Patent Publication Number: US-11040369-B2

Title: Side-by-side cartridge assembly for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a U.S. National Stage of International Patent App. PCT/US2017/023960, filed Mar. 24, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/313,533, filed Mar. 25, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a side-by-side cartridge assembly, and more particularly, to a first cartridge secured against a second cartridge in a side-by-side configuration for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of fluid cartridge systems having multiple component mixing and dispensing devices exist, including those in which the fluid chambers are in a side-by-side configuration. Such cartridges are often placed in a handheld dispensing applicator having one or more movable plungers engaging one or more pistons associated with the fluid chambers to dispense and mix the multiple components from an end of the cartridges. For example, a resin cartridge containing a fluid resin component and an activator cartridge containing a fluid activator component may be selected and loaded into the handheld dispensing applicator for use. 
     Due to the reaction that occurs between the multiple components, such as the fluid resin and fluid activator components, these components are separately contained within the resin and activator cartridges. The resin and activator cartridges may be manufactured and formed together as a pair to be sealed together with an integral and unitarily formed closure for storage. However, the fluid resin component often has a different shelf life than the fluid activator component such that when one component perishes, the other must simply be discarded out of necessity. Furthermore, permeation of the fluid activator component through the activator cartridge tends to react with the fluid resin component resulting in a shorter shelf life for the pair of products. 
     In order to improve shelf life and reduce waste, the resin cartridge and the fluid activator cartridge may be formed and stored separately and secured together shortly before use with the dispensing applicator. As such, any permeation of the activator component may occur apart from the resin cartridge for improved shelf life. 
     While separate cartridges may improve shelf life, the cartridges themselves require additional handling and greater complexity to accommodate such connection. More particularly, each of the component cartridges requires one or more coupling elements that extend radially outward of the remainder of the cartridge. The coupling elements operatively connect for securing the resin cartridge against the activator cartridge. However, the outwardly extending coupling elements tend to catch on equipment and other structures within a manufacturing environment and make storage more difficult. For example, coupling elements that extend outward of the remainder may reduce the amount of available space for storage and also limit the form of delivery for the component cartridge within the manufacturing environment. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a side-by-side cartridge assembly and method of securing a first cartridge to a second cartridge, such as a resin cartridge and an activator cartridge, for improving storage and delivery availability during use that addresses present challenges and characteristics such as those discussed above. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment of a side-by-side cartridge assembly for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge has a first cartridge body and a first neck portion. The first cartridge body extends along an axial direction and has a first chamber configured to contain the first fluid. In addition, the first cartridge body has a radial boundary or periphery. The first neck portion projects from the first cartridge body and is positioned within the radial boundary or periphery. The first neck portion further includes at least a portion of a first outlet passage in fluid communication with said first chamber for discharging the first fluid therefrom. Similarly, the second cartridge has a second cartridge body and a second neck portion. The second cartridge body has a second chamber configured to contain the second fluid. The second neck portion projects from the second cartridge body and includes at least a portion of a second outlet passage in fluid communication with the second chamber for discharging the second fluid therefrom. 
     Furthermore, the first and second cartridges respectively include a first cartridge coupling element and a second cartridge coupling element. The first and second cartridge coupling elements operatively connect the first cartridge to the second cartridge such that the first neck portion is positioned proximate to the second neck portion. Thereby, the first and second neck portions collectively form at least a portion of a neck for discharging the first and second fluids therethrough. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a cartridge for dispensing a first fluid from a side-by-side cartridge assembly includes a first cartridge body and a first neck portion. The first cartridge body extends along an axial direction and has a first chamber configured to contain the first fluid. In addition, the first cartridge body has a radial boundary or periphery. The first neck portion projects from the first cartridge body and is positioned within the radial boundary or periphery. The first neck portion further includes at least a portion of a first outlet passage in fluid communication with said first chamber for discharging the first fluid therefrom. The cartridge also includes a first cartridge coupling element. The first cartridge coupling element is configured to operatively connect said first cartridge body to a second cartridge body of another cartridge. Thereby, the first neck portion is configured to be positioned proximate to a second neck portion of the other cartridge for collectively forming at least a portion of a neck for discharging the first fluid therethrough. 
     In use, a first cartridge secures to a second cartridge in side-by-side configuration. The first cartridge includes a first cartridge body extending along an axial direction and a first neck portion. The first cartridge body has a first chamber configured to contain a first fluid, and the first neck portion at least partially defines a first outlet passage in fluid communication with the first chamber. The second cartridge includes a second cartridge body and a second neck portion. The second cartridge body has a second chamber configured to contain a second fluid, and the second neck portion at least partially defines a second outlet passage in fluid communication with the second chamber. The method includes rolling the first cartridge body at least a full revolution along a surface in order to provide the first cartridge, positioning the first cartridge against the second cartridge to operatively connect the first and second cartridges, and forming a neck having a first neck outlet and a second neck outlet respectively in fluid communication with the first and second chambers. As such, the first and second neck portions at least partially form the neck for discharging the first and second fluid therefrom. 
