Sulzer Mixpac et. al. v. U.S. Dental Depot

8/3/2019 Sulzer Mixpac et. al. v. U.S. Dental Depot

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J U D G E O E T K E NUNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTSOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YO RKSULZER MIXPAC USA, INC. and SULZERM I X P A C A G ,

Plaintiffs, COMPLAINT-against- TRIAL BY JURY DEMAND

U.S. DENT AL D EPOT, INC.,

Defendant.X

Plaintiffs Sulzer M ixpac US A, Inc. and Sulzer M ixpac AG (collectively"Mixpac" or "Plaintiff") for their complaint against defendant U.S. Dental Depot, Inc.("Defendant") seeking damages, injunctive relief, and other relief for trademark and patentinfringement, allege as follo ws :

1. Plaintiff Sulzer M ixp ac U SA , Inc . is a Ne w Hampshire corporation withits principal place of business at 8 Willow Street, Salem, New Hampshire 03079.

2. Plaintiff Sulzer M ixpa c A G is a Swiss corporation with its principalplace of business at Ruetistrasse 7, CH-9469 Haag, Switzerland.

3. Defendant U .S. Dental De pot is a Florida corporation , having itsprincipal place of business at 6555 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 121, Fort Lauderdale, Florida33309.

under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a). This court has jurisdiction over Mixpac's trademark

PARTIES

JURISDICTION AND VENUE4. This court has jurisdiction over M ixp ac 's patent infringement claims

Case 1:12-cv-00370-JPO Document 1 Filed 01/17/12 Page 1 of 114


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and trade-dress infringement claims under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a) and 15 U.S.C. 1121 .

5. This court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because it hastransacted and is transacting business in this district, and has sold , offe red for sale, distributed,or advertised products that infringe Mixpac's registered trademarks in this judicial district.Defendant also has made, used, imported, sold, or offered for sale in the United States,including within this judicial district, a product which infringes Mixpac's United States PatentNo. 5,918,772 (the "'772 Patent"), and United States Patent No. 6,186,363 (the "


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The Mixing Tips' Registered Colored Dome Mark7. Mixpac has since at least as early as 1997 used a distinctive dom e shape

and colo r design Mark for its mixing tips, (hereinafter "Mix pa c Colored Dom e M ark "). Animage of the Mixpac Colored Dom e Mark and line of colored mixing tips appears below.

sw 'x; Si; ^

8. The Colore d Dom e Mark has been used to identify M ixpac 's dentalmixing system and tips.

9. M ixpa c's Colo red Dom e Mark includes the line o f mixing tips with sixpleasing "candy -like" co lors o f yellow , teal, blue, pink, purple and white ("Candy Co lor s") .

10. The M ixpac Colored Dome Mark is non-functional. It is not essential tothe produ ct's purpose, and it is not dictated by con cern fo r cost efficie ncy . This is evidencedby the fact that many other companies in the industry also have different designs for theirdental products, none of which include the design features of the Colored Dome Mark.

11. The Mixpac Colored Dom e Mark is distinctive and identifies a singlesource . Additionally, over the last decade, the Mixp ac Colore d Do me M ark has acquiredsecondary meaning as the relevant public has co me to associate the Colored Dom e Mark with asingle source - Mixpa c. M ixpac informs persons in the dental trade to " loo k fo r" the ColoredDo me Mark and Candy Colors . Purchasers choose mixing tips based on the Colored Dom eMark.



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Defendant's copied Mixing tips12. Defendant seeks to capitalize on the success of the Mixpac mixing tips

by copying the distinctive Colored Dome Mark, including each of the Candy Colors andintentionally confuse purchasers into believing the counterfeit products are manufactured orlicensed by Mixpac.

13. Defen dant's cop ied products are of lesser quality and safety andreliability, and threaten Mixpac's reputation in its product, to the detriment of Mixpac and thepublic.

14. Defendant makes, uses, offe rs for sale or import, markets, distributes,offers for sale, or sells products that infringe the Colored Dom e M ark.

The Colored Dome Mark Federal Trademark Registrations15. Mixpa c was awarded six U.S. Trademark Registrations for the mixing

tips, U.S. Trademark Registration No . 3,762,232 (yellow ), R eg. N o. 3,762,233 (teal/green), Reg.No. 3,976,379 (blue), Reg. No. 3,976,380 (pink), Reg. No. 3,976,381 (purple) and Reg. No.4,051,261 (no co lor). Cop ies o f the registration certificates are attached as Exhibi t A .

Mixing Tips and Cartridge Patents16. M ixpa c owns U .S . patents for the dispenser, cartridge and mixing tips.17. On July 6, 1999, the '772 Patent was duly and legally issued for an

invention entitled "Bayonet Fastening Device For The Attachment Of An Accessory To AMultiple Com ponent Cartridge O r Dispensing Device." The '772 Patent is assigned to SulzerMixp ac AG and is valid and enforceable. A cop y of the '772 patent is attached as Exhibit B.

18. On February 13, 200 1, the '363 Patent was duly and legally issued foran invention entitled "Bayonet Fastening Device For The Attachment Of An A ccessory To A



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Multiple Compo nent Cartridge Or Dispensing Device" The '363 Patent is assigned to SulzerM ixpac A G and is valid and enforceable. A copy of the '363 patent is attached as Exhibit C.

19. Defendant has offered for sale or delivered into this judicial districtmixing tips that infringe the Colored Dom e Mark and the '772 and '363 patents.

This Court Has Entered Several Restraining Orders, Consent or D efaulJudgments, and a Preliminary Injunction Which Confirm th e Validity of The ColoredMark and the '772 and(36 3 Patents

20. This Court entered a Temporary Restraining Order against all defendantsbarring further infringement of the Colored Dome Mark on December 1, 2008, and the Courtlater entered six consent or default judgments w hich confirm the validity and infringement of theColored Dome Mark and the '772 and '363 patents. See Sulzer Mixpac v. TPC AdvancedTechnologies, Inc., 08 Civ. 10364 (DC ). On November 30, 2009, in Sulzer Mixpac v. RitterGmbH, NSJ and Peng Waves, 09 Civ. 9705 (DAB) the Court issued a TRO, followed by theissuance of a Preliminary Injunction on December 14, 2009, and later a default judgmentconfirming the validity and infringement of Mixpac's Colored Dome Mark and the 4772 and'363 patents. In Sulzer Mixpac USA v. Purelife Gloves, LL C, l:09-cv-10430-DAB-GWG andSulzer Mixpac USA v. Crown Dentalsply et al, l:10-cv-08911-DAB, the court entered consentjudgments further confirming the validity and infringement of the Colored Dome Mark and the'772 and '363 patents.

COUNT ITRADEM ARK COUNTERFEITING UNDER 15 U .S .C. 111421. M ixpa c realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations in

paragraphs 1 through 20 o f its complaint.



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22. Defendant has advertised, offered for sale, distributed or sold mixing tipswhich simulate and are substantially indistinguishable from Mixpac's yellow, or teal/green, orpink, or purple or blue mixing tips as shown in U.S. Trademark Registration No. 3,762,232(yellow), Reg. No. 3,762,233 (teal/green), Reg. No. 3,976,379 (blue), Reg. No. 3,976,380 (pink),Reg. No. 3,976,381 (purple) or Reg. No. 4,051,261 (no color).

23. Defendant's conduct is likely to cause con fusion, to cause mistake, and todeceive.

24. M ixpa c has no adequate remedy at law. Defen dant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined, will continue to cause irreparable damage to Mixp ac. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits,statutory damages, damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT IIINFRINGEMENT OF THE COLORED DOME MARK

UNDER 15 U.S .C. 1125(a)

25. M ixpa c realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 24 of its complaint.

26. Up on information and bel ief, Defendant adopted its trade dress for itsmixing tips with knowledge of the Colored Dome Mark.

27. Defendant has misleadingly used , and continues to use, a confusinglysimilar trade dress to the Colored Dome Mark, which is likely to cause confusion, to causemistake, and to deceive as to Defendant's affiliation, connection, association, or sponsorshipwith M ixpac.

28. Defendant's acts are calculated to deceiv e, or are likely to dece ive, thepub lic, which recognizes and associates the Colored Do me M ark with Mixp ac. M oreove r,



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Defendant's conduct is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive the public asto the source of Defendant's products, or as to a possible affiliation, connection with orsponsorship by Mixpac.

29. Defend ant's conduct has caused M ixpac to suffer and, unless enjoined bythe court, will cause Mixpac to continue to suffer damage to its operation, reputation, andgoodwill and will suffer the loss of sales and profits that Mixpac would have made but forDefend ant's acts. Defendant has been , and will continue to be, unjustly enriched by itsunlawful acts.

30. M ixpac has no adequate remedy at law. Defendant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined, will continue to cause irreparable damage to Mixpa c. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits,damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT IIIFEDERAL UNFAIR COMPETITIONAS T ODEFENDANT'S MIXING TIPS UNDER 15 U.S.C. 1125(A)

31. Mixpa c realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 30 o f its complaint.

32. Defendant's mixing tips utilize the Colored Do me M ark in such a way asto unfairly compete in the marketplace by drawing a false association between Defendant'sproducts and Mixpac.

33. Defendant has made false designations of origin and false or misleadingdescriptions or representations of fact in commercial advertising or promotion which



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misrepresent the nature, characteristics, or qualities of another person's goods, services orcommercial activities in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1125(a).

34. Defendant has violated and, upon information and belief, intends tocontinue to willfully, knowingly, and intentionally violate 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1)(B) by itsunlawful acts in a manner that is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or to deceive as to thenature, characteristics, or qualities of their goods, services, or commercial activities.

