STATIC MIXER WITH SEPARATING MEANS

Abstract

 The invention relates to a static mixer for mixing at least two components of material with one another comprising a housing (3) and a plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116') with each mixing element configured to divide each component to be mixed in at least two, preferably more than two, strands of material and further configured to merge said strands of material in layers, with said plurality of mixing elements being arranged along a longitudinal axis (2) of the mixer behind one another, and with said housing covering at least some of the plurality of mixing elements, wherein the mixer further comprises separating means (SM) for separating each component of material into at least two strands of component before entering the plurality of mixing elements.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a static mixer for mixing at least two components of material with one another.

[0002] Static mixers for mixing at least two components with one another are commonly known.

[0003] With such known static mixers, different components, such as a matrix material and an associated hardener, are mixed with one another. Such two-component materials can be used, for example, as impression materials in the dental field, as cement material for prosthetic restorations, as building materials for temporary devices or for the attachment of temporary dentures, for example temporary crowns. Other areas of application are in the industrial sector, where such two-component materials are used, for example, as high-strength adhesives as a substitute for mechanical fasteners. Coatings can also be produced using such two-component materials, in particular for vapor barriers, anti-corrosion coatings and anti-slip coatings.

[0004] The components can be distributed equally, i.e. mixed in a ratio of 1:1, or unequally, i.e. in different ratios, for example in ratios of 2:1, 4:1 or 10:1. Due to the different mixing ratios, a very large range of applications can be implemented, since some applications, for example, require a larger proportion of hardener, while other applications require a lower proportion of hardener.

[0005] The static mixers, which are often also referred to as mixer tips, are usually attached to a cartridge in which the two components are stored in separate chambers. The components are forced out of the cartridge via pistons, which may be mechanically, electrically or pneumatically driven, for example, and enter the static mixer via the mixer inlet section. When flowing through the mixing elements arranged one behind the other, the components are repeatedly divided into partial flows and then connected to one another again until the components are sufficiently mixed at the downstream end of the static mixer. The components mixed in this way ultimately emerge from a discharge opening in the mixer housing at the downstream end of the static mixer and are applied to the desired application site.

[0006] Usually such mixers can be attached to mixing assemblies comprising one or two cartridges. Upon use of such assemblies and mixers, the two materials stored inside the one respectively the two cartridges are urged towards the outlets of said cartridges such that they are dispensed into the static mixer. Inside said static mixers, the two materials are then mixed with one another before the resulting mixed material is dispensed via a dispensing outlet at a front end of the mixer.

[0007] With conventional mixers the two components to be mixed are directly pressed into the mixer such that the two strands of material enter the mixer. However, it has shown that especially when the two components to be mixed do not comprise the same viscosity, it can happen that more (or even too much) of one component may be pressed into the mixer compared to the second component. Also, it has sown that with some materials it is not easy to quickly and evenly mix the two components with one another such that a longitudinal length of the mixer can be reduced.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mixer with which the above mentioned drawbacks can be overcome. This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0009] In particular, the static mixer for mixing at least two components of material with one another according to the invention comprises a housing and a plurality of mixing elements with each mixing element configured to divide each component to be mixed in at least two, preferably more than two, strands of material and further configured to merge said strands of material in layers. Said plurality of mixing elements are further arranged along a longitudinal axis of the mixer behind one another. Said housing covers at least some of the plurality of mixing elements.

[0010] The invention is further characterized in that the mixer comprises separating means for separating each component of material into at least two strands of component before entering the plurality of mixing elements. By separating each flow of component into two or even more single flows of component prior to entering the mixer, respectively the mixing elements, the two components can be mixed more quickly and evenly as smaller strands of material have to be mixed with one another.

[0011] This can ultimately lead to a reduction of length of the mixer as less mixing elements may be needed to produce a good mixing quality compared to state of the art mixer where the two components are mixed with one another without separating each flow prior to entering the mixer.

[0012] Additionally with the mixer according to the invention the two components cannot only be mixed faster but also better, i.e. more easily, with one another as the plurality of single strands can merge with one another more easily compared to only two strands of material trying to merge with one another.

[0013] Therefore, it can also be advantageous to divide each component into more than two strands of component to simplify the mixing and to enhance the mixing quality at the same time.

