Abstract:
A dispensing apparatus includes a storage container having an outlet flange with a component outlet which is at least partly surrounded by an inlet flange. The inlet flange is configured to adopt a closed position and a dispensing position with respect to the outlet flange. A change from the closed position into the dispensing position is carried out by a rotation of the inlet flange with respect to the outlet flange. The component outlet is arranged at a cylindrical jacket surface of the outlet flange. The first component outlet is closed by the inlet flange in the closed position of the inlet flange. In the dispensing position, a connection is established by a crossover passage between the first component outlet and a dispensing opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/067325, filed Aug. 20, 2013, which claims priority to EP Application 12189500.7 filed on Oct. 23, 2012, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for a flowable component. 
     Background Information 
     A dispensing device for two flowable components is described in EP 1 968 751 B1. The dispensing device has a storage container having a first storage chamber for a first component and having a first component outlet and has a dispensing element which is connected to the storage container and has a dispensing opening. The storage container additionally has a second storage chamber for a second component and has a second component outlet. The dispensing apparatus is designed as a static mixer in which the two components are mixed before exiting the mixer. The storage container has an outlet flange which includes a component outlet and which has a cylindrical jacket surface. The outlet flange is at least partly surrounded by an inlet flange of the dispensing element, with the inlet flange being arranged rotatable with respect to the outlet flange. The inlet flange can adopt a closed position and a dispensing position with respect to the outlet flange. The component outlets are closed in the closed position and a dispensing of the two components via the two component outlets and the dispensing opening is possible in the dispensing position. A change from the closed position into the dispensing position is carried out by a rotation of the inlet flange with respect to the outlet flange. 
     The component outlets are oriented in the direction of the dispensing opening and are closed in the closed position of the inlet flange by flexible closure plugs connected to the inlet flange. On a rotation of the inlet flange from the closed position into the dispensing position, the closure plugs are pulled out of the dispensing openings and in so doing are highly deformed or bent. 
     SUMMARY 
     In light of this, it is the object of the invention to propose a dispensing apparatus which can be manufactured simply and inexpensively. In accordance with the invention, this object is satisfied by a dispensing apparatus as set forth herein. 
     In accordance with the invention, the first component outlet is arranged at the cylindrical jacket surface of the outlet flange. In the closed position of the inlet flange, the first component outlet is closed by the inlet flange. The inlet flange thus seals the first component outlet in this position. For this purpose, the inlet flange in particular has a first section having an inner contour which corresponds to the jacket surface of the outlet flange such that in the case in which the first section is arranged above the first component outlet, the first component cannot exit the first component outlet and the first component outlet is thus closed. 
     The inlet flange additionally has a first crossover passage. The first crossover passage is designed and arranged so that it establishes a connection between the first component outlet and the dispensing opening in the dispensing position of the inlet flange. For this purpose, the inlet flange in particular has a second section having an inner contour which is designed so that in the case in which the second section is arranged above the first component outlet, an intermediate space which forms the crossover passage results between the first component outlet and the inlet flange. The named intermediate space is connected to the dispensing element and thus to the dispensing opening so that the first component exiting the first component outlet on the dispensing can move over the intermediate zone forming a part of the crossover passage to the dispensing element and thus to the dispensing opening. 
     In the dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention, no flexible closure plug is necessary to close the first component outlet. Such closure plugs are only complex and thus expensive in manufacture. 
     In addition, the dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention can be filled particularly easily without air being trapped. The inlet flange can be brought into the dispensing position on the filling of the storage chamber. Air which is trapped on the filling of the first component can thus escape via the dispensing opening. As soon as the filling has been completed, the inlet flange can be brought into the closed position and the first storage chamber can thus be closed. 
     Furthermore, the dispensing apparatus only has a particularly small loss volume. The loss volume is to be understood as the quantity of the first component which cannot be dispensed from the dispensing apparatus and thus remains unused in the dispensing apparatus. The total volume of a closure plug is part of the loss volume. Since no closure plug is necessary with the dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention, the loss volume is correspondingly smaller. 
     The outlet flange can be designed so that it only has a throughgoing cylindrical jacket surface with a constant diameter over its total axial extent. It is, however, also possible that the outlet flange has a plurality of cylindrical jacket surfaces with different diameters or also only has a section with a cylindrical jacket surface at which the first component outlet is arranged. 
