GB2625556A

GB2625556A - Cartridge for a dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2625556A
Application number: GB2219260.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bublewitz Alexander
Original assignee: Medmix Switzerland AG
Current assignee: Medmix Switzerland AG
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2022-12-20
Publication date: 2024-06-26
Also published as: WO2024133237A1; GB202219260D0

Abstract

A system comprises a cartridge 102 for a dispensing device 100 and a grip plate 104, wherein the grip plate is at least axially moveably mounted and axially fixable to the cartridge. The cartridge may have a round, oval or D-shaped cross section. The grip plate may comprise at least two oppositely arranged handles 156 (Figure 5B), which may be square or round-shaped. The grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge using a lip 140 (Figure 4B) located between the grip plate and the cartridge; the lip may be sloped on at least one side. The grip plate may be continuously movable between a first 112 and second 114 end of the cartridge, with the grip plate being fixable to the cartridge at any position between the first and second ends by clamping the lip between the grip plate and the cartridge. The cartridge may further comprise a plurality of grooves 142 (Figure 4A) arranged in parallel to one another perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A on an outer surface 116 of the cartridge. A method of use and device comprising a piston 108 and plunger 106 are also disclosed.

Description

Cartridoe for a disoensino device

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for a dispensing device and to a 5 method of adapting a distance between an end of the cartridge and an actual position of a grip plate.

BACKGROUND

Dispensing devices exist in different forms and sizes. Furthermore, dispensing devices can be used in many different applications, like medical applications, dental applications or industrial applications.

However, an operation of a dispensing device may almost always be the same independently of the application. The dispensing device may typically comprise a container or a cartridge containing material. The material may be extracted out of the container through an opening arranged at one end of the container. To extract the material through the opening, the material may be pressed out of the container using, for example, a plunger with a piston.

The dispensing device may also comprise a grip plate arranged at an end of the container where the piston is inserted into the container. The grip plate may help to control a force applied to the plunger. For example, a user may press with his thumb on the plunger and simultaneously hold the grip plate with his index and middle fingers to control the force applied by pressing the plunger.

The control of the force can be arduous leading to less than desirable dispensing results.

Accordingly, there is a need for methods and devices to improve an ergonomic handling of a dispensing device and to leverage the force required to dispense the material out of the dispensing device.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a cartridge, a method and a dispensing device according to the independent claims. Embodiments are given in the subclaims, the description and the drawings.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed at a cartridge for a dispensing device. The cartridge comprises a grip plate, wherein the grip plate is at least axially moveably mounted at the cartridge and axially fixable to the cartridge.

The cartridge may be configured to receive material, wherein the material may be liquid or viscous. The cartridge may comprise a first end and a second end.

Further, the cartridge may comprise a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end. The cartridge may be configured to receive a piston through the first opening at the first end. The cartridge may be configured that a needle or a nozzle may be attached to the second end such that the material contained in the cartridge may be dispensed out of the cartridge through the second opening at the second end and through the needle or nozzle. Any appropriate material for a specific application of the cartridge may be received and contained by the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise one or more containers, wherein each of the containers may be configured to receive and contain material.

The dispensing device may be a syringe, for example, used by a dentist for narcotic injections or to fill a tooth. The grip plate may be ergonomically formed.

Further, the grip plate may be arranged on an outer surface of the cartridge.

An axial direction may be defined as a direction directing from the first end of the cartridge to the second end of the cartridge. In other words, the axial direction may be described by a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

As the grip plate is axially moveably mounted at the cartridge and axially fixable to the cartridge an optimal ergonomic positioning of the grip plate on the surface of the cartridge may be achievable. For example, the grip plate may be fixed to the cartridge at a position that may be optimal regarding a hand size of a user or optimal regarding a required force, required to extract the material out of the cartridge. Thus, a handling of a dispensing device comprising the cartridge may be improved.

According to an embodiment, a cross section of the cartridge perpendicular to an axial direction may be round, oval, or D-shaped. The cross section of the cartridge may be described by a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The 0-shaped cross section may comprise a round-shaped section at one side of the cross section and a rectangular shaped section at the other side of the cross section. Alternatively, the cross-section of the cartridge may be oval or elliptical.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge may comprise two containers arranged in parallel, the two containers may have equal or unequal volumes and/or equal or unequal outer cross-sectional areas. Each of the two containers may be configured to receive and contain material, wherein one container may contain a different material than the other container. Each of the two containers may be cylinders, i.e. may comprise a cylindrical shape. However, the two containers may also be of different shape.