35. Defen dant's conduct has caused Mixpa c to suffe r irreparable harm and,unless enjoined by the court, will cause Mixpac to continue to suffer damage to its operation,reputation, and goodwill and will suffer the loss of sales and profits that Mixpac would havemade but for D efendan t's acts. Defendant has been , and will continue to be, unjustly enrichedby their unlawful acts.

36. M ixpa c has no adequate remedy at law. Defen dant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined, w ill continue to cause irreparable damage to Mixpac. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits,damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT IVFALSE DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN WITH RESPECT TO

DEFENDANT'S M IXING TIPS UNDER 15 U.S .C. 1125(A)37. Mixpa c realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations in

paragraphs 1 through 36 of its complaint.38. Defendant's mixing tips utilize the Colo red Dom e Mark in such a way as

to unfairly compete in the marketplace by drawing a false association between Defendant'sproducts and Mixpac.



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39. Defendant has made false designations of origin and false or misleadingdescriptions or representations of fact in commercial advertising or promotion whichmisrepresent the nature, characteristics, qualities, sponsorship, or association with anotherperson's goods, services, or commercial activities in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1125(a).

40. Defendant has violated and, upon information and belie f, intends tocontinue to willfully, knowingly, and intentionally violate 15 U.S.C. 1125(a) by its unlawfulacts in a manner that is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deceive as to the nature,characteristics, or qualities of its goods, services, or commercial activities.

41. Defendant's conduct has caused M ixpa c to suffer irreparable harm and,unless enjoined by the Court, will cause Mixpac to continue to suffer damage to its operation,reputation, and goodwill, and will suffer the loss of sales and profits that Mixpac would havemade but for D efendant's acts. Defendant has been, and will continue to be, unjustly enrichedby their unlawful acts.

42. Mixpa c has no adequate remedy at law. Defend ant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined, will continue to cause irreparable damage to Mixp ac. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits,damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT VVIOLATION OF N.Y. GEN. BUS. LA W 349

43. Mixpa c realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 42 of its complaint.

44. Defendant's acts, including the unauthorized manufacture anddistribution of its mixing tips, constitute a violation of General Business Law 349 because



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they are likely to cause confusion or mistake, or deceive consumers into thinking thatDefendant's and Mixpac's products emanate from the same source. The public has an interestin being able to correctly identify the source of the M ixpac products.

45. Defen dant 's conduct has caused harm to the pub lic because its productscompromise the health or safety of consumers of dental services.

46. On information and belief, Defendant willfully engaged in one or moredeceptive trade practices.

47. Mixpa c has no adequate remedy at law . Defend ant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined, will continue to endanger consumers of dental services and causeirreparable damage to M ixpac. As a result of Defendan t's wrongful conduct, Mixpac isentitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits, damages and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT VIVIOLATION OF N.Y. GEN. BUS. LA W 350

48. M ixpa c realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 47 o f its complaint.

49. Defen dant 's acts violate General Business Law 350 because, byoffering copies of Mixpac's products, it falsely represents to consumers and professionals thatits products are somehow associated o r affiliated with, spon sored, or endorsed by Mixpac.

50. Defendant's acts and misrepresentations are likely to cause confusion,mistake, o r deception as to the source of its products and services.

51. Should such misrepresentations continue, it will produce an irreparableinjury to Mixpac because it allows Defendant to trade off Mixpac's goodwill and unfairly andimproperly market its goods through misleading statements.



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52. De fen dan t's conduct has caused harm to the public because its products/

comprom ise the health or safety of consumers of dental services.53. Defendant's acts have caused, and continue to cause, irreparable harm to

Mixpa c. Unless this court enjoins Defendant from continuing its unauthorized acts, Mixp acwill continue to suffer irreparable harm. As a result of Defendan t's wrongful conduct, M ixpacis entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits, damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT VIIVIOLA TION OF N.Y. G EN. BUS. LA W 360-1

54. M ixp ac realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 53 of its complaint.

55. Defendant's conduct is likely to cause injury to M ixp ac 's reputation anddilute the distinctive quality of its trademarks.

56. M ixpa c's Colored Dome Mark is highly distinctive and has become wellknown and widely respected in the dental industry.

57. M ixp ac's products are FDA compliant and meet the standards of theToxic Substances Control Act Inventory (TSCA).

58. M ixp ac's m ixing tips have been properly tested to fit and workeffectively with its complementary dispensing systems.

59. Upo n information and belief, Defenda nt's products are not FDAcompliant and are made of substandard materials.

60. Defendan t's use of M ixpa c's Colo red Dom e Mark on its identical (inappearance), yet substandard, products is likely to cause consumers to believe that Defendant'sproducts emanate from the same source as Mixpac's.



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61. Defendant's unlawful manufacture and distribution of products bearingMixpac's distinctive trademarks are likely to tarnish Mixpac's image and blur the distinctivequality of its marks.

62. Defen dant's actions threaten to undermine and damage the good will andreputation associated with Mixpac's trademark in the eyes of the dental trade industry andgeneral consuming pub lic.

63. Defendant's acts have caused, and continue to cause, irreparable harm toMixpa c. Unless this Court enjoins Defendant fro m continuing its unauthorized acts, Mixpacwill continue to suffer irreparable harm. As a result of Defenda nt's wrongfu l conduct, Mixpacis entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits, damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT VIIICOMMON LAW TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT

64. Mixpac realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 63 of its complaint.

65. Upon information and belief, Defendant adopted the look for theirmixing tips with knowledge of the Colored Dome Mark.

66. Defendant has misleadingly used , and continue to use, a confusinglysimilar trade dress to the Colored Dome Mark that is likely to cause confusion, to causemistake, and to deceive as to defendant's affiliation, connection, association or sponsorshipwith M ixpac.

67. Defendan t's acts are calculated to dec eive, o r are likely to deceive, thepublic, which recognizes and associates the Colored D om e Mark with Mixpa c. M oreover,Defendant's conduct is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive the public as



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to the source of Defendant's products, or as to a possible affiliation, connection with, orsponsorship by Mixpac.

68. Defen dant's acts have caused, and continue to cause, irreparable harm toMixpac. Unless this court enjoins Defendant from continuing its unauthorized acts, Mixpacwill continue to suffer irreparable harm. As a result of Defendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpacis entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits, damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT IXCOMMON LAW UNFAIR COMPETITION

69. M ixp ac realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations inparagraphs 1 through 68 of its complaint.

70. Defen dant's acts and uses constitute unfair competition under comm onlaw.

71. Defendant adopted its trade dress in bad faith as it know ingly, willfully,and intentionally copied the shape and colors of Mixpac's product to trade off Mixpac's labor,expenditures, and goo d will.

72. Defendant's mixing tips utilize the Colore d Dom e Mark in such a way asto unfairly compete in the marketplace by drawing a false association between Defendant'sproducts and Mixpac.

73. Defendant has made false designations of origin and false or misleadingdescriptions or representations of fact in commercial advertising or promotion whichmisrepresent the nature, characteristics, or qualities of another person's goods, services orcommercial activities



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74. Defendant's conduct has caused Mixpac to suffer irreparable harm and,unless enjoined by the court, will cause Mixpac to continue to suffer damage to its operation,reputation, and goodwill and will suffer the loss of sales and profits that Mixpac would havemade but for Defendant's acts. Defendant has been , and will continue to be, unjustly enrichedby their unlawful acts.

75. M ixpac has no adequate remedy at law. Defendant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined , will continue to cause irreparable damage to Mixpac. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to injunctive relief, Defendant's profits,damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

COUNT XPATENT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 5,918,77276. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations in

paragraphs 1 through 75 of its complaint.77. Upon information and belief, by making, using, importing, selling, or

offering to sell their mixing tips, Defendant has infringed one or more claims of the '772Patent directly, contributorily, o r through inducement. Defendant has engaged in thefore goin g conduct with respect to the patented invention in the United States without authorityfrom Mixp ac during the term o f the '772 Patent.

78. Up on information and belie f, Defendant will not stop using, selling,and/or offering for sale the products at issue to avoid infringing the '772 Patent.

79. Upon information and bel ief, Defend ant's infringement has beendeliberate, willful, and wanton, and with lull knowledge of the '772 Patent.



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80. Defen dant's conduct has caused Plaintiff to suffer and, unless enjoinedby the court, will cause Plaintiff to continue to suffer damage to their operation, reputation,and goodwill.

81. Mixpa c has no adequate remedy at law. Defendant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined, will continue to cause irreparable damage to M ixpa c. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to a temporary restraining order, injunctiverelief, and damages.

COUNT XIPATENT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO . 6,186,36382. Mixpa c realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations in

paragraphs 1 through 81 of its complaint.83. Upon information and belief, by making, using, selling, or offering to

sell mixing tips incorporating Mixpac's design features, Defendant has infringed one or moreclaims of the '363 Patent direct ly, contributorily, or through inducement. Defendant hasengaged in the foregoing conduct with respect to the patented invention in the United Stateswithout authority from Mixpac and during the term of the '363 patent.

84. Up on information and belie f, Defendant will not stop using, selling, oroffering for sale the methods at issue to avoid infringing the '363 Patent.

85. Up on information and belief, Defendant's infringement has beendeliberate, willful, and wanton, and with full knowledge of the '363 Patent.

86. Defen dant's conduct has caused M ixpa c to suffer and, unless enjoined bythe court, will cause Mixpac to continue to suffer damage to its operation, reputation, andgoodwill.



