sealant or adhesive will flow as easily as possible through said nozzle, at high speed, and at low pressure).  FIG. 7 -B shows, in a partial cut-away view, an outlet  18  of the factory-filling nozzle  17  being near the interior bottom  19  of the cartridge  1 . Whether the cartridge  1 , the factory-filling nozzle  17 , or both are moved in relation to each other is largely irrelevant to the fill operation. Generally, however, the filling nozzle  17  moves relative to a stationary cartridge.  
         [0060]     After positioning outlet  18  of the filling nozzle  17  near the interior bottom  19  of the cartridge  1 , the user can commence filling the cartridge  1  with chemicals. As mentioned above, outlet  18  is placed near the interior bottom  19  (toward the nozzle end) of cartridge  1  because the high viscosity of such pasty materials does not readily allow said materials to easily or quickly flow to the bottom of such containers on their own, and filling the cartridge is facilitated by placing the chemicals there during the filling. Moreover, when filling begins at this position, the adhesive or sealant has the opportunity to displace whatever vapor (usually air) may be in the container prior to the commencement of the filling process, and largely prevent the vapor from being trapped in the container with the sealant or adhesive during factory filling.  
         [0061]      FIG. 7 -C shows, in a partial cut-away view, the outlet  18  of the filling nozzle  17  having been partially raised up from the interior bottom  19  of the cartridge  1 , having left behind a partial deposit of chemical  20 .  FIG. 7 -D shows the completion of the filling cycle, with the outlet  18  of the filling nozzle  17  having cleared the inlet  21  of the cartridge  1 , leaving behind a complete deposit of high viscosity, pasty chemical  20  in the rigid cartridge  1 . With the completion of this filling cycle, a plunger (not shown) is typically inserted into the inlet  21  of the cartridge  1 , and becomes fully ready for use.  
         [0062]     This process is called, in the trade, “bottom-up” filling, and is used for many sizes of hand-held packages, up to as large a container as a 29 fl. oz. cartridge. Notice, the arrows in the diagram show the relative movement of filling nozzle  17  with respect to the caulking cartridge  1 .  
         [0063]     Collapsible packages  11  are formed and filled substantially simultaneously. In particular, collapsible packages  11 , or sausages and chubs, are formed and filled using highly specialized and expensive equipment. Generally, to make a chub, a filling nozzle (similar to nozzle  17  in FIGS.  7 -A to  7 -D) is placed in a heat-sealing unit. The heat-sealing unit uses a “bishop&#39;s collar” to form the chub by converting a flat sheet of high barrier collapsible film into an open ended cylindrical tube that has a heat-seal formed down a seam on the side of the tube. The chub has one end of the tube closed, typically with a metal clip, and the fill nozzle is inserted into the other end of the chub up to the closed end. The fill procedure is generally the same as described above, but must be carefully controlled because of the needed back-pressure balance of the collapsible package and the tight overall sequential timing required.  
         [0064]     As can be determined from the above descriptions, conventional plastic cartridges have an advantage over chubs in that it is easier to fill such conventional cartridges with chemicals and much less expensive equipment can be used. Chubs, however, have an advantage over conventional plastic cartridges in that they provide better isolation between the chemicals within the chub and the environment (due to films being used that include aluminum foil and other high-barrier materials). Therefore, it would be desirous to develop a cartridge that contained the filling advantage of conventional cartridges with the isolation advantage of the chub (with the a collapsible package also ultimately being permanently protected by the surrounding substantially rigid cartridge).  
         [0065]     FIGS.  8 -A to  8 -G show one embodiment of a new and novel overall package design that permits the factory-filling of cartridges comprised of rigid plastic elements and collapsible packages with high-viscosity, pasty chemicals, that combines the filling and durability advantage of conventional cartridges and the isolation advantages of the chub. For example, the collapsible packages are positioned within the surrounding substantially rigid shell of the cartridge and filled using a conventional fill method. Further, the cartridge design of the present invention allows the collapsible package to be filled (using large diameter fill nozzles) in a bottom-up manner analogous to, but opposite from the method proven for many years in the trade. Such a reversal in filling methods is totally new, unique and novel—and requires the package design of the present invention to allow such a filling method to be used.  
         [0066]      FIG. 8 -A shows, in cross-section, one preferred dispensing cartridge  22  having at least one collapsible package in accordance with the present invention. Dispensing cartridge  22  has a collapsible inner package  22 A and a substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . As used in this application, substantially rigid means sufficiently rigid to resist outward movement of the collapsible package when the contents of the collapsible package are being dispensed and sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape when a vacuum is drawn, as explained below. Furthermore, while the embodiments of cartridges described herein generally disclose a cylindrical shape, other geometries are equally possible. The collapsible package  22 A includes an open end  27  formed by a retaining collar  28 , and a closed end opposite the open end (not specifically labeled). The retaining collar  28  has a collar edge  30 . The closed end can be sealed using any conventional means, but it is an industry-accepted practice to use a metal clip as shown. The substantially rigid cartridge body  24  includes an inlet  23  having a perimeter edge  29 , which corresponds to collar edge  30 , and a plunger end  25 . The loading of a non-inflated, pre-fabricated, collapsible package  22 A (as, for example, in the recyclable 1-component embodiment of the present invention that is described below) into the nozzle-end opening  23  of the main, rigid cartridge body  24 , is accomplished by inserting collapsible package  22 A into the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . Notice, unlike the Keller device, the collapsible package  22 A has a relatively large diameter open end  27  to permit easy, fast, and low pressure factory filling from this end of the cartridge.  
         [0067]     Preferably, the retaining collar  28  is internal to the collapsible package  22 A. Moreover, it is preferable to heat-seal collapsible package  22 A to retaining collar  28  such that collapsible package  22 A covers collar edge  30 . As shown in  FIG. 8 -B, and as will be explained in greater detail in conjunction with other embodiments of the present invention, when collapsible package  22 A is inserted into the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 , the collar edge  30  of retaining collar  28  abuts the corresponding perimeter edge  29  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . As shown, collar edge  30  and perimeter edge  29  have a tapered shape to facilitate the forming of a mechanical seal; however, the edges could have other shapes, such as, for example square, round, curved, elliptical, notched, or others.  
         [0068]     As will be explained in more detail below, when a nozzle, or some type of manifold, is threaded on the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 , the pressure from threading the nozzle will cause edges  30  and  29  to form a tighter mechanical seal. The mechanical seal, in conjunction with the heat seal, inhibits the collapsible package  22 A from moving further down the bore of the cartridge body  24  toward the plunger end  25  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . Of course, it is possible to use the mechanical seal or the heat seal alone; however, it is preferred to use both seals. Furthermore, while it is preferable to have tapered edges to form a mechanical seal, the mechanical seal could be formed by a “tight” friction fit between the retaining collar  28  and the inside surface of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . While not preferred, in the event a mechanical seal is not used, retaining collar  28  could be external to the collapsible package  22 A and the leading edge of collapsible package  22 A could be heat sealed to the inner surface (not labeled) of the retaining collar  28 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 8 -C shows cartridge  22  with a lubricating means  24   a . Lubricating means  24   a  can be one or more tubules with jets as shown, manual swabbing, a bath, or any equivalent means of leaving a lubricating residue on either the collapsible package  22 A, inner surface of substantially rigid cartridge body  24 , or both. In particular,  FIG. 8 -C shows during, or immediately after, the insertion of the collapsible package  22 A into the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 , the exterior surfaces of collapsible package  22 A and interior surface of substantially rigid body  24  that will experience some frictional resistance, from either a plunger (not shown in  FIG. 8 -C) or the inner side wall of substantially rigid cartridge  24  are treated with a lubricant  24   a , like graphite, talc, or light mineral oil, etc., to facilitate the sliding of the plunger over said internal surfaces so as to encourage the film of the pouch to collapse like an accordion rather than getting pinched or torn by the plunger or inner side wall during its sliding travel down the bore of the cartridge.  