[0014] The separating means according to the invention can be designed in a plurality of different ways. For example, the separating means could be configured as at least one separating wall or web placed prior to each inlet of the mixer that divides each inlet flow into two or more strands of component.

[0015] Another option could also be to guide each flow of component into two or more separate canals prior to entering the mixer such that a plurality of separate strands of material enter the mixer instead of only two material flows.

[0016] Thus, there generally exist a plurality of equally suitable different ways to divide each component into two or more separate strands of component prior to entering the mixer. The precise design and/or configuration can be chosen freely.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention the separating means is configured to separate each component of material into at least four strands of component.

[0018] According to another embodiment the separating means is configured to produce an equal amount of strands out of each component. That is, for each flow of material the same number of strands is produced. This option can for example be chosen when the two components are supposed to be mixed at an equal ratio, i.e. 1:1 ratio, with one another.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment the separating means is configured to produce an unequal amount of strands out of each component. This option, on the other hand, can be chosen when the two components are supposed to be mixed at an unequal, e.g. 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:10 etc., ratio with one another. In this way, the dominant component can be split up in a greater amount of separate strands to simplify the mixing with the second component, for instance.

[0020] In this connection it should be noted that it is also possible to split the two components into an equal amount of strands when they are supposed to be mixed at an uneven ratio and vice versa. The above examples are thus not limiting but should rather be seen as exemplary embodiments.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention the separating means is configured to produce strands having the same diameter for each component. This can, for example, again be advantageous if the two components are supposed to be mixed at an even ratio with one another.

[0022] According to a different embodiment the separating means is configured to produce strands having differing diameters for each component, which can, for example, be advantageous if the two components are supposed to be mixed at an uneven ratio.

[0023] Again, it is noted that the above examples could also be applied vice versa such that the strands with different diameters for each component can also be used for a 1:1 mixture and vice versa.

[0024] According to a further embodiment the separating means is arranged inside the housing. That is, the separating means can be part of static mixer. It can also be possible, however, that the separating means is a separate piece that is insertable into the housing.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention the separating element is a part of the housing. That is, the separating means can be, for example, a part of an inner surface of the housing or a part of a lower end of the housing, i.e. the end of the housing that is nearest to the inlets of the mixer.

[0026] According to yet another embodiment the static mixer further comprises flow regulating means configured regulate a flow velocity of at least one of the two components to be mixed prior to entering the mixer. This can be an advantageous option if one of the two components comprises a lower viscosity and thereby a higher flow velocity. In such a case the flow regulating means can lower the flow velocity of the lower viscosity material such that the two components can mixed in the intended ratio without risking the lower viscosity material to flow to fast into the mixer.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention the static mixer further comprises alignment means configured to align the mixer centrally with respect to the housing. Such alignment means can be designed and configured in a plurality of different ways as long as it is configured to align the mixer centrally within the housing.

[0028] In one embodiment, for example, the alignment means is configured to alter at least an inner shape of the housing such that mixer is aligned centrally with respect to the housing.

[0029] In another embodiment the alignment means is configured to press-fit and/or spring-fit the mixer into the housing.

[0030] Hence, it can be seen that there are basically no limitations for the design of the alignment means as long as its functionality is preserved.

[0031] According to a further embodiment the static mixer comprises a transverse edge and at an angle to the transverse edge extending guide walls and at an angle to the longitudinal axis arranged guide elements with openings, wherein each mixing element has a transverse edge with an adjoining transverse guide wall and at least two guide walls which open into separating edges with lateral ones - end sections and at least one bottom section arranged between the guide walls, which has at least one opening on one side of the transverse edge and at least two openings on the other side of the transverse edge.

[0032] According to another embodiment each mixing element comprises: first and second guide walls with a common transversal edge, a separating edge at an end opposite the common transversal edge, wherein the guide walls form a curved and continuous transition between the separating edges and the common transverse edge, wherein the transversal edge divides the components to be mixed, and wherein the first and second guide walls and common transversal edge of a mixing element divide the material into six flow paths.

[0033] It is further also possible that each mixing element is configured to merge said strands of material in layers at an outlet side of the respective mixing element.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively it can also be possible that each mixing element is configured to divide each component to be mixed at an inlet side of the respective mixing element.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the invention a static mixer for mixing at least two components of material with one another is provided, in particular the static mixer according to the invention as described above, comprising a housing and a plurality of mixing elements with each mixing element configured to divide each component to be mixed in at least two, preferably more than two, strands of material and further configured to merge said strands of material in layers.