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87. Mixpa c has no adequate remedy at law. Defend ant's conduct has causedand, if not enjoined , w ill continue to cause irreparable damage to Mixpac. As a result ofDefendant's wrongful conduct, Mixpac is entitled to a temporary restraining order, injunctiverelief, and damages.

RELIEF REQUESTEDWherefore, Mixpac requests that the court enter a judgment in Mixpac's favor

and against defendant and provide Mixpac the following relief:A . Order, adjudge, and decree that Defendant has infringed the Mixpac

Colored D om e Mark under 15 U.S.C . 1114 and 1125(a);B. Order, adjudge, and decree that Defendant willfully and knowingly

infringed the Mixpac C olored Dom e M ark;C. Issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent

injunctive relief prohibiting Defendant and its respective parents,subsidiaries, principals, officers, agents, affiliates, servants, attorneys,employees, and all others in privity with them from using any trade dresswhich is likely to be confused with the Colored Dom e Mark;

D. Order Defendant to identify and recall from customers and destroy allinfringing materials, including but not limited to all packaging andadvertising incorporating the infringing trade dress or any other trade dressconfusingly similar to the Colored D om e M ark;

E. Award M ixpac damages for trademark infringement includingprejudgment interest and costs against Defendant under 15 U.S.C. 1117;

F. Award Mixpac three times its damages to compensate Mixpac under 15U.S.C. 1117;



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G. Award Mixp ac its reasonable attorney's fees under 15 U.S.C. 1117;H. Award Mixpac statutory damages for trademark counterfeiting pursuant to

15 U.S.C. 1117;I. Order, adjudge, and decree that Defendant has infringed the '772 and '

363 Patents;J. Order, adjudge, and decree that Defendant willfully and knowingly

infringed the '772 and '363 Patents;K. Order, adjudge, and decree that Defen dant's infringement of the '772 and

'363 patents is exceptional under 35 U.S.C. 285;L. Issue temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief prohibiting

Defendant and its respective parents, subsidiaries, principals, officers,agents, affiliates, servants, attorneys, employees, and all others in privitywith them from infringing the '772 and '363 Patents;

M. Award Mixpac damages for patent infringement including prejudgmentinterest and costs against Defendant under 35 U .S.C . 284;

N. Award Mixpac three times its damages to compensate Plaintiff under 35U.S.C. 284;

O. Award Mixp ac its reasonable attorney's fees under 35 U.S.C. 285; andP. Award such other and further relief as the court may deem just.



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Dated: New York, New YorkJanuary 17, 2012Respectfully submitted,

^ A f u i ^ Charles D . Co le, Jr. /Newman Myers Kreines Gross Harris, P C.14 Wall StreetNew Yo rk, N ew York 10005-2101(212) 619-4350-and-

Michael T. MurphyBenita CollierK&L Gates LLP1601 K Street, N.W.Washington, D .C . 20006(202) 778-9176Attorneys for Plaintiffs Sulzer Mixpac USA,Inc. and Sulzer Mixpac AG



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Reg. No. 3,762,232 SULZERMIXPACAG (SWITZERLAND CORPORATION)Registered Mar. 23,2010 GRUNDSTRASSE 12ROTKREUZ, SWITZERLAND CH-6343I n t . C l s . : 7 , 8 a n d 1 0 FOR: MIXING HP S USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FOR USEIN CONNECTION WITH POWER-OPERATED AND MACHINE-OPERATED DISPENSINGGUNS USED FOR M IXING ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUC-T R A D E M A R K XION, AUTOMOTIVE, ELECTRONICS, AEROSPACE, AN D INDUSTRIAL ASSEMBLY ANDPR IN CI PA L R EG IS TE R REPAIR INDUSTRIES, IN CLASS 7 (U .S . CLS. 13 ,19 ,21 ,23 ,31 ,34 AND 35 ).

FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMMERCE 12-31-1997.FOR: MIX ING HP S USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TW O PART COMPOSITIONS FOR USEIN CONNECTION WITH MANUALLY-OPERATED DISPENSING GUNS USED FOR MIXINGADHESIVES AND SEALANTS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION, AUTOMOTIVE,ELECTRONICS, AEROSPACE, AN D INDUSTRIAL ASSEMBLY AN D REPAIR INDUSTRIES,IN CLASS 8 (U.S. CLS. 23,28 AN D 44).FIRST USE 12-31-1997- IN COMMERCE 12-31-1997.

Direvturufthe Unted Sluto talent and "I ludeinurk OfTic*

FOR: MIXING TIPS USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FORDENTAL APPLICATIONS, IN CLASS 10(U.S. CLS. 26 ,39A ND 44) .FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMMERCE 12-31-1997.THE MARK CONSISTS OF THE COLOR YELLOW AN D THE CONFIGURATION OF A FU-TURISTIC, DOME-FAA DE TIP HAVING A SMOOTH BOTT OM PORTION, A SLIGHTLYINDENTED MIDDLE PORTION, AN UPPER PORTION ANGLED INWARDLY WHICHNARROW S AND RESTRICTS TO A TOP PORTION THAT ATTACHES TO A TRANSPARENTSTEM WHICH ENCASES A CO RKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT, THE DOTTED OUTLINE OFTHE BOTTOM TAB AND TOP TABS ON THE DOME-FAADE TIP, THE SLIGHTLY INDEN-TED MIDDL E PORTION CONSISTING OF UNIFORM CONTINUOUS RIDGES, THE STEMAND HIE CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT IS INTENDED TO SHOW POSIHON OF THEM A R K O N THE GOODS AN D S NOT PART OF THE MARK .THE COLOR(S) YELLOW IS/ARE CLAIMED AS A FEATURE OF THE M A R K .



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Reg. No. 3,762,232 SEC. 2(F).SER. NO. 77-623,873, FILED 12-1-2008.NORA BUCHANAN WILL, EXAMINING ATTORNEY

Page: 2 / RN # 3 ,762,232



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V-JReg. No. 3,976,381 SULZER MIXPAC AG (SWITZERLAND CORPORATION)RTISTRASSE7Registered June 14,2011 HAA G (RHEINTAL), SWITZERLAND CH -9469Int. CI.: 10T R A D E M A R KPRINCIPAL REGISTER

FOR: MIXING TIPS USED WITII DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FORDENTAL APPLICATIONS, IN CLASS 10 (U.S. CLS. 26,39 A ND 44).FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMME RCE 12-31-1997.THE MARK CONSISTS OF THE COLOR PURPLE AND THE CONFIGURATION OF A FU-TURISTIC, DOME-FACADE TIP HAVING A SMOOTH BOTTOM PORTION, A SLIGHTLYINDENTED MIDDLE PORTION, AN UPPER PORTION ANGLED INWARDLY WHICHNARRO WS AN D RESTRICTS TO A TOP PORTION THAT ATTACHES TO A TRANSPAREN TSTEM WHICH ENCASES A CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT. THE DOTTED OUTLINE OFTHE BOTTOM TAB AND TOP TABS ON THE DOME- FACADE TIP, THE SLIGHTLY IN-DENTED MIDDLE PORTION CONSISTING OF UNIFORM CONTINUOUS RIDGES, THESTEM AND THE CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT IS INTENDED TO SHOW POSITION OFTHE MARK ON THE GOODS AND IS NOT PART OF THE MA RK.THE COLOR(S) PURPLE IS/ARE CLAIMED AS A FEATURE OF THE MA RK.SEC. 2(F).SER. NO, 77-848,320, FILED 10-14-2009.NORA BU CHANAN WILL, EXAMINING ATTORNEY

Director of the Unted SlatesPaleiit un Trademark Oifico



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i

Reg. No. 3,762,233 SULZER MIXPAC AG (SWITZERLAND CORPORATION)Registered Mar. 23,2010 GRUNDSTRASSE 12ROTKREUZ, SWITZERLAND CH-6343I n t . C l s . : 7 , 8 a n d 1 0 FOR: MIXING TIPS USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FOR USEIN CONNECTION WITH POWER-OPERATED AND MACHINE-OPERATED DISPENSINGGUNS USED FOR MIXING ADHESIVES AN D SEALAN TS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUC-T R A D E M A R K HO N, AUTOMOTIVE, ELECTRONICS, AEROSPACE, AN D INDUSTRIAL ASSEMBLY ANDPR IN CI PA L R EG IS TE R REPAIR INDUSTRIES, IN CLASS 7 (U .S . CLS. 13 ,19 ,21 ,23 , 31 ,34 AND 35 ).

FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMMERCE 12-31-1997.FOR: MIX ING HP S USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TW O PART COMPOSITIONS FOR USEIN CONNECTION WITH MANUALLY-OPERATED DISPENSING GUNS USED FO R M IXINGADHESIVES AND SEALANTS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION, AUTOMOTIVE,ELECTRONICS, AEROSPACE, AND IND USTRIAL ASSEMBLY AN D REPAIR INDUSTRIES,IN CLASS 8 (U.S. CLS. 23,28 AND 44).FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMMERCE 12-31-1997.FOR: MIXING TIPS USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FORDENTAL APPLICATIONS, IN CLASS 10 (U.S, CLS. 26,39 AN D 44).FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMMERC E 12-31-1997.THE MA RK CON SISTS OF THE COLOR TEAL AN D THE CONFIGURATION OF A FUTUR-ISTIC, DOME-FAADE TIP HAVING A SMOOTH BOTTOM PORTION, A SLIGHTLY IN-DENTED MIDDLE PORTION, AN UPPER PORTION ANGLED INWARDLY WHICH N AR-ROWS AND RESTRICTS TO A TOP PORTION THAT ATTACHES TO A TRANSPARENTSTEM WHICH ENCASES A CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT. THE DOTTED OUTLINE OFTHE BOTTOM TAB AND TOP TABS ON THE DOME-FAADE TIP, THE SLIGHTLY INDEN -TED MIDD LE PORTION CONSISTING OF UNIFORM CONTINUOUS RIDGES, THE STEMAND THE CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT IS INTENDED TO SHOW POSITION OF THEMAR K O N THE GOODS AND IS NOT PART OF THE MARK .THE COLOR(S) TEAL IS/ARE CLAIMED AS A FEATURE OF THE MAR K.Diietlur of (K Unted Sates Munt und iYuckuiwk Office



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Reg. No. 3,762,233 SEC. 2(F).SER. NO. 77-623,884, FILED 12-1-2008.NORA BUC HANAN WILL, EXAMINING ATTORNEY

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statesi o &ttiWnttb ^t at e tf p a t e n t a n b t E r a & e m a r fc O f f i c e

V'

Reg. No. 3,976,380 SULZER MIXPAC AG (SWITZERLAND CORPORATION)RTISTRASSE 7Registered June 14,2011 HAAG (RHEINTAL), SWITZERLAND CH-9469Int. CI.: 10T R A D E M A R KPRINCIPAL REGISTER

FOR: MIXING TIPS USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FORDENTAL APPLICATIONS, IN CLASS 10(U.S. CLS. 26,39 AND 44).FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMM ERCE 12-31-1997.THE MAR K CONSISTS OF THE COLO R PINK AN D THE CONFIGURATION OF A FUTUR-ISTIC, DOME-FACADE TIP HAVING A SMOOTH BOTTOM PORTION, A SLIGHTLY IN-DENTED MIDDLE PORTION, AN UPPER PORTION ANGLED INWARDLY WHICH NAR-ROWS AND RESTRICTS TO A TOP PORTION THAT ATTACHES TO A TRANSPARENTSTEM WHICH ENCASES A CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT. THE DOTTED OUTLINE OFTHE BOTTOM TAB AND TOP TABS ON THE DOME-FACADE TIP, THE SLIGHTLY INDE N-TED MIDDL E PORTION CONSISTING OF UNIFORM CONTINUOUS RIDGES, THE STEMAND THE CORKSCREW LIKE ELEMENT IS INTENDED TO SHOW POSITION OF THEMAR K ON THE GOODS AN D IS NOT PART OF THE MARK.THE COLOR(S) PINK IS/ARE CLAIMED AS A FEATURE OF THE M ARK.SEC. 2(F).SER. NO. 77-848,315, FILED 10-14-2009.NORA BUCHAN AN WILL, EXAMINING ATTORNEY

Director uftlic Unted Staes Patatlluid Tradeiiintft Office



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^ i t t s s t a t e s o fVIV* { B u t t e * Statesi p a t e n t mit t & r a f c e m a r k O f f i c e

r r :|53j vl-ll

Reg. No. 4,051,261 SULZER MEXPAC AG (SWITZERLAND CORPORATION)RUTISTRASSE 7Registered Nov. 8, 2011 IIAAG (RHEINTAL), SWITZERLAND CH9469Int. CL: 10T R A D E M A R KPRINCIPAL RE GISTER

FOR: MIXING TIPS USED WITH DISPENSERS OF TWO PART COMPOSITIONS FORDENTAL APPLICATIONS, IN CLASS 10 (U.S. CLS. 26,3 9A ND 44).FIRST USE 12-31-1997; IN COMM ERCE 12-31-1997.OWN ER OF U.S. REG. NOS. 3,762,232 AND 3,762,233.THE MARK CONSISTS OF THE CONFIGURATION OF A FUTURISTIC, DOME-FACADETIP HAVING A SM OOTH BOTTOM PORTION, A SLIGHTLY INDENTED MIDDLE PORTION,AN UPPER PORTION ANGLE D INWARDLY W HICH NARROWS AND RESTRICTS TO ATOP PORTION THAT ATTACHES TO A TRANSPARENT STEM WHICH ENCASES ACORKS CREW LIKE ELEMENT. THE DOTTED OUTLINE OF THE BOTTOM TABAN D TOPTABS ON THE DOME-FACADE TIP, THE SLIGHTLY INDENTED MIDDLE PORTIONCONSISTING OF UNIFORM CONTINUOUS R IDGES, THE STEM AN D THE CORKSCREWLIKE ELEMENT IS INTENDED TO SHOW POSITION OF THE MA RK ON THE G O O D S ANDIS NOT PART OF THE MAR K.SEC. 2(F).SER. NO. 77-848,340, FILED 10-14-2009.ANN E. SAPPENFIELD, EXAMINING ATTORNEY

Director uf (lie Unted Slulcs Putentund Iradciuijjk Office



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REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN YOUR FEDERALTRADEMARK REGISTRATIONWARNING: YOUR REGISTRATION WILL BECANCELLED IF YOU DO NOT FILE THEDOCUMENTS BELOW DURING THE SPECIFIED TIM E PERIODS.

Requirements in the First Ten Years*What andWhen to File:First Filing Deadline: You must ilea Declaration o f Use (or Excusable Nonuse) between the5th and 6th years after the registration date. See 15U .S.C. 10 58,11 41k. If the declaration isaccepted, the registration will continue in force fo r the remainder of the ten-year period, calculatedfrom the registration date, unless cancelled by an order of the Commissioner fo r Trademarks or afederal court.Second Filing Deadline: You must ilea Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and anApplication for Renewal between the 9th and 10th years after the registration date. *See 15 U.S.C. 1059.

Requirements in Successive Ten-Year Periods*What and When to File:

You must ilea Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and an Application fo r Renewal betweeneveiy 9th and 10th-year period, calculated from the registration date.*Grace Period Filings*The above documents will be accepted as timely if iledwithin six months after the deadlines listed abovewith the payment o f an additional fee.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will NO T send you any future notice orreminder of thesefilingrequirements.

ATTENTION MADRID PR OTOCOL REGISTRANTS: The holder of an international registration withan extension of protection to the United States under the Madrid Protocol musttimely ile the Declarationsof Use (or Excusable Nonuse) referenced above directly with the USPTO. The time periods for ilingarebased on the U.S.registrationdate (not the international registration date). The deadlines and grace periodsfo r the Declarations o f Use (or Excusable Nonuse) are identical to those for nationally issued registrations.Se e 15 U. S.C. 1058,114Ik. However, owners of international registrations do not ilerenewal applicationsat the USPTO. Instead, the holder must file a renewal of the underlying international registration at theInternational Bureau of the World IntellectualProperly Organization, under Article 7 of the Madrid Protocol,before the expiration of each ten-year term of protection, calculated from the date of the internationalregistration. Se e 15U.S.C. 114Ij. For more information and renewal forms fo r the international registration,see http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/.NO TE: Fees and requirements formaintaining registrations arc subject tochange. Please check theUSPTO website for further information. With the exception of renewal applications for registeredextensions of protection, you can lile the registration maintenance documents referenced above onlineat http://www.uspto.gov.

Page: 2 /R N # 4,051,261

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Exhibit B



30/114

US006186363B1(12) United States Patent m Patent No.: us 6,186,363 Bl

( Keller et al. m Date of Patent: Feb. 13,2001

(54) BAYONET FASTENING DEVICE FOR THEATTACHMENT OF AN ACCESSORY TO AMULTIPLE COMPONENT CARTRIDGE ORDISPENSING DEVICE

(75) Inventors: Wilhelm A . Ke ller, Obstgartenweg 9,CH-6402 Merlischacben (C H): R ichardJ. Wilson, Antlover. MA (US)(73) Assignee: Wilhelm A . Keller, Merlischachen(CH)( * ) Notice: Under 35 U.S.C. 154(b). the term of thispatent shall be extended for 0 days.(21) Appl. No.: 09/348,038(22) Filed: Jul. 6, 1999Related U.S. Application Data(63) Continuation of application No. 08/563,109, filed on Nov.27,1995, cow Pat. No. 5,918,772, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/403,172, filed oa Mar. 13,1995, now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of appli-cation No. 08/522,109. filed on Aug. 31. 1995, now aban-doned.(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug. 24, 1995 (EP) 95810531(51) Int. CI.7 B67D 5/56(52) V.S. CI 222/145.6; 222/145.5;222/137(58) Field of Search 222/145,5,145.6,222/567.326,327.136, 137; 285/360.361,376, 401, 396, 400, 402, 915(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS2,816,518 12/1957 Daggett.3.143,255 8/19*54 Lee ds.3,323,682 6/1967 Creighton et al. .3,884,388 5/1975 Holcomb .4,014,463 3/1977 Hermann .

4,117,551 9/1978 Books et al. .4.240,566 12/1980 Bergman .4.432.469 2/1984 Eble et al. .4,471.888 9/1984 Herb et al. .4.538,920 9/19854,566,610 1/1986 Herb .4,687,663 8/1987 Schaeffer.4,690,306 9/1987 Staeheli.4,747,517 5/1988 Hart.4.753,536 6/1988 Spehar et al. ,4,767,026 8/19884.771.919 9/1988 Enist.4,846.373 7/1989 Penn et al, .4.869,400 9/1989 Jacobs .4,871,090 10/1989 Hoffman .4.913,553 4/1990 Fnlco .4,946,079 8/1990 Campbell,4,974,756 12/1990 Pearson et al..4.978.336 12/1990 Capozzi et al..4,981,241 1/1991 Keller .4,989,758 2/1991 Keller

222/145.6

222/145.6

222/145.6(List continued on next page.)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS0 730 913 * 11/1996 (EP) .2232910 1/1991 (G B ).