     The dispensing element can in particular be designed as a straight tube or as a curved tube whose open end disposed opposite the inlet flange forms the dispensing opening. The inlet flange and the dispensing element are in particular designed as one component which is manufactured by means of an injection molding process. 
     The storage container and the outlet flange are in particular designed as one component, for example of plastic, which is manufactured by means of an injection molding process. The first storage chamber in particular has a hollow cylindrical inner contour in which a first piston is arranged which can be displaced in the direction of a first component outlet, and thus in the direction of a dispensing direction, for dispensing the first component. The first piston can, for example, be displaced by hand via an actuation rod. In this case, the dispensing apparatus is designed as a syringe. It is, however, also possible that the dispensing apparatus is designed as a so-called cartridge which is used for displacing the first piston into a dispensing device. It is likewise possible that the storage chamber is designed as a so-called pillow bag which is compressed or rolled up for dispensing the first component. 
     Corresponding markings can be provided at the inlet flange and at the outlet flange or at the storage container for marking the closed position and the dispensing position of the inlet flange with respect to the outlet flange. 
     It is generally possible that the inlet flange can be rotated out of the closed position in both directions with respect to the outlet flange. It is, however, also possible that only a rotation in one direction is possible. In addition, a security against turning back can be provided so that a rotation into the closed position is no longer possible after adjusting the dispensing position. It can thus be ensured that the dispensing apparatus can only be used one single time. 
     The dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention has been used, for example, in the dental sector or for adhesives. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the outlet flange has a peripheral abutment surface which is aligned in the direction of the dispensing opening, that is in the dispensing direction. The dispensing opening is designed so that a counter-surface of the inlet flange also abuts the abutment surface in the total region of the crossover passage. The crossover passage is thus bounded by the abutment surface against the dispensing direction with respect to the outlet flange in the dispensing position of the inlet flange so that a flowing of the first component against the dispensing direction is prevented. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the outlet flange has a peripheral collar which forms a latch connection between the outlet flange and the inlet flange with a corresponding groove in the inlet flange. A particularly simple and inexpensive connection is thus possible between the outlet flange and the inlet flange and thus between the dispensing element and the storage container. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the abutment surface bounds the collar in the direction of the dispensing opening, that is in the dispensing direction. It is thus not possible, or is only possible while exerting a very strong force, to plug the dispensing element too far onto the storage container. A correct plugging of the dispensing element onto the storage container and thus a correct assembly of the dispensing apparatus can thus be ensured. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the storage container has a second storage chamber for a second component and a second component outlet which is likewise arranged at the jacket surface of the outlet flange. In the closed position of the inlet flange, the second component outlet is also closed by the inlet flange. The inlet flange has a second crossover passage which is designed and arranged so that it establishes a connection between the second component outlet and the dispensing element in the dispensing position of the inlet flange. The dispensing element is designed as a mixer having a mixer housing and a mixing element arranged within the mixer housing, with the inlet flange being designed as a part of the mixer housing. 
     The dispensing apparatus can thus be used for dispensing and mixing two different flowable components which, for example, harden after the mixing. 
     It is also possible that the storage container has a third, and optionally further, storage chambers and thus three or more components can be dispensed and mixed. 
     The mixing element can in particular be designed in one piece with the outlet flange. The dispensing apparatus is thus composed of a particularly small number of individual parts so that the manufacture of the dispensing apparatus is particularly inexpensive. 
     In this case, the arrangement of the component outlets at the jacket surface of the outlet flange also has technical production advantages on the manufacture by means of an injection molding process. So-called cores are required for forming the component outlets, said cores having to be pulled out again to end an injection molding process. If the component outlets were oriented in the direction of the dispensing opening, the mixing element, which is likewise oriented in the direction of the dispensing opening, can be in the way on the pulling off of the cores. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the first component outlet and the second component outlet are oriented in opposite directions. A first exit direction of the first component from the first component outlet and a second exit direction of the second component from the second component outlet thus have opposite directions and include an angle of 180°. It is thus effectively avoided that a contact can take place between the two components, that is a so-called cross-contamination can take place, before the mixing element is reached. 
     If more than two components are to be dispensed, the component outlets are in particular oriented such that the same angle is respectively produced between two adjacent exit directions. That is an angle of 120° with three components and an angle of 90° with four components. 