[0036] Said plurality of mixing elements are further arranged along a longitudinal axis of the mixer behind one another, and said housing covers at least some of the plurality of mixing elements.

[0037] The invention is further characterized in that the mixer comprises flow regulating means configured regulate a flow velocity of at least one of the two components to be mixed prior to entering the mixer.

[0038] That is, according to the invention the flow velocity of at least one flow of component ca be regulated prior to entering the mixer. This can, for example, be advantageous if the two components to be mixed comprise differing viscosities such that one component naturally has a higher flow velocity than the other component. The flow regulating means according to the invention can, for example, lower the flow velocity of the lower viscosity material for the mixer to able to mix the two components at their predetermined ratio.

[0039] Alternatively it can also be possible that the flow regulating means is configured to lift the flow velocity of the higher viscosity material for example to ultimately achieve the same effect as described above.

[0040] Hence, according to an embodiment of the invention the flow regulating means can be configured to lower the flow velocity of at least one of the two components.

[0041] According to a further embodiment the flow regulating means comprise a coaxial arrangement of outlets into the static mixer.

[0042] The invention is further described in connection with the following Figures which show:

Fig. 1:

a static mixer according to the prior art;

Fig. 2:

the mixer of Fig. 1 without a housing;

Fig. 3:

a cross section of a mixer inlet according to the invention;

Fig. 3a:

a part schematic view of the mixer including an inlet section;

Fig. 3b:

an enlarged view of an inlet section of the mixer of Fig. 3a;

Fig. 3c:

a part schematic part sectional view of the inlet section of the mixer of Fig. 3a; and

Fig. 4:

a cross section of an inlet section according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a static mixer 1 according to the prior art which comprises a mixer housing 3 extending along a longitudinal axis 2. The mixer housing 3 has a tubular section 4 and an enlarged section 5 adjoining the tubular section 4 upstream. The mixer 1 can be attached in a known manner to a cartridge containing components to be mixed by means of attachment means 7.

[0044] A mixer 8 is arranged inside the tubular section 4 of the mixer housing 3, which comprises a multiplicity of mixing elements 9 arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis 2. A first mixing element 9' arranged at the upstream end of the mixer 8 is connected via a connecting web 10 to a mixer inlet section 11, which has two inlets 12 and two outlets 13 in fluid communication with the inlets 12 (see Fig. 2). The outlets 13 are in fluid connection with the first mixing element 9', so that when the mixer 1 is attached to the cartridge, two free-flowing components contained in the cartridge enter the inlets 12 via cartridge outlets, exit from the outlets 13 of the mixer 8 and, via the first mixing element 9', enter the mixer 8. The two component streams are divided several times by the mixing elements 9, 9' of the mixer 8 and then combined again until the two components are mixed as desired and they ultimately emerge mixed with one another at an outlet opening 14 at the downstream end of the tubular section 4 of the mixer housing 3.

[0045] The mixing elements 9, 9' of the static mixer 1 each comprise at their downstream outlet ends two parallel wall elements 15, 16 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis 2 and one at the upstream inlet end of the respective mixing element 9, 9', also arranged wall element 17 running in the direction of the longitudinal axis 2, but at a 90° angle to the wall elements 15, 16, which wall element forms the connecting web 10 for the first mixing element 9'. Furthermore, the mixing elements 9, 9' comprise deflection elements 18 which have a deflection surface 19 which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis 2 and in which openings are formed through which the components can flow. For further specific design of the mixing elements 9, 9' and the mixer 8 according to the prior art reference is made to EP 2 548 634 A1, in which the precise structure of the mixing elements and their contents are described in detail, which is explicitly included in the disclosure of the present application. In principle, the mixer and the mixing element can also be designed in a different way, for example as a conventional helical mixer with a helical mixing bodies or as a mixer, as described for example in EP 0 749 776, EP 0 815 929 or EP 1 125 626, the content of which is also explicitly included in the disclosure of the present application. Also, in this connection it is noted that a further embodiment of the mixer and the mixing elements in described further below in connection with Figs. 3a to 3c.

