WO2006030022A2

WO2006030022A2 - Liquid dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2006030022A2
Application number: PCT/EP2005/054597
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Tydda
Original assignee: Stefan Tydda
Priority date: 2004-09-15
Filing date: 2005-09-15
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: DE102004045062A1; WO2006030022A3

Abstract

A liquid dispenser (10) containing a reservoir for liquid (12) with an opening, which is oriented in a downward direction and which can be closed with a closure cap (14), wherein a dosing element, which opens onto the liquid reservoir (12) when pressure is exerted, is provided. The invention is characterized in that the closure cap (14) is permanently connected to the opening and is rotatable in such a way that the dosing element (44) can be arrested in a closed position.

Description

Patent application

Stefan Tvda. Orberstrasse 19. D- 14193 Berlin

liquid dispenser

Technical area

The invention relates to a liquid dispenser containing a liquid reservoir with a downwardly oriented and closable with a closure cap opening, in which a is provided at pressure on the liquid reservoir dosing.

Liquid dispensers are used in particular for soap liquids, such as liquid soap, shampoos, shower baths, detergents, dishwashing detergents, other creams, oils, gels and the like. But there are also other liquids, for example from the food industry, such as sauces and condiments conceivable. Gels can also be filled in here. The liquids can be removed from their donors in different ways. In the simplest case, a liquid dispenser consists of a plastic bottle with a screw cap. Since soap liquids and gels have a comparatively high viscosity, it is favorable to provide the opening on the underside of the liquid dispenser. Then the opening is constantly charged with the liquid and can be removed immediately. The user does not have to shake the dispenser or wait until the liquid has moved to the opening.

State of the art Conventional liquid dispensers have a small opening, which is closed with a hinged lid to a screw. The liquid is directly on the lid. The closure must therefore be particularly strong to prevent leakage. He is then difficult to open. In the case of a laterally hinged or articulated lid, there is still the danger that it will break off. Furthermore, the fingernails can be damaged when opening such closures.

From DE 299 15 200 Ul a detergent dispenser is known, which has a metering at the lower end of a container. The metering element contains an elastic membrane with an opening. The dosing element opens when pressure is applied to the container. This prevents leakage of the liquid. A drip is no longer required. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the liquid can leak on unintentional pressure on the container.

It is also known to provide a metering element according to DE 299 15 200 Ul with a loose, attachable cap as a transport lock. This cap can be easily lost because it is not attached to the dosing. This cap must be removed with the fingernails of the metering.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a liquid dispenser with a cap for downwardly directed openings that are easy to prepare and seal, which is not easily lost and prevent leakage of the liquid due to leakage or accidental pressure on the container.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that the closure cap is permanently connected to the opening and rotatably formed such that the metering element can be locked by the closure cap in the closed position. The dosing thus interacts with the cap. Dosing element is here understood to mean any valve which permits a controlled discharge of the liquid. A determination of a certain volume does not need to be done by the metering, but can also be achieved differently. In this embodiment of a cap, the liquid is applied to the valve and not on the cap. The cap therefore does not need to be 100% tight. It is sufficient if it locks the valve, which ensures sufficient tightness. This offers the possibility of forming the closure cap as a rotary closure. In contrast to attachable closures, the screw cap is easy to handle. Damage to the fingernails is avoided. By a simple rotation, the dispenser can also be secured against leakage of liquid by unintentional pressure on the liquid reservoir. Since the rotatable cap is firmly connected to the liquid dispenser, it can not tear or lost.

Preferably, the liquid reservoir is formed of flexible plastic, so that by pressure on a pressure point, the volume of the liquid reservoir can be reduced. So it is not necessary pumping device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid reservoir is designed to be suspended on a back. Then, for example, the entire dispenser can be mounted inside a shower or on a wash basin wall. The liquid dispenser does not need to be turned upside down and can not tip over. Inadvertent lateral lying, in which the advantages of the bottom arranged opening are lost, is avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the back of the liquid reservoir is profiled, wherein the profile cooperates with a suspension device. Such a profile can be taken into account in a manufacturing process in the shaping of the liquid dispenser and is therefore particularly cost-effective compared to subsequently applied means. The profile interacts with a suspension device that has been permanently attached to a suitable location. When replacing the liquid dispenser, only the liquid dispenser needs to be replaced. The suspension can remain in place. Re-screwing, gluing, etc. is not required. Preferably, the profile comprises a downwardly open bulge, which can be pushed onto the suspension device corresponding in the form. The bulge can be steadily widening towards the bottom. This facilitates the postponement. In a further embodiment of the invention, the bulge comprises a lateral edge which engages in the suspended state by a lateral edge on the suspension device. As a result, slipping of the liquid dispenser is avoided by the suspension.