     In another use, the first cartridge secures to the second cartridge in a side-by-side configuration for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid. The first cartridge has a first cartridge body extending along an axial direction and a first neck portion. The first cartridge body has a first chamber configured to contain the first fluid. The first neck portion at least partially defines a first outlet passage in fluid communication with the first chamber. The second cartridge has a second cartridge body and a second neck portion, where the second cartridge body has a second chamber configured to contain the second fluid. The second neck portion at least partially defines a second outlet passage in fluid communication with the second chamber. The method includes positioning the first cartridge against the second cartridge to operatively connect the first cartridge to the second cartridge, and forming a neck having a first neck outlet and a second neck outlet respectively in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. As such, the first neck portion and the second neck portion at least partially form the neck for discharging the first and second fluids therethrough. 
     Various additional objectives, advantages, and features of the disclosure will be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fluid cartridge system. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of a first cartridge and a second cartridge of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is an enlarged perspective view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partially sectioned perspective view of a proximal end portion of the multi-component cartridge assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a distal end portion of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6A  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a multi-component cartridge assembly. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of a first cartridge and a second cartridge of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  is an enlarged perspective view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  is an axial cross-section view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 6C . 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a multi-component cartridge assembly. 
         FIG. 8B  is a top view of a first cartridge and a second cartridge of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is an enlarged perspective view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a multi-component cartridge assembly. 
         FIG. 9B  is a top view of a first cartridge and a second cartridge of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is an enlarged perspective view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the multi-component cartridge assembly taken along section line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 11  is an axial cross-section view of the multi-component cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 9C . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a first exemplary embodiment of a fluid cartridge system  10  for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid includes a side-by-side, multi-component cartridge assembly  12  cradled by a dispensing applicator  14 . The multi-component cartridge assembly  12  includes a resin cartridge  16 , which contains a fluid resin component, and an activator cartridge  18 , which contains a fluid activator component. The resin cartridge  16  is secured against the activator cartridge  18  to collectively form at least a portion of a neck  20  projecting from a proximal end portion  22 , also referred to herein as a dispensing end portion  22 , of the multi-component cartridge assembly  12 . The neck  20  has a resin neck outlet  24  and an activator neck outlet  26  for discharging the fluid resin component and the fluid activator component therefrom, respectively. The neck outlets  24 ,  26  are offset from respective longitudinal center axes of their respectively associated cartridges  16 ,  18 . The resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  include a resin neck portion  28  and an activator neck portion  30  projecting from the dispensing end portion  22  of a resin cartridge body  32  and an activator cartridge body  34 , respectively. The resin cartridge body  32  has a radial boundary or periphery  36  (see  FIG. 3B ) such that the resin neck portion  28  is positioned within the radial boundary or periphery  36  (see  FIG. 3B ), such as transversely inward of the radial boundary or periphery  36  (see  FIG. 3B ). As with the outlets  24 ,  26 , the neck portions  28 ,  30  are offset from the respective longitudinal center axis of their respectively associated cartridges  16 ,  18 . More specifically, the neck portions  28 ,  30  extend along their own axes which are offset from the longitudinal center axes of their associated cartridges  16 ,  18 . As such, the resin cartridge  16  may be more easily stored against additional resin cartridges  16  prior to use. As used herein, it will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are intended to provide relative locations along an axial direction of exemplary embodiments of the fluid cartridge system  10 . Similarly, it will be appreciated that the terms “outward” and “inward” are intended to provide relative locations along a transverse direction of the exemplary resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18 . 
     The dispensing applicator  14  receives the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  in the side-by-side configuration for use. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the dispensing applicator  14  includes a cradle  38  for holding the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  and a handle  40  for an operator to grasp. The dispensing applicator  14  further includes a trigger  42  configured to advance an actuator, such as a drive rod  44 . The drive rod  44  further advances a piston assembly  46 , which includes a resin piston  48  and an activator piston  50  discussed in greater detail with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,683. The drive rod  44  operatively engages the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  to cause the fluid resin and fluid activator components within the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  to be dispensed from a nozzle  52  fluidly connected to the neck  20 . The nozzle  52  threadably engages the neck  20  and is configured to mix the fluid resin and fluid activator components to form a mixture dispensed on a substrate (not shown). It will be appreciated that the dispensing applicator  14  may be used with alternative embodiments of the multi-component cartridge assemblies also described herein. It will also be appreciated that alternative dispensing applicators and nozzles may be used for dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components. As such, the invention is not intended to be limited for use with the dispensing applicator  14 . Furthermore, the fluid cartridge system  10  may include one or more closures for fluidly sealing the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  for storage. By way of example, the fluid cartridge system  10  may include a closure assembly described in additional detail in U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2016/0296963, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 2 through 3C , the