         [0070]     FIGS.  8 -D and  8 -E show cartridge  22  with collapsible package  22 A inserted into substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . Further, the plunger end  25 , without the plunger, of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24  is coupled to a vacuum fixture  26 . The vacuum fixture  26  would be coupled to, for example, a vacuum pump, not shown, such that when the vacuum pump is activated, it pulls a vacuum on the internal space at the plunger-end  25  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 .  
         [0071]     Pulling a vacuum on the plunger-end  25  causes the collapsible package  22 A to “reverse inflate,” which expands the pouch and pulls it forcefully toward the plunger end  25  of the cartridge (as shown in  FIG. 8 -F). When said “reverse inflation” occurs, the collapsible package  22 A of the cartridge  22  becomes relatively rigid and opens up to its greatest extent, with said “reverse inflation” greatly reducing or eliminating any creases, twists or folds in the collapsible film that might otherwise occur. When the collapsible package  22 A is thus “reverse inflated” from the plunger end, it becomes open and capable of receiving from the nozzle end whatever chemical may be placed in it from the nozzle end. The level of vacuum required to effect the necessary “reverse inflation” of the collapsible package  22 A will vary from about 2 inches Hg to about 24 inches Hg, depending on the stiffness of the collapsible material (which is, in turn, largely dictated by the chemical-containment requirements of the particular sealants or adhesives to be packaged). It has been found, however, that to completely reverse inflate the packages is difficult. Thus, it is preferable to apply pressure to the interior of the package  22 A to inflate the collapsible package. The inflation reduces or eliminates creases, twists, etc. Once inflated, a vacuum can be pulled to hold the collapsible in the inflated position. The applied pressure can than be removed, which leave the collapsible package in the aforementioned reverse inflated position and filing can proceed as described.  
         [0072]      FIG. 8 -G shows factory filling nozzle  17  positioned over the nozzle end opening  23  of the “reverse inflated” collapsible package  22 A, which is, in turn, positioned within the main rigid cartridge body  24 . At this point, the bottom-up filling process sequence begins. The directional arrow shows the direction in which the filling nozzle  17  will travel from this initial position in relation to cartridge  22 . As noted above, the cartridge itself could, to equal effect, be the item that moves, rather than the nozzle. Alternatively, the nozzle  17  and the cartridge could accomplish the relative movement by both moving.  
         [0073]      FIG. 8 -H shows the nozzle outlet  18  positioned near the interior bottom  31  of the “reverse inflated” collapsible package  22 A, just before depositing any chemicals. By starting the filling operation at this position, the pasty chemical  20  displaces most or all of the vapor (usually air) within collapsible package  22 A. Moreover, the high viscosity, pasty chemical  20  can be placed at the very bottom of the pouch assembly inhibiting the formation of vapor voids and overflow. Without such a placement, and because of the high viscosity of such materials, it would be difficult to properly fill collapsible package  22 A with pasty chemicals.  
         [0074]      FIG. 8 -I shows a partially filled cartridge  22 . In particular, during the filling operation, nozzle  17  is (in accord with the arrow shown) traveling in the direction toward the cartridge inlet  37  (in  FIG. 8 -I, which corresponds to inlet  23  of  FIG. 8 -A). While moving “up” from the interior bottom  31 , nozzle  17  leaves behind a partial deposit of chemical  20 .  
         [0075]     FIGS.  8 -J and  8 -K show the completion of the filling cycle. After filling, collapsible package  22 A of cartridge  22  is completely, or substantially completely, filled with chemical  20 . To protect the chemical  20  from the environment, a film seal  32  can be placed over inlet  23  (or  37 ) of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . Seal  32  can be a foil-laminated patch that is heat-sealed to patch receiving lip  33  of inlet  23 , but seal  32  could be any equivalent device including, without limitation, a plug, a cap, plastic seal, etc. Alternatively, seal  32  could be attached to collar  28  instead of a patch receiving lip  33  of inlet  23 . Seal  32  could be placed prior to removing the vacuum on the plunger end  25  of the cartridge  22 . This helps to prevent spillage or leakage out of inlet  23  when the vacuum on the back end of the cartridge  22  is removed.  
         [0076]     When the collapsible package is filled in this way, it substantially conforms to the interior surfaces of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . By substantially conforming to the interior surfaces of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 , the collapsible package  22 A receives the support required to resist the pressure developed within the cartridge  22  during the dispensing operation to avoid failure or rupture of the collapsible package  22 A. In particular, when installed in the conventional caulking gun  10  ( FIG. 3 ) and when the trigger  10   c  is pulled causing push-rod  10   b  and push-plate  10   a  to apply pressure on the plunger of the cartridge  22 , the interior surface of substantially rigid cartridge body  24  prevents the collapsible package  22 A from expanding and rupturing, and instead causes the chemical  20  to be dispensed.  
         [0077]     FIGS.  8 -L and  8 -M show additional components to cartridge  22 . As shown in  FIG. 8 -L, the vacuum fixture  26  is vented and removed from the plunger end  25  of substantially rigid cartridge body  24 .  FIG. 8 -L also shows a cartridge manifold  34  being positioned (per the arrow shown) over inlet  23  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . A manifold retaining collar  35  (in  FIG. 8 -M) is then placed on the inlet  23  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 . Manifold retaining collar  35  overlaps a portion of manifold  34  when being attached to inlet  23  to hold manifold  34  in place. Also, manifold retaining collar mates to the substantially rigid cartridge body  24  via a threaded connection, not labeled, but other connections, such as a bayonet fitting, are possible. Instead of placing seal  32  over the inlet  23  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  24 , the seal  32  could be placed over the manifold inlet (or outlet depending on the perspective). If seal  32  was placed over the manifold inlet (not labeled) of manifold  34 , manifold retaining collar  35  could be permanently fixed, such as by a weld, to substantially rigid cartridge body  24  because you would not need to remove the manifold  34  to remove seal  32 . However, permanently fixing manifold retaining collar  35  substantially reduces the ability to reuse a majority of the parts associated with cartridge  22 . Also,  FIG. 8 -M shows a plunger  36  is slidably inserted into the plunger end  25  of the main rigid cartridge body  24 .  
         [0078]     It is the unique, novel and functional cartridge design that makes this unique and novel factory filling process possible, necessary and useful.  
