Multi-portion mixing element

Abstract

A device for mixing and dispensing at least two separate components, comprising: at least two containers for separately containing one component of the at least two separate components to be mixed, each container of the at least two containers having an opening; a nozzle assembly having an inlet portion communicating with each opening of each container, the nozzle assembly defining a mixing chamber communicating with the inlet portion, and a discharge outlet communicating with the mixing chamber; a mixing element disposed in the mixing chamber, the mixing element having a shank defining a longitudinal axis thereof, the mixing element having a plurality of mixing portions along the longitudinal axis of the shank, each mixing portion of the plurality of mixing portions being separated by a space, each mixing portion having at least two extensions, each extension extending radially outwardly from the shank and extending along a length of each mixing portion in spiral form relative to the longitudinal axis, the at least two extensions of one mixing portion varying in angular position from the at least two extensions of mixing portions contiguous to the one mixing portion relative to said longitudinal axis; and a discharging device for discharging the at least two separate components from the at least two containers into the nozzle assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for mixing and dispensing at least two separate components, comprising: 
 at least two containers for separately containing one component of the at least two separate components to be mixed, each container of said at least two containers having an opening;    a nozzle assembly having an inlet portion communicating with each said opening of said each container, said nozzle assembly defining a mixing chamber communicating with said inlet portion, and a discharge outlet communicating with said mixing chamber;    a mixing element disposed in said mixing chamber, said mixing element having a shank defining a longitudinal axis thereof, said mixing element having a plurality of mixing portions along said longitudinal axis of said shank, each mixing portion of said plurality of mixing portions being separated by a space, said each mixing portion having at least two extensions, each extension of said at least two extensions extending radially outwardly from said shank and extending along a length of said each mixing portion, said at least two extensions of one mixing portion varying in angular position from said at least two extensions of mixing portions contiguous to said one mixing portion relative to said longitudinal axis; and    a discharging device for discharging the at least two separate components from said at least two containers into said nozzle assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said each mixing portion includes three extensions, each extension of said three extensions defining a paddle.    
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.    
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said each mixing portion includes four extensions, each extension of said four extensions defining a paddle.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on each said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said each mixing portion includes a plurality of extensions, each extension of said plurality of extensions defining a paddle.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one mixing portion of said plurality of mixing portions has said at least two extensions extending along said length of said at least one mixing portion in spiral form relative to said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least two extensions spiral at different initial angular positions at each said mixing portion.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said at least two extensions spiral form are not constant relative to said shank.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said each extension forms a paddle, each said paddle having two ends extending from and perpendicular to said shank, said two ends of said each mixing portion out of alignment with said two ends of contiguous mixing portions for improved mixing.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said discharging device comprises a syringe.  
     
     
         13 . A device for mixing and dispensing at least two separate components, comprising: 
 at least two containers for separately containing one component of the at least two separate components to be mixed, each container of said at least two containers having an opening;    a nozzle assembly having an inlet portion communicating with each said opening of said each container, said nozzle assembly defining a mixing chamber communicating with said inlet portion, and a discharge outlet communicating with said mixing chamber;    a mixing element disposed in said mixing chamber, said mixing element having a shank defining a longitudinal axis thereof, said mixing element having a plurality of mixing portions along said longitudinal axis of said shank, each mixing portion of said plurality of mixing portions being separated by a space, said each mixing portion having at least two extensions, each extension of said at least two extensions extending radially outwardly from said shank and extending along a length of said each mixing portion in spiral form relative to said longitudinal axis, said at least two extensions of one mixing portion varying in angular position from said at least two extensions of mixing portions contiguous to said one mixing portion relative to said longitudinal axis; and    a discharging device for discharging the at least two separate components from said at least two containers into said nozzle assembly.    
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said each mixing portion includes three extensions, each extension of said three extensions defining a paddle.    
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.    
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said each mixing portion includes four extensions, each extension of said four extensions defining a paddle.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on each said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.  
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said each mixing portion includes a plurality of extensions, each extension of said plurality of extensions defining a paddle.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.  
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least two extensions spiral at different initial angular positions at each said mixing portion.  
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least two extensions spiral form are not constant.  
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said each extension forms a paddle, each said paddle having two ends extending from and perpendicular to said shank, said two ends of said each mixing portion out of alignment with said two ends of contiguous mixing portions for improved mixing.  
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said discharging device comprises a syringe.  
     
     
         24 . A mixing element for a static mixer, comprising: 
 a shank defining a longitudinal axis thereof, and    a plurality of mixing portions along said longitudinal axis of said shank, each mixing portion of said plurality of mixing portions being separated by a space, said each mixing portion having at least two extensions, each extension of said at least two extensions extending radially outwardly from said shank and extending along a length of said each mixing portion, said extensions of one mixing portion varying in angular position from extensions of mixing portions contiguous to said one mixing portion relative to said longitudinal axis.    
     
     
         25 . The mixing element according to  claim 24 , wherein: 
 said each mixing portion includes three extensions, each extension of said three extensions defining a paddle.    
     
     
         26 . The mixing element according to  claim 25 , wherein: 
 the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.    
     
     
         27 . The mixing element according to  claim 24 , wherein said each mixing portion includes four extensions, each extension of said four extensions defining a paddle.  
     
     
         28 . The mixing element according to  claim 27 , wherein the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on each said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.  
     
     
         29 . The mixing element according to  claim 24 , wherein said each mixing portion includes a plurality of extensions, each extension of said plurality of extensions defining a paddle.  
     
     
         30 . The mixing element according to  claim 29 , wherein the angular position of each said paddle with respect to each other on said each mixing portion is asymmetrical.  
     
     
         31 . The mixing element according to  claim 30 , wherein at least one mixing portion of said plurality of mixing portions has said at least two extensions extending along said length of said at least one mixing portion in spiral form relative to said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         32 . The mixing element according to  claim 31  wherein said at least two extensions spiral at different initial angular positions at each said mixing portion.  
     
     
         33 . The mixing element according to  claim 32 , wherein said at least two extensions spiral form are not constant relative to said shank.  
     
     
         34 . The mixing element according to  claim 24 , wherein said each extension forms a paddle, each said paddle having two ends extending from and perpendicular to said shank, said two ends of said each mixing portion out of alignment with said two ends of contiguous mixing portions for improved mixing.  
     
     
         35 . The mixing element according to  claim 24 , wherein a number of said plurality of mixings portions determines a preselected length for use in a nozzle assembly having a corresponding preselected length.  
     
     
         36 . The mixing element according to  claim 35 , wherein said plurality of mixing portions is disposable after use with said nozzle assembly.