According to an embodiment, an outer shape of the cartridge may be round or oval. The cartridge may enclose at least one container inside the cartridge. The outer shape of the cartridge may be different from an inner shape of the cartridge. The inner shape of the cartridge may be adapted to a shape of the at least one container inside the cartridge. For example, if the at least one container is 0-shaped, the inner shape of the cartridge may be D-shaped. If the cartridge comprises two coaxially arranged containers, the inner shape of the cartridge may be formed as a horizontal eight that may encompass the two coaxially arranged containers. The outer shape of the cartridge may also be elliptical shaped. A round-shaped, oval-shaped or elliptical-shaped outer shape of the cartridge may beneficial regarding the handling of the dispensing device.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be unlockable to release a fixed distance between one end of the cartridge and the grip plate. The grip plate may further be fixable at a position between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge to fix another distance between one end of the cartridge and the grip plate. In this way the grip plate may be positioned at an optimal position between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may comprise at least two oppositely arranged handles. The grip plate may comprise two, three, four or more handles.

The at least two oppositely arranged handles may extrude in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The at least two handles of the grip plate may be arranged at the cartridge such that a user may grasp the at least two handles easily with his fingers. Such handles may allow a simple use of the cartridge or of the dispensing device comprising the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the at least two oppositely arranged handles may be square-shaped or round-shaped. Such a shape may be beneficial when using the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be circumferentially closed and placed over the cartridge. Such a grip plate may be beneficial when moving the grip plate on the cartridge since the grip plate may not be detached from the cartridge when the grip plate is moving.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be movable back and/or forth along an axial direction of the cartridge. The axial direction of the cartridge may be a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The expression "forth" may mean that the grip plate is movable in a direction to the second end of the cartridge along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The expression "back" may mean that the grip plate is movable in a direction to the first end of the cartridge along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The feature of moving the grip plate back and forth may be beneficial when adjusting the optimal distance between one end of the cartridge and the grip plate or between a plunger and the grip plate. Further, moving back the grip plate may be beneficial if the cartridge is refillable. For example, the cartridge may be refilled with material once the cartridge has been emptied and the grip plate may be repositioned by moving the grip plate back along the axial direction of the cartridge. The grip plate may be movable back to a position arranged at the first end of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge using a lip. The lip may enclose the outer surface of the cartridge. The lip may be formed from a flexible material, for example, a synthetic material. The lip may be attached to an inner surface of the grip plate. Such a lip may be beneficial to move the grip plate continuously along the axial direction of the cartridge.

According to this embodiment, the lip may be mounted on the grip plate and the lip may be arranged between the grip plate and the cartridge. The lip may be arranged such that the lip may progressively expand as more force may be applied to the grip plate to move the grip plate. The force applied to the grip plate may be a counterforce to the force applied to plunger when extracting the material out of the cartridge. By means of such a feature, the grip plate may be moved along the axial direction of the cartridge when a relatively small force is applied. On the other hand, the grip plate may be fixed in a position on the cartridge when a relatively high force is applied to the grip plate.

According to an embodiment, the lip may be sloped on at least one side. The sloped lip may be configured to build a tension in an axial direction. The tension may prevent the lip and thus the grip plate from moving in this axial direction.

Therefore, the grip plate may be fixed in this axial direction. On the other hand, the slope may be configured to enable a movement of the grip plate in the other axial direction.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be continuously moveable between a first end of the cartridge and a second end of the cartridge and the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge at any position between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge by clamping the lip between the grip plate and the cartridge. Clamping may mean that there may be a force or a tension between the lip and the outer surface of the cartridge and between the lip and the grip plate, wherein the force or the tension prevents a movement of the grip plate. Such an embodiment may be beneficially used to adjust a distance between the grip plate and the first end of the cartridge frequently.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge may further comprise a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel to one other perpendicular to a longitudinal axis on an outer surface of the cartridge. Such grooves may be beneficially used to define positions on the cartridge where the grip plate may be fixed.

According to this embodiment, each groove of the plurality of grooves may be configured to receive the lip. The lip may be received from the respective groove when the grip plate is moved along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge over the respective groove. The grip plate may be fixed at the position of the respective groove when the lip is received by the respective groove. The grip plate may be unlockable from this position if a force higher than a retention force is applied to the grip plate to press the lip out of the groove. The retention force may be a force that prevents the lip from moving out of the groove.