* cited by examinerPrimary ExaminerKenneth Bomberg(74) Attorney, Agent; or FirmFoley & Lardner(57) ABSTRACTAba yone t attachment on a cartridge for attaching a mixer oraccessory to a multiple component cartridge is ormedas aring-shaped bayonet socket with two internal recesses andtwo diametrically opposed cutouts forming one bayonetcoupling part, whereas the bayonet attachment of the mixeror accessory comprises two bayonet lugs corresponding tothe cutouts. In a preferred embodiment, the respective inletsof the mixer housing or the outlets of the cartridge havedifferent sizes or shapes to provide coded alignment betweenthe cartridge and the mixer.

7 Claims, 30 Drawing Sheets



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US 6,186,363 fi lPage 2

U.S. PAIENT DOCUMENTS 5,137,182 8/1992 Keller 222/145.65.228.599 7/1993 Keller .4,995,540 2/1991 Colin et at. . 5,249.709 10/1993 Duckworth et al. .5,020,694 6/1991 Pettengill. 5.249,862 10/1993 Herold et al. .5,022,563 6/1991 Marchitto et al.. 5,289,949 3/1994 Geatile .5,033,650 7/1991 Colin et al. . 5.333.760 8/19945.038,963 8/1991 Pettengill el al. . 5,413,253 5/1995 222/145.65,065,906 11/1991 Maeder. 5.609.271 * 3/1997 222/145.65,080.262 1/1992 Herold ef al. . 5,918,772 * 7/1999 Keller et al .. . 222/145.6



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet18of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 1

1 8 3S 9 11

FIG. 26 10



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U . S. Patent Feb. 13,2 001 Sheet18of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 3

FIG. 4



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(

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

15 L 20 14 18



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U . S . P a t e n t Feb. 13,2001 Sheet18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 7

Kvexa

26k/2 5 r w p 3S 9FIG. 8

2 8 93 0

2 9



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 8A9 - x 2 8 a

2 9 a

FIG. 9A15a 14a



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet18 of 30 US 6,186,36 3 B1

FIG. 9

3 5

FIG. 10

16 15 3 6 14\ \

m

1 3 1 3

.M1 8 1 7 1 9 3 6 1 6I L

1 5 2 0 1 4 1 8



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet18of 30 US 6,186,363 B 1

FIG. 11

FIG. 12



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FIG. 13 /3 8

< '..vi'

7 5



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4 6 L 4 5 4 7FIG. 14

4 3 4 3

L

4 2

m.FIG. 15 M m

4 6 4 4



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FIG. 16A FIG. 16B

FIG. 1755 54 55



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U.S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 11 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1FIG. 18 FIG. 19



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 20 FIG. 2163 65

FIG. 22 FIG. 23



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U.S. Patent Feb. 13,20 01 Sheet 13 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1FIG. 24

7 1 7 0

FIG. 25



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FIG. 26

(



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U.S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 15 of 30 U S 6,186,363 B 1FIG. 27

9 6 8 9

FIG. 2886 86



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LS, Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 16 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1FIG. 29



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2 001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1FIG. 30

1 0 7 , 0 6

FIG. 31



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U . S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG.32y



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U . S . Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 33

C FIG. 34

2120

1 2 71281 2 8

21 j t

1 2 4181 7

1 9161 2 51 2 3



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U . S . P a t e n t F eb . 1 3,2 00 1 S heet18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 35



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13 ,20 01 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1FIG. 36

FIG. 371 3 6 A 1 3 3 1 5 2



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,200 1 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 38



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U . S . Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 39

1 7 Q A 1 7 0

FIG. 401 5 7 1 9 4

1 6 7 A1 9 5 1 5 8 1 9 2



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U. S. Patent F e b . 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 41

157B 158B

FIG. 42

1 6 0 A 1 6 1 A

FIG. 43194A

160A

195A 192A



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U . S . P a t e n t Feb . 13 ,2001 Sheet18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 44

1 6 2 A



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IU.S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 26 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 45



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U . S . Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 27 of 30

FIG. 46190 19QA

1 9 1 A 1 9 1

FIG. 471 7 9 A 1 8 1 1 5 2

1 8 0 A



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 U S 6,186,363 B 1

FIG. 4816 9 19 3 169A

17QA 170

FIG. 5Q1 6 7 A 1 5 8 1 9 2 1 9 5

2 1 51 5 K k 2 1 62 1 6 " " - 1 6 0

1 6 1 1 5 7 1 9 4 1 6 7

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FIG. 51 FIG. 52

FIG. 53 FIG. 54

FIG. 55 FIG. 56



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U. S. Patent Feb. 13,2001 Sheet 18 of 30 US 6,186,363 B1

FIG. 57 FIG. 58



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US 6,9 10BAYONET FASTENING DEVICE FOR THEATTACHMENT OF AN ACCESSORY TO AMULTIPLE COMPONENT CARTRIDGE O RDISPENSING DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONSThe present application is a continuation of patentappli-cation Ser. No. 08/563,109, aied Nov. 27,1995, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,918.772, which is a continuation in part of patentapplication Ser. No. 08/403,172 filed Mar. 13. 1995, nowabandoned, and a continuation in part of patent applicationSer. No. 08/522,109 filed Au g. 3 1, 1995 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a bayonet fasteningdevice for the attachment of an accessory to a dispensingdevice, in particular for the attachment of a mixer to aiwo^coraponenf cartridge.There exists a great number of mixers and cartridges

having means for attaching the mixer to the cartridge forexample. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,767,026 and 4,538,920 discloseon mixer that has two bayonet locking lugs inserted intocorresponding prongs on the cartridge by rotation. On onehand, the rotary locking movement of the complete mixerwill cause contamination of one chemical componentagainst the other chemical component at ihe interfacebetween the cartridge and the mixer, in that these compo-nents will be transported f rom one outlet to the other outlet, 3Qfrom one inlet to the other inlet, causing an undesiredreaction between these chemical components at the interfacebetween cartridge and mixer or closure means, and eventu-ally carrying such a reaction back into the cartridge outlets,thus causing plugging of the outlets. On the other hand there J 5exist situations where it is necessary to connect and attachthe mixer or accessory to a multiple component cartridge ordispensing de vice in a predetermined position, such as whencartridge outlets or mixer inlets are of a different size fordifferent relative m ixing ratios or when m ixers or accesso-ries are refitted for reuse.There exists a need to connect and attach a mixer oraccessory to a multiple component cartridge or dispensingdevice in a predetermined orientation, such as when car-tridge outlets or mixer inlets are of a different size for 4 5different relative mixing ratios or when special high ratiomixers are used for greater mixing efficiency and whenmixers or accessories are refitted f or reuse. In the latter caseof reuse, it is necessary to avoid any possibility of crosscontamination o f one chemical component against another 5 0during refitting. Such cross contamination of reactive ch emi-cal systems can cause plugging at the cartridge outlets andcause a reaction back into and within the cartridge.U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,599 discloses a multiple dispensingcartridge having a mixer attached thereto with the aid of acoupling nut having an internal thread, wherein each storagecylinder ends in a dispensing opening which forms a side byside outlet, whereas the inletof the mixer is not defined. Themixer is put on the cartridge and secured by a coupling nutvia an external thread at the cartridge.Another cross contamination situation can occu r when aclean mixer or accessory inlet area or closure plugs are ableto make any form of incorrect alignment contact, such asbyangular tipping, with the chemical components at the car-tridge outlet area during the process of initial placing of the 65mixer or closure plugs against the cartridge in preparationfor attachment, in that case, when ittingthe same mixer or

186 363 B1closure plugs in the correct position, it is possible to nowchemically contaminate the outlets of the cartridge. Again,this can cause plugging and a reaction back into and withinthe cartridge.

5 Additionally, it is commonly found in bayonet attachmentmeans of the prior art that the bayonet prongs of thecartridge are relatively small and therefore of limited struc-tural rigidity and strength. This allows the possibility ofdistortion and is of greater significance due to the trend10 towards smaller mixer diameters and therefore highbackpressures, the result being leakage at the mixer tocartridge sealing interface during dispensing.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

On the basis of this prior art, it is an object o f the presentinvention to provide for a bayonet attachment device forattaching a mixer, or closure means or any other accessory,such as an adapter or a connecting tube to a multiplecomponent dispensing device, in particular a two componentcartridge, which has improved strength and structural rigid-ity against stress caused by greater hydraulic forces due tothe trend towards smaller mixer diameters as well as pro-viding improved interface sealing.This object is attained with a device wherein said bayonetattachment means at the dispensing apparatus or cartridge isformed asring-shapedbayonet socket, with at least twointernal recesses or art inner circular groove with at least twobayonet cutout followed by adjacent bayonet retainingmeans, and wherein the bayonet attachment means of theaccessory comprises at least two bayonet lugs correspondingto the cut outs.if is another object of the invention that alignment of theaccessory inlets to the cartridge outlets takes place in oneposition only to avoid cross contamination. This object isattained with a device wherein said bayonet attachmentmeans at the dispensing apparatus or cartridge and at (heaccessory have means for coded alignment of the accessoryto the dispensing apparatus or cartridge.