         [0079]      FIG. 9 -A shows the main components of another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9 -A shows perspective/cross sectional view of a dispensing cartridge  38 . Unlike the embodiments described above with respect to  FIG. 8  which had one collapsible package  22 A, cartridge  38  has multiple collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b . Note that while cartridge  38  is shown with two collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b , more collapsible packages are possible. Also, while the example shows a double “D-shape” for the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  and the other pieces of cartridge  38 , the “D-shape” is exemplary and other shapes are equally possible. Along with the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b , dispensing cartridge  38  also has a substantially rigid cartridge body  39 , package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b , a plunger  40 , a manifold  48 , and a manifold retaining collar  49 . Generally, plunger  40 , manifold  48 , and manifold retaining collar  49  are added to the cartridge  38  after collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  are filled, however, cartridge  38  could be sold as an empty container without chemicals initially contained therein.  
         [0080]     In more detail, collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  are shown in the “reverse inflated” or full position. In this position, the ends of collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  towards the plunger  40  are closed by seals  45   a . Conventionally, seals  45   a  are metal or plastic clips or clamps. Alternatively, seals  45   a  could be replaced by other sealing means, such as film-to-film heat sealing. The other end of collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  are attached to package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b . Package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b  can have barbed teeth  51  along an outer surface, which will be explained further below. Referring specifically to collapsible package  42   a , a leading edge  43   a  of collapsible package  42   a  is heat-sealed to an outer tapered edge (not labeled) of package retaining collar  44   a . While this example uses a heat-seal to seal the collapsible package to the retaining collar, other means of sealing are acceptable, such as induction welding, hot air fusing, thermal impulse, ultrasonics, adhesives, etc. Collapsible package  42   b  is formed in an identical manner to that of collapsible package  42   a  and will not be further described. Collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  have package openings that are relatively as large as possible to facilitate fill operations by permitting large diameter fill nozzles to be inserted.  
         [0081]     Substantially rigid cartridge body  39  has openings defined by a perimeter edge  46  of substantially rigid cartridge body  39 , and internal edges  47  of a dividing septum  53 . Generally, the openings defined by perimeter edge  46  and internal edges  47  will match the shapes formed by the package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b . In this case, the shapes are back-to-back “D” shapes of equal sizes. Other shapes are equally possible depending on the chemistries contained in the collapsible packages. Preferably, the substantially rigid cartridge package has threaded portion  50 , which will be explained further below.  
         [0082]     Manifold  48  includes a nub  54  with threads  56 , a manifold outlet septum  41 , a manifold retaining collar  49 , and mating lip  52 . Nub  54  and manifold outlet septum  41  form passageways  55 . Passageways  55  form the same shape as package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b , and perimeter edge  46  and internal edges  47 ; however, the passageways  55  do not need to be the same shape. Not labeled, manifold  48  can have a shoulder around the perimeter on which a corresponding shoulder of manifold retaining collar can rest. Manifold retaining collar  49  has threads that correspond to threads  50  of substantially rigid cartridge body  39 .  
         [0083]     Once the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  are fabricated, with the fabrication preferably occurring outside of the substantially rigid cartridge body  39 , they are inserted into the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  through the opening defined by perimeter edge  46  and internal edges  47 , which are at the end of the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  opposite the plunger  40 , and typically filled, using a fill operation generally similar to the fill operation described above in  FIG. 8 . In this example, one collapsible package is placed on each side of the dividing septum  53 .  
         [0084]     When the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  are inserted into the substantially rigid cartridge body, the D-shaped package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b  form a mechanical seal by abutting and mating with the correspondingly tapered perimeter edge  46  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  and the tapered inner leading edges  47  of the dividing septum  53 . Because the leading edges  43   a  and  43   b  of the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  were coupled to the outer tapered edges of the package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b , the mating of the various tapered edges sandwiches the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  between the rigid mating parts forming the mechanical seal.  
         [0085]     The sandwiching of the film between these two tapered and mated surfaces in this manner gives the collapsible packages more support and sealing strength than that provided from just the heat-seal to the package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b . The seals, for example the heat-seal and the mechanical seal, help inhibit the collapsible package from moving down the bore of the substantially rigid cartridge body during fill operations. Moreover, as shown best in  FIG. 9 -B, once the manifold  48  and the threaded manifold retaining collar  49  are installed, as shown in the illustration, the pressure supplied to the areas of the sandwiched packages by the action of the retaining collar being screwed onto the male threads  50  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  provides an additional mechanical clamping action around the entire perimeter edge  46  and internal edges  47 , reducing the risk of failure of the packages in this area.  
         [0086]     As described above, the pouch-retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b  are, but do not need to be, equipped with barbed teeth  51  that engage mating lip  52  molded into the corresponding regions of the manifold  48 , with the teeth  51  and the lip  52  snapping into one another as the manifold  48  is pressed onto the package retaining collars  44   a  and  44   b  to lock the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  to the manifold  48  so that, when the package-user disassembles the cartridge to recycle most of the dispensing cartridge  38 , the fouled elements of the package that contain small amounts of chemical residue will be kept together for disposal and to prevent a mess. Notice, manifold  48  is not typically attached until after the filling operation. Other variations of such an interlocking method are also possible, with such interlocking variations also being within the scope of the present invention. In addition, gaskets (not shown) may also be installed to further seal the junction between the manifold and the retaining collars. Furthermore, instead of screwing the manifold retaining collar to the cartridge body, the manifold may be coupled to the substantially rigid cartridge body using a bayonet mount or other suitable means.  
         [0087]     As shown in  FIG. 9 -A, the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  can have a “jog”  39   a  at the bottom of an inside wall  39   b . The jog  39   a  of the inside walls  39   b  provides a mechanical stop for the slidably advancing plunger  40 . Further, the wall of the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  below jog  39   a  has a greater wall thickness to provide an additional mass of plastic material at this point in the substantially rigid cartridge body  39  to support the presence of the male threads  50  and keep the manifold retaining collar  49  from protruding beyond the outer lines of the said main rigid cartridge body (which would otherwise subject it to more exposure to damage). Other types of mechanical stops could also be used.  
         [0088]     The dividing septum  53 , with inner leading edges  47  on either side, can be a molded integral part of the substantially rigid cartridge body  39 , although it could also be manufactured separately and mated to the substantially rigid cartridge body  39 . The manifold outlet septum  41  engages and aligns with the dividing septum  53  so that each passageway  55  is in fluid communication with the corresponding chemical in one of the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b . Thus, the chemicals remain separate until they exit the passageway  55  into a nozzle (not shown), which can contain a static mixing unit.  
         [0089]     The plunger  40  can be a conventional plunger or an embodiment of a plunger that is described below.  
         [0090]     The nub  54  that protrudes from the center of the outer face of the manifold  48  contains male threads  56  that engage a correspondingly female-threaded disposable nozzle (not shown) that has contained within it a static mixer for properly blending the two components from the cartridge just prior to application. Located within the nub  54  are the two passageways  55  that are in fluid communication with the pouch assemblies  42   a  and  42   b , directing the contents of the cartridge to the nozzle and the static mixer (not shown). Prior to use and during storage, the outlet openings of the nub  54  are closed with a plastic/metal-foil-laminated patch (not shown) that can be heat sealed to the perimeter of said outlet openings (with other closing methods also being possible), with the heat-sealed patch being removable before the cartridge is used. Notice that while it is preferable to have nub  54  be coupled to the nozzle by a threaded connection, other connections are possible, such as for example, a bayonet mount or other suitable means.  