resin cartridge  16  includes the resin cartridge body  32  having the resin neck portion  28  extending proximally from a proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge body  32  to a resin neck end  55 . The resin neck portion  28  includes a resin outlet passage  56  that fluidly connects to a resin chamber  58  (see  FIG. 7 ) within the resin cartridge body  32  and further defines the resin neck outlet  24  within the resin neck end  55 . Similarly, the activator cartridge  18  includes the activator cartridge body  34  having the activator neck portion  30  extending proximally from a proximal wall  60  of the activator cartridge body  34  to an activator neck end  61 . The activator neck portion  30  includes an activator outlet passage  62  that fluidly connects to an activator chamber  64  (see  FIG. 7 ) within the activator cartridge body  34  and further defines the activator neck outlet  26  within the activator neck end  61 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  12 , the resin cartridge body  32  secures directly against the activator cartridge body  34  such that the resin and activator cartridge bodies  32 ,  34  extend generally parallel with each other in the side-by-side configuration. The resin neck portion  28  includes a pair of resin cartridge coupling elements  66  configured to respectively engage a pair of activator cartridge coupling elements  68  of the activator neck portion  30 . In addition, a distal end portion  70  of the activator cartridge body  34  includes an activator retaining element  72  configured to engage a resin retaining element  74  for connecting the distal end portion  70  of the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  together. The operator selectively connects the resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  66 ,  68  respectively in a transverse direction toward each other, as indicated by arrow  76 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 3B , the resin cartridge body  32  extends along the axial direction and defines the radial boundary or periphery  36  of the resin cartridge body  32  transverse to the axial direction. The activator cartridge body  34  also extends along the axial direction and defines a radial boundary or periphery  80  of the activator cartridge body  34  transverse to the axial direction. As described herein, the term “radial boundary or periphery” refers to the profiles of the annular sidewalls  82 ,  84  as viewed along the central, longitudinal axes of the resin and activator cartridge bodies,  32 ,  34 , respectively. The resin and activator cartridge bodies  32 ,  34  are generally cylindrical in shape and, in turn, the radial boundaries or peripheries  36 ,  80  are generally circular. The resin neck portion  28  extends in the axial direction from the proximal wall  54  such that the resin neck portion  28  is within the radial boundary or periphery  36  of the resin cartridge body  32 , as shown more clearly in  FIG. 3B . More particularly, the resin neck portion  28  is positioned inward of the radial boundary or periphery  36 . The activator neck portion  30  extends in the axial and transverse direction from the proximal wall  60  such that the activator neck portion  30  projects outwardly beyond the radial boundary or periphery  80 . According to the exemplary embodiment, the resin cartridge  16  is generally larger than the activator cartridge  18 . However, it will be appreciated that the relative sizes of the cartridges may vary. Preferably, at least one of the cartridge bodies  32  or  34  has the feature of its neck portion  28  or  30  positioned within the radial boundary or periphery  36  or  80 . When only one of the cartridge bodies  32 ,  34  has this feature, it is preferably the larger cartridge body  32 . 
     With the resin neck portion  28  within the radial boundary or periphery  30 , a plurality of the resin cartridges  16  may be packed more densely into a storage bin (not shown). In addition, the resin cartridge  16  is further configured to smoothly roll on its annular sidewall  82  in full revolutions along a surface (not shown) for delivering one or more resin cartridges  16  to the operator. For example, a plurality of resin cartridges  16  may be stacked horizontally within a storage bin (not shown) and gravity fed to the operator through an opening in the storage bin (not shown). As used herein, the term “within” in reference to the radial boundary or periphery means that the neck portion overlaps with the radial boundary or periphery and/or is positioned inward of the radial boundary or periphery. For example, a neck portion may be flush with an outer surface of a cartridge sidewall according to another exemplary embodiment and still be considered “within” the radial boundary or periphery as described herein. 
     The resin neck portion  28  secures against the activator neck portion  30  to form the neck  20 , which is a generally cylindrical neck  20 . According to the exemplary embodiment, the resin neck end  55  is a minor sector, whereas the activator neck end  61  is a major sector, which forms a circular neck end when the minor sector is positioned against the major sector. The minor and major sectors of the resin and activator neck ends  55 ,  61  project generally along a length of the neck  20 . As such, the resin neck portion  28  has a resin abutment surface  90  held against an activator abutment surface  92  of the activator neck portion  30 . The resin abutment surface  90  is convex and positioned inward of the radial boundary or periphery  36 . In contrast, the activator abutment surface  92  is concave and extends outward from the radial boundary or periphery  80 , toward the radial boundary or periphery  36 , and mates against the corresponding resin abutment surface  90 . Once mated, the resin and activator neck portions  28 ,  30  fluidly seal against each other as shown in  FIG. 3C  to form the neck  20  for receiving the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) thereon. 
     Each of the resin and activator neck portions  28 ,  30  includes respective resin and activator partial sealing surfaces  94 ,  96  adjacent to the resin and activator neck ends  55 ,  61 . The resin partial sealing surface  94  is positioned about the resin neck portion  28  opposite the resin abutment surface  90 , whereas the activator partial sealing surface  96  is positioned about the activator neck portion  30  opposite the activator abutment surface  92 . As the resin and activator neck portions  28 ,  30  engage each other, the resin and activator partial sealing surfaces  94 ,  96  meet end to end in order to collectively form an annular sealing surface  98  about an outer surface of the neck  20 . In addition, the outer surfaces of the resin and activator neck portions  28 ,  30  include resin neck threads  100  and activator neck threads  102 , respectively. The resin and activator neck threads  100 ,  102 , cooperatively align as the resin neck portion  28  secures against the activator neck portion  30  to form a plurality of threads  104  configured to receive inner threads (not shown) of the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). The operator may then thread the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) onto the neck  20  and fluidly seal the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) against the annular sealing surface  98  for dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components. 