Other objects and improvements of the device are definedin the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafterwith reference to a drawing of embodiments.FIGS. 1 -6 show a irstembodiment of the invention witha rotatable mixer housing, whereinFIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a mixer,FIG. 2 is a view of the inlet end of the mixer,FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of a cartridge,FIG. 4 is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 3 withdistanced outlets andring-shapedbayonet means,55 FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section o f a cartridge having twocontainers with different cross-sectional areas,FIG. 6 is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 5 withdistanced outlets andring-shapedbayonet means.FIGS. 713 show a second embodiment of the inventioncomprising a coupling ring, whereinFIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of a mixer,FIG. 8 is a view of the inlet end of the mixer,FIG. 8a is a view of an inlet end o f the mixer accordingto an embodiment in which the inlets have different sizes,FIG. P is a longitudinal section of a cartridge withdistanced outlets and ring-shaped bayonet means,



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US 6,186,363 B13 4FIG. 9a is a detailed view of a cartridge with distanced FIG. 37 is a view of the inlet end of the mixer,outieis of different size, F I G S 3 8 _ 4 0 s h o w a n a]{eniaiive embodimenl of theFIG. 10 is a top view of the cartridge o f FIG. 9 with a nose invention with a sector-sha pcd bayonet socket at thepiece , cartridge, wherein

FIG. 11 is a top view of a coupling ring, 5 FIG. 38 is 3 longitudinal section of a mixer attached to aFIG. 12 is a section of the couplin g ring of FIG. 11, partially shown cartridge,FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section of a variant of the mixer FIG. 39 is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 38, andof FIG. 7 and 8 attached to the cartridge of FIGS. 5 and 6 FIG. 40 is a view o f the inlet end of the mixer,having containers with different cross-sectional area. 10 p i G S . 41-44 show a further embodiment o f the inventionFIGS. 14-1 9 show a third embodiment of the invention with a coupling ring, whereinwith a locking ring permanently attached to the cartridge, FIG. 41 is a longitudinal section of a mixer,wherein FIG. 42 is a longitudinal section of a coupling ring ,d i sSa ce d4o lete l 0 n g t U d n a I * * * * * ' ^ ^ ^ 15 FIG-4 3 is a t op v ie w o f the couplingringof FIG. 42, andn T l s T s I top view of the cartridge of FIG. 14, F1


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US 6,186,363 B15 6The mixer element group 3 is connected to the separated Cartridge 35 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is the same as cartridgeinlet parts 6 and 7 and is disposed in such a way within the 1 of FIG. 1 with the exception that the bottom o f the bayonethousing that the housing itself is rotatable around the mixer attachment means 16 comprises a nose piece 36 correspond-element group 3 with attached inlet parts 6 and 7, which are ing to the slot 30 at the mixer (see FIGS. 7 and 8), for codedarranged at the inlet side o f the first mixer element 3S 5 alignment of the mixer.serving in this embodiment as a separating means for When connecting the mixer to the cartridge, the noseguiding each component separately to the first dividing piece 36 on the cartridge fits into slot 30 of the mixer inletelement 3D of the mixer element group 3. section 27. This coded connection method assures not onlyIn FIG. 3, the cartridge 12 comprises two cylindrical al ig nm en t possibility but also axial mixer attachmentcontainers or chamber 13 of equal cross-sectional areas for JO without rotation of the m ixer housing thus preventinga 1:1 metering ratio ending in two individual, separate * ^ *cylindrical and distal outlets 14 and 15. The outside shapes , ,of the distal outlets 14 and 15 o f the cartridge correspondto ^ T a r e ans possible at the d^ensingf, . , Cy . . ? , , , r , _ apparatus or cartridge and at the accessory for the codeddie respective inside shapes of the separate inlets 6 and 7 of t o f t fae ac * t 0 t h e d i s p e n s 4 g a p p a r a t u s o rthe mixer, (see FIG 1) whereby the mlete of the mixer fi t 15 c s t [ l i d p i n s Q r prodding parts of all kL d ittingntoover the outlets of the cartndge for tightly sealed connec- a r e c e s s o r c a v i t y o r s l o t T h e c o d i n g m e a n s ra ay ^ l a k etions. A reverse arrangement, where the inlet parts 6 and 7 the form of differently shaped, similar or dissimilar sizedfit into the outlet openings 14 and 15 is also possible. inlets and outlets as described later in the specification.In FIG. 4, the bayonet means 16 at the cartridge comprises FIG. 13 shows a mixer 38 attached to a cartridge 75aring-shapedbayonet socket 17 with two internal recesses 20 having containers 76 and 77 with different cross-sectional18 and a circular opening with two diametrically opposed areas, as a variant to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-12different width bayonet cutouts 19 and 20 for receiving the in that the mixer inlet section 37 of m ixer 38 has a separatingcorresponding different width bayonet lugs 10 and 11, (see means within the mixer, which separating means comprisesFIG. 1). of the mixer, allowing coded introduction of the separated inlet chambers 39, 40, respectively having diflfer-mixer in one predetermined position only. The langeparts 2 5 e n t cross-sectional areas, and lodged within a smaller com -21 adjacent to the cutouts serve as bayonet retaining means b i n e d diameter than the cartridge outlet with correspondingfor securing the lugs of the mixer. openings for each chamber for material to pass through.The ring-shapedbayonet means provides, in particular, ^a fo re m en ti on ed separating means serves to maintainfor increased strength of the bayonet retaining means and eparation o f the material flow s up to the fir st drnchngj . ^ , . 30 element 3D of the mixer element group 3. This separatingincreased structural rigidity of the outlet end of the cartndge ^ c a n h a y f i c h a m b e r s w { l h * a ]when during dispensing , the hydraulic forces transmitted o r h a V e a c r o s s _ s e c l i o n a l a r c a ^ o t h e r t h a Q 1 : 1 . F o rfrom tfae attached mixer are at a maximum. This arrange- example, ^ r a t io of the cross-sectional areas of the sepa-ment is a substantial improvement tn comparison with the rating chambers can be adapted to the cross-sectional areasprior art bayonet prongs. J5 0 f the containers 76 and 77 of cartridge 75, respectively toFIGS. 5 and 6 show a variant to the embodiment shown * its metering ratio. The separating means is ixedlyconnectedin FIGS. 1 -4 in that the containers 22 and 23 of cartridge 24 to the mixer element group 3.have different cross-sectional areas for metering ratios other The cartridge 75 has the same attaching means as in FIGS,than 1:1. 5 and 6, and the mixer 38 is attached to the cartridge byIn both described cases, in order to attach the mixer to the 40 means of the coupling ring 31.cartridge, the mixer can only be aligned with its bayonet lug The third embodiment of the invention according to thewidths corresponding to the different width cut outs of the FIGS. 14 -19 comprises a locking ring 51 that is snappedbayonet sockets* then pressed onto the cartridge such that onto and permanently attached to the cartridge 42. Thewhen the mixer is in place and the outlets and inlets are cartridge 42 comprises two cylindrical containers or cham-connected, the mixer housing 2 is rotated by 90 for the 45 bers 43 of equal cross-sectional area, two distal outlcis 45engagement of the bayonet lugs 10, 11 in the bayonet a nd 46, and an attaching means 47 for attaching the lockingretaining means 21 of the cartridge. This attachment method rin g 51 and for limiting its rotational movement. The formprevents con lamination o f one component by the other at the 0 f the attaching means 47 is a circular edge 49 with two lugsmixer-cartridge interface yet enabling a quick coded attach- 44 Df same width and arranged around the two distal outletsment of the mixer. 5 0 with a circular undercut 48 at its base.FIGS. 7 and 8 show in a second embodiment a mixer 25 The locking ring 51 (see FIGS. 16A and 16B) and 17,comprising a mixer housing 26, a mixer element group 3, a snaps over circular edge 49 of the attaching means of themixer outlet 4, and a mixer inlet section 27. This mixer is cartridge and remains attached to it. The locking ring 51 hasfixed to the cartridge 35 (see FIG. 9) with the aid of a an inner circular groove 5 2 form ing a cartridge side edge 53separate couplingring see FIGS. 11 and 12). The coupling 55 and a mixer side edge 54. The cartridge side edge 53 has tworin g 31 is provided with two bayonet lugs 3 2 and 33 opposed cutouts 55 the width of which corresponds to thecorresponding to the bayonet cutouts 19 ,20 , respectively of lugs 44 of the attaching, means whereby the inner diameterthe b ayonel attachment means 16 at the cartridge. For better 0 f the cartridge side edge 53 is slightly smaller than the outermanual gripping, rib s 34 are provided on the outer cylin- diameter of the circular edge 49 of the attaching means ofdrical surface. 60 the cartridge. For snapping the locking ringto the cartridge,It follow s in particular from FIG. 7 that the mixer inlet the ring is positioned so that the cutouts of its cartridge sidesection 27 comprises two cylindrical, individual inlet open - edge are placed above the lugs of the attaching means andings 28, 29 at the inlet side face of the irstmixer element the ring is then pushed onto the cartridge so that the3S serving in this embodiment as a separating means for remaining cartridge side edge of the lockingringslides intoguiding each component separately to the first dividing 65 the circular undercut 48 of the attaching means. The lockingelement 3D o f the mixer element group 3. Aslot 30 provides rin g is also provided with a serration 58 for better manualfor a coded alignment of the mixer in regard to a cartridge. gripping.



