EP0248278B1 - Dispenser for the dispensing of a single dose of pastes or the like - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser for portioned individual dispensing of pastes or the like, according to the type mentioned in claims 1 and 2.

A dispenser of this type is known from EP-A-0 109 982. There, the housing tube receives a cup-like sleeve secured on the bottom with screws. The latter contains a pressure plate in the form of a piston plate, which can be displaced within the sleeve in the direction of the dispensing opening by rotating a handle. For this purpose two diametrically opposed pin sections penetrating the wall of the sleeve engage in a helical guide groove. To reach through the pin sections accordingly, the sleeve, starting from the bottom to the upper sleeve edge and opening there, is provided with paired, preferably weakly helical, longitudinal slots. The associated handle consists of a screw cap which can be connected to the sleeve by screwing technology and which has an eccentrically located grommet on the upper side. The dough-like mass to be dispensed is accommodated in a collapsible sack that is freely accessible after unscrewing the rotating cap, the edge of which is held open over the entire cross-sectional width by a retaining ring. The sack is supported on the pressure base and can be shortened due to the preferably slightly helical longitudinal slots with a slight wringing twist and axial compression. This configuration is relatively complex in terms of production and assembly technology, since the spigot sections of the pressure base have to travel a long distance even when the dispenser functional parts are put together and, moreover, a simple run is not always given by the longitudinal slots following the insertion sections; if not accidental, the will-oriented alignment of the sleeve and housing tube is required. This usually results in a type of plug / turn assignment. In addition, with regard to the pressure plate realized as a piston plate, there is only a low level of security against forces provoking tilting.

The object of the invention is to design a generic dispenser with regard to the pressure plate assignment and guidance in such a way that the basic position of the pressure plate is cheapest, but in particular is achieved by the shortest route.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in claims 1 and 2.

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

As a result of such a configuration, a dispenser which is substantially improved in terms of assembly and function is also implemented. The parts are brought together in a defined manner, tip-over and in the shortest possible way. For this purpose, with regard to the teaching of claim 1, the procedure is such that the insertion sections for the pin sections of the pot-shaped pressure base are provided at the end of the housing tube opposite the dispensing opening. This form of use, which can be attributed to the basic shape of the housing tube, allows the pressure floor to be positioned in the shortest possible way. Above all, this also saves longer assembly times. Complications do not arise because of the shape of the pot Type of self-correcting, well-managed displacement of the pressure plate is reached.

The corresponding advantage also results from the teaching of claim 2, namely that the protruding from the jacket wall of the cup-shaped pressure pin sections form the axis of rotation of a rotary knob handle, which axis of rotation carries two pinions, which mesh with toothed strips, which edge of the Longitudinal slots are adjacent. Under advantageous guidance due to the shape of the pot, even with the other end facing the dispensing opening, the pressure base assembly is facilitated because there is always a linear, step-free connection of the longitudinal slots to the insertion sections. This route is also passed through quickly and directly (not through a screw-like guide groove). As a push-in handle, the filled sack used for original equipment can even be used as a pusher.