     In order to secure the resin neck portion  28  against the activator neck portion  30  for forming the neck  20  as described above, the operator selectively interlocks the resin cartridge coupling element  66  with the activator cartridge coupling element  68 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the resin cartridge  16  includes a pair of resin cartridge coupling elements  66  in the form of a pair of resin cartridge grooves  66 . The activator cartridge  18  includes a pair of activator cartridge coupling elements  68  in the form of a pair of activator cartridge neck snaps  68 . The grooves  66  extend axially and opposite from each other on the outer surface of the resin neck portion  28 . Similarly, the neck snaps  68  extend axially and opposite from each other on the activator neck portion  30  and project transversely outward from the resin abutment surface  90 . With respect to  FIG. 4 , the neck snaps  68  are biased in order to wrap about the resin neck portion  28  and snap into the grooves  66 , respectively, for securing the resin cartridge  16  to the activator cartridge  18 . It will be appreciated that alternative resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  66 ,  68  may be used for securing the resin cartridge  16  against the activator cartridge  18  in the side-by-side configuration. It will be further appreciated that the alternative resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  66 ,  68  may also be alternatively positioned on the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  or even on additional brackets or other mounting structures. Therefore, the invention is not intended to necessarily be limited to one particular form of coupling element. 
     The distal end portion  70  of the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  secures together by the resin and activator retaining elements  72 ,  74 . The resin retaining element  74  shown in  FIG. 5  is an axially extending slot  74  formed in the resin cartridge body  32 , and the activator retaining element  72  is an elongated t-shaped tab  72  extending from the activator cartridge body  34 . The elongated t-shaped tab  72  fits into the slot  74  such that the elongated t-shaped tab  72  engages the resin cartridge body  32 . According to the exemplary embodiment, the elongated t-shaped tab  72  is transversely directed into the slot  74  such that the elongated t-shaped tab  72  snaps into position. Alternatively, the elongated t-shaped tab  72  may be axially inserted into the slot  74 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6A through 7 , a second exemplary embodiment of a multi-component cartridge assembly  212  for use with the dispensing applicator  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes a resin cartridge  216  and an activator cartridge  218 . The resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218  at least partially form a neck  220  projecting from a dispensing end portion  222  of the multi-component cartridge assembly  212  that includes a resin neck outlet  224  and an activator neck outlet  226 . The neck outlets  224 ,  226  are offset from the longitudinal axes of their respectively associated cartridges  216 ,  218  as in the first embodiment. In anticipation of dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components, the resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218  are secured together in the side-by-side configuration with a manifold  310 . More particularly, the resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218  have respective resin and activator neck portions  228 ,  230  that, in conjunction with the manifold  310 , collectively form the neck  220 . As with other embodiments, the neck portions  228 ,  230  are offset from the longitudinal center axes of their respectively associated cartridges  216 ,  218 . With regard to the first embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the second embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  212 , like numbers below indicate like features also described above. 
     The manifold  310  includes a cap body  312  and a neck body  314  extending therefrom. The cap body  312  has a dispensing wall  316  and a skirt  318  surrounding the dispensing wall  316  and extending distally therefrom. The skirt  318  receives the dispensing end portion  222  of the resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218 . The neck body  314  extends proximally from the cap body  312  to a resin neck end  255  and an activator neck end  261 . The neck body  314  defines a resin outlet passage  256  and an activator outlet passage  262  for respective fluid communication with the resin chamber  58  and the activator chamber  64 . The resin neck end  255  defines the resin neck outlet  224  in fluid communication with the resin outlet passage  256 , whereas the activator neck end  261  defines the activator neck outlet  226  in fluid communication with the activator outlet passage  262 . 
     The neck body  314  fluidly connects to the resin and activator neck portions  228 ,  230 . A resin stem  253  extends from the proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge  216 , and an activator stem  259  extends from the proximal wall  60  of the activator cartridge  218 . The resin stem  253  defines a resin stem conduit  257   a  extending from the resin chamber  58  to a resin stem outlet  257   b . The activator stem  259  defines an activator stem conduit  263   a  extending from the activator chamber  64  to an activator stem outlet  263   b . The resin and activator chambers  58 ,  64  fluidly connect to the resin and activator neck outlets  224 ,  226  via the resin and activator stem conduits  257   a ,  263   a , respectively. As such, the resin and activator stem conduits  257   a ,  263   a  further define the resin and activator outlet passages  256 ,  262  extending through the neck body  314 . 