         [0091]     The components of this embodiment that are easily recyclable are: the substantially rigid cartridge body  39 , the cartridge plunger  40 , and the threaded manifold retaining collar  49 , which components constitute the majority of the weight of the empty cartridge. The rest of the components of the cartridge  38 , including the collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  and the manifold  48 , will not be recyclable (at least not without some form of cleaning), and can be disposed of after the contents of the cartridge are dispensed.  
         [0092]      FIG. 9 -B shows the identical components of  FIG. 9 -A, except that in this illustration the components are assembled.  
         [0093]      FIG. 10 -A shows another embodiment of the invention, highlighting the nozzle-end of the cartridge  57  (with the plunger-end portion of this version being identical to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 -A and  FIG. 9 -B). In many respects, the cartridge  57  is similar to the cartridge  38 , and such similarities will not be re-explained. In fact, the assembly is identical to cartridge  38  except that the leading edges  59  of the collapsible packages  58   a  and  58   b  are coupled to the perimeter edge  60  and the internal edges (not specifically labeled) of the dividing septum  66  instead of to package retaining collars. By coupling the collapsible packages  58   a  and  58   b  to perimeter edge  60  and the internal edges, the package retaining collars can be eliminated from the design.  
         [0094]     Then, once the two respective chemical components are deposited within the collapsible packages  58   a  and  58   b , the manifold  63  is lowered into place so that the tapered bottom edges  64  of the manifold  63  are abutted and mated to the corresponding interior tapered leading edges  60  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  62 . Then, once the threaded manifold retaining collar  65  is screwed onto the threaded end  61  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  62 , with the leading edges  59  of the collapsible packages  58   a  and  58   b  clamped between the mechanical seal formed by the mating tapered surfaces, the leading edges become mechanically supported around their entire perimeter, thus reducing the risk of failure of the film at this critical point. Moreover, once the clamping operation has been completed, it is then possible to cause the film to be sealed to both rigid surfaces  60  and  64 , by heat sealing ultrasonic sealing, induction heating, thermal impulse or other means, to more positively effect a total seal at this junction. The septum  66  shown can be an integral part of the substantially rigid cartridge body  62  and both parts can be monolithically injection molded together when initially created. Alternatively, the septum  66  and the substantially rigid cartridge body  62  could be made separately. If made separate, septum  66  needs to be attached to the substantially rigid cartridge body  62 . The attachment could be via glue, adhesives, heat sealing, snapping in place, latches, etc. The septum  66  is generally identical to the septum  53  shown in  FIG. 9 -A and  FIG. 9 -B.  
         [0095]     In this embodiment, only the manifold retaining collar is readily recyclable.  
         [0096]      FIG. 10 -B shows the identical components of  FIG. 10 -A, except that in this illustration the components are assembled.  
         [0097]      FIG. 11 -A shows another embodiment of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 11 -A shows a perspective cross-sectional view of dispensing cartridge  67 . Similarly to dispensing cartridges  38  and  57 , cartridge  67  has a plurality of collapsible packages  69  and  70 , a substantially rigid cartridge body  68 , a plunger  92 , a manifold  83 , and a manifold retaining collar  84 . Unlike dispensing cartridges  38  and  57 , however, cartridge  67  has concentric outer collapsible package  69  and inner collapsible package  70  instead of, for example, side-by-side collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b . Thus, cartridge  67  also has a concentric septum  82 . Concentric septum  82  can be a separate piece or molded to manifold  83 . As will be explained further below, substantially rigid main body  68 , plunger  92  and manifold retaining collar  84  are recyclable (which components represent the vast majority of the weight of the empty container), with the remainder typically being discarded as waste, but capable of being reused if cleaned. Further, while cartridge  67  is shown with two concentric packages, more concentric packages could be used depending on the chemistries desired.  
         [0098]     Outer collapsible package  69  has a leading edge  71  defining a central opening  78 , and an outer package retaining collar  73 . Further, outer collapsible package has an end opposite central opening  78  that is closed with seal  80 . Seal  80  is shown to be a conventional metal or plastic clamp or clip, but seal  80  could be any type of seal, such as a heat seal. Outer package retaining collar  73  has an outer perimeter edge  72 , an inner perimeter edge  79 , and optionally has collar support ribs  75   b . Preferably, leading edge  71  is heat sealed to the outer perimeter edge  72  of the outer package retaining collar  73 . Outer perimeter edge  72  and inner perimeter edge  79  can have tapered edges. Further, outer package retaining collar  73  can have barbed lips or grooves  88 , which use will be explained further below.  
         [0099]     Inner collapsible package  70  has a leading edge  74 , which also defines an opening (not labeled), and an inner package retaining collar  77 . Further, inner collapsible package  70  has an end opposite the opening (not labeled) that is closed with seal  80 . Seal  80 , conventionally is a metal or plastic clamp or clip, but seal  80  could be any type of seal, such as a heat seal. Inner package retaining collar  77  has an outer perimeter edge  76 , preferably tapered. Inner package retaining collar  77  can have barbed lips or grooves  88  also, which use will be explained further below. Preferably, leading edge  74  is heat sealed to the outer perimeter edge  76  of the inner package retaining collar  77 . Notice, while inner collapsible package  70  and outer collapsible package  69  are shown closed with a single seal  80 , outer collapsible package  69  and inner collapsible package  70  could have a separate seal as a matter of design choice.  
         [0100]     Inner collapsible package  70 , with the leading edge  74  heat sealed to the outer perimeter edge  76 , is inserted into the central opening  78  of the outer collapsible package  69 . When inserted, the tapered outer perimeter edge  76  of the inner package retaining collar  77  mates with the corresponding tapered inner perimeter edge  79  of the outer package retaining collar  73 . Thus, forming the concentric inner and outer collapsible packages  70  and  69 .  
         [0101]     The mating of perimeter edge  76  and inner perimeter edge  79  sandwiches the leading edge  74  of the inner collapsible package  70 . Leading edge  74  can be sealed to inner perimeter edge  79  via heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, induction heating, glues, adhesives, or other equivalent methods of sealing generally known in the art. The sandwiching of the leading edge  74  forms a mechanical seal to provide a clamping effect that gives mechanical support to the leading edge  74  of the inner collapsible package  70 . If leading edge  74  is heat sealed to either perimeter edge  76  or inner perimeter edge  79 , the heat seal provides support for the inner collapsible package  70 .  
         [0102]     Substantially rigid cartridge body  68  includes leading edge  81  and threads  91 . When the inner and outer collapsible packages  70  and  69  are inserted in the substantially rigid cartridge body  68 , a tapered portion of leading edge  81  forms a mechanical seal by abutting the corresponding tapered portion of outer perimeter edge  72  or outer package retaining collar  73 . The leading edge  71  of outer collapsible package  69  is sandwiched between outer perimeter edge  72  of the outer collapsible package and inner leading edge  81  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  68 . The sandwiching provides a clamping effect that provides additional mechanical support to the outer collapsible package  69 .  
