Multicomponent Foil-Type Container

• US 20080123465A1
• Filed: 12/24/2005
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sulzer MixPac AG (Sulzer AG)
• Original Assignee: Sulzer MixPac AG (Sulzer AG)
• Inventors: Heusser, Rolf, Gasser, Markus, Staub, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 7,934,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/130
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/432 with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flows; Cross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/713 comprising breaking packages or parts thereof, e.g. piercing or opening sealing elements between compartments or cartridges containers or packages per se B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7164 the containers being placed in parallel before contacting the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0025 of the 47-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0093 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/28 for expelling contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/222 the piercing or cutting means being integral with, or fixedly attached to, the outer closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3261 Flexible containers having several compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3283 Cylindrical or polygonal containers, e.g. bottles, with two or more substantially axially offset, side-by-side compartments for simultaneous dispensing B65D35/22, B65D35/242, B65D81/3227, B65D81/325 take precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a multicomponent foil-type container comprising a first chamber (5) for accommodating a first component, at least one second chamber (5′) for accommodating a second component, a discharge duct (6) that can be connected to said chambers (5, 5′), deflection elements (11) for mixing the components within the discharge duct (6), and a seal (12; 12′; 21; 25, 25′; 36, 36′) which prevents the components from being mixed before being used and can be opened for discharging the components. The deflection elements (11) of the inventive multicomponent foil-type container are disposed on a separate mixing element (9) that is located in the discharge duct (6) such that the multicomponent foil-type container is easy to produce while allowing different components to be mixed in a particularly effectively manner. The invention further relates to a device for squeezing a multicomponent foil-type container in a particularly effective fashion. The disclosed squeezing device is provided with a holding element (61; 77) for accommodating a multicomponent foil-type container. At least one leg (68, 69; 88) that can be moved towards the chambers (5, 5′) of the multicomponent foil-type container in order to squeeze the multicomponent foil-type container is hingedly connected to the end of the holding element (61; 77) which faces the rear end of an inserted multicomponent foil-type container, resulting in the components being effectively mixed.

Claims

1. Multicomponent foil type container with a first chamber (5) for accommodating a first component, at least one second chamber (5′

) for accommodating a second component, a discharge duct (6) that can be connected to the chambers (5, 5′

), deflection elements (11) for mixing the components within the discharge duct (6), and a seal (12;

12′

;

21;

25, 25′

;

36, 36′

) that prevents mixing of the components before use and that can be opened for discharging the components, wherein the deflection elements (11) are arranged on a separate mixing element (9) arranged in the discharge duct (6), characterized in that the end of the mixing element (9) facing the chambers (5, 5′

) is elongated toward the chambers (5, 5′

) and has at least one opening pin (42, 43;

53, 54;

59, 60;

101, 102, 103, 104) for opening the one or more seals (12, 12′

;

12;

12;

12, 12′

).

2. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (5, 5′

) are shaped in two half-shells (1, 2) made from a flexible, essentially dimensionally stable material.

3. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal (12;

12′

;

21;

25, 25′

;

36, 36′

) is formed by at least one separating film (12;

12′

) arranged between the chambers (5, 5′

) and/or by separating walls (21;

25, 25′

;

36, 36′

) for separating the chambers (5, 5′

) from the discharge duct (6).

4. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing element (9) is composed of a dimensionally stable base body (10), which is provided with openings (33) and on which the deflection elements (11) are formed.

5. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge duct (6) is formed by two groove-shaped indentations (7, 7′

) in the two half-shells (1, 2).

6. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 5, characterized in that separating crosspieces (8, 8′

) are provided in the half-shells (1, 2) between the chambers (5, 5′

) and the grove-shaped indentations (7, 7′

).

7. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 6, characterized in that the separating film (12) is connected detachably to at least one of the half-shells (1, 2) at least in the area of the separating crosspieces (8, 8′

) for connecting the chambers (5, 5′

) to the discharge duct (6).

8. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (5, 5′

) are arranged in a storage part (19;

24) and the discharge duct (6) is arranged in a mixing tube (18;

23) that can be attached to the storage part (19;

24).

9. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing element (9) is movable in the discharge duct (6) for opening the one or more seals (12;

21;

25, 25′

;

36, 36′

).

10. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one opening pin (13, 22) is arranged on the end of the mixing element (9) facing the chambers (5, 5′

) for opening the one or more seals (12;

21;

25, 25′

;

36, 36′

).

11. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 10, characterized in that a plunger (14) that can be broken off is attached to the end of the mixing element (9) facing away from the opening pin (13;

22).

12. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 8, characterized in that an opening pin (30) is arranged to be on the mixing tube (23).

13. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 12, characterized in that the mixing tube (23) is arranged movable in the axial direction on the storage part (24).

14. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 13, characterized in that the mixing element (9) has catch connection or clamping means (34, 35) for holding within the mixing tube (23).

15. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove-shaped indentations (7, 7′

) have elongated, inclined parts (15, 15′

) on the inner end, which are arranged next to an area (16, 16′

) of the chambers (5, 5′

) elongated towards the front.

16. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 15, characterized in that opening pins (17′

, 17) that can be pressed from the outside and that project inwards are arranged on the inclined parts (15, 15′

) of the indentations (7, 7′

).

17. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the mixing element (9) facing the chambers (5, 5′

) has at least one guide channel (41;

49, 50;

57, 58;

99, 100), in order to guide the components from the chambers (5, 5′

) into the discharge duct (6) after the seal (12, 12′

;

12;

12;

12, 12′

) is opened.

18. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal (12;

12′

) can be destroyed by bending the discharge duct (6).

19. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one opening (44;

47, 48;

47, 48) for fixing in a squeezing device on the end facing away from the discharge duct (6).

20. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (5, 5′

) are each formed in half-shell (1, 2) and are each sealed by a separating film (12, 12′

), wherein the guide channel (41) of the mixing element (9) inserted into the discharge duct (6) projects into the chambers (5, 5′

) between the two separating films (12, 12′

) facing each other.

21. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 20, characterized in that the opening pins are formed by side crosspieces (42, 43) on the guide channel (41) of the mixing element (9).

22. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (5, 5′

) are formed in a first half-shell (2) and are sealed by a separating film (12) attached to the first half-shell (2), wherein the discharge duct (6) has two connection channels (45, 46;

55, 56) to the chambers (5, 5′

) at the interior end.

23. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 22, characterized in that the elongated end of the mixing element (9) is adapted to the shape of the connection channels (45, 46;

55, 56) and has a separate guide channel (49, 50;

57, 58) with opening pins (53, 54;

59, 60) for each chamber (5, 5′

).

24. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 22 characterized in that the guide channels (49, 50;

57, 58) of the mixing element (9) inserted into the discharge duct (6) project into the chambers (5, 5′

) between the separating film (12) and the second half-shell (1).

25. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 22, characterized in that the connection channels (45, 46) are formed by groove-shaped indentations in the first half-shell (1).

26. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 22, characterized in that the discharge duct (6) and the connection channels (55, 56) are formed by groove-shaped indentations in the second half-shell (2).

27. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (5, 5′

) are each formed in a half-shell (1, 2) and are each sealed by a separating film (12, 12′

) and the discharge duct (6) has, on the inner end, connection channels (97, 98), which are arranged next to an area (96) of the chambers (5, 5′

) extended towards the front.

28. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 27, characterized in that the extended end of the mixing element (9) is adapted to the shape of the connection channels (97, 98) and has a separate guide channel (99, 100) with opening pins (101, 102;

103, 104) for each chamber (5, 5′

).

29. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 27, characterized in that the lower connection channel (98) formed in the lower first half-shell (1) extends via the area (96) of the upper chamber (5′

) extended towards the front and formed in the upper second half-shell (2) and the upper connection channel (97) formed in the upper second half-shell (2) extends via the area of the lower chamber (5) extended towards the front and formed in the lower first half-shell (2).

30. Multicomponent foil type container according to claim 27, characterized in that it has a T-shaped extension (105) for fixing in a squeezing device on its end facing away from the discharge duct (6).

31. Container arrangement, characterized in that several multicomponent foil type containers according to claim 1 are connected to each other by means of connection points (39) at their side edges.

32. Container arrangement according to claim 31, characterized in that the connection points (39) are constructed as desired rupture points.

33. Squeezing device for a multicomponent foil type container according to claim 1, wherein for holding a multicomponent foil type container it has a holding element (61;

77), on whose end facing the rear end of an inserted multicomponent foil type container, at least one leg (68, 69;

88) that can move towards the chambers (5, 5′

) of the multicomponent foil type container is hinged for squeezing the multicomponent foil type container, characterized in that the holding element (61;

77) has side guides (62, 63;

79, 80) for the multicomponent foil type container.

34. Squeezing device according to claim 33, characterized in that it has a restoring spring (74), which presses the leg or legs (68, 69;

88) into an open position for accommodating the multicomponent foil type container.

35. Squeezing device according to claim 33, characterized in that at least one holding pin (76), which engages in the one or more openings (44) or in the T-shaped extension (105) of the multicomponent foil type container on the one or more legs (68, 69;

88), in order to fix it in the squeezing device during the squeezing process.

36. Squeezing device according to claim 33 for a multicomponent foil type container, the multicomponent foil type container with a first chamber (5) for accommodating a first component, at least one second chamber (5′

) for accommodating a second component a discharge duct (6) that can be connected to the chambers (5, 5′

), deflection elements (11) for mixing the components within the discharge duct (6), and a seal (12;

12′

;

21;

25, 25′

;

36, 36′

) that prevents mixing of the components before use and that can be opened for discharging the components, wherein the deflection elements (11) are arranged on a separate mixing element (9) arranged in the discharge duct (6), characterized in that the end of the mixing element (9) facing the chambers (5, 5′

) is elongated toward the chambers (5, 5′

) and has at least one opening pin (42, 43;

53, 54;

59, 60;

101, 102, 103, 104) for opening the one or more seals (12, 12′

;

12;

12;

12, 12′

), characterized in that two legs (68, 69) that can move relative to each other are hinged on the rear end of the holding element (61) for squeezing the chambers (5, 5′

) of the multicomponent foil type container.

37. Squeezing device according to claim 36, characterized in that the legs (68, 69) have intermeshing toothing (75), in order to allow uniform squeezing of the two chambers (5, 5′

).

38. Squeezing device according to claim 33 for a multicomponent foil type container, characterized in that the holding element (77) is adapted to the shape of the connection channels (45, 46;

55, 56) at its end facing the discharge duct (6) of an inserted multicomponent foil type container.