[0046] The mixing elements 9, 9' are connected to one another in their radially outer regions by stiffening webs 20, only two of the stiffening webs being visible in Fig. 1 of the four existing stiffening webs being visible in Fig. 2. The non-visible stiffening web in Fig. 2 lies diametrically opposite the stiffening web 20 shown in Fig. 2 in the upper front area.

[0047] A stiffening of the mixer 8 is already achieved by the stiffening webs 20. In order to achieve an even further improved stability of the mixer 8, according to the prior art the material of the mixer 8 can be a stiffened plastic. For this purpose, for example, a high-molecular plastic can be used as the plastic. Additionally or alternatively, to stiffen the plastic, stiffening fillers, for example fibers, can also be embedded in the plastic. Chemical curing, curing by UV radiation or curing by electron beams is also conceivable for stiffening the plastic of the mixer 8.

[0048] Plastics stiffened in this way can be used in a mixer 8 which is designed unchanged as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, it is also conceivable that by using a stiffened plastic, the stability of the mixer 8 can be increased even without stiffening webs 20 or through thinner stiffening webs 20 or webs 20 that are interrupted in sections.

[0049] The difference between a state of the art static mixer 8 and the mixer according to the invention can be seen for example in Fig. 3 which shows a cross section of the mixer inlet section 11 respectively the two inlets 12.

[0050] It can be seen that a separating wall 21 is arranged at the center of the mixer 8 separating each inlet 12 into two canals 22', 22" such that the components that flow into said inlets 12 are separated into two strands of component prior to entering the mixer 8.

[0051] Generally, the separating wall 21 can also be replaced by other separating means configured to divide to two flows of component into two or more strands of component prior to entering the inlets 12.

[0052] A further option to separate each flow of material into several strands prior to entering the mixer 8 can be seen in Figs. 3a to 3c.

[0053] Fig. 3a shows a part schematic view of the mixer 8 according to the invention without the housing 3. The housing 3 is typically attached to an inlet section 114 via an annular protrusion 24 that engages a recess (not shown) formed in the inner surface of the housing 3 and two noses 26 that engage corresponding cut outs (also not shown) present at the housing 3.

[0054] The mixer 8 is configured to mix multi-component materials. For this purpose the mixer 8 comprises the mixing element 116 arranged at the longitudinal axis 2 of the mixer 8 and the inlet section 114 also arranged at the longitudinal axis 2. The mixing element 116 is configured to mix multi-component materials.

[0055] For the purpose of mixing the multi-component material the mixing element 116 comprises several mixing segments 116' arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis 2. Each mixing segment 116' is configured to divide and recombine part flows of the multi-component material along the longitudinal axis 2. In this way the part flows of the multi-component material are repeatedly divided and re-combined by the mixing element 116 and the several mixing segments 116' along the longitudinal axis 2 so that the multi-component material is thoroughly mixed prior to this exiting the outlet.

[0056] In this connection it should be noted that each mixing segment 116' of the mixing element 116 can have a height in the direction in parallel to the longitudinal axis 2 selected in the range of 2 to 18 mm, preferably in the range of 4 to 15 mm.

[0057] In this connection it should further be noted that a mixing element 116 is typically composed of between 2 and 20, especially of between 4 and 16 mixing segments 116'. The number of mixing segments 116' used for a mixing element 116 depends on the multi-component material, i.e. the viscosities thereof, to be mixed by the mixing element 116.

[0058] The inlet section 114 is configured to guide the multi-component materials to the mixing element 116 in such a way that a mixing result of the multi-component materials is improved in the mixer 8 by providing separating means SM which are described further below.

[0059] The specific type of mixing element 116 used can be varied and can be selected as e.g. a quadro mixer, or a T-mixer sold by Sulzer Mixpac Ltd and as described above in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The present invention is not limited to the specific type of mixing element 116.

[0060] The inlet section 114 comprises a first channel 28 (see also Fig. 3a) for conducting a first component of the multi-component material from an inlet side 30 to an outlet side 32.

[0061] The first channel 28 splits up into a set of sub-channels 34 within the inlet section 114, with the set of sub-channels 34 opening into a set of first outlets 36 arranged at the outlet side 32. The first outlets 36 are configured to direct a flow of the multi-component material to the mixing element 116 arranged at the outlet side 32.