65/114

US 6,186 363 B19 10The mixer side edge 54 has two opposite cutouts 56 and In the case of utilizing the advantages of the ring-shaped57 of different width corresponding to the lugs 10 and JUL of bayonet socket alone and without the need for codedthe mixer for insertion in one position only. These two attachment, the bayonet lugs 10 and 11 ,32 and 33. 64 andcutouts are arranged at 90 to the cutouts 55 of the cartridge 65 at the mixer or closure cap or accessory as well as theside edge. Thus, when the mixer 59 is to be attached to the 5 corresponding bayonet cutouts 19 and 2 0 at the retaininglocking ring on the cartridge and the locking ring is rotated means at the cartridge or 56 and 57 af the lockingring51,by 90 , the remaining inside flan ge parts of both the car- may have the same w idths. This applies also in the caseiridge side edge and the mixer side edge serve as bayonet when more than two lu gs and corresponding cutouts areretaining means to encompass the mixer lugs 10 and 11 as used, for example three or four respectively,well as the lugs 44 of the attaching means 47 of the cartridge (Q The FIGS. 26-28 show a further embodiment of thefor strong securement. invention with an inverse bayonet arrangement as comparedFIGS. 18 and 19 show cartridge 42 of FIG. 14 with a with those of the bayonet arrangement of the mixer andmixer 59, which is similar to mixer 1 of FIG. 1 with the same cartridge according to FIGS. 1-4 . FIG. 26 shows a mixer 80mixer inlet section 5 with separate female inlets 6 and 7, comprising a mixer housing 81 with mixer outlet 4 and aexcept thai the housing 60 is not rotatable around the integral mixer inlet section 82 containing two separa ted inlet parts 83internal parts o f the mixer and has no rib s 8, and the two 15 an d 84 follo wed by a separating element 3S, which in turnbayonet lugs 10 and 11 are of different widths. FIG. 18 is ixedlyattached to a properly aligned element 3D of theshows the mixer introduced within the locking ring 51 with mixer element group 3. Also this mixer is attached to thethe locking rin g in its locked position and FIG. 19 shows a cartridge by matching the coding means of mixer andsection along the line XIX XI X in FIG. 18 of the same ^ cartridge by pressing the mixer onto the cartridge and byassembly at 90. It is evident that a mixer with separated 2 0 rotating the mixer housing 81 of the mixer about ihe integralinlet chambers can be attached likewise and also that a internal mixer parts comprising separate female inlets 83cartridge may be one having containers with different cross- a n d 8 4 < t h e separating element 3S and the mixer elementsectional areas as m FIG. 5. group 3. The mixer element group or part thereof could alsoThe above described system of the coded attachment of be prealigned and be fixed ly assembled within the mixerthe mixer also allows for the coded attachment of closure 25 housing.caps, adapters etc:., thus preventing cross contamination and The m ixer housing 8 1 is provided with longitudinal ribsallowing closure cap re-use. 8, which end at the larger diameter 85. The larger end of theThe irstembodiment of a coded closure cap 61, FIGS. 20 mixer housing has a nose piece 89, which provides a highlyand 21, consists of two pans. The insert 62 has two male visible coded guide f or alignment and insertion into theplugs 63 for closing the outlets of a cartridge, for example slotted prong 90 of the cartridge. The mixer housing 81 isthe distanced outlets 14 and 15 o f cartridge 12 of FIG. 3. also provided with a ring shaped bayonet socket attachmentIn this embodiment it is shown how the sealing effect of means 100 comprising two bayonet langeparts 94 and 95a plug at the cartridge outlet can be improved by providing acting as bayonet retaining m eans, having two cut outs 96the male plug 63 with a second rim 63A reaching over the ^ and 97 in between.female cartridge outlet. The provision o f such a male plug ~ The cartridge 86 has two cylindrical containers 87and 88with a circumferential rim is of course not limited to this with the distanced outlets 14 and 15 for ittingand scalingexample. within the mixer inlet section 82. The cartridge front 86A isThe rotatable attaching means has two bayonet lugs 64 provided with a slotted prong 90 and a guide piece 91 forand 65 of different widths corresponding to the lugs 10 and ^ preventing incorrect insertion of the mixer and further with11 of mixer 1 of FIG. 1. The outer surface of the cap is two bayonet langes92 and 93 with tapered wedge shapedprovided withribs66 and a collar 70 for better gripping. The edges, corresponding in width with the mixer cutouts 96 andcoded attachment of the closure cap to cartridge 12 or 24 is 97. and with reduced diameter cutouts 98 and 99 in between,analogous to the attachment of mixer 1. p 0r attaching the mixer to the cartridge, the mixer inletThe second embodiment, FIGS. 22 and 23, consists of a 45 part 82 is introduced into the cartridge by aligning the nosecoded closure cap 67, which also has two plugs 68 for piece 89 of the mixer housing within the slotted prong 90closing the outlets o f a cartridge, for example the distanced while the part 91 acts as a guide piece as the mixer inlets aremale outlets 14 and 15 of cartridge 35 o f FIG. 9, and a slot pushed onto and over the cartridge distanced male outlets 1469 similar to slot 30 at mixer 25 for coded cooperation with and 15 such that the cartridge langes92 and 93 correspondnose piece 36 of cartridge 35. The outer surface of the cap 50 to and enter within the mixer cutouts 96 and 97. Uponis also provided with a collar 70 for better manual gripping. rotating the mixer housing, the mixer bayonet la ng eparts 94The attachment of the cap to cartridge 35 is achieved with and 95 progressively m ove against the cartridge langes92couplingring31 of FIG. 11, analogou s to the attachment of and 93, because of their tapered wedge shaped depth,mixer 25 to that cartridge. forc ing the mixer 80 against the cartridge front 86A. DuringThe third embodiment of a coded closure cap 71, FIGS. 55 this mixer to cartridge attachment, the mixer housing 8124 and 25 , is similar to the second embodiment and com - rotates 90 about the stationary integral internal mixer parts,prises two plugs 72 for closing the distanced male outlets 45 The above bayonet arrangement, wherein the ring-shapedand 46 of cartridge 42 o f FIG. 14. FIG. 25 shows the bayonet socket is at the accessory, as shown for a rotatingcartridge side of the closure cap with two bayonet lugs 73, mixer housing, can also be used in analogous manner for74 of different width and diametrically opposed on the edge go previously shown embodiments and for the closure caps,facing the cartridge. This closure cap is attached by means with the exception o f the lockingringsolutions. Alternativeof the locking rin g 51 of FIGS. 18 and 19 and is also coding means arranged around the outer periphery of theprovided with a collar 70 for better manual gripping. mixer housing are possible or is achieved by different widthsThering-shapedbayonet attachment means of the car- of cutouts and matching langeparts,tridge ensures a better stability o f its outlet area and stronger 65 FIGS. 29 -3 1 show a further embodiment wherein theretaining of the bayonet lugs compared with prior art bayo - mixer is provided with male inlet parts fitt ing into andnet aitachment means. sealing within the emalecartridge outlets.



66/114

US 6,1869FIG. 29 shows a mixer 101 comprising a mixer housing102 with mixer outlel 4 and a mixer inlet section 103containing two separate male inlets 104 and 105 followed bya separating element 3S which in turn is ixedlyattached toa properly aligned firs t dividing element 3D o f the mixer 5element group 3. Also this mixer is attached to the cartridgeby matching the coding means of the mixer to the codingmeans of the cartridge, by pressing the mixer onto thecartridge and by rotating the mixer housing 102 about theintegral interna] mixer parts comprising separate male inlets 10104 and 105, the separating element 3S and the mixerelement group 3 . The mixer element group or part thereofcould also be prealigned and be ixedlyassembled within themixer housing.The mixer housing 102 is provided with longitudinal ribs8, which end at the larger diameter 106. the two lateral endsof which are formed as bayonet lugs 107 and 108, FIG. 30,cooperating with the bayonet retaining means of the car-tridge. The bayonet lugs do not have the same width. lug 107being larger. 20The cartridge 109, FIG. 31, has rwo cylindrical containers110 and 111 with the distanced female outlets 112 and 113for ittingand sealing over the male mixer inlets 104 and105. The cartridge front 114 is provided with the samebayonet means 16 as the cartridge of FIG. 4, com prising a 25ring shaped bayonet socket.FIGS. 32-34 show a further embodiment wherein themixer is provided with a male and a female inlet part fittingand sealing into/over the female/male cartridge outlets.FIG. 32 shows a mixer 115 comprising a mixer housing116 with outlel 4 and a mixer inlel section 117 containing aseparate male inlet 118 and a separate female inlet 119followed by separated chambers 117A and 117B, which inturn are ixedlyattached to a properly aligned irstdividing 35element 3D of the mixer element group 3. Also this mixer isattached to the cartridge by pressing the mixer onto thecartridge and by rotating the mixer housing 116 about the

integral internal mixer parts comprising separate male inlets118 and 119, the separated chambers 117Aand 117B and the 4Qmixer element group 3. The mixer element group or partihereof could also be prealigned and be fixedly assembledwithin the mixer housing.The mixer housing 116 is provided with longitudinal rib s8, which end at the larger diameter 120, the two lateral ends 45of which are formed as bayonet lugs 121 and 122, FIG. 33 ,cooperating with the bayonet retaining meaDS of the car-tridge. The bayonet lugs do not have the same width,bayonet lug 121 beiag larger.The cartridge 123 has two cylindrical containers 12 4 and 50125 with one distanced male outlet 126 and one distancedfemale outlet 127 for, respectively, ittingand sealing withinthe separate female inlet 119 and over the separate male inlet118 of the mixer. The cartridge front 128, FIG. 34, isprovided with the same bayonet means 16 as the cartridge o f 55FIG, 4, comprising aringshaped bayonet socket.The embodiments of FIGS. 35-43 show sector-shapedbayonet sockets instead o f complete ring-shaped ones. Thefunction and the attaching of the accessory are the same asin the previous embodiments, so that the three different goembodiments of the bayonet means are illustrated in onerespective example of mixer and cartridge. It is obvious thatthe sector-shaped bayonet socket and similar means can beprovided on all other embodiments also.FIG. 35 shows a mixer-cartridge assembly with a mixer 65130 comprising a mixer housing 131 with outlet 4 and amixer inlet section 132 containing two separate male inlets

