DISPENSING SYSTEM, AND DISPENSING OUTLET

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a dispensing system (10) comprising a dispensing outlet (20, 12), a cartridge (14), a connector (16) and a plug element (50) arranged within the connector (16) and at the cartridge (14), wherein the connector (16) is arranged at the cartridge (14) and the dispensing outlet (20, 12) is separate from the connector (16) and the cartridge (14) and is lockable to the cartridge (14) by a rotation of the connector (16) into a position of use, wherein a rotation of the connector (16) into the position of use brings about an axial movement of the plug element (50) relative to the cartridge (14) and to the dispensing outlet (20, 12). The invention further relates to a dispensing outlet, preferably for use in a dispensing system (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing system comprising a cartridge, a dispensing outlet, such as a static mixer, and a connector as well as to a dispensing outlet optionally configured for use in such a dispensing system.

[0002] Dispensing systems exists in a multitude of forms that can be used in a plethora of applications ranging from dental applications, medical applications, veterinary applications to industrial applications and the like.

[0003] The dispensing systems typically have an outlet that can be connected to a cartridge in order to guide material stored in the cartridge to a point of application via the outlet. If two-component materials, such as adhesives, paints, molding materials, impression materials and the like are to be dispensed, the outlet portion of the dispensing system typically comprises a mixer to mix the two-components for the purpose of more or less ideal dispensing.

[0004] Frequently the dispensing systems are composed of plastic parts and specifically the outlets, i.e. the mixers, are single use parts that are discarded after every use. When the outlets are discarded, the material to be dispensed that remains also contributes to the waste material.

[0005] For this reason it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system via which the material waste can be reduced, both with regard to the amount of plastic in the components and also with regard to the materials to be dispensed using the dispensing system.

[0006] This object is satisfied by the subject matter of the respective independent claim.

[0007] Such a dispensing system comprises a dispensing outlet, a cartridge, a connector and a plug element arranged within the connector and at the cartridge, wherein the connector is arranged at the cartridge and the dispensing outlet is separate from the connector and from the cartridge and wherein the connector can be locked to the cartridge by a rotation of the connector into a position of use about a longitudinal axis, wherein a rotation of the connector into the position of use brings about an axial movement of the plug element relative to the cartridge and to the dispensing outlet along the longitudinal axis.

[0008] By arranging the connector at the cartridge rather than at the dispensing outlet, a material of the connector is not discarded after use of the dispensing outlet reducing the plastic waste after use of the dispensing system.

[0009] Moreover, such a dispensing system can be formed with reduced size of the components leading to a further reduction in the waste material. It should also be noted that due to the reduced size and complexity of the dispensing outlet these can be produced in a more efficient manner.

[0010] The rotation of the connector relative to the dispensing outlet about the longitudinal axis may lock the dispensing outlet to the connector. In this way a rotation of the connector can carry out two functions a locking function and an activation function.

[0011] The rotation of the connector relative to the dispensing outlet about the longitudinal axis with an installed dispensing outlet may lock the connector to the cartridge. In this way a removal of the connector from the cartridge can be prevented.

[0012] The axial movement of the plug into the position of use permits a flow of material from the cartridge into the dispensing outlet.

[0013] The dispensing outlet may comprise an outlet opening and a respective inlet arranged spaced apart from the outlet opening along a longitudinal axis. Such inlets and outlets permit a flow of material through the dispensing outlet on use of the dispensing system.

[0014] The dispensing outlet may comprise at least one of an intra oral rotational tip (IOR) and a static mixer. Such a dispensing outlet is particularly beneficially used on dispensing multi-component materials.

[0015] The cartridge may be a two-component cartridge and wherein the static mixer may comprise a distributor for guiding a respective flow of material from the cartridge via a respective inlet to a mixing element of the static mixer. In this way optimized mixing results can be achieved by guiding the flow of material in an as efficient as possible manner to the mixing element.

[0016] The distributor may have a non-circular outer cross-section, preferably in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In this way one can provide a coded alignment means for connecting the static mixer to the cartridge through the use of a non-circular distributor.

