EP0117296B1 - Dispenser for discharging metered amounts, in particular of pasty goods - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for apportioned dispensing of material, particularly pasty masses. The dispenser has a piston which travels within the dispenser storage chamber toward a mouthpiece dependent on actuating steps. A slide is displaceable toward the mouthpiece by an actuating handle. The slide is guided in sealed fashion by a lip. The slide includes a wing which, upon an actuating stroke, comes in sealing fashion against the wall of an ejection channel and upon a return stroke lifts away from the wall of the ejection channel. The wing is flat in shape, and forms one resiliently movable leg of the slide. The slide is V shaped, with the V tip facing the piston, and extending into the material.

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser for portioned dispensing, in particular of pasty masses, with a piston moving in the dispenser storage space in the direction of the mouthpiece and a slide which can be displaced from an actuating handle in the direction of the mouthpiece and which is guided to the dispenser housing in a sealed manner by a lip and a wing possesses, which lies sealingly against the wall of an ejection channel during the actuation stroke and stands out from the wall of the ejection channel during the return stroke.

A donor of this type is known from DE-OS No. 2916206. There, the slide is guided in an ejection channel arranged transversely to the storage space. The storage room and the discharge channel are in flow communication via a passage. The slide dispensing the portioned quantity has a wing in the form of a ring sleeve on the mouthpiece side. This is inclined so that there is a ring funnel widening in the direction of discharge. By loading an actuating handle assigned to the slide, the divided portion lying in front of the wing is pressed out through the mouthpiece opening. The resulting overpressure shifts a valve, which otherwise closes the mouthpiece opening, from its closed position. It is a centrally stored, plug-like closure piece that is spring-loaded in the closing direction. When the portion is squeezed out, the plunger of the storage space which migrates in the direction of the mouthpiece in accordance with the actuation steps is retightened. The slide is also sealed by a lip located beyond the passage. The latter runs on the wall of the ejection channel and, like the sleeve forming the wing, is designed in a ring shape. After the portion quantity has been dispensed, the slide returns to its basic position, spring-loaded. The wing overflows the mass behind it, leaving its sealingly guided contact on the corresponding wall of the ejection channel, i.e. angling it slightly radially. After reaching the basic position, the sash is locked again. The design is not only too expensive for a mass-produced item; it also requires an exaggeratedly high precision for a mass-produced article. For example, the stability of the wing must be matched to the force of the valve spring. If this is designed too hard, for example, the stability of the sleeve collapses. There are disruptions to output. If, on the other hand, the stability of the sleeve is chosen to be higher, the mass to be retightened will not overflow. The function depends too much on the degree of viscosity of the mass. In terms of construction, the transverse position of the discharge duct to the storage space is also disadvantageous insofar as there are injection molding problems there. Finally, the number of parts is too high. From EP-A-13691 it is known to effect the metered dispensing via an axially oriented pumping device of the dispenser. The piston, which can be displaced against the action of the spring, continues into an actuation button which, according to one variant, lies next to the mouthpiece or, according to the other variant, is molded onto the piston cover in a movable manner. There is a valve flap or a plate on the bottom of the pump chamber and the other in the mouthpiece outlet channel. The latter is inclined and interacts with the duct wall as the valve seat.

The object of the invention is to design a generic dispenser in a technically simpler, more user-friendly manner in such a way that on the one hand a special mouth-side valve can be dispensed with, but the level column remains uninterrupted until the last portion is dispensed, all with a considerably reduced number of parts such donor.

This object is achieved by the invention characterized in claim 1.

The subclaims are advantageous developments of the dispenser according to the invention.

