Multiple component dispensing cartridge and method with side-by-side fluid chambers

A fluid cartridge for storing and dispensing first and second fluids using a dispensing gun having a single cradle configured to receive a single cylindrical cartridge and a single plunger coupled with a drive rod moveable along a drive rod axis, the fluid cartridge comprising:

• a first cylindrical cartridge wall having a first central longitudinal axis and including a first outlet, the first cylindrical cartridge wall being configured to be received in the cradle of the dispensing gun so the first central longitudinal axis is aligned with the drive rod axis;
• a second cylindrical cartridge wall having a second central longitudinal axis and a second outlet, the second cylindrical cartridge wall coupled with the first cylindrical cartridge wall in a side-by-side relation such that the second central longitudinal axis is offset laterally from the first central longitudinal axis, and such that the second central longitudinal axis is offset laterally from the drive rod axis when the first cylindrical cartridge wall is received in the cradle of the dispensing gun;
• a first piston element disposed within the first cylindrical cartridge wall, wherein the first cylindrical cartridge wall and the first piston element define a first fluid chamber for the first fluid;
• a second piston element positioned in the second cylindrical cartridge wall, wherein the second cylindrical cartridge wall and the second piston element form a second fluid chamber for the second fluid, the second fluid chamber being smaller in volume than the first fluid chamber by a ratio of at least 2:1;
• wherein a coupling portion extends generally between the first and second piston elements, and wherein a force may be applied by the plunger to the first piston element along the first central longitudinal axis to move the first and second piston elements along the respective first and second central longitudinal axes and within the respective first and second fluid chambers as the coupling portion travels within an opening between the first and second fluid chambers, thereby dispensing the first and second fluids from the first and second outlets.

A method of using a dispensing gun having a plunger coupled with a drive rod moveable along a drive rod axis to dispense two fluids from a fluid cartridge including a first fluid chamber having a first central longitudinal axis and a first outlet, and a second fluid chamber having a second central longitudinal axis and a second outlet, the first and second fluid chambers being in side-by-side relation such that the second central longitudinal axis is offset laterally from the first central longitudinal axis, the dispensing gun further having a single cradle configured to receive a single cylindrical cartridge such that the first central longitudinal axis is aligned with the drive rod axis and the second central longitudinal axis is laterally offset from the drive rod axis, the method comprising:

• moving the plunger into force-applying engagement with a first piston element;
• moving the first piston element lengthwise within the first fluid chamber;
• moving a second piston element lengthwise within the second fluid chamber;
• moving a coupling portion along and within an opening extending lengthwise between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber and in a direction extending parallel to the first and second central longitudinal axes to transfer force generally between the first and second piston elements as the first and second piston elements move within the first and second fluid chambers;
• and
• dispensing the first and second fluids from the first and second outlets.