         [0103]     Once the concentric inner and outer collapsible packages  70  and  69  are filled with chemicals, then a patch (not shown) can be sealed to a patch-receiving lip  85  of the inner package retaining collar  77  to provide enhanced isolation for the chemical contained within the inner collapsible package  70 . The patch could be a plastic or foil laminate, or adhesives, a cap, a plug, etc. The patch provides separation between the chemical contained in the inner collapsible package  70  and the environment as well as the chemical contained in the outer collapsible package  69 . The patch would be ruptured, punctured, or removed by the user prior to attempting to dispense the cartridge contents. If one of the chemistries contained in the concentric inner and outer collapsible packages  70  and  69  is more reactive to the environment then the more sensitive of the chemicals could be placed within the inner collapsible package  70  such that the outer collapsible package  69  (along with the patch sealed to the patch receiving lip  85 ), and the chemical in the outer collapsible package  69 , would provide additional isolation from the environment. While not specifically shown, a separate patch could be provided over the outer package retaining collar  73 , also. Alternatively, one patch could be provided over both the outer package retaining collar  73  and the inner package retaining collar  77 .  
         [0104]     Concentric septum  82  has septum alignment ribs  75   a  and a barbed groove or lip  87 . Barbed groove or lip  87  corresponds to the barbed lip or groove  86  of the inner package retaining collar  77 . Concentric septum  82  has an opening that defines an inner passageway (not labeled). Concentric septum  82  is connected to the inner package retaining collar  77  by snapping barbed groove  87  into barbed lip  86 . Alternative connection means, such as snaps, glues and adhesives, are possible instead of the barbed groove and lip. Moreover, gaskets, such as “O-rings,” may be placed at the interlocking interface. While not necessary, aligning alignment ribs  75   a  with outer package retaining collar ribs  75   b  decreases resistance to the flowing of the chemicals during dispensing.  
         [0105]     Manifold  83  fits over concentric septum  82 . Of course, it is possible to design manifold  83  and concentric septum  82  as a single unit; however, for clarity, they have been shown as separate components. Manifold  83  has a barbed lip or groove  89  and a nub  90 . Nub  90  has threads and a nub opening. The nub opening is of a larger diameter than the concentric septum opening and the space between the nub opening and the septum opening defines an outer passageway (not labeled). Barbed lip  89  can couple with the corresponding lip or groove  88  in the outer package retaining collar  73 . The coupling between lips  89  and  88  can be eliminated, or accomplished in a number of different ways, such as pegs and holes, glues, tapes, etc.  
         [0106]     The manifold retaining collar  84  fits over manifold  83  and couples to the threads  91  on the substantially rigid cartridge body  68 . Other means of attachment are possible, such as a friction fitting, glues, heat seals. Also, while not labeled, it is possible to provide matching shoulders on manifold  83  and manifold retaining collar  84 .  
         [0107]     While sealing the chemicals was explained above, it is possible to replace the seals on, for example patch receiving lip  85  with a seal over the opening defined by the nub  90 , or use patches at both locations for enhanced sealing.  
         [0108]     During dispensing, the chemical in the inner collapsible package  70  moves to the outlet through the inner passageway defined by the concentric septum  83 . The chemical in the outer collapsible package  69  moves to the outlet by moving around ribs  75   a  and  75   b  and through the passageway defined by the space between the nub  90  of manifold  83  and the concentric septum  82 . The concentric septum unit  82  provides a barrier between the chemical from the inner collapsible package  70  and the chemical from the outer collapsible package  69  until they emerge at the outlet and enter the dispensing nozzle (not shown) and the static mixer (not shown, but which is normally contained within the dispensing nozzle).  
         [0109]     Several joints, abutments, and mating surfaces have been identified above. Each of these “mechanical seals” can include a gasket, such as an “O-ring” or adhesive. Also, the above identified locking mechanisms using barbed lips or grooves, which can be removed or accomplished by alternative means, can be useful for disassembling the cartridge  67  for recycling the major parts of the cartridge after use.  
         [0110]     Couplings defined above by threaded connections or friction fittings could also be accomplished by other devices, such as, metal bands or spin-welded plastic rings.  
         [0111]     The plunger  92  is slidably inserted into the rear of the main rigid cartridge body  68 . Other embodiments of plunger  92  are possible, some of which are explained further below.  
         [0112]     The outlet end of the nub  90  can be sealed (via ultrasonics, induction weld sealing or other means) with a peelably removable plastic/aluminum-foil patch (not shown), or the outlet opening of the nub  90  can be sealed in other common alternative ways to isolate the contents of the cartridge from the outside atmosphere until the user opens the package to dispense the contents of the container.  
         [0113]      FIG. 11 -B,  FIG. 11 -C show the same components as shown in  FIG. 11 -A, except in cross-sectional, assembled views to more clearly show the relationship of the described components.  
         [0114]      FIG. 12 -A shows the nozzle-end of another embodiment of a dispensing cartridge. In particular,  FIG. 12 -A shows a collapsible package  94  having a leading edge  93 , a retaining collar  96  with a perimeter edge  95 , a substantially rigid cartridge body  97  having a leading edge  99  and threads  102 , a manifold  100  having a nub  103  and a passageway  104 , and a manifold retaining collar  101 .  
         [0115]     Retaining collar  96  is placed internal to leading edge  93  of collapsible package  94 . Leading edge  93  is sealed to the perimeter edge  95  using ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, thermal impulse bonding, induction-welding, glues, tapes, bands, or other methods, to form a collapsible package assembly  98 .  
         [0116]     Just like the embodiment described in FIGS.  8 -A to  8 -M, this embodiment is specifically designed for 1-component chemistries that are reactive to the environment, such as moisture-cured polyurethanes (in particular), polysulfides and some silicones that currently cannot be packaged in conventional all-plastic rigid caulking cartridges successfully because the moisture-vapor transmission rate (MVTR) through the plastic side-walls of such packages is too high to prevent the reactive chemistries from curing in the package after factory-filling and during storage. In particular, the plastic used for such conventional cartridges is polyethylene or polypropylene, because of their low cost and ease of injection molding or extrusion, among other reasons. The present invention provides an external, substantially rigid package, using such plastics as polyethylene or polypropylene, but provides an improved MVTR to conventional packages because of the use of the internal collapsible package that can be composed of, for example, aluminum foil, aluminum foil laminated within a plastic film sandwich, plastics with high resistance to moisture vapor transport. These packages make it possible to contain environmentally reactive chemistries with its major external substantially rigid components made of plastic.  
         [0117]     To reiterate, the package assembly  98  is inserted into the substantially rigid cartridge body  97  from the nozzle end such that the tapered outer perimeter  95  of the package retaining collar  96  abuts and mates with the corresponding tapered leading edge  99  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  97 , with the leading edge  93  of the collapsible package  94  being clamped between the two said rigid plastic components. This mechanical clamping action further supports and strengthens the ability of the collapsible film at this juncture to resist failure when pressure builds within the cartridge during dispensing or filling.  
         [0118]     After the collapsible package  94  is filled with chemical, manifold retaining collar  101  is threaded to manifold  100  using threads  102  assist the clamping in a manner similar to that described in the previous embodiments. Similar to the embodiment described in  FIGS. 8 .  FIG. 12 -A shows an embodiment that has no septum within the outlet channel  104  of the nub  103 . The septum is generally unnecessary for 1-component chemistries because the chemistry does not need to be mixed via a static mixer on the nozzle (neither shown); however, it is possible to have a septum in the outlet channel as a matter of design choice. For example, if a septum was integral to manifold  100 , the manifold  100  could be manufactured in a manner similar to manifold  48  ( FIG. 9 -A), which may have some manufacturing advantages.  