As a result of such a configuration, a dispenser of high functional reliability, which is simple in terms of production technology, is realized: the precise coordination explained is no longer required. In addition, a special mouth-side valve is eliminated, since the elastic-movable wing itself also performs a valve function. There is practically a kind of ladle with a foldable discharge surface. The retraction movement that occurs in the mouthpiece at most brings a useful suction effect, so that there is no protrusion on the mouth side. In a simple manner, the flat-shaped wing forms the one leg of the V-shaped, with the V-tip facing the piston and into the mass diving pusher. The V shape promotes immersion in the mass, especially! the acute-angled V-shape diminishes when pushed downwards. The only linearly moving V-leg of the slide seals through a gap in the ceiling of the storage case. Fixed guide sealing lips act on it or seated on the slide itself, which are thus in front of the wing in the direction of discharge. In the case of guide sealing lips seated on the slide, the design is such that one leads to the wall of the recess, while the other, located on the other side of the slide V-leg, leads to a correspondingly parallel, deep-drawn, discharge channel-side wall. These correspondingly parallel walls thus form a guide shaft for the slide immersed in the mass. The dispensing mechanism can therefore directly connect to the storage room. There is no longer any need for a special transverse chamber. To operate the slider, it changes into a double-armed actuation button in the area above the ceiling. A structurally advantageous embodiment with respect to the slide consists in that it and the actuation button are formed from one another in the same material, that is to say they are designed in one piece. The button actuation area extends essentially across the discharge path of the filling material. Due to the fact that the inside dimension of the ejection channel is larger than that of the mouthpiece, the mass standing in the mouthpiece practically supports the valve function itself, because due to the consistency and friction there is too much inertia to allow the entry of false air. The ejection channel is advantageously coaxial with the mouthpiece. In terms of construction, the procedure is such that transverse webs of the recess extending from wall to wall form a contact surface for the curved return spring of the actuation button. The return spring is supported on the end faces of these webs. It is therefore supported in a sliding manner. If a sliding movement in this regard is to be dispensed with, a cheap solution offers itself in such a way that the return spring that bulges in the direction of the ejection channel starts from the outer end of the double-arm actuation button below and is supported with its free end in the lower inner corner of the ejection channel on the side of the retraction. Taking into account the tilting movement, the spring bulges out in the direction of the kink between the slide and the actuation button in a way that is favorable for stress.

• Fig. den erfindungsgemässen Spender im Vertikalschnitt, bei in Grundstellung befindlicher Ausgabemechanik, gemäss dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• Fig. 2 einen der Fig. 1 entsprechenden Schnitt, jedoch in Ausgabebetätigung,
• Fig. 3 die Draufsicht auf den Spender bei entferntem Schieber,
• Fig.4 die Draufsicht auf den im Entformungszustand befindlichen Schieber mit Betätigungstaste in Einzeldarstellung,
• Fig. 5 den Schnitt gemäss Linie V-V in Fig. 4,
• Fig. 6 den Spender gemäss dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel, und zwar von der betätigungstastenseite her gesehen, teilweise aufgebrochen,
• Fig. 7 den Schnitt gemäss Linie VII-VII in Fig. 6, bei in Grundstellung befindlicher Ausgabemechanik,
• Fig. 8 einen der Fig. 7 entsprechenden Schnitt, jedoch in Ausgabebetätigung,
• Fig. 9 die Draufsicht auf Fig. 7 (ohne Betätigungstaste), und
• Fig. 10 eine Herausvergrösserung des Führungsabdichtungslippen aufweisenden Schiebers.

The subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of two illustrative exemplary embodiments. It shows:

• 1 shows the dispenser according to the invention in vertical section, with the dispensing mechanism in the basic position, according to the first exemplary embodiment,
• 2 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 1, but in dispensing operation,
• 3 is a top view of the dispenser with the slide removed,
• 4 shows a top view of the slide in the release state with the actuation button in a single illustration,
• 5 shows the section along line VV in Fig. 4,
• 6 the dispenser according to the second embodiment, seen from the actuation button side, partially broken open,
• 7 shows the section along line VII-VII in FIG. 6, with the dispensing mechanism in the basic position,
• 8 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 7, but in dispensing operation,
• Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 7 (without an operating button), and
• 10 is an enlargement of the slide having guide sealing lips.

