Patent Publication Number: US-2023133802-A1

Title: Threadlike Package

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a package, in particular for being at least partly inserted into a bore, containing components of a hardenable multi-component mass. The invention further relates to a method of using such a package. 
     Under the name Hilti HVU, mortar cartridges for anchoring anchor rods have been sold. These cartridges comprise a resin container, in which a hardener container is embedded. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,875 A describes a mortar cartridge, preferably a glass cartridge, comprising two adjacent resin chambers and a hardener chamber which extends through both resin chambers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,806 A describes another three-chambered cartridge. Two of the chambers are located adjacent to each other and the third chamber surrounds the second chamber. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,087 B describes a cartridge comprising four chambers. Three of them, which are arranged in a line, contain resin components. The fourth chamber extends alongside the other three chambers and contains a hardener component. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a package containing components of a hardenable multi-component mass that is particularly easy to manufacture, particularly versatile and particularly reliable to use. It is further an object of the invention to provide a method of using such a package that is particularly versatile and particularly reliable. 
     According to the invention, the package comprises a string of capsules that comprises at least three capsules, which are arranged next to each other in threadlike manner, and an envelope, in which the string of capsules is encased, wherein at least one of the capsules is an A-type capsule, which encapsulates a portion of an A-component of the hardenable multi-component mass, and wherein at least one of the capsules is a B-type capsule, which encapsulates a portion of a B-component of the hardenable multi-component mass. 
     Thus, the components are individually encased in capsules, and these capsules are arranged in a filiform configuration and retained in this configuration by a separate envelope, in which the capsules are embedded. Accordingly, the individual components are arranged next to each other, in juxtaposed manner. Compared with prior art nested arrangements, which can be laborious to produce (in particular when the volumes are small and/or when the outer container is to contain aggregates such as sand), production of the proposed string-like arrangement can be particularly easy. In addition, the proposed configuration allows to cut the packages into smaller string-like thread pieces, which are nevertheless fully functional. Therefore, the unit length and the quantity of mass contained in each unit can be varied in accordance to current needs. In particular, these parameters are not directly linked to the original manufacturing process. Consequently, particularly good versatility can be achieved. Moreover, the proposed arrangement can be particularly robust and flexible. 
     In particular, the package can be intended to be inserted into a bore in a substrate. It contains components which, when mixed, give a hardenable multi-component mass, such as an epoxy mass. The capsules are juxtaposed to give string of capsules resembling a string of beads. The envelope at least partly surrounds the string of capsules and retains the capsules in their string-like configuration. Preferably, the envelope is flexible to allow bending of the package without breaking. In particular, each of the capsules confines the content contained therein on its own, i.e., the contents of the capsules would not leak out if the envelope was absent or removed. The walls of the capsules are preferably soft and can, for example, consist of a plastic material. 
     Preferable, the envelope is a tube, more preferably a closed wall tube. Accordingly, the envelope is cylindrical. This can further facilitate manufacturing and/or improve versatility. In particular, the tube can be a circular tube, i.e., a tube having at least circular outer cross-section, which can allow a particularly compact design. Since both the tubular envelope and the string of capsules contained therein are threadlike, the entire package can be a threadlike package. 
     The string of capsules preferentially extends in parallel to the tube in which it is embedded, i.e., the axis of the string and the axis of the tube extend in parallel. More preferably, these axes coincide. 
     Advantageously, the envelope can be a heat shrink tube, i.e., a tube, in particular a plastic tube, shrinkable by heating. This can further facilitate manufacturing. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the coloring of the A-type capsule differs from that of the B-type capsule. Preferably, the envelope is transparent. In case that there are several capsules of the respective type, it is particularly preferred that all of the A-type capsules have the same coloring and/or that all of the B-type capsules have the same coloring, wherein the coloring of the A-type capsules differs from that of the B-type capsules. This can facilitate handling of package, in particular if the package is intended to be cut. Transparency of the envelope allows the coloring of the capsules to be detected from outside of the envelope. The coloring of the capsules can be effected by different coloring of the capsule walls or by different coloring of the capsule content. 
     Advantageously, the volume of the A-type capsule differs from that of the B-type capsule. In case that there are several capsules of the respective type, it is particularly preferred that all of the A-type capsules have the same volume and/or that all of the B-type capsules have the same volume, wherein the volume of the A-type capsules differs from that of the B-type capsules. Providing the respective capsules with different capacities can further facilitate handling by providing means for identifying the different capsules. Furthermore, it can be advantageous with a view to the functioning and manufacture of the components contained therein. 
     The string of capsules preferentially comprises at least four or at least ten capsules, which are arranged next to each other in threadlike manner. Thus, the string of capsules has a relatively large thread extension. The package and the string of capsules contained therein could be quasi-endless, i.e., could have a very long extension that can be cut into size by the user, or the package could be preconfigured to shorter lengths. For example, the string of capsules could comprise precisely two A-type capsules and precisely two B-type capsules. 