         [0119]     The components that are easily recyclable in this embodiment are the main rigid cartridge body  97 , the plunger (not shown), and the threaded manifold retaining collar  101 .  
         [0120]      FIG. 12 -B shows the components of  FIG. 12 -A assembled.  
         [0121]      FIG. 13 -A shows the nozzle end of another embodiment of the present invention in an exploded, cross-sectional view.  FIG. 13 -A shows a 1-component chemistry cartridge similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 -A. In particular, the cartridge in  FIG. 13 -A includes a collapsible package  106  with a leading edge  105 , a substantially rigid cartridge body with a leading edge  107 , a manifold  110  with a leading edge  109 , and a manifold retaining collar. Unlike the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 -A, this embodiment does not include a package retaining collar. Thus, instead of bonding, or sealing, leading edge  105  of collapsible package  106  to a retaining collar, leading edge  105  is bonded either directly to leading edge  107  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  108 , to leading edge  109  of manifold  110 , or both. Of course, leading edge  105  does not necessarily have to be bonded to either leading edge  107  or  109 . Once again, the bond could be formed using any known technique such as, ultrasonic bonding, thermal-impulse bonding, induction welding, etc.  
         [0122]     If the leading edge  105  of the collapsible package  106  is bonded to the leading edge  107  of substantially rigid cartridge body  108 , then the manifold retaining collar  111  is easily recyclable. If the leading edge  105  is not bonded to leading edge  107 , then the substantially rigid cartridge body is also easily recyclable.  
         [0123]      FIG. 13 -B is identical to  FIG. 13 -A, except that it shows the nozzle-end of this embodiment assembled.  
         [0124]      FIG. 14  shows a quarter cross-sectional view of the nozzle-end of a variation from the substantially rigid cartridge body described above. In this design, an interior sidewall  112  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  113  does not have an interior mechanical stop, such as the mechanical stop  38   a  in  FIG. 9 -A. Such a smooth continuity of the interior sidewall in the longitudinal direction, up to the bottom  118  of a collapsible package retaining collar  117 , of the interior of the said main rigid cartridge body can permit further travel of the plunger (not shown) down the bore of the tube than otherwise, and can permit more of the contents of the pouches to be dispensed as a result. However, in so doing, the outer circumferential surface  114  of the threaded manifold retaining collar  115  would typically protrude beyond the outer circumferential surface  116  of the main rigid cartridge body  113  and make the said threaded manifold retaining collar somewhat more prone to damage during transport and handling. Either design or similar designs are within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0125]      FIG. 14  also best shows the mechanical seal that has been referred to throughout the application. Because the mechanical seals are generally similar, only one is described. In particular,  FIG. 14  shows a mechanical seal  118 A being formed by the leading edge of substantially rigid cartridge body  113  and the leading edge of the collapsible package retaining collar  117 . While this mechanical seal is shown by two mating tapered surfaces, the mechanical seal could be formed by flat surfaces, squared off surfaces, rounded surfaces, ribbed surfaces, off-set surfaces. Moreover, it would be possible to design a collapsible package retaining collar  117  to fit completely within substantially rigid cartridge body  113  such that the mechanical seal  118 A is minimal or non-existing. Hence, unlike Keller&#39;s design, the present invention can provide continuous mechanical seals for all pouches in all configurations.  
         [0126]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of a plunger  119  in accordance with the present invention. The plunger  119  is typically a molded plastic, but could be metallic or some equivalent. Plunger  119  is used to transfer pressure applied to trigger  10   c  ( FIG. 3 ) to the collapsible package(s) such that the chemicals are dispensed from the cartridge. Plunger  119  includes a plunger outer surface  121  with alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b , a leading face  122  with lobes  123   a  and  123   b . While plunger  119  is designed for the equal volumetric side-by-side collapsible packages  42   a  and  42   b  ( FIG. 9 -A), the plunger  119  could be used with other configurations of collapsible packages, including non-equal volumetric side-by-side collapsible packages. Further, plunger  119  could be used with single collapsible packages and/or concentric collapsible packages; however, after dispensing the chemicals in these packages, the section on leading face  122  between lobes  123   a  and  123   b  would likely still contain un-dispensed chemicals. Thus, a plunger for one component chemistries would likely be designed with one or no lobes.  
         [0127]     Alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b  in outer surface  121  are designed to help maintain plunger  119  in proper alignment with the collapsible packages to facilitate complete dispensing of the chemicals contained in each of, in this embodiment, two collapsible packages. Alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b  are shown as generally “V-shaped” grooves; however, the grooves could be rounded, such as a “U-shaped”, or square or some other shape. Moreover, while two alignment grooves are shown, more or less could be used as a matter of design choice. Further, the grooves do not need to have 180 degrees separation, but could be placed closer together. Further, instead of alignment grooves, plunger  119  could have alignment rails or lips.  
         [0128]     The alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b  engage correspondingly shaped rails  127   a  and  127   b  (shown in  FIG. 16 -A) located internally within a substantially rigid cartridge body  126  (also, shown in  FIG. 16 -A). While not shown, alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b  and corresponding rails  127   a  and  127   b  could have a shoulder or lips to form interlocking channels to assist in maintaining proper alignment.  
         [0129]     The leading face  122  of the plunger  119  (as used herein, leading face means the surface of the plunger in contact with the collapsible packages instead of the surface in contact with, for example, the push-plate  10   a ,  FIG. 3 ) is composed of raised lobes  123   a  and  123   b  (with the lobes shown being designed for the side-by-side cartridge embodiments described in  FIG. 9 -A and  FIG. 10 -A) whose transverse lobe centers  124  positionally correspond with the transverse centers of the cartridge pouches, whether side-by-side or concentric, and whose purpose is to compress the pouches against the manifold end of the cartridge at the very end of the dispensing cycle to assist in ejecting as much chemical from the cartridges as possible. In order for this function to occur properly, the raised dispensing lobes  123   a  and  123   b  are kept in proper alignment with the transverse centers of the collapsible packages. Further, (by use of such alignment rails) the plunger  119  can be prevented from running into obstacles such as the dividing septum  53  of  FIG. 9 -A.  
         [0130]     In this embodiment, the alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b  of the plunger  119  assist in proper positioning of the plunger  119  when it is first slidably coupled to a substantially rigid cartridge body. Further, the alignment grooves of the plunger  119  help prevent the plunger  119  from rotating while it is slidably forced down the longitudinal bore of the substantially rigid cartridge body by, for example, the push-plate  10   a  of a conventional caulking gun  10  ( FIG. 3 ). Although the example shown in  FIG. 15  is for the side-by-side pouch embodiments described above in FIGS.  9 -A and  10 -A, a correspondingly similar plunger, with concentric annular lobes, would be used for the concentric pouch embodiment described above in  FIG. 11 -A.  