The dispenser of both exemplary embodiments has a cylindrical storage housing 1. Its storage space 2 is closed at the bottom by a piston 3, which moves in the direction of the ceiling 4 of the storage housing 1 in accordance with the actuation steps. To assign the piston 3, the storage housing 1 is open at the bottom. A funnel-shaped exposition of the lower housing edge 1 'facilitates the assignment of the piston after the filling.

The piston is pot-shaped. The pot rim and bottom zone each form an annular sealing lip 5. The ceiling-side serves as a scraper lip and the edge of the housing as a support lip and has a greater resilience.

The ceiling 4 carries a mouthpiece 6. This is off-center. It starts out as a tube with a rectangular cross-section from a chamber section 7 which also projects beyond the ceiling 4 and is segment-shaped in cross-section. The latter has approximately four times the cross section of the mouthpiece 6.

An ejection channel 8 adjoins the chamber section 7, as seen in the direction of the storage space 2. This is coaxial with the mouthpiece. The clear internal dimension of the ejection channel 8 is larger in cross section than that of the mouthpiece 6 and slightly larger than that of the chamber section 7.

The discharge channel 8 receives a vertically displaceable slide Sch. The latter is V-shaped. Its shorter V-leg a is designed as a wing 9. During the actuation stroke, this lies sealingly against the wall 11 in the sense of the portioned dispensing of the filling content, here a pasty mass 10. During the return stroke, however, it lifts off the wall 11. The corresponding foldability is achieved by a so-called film hinge 12, via which the flat-shaped wing 9 is connected to the linearly moved, longer V-leg b. This is supported on the outer surface of a wall 13, which forms the ejection channel 8 and lies parallel to the vertical wall 11, of a recess 14 starting from the ceiling 4. The latter continues on the discharge channel side into the shaft, also on the side delimiting, vertical, also parallel narrow walls 15, which are rooted in the wall of the storage housing 1.

The length x of the wing 9 - seen in the folding plane - is chosen to be greater than the width dimension y of the ejection channel 8 lying in this direction. The dimensional coordination is such that an acute angle alpha of 45 ° between the V-legs a and b is present. The V-tip lies in the area of the wall 13. The narrow edge 16 (end face) of the wing 9 is so beveled that there is a larger contact area with the wall 11 than the thickness of the wing. Rounded according to the cylindrical shape of the wall of the storage housing 1 and the wall of the integrated ejection channel 8, which wall takes a corresponding partial shape.

In the basic position shown in FIG. 1, the V tip of the slide Sch projects somewhat beyond the lower edge of the ejection channel 8.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1-5, the slide sealing outward is achieved by means of stationary guide sealing lips L. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6-10, however, these sealing lips L sit on the slide Sch, i.e. on its V-leg b.

In the first embodiment, the one sealing lip L is on the wall 13 of the Retraction 14. It is realized there across the entire channel width as a strip which is triangular in cross section to the direction of displacement, one side of the triangle being seated on the wall 13 as a base. The other guide sealing lip L for the slide Sch is located on the discharge channel-side surface of the V-leg b, also extending over the entire width of the discharge channel 8. It is seated on a freely resilient flap 17 which projects above the ceiling 4 downwards. The latter adjoins an inside wall 18 of the chamber section 7. The lip L tapers out like a blade and also extends at an acute angle, essentially parallel to the wing 9, but at a distance from it in the direction of the mouthpiece that enables the required actuation stroke. Seen spatially, this fixedly arranged guide seal lip L, starting from the vertical tab 17, runs from top left to bottom right. The wing 9 extends from the bottom right to the top left.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the guide sealing lips L, which are likewise formed as triangular strips in cross section, also have one broad side as the base, so that the triangular tips point transversely to the slide movement plane. The guide sealing lips L lie in such a way that one leads to the wall 13 of the recess 14, while the other, on the other side of the V-leg b, the guide sealing lip L leads to the lower-drawn section of the outlet channel-side wall 18 - both walls run parallel to one another and form a guide shaft.