[0017] The connector may have an opening formed in a top end thereof, with the opening having a non-circular inner cross-section, wherein the dispensing outlet may be insertable into the connector via the opening. In this way the connector and the static mixer are formed complementary to one another, i.e. the non-circular outer cross-section of the distributor may be formed complementary in shape to the non-circular inner cross-section of the opening.

[0018] The static mixer may comprise a disc arranged at a housing of the static mixer, with the disc then being arranged spaced apart at a spacing from a top side of the distributor along the longitudinal axis. Such a disc can be used as a protective cover to prevent material from entering and/or exiting the connector on use of the dispensing system.

[0019] Moreover, such a disc can be used for releasing the plugged connection between the the static mixer and the cartridge of the dispensing system.

[0020] The spacing between the disc and the distributor may correspond to a thickness of a wall of the connector at the top end, optionally wherein on a rotation of the connector relative to the static mixer the static mixer is clamped to the cartridge via the connector in the spacing between the disc and the distributor. In this way part of the connector can be moved into and out of the space formed between the disc and the distributor of the static mixer for the locking movement.

[0021] The dispensing outlet may comprise a housing having a connection region configured to be received within a receiving portion of a/the IOR. By forming the connection region on an outer surface of the housing enables a volume spanned by the housing to be reduced leading to a reduction in the material left behind in the dispensing outlet after a dispensing action and hence also enables a reduction in the amount of waste during use of the dispensing system.

[0022] The plug may comprise an outer thread that interacts with an inner thread of the connector to bring about the axial movement of the plug. Such a thread pair can be reliably used to form a quarter turn coupling between the cartridge and the static mixer. The thread can be a single start thread or a multiple start thread.

[0023] The plug may comprise two, preferably cylindrical, outlets connected to two respective windows acting as inlets from the cartridge, with a respective seal being arranged downstream from the windows along the longitudinal axis. In this way a minimalist design of the plug can be used leading to a further reduction in the amount of materials used to form the dispensing system and its accessories.

[0024] According to a further aspect the present invention relates to a dispensing outlet, preferably for use in a dispensing system as described herein, the dispensing outlet comprising at least one of a static mixer and an IOR, with the IOR being attachable at an outer side of a housing of the static mixer such that the IOR can rotate relative to the static mixer but cannot be axially moved. In this connection also other types of mixers can be used together with the IOR or other types of intra oral tips (lOTs) could be used together with the static mixer, preferably the static mixer does not comprise a connector, but this is arranged at the cartridge as described herein.

[0025] The dispensing outlet can comprise further features as defined herein. Such a dispensing outlet permits the correct placement of the dispensing outlet at a point of treatment, for example, at a cavity of a dental patient or the like.

[0026] Further embodiments of the invention are described in the following description of the Figures. The invention will be explained in the following in detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the drawing in which is shown:

Fig. 1a to c

a dispensing system in different states of use;

Fig. 2

a sectional view through the dispensing system of Fig. 1c;

Fig. 3a &b

sectional views of the dispensing system of Figs. 1b and 1c in the position of connection and in the position of use of the dispensing system;

Fig. 4a &b

part sectional views of components of the dispensing system prior to connection and in the position of use.

[0027] Figs. 1a to 1c show a dispensing system 10 in different states of use. The dispensing system 10 comprises a static mixer 12 that can be connected to a cartridge 14 via a connector 16. The connector 16 comprises a closure 18 via which the static mixer 12 can be releasably locked to the cartridge 14.

[0028] An intra oral rotational tip (IOR) 20 is arranged at an end of the static mixer 12 remote from an end to be connected to the connector 16. The IOR 20 is free to rotate relative to the housing 28.

[0029] On connecting the static mixer 12 to the cartridge 14, two inlets 24, 26 of the static mixer 12 are inserted into an opening 36 of the connector 16. The inlets 24, 26 have different sizes as a form of coded alignment means. The different sizes of the inlets 24, 26 are dimensioned complementary with the sizes of outlets 40, 42 (see Fig. 2) of the dispensing system 10.