     Preferably, at least two of the capsules are A-type capsules, which each encapsulate a portion of the A-component of the hardenable multi-component mass, and/or at least two of the capsules are B-type capsules, which each encapsulate a portion of the B-component of the hardenable multi-component mass. In particular, each of the A-type capsules has the same content, namely the A-component of the hardenable multi-component mass, and each of the B-type capsules has the same content, namely the B-component of the hardenable multi-component mass. It is particularly preferred that the string of capsules comprises only A-type capsules and B-type capsule, i.e., no other capsules with other content. This allows for a particularly easy design, in particular if the multi-component mass is a two-component mass. 
     The mass is preferentially a hardenable two component mass. The A-component is preferably a resin component, comprising a resin of the hardenable multi-component mass, and the B-component is preferably a hardener component, comprising a hardener for curing the resin. Preferentially, the resin component could, in addition to the curable resin, comprise, amongst others, a reactive diluent, an accelerator, an inhibitor, aggregate fillers, and/or other organic or inorganic constituents. Preferentially, the hardener component could, in addition to the hardener, comprise additional organic or inorganic constituents, such as a stabilizer for the hardener. The A-component and/or the B-component are preferably liquids (at 20° C.). However, in particular the B-component could also be solid (at 20° C.). 
     The hardenable multi-component mass can in particularly be a mortar, i.e., it can comprise aggregate filler, such as corundum or sand. 
     According to another preferential embodiment, in at least a section of the string of capsules, A-type capsules and B-type capsules are arranged in a repetitive pattern. More preferably, A-type capsules and B-type capsules are arranged in a repetitive pattern throughout the string of capsules. It is particularly advantageous that in at least a section of the string of capsules, A-type capsules and B-type capsules are arranged in alternating order. More preferably A-type capsules and B-type capsules are arranged in alternating order throughout the string of capsules. Accordingly, the capsules are arranged in sequence A/B/A/B/A/B/ . . . at least in a section of the string of capsules, preferably throughout the string of capsules. This can provide particularly good mixing and/or chemical performance. 
     The envelope can preferably be in direct contact with at least some of the capsules, more preferably with all of the capsules of the string of capsules. This can further facilitate manufacturing and/or improve handling. 
     The capsules of the string of capsules are arranged contiguously. Neighboring capsules could touch each other. Preferably, however, neighboring capsules are spaced from one another. This can provide particularly good mechanical flexibility and therefore versatility. 
     The invention also relates to a possible use of the package, in which a thread piece is cut off from the package, and the thread piece is arranged in a bore in a substrate. The thread piece preferentially comprises at least three of the capsules, i.e., it has significant length. The thread piece can be positioned in the borehole after the thread piece has been cut off the package. Alternatively, it is possible to insert the package into the bore before cutting off the thread piece, and to then cut off that end of the package which is located within the borehole to give the thread piece. Cutting can, for example, be performed using a knife or scissors. Thus, a versatile injection system covering different bore depth and setting length can be created. In particular, a virtually endless package can be cut to size by the user according to bore depth. 
     A fastener, such as a screw, in particular a tapping screw, can preferably be inserted into the bore, thereby rupturing at least some of the capsules contained in the thread piece. The content of the ruptured capsules will mix to give the multi component mass, which will subsequently harden. 
     Features that are described here in connection with the inventive package can also be used in connection with the inventive method of use and features that are described here in connection with the inventive method of use can also be used in connection with the inventive package. 
     The following description explains the invention using illustrative embodiments and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is sectional view of a package. 
         FIGS.  2  to  4    are consecutive steps of a method of using the package of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The shown package  10  is threadlike and comprises a plurality of capsules  11 , namely A-type capsules  11   A , which each contain a portion of an A-component of a hardenable multi-component mass, and B-type capsules  11   B , which each contain a portion of a B-component of the hardenable multi-component mass  2 . Each of the capsules  11  has a capsule wall  15 , which, independently, seals off the content of the capsule  11 . In particular, the A component is a resin component comprising a resin of the hardenable multi-component mass, and the B component is a hardener component comprising a hardener for hardening the resin. The hardenable mass is thus a two-component mass. 
     The capsules  11  are arranged next to each other in alternating order A/B/A/B and so forth, forming a string of capsules  11 . Thus, an A-type capsule  11   A  is followed by a B-type capsule  11   B , which is in turn followed by an A-type capsule  11   A , and so forth. In other words, except maybe for the end regions, each B-type capsule  11   B  is located between two A-type capsules  11   A . The string of capsules  11  is held in a filiform configuration by means of a tubular envelope  16 , which surrounds and retains the capsules  11 . The tubular envelope  16  is in direct contact with the capsules  11 , whereas adjacent capsules  11  have some spacing in between. This clearance can assist flection of the package  10 . 
     In use, a thread piece  20  is separated from the package  10 . In the present example, the thread piece  20  comprises four capsules  11 , two of them A-type and the remaining two B-type. The resulting configuration is shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     The thread piece  20  is then located in a bore  90  in a substrate  6 , for example a concrete substrate, resulting in the configuration shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     Afterwards, a fastener  9 , for example a concrete tapping screw, is inserted into the bore  90 . The fastener  9  thereby ruptures the capsules  11  of the thread piece  20  and mixes their contents to give the hardenable multi-component mass  2 , which is left to harden within the bore  90 . The resulting configuration is shown in  FIG.  4   .