The only linearly moved V-leg b of the slide sealingly passes through a slightly enlarged gap 19 of the ceiling 4. The gap dimension and that of the guide shaft adjoining at the bottom is selected such that a width remains between the intake-side wall 13 and the outlet channel-side wall 18 such that the slide can be inserted there with the wing 9 folded, the latter after leaving the underlying guide sealing lip L. due to its restoring force, it can be moved into the position shown in the figures in such a way that it can move with elasticity.

Above the ceiling 4, the V-leg b of the slider Sch merges into an actuation button 20 according to both exemplary embodiments. This is designed as a double-armed lever. It is a part of the slide Sch stiffened by a shell-like edge wall 21. From its edge wall 21 there are diametrically opposed stub axles 22 which are clipped into bearings 23 of an annular wall 24 of the storage housing 1 projecting above the ceiling.

The actuating button 20, which is formed in one piece with the slide, assumes the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the demolding position. In the position assigned to the dispenser, on the other hand, the V-leg b extends vertically and the part forming the actuating button 20 is angled essentially transversely thereto, in an increasing orientation at the transition point between the chamber section 7 and the mouthpiece 6. In order to achieve a bend zone that is more flexible, there is a window-like opening 25 in the transition zone between the actuation surface of the rocker-type actuation key 20 and the V-leg. This opening is located in the central region, so that tabs 25 'remain on the right and left. The breakthrough zone is cut out as a tongue so that it protrudes approximately vertically from the actuating surface. It therefore runs approximately parallel to the edge wall 21 of the actuation button 20. In this respect, it functions as a skirt covering the lower region of the actuation button 20.

Beyond the tilt axis of the actuation button formed by the stub axles 22, a curved return spring 26 extends from the underside thereof. This is immediately formed and acts in such a way that the slide assumes the readiness to dispense position shown in FIG. 1. The return spring is supported on the end edges 27 'of webs 27 on the drawing-in side. The latter are in the tilting plane of the actuation button. They are aligned in parallel and extend from the wall 13 of the retraction forming the support of the slide to the opposite wall 13 'thereof. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the upper end edges 27 ′ of the webs 27 run obliquely in the direction of the ejection channel 8.

The stroke limitation is achieved by means of a stop on the actuating button side, by the top edge 21 'of the longest section of the edge wall 21 hitting the top 4' of the ceiling 4 beyond the return spring. The corresponding position results from FIG. 2 The wing has not yet stepped against the step formed on a cross-sectional reduction between the discharge channel 8 and the chamber section 7. 2, the return spring 26 has clearly moved from the substantially parallel position to the longest section 21 'of the edge wall 21 into a clear spreading position. The restoring force causes the actuation button and thus the slide to be returned to the position shown in FIG. 1. The longest section 21 'is diametrically opposite to the narrow edge 16.

In the second embodiment, the return spring 26 is not arranged in a sliding allocation for retraction; rather, the return spring 26, which is slightly bulged in the direction of the ejection channel 8, starts from the outer end of the double-armed actuation button 20 in such a way that its free end 26 'is supported on the lower inner corner 14' of the recess 14 on the ejection channel side. It essentially penetrates the confiscation diagonally. In the basic position (FIG. 7), the return spring 26 holds the actuation button 20 in limiting contact on the upper end face 13 "of the wall 13. As can be seen, the end of the double-armed actuation button 20 located near the film hinge 12 is supported there Film hinge 12 subsequent The immediate area deforms slightly when the push button is pressed. Due to the elastic plastic material used, deformation of this area can be tolerated.