[0030] The inlets 24, 26 of the static mixer 12 are connected to a distributor 34 of the static mixer 12. The distributor 34 is configured to guide a respective flow of material M, M' (see Fig. 2) entering the static mixer 12 to a mixing element 38.

[0031] An outer shape of the distributor 34 is non-circular and shaped complementary to the shape of the opening 36 as a further kind of coded alignment means.

[0032] Due to the different types of coded alignment means, the static mixer 12 can only be connected to the cartridge 14 via the connector 16 in one orientation only ensuring the static mixer 12 is always connected to the cartridge 14 with the correct orientation.

[0033] In order to connect the static mixer 12 to the cartridge 14, the inlets 24, 26 and the distributor 34 of the static mixer 12 are introduced into the opening 36 of the cartridge 14 by axially pushing the static mixer 12 along a longitudinal axis A as is shown in Fig. 1a. The inlets 24, 26 connect with the outlets 40, 42 on plugging the static mixer 12 into the opening 36. In this connection it should be noted that the longitudinal axis A extends in parallel with a length of the static mixer 12.

[0034] Once the inlets 24, 26 and the distributor 34 of the static mixer 12 are received in the connector 16 as shown in Fig. 1b, the closure 18 of the connector 16 can be rotated relative to the static mixer 12 to move the static mixer 12 into a position of use from a position of connection. This is indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 1c.

[0035] A top side 44 of the distributor 34 is received within the connector 16 beneath a wall of the connector 16 defining the opening 36 such that once the closure 18 is rotated the static mixer 12 is locked to the connector 16 and can only be removed by rotating the closure 18 in the opposite direction along the arrow B. This is due to the fact that the opening 36 is shaped complementary to the shape of the distributor 24 and the opening 36 is aligned with the distributor 34 in the position of connection and not in the position of use.

[0036] If the closure 18 is not rotated and one pulls the static mixer 12 out of the locked closure 18, then at least one of the connector 16 and the static mixer 12 will be damaged.

[0037] The closure 18 is formed by a retaining ring that is journaled within two closure mounts 32, 32', by means of one or more shoulder portions 30 arranged at a bottom end 46 of the closure 18. In this way one can ensure that the closure 18 and the static mixer 12 are captively held at the cartridge 14 when the static mixer 12 is connected to the cartridge in the position of use.

[0038] The retaining ring also comprises one or more abutments that define a range of motion of the connector 16 between the position of connection and the position of use of the static mixer 12. In the present example the connector 16 can be rotated by 90° relative to the cartridge in order to move the connector 16 between the position of connection and the position of use of the static mixer 12.

[0039] In this connection it should be noted that a range of motion of the connector 16 between the position of connection and the position of use of the static mixer 12 can be selected in the range of 45° to 180° and especially in the range of 60° to 120°.

[0040] It should further be noted that a shape of the opening 36 and/or a shape of the distributor 34 is oval and/or egg shaped, especially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0041] It should further be noted that both the opening 36 and the distributor 34 are covered in the position of use by a protective disc 22. This protective disc 22 at least substantially covers a top end 48 of the connector 16, i.e. of a plane spanned by the top end 48.

[0042] In this connection it should be noted that an area covered by the protective disc 22 is selected in the range of 60 % to 100 %, preferably 75 % to 100%, of the area of the top end 48 of the connector 16. In this way the opening 36 and the underlying parts of the connector 16 can be protected from contaminants when the static mixer 12 is applied and vice versa in the position of use an erroneous outflow of material M, M" can also be avoided via this protective disc 22.

[0043] Moreover, the protective disc 22 also facilitates the release of a clamping between the static mixer 12 and the connector 16, as the distributor 34 and the protective sleeve 22 so to say clamp the top end 48 of the connector 16 therebetween on rotating the connector 16 out of the position of use.