     The resin cartridge body  32  secures directly against the activator cartridge body  34  such that the resin cartridge body  32  and the activator cartridge body  34  extend generally parallel with each other in the side-by-side configuration. The proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge  216  includes a resin cartridge coupling element  266 , and the proximal wall  60  of the activator cartridge  218  includes an activator cartridge coupling element  268 . Each of the resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  266 ,  268  engage a respective manifold coupling element  320  associated with the cap body  312 . The resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218  each connect to the manifold  310  in order to secure the resin cartridge  216  against the activator cartridge  218 . In addition, the distal end portion  70  of the activator cartridge body  34  includes the activator retaining element  72  engaging the resin retaining element  74  as described above in additional detail. The operator selectively connects the resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  266 ,  268  respectively to the manifold coupling elements  320  in an axial direction toward each other, as indicated by arrow  276 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B , the resin and activator cartridge bodies  32 ,  34  respectively define the radial boundaries or peripheries  36 ,  80  as discussed above. The resin neck portion  228  extends in the axial direction from the proximal wall  54  such that the resin neck portion  228  is within the radial boundary or periphery  36  as shown more clearly in  FIG. 6B . More particularly, the resin neck portion  228  is positioned inward of the radial boundary or periphery  36 . Similarly, the activator neck portion  230  extends in the axial direction from the proximal wall  60  such that the activator neck portion  30  is within the radial boundary or periphery  80 . More particularly, the activator neck portion  230  is positioned inward of the radial boundary or periphery  80 . As such, a plurality of the resin cartridges  216  and a plurality of the activator cartridges  218  may each be packed more densely into separate storage bins (not shown) and/or smoothly roll as described herein. 
     The resin and activator stems  253 ,  259  fluidly connect to the neck body  314  to form the neck  220  as shown in  FIG. 6C . The resin and activator neck ends  255 ,  261  are integral and unitarily formed with the neck body  314  for connecting to the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). An annular sealing surface  298  circumscribes the outer surface of the neck body  314  adjacent to the resin and activator neck ends  255 ,  261 . The annular sealing surface  298  seals against the inner surface of the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). In addition, the neck body  314  further includes neck threads  304  that receive the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). The nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) attaches to the neck  220  and fluidly seals against the annular sealing surface  298  for dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components. 
     In order to secure the resin and activator stems  253 ,  259  against the manifold  310 , the operator selectively interlocks the resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  266 ,  268  with the manifold coupling elements  320 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A through 7 , the resin cartridge  216  includes a pair of resin cartridge coupling elements  266  in the form of a pair of resin wall clips  266 . The resin wall clips  266  extend proximally from the proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge  216 . Similarly, the activator cartridge  218  includes a pair of activator cartridge coupling elements  268  in the form of another pair of activator wall clips  268  that extend proximally from the proximal wall  60  of the activator cartridge  218 . The resin and activator wall clips  266 ,  268  interlock with the manifold coupling elements  320 , which are in the form of cap apertures  320  extending through the dispensing wall  316  of the cap body  312 . The cap apertures  320  respectively receive the pair of resin and activator wall clips  266 ,  268  such that the resin and activator wall clips  266 ,  268  interlock with the dispensing wall  316  of the cap body  312 . The resin and activator wall clips  266 ,  268  resiliently bend in order to snap into the cap apertures  320 . It will be appreciated that alternative resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  266 ,  268  and the manifold coupling elements  320  may be used for securing the resin cartridge  216  against the activator cartridge  218  in the side-by-side configuration. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8A through 8C , a third exemplary embodiment of multi-component cartridge assembly  412  for use with the dispensing applicator  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes a resin cartridge  416  and an activator cartridge  418 . The resin and activator cartridges  416 ,  418  form a neck  420  ( FIG. 8C ) projecting from a dispensing end portion  422  of the multi-component cartridge assembly  412 . The neck  420  includes the resin neck outlet  224  and the activator neck outlet  226 . In anticipation of dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components, the resin cartridge  416  secures against the activator cartridge  418  in the side-by-side configuration. The resin and activator cartridges  416 ,  418  have respective resin and activator neck portions  228 ,  430  that collectively form the neck  420 . As with other embodiments, the neck portions  228 ,  430  are each offset from the longitudinal axes of their respectively associated cartridges  416 ,  418 . With regard to the first embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  (see  FIG. 2 ), the second embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  212  (see  FIG. 6A ), and the third embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  412 , like numbers below indicate like features also described above. 
     The resin cartridge  416  includes the resin neck portion  228  having the resin stem  253  extending from the proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge  416 . The activator cartridge  418  includes the activator neck portion  428  having a neck body  314  extending therefrom. Specifically, the neck body  314  extends proximally from the proximal wall  60  of the activator cartridge  418  to the resin neck end  255  and the activator neck end  261 . The neck body  314  defines the resin outlet passage  256  and the activator outlet passage  262  for respective fluid communication with the resin chamber  58  (see  FIG. 7 ) and the activator chamber  64  (see  FIG. 7 ). The resin neck end  255  defines the resin neck outlet  224  in fluid communication with the resin outlet passage  256 , whereas the activator neck end  261  defines the activator neck outlet  226  in fluid communication with the activator outlet passage  262 . 
     The neck body  314  fluidly connects to the resin stem  253  for fluid communication therethrough. The resin stem  253  defines the resin stem conduit  257   a  extending from the resin chamber  58  (see  FIG. 7 ) to the resin stem outlet  257   b . The resin stem outlet  257   b  is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge  416 , and likewise the outlets  224 ,  226  are each offset from the longitudinal axis of their associated cartridge  418 . As such, the resin stem conduit  257   a  further defines the resin outlet passage  256  as described above. 