The functioning of the two exemplary embodiments is briefly summarized as follows: after removal of a protective cover 28 covering the mechanics, the supply housing 1 filled up to the mouthpiece 6 is ready for portioned dispensing of the pasty mass 10. For this purpose, a pressure in the direction of arrow P on the actuation button 20 exercised. This leads to a displacement of the slide Sch in the direction of the ceiling 4. The pasty mass located in front of the wing 9 is pushed out of the mouthpiece 6. The guide sealing lips L lying in front of the wing 9 in the dispensing direction wipe off the pasty material there in such a way that it cannot escape through the gap 19. The mass to be dispensed otherwise rests on the output-side surface of the wing 9 in such a way that the sealing contact with the wall 11 is not removed. This all-round tight connection causes the piston 3 to be pulled over the level column of the pasty mass 10, to which it practically “sticks”.

The slide is re-immersed without any great stress on the pasty mass due to the acute-angled immersion thereof, the wing 9 tipping over the film hinge point 12 in the direction of the V-leg b. The slider dips into the mass and scoops up the next portion. The restoring force of the material causes the wing 9 to rest against the wall 11 again. The next portion can be removed, etc.

The pasty mass present in the grommet-like mouthpiece tube acts as a stopper which closes off reliably from the outside air and which easily retracts into the mouthpiece 6 even while avoiding a protrusion which may soon dry.

The slight protrusion of the slide or its lateral opening into the immediately adjoining storage space 2 favors the keeping of the compartment quantity located in the discharge chamber 8.

Claims (10)

1. A dispenser for delivery in portions, especially of pasty compositions (10), having in the storage chamber (2) of the dispenser a piston (3) which travels in the direction of the mouthpiece (6) and a slider (Sch) which can be displaced by an actuator handle in the direction of the mouthpiece and which is guided so as to form through a lip (L) a seal with respect to the casing of the dispenser and has a lobe (9) which during the actuating stroke rests to make a seal against the wall (11 ) of an ejector channel (8) and is raised from the wall of the ejector channel during the return stroke, characterized in that the lobe (9) which is designed with a flat shape, forms the one elastically movable arm (a) of the V-shaped slider (Sch) which has the apex of the V turned towards the piston (3) and dips into the composition (10).

2. A dispenser as in Claim 1, characterized in that the arm (b) of the V of the slider (Sch), which is moved linearly, passes so as to make a seal through a gap (19) in the lid (4) of the storage casing (1) and is coupled there in a hinge onto the end of a two-armed actuator button (20).

3. A dispenser as in Claim 2, characterized in that the slider (Sch) and the actuator button (20) are moulded together in one piece of material.

4. A dispenser as in Claim 1, characterized in that the inside measurement of the ejector channel (8) is of greater cross-section than that of the mouthpiece (6).

5. A dispenser as in Claim 4, characterized in that the ejector channel (8) lies coaxially with the mouthpiece (6).

6. A dispenser as in Claim 1, characterized by guiding lip seals (L) for the arm (b) of the V, arranged stationary.

7. A dispenser as in Claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the one guiding lip seal (L) for the arm (b) of the V ties against the wall (13) of an indentation (14) in the lid (4) of the storage casing (1), whilst the guiding lip seal (L) lying on the other side of the arm (b) of the V runs directed at an acute angle towards the wall (13).

8. A dispenser as in Claim 7, characterized in that the crosspieces (27) reaching from wall (13) to wall (13') form a bearing area (leading edges 27') for a curved return spring (26) for the actuator button.

9. A dispenser as in Claim 7, characterized in that the guiding lip seals (L) seat against the slider (Sch) in such a way that the one is guided against the wall (13) of the indentation (14) whilst the other, lying on the other side of the arm (b) of the V, is guided against one deeper-drawn wall (18) at theside of the ejectorchannel, running correspondingly in parallel.

10. A dispenser as in Claim 1, characterized in that the return spring (26) curved forwards in the direction of the ejector channel (8) extends underneath from the outer end of the two-armed actuator button (20) and bears by its free end (26') in the bottom inner corner of the indentation (14) next the ejector channel.

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