[0044] A ratio of length of the inlets 24, 26 to a height of the distributor 34, i.e. along the longitudinal axis A is selected in the range of 1 to 4 times, preferably 1.2 to 3 times, the height of the distributor 34, i.e. a length of the inlets 24, 26 can be up to four times a height of the distributor 34.

[0045] A length of the spacing between the protective disc 22 and the top side 44 of the distributor is selected in the range of 1.01 to 1.2 times, preferably 1.02 to 1.1 times a wall thickness of the top end 48 of the connector 16.

[0046] The static mixer 12 shown in the foregoing does not comprise a connector or a threaded portion that can be used for the purpose of connection as is typically the case for static mixers used in dispensing systems 10.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through the dispensing system 10 of Fig. 1c, i.e. the dispensing system 10 in the position of use. A plug element 50 is arranged within the connector 16 and cooperates with the inlets 24, 26 and forms the outlets 40, 42 of the cartridge 14.

[0048] On rotating the connector 16 into the position of use, the connector 16 entrains the plug 50 and thereby lifts it axially upwards and towards the inlets 24, 26. Through this movement the outlets 40, 42 of the plug are moved in the outlet passages 52, 54 of the cartridge 14.

[0049] This movement allows a respective seal 56, 58 present at the outlets 40, 42 to come out of engagement from the outlet passages 52, 54, permitting a flow of material M, M' into a respective chamber 60, 62 of the outlet passages 52, 54. From this chamber 60,62 the flow of material M, M' can enter into the inlets 24, 26 via respective windows 64, 66.

[0050] From the windows 64, 66 the flow of material M, M' is directed via the distributor 34 to the mixing element 38, where the material M, M' is intimately mixed.

[0051] On rotating the plug 50 out of the position of use, the static mixer 12 is held at the same axial position due to the clamping of the connector 16 between the distributor 34 and the disc 22, such that the plug 50 is moved axially relative thereto away from the static mixer 12 ensuring a release of the static mixer 12 from the cartridge 14.

[0052] In the present example the mixing element 38 is a so-called helical mixing element, but can also be formed by one of a Quadro mixing element, a T-mixing element or the like.

[0053] The mixing element 38 is received in the housing 28 of the static mixer 12 between a rear end 21 having the distributor 34 arranged thereat and a front end 19 at which the IOR 20 is arranged.

[0054] At the front end 19 the housing 28 comprises a connection region 68 for connecting the IOR 20 at an outer surface 70 of the housing 28.

[0055] The connection region 68 comprises a connecting protrusion 72 that extends circumferentially about the housing 28. In the specific example shown the connecting protrusion 72 is formed as a ring shaped structure. In this connection it should be noted that also other types of connecting protrusions 72 can be used, the proviso is that these permit a relative rotation between the IOR 20 and the housing 28.

[0056] A connecting shoulder 74 is provided spaced apart from the connecting protrusion 72 along the longitudinal axis A and more remote from the front end 19 than the connecting protrusion 72.

[0057] The connecting shoulder 74 forms part of the connection region 68 used for connecting the IOR to the outer surface of the housing 28 at the front end 19.

[0058] In this connection it should be noted that a spacing between the connecting shoulder 74 and the connecting protrusion 72 is typically selected in the range of 0.005 to 0.2 times, preferably 0.05 to 0.1 times, a length of the housing 28.

[0059] It should further be noted that the connecting protrusion 72 has a height that extends beyond the housing 28 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A by 20 to 150 %, preferably by 30 to 100 % of a wall thickness of the housing 28, between the connecting protrusion 72 and the connecting shoulder 74.

[0060] The IOR 20 has a complementary shaped receiving section 76 having a receiving groove 78 and a receiving abutment 80.

[0061] The receiving groove 78 is configured to receive the connecting protrusion 72. To this end it should be noted that the receiving groove 78 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the connecting protrusion 72 and a depth that is complementary to the height of the connecting protrusion in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0062] The receiving abutment 80 is configured to mate with the connecting shoulder 74 and for this purpose is shaped complementary to the connecting shoulder 74.