Preferably, the pressure point is profiled, wherein the profile comprises a plurality of knobs or protrusions. This avoids slippage during the removal of liquid. Furthermore, such a profile marks the pressure point with the best removal result. Depending on the shape of the bottle, a single pressure point may be provided on the front of the liquid dispenser or two lateral pressure points. With a single pressure point, the removal can be triggered with just one finger. With two lateral pressure points or a waisted bottle, the removal is triggered with the thumb on the one hand and other fingers on the other hand. Both options are well suited and used depending on the application.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve is formed by a flexible, slotted plastic membrane with downwardly open, cup-shaped cross-section, the horizontal part of which is movable under pressure while opening the slots down. So when pressure is exerted on the reservoir, the fluid pushes on the membrane. The membrane deforms. The slots are opened and the liquid can escape. The slots may be in the form of two slots in the middle of the horizontal part of the plastic membrane.

In a further embodiment of the invention, nubs are provided on the inside of the vertical part of Kunsstoffmembran crown-shaped, which are inverted when pressure to the outside and prevent further downward movement of the horizontal part of the membrane. This prevents further movement of the membrane and limits the withdrawal volume. The removal volume is determined essentially by the duration of the actuation of the pressure point.

Preferably, the closure cap is designed as a screw cap and the membrane is connected to an edge with the screw cap. Then different materials can be used for the different components. So it is advantageous if the liquid reservoir of a somewhat flexible, possibly transparent plastic, e.g. PET, PETG, PE or PP exists. In contrast, the cap should be made of a stiffer plastic, e.g. ABS exist. This one does not need to be transparent. The membrane in turn must be very mobile and move back at any time to its original position.

Preferably, the closure cap comprises a rotatable member having a central bore and a locking member, wherein the rotatable member upon rotation moves the locking member so that the central bore is closed. Then the membrane can not move with its horizontal, slotted part down through the center hole. The membrane is not deformed and the slots remain closed.

The locking member may comprise two half-discs, each provided with a downwardly projecting pin which projects into an associated curved groove on the inside of the rotatable member, so that both half-discs with the pin along the groove from an open position within the outer edge of the rotatable part can be guided inwardly into a closed position, in which the central bore is closed by the half-discs. A half-disk is here called a part of a disk of desired geometry, which forms this geometry together with a corresponding half-disk. An example of this is yin-yan or two semicircles. By guiding the half discs to the center they close the center hole.

The half-disks can be curved upwards over their central part in the closed position. As a result, the half-disks can be arranged at a distance from the membrane and still arrest them at a desired location. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening in the front part of the underside of the liquid reservoir is provided. Then there is still enough space behind the opening so that the fingers do not have to touch the wall when turning the cap. In extreme cases, the front edge of the opening is located directly on the front of the liquid reservoir and thus provides the greatest possible distance of the closure cap to the wall.

Preferably, the front and back of the liquid reservoir are widened at the top and the cross section of the liquid reservoir along a vertical surface which is perpendicular to the front and back, widened towards the bottom and is tapered at the lower end to the opening, wherein the back is substantially perpendicular and the front is inclined upwards and backwards and / or curved. The horizontal cross section is substantially oval. The trapezoidal design of the reservoir in two directions allows a particularly effective liquid removal.

Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. An embodiment is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the front of a liquid dispenser

Fig.2 is a perspective view of the liquid dispenser of Fig.l from the front and bottom with suspension

Fig.3 is a perspective view of the liquid dispenser of Fig.l from behind and below with suspension

4a and b are two sections through a first part of the closure cap Fig.5 is a section through the screw-on of the cap

Fig.όa and b are two sections through the rotatable part of the cap

Figures 7a and b are two sections through a half-disc of the cap

Description of the embodiment

In Fig.l a generally designated 10 plastic bottle is shown. The bottle has a liquid reservoir 12 and a closure part 14. Depending on the application, the reservoir is made of PET and is blown by extrusion, made of PETG and manufactured with proformen. Then the reservoir is transparent and good for hygienic products (soaps). Lower cost bottles, e.g. for liquids in the food sector, consist of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), which are not transparent. The closure member 14 is made of ABS or polypropylene. The closure member 14 is screwed at the lower end of the liquid reservoir 12 to an opening therein.