According to an embodiment, each groove of the plurality of grooves may be completely or partly circumferentially arranged at the cartridge. A completely circumferentially arranged groove at the cartridge may cause a higher retention force. Thus, fixing the grip plate to the cartridge may be more stable. On the other hand, a partly circumferentially arranged groove at the cartridge may be beneficial when the grip plate is partially circumferentially arranged at the outer surface of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be moveable between a first end of the cartridge and a second end of the cartridge along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge in predefined steps defined by the plurality of grooves and the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge at any predefined step between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge by receiving the lip through one groove of the plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves and thus the predefined steps may be arranged equidistantly along the outer surface of the cartridge. A distance between each two grooves of the plurality of grooves may be different. For example, the distance between two grooves at the first end of the cartridge may be smaller than the distance of two grooves in the middle of the cartridge, i.e. in the middle between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge using a locking rail. The locking rail may extend in an axial direction, particularly along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, from a vicinity of the first end of the cartridge almost to the second end of the cartridge. Such a locking rail may be beneficially used to move the grip plate continuously along the cartridge.

According to this embodiment, the locking rail may comprise a longitudinal recess at an outer surface of the cartridge and the grip plate comprises a nose, wherein the nose may be embedded in the locking rail. The longitudinal recess may be configured to receive the nose of the grip plate. The nose of the grip plate may be controlled by the longitudinal recess such that the grip plate is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the recess back and/or forth along the axial direction of the cartridge. The nose may be configured to prevent a movement of the grip plate perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The grip plate may be fixed at any position of the locking rail using a clamp or a latch. The clamp or the latch may be configured to secure the nose of the grip plate at a selected position on the locking rail.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge using a fixing device. Such a fixing device may comprise a tongue and a groove or a toothing and cams, arranged at the cartridge and the grip plate respectively. One part of the fixing device may be arranged at the grip plate and a counterpart of the fixing device may be arranged at the cartridge. The part and the counterpart may engage with each other such that the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge.

According to this embodiment, the fixing device may comprise a toothing arranged at the cartridge and one or more cams arranged at the grip plate, wherein the toothing and the one or more cams may mesh with one another if the grip plate is fixed. The one or more cams may be moved over the toothing, wherein the one or more cams may be receivable by a notch between two teeth of the toothing. Such a toothing and cams arrangement of the fixing device may be comparable to a cable-tie principle. Therefore, the tooting and cams arrangement may allow a movement of the grip plate in one direction, for example, in a direction from the first end of the cartridge to the second end of the cartridge. A movement of the grip plate from the second end of the cartridge to the first end of the cartridge may not be possible, i.e. the grip plate may be fixed against a movement in that direction.

According to an embodiment, the fixing device may comprise a latch to fix the grip plate to the cartridge and unfix the grip plate from the cartridge. The latch may be configured to press the toothing against the cams when the grip plate is fixed to the cartridge. The latch may be applied at any position where the toothing and the cams engage. The latch may comprise an open position and a closed position. The toothing and the cams may engage in the closed position of the latch. If the latch is in the open position, the toothing and the cams may be moveable in relation to each other.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge using at least one bulge or at least one indentation. The at least one bulge or that at least one indentation may be arranged on an outer surface of the cartridge. The grip plate may be fixable to the cartridge by snapping onto the at least one bulge or by snapping into the at least one indentation. The grip plate may comprise a respective recess or a respective protrusion. The respective recess may be configured to receive a bulge of the at least one bulges when the grip plate is moved over the bulge. Accordingly, the at least one indentation of the cartridge may be configured to receive the protrusion of the grip plate when the grip plate is moved over the indentation. Such a configuration of at least one bulge or at least one indentation on the surface of the cartridge may be beneficial to predefine positions on the cartridge to which the grip plate may be fixed.

According to this embodiment, the at least one bulge or the at least one indentation may be arranged completely or partly circumferentially at the cartridge.

A completely circumferentially arranged bulge or indentation may enable a stable fixing of the grip plate to the cartridge. On the other hand, a partly circumferentially arranged bulge or indentation at the cartridge may be beneficial when the grip plate is partially circumferentially arranged at the outer surface of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the grip plate may be moveable in predefined steps and fixable at the predefined steps. Such a grip plate may be advantageous in that the fixation of the grip plate may be reliably repeated. For example, the grip plate may be fixable always at the same predefined steps.

According to another embodiment, the grip plate may be continuously moveable on the cartridge and fixable at any position on the cartridge. Such a grip plate may be advantageous in that the fixation of the grip plate is not limited to predefined steps. Thus, the grip plate may be fixable at any position between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed at a method of adapting a distance between an end of a cartridge and an actual position of a grip plate, in particular a cartridge in accordance with at least one of the preceding embodiments. The method comprises the following step: moving the grip plate at least axially along the cartridge, in particular wherein the grip plate is axially fixable to the cartridge. The distance between the end of the cartridge and the actual position of the grip plate may be adapted to a hand size of a user of a dispensing device that may comprise the cartridge. Thus, the grip plate may be adapted for each user individually.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise the following step: fixing the grip plate to fix the distance between the end of the cartridge and the axial position of the grip plate.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise the following steps: moving the grip plate from a first position to a second position; and fixing the grip plate at the second position, wherein the first position may be arranged at a first end of the cartridge and the second position may be arranged at a second end of the cartridge or the second position may be arranged between the first end of the cartridge and the second end of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using a lip.