[0063] The connecting region 68 and the receiving section 76 are formed such that the IOR 20 is captively held at the static mixer 12 and cannot move axially relative to the static mixer 12 along the longitudinal axis, but a relative rotational movement about the longitudinal axis A is permitted.

[0064] In this way a medical or dental professional or the like can rotate the IOR 20 relative to the static mixer 12 for positioned the IOR 20 at an intended point of dispensing in an as simple as possible manner.

[0065] The IOR 20 comprises a cannula 82 for dispensing the mixed materials M, M' at the intended point of dispensing, i.e. within a cavity of a tooth or the like.

[0066] The cannula 82 is arranged to extend at an angle selected in the range of 0 to 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis A, especially in the range of 15 to 75° with respect to the longitudinal axis A. In the present example the angle amounts to 30° relative to the longitudinal axis A.

[0067] Fig. 3a &b show sectional views of the dispensing system 10 of Figs. 1b and 1c in the position of connection and in the position of use of the dispensing system 10.

[0068] The plug 50 can be seen as can an inner thread 84 on an inner surface 86 of the connector 16. The inner thread 84 is used to entrain the plug 50 in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis A.

[0069] In the example shown, a rotation of the connector 16 brings about a lifting of the plug 50 along the longitudinal axis A away from the cartridge 14 into the position of use shown in Fig. 3b such that the windows 64, 66 align with the respective inlet 24, 26.

[0070] It should be noted that if a different direction of the inner thread 84 is used that the plug 50 could also be pushed axially towards the cartridge 14 along the longitudinal axis A.

[0071] If this arrangement is selected then the windows 64, 66 would arrive within a respective cartridge chamber 92, 94 of the cartridge 14.

[0072] The seals 56, 58 respectively seal each of the outlet passages 52, 54 and thereby avoid a fluid communicating connection from arising between the material M, M' stored in the respective cartridge chamber 92, 94 and the respective window 64, 66 when the cartridge is not in the position of use.

[0073] A piston (not shown) arranged in a respective cartridge chamber 92, 94 can be used to dispense the material M, M' in a manner known per se via the outlet passages 52, 54 and subsequently the static mixer 12 in the position of use. Such a piston can be acted on by a plunger rod of a dispenser in a manner known per se.

[0074] Fig. 4a &b show part sectional views of components of the dispensing system 10 prior to connection, i.e. as is shown in Fig. 1a and in the position of use, i.e. in a situation similar to Fig. 1c with the static mixer 12 not installed at the cartridge 14, but with the connector 16 having been rotated relative to the cartridge.

[0075] It should be noted that the static mixer 12 is component that is separate from the connector 16 and that is not only locked on a rotation of the connector 16 relative to the static mixer 12, but also placed into fluid communication with the outlet passages 52, 54 in the same movement.

[0076] As indicated in the position shown in Fig. 4b, the fluid communication between the cartridge chambers 92, 94 is made possible as the plug 50 is moved from a sealed position in a position of non-use into a non-sealed position in the position of use by lifting the plug 50 along the longitudinal axis A and thereby disengaging the respective seals 56, 58 from contact with the outlet passages 52, 54 and permitting the material M, M' to flow into the respective chamber 60, 62.

[0077] From the respective chamber 60, 62 the material M, M' can flow into the plug 50 via the respective window 64, 66and into the inlets 24, 26 of the static mixer 12, where the material M, M' is subsequently mixed by the mixing element 38 and then output via the cannula 82 of the IOR 20.

[0078] A rotation of the connector 16 locks the connector to the static mixer 12 and to the cartridge 14, in the non-locked state and when no static mixer 12 is present, the connector 16 can be removed from the cartridge 14 and this can be used with conventional static mixers (not shown) obtainable from the present applicant. If such conventional static mixers are used these typically comprise an integrally formed closure of the bayonet type closure being arranged non-removable from the static mixer and on discarding the static mixer contributing to the waste that needs to be disposed. Thus, forming the closure 18 at the cartridge 14 means that less plastic waste is brought about than if the closure is integrally present at the static mixer.