[0062] In this connection it should be noted that the inlet side 30 does not denote a specific surface, but rather relates to that part of the inlet section 114 comprising the inlets 118a, 118b, similarly the outlet side 32 does not denote a specific surface, but rather relates to that part of the inlet section 114 comprising the first outlets 36 and a second outlet 54 (see Fig. 3c).

[0063] The mixing element 116 has a mixing element area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 that is less than an area of an outlet region 50 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2. The first outlets 36 are arranged distributed over an area corresponding to the mixing element area of the mixing element 116 in order to ensure that a flow of streams of the first component, i.e. the low viscosity material, is directed, preferably directly, at the mixing element 116.

[0064] In this connection it should be noted that a spacing between the first outlets 36 and the mixing element 116, i.e. a first mixing segment 116' of the several mixing segments 116' of the mixing element 116, along the longitudinal axis 2 is selected in the range of 0.1 to 1, preferably 0.4 to 0.6, especially around 0.5, times the height of the first mixing segment 116' along the longitudinal axis 2. In this connection it should further be noted that the spacing between the first outlets 36 and the first mixing segment 116' is selected in the range of range of 0 to 18 mm, in particular in the range of 0 to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 0.2 to 10 mm, especially preferably in the range of 0.4 to 5 mm, particularly in the range of 0.5 to 4 mm, especially of 1 to 3 mm.

[0065] In this way a spacing of the first outlets 36 to the mixing element 116 can be set. The spacing can be set in dependence on the difference in viscosities between the low viscosity component 102a and the high viscosity component 102b. For a large difference in viscosities the spacing between the first outlets 36 and the mixing element 116 is not allowed to be set too large, as the low viscosity component then follows pathways as if the sub-channels 34 are not present. This is because the low viscosity component can then flow close to walls 117 of the mixing element 116 which leads to a reduction in the mixing result of the multi-component materials.

[0066] If the distance is selected as too small or if the first outlets 36 penetrate the mixing segment for a smaller difference in viscosities, then the walls 117 of the mixing element 116 may partly block the first outlets 36. In this connection it should also be noted that if the spacing between the first outlets 36 and the mixing segment is too small then the low viscosity component can also flow too close to the walls 117.

[0067] Fig. 3b shows an enlarged view of the inlet section 114 of the mixer 8 of Fig. 3a. The sub-channels 34 are of cylindrical shape over their length between a base section 38 and the first outlets 36 and extend in parallel to the longitudinal axis 2.

[0068] A web 40 of material is arranged between each pair of sub-channels 34. The webs 40 of material are respectively provided to connect two sub-channels 34 one to another in order to increase their stability and ensure their alignment with respect to the mixing element 116. The webs 40 of material project from the base section 38 between the respective pair of sub-channels 34.

[0069] In this connection it should be noted that a ratio of length of the sub-channels 34 of cylindrical shape to inner diameter of each sub-channel 34 is 10. The first outlets 36 have a circular outer and inner shape at the outlet side 32.

[0070] It should further be noted that the length of each sub-channel 34 can be selected in the range of 5 to 20 mm, preferably in the range of 7 to 13 mm and especially around 10 mm.

[0071] It should further be noted that an internal diameter of each of the sub-channels 34 and of each of the first outlets 36 is adapted to the viscosity of the low viscosity material. In this connection diameters in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm, in particular of 0.7 to 1.3 mm and especially of around 1 mm have been found to be advantageous.

[0072] These parameters are selected in order to ensure a uniform guiding of partial streams of the first component of the multi-component material directed at the mixing element 116 arranged at the outlet side 32. In this connection it should be noted that it is also important that the diameter of each sub-channel 34 is made with low tolerances.

[0073] The inlet section 114 comprises 6 sub-channels 34 in the present instance. It should be noted in this connection that the set of sub-channels 34 could comprise between 3 and 12 sub-channels 34, preferably between 5 and 10 sub-channels 34.

[0074] An area of the first channel 28 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 is greater than a sum of the areas of the set of sub-channels 34 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. In the present instance the sum of the areas of the sub-channels 34 amounts to 18.85 mm² (1 mm diameter for each sub-channel 34), whereas that of the first channel 28 amounts to 28.3 mm² (3 mm diameter for the first channel 28).

[0075] Fig. 3c shows a part schematic part sectional view of the inlet section 114 of the mixer 8 of Fig. 3a. The first channel 28 splits up into a set of sub-passages 42 (of which only one is visible in the section of Fig. 3c) prior to splitting up into said set of sub-channels 34 within the inlet section 14. In the embodiment shown twice as many sub-channels 34 are provided as sub-passages 42.