,363 B110133 and 134 followed by separating chambers 133A and134A which in turn are ixedlyattached to a properly alignedfirst dividing element 3D of the mixer element group 3. Alsothis mixer is attached to the cartridge by pressing the mixeronto the cartridge and by rotating the mixer housing 131

about the integral internal mixer parts comprising separatemale inlets 133 and 134, the separated chambers 133A and134A and the mixer element group 3. The mixer elementgroup or part thereof could also beprealigned and be fixedlyassembled within the mixer housing.The mixer housing 131 is provided with longitudinal ribs8, which end at the larger diameter 135, the two lateral endsof which are formed as bayonet lugs 1 36 and 137, FIG. 37,cooperating with the sector-shaped bayonet sockets 145,146, serving asbayonet retaining means of the cartridge. Thebayonet lugs have the same width and are provided eachwith a rib 136Aand 137A at it's end which both strengtheneach lug and acts as a stop as well as ensuring that the mixercan be turned and attached in one direction only. The uppersurface of the lugs may have inclined surface parts so as toenforce the locking ability by an axial load. Correspondinginclined surface parts may also be located on the corre-sponding surface of the cartridge sector shaped bayonetsockets.The cartridge 138 has two cylindrical containers 139 and140 with two distanced female outlets 141 and 142 forreceiving and sealing over the separate male inlets 133 and134. The cartridge front 143, FIG. 36, is provided withbayonet means comprising sector-shaped bayonet sockets145,146 which act as prongs and are closed on one side bya rib 145A and 146A which connects to the cartridge endwall so as to stiffen and increase (he strength of the bayonetprong. The cutouts 149 and 150 between the sector shapedbayonet sockets allow for the introduction of the mixerbayonet lugs 136 and 137.

In this embodiment the bayonet lugs and the sector shapedbayonet sockets have approximately the same width. Thecoding is achieved by other coding means on the mixer andon the cartridge. The cartridge front 143 is provided with aT-shaped protrusion 151 arranged between the two outletsand the mixer inlet face is provided with a similar protrusion152 arranged off center between the mixer inlets, see FIGS.36 and 37.The two T-shaped cod ing means allow the attachment ofthe mixer in one orientation only since, when putting themixer onto the cartridge such that when the two protrusionsare laying on e upon the other, they will prevent the intro-duction of the mixer inlets into the cartridge outlets and alsoany contact between the cartridge outlets and the mixerinlets or plugs of closure means thus preventing crosscontamination and prohibiting mixer/accessory attachment.It is obvious that the coding protrusions can have any shapeother than a T-form, and could be e.g., in the form of akeyway allowing only one defined position in which tointroduce the m ixer having a corresponding protrusion, ortwo differently shaped keyw ays and corresponding protru-sions.The coded alignment can be facilitated by visual codingmeans, e.g., a marking 153 at the cartridge outlet end and amarking 154 at the bayonet lug 137 o f the mixer on the sameside as the codin g protrusion.In the embodiment of FIGS. 38-40, the coding isachieved by cutouts of different widths between the lugs.FIG. 38 shows a mixer-cartridge assembly with a mixer 155with a mixer housing 156, outlet 4 and integral internalmixer parts comprising two separate inlets 157 and 158



67/114

US 6,186 363 B19 10ending into a disc-shaped flange and fol low ed by separated must be large enough to fit over the larger retaining meanschambers 157A and 158 A which in turn are ixedlyattached of the cartridge, whereas the visual coding meansresttheto a properly aligned irstdividing element 3D of the mixer same as previously described.element group 3. Als o this mixer is attached to the cartridge FIGS. 41 -4 4 show a similar arrangement to that of theby pressing the mixer onto the cartridge and by rotating the 5 FIGS. 38 -4 0 excep t that the mixer 20 0 is separate frommixer housing 156 about the integral internal mixer parts. coupling rin g 196 , the latter beingrotatedabout the station-The mixer element group 3 or part thereof, may also be a r y mixer during the fin al rotary lock ing attachment o f theprealigned and fixe dly assembled within the mixer housing. coupling rin g bayonet lugs 1 60A . 161 A. into the sectorThe mixer housing 156 is provided with longitudinal ribs shaped bayonet sockets 169. 170 of the cartridge 162.8. which end at the larger diameter 159, the two lateral ends FIG. 41 shows mixer 200 with the outlet4 and comprisingof which are formed as bayonet lugs 160 and 161, FIG. 40, a housing 201 containing the mixer element group 3 incooperating with the sector shaped bayonet retaining means alignment with inlet part 197, the latter only partiallyof the cartridge. In this FIG. 38 and also in FIGS. 13 ,32 .35 contained within the mixer housing and comprising separateand 45 it is shown that the inlet end of the mixer housing has m a le inlets 157B. 158B and separate chambers 157C, 158C .not only one cylindrical enlargement but two. e.g., one 159 " A ^dge 198 lodges and seals the inlet part 197 within theat the inlet, lodging and sealing against the separate inlets mixer housing. The coup ling ring 196 is preassembled and157, 158, follow ed by the second pari 159A having an prealigned with the mixer inlet part 197 via a groove 199.intermediate diameter and lodging and sealing against the FIG, 41. in the coupling ring 196. FIG. 43 shows couplingseparating m eans 157A , 158A . The bayonet lugs have the r i n g X96 with the same cod ed bayonet Ings 160A, 161 A, cutsame widths but the gaps or cuiouts 194,1 95 between them 20 o u t s 94A, 195A. visual coding 154 and V-shape noseare different, corresponding to the different widths of the coding 1 92A as used in the embodiment according to FIG.sector shaped bayonet sockets on the cartridge. 40.These bayonet lugs 16 0,1 61 . can be provided each with FIG. 44 shows the mixer 200 and the cartridge 162 whena rib 167, FIG. 40, on the rev ers e side of the mixer inlet ^ assembled together. Prior to such assembly, the couplingwhich both strengthen the lug and act as stop as well as 2 5 ring 196 may be pre-assembled to the mixer under sufficientlimiting rotation in one direction on ly so as to prevent the tension such that both compon ents are held together in themixer from being attached at 180 to the correct alignment. correct relative alignment for initial visual coded and initialThe upper surface of the lugs may have inclined parts, not axial mechanical cod ed contact and attachment of the mixershown, so as to enforce the locking and sealing ability by an inlets 157B, 158B to the cartridge outlets 165, 166 on theaxial force. Corresponding inclined pans, not shown, may 3 0 cartridge prior to the fina l rotary lock ing attachment of thealso be located on the corresponding surface of the cartridge coupling rin g as described above . In this embodimentsector shaped bayonet sockets. therefore, there is no rotation of the mixer housing 201 abouiThe cartridge 162 has two cylindrical containers 163 and the mixer inlet part 197 and element group 3 during attach-164 with two distanced female outlets 165 and 166 for ment,receiving and sealing ov er the separate male inlets 157 and 35 In the embodiment according to FIGS. 45-47 the sector-158. The cartridge front 168, FIG. 39, is provided with shaped bayonet sockets are at the mixer and the bayonet lugsbayonet means, comprising two scctor-shaped bayonet sock- at the cartridge, in analogy to the embodiment according toets. FIGS. 26-28 .In FIG. 39, the bayonet means at the cartridge comprises 4Q FIG. 44 shows a mixer-cartridge assembly with a mixertwo diametrically opposed sector-shaped bayonet sockets 1 7 3 comprising a mixer housing 174 with outlet 4 and a169 and 170 acting as bayonet prongs for the bayonet lugs mixer inlet section 175 containing the integral internal partsof the mixer, the two sockets having different widths, socket comprising two separate male inlets 176 and 177 followed169 having the greater width. The two cut outs 171 and 172 by separated chambers 176A and 177A w hich in turn arebetween the sockets allow for the introduction of the cor- 4 ? fixedly attached to a properly aligned irstdividing elementresponding mixer bayonet lugs 160 and 161 into the sector 3D of the mixer element group 3. Also this mixer is attachedshaped bayonet sockets 169 ,17 0. As shown in this Figure, to the cartridge by pressing the mixer onto the cartridge andthe passages o f the bayonet sockets 169 and 170 commence by rotating the mixer housing 174 about the separate maleas straight passages but beco me curved fron t the mid point inlets 176 and 177 , the separated chambers 176A and 177Aonwards so as to achieve a greater strength against bayonet 5Q and the mixer element group 3. The mixer element group orlug axial forces. part thereof could also be pre-aligned and be fixed lyThe passages can be wholly curved, without straight parts, assembled within the mixer housing,and who lly or partly curved passages can also be provided The mixer housing 174 is provided with longitudinal ribson thering-shapedbayone t attachment means. 8, which end at the larger diameter 178, the two lateral ends

In order to prevent any inadvertent contact whatsoever of 55 of which are formed as two diametrically opposed sector-the mixer or accessory inlet or inlets with the cartridge outlet shaped bayonet sockets 179 and 180 (see FIG. 43) acting asor outlets by any form of tilting or tipping of one against the prongs which are both close d at one side by arib179 A andother during incorrect alignment the larger cut out 195 at the 180A connecting to the mixer wall so as to stiffen andmixer is provided with a V-shape nose 192 corresponding to increase the strength of the bayonet prong. The cut-outs 181a V-shape incision 193 at the larger socket 16 9 such that the 60 and 182, between the sockets, allow for the introduc

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Sulzer Mixpac et. al. v. U.S. Dental Depot