The bottle 10 has a shape also shown in Fig.2 and Fig.3. The front 16 and rear 18 of the liquid reservoir 12 are widened towards the top. The cross-section of the liquid reservoir along a vertical surface 20, which is perpendicular to the front and back, widened towards the bottom. Furthermore, the cross section at the lower end tapers towards the opening in a region designated 22 (FIG. 2). In this case, the back 18 extends substantially perpendicular. The front 16 is inclined and / or curved upwards and backwards. The horizontal cross section along a surface 24 (Fig.l) is substantially oval. The trapezoidal configuration of the reservoir 12 in two directions allows a particularly effective liquid removal.

Front and center sits on the front 16 of the liquid reservoir 12, a circular field 26 of knobs. This represents the optimum pressure point for the removal of liquid. When pressure at this point 26, the volume of the liquid reservoir 12 is reduced, it builds up a pressure and the liquid occurs through the opening at the lower end, provided that the closure 14 is open. The deformation and thus the material load of the reservoir wall is less at this point than at other points.

The outlet opening with closure 14 is arranged on the underside in the front region. There remains a gap between the closure and the wall. Thus, when the bottle 10 is e.g. is hung on a wall, the shutter mechanism can be well operated without the fingers are obstructed by the wall.

The closure 14 consists of the parts shown in Figures 4 to 7 and is screwed onto an integrally formed on the reservoir 12 thread. The screw connection is made by means of a first threaded part 28, which is shown in Fig. 5. The threaded portion 28 is provided for this purpose with an internal thread 30 and at the bottom with a horizontal surface 29 partially closed. The threaded portion 28 has on the horizontal surface 29 a first edge 32 which projects downwardly. The edge 32 has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the threaded portion 28. The edge 32 is bent inwards. On the inside of the projecting edge 32, a further, inner edge 34 is provided. The inner edge 34 also projects downwards. Between the edges 32 and 34 a notch 36 is provided with triangular cross-section. Furthermore, a notch 38 with a triangular cross section is provided in the area 29 in the region of the threaded ring 40. The edges 32 and 34 and the notches 36 and 38 are arranged coaxially to the center axis of the threaded portion 28. Within the threaded ring 40, the horizontal surface 29 on the upwardly directed side has an inwardly curved, pointed projection 42. This allows a tight closure.

On the threaded portion 28 sits a membrane 44 made of rubber or similar flexible material. This is shown in Fig. 5. The membrane 44 is formed with a substantially pot-shaped profile 49. Furthermore, the membrane 44 has an outwardly projecting edge 46. At the edge 46, a profile 48 is formed with a triangular cross-section. With the edge 46, the membrane 44 is located on the edge 34 of the threaded portion 28. In this case, the profile 48 engages in the notch 36. The membrane 44 is held by the edge 32 in position. The pot-shaped profile 49 projects upwards in the Threaded portion 28. A substantially horizontal surface 50 of the profile 49 has two crossed slots 52 and 54. On the substantially vertical surface 56 of the profile 49 46 nubs 58 are provided inside at the height of the edge. The nubs are arranged in a circle. For example, when the horizontal surface 56 deforms from above under pressure, the slots also deform. This forms an opening through which liquid can escape.

The membrane 44 is fixed on the threaded part 28 with a ring 60. The ring 60 is shown in Fig.4a and b. The ring 60 has an outer portion 62 and a horizontal, inwardly extending surface 64. The surface 64 is flat on the bottom 66. On the top 68 of the surface 64, an annular projection 70 is provided. The projection 70 extends upwards. The projection 70 rests on the back of the profile 48 of the membrane. Another, annular projection 72, which also extends upwards, avoids lateral slippage of the membrane 44. Furthermore, the ring 60 has four lugs 74 in the region of the outer edge. The lugs 74 lie along a diameter 76 on both sides thereof and opposite each other. This can be clearly seen in FIG. 4a. With the lugs 74, the ring 60 engages in the notches 38 of the threaded portion 28. On the flat bottom 66 of the ring 60, two pins 78 are provided. The pins are opposite to a diameter 80.