[0079] A top plate of the plug 50 comprises two outlet openings of the two outlets 40, 42 that are connected to the two respective windows 64, 66 acting as inlets into the plug 50 from the cartridge 14. The respective seal 56, 58 is arranged downstream of the outlet openings and the windows 64, 66 along the longitudinal axis A.

[0080] In a side view the plug 50 has an essentially T-shaped shape, in a view perpendicular to this side view, the plug has a C-shaped shape.

[0081] The outlets 40, 42 of the plug 50 are formed as generally cylindrical channels with an opening being formed at one of its ends and the respective seal 56, 58 being formed at the opposite end to the respective opening along the longitudinal axis A. The end of the channel of the outlet 40, 42 having the seal 56, 58 arranged thereat is closed off, so that no direct flow of material M, M' can arrive within the cylindrical channels from the cartridge, rather, the windows 64, 66 forming the inlets into the outlets 40, 42 of the plug 50 are respectively formed such that their opening is arranged perpendicular to the opening of the cylindrically shaped outlets 40, 42.

[0082] The plug 50 is only able to be moved axially, but cannot rotate due to the fact that the respective outlets 40, 42 of the plug 50 are arranged within the outlet passages 52, 54.

[0083] The cartridge 14 shown is a so-called side by side two-component cartridge 14 for storage of two different materials M, M' in a respective one of the cartridge chambers 92, 94. The outlet passages 52, 54 that are connected to the respective cartridge chamber 92, 94 in a fluid conducting manner are arranged in parallel to one another and the longitudinal axis A.

[0084] The static mixers 12 described in the foregoing are used to mix multi-component material M, M' dispensed from the multi-component cartridge 14. Such mixers 12 are used in a plethora of fields of application ranging from industrial applications, such as the use of adhesives to bond structural components one to another, or as protective coatings for buildings or vehicles, to medical and dental applications, for example, to make dental molds.

[0085] The multi-component material M, M' is, for example, a two-component adhesive comprising a filler material and a hardener. In order to obtain the best possible mixing result, e.g. an adhesive having the desired bond strength, the multi-component material M, M' has to be thoroughly mixed.

[0086] The multi-component cartridge 14 can thus be filled with materials M, M' selected from the group of members consisting of topical medications, medical fluids, wound care fluids, cosmetic and/or skin care preparations, dental fluids, veterinary fluids, adhesive fluids, disinfectant fluids, protective fluids, paints and combinations of the foregoing.

[0087] Such materials M, M' and hence the dispensing system 10 can therefore be expediently used in the treatment of target areas such as the nose (e.g. anti-histaminic creams etc.), ears, teeth (e.g. molds for implants or buccal applications (e.g. aphtas, gum treatment, mouth sores etc.), eyes (e.g. the precise deposition of drugs on eyelids (e.g. chalazion, infection, anti-inflammatory, antibiotics etc.), lips (e.g. herpes), mouth, skin (e.g. anti-fungal, dark spot, acne, warts, psoriasis, skin cancer treatment, tattoo removal drugs, wound healing, scar treatment, stain removal, anti-itch applications etc.), other dermatological applications (e.g. skin nails (for example anti-fungal applications, or strengthening formulas etc.) or cytological applications.

[0088] Alternatively the materials M, M' and hence the dispensing system 10 can also be used in an industrial sector both for the production of products as well as for the repair and maintenance of existing products, e.g. in the building industry, the automotive industry, the aerospace industry, in the energy sector, e.g. for wind-turbines, etc. The dispensing system 10 can, for example, be used for the dispensing of construction material, sealants, bonding material, adhesives, paints, coatings and/or protective coatings.