     The resin cartridge body  32  secures directly against the activator cartridge body  34  such that the resin and activator cartridge bodies  32 ,  34  extend generally parallel with each other in the side-by-side configuration. The proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge  416  includes a resin cartridge coupling element  466 . The activator cartridge  418  also includes an activator cartridge coupling element  468  positioned at the dispensing end portion  422 . The resin cartridge coupling element  466  connects to the activator cartridge coupling elements  468  in order to secure the resin cartridge  416  against the activator cartridge  418 . In addition, the distal end portion  70  (see  FIG. 6A ) of the activator cartridge body  34  includes the activator retaining element  72  (see  FIG. 6A ) that engages the resin retaining element  74  (see  FIG. 6A ) as described above in additional detail. The operator selectively connects the resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  466 ,  468  in an axial direction toward each other, as indicated by arrow  276 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B , the resin and activator cartridge bodies  32 ,  34  respectively define the radial boundaries or peripheries  36 ,  80  as discussed above. The resin neck portion  228  extends in the axial direction from the proximal wall  54  such that the resin neck portion  228  is within the radial boundary or periphery  36  as shown more clearly in  FIG. 8B . As such, a plurality of the resin cartridges  416  may be packed more densely into a storage bin (not shown) and/or smoothly roll as described herein. 
     The resin stem  253  fluidly connects to the neck body  314  to form the neck  420  as shown in  FIG. 8C . According to the exemplary embodiment, the resin and activator neck ends  255 ,  261  are integral and unitarily formed with the neck body  314  for connecting to the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). The annular sealing surface  298  seals against the inner surface of the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). In addition, the neck body  314  further includes the neck threads  304  for receiving the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) and dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components. 
     In order to secure the resin stem  253  against the neck body  314 , the operator selectively interlocks the resin cartridge coupling element  466  with the activator cartridge coupling element  468 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8A through 8C , the resin cartridge  416  includes the resin cartridge coupling element  466  in the form of a widened t-shaped tab  466  extending proximally from the proximal wall  54 . In addition, the activator cartridge coupling element  468  is in the form of a cantilevered wall  468  extending generally transversely from the neck body  314  and having a slot  469  extending therethrough. The slot  469  is configured to receive the widened t-shaped tab  466  such that the widened t-shaped tab  466  interlocks with the cantilevered wall  468  of the activator neck portion  430 . The widened t-shaped tab  466  and/or the cantilevered wall  468  resiliently bend in order to snap the widened t-shaped tab  466  into the slot  469 . It will be appreciated that alternative resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  466 ,  468  may be used for securing the resin cartridge  416  against the activator cartridge  418  in the side-by-side configuration. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A through 11 , a fourth exemplary embodiment of a multi-component cartridge assembly  612  for use with the dispensing applicator  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes a resin cartridge  616  and an activator cartridge  618 . The resin and activator cartridges  616 ,  618  form a neck  620  projecting from a dispensing end portion  622  of the multi-component cartridge assembly  612 . The neck  620  includes the resin neck outlet  224  and the activator neck outlet  226 . In anticipation of dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components, the resin cartridge  616  secures against the activator cartridges  618  in the side-by-side configuration. The resin and activator cartridges  616 ,  618  have respective resin and activator neck portions  628 ,  630  that collectively form the neck  620 . With regard to the first embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  612  (see  FIG. 2 ), the second embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  212  (see  FIG. 6A ), the third embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  412  (see  FIG. 8A ), and the fourth embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  612 , like numbers below indicate like features also described above. 
     The resin cartridge  616  includes a resin cartridge body  632  and the activator cartridge  618  includes an activator cartridge body  634 . The resin neck portion  628  projects proximally from the resin cartridge body  632  such that the resin neck portion  628  is positioned inward of the radial boundary or periphery  36  of the resin cartridge body  632 . In contrast, the activator neck portion  630  projects outward from the activator cartridge body  634  beyond the radial boundary or periphery  80 . As such, the activator neck portion  630  projects in the transverse direction relative to the resin neck portion  628  in order to extend to and fluidly connect with the resin neck portion  628 . 
     The resin cartridge body  632  has an annular sidewall  682  extending to a proximal wall  654 . The resin neck portion  628  includes a neck body  714  extending from the proximal wall  654  of the resin cartridge  616  to the resin neck end  255  and the activator neck end  261 . The neck body  714  defines a resin outlet passage  656  and an activator outlet passage  662  for respective fluid communication with a resin chamber  658  and an activator chamber  664 . The resin neck end  255  defines the resin neck outlet  224  in fluid communication with the resin outlet passage  656 , whereas the activator neck end  261  defines the activator neck outlet  226  in fluid communication with the activator outlet passage  662 . 
     With respect to the resin cartridge  616 , the activator outlet passage  662  projects distally from the activator neck outlet  226  to a transversely extending portion of the activator outlet passage  662 , which fluidly connects to an activator neck inlet  665 . The activator neck inlet  665  extends through the annular sidewall  682  and into the proximal wall  654  for fluid communication with the activator outlet passage  662 . 
     The activator cartridge body  634  has an annular sidewall  684  extending to a proximal wall  660 . The activator neck portion  630  includes an activator stem  659  extending from the annular sidewall  684  and positioned proximate to the proximal wall  654 . The activator neck inlet  665  receives the activator stem  659  and fluidly connects the neck body  714  to the activator stem  659  for fluid communication therethrough. The activator stem  659  defines an activator stem conduit  663   a  extending from the activator chamber  664  to an activator stem outlet  663   b.    
