The invention relates to a system for anchoring a securing device such as a screw, bolt, expansion bolt or the like in a substrate.

Such systems often comprise a container for each of respective mixable components of an adhesive system, for example an epoxy resin system comprising A and B epoxy. In such a system the containers are separate, and one container may hold an epoxy resin 'A' and the other a hardener 'B' for the resin. In such a system, the respective containers are opened separately for subsequent mixing and then curing or setting of the adhesive. Among problems associated with such a system is that of ensuring as prompt a mixing of the components as possible on opening of the containers, which being separate often causes a delay in mixing with loss of efficacy in forming the adhesive.

It is an object of the invention to seek to overcome this and other disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for providing a system of multiple mixable components for anchoring a securing device in a bore of a substrate, the set comprising respective rupturable containers, and a case adapted to hold the containers together such that when the containers are inserted in a bore, they are rupturable therein.

Each container may have at least one substantially flat surface, and the surfaces may be held in contact substantially face-to-face by the case.

Suitably, each container may be elongate.

The case may contain the containers over greater than half their length, or alternatively the case may contain the containers over less than half their length. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for anchoring a securing device in a bore of a substrate, comprising multiple mixable components of the system, each component being in a respective rupturable container, the containers being held together within a case such that when the containers are inserted in a bore and ruptured therein, mixing of the components ensues.

Suitably, the system is a two-component system, and the case may preferably comprise a plastic film wrapped round external surfaces of the containers whereby to provide a unitary assembly adapted for insertion in a bore in use.

The containers are preferably made of plastic, and each may have one substantially flat surface. The respective flat surfaces may be held substantially face-to-face in contact, by the case. This provides for ease of insertion in a bore, particularly as the containers may be elongate.

The plastic film in use adheres to itself as well as to the containers, to provide a relatively tight case which may provide a positive grip on the containers to provide the unitary assembly.

Suitably, in another embodiment, the case may preferably comprise a sheath, which may be releasably engageable with the containers.

The containers may preferably be made of plastic, and each may have one substantially flat boundary surface. The respective flat surfaces may be held in substantially face- to- face contact by the sheath. This provides for ease of insertion in the bore, particularly as the containers may be elongate.

Sets of parts and anchor systems embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig.l is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of set and a system according to the invention;

Fig.2 is, to an enlarged scale in comparison with Fig.l, an end elevational view of Fig.l taken from the end 'X' in Fig.l; Fig.3A and Fig.3B show schematically perspective views of a second embodiment of a set and a system embodying the invention, to a smaller scale than that of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig.4 shows schematically an elevational view of one container of the two container set and system of Figs. 3A and 3B to a larger scale than that of those Figs.;

Fig.5 is a schematic side elevational view of a third embodiment of a set and a system embodying the invention;

Fig.6 is an end elevational view of Fig.5 taken from the direction 'X' in Fig.5, which itself an elevational view on plane B-B in Fig.6;

Figs. 6A to 6C show schematically respective sectional, plan and side elevational views of the containers of the set and system of Figs.5 and 6; and

Figs.6D to 6H show schematically various further views of the assembled containers of Figs.6A to 6C, Fig. 6A being a longitudinal sectional view, Fig. 6B being a plan view and Fig.6C being an elevational view; Fig.6D is an elevational view of a case or sheath, Fig. 6E being a view from end 'Χ', Fig. 6F being a view from end Ύ, Fig. 6G being a transverse sectional view on the line A-A in Fig. 6D, and Fig. 6H being a longitudinal sectional view of a container of the embodiment .

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a set and system 1 assembled therefrom for anchoring a securing device ( not shown) in a bore of a substrate, comprising multiple mixable components of the system, (two,2,3 in the embodiment shown), each component 2,3 being in its own respective rupturable container 4 or 5, the containers 4,5 being held together within a case 6 such that when the containers 4,5 are inserted in the bore and ruptured therein, mixing of the components 2,3 ensues.

In the embodiment shown, each container 4,5 is made of plastic, suitably biodegradable, such as PVC, PET, or a co-polymer made primarily from PCTFE. The case 6 is in the form of a plastic film suitably about 0.5 mms thick. The plastic film itself is rupturable , and is suitably made from PVC, low density polyethylene ( LDPE), PVdC ( polyvinylidene chloride) or linear low density polyethylene ( LLDPE). The case 6 is in the embodiment preferably a shrink wrap case. Each container 4, 5 has in the embodiment a longitudinally extending curved boundary surface 6' and a substantially flat surface 7 which closes off the interior of the respective container 4,5 to hold the epoxy resin component therein. These surfaces 7 are offered up to each other and placed in contact, so that when the plastic film 6 is wrapped round the external exposed surfaces 6' of the containers 4, 5 it adheres to the containers and to itself and urges the two faces 7 together to form the system 1, which therefore forms a unitary assembly. The unitary assembly 1 is thus within a tight case 6.