List of reference numerals:

[0089] 

10

dispensing System

12

static mixer

14

cartridge

16

connector

18

closure

19

end

20

intra oral rotational tip (IOR)

21

end

22

protective disc

24

inlet

26

inlet

28

housing

30

shoulder portion

32

closure mount

34

distributor

36

opening

38

mixing element

40

outlet

42

outlet

44

top side

46

bottom end

48

top end

50

plug

52

outlet passage

54

outlet passage

56

seal

58

seal

60

chamber

62

chamber

64

window

66

window

68

connection region

70

outer surface of 12

72

connecting protrusion

74

connecting shoulder

76

receiving section

78

receiving groove

80

receiving abutment

82

cannula

84

inner thread

86

inner surface

88

outer thread

90

outer surface of 50

92

cartridge chamber

94

cartridge chamber

A

longitudinal axis

B

arrow

M, M'

material, material

Claims

1. A dispensing system (10) comprising a dispensing outlet (20, 12), a cartridge (14), a connector (16) and a plug element (50) arranged within the connector (16) and at the cartridge (14), wherein the connector (16) is arranged at the cartridge (14) and the dispensing outlet (20, 12) is separate from the connector (16) and from the cartridge (14) and wherein the connector (16) can be locked to the cartridge (14) by a rotation of the connector (16) into a position of use about a longitudinal axis (A), wherein a rotation of the connector (16) into the position of use brings about an axial movement of the plug element (50) relative to the cartridge (14) and to the dispensing outlet (20, 12) along the longitudinal axis (A).

2. A dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the connector (16) locks the dispensing outlet (20, 12) to the connector (16).

3. A dispensing system (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rotation of the connector (16) with an installed dispensing outlet (20, 12) locks the connector (16) to the cartridge (14).

4. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial movement into the position of use permits a flow of material (M, M') from the cartridge (14) into the dispensing outlet (20, 12).

5. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing outlet (20, 12) comprises an outlet opening and a respective inlet (24, 26) arranged spaced apart from the outlet opening along a longitudinal axis (A).

6. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing outlet (20, 12) comprises at least one of an intro oral rotational tip (IOR, 20) and a static mixer (12).

7. A dispensing system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge (14) is a two-component cartridge (14) and wherein the static mixer (12) comprises a distributor (34) for guiding a respective flow of material from the cartridge (14) via a respective inlet (24, 26) to a mixing element (38) of the static mixer (12).

8. A dispensing system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the distributor (34) has a non-circular outer cross-section, preferably in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A).

9. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (16) has an opening (36) formed in a top end (48) thereof, with the opening having a non-circular inner cross-section, wherein the dispensing outlet is insertable into the connector (36) via the opening (36).

10. A dispensing system (10) according to claim 8 and claim 9, wherein the non-circular outer cross-section of the distributor (34) is formed complementary in shape to the non-circular inner cross-section of the opening (36).

11. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the static mixer (12) comprises a disc (22) arranged at a housing (28) of the static mixer (12), with the disc (22) being arranged spaced apart at a spacing from a top side (44) of the distributor (34) along the longitudinal axis (A).

12. A dispensing system (10) according to claim 11, wherein the spacing between the disc (22) and the distributor (34) corresponds to a thickness of a wall of the connector (26) at the top end (48), optionally wherein on a rotation of the connector (36) relative to the static mixer (12) the static mixer (12) is clamped to the cartridge (14) via the connector (16) in the spacing between the disc (22) and the distributor (34).

13. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing outlet comprises a housing (28) having a connection region (68) configured to be received within a receiving portion (76) of a/the IOR (20).

14. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (50) comprises an outer thread (88) that interacts with an inner thread (84) of the connector (16) to bring about the axial movement of the plug (50).

15. A dispensing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (50) comprises two outlets (40, 42) connected to two respective windows (64, 66) acting as inlets from the cartridge (14), with a respective seal (56, 58) being arranged downstream from the windows (64, 66) along the longitudinal axis (A).

16. A dispensing outlet, preferably for use in a dispensing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the dispensing outlet comprising at least one of a static mixer (12) and an IOR (20), with the IOR (20) being attachable at an outer side of a housing (28) of the static mixer (12) such that the IOR (20) can rotate relative to the static mixer (12) but cannot be axially moved.

Drawing