[0076] The set of sub-passages 42 extend between the first channel 28 and the set of sub-channels 34 inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 2. For this purpose the set of sub-passages 42 are arranged in an intermediate section 44 arranged between the inlet side 30 and the outlet side 32.

[0077] A transition between the intermediate section 44 and the outlet side 32 comprises an outlet conversion 46 of the set of sub-passages 42 to the set of sub-channels 34.

[0078] A transition between the intermediate section 44 and the inlet side 30 comprises an inlet conversion 48 of the first channel 28 to the set of sub-passages 42.

[0079] The inlet section 14 further comprises the outlet region 50 and the set of sub-channels 34 are unevenly distributed over the outlet region 50. The set of sub-channels 34 are arranged to project from the outlet region 50. More specifically the set of sub-channels 34 project from the base section 38 arranged at a base 52 of the outlet region 50. The set of sub-passages 42 split up into said set of sub-channels 34 within the base section 38.

[0080] The inlet section 114 further comprises a second channel 56 for conducting a second component of the multi-component material from the inlet side 30 to the outlet side 32. The second channel has the second outlet 54 at the outlet region 50. The second outlet 54 is designed such that the material flowing through the second channel that has a higher viscosity than the material flowing through the first channel 28 arrives at the first outlets 36 at approximately the same time as the low viscosity material, such that the low viscosity material that has been split up in several partial streams is fed into the high viscosity material at spatially different locations prior to entering the mixing element 116, with the first and second materials entering the mixing element 116 at approximately the same time and speed and at a desired mixing ratio. For this purpose the second outlet 54 is designed to surround each of the first outlets 36. To ensure an improved mixing the first outlets 36 project from the outlet region 50 beyond a height of the second outlet 54 so that the first component can be injected into the second component in an efficient manner.

[0081] An area of the second channel 56 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 at the inlet side 30 is less than an area of the second outlet 54 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2.

[0082] As indicated in Fig. 3c the first and second channels 28, 56 comprise the first and second inlets 118a, 118b for connecting the mixer 8 to a cartridge comprising first and second containers for the storage of the multi-component materials.

[0083] In use of the mixer 8 the multi-component material is dispensed via a multi-component dispenser. For this purpose the multi-component material is guided from the cartridge into the inlets 118a, 118b of the inlet section 114 of the mixer 8.

[0084] The first component having a lower viscosity than the second component is guided in the first channel 28. The first component is then conducted through the first channel 28 and split up into partial-flows in the sub-passages 42 present in the intermediate section 44 following the conductance of the first component through the sub-passages 42, the first component is again split up into the set of sub-channels 34 in such a way that a set of separated partial-streams result that subsequently exit said set of first outlets 36 in the direction of the mixing element 116 for a thorough through mixing with the second component.

[0085] The second component, i.e. the component having a higher viscosity than the first component, is conducted through the second channel 56 to the second outlet 54 such that a single stream of material of the second component surrounds each partial-stream of the set of partial-streams of the first component in order to feed the first component of low viscosity material into the second component of high viscosity material such that a pre-mixing of the multi-component material takes place before introducing the multi-component material into the mixing element 116. Thereby the mixing results achievable with the mixer 8 can be improved considerably in contrast to prior art mixers.

[0086] A further aspect of the invention, which can generally also be combined with the above first aspect of the invention, is shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 show an inlet section 114 comprising two inlets 118a, 118b leading into a respective first channel 28 and second channel 56. The first channel 28 ends in a first outlet 36 at the opposite end of the inlet section 114 while the second channel 56 ends in a second outlet 54.

[0087] One can easily see that the channels 28, 56 comprise different shapes and diameters and do further extend differently through the inlet section 114. That is, it can be seen that channel 28 comprises a larger diameter than channel 56. Further it can be seen that channel 56 extends along a curved shape such that the second material flowing through said channel is slowed down due to said curved shape.

[0088] Furthermore, by providing one channel with a substantially bigger diameter, i.e. channel 28, it can be ensured that more of the first material, which is flowing through said first channel 28 enters the mixer 8.

[0089] This way, certain predetermined mixing ratios can be accomplished since the flow velocity of the material having the lower viscosity, for example, can be reduced due to the curved shape of the second channel 56 through which said material flows.