According to this embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using a groove configured to receive the lip, wherein the groove may be arranged on an outer surface of the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using a locking rail.

According to an embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using a fixing device.

According to an embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using a 5 toothing arranged at the cartridge and one or more cams arranged at the grip plate, wherein the toothing and the one or more cams may mesh with one other if the grip plate is fixed to the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using a latch.

According to this embodiment, the method may further comprise the following steps: opening the latch to unfix the grip plate from the cartridge before moving the grip plate at least axially along the cartridge; and closing the latch to fix the grip plate to the cartridge after moving the grip plate at least axially along the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the fixing of the grip plate may be carried out using at least one bulge or at least one indentation.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed at a dispensing device. The dispensing device comprises a cartridge according to one of the embodiments described herein, a piston and a plunger assembly cooperating with the piston. The dispensing device may further comprise a fastening unit or a loosening-unit for plugging a cap or an application nozzle to the dispensing device. Further, a mixer may be attachable to the dispensing device using a bayonet closure, a thread, or other fixations or moveable pre-mounted retaining-units or retaining-valves.

DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings, showing schematically: Fig. 1 a dispensing device according to various embodiments; Fig. 2A a cross sectional view of a round-shaped cartridge; Fig. 2B a cross sectional view of an oval-shaped cartridge; Fig. 2C a cross sectional view of a D-shaped cartridge; Fig. 3A a grip plate arranged at the first end of the cartridge; Fig. 3B a grip plate arranged at the second end of the cartridge; Fig. 4A a lip and a plurality of grooves arranged on an outer surface of a cartridge; Fig. 4B a cross sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 4A; Fig. 5A a locking rail arranged on an outer surface of a cartridge; Fig. 5B a cross sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 5A; Fig. 6A a toothing arranged on an outer surface of a cartridge; Fig. 6B a cross sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 6A; Fig. 7A a cross sectional view of a plurality of bulges arrange on an outer surface of a cartridge; and Fig. 7B a cross sectional view of a plurality of indentations arranged on an outer surface of a cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a dispensing device 100 according to various embodiments. The dispensing devise 100 may be a syringe. The dispensing device 100 may include a cartridge 102, a grip plate 104, a plunger 106, a piston 108 and a needle 110.

The grip plate 104 may be at least initially arranged on an outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 at a first end 112 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be at least axially movable mounted at the cartridge 102 and axially fixable to the cartridge 102. The needle 110 may be arranged at a second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The cartridge 102 may be, for example, a cylindrical tube. The cartridge 102 may have a first opening at the first end 112 and a second opening at the second end 114.

The grip plate 104 may be axially movable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 in a direction along a longitudinal axis A. The longitudinal axis A may define a direction from the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 to the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be fixable at a position between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 at the cartridge 102.

The first opening at the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 may be configured to receive the piston 108. The plunger 106 may be attached to a second end of the piston 108. A first end of the piston 108 may be oppositely arranged to the second end of the piston 108. The first end of the piston 108 may be configured to be inserted into the first end 112 of the cartridge 102. In an assembled state of the dispensing device 100, as shown in Fig. 1, the needle 110 may be attached to the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. Further, the first end of the piston 108 may be inserted into the first end 112 of the cartridge 102.

In Fig. 1, the cartridge 102 may be completely filled with a material, i.e. the cartridge 102 may contain the material from almost the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 to the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. In this context the term "almost" may mean that the material may not reach to the first opening at the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 since the first end of the piston 108 may be inserted into the first opening at the first end 112 of the cartridge 102. The first end of the piston 108 may contact the material inside the cartridge 102.

The material inside the cartridge 102 may be dispensed through the needle 110 by carrying out the following steps. A user, for example a dentist or a doctor, may grasp the dispensing device 100 by placing one finger, for example a thumb, on the plunger 106 and gripping the grip plate 104 with two other fingers, for example an index and a middle finger. The piston 108 may be pushed into the cartridge 102 in a direction along the longitudinal axis A by pressing the thumb on the plunger 106. The index finger and the middle finger may support the pressing of the plunger 106 with the thumb. A counterforce to a force that may be applied by pressing the thumb to the plunger 106 may be generated in that the index finger and the middle finger may be supported on the grip plate 104. By pressing the thumb on the plunger 106, the material inside the cartridge 102 may be squeezed out of the cartridge 102 through the second opening at the second end 114 of the cartridge 102, in particular through the needle 110 attached at the second end 114 of the cartridge 102.

Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C show cross sectional views of the cartridge 102 according to various embodiments. A cross section 122, 124, 126 of the cartridge 102 may be described by a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102.

Fig. 2A shows a round-shaped cross section 122 of a round-shaped cartridge 102.

The round-shaped cross section 122 may describe a circle, particularly the round-shaped cross section 122 of the outer surface 116 of the round-shaped cartridge 102 may be a circle.

Fig. 2B shows an oval-shaped cross section 124 of an oval-shaped cartridge 102.

The oval-shaped cross section 124 may describe an oval or may be of an elliptical shape, particularly the oval-shaped cross section 124 of the outer surface 116 of the oval-shaped cartridge 102 may be an oval.

Fig. 2C shows a D-shaped cross section 126 of a D-shaped cartridge 102. The 0-shaped cross section 126 may describe a D-shape. The D-shaped cross section 126 may include a round-shaped section at one side of the 0-shaped cross section 126 and a rectangular shape at the other side of the D-shaped cross section 126. Thus, the D-shaped cross section 126 of the outer surface 116 of the D-shaped cartridge 102 may look like an alphabetic character "D".

Figs. 3A and 3B show a cartridge 102 with different positions of the grip plate 104 at the cartridge 102. Fig. 3A shows the grip plate 104 arranged at a first position 132 at the first end 112 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be circumferentially closed and placed over the cartridge 102. Further, the piston 108 may be inserted into the cartridge 102 into the first opening of the cartridge 102. However, the piston 108 may only be inserted into the cartridge 102 by a small amount such that most of the piston 108 may protrude from the cartridge 102. This may be because the cartridge is completely filled with a material.

The grip plate 104 may be unlockable attached to the cartridge 102 to release a fixed distance between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and an axial position of the grip plate 104 or to release a fixed distance between the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 and the axial position of the grip plate 104. The grip plate 104 may be continuously moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the grip plate 104 may be continuously moveable from the first position 132 where the grip plate 104 is arranged at the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 (as shown in Fig. 3A) to a second position 134 where the grip plate 104 is arranged at the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 (as shown in Fig. 3B), and vice versa. The second position 134 may be arranged at any position between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. Thus, the grip plate 104 may be movable back and forth in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102. It may also be possible that the grip plate 104 is moveable in predefined steps between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A. Fig. 3B shows the grip plate 104 arranged at the second position 134 at the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be moved from the first position 132 to the second position 134 by releasing the grip plate 104 from the first position 132 (where the grip plate 104 may be fixed), moving the grip plate 104 from the first position 132 axially along the cartridge 102 in a direction defined by the longitudinal axis A to the second position 134, and fixing the grip plate 104 at the second position 134. The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any position between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102, particularly at any position between the first position 132 of the cartridge 102 and the second position 134 of the cartridge 102.

Fig. 4A shows a lip 140 and a plurality of grooves 142 arranged on an outer surface 116 of a cartridge102. The lip 140 may be mounted on the grip plate 104. The cartridge 102 may include the plurality of grooves 142, wherein each groove 142 of the plurality of grooves 142 may be arranged in parallel to one other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. Each groove 142 of the plurality of grooves 142 may be completely or partly circumferentially arranged at the cartridge 102. The plurality of grooves 142 may be arranged on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The plurality of grooves 142 may be equally spaced between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the plurality of grooves 142 may be arranged with different distances between two grooves 142 on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102.

Each groove 142 of the plurality of grooves 142 may be configured to receive the lip 140. Thus, each groove 142 of the plurality of grooves 142 may predefine a position or a step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and a second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 over the predefined steps defined by the plurality of grooves 142. The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any predefined step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 by receiving the lip 140 through one groove 142 of the plurality of grooves 142.

Fig. 4B shows a cross sectional view of the cartridge 102 of Fig. 4A. The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 using the lip 140. The lip 140 may be sloped on at least one side as shown in Fig. 4B. Alternatively, the lip 140 may be sloped on both sides of the lip 140. The grip plate 104 may be continuously moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 and the grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any position between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 by clamping the lip 140 between the grip plate 104 and the cartridge 102.

Fig. 5A shows a locking rail 150 arranged on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. The locking rail 150 may include a longitudinal recess 152. The longitudinal recess 152 may extend in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 from the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 to the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 using the locking rail 150. The grip plate 104 may be moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 by sliding the grip plate 104 along the locking rail 150. The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any predefined step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 by clamping the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102, for example, using a clamp or a latch (both not shown in Fig. 5A). The grip plate 104 may be moveable on the cartridge 102 by opening the clamp or the latch to unfix the grip plate 104 from the cartridge 102 before moving the grip plate 104 at least axially along the cartridge102. After moving the grip plate 104 along the cartridge 102 to a desired position on the cartridge 102 between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102, the clamp or the latch may be closed to fix the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102. The clamp or the latch may be configured to press the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102 and thus, fix the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102.