     The resin cartridge body  632  secures directly against the activator cartridge body  634  such that the resin cartridge body  632  and the activator cartridge body  634  extend generally parallel with each other in the side-by-side configuration. The proximal wall  654  of the resin cartridge  616  includes a resin cartridge coupling element  666 , and the dispensing end portion  622  of the activator cartridge  618  includes an activator cartridge coupling element  668 . The activator cartridge coupling element  668  extends from the annular sidewall  684  of the activator cartridge body  634  toward the annular sidewall  682  of the resin cartridge body  632 . The resin cartridge coupling element  666  and the activator cartridge coupling elements  668  connect in order to secure the resin cartridge  616  against the activator cartridge  618 . 
     In addition, a distal end portion  670  of the activator cartridge body  634  includes an activator retaining element  672  configured to engage a resin retaining element  674  for further securing the resin cartridge  616  against the activator cartridge  618 . The distal end portion  670  includes a pair of activator retaining elements  672  in the form of a pair of elongated retaining clips  672 . The retaining clips  672  are generally parallel and offset from each other and extend from the distal end portion  670  toward the resin retaining element  674 . The resin retaining element  674  is in the form of a widened slot  674 . The widened slot  674  receives the pair of retaining clips  672  such that the retaining clips  672  interlock with the distal end portion  670  of the activator cartridge body  634 . The operator selectively connects the resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  666 ,  668  and the resin and activator retaining elements  672 ,  674  in a transverse direction toward each other, as indicated by arrow  676 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , the resin and activator cartridge bodies  632 ,  634  respectively define the radial boundaries or peripheries  36 ,  80 , as discussed above. The resin neck portion  628  extends in the axial direction from the proximal wall  654  such that the resin neck portion  628  is within the radial boundary or periphery  36  as shown more clearly in  FIG. 9B . As such, a plurality of the resin cartridges  616  may be packed more densely into a storage bin (not shown), roll-fed into a filling machine (not shown), and/or smoothly roll as described herein. 
     The activator stem  659  fluidly connects to the neck body  714  to form the neck  620  as shown in  FIG. 9C  and  FIG. 11 . The resin and activator neck ends  255 ,  261  are integral and unitarily formed with the neck body  714  for connecting to the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). The annular sealing surface  298  circumscribes the outer surface of the neck body  714  adjacent to the resin and activator neck ends  255 ,  261 . The neck body  714  also includes the plurality of neck threads  304  for receiving the nozzle  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) and dispensing the fluid resin and fluid activator components. 
     In order to secure the activator stem  659  within the activator neck inlet  665 , the operator selectively interlocks the resin cartridge coupling element  666  with the activator cartridge coupling element  668 . As shown in  FIGS. 9A through 11 , the resin cartridge  616  includes a pair of the resin cartridge coupling elements  666  in the form of a pair of snap channels  666  extending through the proximal wall  654  of the resin cartridge  616  and opening to the annular sidewall  682 . The activator cartridge  618  includes a pair of activator cartridge coupling elements  668  is in the form of a pair of elongated snaps  668  extending transversely from the annular sidewall  684  of the activator cartridge  618 . The snap channels  666  respectively receive the elongated snaps  668  such that the elongated snaps  668  interlock respectively with a pair of shoulders  669  within the proximal wall  654  of the resin cartridge  616 . The elongated snaps  668  resiliently bend over the shoulders  669  in order to snap into the snap channels  666  and engage the shoulders  669  to secure the resin cartridge  616  against the activator cartridge  618 . 
     The dispensing end portion  622  of the activator cartridge  618  also includes a pair of dowels  722 . The dowels  722  are offset from each other, generally aligned parallel with the elongated snaps  668 , and respectively positioned between the activator stem  659  and the elongated snaps  668 . In turn, the dispensing end portion  622  of resin cartridge  616  includes a pair of dowel channels  724  to respectively receive the dowels  722 . The dowel channels  724  generally align with the snap channels  666  and project adjacent to the activator neck inlet  665  to correspond with the position of the dowels  722  on the activator cartridge  618 . The dowel channels  724  receive the dowels  722  to improve and maintain alignment of the activator stem  659  with the activator neck inlet  665 . It will be appreciated that alternative resin and activator cartridge coupling elements  666 ,  668  may be used for securing the resin cartridge  616  against the activator cartridge  618  in the side-by-side configuration. 
     In use, the operator stores a supply of resin cartridges  16  separately from a supply of the activator cartridge  18  to inhibit a premature reaction of the fluid activator component with the fluid resin component prior to forming the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The resin cartridges  16  may be stored vertically or horizontally within the storage bin (not shown). The resin neck portion  28  projects from the resin cartridge body  32  such that the resin neck portion  28  is positioned within the radial boundary or periphery  36  of the resin cartridge body  32 . The operator may store the resin cartridges  16  more densely together, because each resin cartridge body  32  may be stored directly against other resin cartridge bodies  32 . In other words, the resin neck portion  28  does not interfere with adjacently positioned resin cartridges  16 , because the resin neck portion  28  does not extend transversely outward beyond the radial boundary or periphery  36 . Furthermore, the resin cartridge body  32  is also cylindrical and configured to smoothly roll along a surface (not shown). For example, the operator may store the resin cartridges  16  horizontally such that the resin cartridges  16  may be gravity fed through the storage bin (not shown) to be provided to the operator. 