The handle advantageously functions as a drag part for the pressure floor and, after assembly, then as a conventional actuating part and, in a further development, even as a restraining and slinging means. An advantageous embodiment in this regard results from the fact that the handle consists of a sliding ring which is coupled to the free end of the pin sections by means of a snap connection and in the lowest position is in contact with an outwardly projecting shoulder of the housing tube. The evasive movement for said snap connection is well tolerated by the housing tube and the sliding ring encompassing it. The sliding ring finds its axial stop limitation in its lowest position on the said shoulder of the housing tube. From there, using the created or left insertion section of the pressure floor inserted. On the other hand, the stop in the opposite direction can be achieved by simple means in that the sliding ring in the dispensing opening in the position closest to the dispensing opening, screwed onto the outer surface of the housing tube, strikes with its inner surface the support for the bag-forming cap. The latter allows the next sack, etc. to be easily reloaded and, moreover, provides a defined abutment in the form of the inner surface mentioned, which enables exact dispensing. An advantageous further development of the subject matter according to claim 2 then consists in that the longitudinal slots are sufficiently open up to the outlet opening end of the housing tube and overlapped at their end there by the cap, which is screwed onto the outer surface of the housing tube and with its cover inner surface, the support for the sack, whereby the toothed strips end at a distance from the mouth end of the housing tube. The axis of rotation practically fulfills a dual function, namely on the one hand it brings the rotary drive for the pinions shifting on the toothed rack and on the other hand the pin end sections for driving the pressure floor. The axis of rotation can simply be inserted across the pressure floor. The latter can even be achieved by simply clipping it on, the clip shaft being exposed in the opposite direction to the direction of displacement. Furthermore, the invention proposes that the rotary toggle starts from a disk-shaped base plate which extends beyond the edge of the longitudinal slot and the toothed rack. The shape of the disc and the opposite of the guide surfaces of the longitudinal slot ensure a smooth thrust. In addition, such a disk-shaped plate provides a certain finger protection with respect to the linear aligned pinion. In addition, there is an advantageous limit stop in that the lower edge of the cap forms the stop for the upward movement of the pressure plate. A third favorable embodiment of the handle can be achieved with simple means in that the handle is formed from a sleeve which can be rotated on the lateral surface of the housing tube and which has a slot-like screw thread on its inner surface, in which the free ends of the pin sections protrude, such that the sleeve is secured against displacement in the axial direction by abutment of its lower end edge on an outwardly directed shoulder of the housing tube, the longitudinal slots being open towards the bottom end and the cap engaging with an external thread in an internal thread of the housing tube. Such a handle can extend over the entire usable length of the housing tube. For example, the free ends of the dispenser housing are available for a counterhold.

Fig. 1

den Spender gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

eine um 90° gedrehte Seitenansicht dieses Spenders,

Fig. 3

den Schnitt gemäß Linie III-III in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

den Schnitt gemäß Linie IV-IV in Fig. 1, und zwar in gegenüber dieser Figur vergrößerter Wiedergabe,

Fig. 5

den Spender gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel, in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 6

eine um 90° verdrehte Seitenansicht dieses Spenders,

Fig. 7

den Schnitt gemäß Linie VII-VII in Fig. 5, erheblich vergrößert,

Fig. 8

den Schnitt gemäß Linie VIII-VIII in Fig. 5, und zwar in gegenüber Fig. 5 vergrößerter Wiedergabe,

Fig. 9

den Spender gemäß dem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel, in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 10

den Schnitt gemäß Linie X-X in Fig. 9 und

Fig. 11

den Schnitt gemäß Linie XI-XI in Fig. 9, und zwar in gegenüber Fig. 9 vergrößerter Wiedergabe.

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

Fig. 1

the dispenser according to the first embodiment, in side view,

Fig. 2

a side view of this dispenser rotated by 90 °,

Fig. 3

the section along line III-III in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

2 shows the section along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, namely in an enlarged representation compared to this figure,

Fig. 5

the dispenser according to the second embodiment, in side view,

Fig. 6

a side view of this dispenser rotated by 90 °,

Fig. 7

the section along line VII-VII in Fig. 5, significantly enlarged,

Fig. 8

5 shows the section along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5, namely in an enlarged representation compared to FIG. 5,

Fig. 9

the dispenser according to the third embodiment, in side view,

Fig. 10

the section along line XX in Fig. 9 and

Fig. 11

the section along line XI-XI in Fig. 9, in comparison with FIG. 9 enlarged reproduction.

The dispensers of all three exemplary embodiments have a predominantly cylindrical housing tube 1, advantageously made of plastic.

The housing tube 1 closes at one end, i. H. in the present case below, with a pressure floor 2. The latter can be displaced via an actuating handle B in the direction of a dispensing opening 3 'located at the other end, in the present case at the top.

The output material 4, for example a pasty mass, is located in a sack 5 made of thin-walled hose material, which can be folded up. It can be a transparent film.

The end of the sack 5 on the pressure base side is closed by means of a seal 6 by gathering together the end portion 5 ′ of the tubular sack structure there. At the other end, the corresponding plumb is removed, so that in the gathered zone 5 ″ there, the material to be dispensed is kept ready for dispensing.