         [0131]     FIGS.  16 -A,  16 -B and  16 -C illustrate the plunger  119  of  FIG. 15  with a substantially rigid cartridge body  126 . Substantially rigid cartridge body  126  has a plunger opening  125 , a nozzle end  128 , and the rails  127   a  and  127   b . Rails  127   a  and  127  can be integrally molded to run longitudinally from plunger opening  125  to an end opposite the plunger opening  125 . Alternatively, rails  127   a  and  127   b  could be separate metal or plastic pieces. Also, rails  127   a  and  127   b  could be intermittent rails or continuous rails.  
         [0132]     As shown in  FIG. 16 -A, when plunger  119  is to be inserted into the plunger opening  125 , plunger  119  is arranged such that alignment grooves  120   a  and  120   b  engage rails  127   a  and  127   b . It is apparent that in this illustration the leading face  122  of the plunger  119 , with its dispensing lobes  123   a  and  123   b  (in  FIG. 15 ), cannot be seen from this view angle, but it can be appreciated that the previously-described dispensing lobes  123   a  and  123   b  are generally aligned with the corresponding collapsible packages (not shown), which would already be positioned within the substantially rigid cartridge body  126 .  
         [0133]      FIG. 16 -B shows the plunger  119  having been slidably inserted into the plunger opening  125  and partially slid down the bore of substantially rigid cartridge body  126 .  FIG. 16 -C shows the plunger  119  further traveling down the bore of the substantially rigid cartridge body  126  toward the nozzle end  128  of the container, and is being kept in transverse positional alignment with the progressively collapsing packages ahead of it. Then, as the plunger  119  arrives at the nozzle end  128 , the alignment of the dispensing lobes  123   a  and  123   b  (not shown in  FIG. 16 -C) facilitates ejecting the chemicals contained in the collapsible package(s).  
         [0134]     To further facilitate ejection of the chemicals, the plunger  119  can have a tight interference fit within the substantially rigid cartridge body  126  from the plunger opening  125  to the nozzle end  128 . However, a tight interference fit may inhibit the venting of any gas (usually air) trapped within the void regions between the inside surfaces of the main rigid cartridge body  126  and outer surfaces of the collapsible packages (not shown). While such a tight fit can aid in extending the shelf stability of the chemicals within the cartridge during storage or non-use, it can also lead to problems associated with vapor locking the plunger or pressurizing the trapped gas that may exist within the cartridge during dispensing. Pressure generated within the cartridge during dispensing, not only makes it difficult to dispense any chemicals, but could also cause chemicals to flow from the nozzle during pauses in or after completion of the dispensing operation.  
         [0135]      FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of a plunger  129  that can, optionally, incorporate the alignment grooves shown in the plunger  119  ( FIG. 15 ). Plunger  129  includes a plurality of grooves, or ripples,  132  having a trough  132   a  and a peak  132   b . Grooves  132  could be an undulating “V-shape,” “U-shape,” square, rounded, notched, or equivalent shapes. Also, while grooves  132  are shown to be uniformly shaped and placed on plunger  129 , the actual groove shape placement is largely a matter or aesthetic design. In this example, grooves  137   a  and  137   b  are designated as alignment grooves as shown by their slightly larger “V-shape.” The alignment grooves do not need to be larger than the other grooves, nor do they have to be the same shape as the other grooves.  
         [0136]     Also shown in  FIG. 17  is a substantially rigid cartridge body  131 . Substantially rigid cartridge body  131  has an open end  130 , a nozzle end  136 , an upper inner surface  133  extending over a portion  134  of substantially rigid cartridge body  131  and a lower inner surface  135  below upper inner surface  133 . Upper inner surface  133  has grooves, or ripples, having a trough  133   a  and a peak  133   b . Generally, trough  132   a  and peak  132   b  correspond to trough  133   a  and peak  133   b , such that when plunger  129  is inserted into the open end  130  of substantially rigid cartridge body  131 , troughs  132   a  and peaks  132   b , and troughs  133   a  and peaks  133   b  form an interference fit that assists in isolating the inside of substantially rigid cartridge body  131  from the outside environment. Generally, the portion  134  over which the inner surface  133  exists can be very small, such as from slightly greater than 0 inches, to very great, such as the full length of the inside of the substantially rigid cartridge body  131  (in this case, the lower inner surface  135  would not exist). However, ranges of about 0.10 inches to 1.50 inches are more useful. Lower inner surface  135  is generally, but not necessarily, smooth.  
         [0137]     As shown in phantom, substantially rigid cartridge body  131  can have alignment rails  138   a  and  138   b . Alignment rails  138   a  and  138   b  are used with alignment grooves  137   a  and  137   b  in a manner similar to the one described above. Further, plunger  129  could have the shape and lobes as the plunger  119  described above.  
         [0138]     As will be shown more fully in describing FIGS.  18 -A to  18 -C, plunger  129  provides the added benefit of venting whatever trapped air might be inside the cartridge during the dispensing operation. Moreover, plunger  129  reduces the amount of force required by the user to overcome frictional resistance of the interference fit of the plunger within the main rigid cartridge body as the said plunger is driven down the bore of the said cartridge. Plunger  129  is adaptable to be used with any cartridge described herein.  
         [0139]     Plunger  129  is shown in various stages of travel down the bore of substantially rigid cartridge body  131  in FIGS.  18 -A to  18 -C.  FIG. 18 -A shows plunger  129  just prior to insertion in substantially rigid cartridge body  131 .  FIG. 18 -B shows plunger  129  just after insertion in substantially rigid cartridge body  131  with some travel down the bore. It becomes apparent, in  FIG. 18 -B, that after the plunger  129  is inserted into the open end  130  of substantially rigid cartridge body  131  the tight interference fit reduces gaseous fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the interior of the cartridge. The reduction in gaseous fluid communication helps to further provide protection for the chemicals within the dispensing cartridge. Then, as shown in  FIG. 18 -C, as the plunger  129  is slid past the upper inner surface  133  to lower inner surface  135  of the interior of the substantially rigid cartridge body  131 , with only the plunger ripple peaks  132   b  coming into frictional contact with the lower inner surface  135 , then the grooves  132  provide a means of gaseous fluid communication between the interior of the substantially rigid cartridge body  131  and the outside atmosphere, thus relieving any undesirable air pressure that might develop during the emptying of the pouches within the cartridge. By relieving said air pressure, it is then possible to minimize or eliminate the possibility that pressurized air within the main rigid cartridge body, developed during dispensing, could lead to undesirable after-flow of the sealant or adhesive from the nozzle during pauses in the dispensing operation. Second, by contacting the lower inner surface  135  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  131  with only the plunger ripple peaks  132   b , the total contact surface area is reduced. Because the contact area between the two said surfaces is reduced, it can be appreciated that the total force required to overcome the frictional resistance is reduced also. Thus, making it easier for the user to dispense the product.  
         [0140]      FIG. 19 -A shows another embodiment of a plunger  139 . Plunger  139  is designed to be used with a correspondingly designed substantially rigid cartridge body  140 , as shown in  FIG. 19 -B. Substantially rigid cartridge body  140  has an upper inner surface  141   a  and a lower inner surface  141   b  (Note: For clarity,  FIG. 19 -B shows a cross sectional view of a cartridge without any pouches being present). Plunger  139  includes a leading face  142 , perimeter ribs  143 , a rear edge  144 , protrusions  145 , and alignment grooves  146   a  and  146   b.    
