Mixing capsule with forced activation

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixing capsule ( 11 ) for a two-component mixture, comprising a container piece ( 13 ) and an ejection nozzle ( 19 ), formed on the front face ( 17 ) thereof. A piston ( 15 ) may be axially displaced in the container piece ( 13 ). A through opening ( 25 ) is provided in the front face ( 17 ) of the piston, to which a second chamber ( 23 ) is connected. In the unused state of the capsule, a membrane ( 29 ) seals the through opening ( 25 ). The cavity between the front face ( 17 ) of the container piece and the front face ( 31 ) of the piston ( 15 ) defines a first chamber ( 35 ) or a mixing chamber. A moving displacer ( 33 ) is provided in the mixing chamber ( 35 ). The displacer ( 33 ) is displaced by means of an actuating pin ( 37 ) which seals the ejection nozzle ( 19 ) in the unused state. A forced activation device is provided, such that the mixing capsule cannot be unintentionally activated but has to be activated on use. The device is embodied as a sleeve ( 53 ) which can be placed on the mixing capsule which ensures an activation of the mixing capsule on removal. The above is achieved whereby at least one U- or V-shaped guide track ( 57 ) is embodied on the sleeve and the mixing capsule and a guide body ( 63 ) engage in the guide track, such that the sleeve ( 53 ) has to be displaced along the guide track ( 57 ) on application and also in the direction of activation ( 69 ) on removal thereof. In the initial state the sleeve ( 53 ) is located at the end of the guide track ( 57 ). On removal of the sleeve the same forces the activating pin ( 37 ) into the mixing capsule, whereupon the displacer ( 33 ) punctures the membrane ( 29 ) and forces the contents of the second chamber ( 23 ) into the first chamber ( 35 ).

1 . A mixing capsule for a two-component mixture with 
 a preferably cylindrical container part ( 13 ) with an end-face ( 17 ) with an ejection nozzle ( 19 ), and 
 with an open rear side lying opposite the end-face, with an opening ( 16 ) for inserting a movable piston,  
   at least one piston ( 15 ) which is axially movable in the container part ( 13 ), wherein a first chamber is defined between the end-face of the container part ( 13 ) and the piston, said chamber serving for receiving a first, preferably powder-like component of a multi-component mixture;    a second chamber arranged on or in the piston ( 15 ) for receiving a second, preferably fluid or at least flowable component of the mentioned multi-component mixture,    a through-opening between the first and the second chamber which is closed in the initial condition, as well as    an axially displaceable activation means in order to open the initially closed passage between the first and the second receptacle and to transfer the contents of the one receptacle into the other receptacle,    further characterised in that    a sleeve open at least on one side is provided which may be placed onto the mixing capsule,    an abutment surface for the axially displaceable activation means is provided on the sleeve,    that at least one U- or V-shaped guide path with a first and a second end as well as at least one guide element, e.g. a projection or protrusion is formed on the mixing capsule and on the sleeve,    that the first end of the guide path defines an access, and the second end an abutment for a guide element, and    that the guide element may engage into the guide path of the sleeve, wherein the guide element is located on the abutment of the guide path when the mixing capsule is filled, so that on removal of the sleeve, this must move in an activation direction forwards and back, and thereby actuates the activation means ( 37 ,  33 ).    
   
   
       2 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the guide path ( 57 ) is formed on the sleeve ( 53 ), and the guide element ( 63 ) on the mixing capsule ( 11 ).  
   
   
       3 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the guide path is a slot ( 57 ) or a groove ( 57   a ).  
   
   
       4 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the guide element is a projection ( 63 ) formed on the container part ( 13 ).  
   
   
       5 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that in each case one guide element ( 63 ) is provided on oppositely lying sides of the mixing capsule ( 11 ), and in each case one guide path ( 57 ) on oppositely lying sides of the sleeve ( 53 ).  
   
   
       6 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a movable displacement body ( 33 ) is provided in the first chamber ( 35 ) which fits into the second chamber ( 23 ) with a positive fit.  
   
   
       7 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the displacement body ( 33 ) has a diameter corresponding essentially to the passage ( 25 ).  
   
   
       8 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the displacement body ( 33 ) has a shape which is complementary to the second chamber ( 23 ).  
   
   
       9 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that displacement body ( 33 ) in the activated condition of the capsule ( 11 ) is accommodated essentially flush with the end-face ( 31 ) of the piston ( 15 ) in the second chamber ( 23 ).  
   
   
       10 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the second chamber ( 23 ) is formed in the piston ( 15 ).  
   
   
       11 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a membrane ( 29 ) covering over the passage ( 25 ) is deposited at the front onto the end-face ( 31 ) of the piston ( 15 ).  
   
   
       12 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the membrane ( 29 ) is welded onto the piston ( 15 ).  
   
   
       13 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that at least one sealing ring or sealing bead ( 32 ) is integrally formed on the piston casing.  
   
   
       14 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the front part of the displacement body ( 33 ) tapers into a point.  
   
   
       15 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that at least one overflow channel ( 43 ) running in the axial direction is provided in the casing of the displacement body ( 33 ).  
   
   
       16 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the activation means is an activation pin ( 37 ) which fits into the ejection nozzle ( 19 ) and is of such a length that the displacement body ( 33 ) may be displaced into the second chamber ( 23 ).  
   
   
       17 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the displacement body ( 33 ) is integral with the activation pin ( 37 ).  
   
   
       18 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 16 , characterised in that a predetermined break location is provided between the displacement body ( 33 ) and the activation pin ( 37 ).  
   
   
       19 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a recess 
 ( 41 ) is provided on the base ( 45 ) of the displacement body ( 33 ) as a guide for the activation pin ( 37 ).    
   
   
       20 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the displacement body ( 33 ) is a hollow or solid body with a flat base ( 45 ).  
   
   
       21 . A mixing capsule according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the activation means is a further piston which is displaceable in the piston ( 15 ) in the axial direction.  
   
   
       22 . A method for activating a mixing capsule ( 11 ) accommodating at least two components of a multi-component mixture, with which method a first component of a multi-component mixture stored in a first chamber ( 35 ) is brought together with a second component of the multi-component mixture by way of displacing an activation part ( 33 ), characterised in that a sleeve ( 53 ) cooperating with the activation part ( 33 ) is arranged on the mixing capsule ( 11 ), and this sleeve is guided on the mixing capsule ( 11 ) in a movable manner such that on removal of the sleeve ( 53 ), the activation part ( 33 ) is forcibly displaced.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21 , characterised in that the sleeve ( 53 ) must be displaced relative to the mixing capsule ( 11 ) along a U- or V-shaped guide path ( 57 ) in an activation direction ( 69 ) forwards and back.