The sack 5 is supported over its entire length on the cylindrical inner wall of the housing tube 1, which inner wall in all three exemplary embodiments is broken through over a partial length by two narrow, diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 7. Via these longitudinal slots 7, the pot-shaped pressure base 2, which is guided on the inside of the housing tube by friction, is coupled to the actuating handle B, which is accessible on the outside of the housing tube 1. For this purpose, pin sections 8, which extend from the pressure base 2 and are directed radially outward and penetrate the longitudinal slots 7 in an axially guided manner, are used.

According to the first embodiment (Fig. 1 to 4), the actuating handle B consists of a ring-shaped sliding ring 9, which also runs frictionally on the outer surface M of the housing tube 1 and with the free ends of the pin sections 8 in the way Snap connection is connected to the pressure plate 2. With regard to the pin sections, there are cylindrical stubs molded onto the jacket wall of the pot-shaped pressure base, the free edge of which is slightly chamfered. Both the chamfered end section and part of the cylindrical section protrude into a blind bore-like recess 10 of the corresponding inner surface of the sliding ring 9. The engagement is free of play. To facilitate snap connection, the recess 10 is preceded by an equally wide, downwardly open collecting shaft 11, the upper end section of which forms a run-up ramp 12 which pushes the area having the recess 10 somewhat outwards during assembly, so that the free ends of the pin sections 8 are underneath subsequent resetting of the ring material can snap well into place. The connection is irreversible. The snap connection explained lies at the middle height of the sliding ring 9, whose wall height measured in the axial direction corresponds to approximately three times the diameter of the housing tube.

In the lowest position, the sliding ring 9, with its lower end edge, stops against an outwardly projecting shoulder 13 of the housing tube 1. The shoulder is formed by a corresponding thickening of the wall in the foot-side region of the dispenser. The slots 7 also pass through this wall-widened base region 14 of the housing tube 1. The height of the base region 14 corresponds to the height of the sliding ring 9. The outer surface of both is ribbed in the circumferential direction, that is to say designed to increase the grip. The limit stop in the opposite direction is found in the slide ring 9 in the position closest to the dispensing opening 3 'on the cap 3 having this dispensing opening 3' and screwed onto the lateral surface M of the housing tube 1. The shoulder 15 there forms the downward-facing cap edge against which the upper one Front edge of the sliding ring moves. The cap 3 which closes the end of the dispenser on the mouth opening side, together with the inner surface 16 of the cap, forms the support for the upper end of the bag 5.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the ceiling runs in a slightly funnel-shaped manner in order to pass into a central, cylindrical connection piece 17 which forms the dispensing opening. The latter is covered by a protective cap 18.

The internal thread of the cap 3 bears the reference number 19; the corresponding counter thread on the jacket wall M of the housing tube 1 is designated 20. It does not protrude above this wall, so that the sliding ring can be pushed on freely from above. An annular shoulder 21 of the cap 3 sits on the end face of the housing tube, which limits the screw.

In the dispenser according to the second exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 5 to 8), the actuating handle B consists of a rotary toggle 22. This is seated on the one free end of an axis of rotation 23 forming the pin sections 8. The latter passes through congruent holes 24 in the longitudinal slot diametres Wall of the pot-shaped pressure base 2. The pot opening points downwards, ie in the direction of the installation surface F for the upright dispenser. Outside the outer surface of the housing tube 1, the axis of rotation carries a pinion 25, which is arranged on its both sides in a manner fixed against relative rotation. These pinions mesh with toothed strips 26, which are adjacent to the edges of the slot edges. It is paired legs 27 formed outside the jacket plane of the housing tube 1, one of which is toothless. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the rotary toggle 22 starts from a disk-shaped base plate 28 which extends beyond the edge of the slot edge and also the toothed strip 26. The immediate tooth engagement area between the pinion 25 and the toothed rack 26 is thus protected. In addition, due to the fact that the foot plate 28 is let into the area on the side of the rotary knob and a corresponding foot plate 28 also has good longitudinal guidance and support at the other end of the axis of rotation 23, so that the non-toothed area, that is to say one leg 27, is not removed. The angular guide groove is designated 29 in FIG. 7.