Fig. 5B shows a cross sectional view of the cartridge 102 of Fig. 5A. The cartridge 102 may include two oppositely arranged locking rails 150 arranged on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may include at least two oppositely arranged handles 156. The at least two oppositely arranged handles 156 may be square-shaped or round-shaped. It is understood, that the cartridge 102 may include only one locking rail 150 arranged on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 and that the grip plate 104 may include only one handle 156. The only one handle 156 may be square-shaped or round-shaped.

The grip plate 104, or each of the grip plates 104, may further include a nose 154. The nose 154 may be embedded in the locking rail 150. The nose 154 may be attached to the grip plate 104 by a bar 158. The bar 158 may extend through the longitudinal recess 152 of the locking rail 150. The bar 158 may connect the nose 154 to the grip plate 104. Furthermore, the bar 158 may control a movement of the grip plate 104 in the locking rail 150 such that the grip plate 104 may only be moveable in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis A. A width of the longitudinal recess 152 may be smaller than a width of the nose 154. Thus, a movement of the grip plate 104 perpendicular to longitudinal axis A may be avoided. The width of the longitudinal recess 152 may be a distance between two edges of the locking rail 150. The distance between two edges of the locking rail 150 may be measured perpendicular to the axial direction of the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102. The width of the nose 154 may also be measured perpendicular to the axial direction of the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102, wherein the distance of the nose 154 may be defined as a widest portion of the nose 154.

Fig. 6A shows a toothing 160 arranged on an outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. The toothing 160 may include a plurality of teeth. The toothing 160 may extend in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 from the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 to the second end 114 of the cartridge 102.

The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 using the toothing 160. Therefore, the grip plate 104 may comprise at least one cam 162 (see Fig. 6B). The at least one cam 162 may include a plurality of teeth. The at least one cam 162 may be arranged on the grip plate 104 between the grip plate 104 and the toothing 160.

The grip plate 104 may be moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 by sliding the grip plate 104 along the toothing 160. The at least one cam 162 and the toothing 160 may not be engaged when the grip plate 104 moves along the toothing 160.

Fig. 6B shows a cross sectional view of the cartridge 102 of Fig. 6A. The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any predefined step, wherein the predefined step may be defined by the toothing 160 and the at least one cam 162, between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 by clamping the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102, for example, using a clamp or a latch (both not shown in Hg. 6B). The clamp or the latch may be configured to press the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102 and thus, fix the grip plate to the cartridge 102. Particularly, the clamp or the latch may be configured to press the at least one cam 162 of the grip plate 104 to the toothing 160 of the cartridge 102. The clamp or the latch may be configured to fix the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102 and unfix the grip plate 104 from the cartridge 102. The grip plate 104 may be moveable on the cartridge 102 by opening the clamp or the latch to unfix the grip plate 104 from the cartridge 102 before moving the grip plate 104 at least axially along the cartridge102. After moving the grip plate 104 along the cartridge 102 to a desired position on the cartridge 102 between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102, the clamp or the latch may be closed to fix the grip plate 104 to the cartridge 102.

The toothing 160 and the at least one cam 162 may be equally toothed such that the teeth of the at least one cam 162 may mesh with at least a portion of the teeth of the toothing 160. The toothing 160 and the one or more cams 162 may mesh with one other if the grip plate 104 is fixed to the cartridge 102. Fig. 6B shows the toothing 160 and the at least one cam 162 in a fixed position.

In an embodiment, the at least one cam 162 may include at least one hook (not shown in the Figures), wherein the at least one hook may hook into the toothing 160. Thus, the grip plate 104 may be fixed to the cartridge 102 using the at least one hook.

Fig. 7A shows a cross sectional view of a plurality of bulges 170 arranged on an outer surface 116 of a cartridge 102. The cartridge 102 may include the plurality of bulges 170, wherein each bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170 may be arranged in parallel to one other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. Each bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170 may be completely or partly circumferentially arranged at the cartridge 102.

The plurality of bulges 170 may be arranged on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The plurality of bulges 170 may be equally spaced between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the plurality of bulges 170 may be arranged with different distances between two bulges 170 on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. Each bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170 may predefine a position or a step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102.

The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 using at least one bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170. Therefore, the grip plate 104 may comprise a recess 172. The recess 172 may be arranged on the grip plate 104 between the grip plate 104 and the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. The recess 172 may be configured to receive the at least one bulge 170.