On the pins 78 a half element 82 is attached in each case. Such a half-element 82 is shown in Fig.7a and b. Each half element 82 has a straight edge 84. Incidentally, the half-element 82 is oval with a curved side 86. At the end of the edge 84, the half-element 82 protrudes slightly in relation to the extension of the edge 84. At this point 88, a bore 90 is provided on the underside. With this bore 90, the half-element 82 is attached to the pins 78 of the ring 60. The half element 82 sits loosely rotatably on the pin. The half element 82 is provided with a profile 92. The profile 92 is exactly semicircular. From below, the profile forms a central recess, from above the edge of the profile is milled out of the half element. The center axis 94 of this profile coincides with plugged half elements with the center axis of the threaded portion 28, the diaphragm 44 and the ring 60 together when the half-elements are in the closed position, ie when the half-elements abut with the edges 84. Both half elements 82 furthermore have a pin 96. The pin 96 runs in a guide groove 98 on the inside of an actuating part 100. This actuating part 100 is shown in Figs. 6a and b. The actuating member 100 engages over the entire ring construction of ring 60 and half members 82. The groove 98 is curved so that the half members are moved outwardly or inwardly when the actuating member is rotated. The half elements 82 are just so wide that they completely close the center opening 102 in the actuating part. However, they are also so narrow that they are on the outside after rotation of the operating part and are completely covered by the horizontal edge 104.

All components are made of plastic and can, if necessary, also be made in one piece or two pieces.

Upon rotation of the actuating member 100 close and open the half-elements 82. As a result, the opening is not completely closed liquid-tight. However, the membrane 44 can not move downwardly in the closed position, so that then the membrane no longer lets any liquid through. The membrane is thus locked by simple rotation of the actuating part. Only then will the closure be sealed in its entirety liquid-tight. In the open position, the liquid is also held by the membrane in the reservoir. However, if a pressure is exerted on the pressure point 26, the horizontal surface 50 of the membrane is pressed down. In this case, the "pot of the membrane is completely turned outwards until the knobs on the inside of the ring 60 abut. The slits 52 and 54 open and the liquid can escape.

The reservoir 12 is provided on the back 18 with a profile. This cooperates with a suspension device, which is indicated generally at 106. The suspension device 106 is shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b. The suspension device comprises a base body 108 and a suction cup 110. With the suction cup 110, the base body 108 can be fixed to a wall or the like. The profile on the back 18 of the reservoir 12 has the same shape as the base 108. This allows the bottle simply slide on the Basic body 108 are postponed. Screws or glue are not required. The profile consists essentially of a trapezoidal recess with an inwardly projecting edge 112. The edge 112 engages an outwardly projecting edge 114 on the body, so that the bottle 10 can not fall off. The recess in the back of the reservoir and the body 108 are slightly wider at the bottom, so that the bottle can be easily pushed from above. This is also clearly shown in Fig. 3 again.

For attaching the suction cup 110, this has a forwardly projecting knob 116. Between knob 116 and suction cup 110, a taper is provided. The main body 118 is provided with a lying to the rear of the suction cup 110 vertically extending end plate 120. Forward, the body 118 is open. In the end plate 120 is an opening 122. The opening 122 has in the upper portion 124, the shape of the cross section of the knob 116 at the height of the taper between the knob 116 and suction cup 110. In the lower region, the opening 122 has the shape of the cross section of the knob 116th In between there is a transition area.

The opening 122 is bent inwards. The edge 130 is formed so that the knob pulls on the suction cup as it is moved up the opening. Furthermore, two plungers 132 are provided on the suction cup, which run in a longitudinal opening 134 in the end plate 120. The base body 118 is first pushed over the knob with the lower part of the opening 122 for fastening. The suction cup is initially only loosely attached to the wall. As the base 118 moves downwardly so that the knob is moved toward the upper portion 124, the button pulls on the suction cup while the pads continue to press the rim of the suction cup against the wall. In this way, the suction cup is sucked particularly well. The basic body is thus attached by simply hanging on the one hand on the suction cup and on the other hand, the suction cup is simultaneously sucked.