[0090] Fig. 4 shows only one possible way to regulate the flows of material. That is, according to Fig. 4 the flow regulating means RM is configured as differently shaped channels 28, 56. A great variety of different other options, such as differently shaped channels and/or additional elements configured to reduce or accelerate a flow of material can be provided such that the flows of materials can be adjusted as needed.

[0091] Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the first and the second aspect of the invention. That is, it can be possible to provide flow regulating means RM configured regulate a flow velocity of at least one of the two materials to be mixed prior to entering the mixer as well as separating means SM for separating each component, i.e. each flow of material onto at least two strands of material before entering the mixer 8.

[0092] This can be seen e.g. in Fig. 3c where the plurality of channels for the first and second material of differing viscosities comprise different diameters such that different amounts of material at different flow velocities can flow through said differently sized channels.

Claims

1. Static mixer for mixing at least two components of material with one another comprising a housing (3) and a plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116') with each mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') configured to divide each component to be mixed in at least two, preferably more than two, strands of material and further configured to merge said strands of material in layers, with said plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116') being arranged along a longitudinal axis (2) of the mixer (1) behind one another, and with said housing (3) covering at least some of the plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116'),
characterized in that the mixer (1) further comprises separating means (SM) for separating each component of material into at least two strands of component before entering the plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116').

2. The static mixer according to claim 1,
wherein the separating means (SM) is configured to separate each component of material into at least four strands of component.

3. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the separating means (SM) is configured to produce an equal amount of strands out of each component.

4. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the separating means (SM) is configured to produce an unequal amount of strands out of each component.

5. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the separating means (SM) is configured to produce strands having the same diameter for each component.

6. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4,
wherein the separating means (SM) is configured to produce strands having differing diameters for each component.

7. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the separating means (SM) is arranged inside the housing (3).

8. The static mixer according to one of preceding claims,
wherein the separating element (SM) is a part of the housing (3).

9. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims,
further comprising flow regulating means (RM) configured regulate a flow velocity of at least one of the two components to be mixed prior to entering the mixer (8).

10. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims,
further comprising alignment means (AM) configured to align the mixer (8) centrally with respect to the housing (3).

11. The static mixer according to claim 10,
wherein the alignment means (AM) is configured to alter at least an inner shape of the housing (3) such that mixer (8) is aligned centrally with respect to the housing (3).

12. The static mixer according to claim 10,
wherein the alignment means (AM) is configured to press-fit and/or spring-fit the mixer into the housing.

13. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims,
further comprising a transverse edge and at an angle to the transverse edge extending guide walls and at an angle to the longitudinal axis (2) arranged guide elements with openings, wherein each mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') has a transverse edge with an adjoining transverse guide wall and at least two guide walls which open into separating edges with lateral ones - end sections and at least one bottom section arranged between the guide walls, which has at least one opening on one side of the transverse edge and at least two openings on the other side of the transverse edge.

14. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein each mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') comprises: first and second guide walls with a common transversal edge, a separating edge at an end opposite the common transversal edge, wherein the guide walls form a curved and continuous transition between the separating edges and the common transverse edge, wherein the transversal edge divides the components to be mixed, and wherein the first and second guide walls and common transversal edge of a mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') divide the material into six flow paths.

15. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') is configured to merge said strands of material in layers at an outlet side of the respective mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116').

16. The static mixer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') is configured to divide each component to be mixed at an inlet side of the respective mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116').

17. Static mixer for mixing at least two components of material with one another, in particular the static mixer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (3) and a plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116') with each mixing element (9, 9', 116, 116') configured to divide each component to be mixed in at least two, preferably more than two, strands of material and further configured to merge said strands of material in layers, with said plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116') being arranged along a longitudinal axis (2) of the mixer (1) behind one another, and with said housing (3) covering at least some of the plurality of mixing elements (9, 9', 116, 116'),
characterized in that the mixer (1) further comprises flow regulating means (RM) configured regulate a flow velocity of at least one of the two components to be mixed prior to entering the mixer (8).

18. The static mixer according to claim 17,
with the flow regulating means (RM) being configured to lower the flow velocity of at least one of the two components.

19. The static mixer according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the flow regulating means comprise a coaxial arrangement of outlets into the static mixer.

Drawing