         [0141]     In this example, the leading face  142  of the plunger  139  is uniformly concave in shape, which is one of many suitable shapes for the 1-component version of the present invention. The concavity of the plunger leading face  142  helps to fold the collapsible film of the pouch away from the wall of the cartridge and direct it toward the center of the plunger face and away from the edge of the plunger face, thus minimizing the possibility of pinching the pouch film between the edge of the plunger and the wall of the cartridge. Perimeter ribs  143 , which are for convenience shown equally shaped and placed around the circumference of the plunger, are, in a longitudinal direction, flush with rear edge  144  of the plunger, but have protrusions  145  that extend slightly beyond the plunger leading face  142 . Also shown in this view of the plunger  139  are the optional V-shaped alignment grooves  146   a  and  146   b  (shown larger for convenience), which operate in a manner described above in other embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0142]     Upper inner surface  141   a  and lower inner surface  141   b  are described with transverse sectional views taken along the substantially rigid cartridge body  140  at A-A′ and B-B′ in  FIG. 19 -B, as shown in  FIG. 19 -C 1  and  FIG. 19 -C 2  and FIGS.  19 -D 1  and  19 -D 2 , respectively.  
         [0143]     As shown in FIGS.  19 -C 1  and  19 -C 2 , the shape of both the interior surface of the cartridge in the upper inner surface  141   a  of said cartridge body and the shape of the plunger  139  can be seen in their frictional-fit orientation to one another. The gray shaded area is a transverse cross-sectional view of the plunger  139 , while the unshaded area is a transverse cross-sectional view of the  141   a  region of the cartridge body  140 . The ribs  143  of the plunger fit tightly into the corresponding grooves  147  of the upper inner surface  141   a  of the said cartridge body. From this view, it can be appreciated that the plunger  139  slidably fits into the upper inner surface  141   a  the substantially rigid cartridge body  140  tightly in order to provide a barrier to gaseous fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the interior of the cartridge body.  
         [0144]     Then, if a transverse view is taken of substantially rigid cartridge body  140  at B-B′ in  FIG. 19 -B, as shown in  FIG. 19 -D 1  and  FIG. 19 -D 2 , the shape of both the lower inner surface  141   b  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  140  and the shape of the plunger  139  can be seen in orientation to one another. The gray shaded area is a transverse cross-sectional view of the plunger  139 , and the unshaded area is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lower inner surface  141   b . From this view, it can be seen that the rectangular grooves  148  of the lower inner surface  141   b  are designed so that an interference fit does not exist between grooves  148  and ribs  143 . Consequently, channels  149  develop around the ribs  143  as the plunger is slidably moved from upper inner surface  141   a  to lower inner surface  141   b  during dispensing by the user. With the channels providing a means of fluid communication between the interior or the substantially rigid cartridge body  140  and the environment. The fluid communication allows the escape of any trapped and pressurized air within the cartridge during dispensing, and the possibility of unwanted product after-flow from the nozzle during pauses in use is greatly reduced or eliminated.  
         [0145]     Moreover, some additional advantages can be appreciated from the interaction of plunger  139  and cartridge body  140 . First, as the said plunger travels from upper inner surface  141   a  to lower inner surface  141   b  the total surface contact area between the plunger and the cartridge interior is reduced, thus reducing the force required by the user to cause the plunger to slidably move down the bore of the cartridge. Second, because the peaks  150  of the ribs  143  and the protrusions  145  of the plunger  139  contact the bottoms  148   a  of the rectangular grooves  148  of the lower inner surface  141   b  of the substantially rigid cartridge body, it can be seen that the protrusions  145  can slide underneath the collapsible packages, which lie against the tops  148   b  of the rectangular grooves of the inside wall of the cartridge, during travel down the bore of the cartridge to gather it up, collapse it like an accordion, and avoid it being pinched between the said plunger and said cartridge body. Also, the protrusions  145  can act as a mechanical stop for the plunger  139  when it reaches the bottom or nozzle end of substantially rigid cartridge body  140 .  
         [0146]     In  FIG. 20 -A and  FIG. 20 -B (which would be cross-sectional views of the lower inner surface of a substantially rigid cartridge body similar to the cross-sectional views of the lower inner surface  141   b  of the cartridge body  140  in FIGS.  19 -D 1  and  19 -D 2 ), the position of the collapsible package  153  (in this representative case, twin side-by-side pouches  152   a  and  152   b ) is shown with respect to the rectangular grooves  148  described in  FIG. 19 -D 1  and  FIG. 19 -D 2 . It can be appreciated from these illustrations that because the collapsible package  153  does not touch the bottoms  148   a  of the grooves  148 , the protrusions  145  of the plunger  139  (of  FIG. 19 -C) that do slidably contact the bottoms of the rectangular grooves, can readily slide underneath the said collapsible film and scoop it up to avoid it being pinched between the said plunger and said cartridge wall.  
         [0147]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of a plunger that incorporates the rib feature of  FIG. 19 -A with the concentric lobe feature as described in the text concerning  FIG. 15 , which would be appropriate for use in the embodiment shown in, for example,  FIG. 11 -A. In this example, the five dispensing lobes  154  illustrate how such lobes are to be configured for the best ejection possible of chemicals from a concentric inner and outer collapsible package design as described in  FIG. 11 -A. It can be appreciated that all the plungers can be used with various embodiments of the cartridge.  
         [0148]     FIGS.  22 -A,  22 -B and  22 -C show, in sequence, another embodiment of the present invention capable of venting the inside of substantially rigid cartridge body  156  to the environment. In particular, a sidewall  155  of the substantially rigid cartridge body  156  has one or more vent passageways, or holes,  157  that can provide a means of gaseous fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the interior regions of the cartridge. In  FIG. 22 -A the holes  157  can be seen covered by a transparent strip of adhesive sealing tape  158 . Other devices can reduce fluid communication trough holes  157 . These other device could be, for example, metal bands, plastic or metal plugs or caps, elastic bands, etc. Tape  158  seals holes  157  to assist in protecting the chemicals internal to the cartridge from the atmosphere. In  FIG. 22 -B the sealing tape  158  is shown being removed from the sidewall  155  and uncovering holes  157 . Typically, hole  157  would be uncovered just before a dispensing nozzle (not shown) is attached to the nub  159  and is placed into a common caulking gun, such as gun  10  ( FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 22 -C shows complete removal of tape  158  exposing holes  157  to fully provide their venting function as the plunger (not shown) is slidably driven down the interior bore of the cartridge body  156 . The sealing tape  158 , of course, can be opaque (rather than transparent, as shown) and can be composed of different materials, such as aluminum-foil laminated with plastic film, in order to achieve appropriate levels of barrier properties. Also, the said vent holes, which can number from one to ten, or more, can be located in different positions along the length and circumference of the said cartridge body to equal effect. For example, one hole  157  could be located towards the nozzle as shown, one hole  157  could be located towards the middle of the cartridge, and one hole  157  could be located towards the plunger end of the cartridge. Further, the tape  158  (or other sealing device) could be re-attachable to facilitate partial dispensing of the chemicals.  
         [0149]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to some embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.