The grip plate 104 may be moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 by sliding the grip plate 104 along the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 over the predefined steps defined by the plurality of bulges 170. The recess 172 of the grip plate 104 may not receive one bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170 when the grip plate 104 moves along the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. The recess 172 of the grip plate 104 may receive one bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170 when the grip plate 104 moves over the bulge 170. Thus, the grip plate 104 may be fixed at the position of the bulge 170, when the recess 172 of the grip plate 104 may receive the bulge 170.

The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any predefined step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The recess 172 of the grip plate may receive one bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170 when the grip plate 104 is fixed to the one bulge 170 of the plurality of bulges 170.

Fig. 7B shows a cross sectional view of a plurality of indentations 174 arranged on an outer surface 116 of a cartridge 102. The cartridge 102 may include the plurality of indentations 174, wherein each indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 may be arranged in parallel to one other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. Each indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 may be completely or partly circumferentially arranged at the cartridge 102. The plurality of indentations 174 may be arranged on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The plurality of indentations 174 may be equally spaced between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the plurality of indentations 174 may be arranged with different distances between two indentations 174 on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. Each indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 may predefine a position or a step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102.

The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 using at least one indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174. Therefore, the grip plate 104 may comprise a protrusion 176. The protrusion 176 may be arranged on the grip plate 104 between the grip plate 104 and the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. Each indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 may be configured to receive the protrusion 176 of the grip plate 104.

The grip plate 104 may be moveable between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and a second end 114 of the cartridge 102 along the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 102 by sliding the grip plate 104 along the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 over the predefined steps defined by the plurality of indentations 174. The protrusion 176 of the grip plate 104 may not be received by one indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 when the grip plate 104 moves along the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102. The protrusion 176 of the grip plate 104 may be received by one indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 when the grip plate 104 moves over the indentation 174.

The grip plate 104 may be fixable to the cartridge 102 at any predefined step between the first end 112 of the cartridge 102 and the second end 114 of the cartridge 102. The protrusion 176 of the grip plate 104 may be received by one indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174 when the grip plate 104 is fixed to the one indentation 174 of the plurality of indentations 174.

The present invention may be directed at an optimized handling of a dispensing device 100, for example a syringe. An optimized ergonomic handling of the dispensing device 100 and a leverage of strength to easily dispense material out of the dispensing device 100 independent of a filling level of the dispensing device 100 may be reached by a movable and fixable grip plate 104 as described herein. A position of the grip plate 104 on an outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 may be adapted by sliding the grip plate 104 along an axial direction on the outer surface 116 of the cartridge 102 for an optimal handling during different filling levels of the cartridge 102.

Further, the moveable and fixable grip plate 104 may allow to adapt the dispensing device 100 to needs of different users of the dispensing devise 100, for example, an easier use of the dispensing device 100 for females may be possible.

The idea of forming the grip plate 104 on a hand-held cartridge 102 moveable to adapt a distance between an end of the plunger 106 and the grip plate 104 may improve the usage of the dispensing device 100 depending on hand size and 15 strength.

Reference numeral list dispensing device 102 cartridge 104 grip plate 106 plunger 108 piston needle 112 first end of cartridge 114 second end of cartridge 116 outer surface 122 round-shaped cross section 124 oval-shaped cross section 126 0-shaped cross section 132 first position on cartridge 134 second position on cartridge lip 142 groove locking rail 152 longitudinal recess 154 nose 156 handle 158 bar toothing 162 cam bulge 172 recess 174 indentation 176 protrusion A longitudinal axis