In the embodiment shown the set and system 1 has a distal end 'X' and a proximal end Ύ. The two containers 4, 5 are joined together at the distal end 'X' by an integral hinge or fold line 8, which facilitates the coming together of the two surfaces 7. However, it will be understood that the two containers 4, 5 may initially be independent, and brought together with the surfaces 7 in contact before the case 6 is applied to form the unitary assembly.

The containers 4, 5 each have a flange 9 extending laterally from the surface 6', which flange 9 is part of the container. There is also a guide means 10 in the form of a generally 'V shaped profile at the proximal end Y for in use receiving and guiding a screw, bolt or the like.

The set and system 1 is used to secure a securing device in a bore in a substrate such as a wall.

In use, the containers 4, 5 of the set of parts being charged with the respective components 2,3, the case 6 provides a tight unitary assembly which is a positive assembly of the containers 4, 5 and case 6 providing for the system 1 being readily manipulated. It is offered up to the bore, distal end 'X' first, and inserted in the bore. A constructional component or securing device such as a screw, bolt or the like is then offered up to the proximal end Y and, guided by the profile 10, is screwed into the bore, and hence into the system 1. This action causes the containers 4, 5 and case 6 to rupture, and the components 2, 3 mix. On continued rotation of, say, the screw, the components are dynamically mixed so that the components quickly form the adhesive, which then sets and secures the screw in the bore in the substrate. The flanges 9 rotate with the assembly 1 as the screw rotates and assist in removing dust and dirt which enhances what is a dynamic mixing process for the

components, in the embodiment described being those to form an epoxy resin adhesive. Referring now to Figs. 3A,3B and 4,there is shown a second embodiment of set and system 20 similar to that shown in Figs.l and 2 and in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals with a ( ' ) added, eg 4'. The system 20 formed from the set comprises two containers 4', 5'each charged with respective components A and B of an epoxy resin adhesive and having a shrink-wrap case 6' . The case 6' is wrapped round and encases one end, the proximal end Ύ, of the system 20. Fig.3A shows the case 6' completely wrapped round the end Ύ, Fig3 B shows the case 6' to be in the form of a film or tape , the free end Έ' of which is shown during the wrapping round operation leading to the Fig.3A position. As shown, the case 6' is of sufficient width to extend from or from near the proximal end' Y' a relatively short distance longitudinally of the containers 4', 5' sufficiently to hold the containers 4', 5' positively together with their flat surfaces 7' in contact. This has the advantage of providing that the major longitudinal extent of the containers 4', 5' is not covered with a case so as to allow thorough mixing of the epoxy resin components when the system is ruptured in situ in a bore.

Fig.4 shows features of the respective containers 4', 5' of the set or system 20. Each of the containers 4', 5' is, as in the first embodiment, in the form of an elongate barrel made of polystyrene, a relatively brittle material which readily fractures in use when a securing device such as a screw, bolt or the like is offered up to the proximal end and , guided by the profile 10', is screwed into the bore, the system formed from the set of parts having previously been inserted into the bore as described with reference to use of the system 1 of Figs. 1 and 2. The relatively rapid fracture of the containers 4', 5' results in their relatively rapid break- up which in turn allows more rapid mixing of the epoxy resin components and hence more rapid setting of the epoxy resin adhesive.

The relatively rapid breaking up of the containers 4',5' is enhanced by relatively deep oblique grooves 21 which are inclined to the longitudinal direction of each container 4' and 5', and shorter blind tapered grooves extending from substantially the mid-point of the grooves 21 in the in the longitudinal direction of the containers 4' and 5'. It will be understood that the grooves 21 of one container may be oriented obliquely in the opposite direction in the other container. Stated in another way, in Fig. 4 the grooves 21 of the other container may extend downwardly from left to right, as opposed to upwardly from left to right as shown in Fig.4. The oblique and vertical grooves 21 and 22 allow the polystyrene containers to fracture and break up almost completely and allow the A and B epoxy resin components to mix together more rapidly.

The containers 4', 5' may suitably have a capacity of 12ml epoxy, which epoxy may be mixed with aggregate for enhanced retention in the bore once mixed.

The case 6' is not shown in Fig.4 for clarity, but suitably extends from the proximal end T along a part 23 to a shoulder 24 in the flat surface of the containers 4', 5'.