Of course, the base body can also be glued or screwed onto the wall. The advantage of this construction, however, is that tiles or the like are not polluted or damaged, which is particularly advantageous in the bathroom area. Conversely, the bottle can be easily replaced by a new one is pushed onto the body.

The front opening of the main body 118 is closed with a hinged flap (not shown). If the base body is made of ABS, the flap is articulated by a two-part joint, which is clicked. The use of ABS also allows the use of an adhesive bond to the wall.

If the base body is made of the less expensive and more flexible polypropylene or comparable plastics, a one-piece joint with a continuous plastic connection can be used. In this case, however, no adhesive connection is possible.

Claims

claims

1. A liquid dispenser (10) comprising a liquid reservoir (12) with a downwardly oriented and with a closure cap (14) closable opening in which a pressure on the liquid reservoir (12) opening dosing element (44) is provided, characterized in that the closure cap (14) permanently connected to the opening and is rotatably formed such that the metering element (44) can be locked by the closed position.

2. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid reservoir (12) is formed of flexible plastic, so that by pressure on a pressure point (26), the volume of the liquid reservoir (12) can be reduced.

3. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid reservoir on a rear side (18) is designed to be suspended.

4. liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear side (18) of the liquid reservoir is profiled, wherein the profile cooperates with a suspension device (106).

5. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the profile comprises a downwardly open bulge, which can be pushed onto the corresponding in the form of suspension device (106).

6. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the

Bulge is steadily widening towards the bottom.

7. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the bulge comprises a lateral edge (112) which engages in the suspended state about a lateral edge (114) on the suspension device (106).

8. liquid dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the pressure point (26) is profiled, wherein the profile comprises a plurality of projections.

9. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering element is formed by a flexible, slotted plastic membrane (44) with downwardly open, pot-shaped cross-section whose horizontal part (50) under pressure while opening the slots ( 52, 54) is movable downwards.

10. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that two centrally in the horizontal part of the plastic membrane (44), cross-shaped slots (52, 54) are provided.

11. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that on the inside of the vertical part (56) of the Kunsstoffmembran (44) ring-shaped knobs (58) are provided, which are inverted when pressure to the outside and a further downward movement of prevent horizontal part (50) of the membrane.

12. Liquid dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the closure cap (14) is designed as a screw cap and the membrane (44) having a rim (46, 48) is connected to the screw cap.

13. A liquid dispenser (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (14) comprises a rotatable member (100) having a central bore (102) and a locking part (82), wherein the rotatable member (100) upon rotation the locking member (82) moves in such a way that the central bore (102) is closed.

14. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the

Locking member comprises two half-discs (82), each provided with a downwardly projecting pin (96) which projects into an associated, curved groove (98) on the inside of the rotatable member (100), so that both half discs (82) with the pin (96) along the groove (98) from an open position within the outer edge (104) of the rotatable member (100) inwardly into a closed position in which the central bore (102) of the half discs (82 ) is closed.

15. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the half-discs (82) are curved over their central position in the closed position (92) upwards.

16. Liquid dispenser (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening in the front part of the underside of the liquid reservoir (12) is provided.

17. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

(a) the front and rear sides (16, 18) of the liquid reservoir are widened towards the top (12),

(B) the cross-section of the liquid reservoir (12) along a vertical surface (20) which extends perpendicular to the front and back, widened towards the bottom and tapers at the lower end to the opening, wherein the Rear side (18) extends substantially perpendicular and the front side (16) is inclined and / or curved upwards and backwards.

18. suspension device (106) for a liquid dispenser (10) with a first part (108, 110) for attachment to a wall or the like and a second, hinged to the first part part, for covering fasteners.

19. suspension device (106) according to claim 18, characterized by a substantially rectangular shape with downwardly steadily increasing width and laterally projecting edges (114), over which a liquid dispenser with a corresponding profile can be pushed.

20. Suspension device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by fastening means in the form of a suction cup (110) for attachment to a wall or the like, the suction effect by means of a base body (108) can be generated or amplified.

21. Closure device for liquid dispenser containing:

(a) a downwardly oriented opening;

(b) a closure cap for closing the opening and

(c) a pressurizing dosing element,

characterized in that

(D) the closure cap permanently connected to the opening and is rotatably formed such that the metering element can be locked by the closed position.