Claims

Claims 1. A cartridge (102) for a dispensing device (100), comprising a grip plate (104), wherein the grip plate (104) is at least axially moveably mounted at the cartridge (102) and axially fixable to the cartridge (102).
2. The cartridge (102) of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the cartridge (102) perpendicular to an axial direction is round, oval, or D-shaped.
3. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge (102) comprises two containers arranged in parallel, the two containers having equal or unequal volumes and/or equal or unequal outer cross-sectional areas.
4. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outer shape of the cartridge (102) is round or oval.
5. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the grip plate (104) is unlockable to release a fixed distance between one end of the cartridge (102) and the grip plate (104).
6. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the grip plate (104) comprises at least two oppositely arranged handles (156).
7. The cartridge (102) of claim 6, wherein the at least two oppositely arranged handles (156) are square-shaped or round-shaped.
8. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the grip plate (104) is circumferentially closed and placed over the cartridge (102).
9. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the grip plate (104) is movable back and/or forth along an axial direction of the cartridge (102).
10. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the grip plate (104) is fixable to the cartridge (102) using a lip (140).
11. The cartridge (102) of claim 10, wherein the lip (140) is mounted on the grip plate (104) and the lip (140) is arranged between the grip plate (104) and the cartridge (102).
12. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the lip (140) is sloped on at least one side.
13. The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the grip plate (104) is continuously moveable between a first end (112) of the cartridge (102) and a second end (114) of the cartridge (102) and the grip plate (104) is fixable to the cartridge (102) at any position between the first end (112) of the cartridge (102) and the second end (114) of the cartridge (102) by clamping the lip (140) between the grip plate (104) and the cartridge (102). 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the cartridge (102) further comprises a plurality of grooves (142) arranged in parallel to one other perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A) on an outer surface (116) of the cartridge (102).
The cartridge (102) of claim 14, wherein each groove (142) of the plurality of grooves (142) is configured to receive the lip (140).
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 14 or 15, wherein each groove (142) of the plurality of grooves (142) is completely or partly circumferentially arranged at the cartridge (102).
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the grip plate (104) is moveable between a first end (112) of the cartridge (102) and a second end (114) of the cartridge (102) along a longitudinal axis (A) of the cartridge (102) in predefined steps defined by the plurality of grooves (142) and the grip plate (104) is fixable to the cartridge (102) at any predefined step between the first end (112) of the cartridge (102) and the second end (114) of the cartridge (102) by receiving the lip (140) through one groove (142) of the plurality of grooves (142).
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the grip plate (104) is fixable to the cartridge (102) using a locking rail (150).
The cartridge (102) of claim 18, wherein the locking rail (150) comprises a longitudinal recess (152) at an outer surface (116) of the cartridge (102) and the grip plate (104) comprises a nose (154), wherein the nose (154) is embedded in the locking rail (150). 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the grip plate (104) is fixable to the cartridge (102) using a fixing device.
The cartridge (102) of claim 20, wherein the fixing device comprises a toothing (160) arranged at the cartridge (102) and one or more cams (162) arranged at the grip plate (104), wherein the toothing (160) and the one or more cams (162) mesh with one another if the grip plate (104) is fixed to the cartridge (102).
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 20 or 21, wherein the fixing device comprises a latch to fix the grip plate (104) to the cartridge (102) and unfix the grip plate (104) from the cartridge (102).
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the grip plate (104) is fixable to the cartridge (102) using at least one bulge (170) or at least one indentation (174).
The cartridge (102) of claim 23, wherein the at least one bulge (170) or the at least one indentation (174) is arranged completely or partly circumferentially at the cartridge (102).
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the grip plate (104) is moveable in predefined steps.
The cartridge (102) of at least one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the grip plate (104) is continuously moveable on the cartridge (102).
27. A method of adapting a distance between an end of a cartridge (102) and an actual position of a grip plate (104), in particular a cartridge (102) in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following step: moving the grip plate (104) at least axially along the cartridge (102), in particular wherein the grip plate (104) is axially fixable to the cartridge (102).
The method of claim 27 further comprising the following step: fixing the grip plate (104) to fix the distance between the end of the cartridge (102) and the axial position of the grip plate (104).
The method of at least one of claims 27 or 28, further comprising the following steps: moving the grip plate (104) from a first position (132) to a second position (134); and fixing the grip plate (104) at the second position (134), wherein the first position (132) is arranged at a first end (112) of the cartridge (102) and the second position (134) is arranged at a second end (114) of the cartridge (102) or the second position (134) is arranged between the first end (112) of the cartridge (102) and the second end (114) of the cartridge (102).
The method of at least one of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using a lip (140).
The method of claim 30, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using a groove (142) configured to receive the lip (140), 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37.wherein the groove (142) is arranged on an outer surface (116) of the cartridge (102).
The method of at least one of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using a locking rail (150).
The method of at least one of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using a fixing device.
The method of at least one of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using a toothing (160) arranged at the cartridge (102) and one or more cams (162) arranged at the grip plate (104), wherein the toothing (160) and the one or more cams (162) mesh with one other if the grip plate (104) is fixed to the cartridge (102).
The method of at least one of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using a latch.
The method of claim 35, further comprising the following steps: opening the latch to unfix the grip plate (104) from the cartridge (102) before moving the grip plate (104) at least axially along the cartridge (102); and closing the latch to fix the grip plate (104) to the cartridge (102) after moving the grip plate (104) at least axially along the cartridge (102).
The method of at least one of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fixing of the grip plate (104) is carried out using at least one bulge (170) or at least one indentation (174).
38. A dispensing device (100) comprising a cartridge (102) according to one of claims 1 to 29, a piston (108) and a plunger (106) assembly cooperating with the piston (108).