     Other angles are, however, also possible between adjacent outlet directions. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a rotation of the inlet flange by 90° with respect to the outlet flange is necessary for the change from the closed position into the dispensing position with an opposite orientation of the component outlets. A maximum spacing between the component outlets and the crossover passages, and thus a maximum sealing area for the component outlets, thus results in the closed position. An unwanted exit of one of the two components can thus be effectively avoided in the closed position of the inlet flange. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the mixer is designed as a static mixer. The mixer thus has a fixed-position mixing element. The mixer and thus the entire dispensing apparatus can thus be manufactured particularly inexpensively. The outlet flange and the mixing element can in this respect be designed as a single component or as separate components. For cost reasons, an attempt is usually made to keep the number of individual components of a dispensing apparatus as small as possible so that the outlet flange and the mixing element would be designed as one component. In individual cases, however, it may also be sensible to design the outlet flange and the mixing element as separate components. This can be the case, for example, when the mixing element is designed as very small and sensitive and if damage to the mixing element could occur on the manufacture of the two elements as a single component. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the outlet flange and the mixing element are designed as separate components and the outlet flange has a cut-out in the direction of the dispensing opening into which an end region of the mixing element dips. The cut-out of the outlet flange and the end region of the mixing element are in particular designed so that the end region of the mixing element can only dip into the cut-out in a defined position. A secure support of the mixing element with respect to the outlet flange is thus ensured, on the one hand, and it is also ensured that the mixing element always has the same positioning with respect to the outlet flange. It is thus ensured that flow of the components onto the mixing element always takes place from a desired predefined direction. An ideal and reproducible mixing of the components is thus always made possible. 
     The end region of the mixing element and thus also the cut-out can, for example, have an oval or a rectangular contour. In this case, the mixing element can be positioned into two different locations with respect to the outlet flange. To ensure only exactly one location, the end region and the cut-out can also have a pentagonal contour, for example, which is composed of a rectangle and a triangle. 
     Further advantages, features and details of the invention result with reference to the following description of embodiments and with reference to drawings in which elements which are the same or have the same function are provided with identical reference numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a dispensing apparatus in which an inlet flange adopts a closed position with respect to an outlet flange; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a section along the line A-A in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a dispensing apparatus in which an inlet flange adopts a dispensing position with respect to an outlet flange; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a section along the line A-A in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cut-out in an outlet flange of the dispensing device into which an end region of a mixing element of the dispensing apparatus can dip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with  FIG. 1 , a dispensing apparatus  10  has a storage container  11  for two flowable components. The storage container  11  has a first storage chamber  12  for a first component and a second storage chamber  13  for a second component, with the storage chambers  12 ,  13  only being shown in part. The storage chambers  12 ,  13  have a hollow cylindrical inner contour and are arranged in parallel to one another and in parallel to a dispensing direction  14 . The storage container  11  has an outlet flange  15  which bounds the two storage chambers  12 ,  13  in the dispensing direction  14  and has a first connection passage  16  from the first storage chamber  12  to a first component outlet  17  and has a second connection passage  18  from the second storage chamber  13  to a second component outlet  19 . A respective piston, not shown, which is displaceable in the dispensing direction  14  and by means of which the two components can be urged out of the storage chambers  12 ,  13  to their respective component outlet  17 ,  19 , is arranged in the storage chambers  12 ,  13 . 
     The outlet flange  15  sectionally has cylindrical jacket surfaces of different diameters in the dispensing direction  14 . The first component outlet  17  and the second component outlet  19  are arranged at a last jacket surface  20  of the outlet flange  15  with respect to the dispensing direction  14 , with the first and second component outlets  17 ,  19  being oriented in opposite directions. The connection passages  16 ,  18  do not have an opening in the dispensing direction  14 . 
     The dispensing apparatus  10  also has a dispensing element in the form of a static mixer  21  having a mixer housing  22  which has a dispensing opening  23  open in the dispensing direction  14 . The mixer housing  22  has a tubular part  24  and an inlet flange  25  adjacent to it against the dispensing direction  14 . A static mixing element  26  by which a good mixing is made possible on a dispensing of the components is arranged within the tubular part  24 . The mixer  21  is connected by means of the inlet flange  25  to the outlet flange  15  and thus to the storage container  11 . The inlet flange  25  for this purpose regionally has an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the outlet flange  15 . 