     The operator retrieves the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  from storage and operatively connects the resin and activator neck portions  28 ,  30  to form the neck  20  and secure the resin cartridge body  32  against the activator cartridge body  34 . Alternatively, additional structures, such as the manifold  310  (see  FIG. 6A ), may further form the neck  20 . The resin and activator neck portions  28 ,  30  form the neck  20  such that the neck  20  threadably receives the nozzle  52 . The dispensing applicator  14  cradles the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  and the drive rod  44  engages the resin piston  48  within the resin cartridge body  32 . In turn, the fluid resin component and the fluid activator component discharge through the neck  20  and dispense from the nozzle  52  as the mixture of fluid resin and fluid activator components. While the exemplary embodiment described herein dispenses the mixture from the nozzle  52 , the fluids may alternatively discharge through the neck  20  and be received by another structure or mechanism configured to provide for the flow of fluid therealong. 
     While the above description of using the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  is described with respect to the first embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . It will be appreciated that the second embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  212 , the third embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  412 , and the fourth embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  612  may be similarly used. Therefore, the method of use described above generally applies to each of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 through 11 . 
     More particularly, with respect to the first embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  12  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the operator moves the resin cartridge  16  transversely toward the activator cartridge  18 , as indicated by arrow  76 . With respect to the distal end portion  70 , the operator inserts the tab  72 , into the slot  74 . The annular sidewall  82  of the resin cartridge  16  captures the tab  72  to secure the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  together at the distal end portion  70 . With respect to the proximal end portion  22 , the operator moves the resin abutment surface  90  against the activator abutment surface  92 . The opposing neck snaps  68  of the activator neck portion  30  extend transversely to the resin neck portion  28  and snap into respective groove  66  of the resin neck portion  28 . The resin neck portion  28  interlocks with the activator neck portion  30  to further secure the resin and activator cartridges  16 ,  18  at the proximal end portion  22 . In addition, the resin partial sealing surface  94  abuts and fluidly seals against the activator partial sealing surface  96  to form the annular sealing surface  98  and collectively form the neck  20 . 
       FIGS. 6A through 7  show the second embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  212 . The operator moves the resin cartridge  216  transversely toward the activator cartridge  218 , as indicated by arrow  276 . With respect to the distal end portion  70 , the operator interlocks the tab  72  with the slot  74  as discussed above. With respect to the proximal end portion  222 , the operator moves the manifold  312  axially toward and against the proximal walls  54 ,  60  of the resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218 . The manifold coupling elements  320  respectively receive the resin and activator cartridge coupling element  266 ,  268  such that the dispensing wall  316  interlocks with the resin and activator wall clips  266 ,  268 . The skirt  318  of the manifold  310  also surrounds the proximal end portion  222  of the resin and activator cartridges  216 ,  218 . The manifold  312  secures the resin cartridge  216  against the activator cartridge  218  at the proximal end portion  222 . The resin and activator neck outlets  224 ,  226  fluidly connect to the resin and activator chambers  58 ,  64  to collectively from the neck  220  from the neck body  314 , the resin stem  253 , and the activator stem  259 . 
       FIGS. 8A through 8C  shows the third embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  412 . The operator moves the resin cartridge  416  transversely toward the activator cartridge  418 , as indicated by arrow  276 . With respect to the distal end portion  70 , the operator interlocks the tab  72  with the slot  74  as discussed above (see  FIG. 6A ). With respect to the proximal end portion  422 , the operator moves the cantilevered wall  468  of the activator cartridge  418  axially toward and against the proximal wall  54  of the resin cartridge  416 . The slot  469  receives the widened t-shaped tab  466  of the resin cartridge  416  such that the cantilevered wall  468  interlocks with the widened t-shaped tab  466  to secure resin cartridge  416  against the activator cartridge  418 . The resin neck outlet  224  also fluidly connects to the resin chamber  58  to collectively from the neck  420  from the neck body  314  and the resin stem  253 . 
       FIGS. 9A through 11  shows the fourth embodiment of the multi-component cartridge assembly  612 . The operator moves the resin cartridge  616  transversely toward the activator cartridge  618 , as indicated by arrow  676 . With respect to the distal end portion  670 , the operator interlocks the elongated retaining claims  672  with the widened slot  674  similar to the activator and resin retaining elements  72 ,  74  discussed above (see  FIG. 6A ). With respect to the proximal end portion  622 , the operator inserts the elongated snaps  668  of the activator cartridge  618  into respective snap channels  666 . The snap channels  666  receive the elongated snaps  668  such that the elongated snaps  668  respectively interlock with the shoulders  669  to secure resin cartridge  616  against the activator cartridge  618 . In addition, the dowel channels  724  receive the dowels  722 , respectively, and the activator neck inlet  665  receives the activator stem  659 . The activator neck outlet  226  also fluidly connects to the activator chamber  664  to collectively from the neck  620  from the neck body  714  and the activator stem  659 . 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features shown and described herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.