Turning now to Figs.5 , 6 and 6A to 6H, there is shown therein a third embodiment of set and system 31 for anchoring a securing device such as a screw, bolt or the like in a bore of a substrate such as a wall ( as before, the screw, bolt or the like, bore and substrate are not shown, for clarity). The system 31 assembled from the set comprises multiple mixabie epoxy resin components , each being held initially in a respective compartment or chamber 32, 33 of its own respective rupturable container 34, 35, which containers are held together within a case 36 such that when the containers are inserted in a bore in a substrate such as a wall, and are ruptured therein on insertion of a screw, bolt or the like, mixing of the epoxy resin components ensues.

In the third embodiment shown, there are two rupturable containers 34, 35 which are injection moulded from plastic and contain about 1ml of say epoxy resin components in total in the respective chambers 32, 33.

The two containers 34, 35 are integrally hingedly connected at a proximal end Ύ, Figs .5 and 6H, the two chambers 32, 33 each being sealed with a foil 36', Fig. 6 A, after charging with respective components of the epoxy resin , such as the components of a two- component epoxy resin bonding system. The foil 36 is suitably an aluminium foil which is shown in part in dashed lines in Fig. 6A.

The case 36, or sheath, is a one-piece member initially separate from the containers 34, 35 and which is suitably injection moulded from a plastic material which in use clips into place over the containers 34, 35 to hold those containers, and thus the chambers 32,33, together.

Each container 34, 35 has in the embodiment a substantially flat surface defined by the foil closure 36'. These surfaces are placed in contact by hinging the containers towards one another about a hinge 37 at the proximal end Ύ so that the opposite ends of the containers 34, 35 overlie one another in substantially the same plane at a distal end 'Χ'. The containers 34, 35 are, as will be understood, integrally formed as one unit as shown.

The containers and sheath have interengageable means in the form of protuberances such as ribs 38 proud of the surface of the containers 34, 35 and seats therefor on the case 36, or sheath. In the embodiment there are four ribs 38, which extend longitudinally of the containers 34, 35. The seats are, in the embodiment shown, in the form of blind elongate through orifices in the wall of the sheath 36, which orifices are complementary to the ribs 38. When the sheath 36 is offered up to the containers from the end 'X' and slipped over them after they have been folded to lie one on another with the ribs 38 and orifices 39 aligned they clip-engage to hold the containers 34, 35 and sheath 36 together as a unitary system 30.The assembly of the sheath 36 with the containers 34, 35 is enhanced by the containers and sheath being tapered from the proximal end towards the distal end 'X'.

The wall thickness of the containers 34, 35 may vary, in the embodiment from about 0.25mm at the proximal end Ύ to about 0.5mm at the distal end 'X'. This facilitates rupture of the containers 34, 35 in a controlled manner in use. The through orifices 39 are suitably about 1.5mm wide and 5.5mm long to accommodate the ribs 38 which are of similar dimensions to facilitate positive or snap-engagement.

In use, the unitary system 31 comprising the combined containers 34, 35 and the sheath 36 of the set is offered up to a bore in a substrate such as a wall, the bore being of such dimensions as just to receive the system 31 with the proximal end Ύ more or less flush with the plane of the boundary surface of the wall. A securing device such as a screw, bolt or the like to be secured in the bore in the wall is then offered up to the proximal end Ύ and screwed in, resulting in the rupture of the containers 34, 35 and thus mixing of the epoxy resin components in chambers 32, 33, which components set, or cure, to form a secure anchor for the screw, bolt or the like.

It will be understood that in a modification, not shown, the two containers 34, 35 are initially independent items which are not connected at the proximal end Y by the hinge 37. The containers are thus separate initially. In use, the containers 34 ,35 are brought together by placing one on another with their flat surfaces 36' in contact and with their ends ' X' and substantially in the same respective planes. The sheath 36 is then slipped over them as before from the distal end 'X' to form the unitary assembly, the containers 34, 35 and sheath 36 having respective interengageable ribs and orifices as shown in Figs. 5 to 6H so that the containers and sheath are securely held together .

It will be also understood that in a further modification the seats 39 may comprise non- through depressions in the internal boundary surface of the sheath 36, the depressions being of sufficient dimension to receive the ribs 38 in a positive interference or snap- engaged fit.

The containers 34, 35 are in a preferred embodiment suitable for DIYers made from a relatively rigid plastic such as polypropylene which in use on insertion of the securing device (screw, bolt or the like) bends rather than fractures to accommodate the securing device being used , the securing device breaking the seal and mixing the epoxy resin components.

It will be understood too that in the embodiment 31 and modifications thereof described above, the sheath 36 ensures a positive entry of the respective system into the bore, in the desired orientation.

Further, although all the description herein refers to the mixing of epoxy resin components, the systems described with reference to the drawings, and modifications thereof, can be used to mix other multi-components systems oil and vinegar or coffee and cream in bores in suitable substrates such as dispensers.