     The outlet flange  15  has a peripheral collar  27 , that is a region extending in the dispensing direction  14  and having a larger outer diameter with respect to the adjacent regions, between the storage chambers  12 ,  13  and the component outlets  17 ,  19 . The inlet flange  25  has a groove  28  corresponding to it so that a latch connection is thus formed between the outlet flange  15  and the inlet flange  25 . On the pushing of the inlet flange  25  onto the outlet flange  15 , the collar  27  latches into the groove  28 , whereby a secure connection is established between the inlet flange  25  and the outlet flange  15  and thus between the mixer  21  and the storage container  11 . The inlet flange  25  has an introduction chamber, which is not shown in any more detail, at the inner side at its margin opposite the dispensing opening  23  and which simplifies the overcoming of the collar  27 . For the same purpose, the collar  27  has a corresponding chamfer, likewise not shown in any more detail, at its edge oriented in the direction of the dispensing opening  23 . 
     The collar  27  is bounded in the direction of the dispensing opening  23  by an abutment surface  30  at which a counter-surface  31  of the inlet flange  25  abuts. The abutment surface  30  is designed so that the counter-surface  31  of the inlet flange  25  cannot overcome the abutment surface  30  of the outlet flange  15 , or can only overcome it with an extremely high exertion of force. 
     The inlet flange  27  has an inner contour, which has no circular cross-sections, in a region from the counter-surface  31  in the direction of the dispensing opening  23 . This inner contour can be seen in  FIG. 2  which shows a plan view of a section along the line A-A in  FIG. 1 . In addition to two oppositely disposed closure segments  32 ,  33  having an inner contour which corresponds to the outer contour of the outlet flange  15 , the inner contour of the inlet flange  25  has a first crossover passage  34  and a second crossover passage  35  disposed opposite the first crossover passage  34 . To form the two crossover passages  34  and  35 , the inner contour of the inlet flange  25  has a larger diameter with respect to the outer contour of the outlet flange  15  so that a respective intermediate space results between the outlet flange  25  and the inlet flange  15 , each intermediate space forming the crossover passages  34 ,  35 . The crossover passages  34 ,  35  extend up to an end  36  of the outlet flange  15  which is oriented in the direction of the dispensing opening  23  and are thus connected to the dispensing opening  23  via the tubular part  24  of the mixer  21 . 
     The inlet flange  25  can be rotated with respect to the outlet flange  15 . In a closed position of the inlet flange  25  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the closure segments  32 ,  33  are arranged in the region of the first and second component outlets  17  and  19  are thus prevent an exit of the components from the component outlets  17  and  19 . In the closed position of the inlet flange  35 , the first and second component outlets  17 ,  19  are closed by the inlet flange  25 . The first and second crossover passages  34  and  35  are arranged in the closed position at a respective angle of 90° to the component outlets  17  and  19 . 
     The inlet flange  25  can be brought into a dispensing position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  by a rotation of the inlet flange  25  by 90° with respect to the outlet flange  15 . In the dispensing position, the first crossover passage  34  is arranged at the first component outlet  17  and the second crossover passage  35  is arranged at the second component outlet  19 . The first component can thus be urged out of the first storage chamber  12  via the first connection passage  16 , via the first component outlet  17  and via the first crossover passage  34  to the mixing element  26  and the second component can thus be urged out of the second storage chamber  13  via the second connection passage  18 , via the second component outlet  19  and via the second crossover passage  35  to the mixing element  26 , as symbolized by the arrows  37  and  38 , by a displacement of the pistons arranged in the storage chambers  12  and  13  in the dispensing direction  14 , said first and second components respectively being mixed at said mixing element and being dispensed via the dispensing opening  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the abutment surface  30  of the outlet flange  15  is designed so that the counter-surface  31  of the inlet flange  25  also abuts the abutment surface  30  in the entire region of the crossover passages  34 ,  35 . The first and second components can thus only flow from the component outlets  17 ,  19  in the dispensing position of the inlet flange  15  in the dispensing direction  14  and not against the dispensing direction  14 . 
     The mixing element  26  and the storage container  11  are designed as separate components in this embodiment. To fix and position the mixing element  26  with respect to the outlet flange  15 , the latter has a cut-out  40  at its end  36  which is only shown in  FIG. 3  and into which an end region  39  of the mixing element  26  can dip. So that the mixing element  26  is always correctly positioned with respect to the outlet flange, the cut-out  40  has a polygonal form which is composed of a rectangle and a triangle. The end region  39  of the mixing element  26  has a corresponding outer contour so that the mixing element  26  can only be plugged into the cut-out  40  in exactly one position. 
     The mixing element and the outlet flange and thus the storage container can also be designed as only one single component.