Coating implements with material supply – Including means to apply material-moving force – Manually engageable resilient wall or wall portion
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-13
2003-09-02
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including means to apply material-moving force
Manually engageable resilient wall or wall portion
C401S123000, C401S118000, C206S219000, C222S145500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06612769
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a package for containing and dispensing compositions that are made with two or more initially separate components. This invention also relates to an assembly that includes a package for a multiple-component composition along with a dispensing actuator for facilitating the mixing of the components.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of liquid and semi-liquid compositions are made from two or more components that are typically not mixed together until immediately prior to use. For example, certain adhesives such as epoxies are sold in packages that initially keep components of the adhesive separated from each other. Whenever such adhesives are needed for use, the components are mixed together and a chemical reaction between the two components begins. After the components are mixed, the composition is applied to the work site before the composition unduly hardens.
A number of packages have been proposed over the years for separately containing and storing components of multiple-component compositions. An example of one type of commonly-used package for multiple-component compositions is a dual-chamber cartridge that is adapted to fit within a dispensing applicator. The cartridge includes a piston in each chamber, and the applicator typically includes a pair of side-by-side plungers that are adapted to simultaneously apply pressure to both pistons in order to direct components from both chambers at the same time.
Examples of dual-chamber dispensing syringes are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,722,829, 5,624,260, and 4,538,920. In many instances, a static mixer is connected to the outlets of the cartridge for facilitating mixing of the components as the components are directed from the chambers. Often, the plungers of the applicator are connected to a lever so that a mechanical advantage is provided and relatively viscous components can be directed from the chambers and through the static mixer without undue effort.
Unfortunately, dual-chamber cartridges, static mixer and applicator assemblies are not entirely satisfactory for dispensing multiple-component compositions in some instances, particularly in instances where only a relatively small amount of composition is needed. In those instances, large portions of the components may remain in the cartridge after a sufficient amount has been taken for the work at hand. It may be possible to replace the static mixer with a new static mixer and use the remaining portions of the components at a later date, but the components may degrade in the interim.
Moreover, when dual-chamber cartridges are used in health care fields such as dentistry, the user must take care to avoid cross-contamination between patients in offices where the composition from a single cartridge is used in multiple procedures among different patients. The issue of cross-contamination can be addressed by proper handling of the dispensing assembly to ensure that disinfection of the cartridge, applicator and static mixer assembly is accomplished as needed. However, inadequate attention to proper disinfection and handling techniques of the assembly may increase the risk of transferring an infectious disease from one patient to another.
Multiple-component compositions have also been sold in the past in separate bulk containers such as jars or vials. When a quantity of those compositions is needed, the user withdraws a portion of the components from each container using, for example, an applicator brush, swab, spatula or other hand instrument, or by pouring the components from the containers directly onto a mixing pad or mixing well. In this procedure, it is common practice to mix the components together using the hand applicator before applying the mixed composition to the intended location.
However, the use of bulk containers is also not entirely satisfactory. For one thing, it is sometimes difficult to withdraw the desired amount of component from each container in correct proportions. For another thing, it is possible that a user may unintentionally dip the applicator in the second container after the applicator has been placed in the first container and as a result contaminate the contents of the second container. Furthermore, the amount of the components supplied in the bulk containers may be far greater than needed for a particular job, and the remainder of the components may be wasted or degrade over a period of time.
As a result of the foregoing, single use packages have been developed for storing and dispensing of multiple component compositions. Such packages may be formed, for example, by sheets of flexible material having initially separate chambers that receive the components. When the composition is needed, the flexible sheets are squeezed together to decrease the volume in the chambers and direct the components along a path for mixing and dispensing.
Examples of packages that may be used to store and dispense relatively small amounts of multiple component compositions are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,331,264 and 4,952,068. Both of these references describe packages where the components are mixed together in an area downstream of the storage chambers. Canadian patent application no. 2,244,628 also describes a package for dispensing compositions, and includes a pocket for receiving a brush that may be used to apply the mixed composition to an application site.
However, there is a continuing need in the art to improve upon existing packages for multiple-component compositions. For example, there is a demand for an improved package that assures that essentially all of the components are mixed together, so that the correct proportion of the components is present in the resulting mixture. Moreover, there is a need for a package that is relatively easy to manufacture and yet reliably functions to mix and dispense the composition when needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed in one aspect to a package for a multiple-component composition that comprises a first sheet and a second sheet connected to the first sheet. At least one of the sheets is made of a flexible material. The package also includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a mixing chamber. Each of the chambers is located between the first sheet and the second sheet. The package also includes an outlet passageway connected to the mixing chamber. The package further includes a first passageway extending from the first chamber to the mixing chamber, and a second passageway extending from the second chamber to the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is located along a reference axis that extends between the first passageway and the second passageway.
The present invention is also directed in another aspect to a package for a multiple-component composition. In this aspect, the package includes a first sheet and a second sheet connected to the first sheet. At least one of the sheets is made of a flexible material. The package also includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a mixing chamber. Each of the chambers is located between the first sheet and the second sheet. The package includes an outlet passageway connected to the mixing chamber. The package also includes a first passageway extending from the first chamber to the mixing chamber and a second passageway extending from the second chamber to the mixing chamber. The first passageway and the second passageway are spaced apart from each other.
Another aspect of the present invention is also directed toward a package for a multiple-component composition. The package in this aspect includes a first sheet and a second sheet connected to the first sheet in overlying relation. At least one of the sheets is made of a flexible material. The package also includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a mixing chamber. Each of the chambers is located between the first sheet and the second sheet. The package also includes a first passageway connecting the first chamber to the mixing chamber, and a second passageway connecting the second chamber to the
Lee Robert
Peterson Dale D.
Shukla Brian A.
Christoff James D.
Innovative Properties Company
Walczak David J.
LandOfFree
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