As can be clearly seen in FIG. 8, the longitudinal slots 7 emerge on the outlet opening side of the housing tube 1. However, this zone is secured against striving apart as a result of the screwed-on cap 3, which here, too, forms the support for the sack 5 which is under load in this direction when actuated. The reference numbers are, as far as necessary for understanding, transferred accordingly.

The pressure floor 2 is let in here from the outlet opening end of the housing tube. The lower edge of the cap forms a shoulder 13 as a limit stop for the upward movement of the pressure base 2. This embodiment also forms a shoulder 13 in the base area 14.

In the third exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 9 to 11), the reference numbers are applied accordingly, provided there is structural agreement without the text being repeated again. There, the actuating handle B consists of a sleeve 30 rotatable on the lateral surface M of the housing tube 1. The latter has a slot-like screw thread 31 on its inner surface. The free end of the pin sections 8 engages in this. The screw thread is provided in pairs and has a start offset from one another by 180 °. The starting zone carries the run-up ramp 12 explained in relation to the operating handle B in FIG. 4, so that the end of the pin section 8 chamfered in the peripheral edge region can also be conveniently assigned to the operating handle B by a snap connection. On the other hand, however, a screw thread 31 is also sufficient. In such a case, however, the pin sections would have to be arranged offset in the axial direction by half the pitch stroke of the thread.

The sleeve 30 is secured against displacement in the axial direction, this by abutment of the lower end edge of the sleeve on the outside directed shoulder 13 in the base area 14; in the area on the outlet opening side, this is accomplished by abutting the upper end edge of the sleeve on an outwardly directed collar 32. The latter is part of the cap 3 screwed to the housing tube 1. In this case, the longitudinal slots 7 are open towards the bottom end of the dispenser, so that the pressure base 2 is again inserted from below in the third embodiment. The threaded engagement of the cap takes place on the inside of the casing tube. The external thread of the cap bears the reference number 33; the corresponding internal thread of the housing tube 1 is designated 34. In this embodiment, not only the inner surface 16 of the cap 3 forms the support for the area of the sack 5 there, but also the cylindrical inner surface of the cup-shaped cap. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the upper end face of the tubular housing 1 and that of the sleeve 30 close practically at the same level, ie the end face springs back somewhat in the interest of a free rotational movement of 30. The underside of the collar 32 extends over both. For reasons of an easier screw-on movement in the sense of an improved grip, the collar 32 can, however, protrude somewhat from the outer surface of the actuating handle B formed by a sleeve 30. This jacket section can be axially grooved. The widened base area 14, which forms a rotating object, also has such a groove. There, the longitudinal grooves are designated by 35.

The pressure plates 2 of all the exemplary embodiments have in the center a depression drawn in the direction of the standing area F, which receives the end of the sack which is gathered and sealed like a seal.

The dispenser is operated as follows:
According to the first embodiment, the ring 9 is displaced in the direction of the arrow x, which takes the pressure plate 2 with it a squeezing of the output 4 leads. The operation can be done in small steps so that appropriately sized portions are dispensed. Moving in the direction of the arrow mentioned, the wall of the sack increasingly lies in a bellows-like fold structure from the lower end, that is to say the end of the pressure base. In the cylindrical bag shape used there is a polygonal fold, preferably an octagonal fold. The next layer of this fold is also arranged, but offset in the bisector, exactly on the hatch to the layer underneath, etc.

This also occurs in the two other exemplary embodiments, only that there the actuation takes place in the case of the second exemplary embodiment by turning the rotary knob 32 in the direction of the arrow y. The axis of rotation 23 climbs in the direction of the arrow x, taking the pressure plate 2 with it.

In the case of the third exemplary embodiment, all that is required is a rotation of the sleeve 30 in a clockwise direction, which, due to the link control of the pin sections 8 there, leads to the aforementioned displacement of the pressure base.

In order to prevent the pasty material emerging from the mouthpiece opening from running after the end of dispensing, all that is required is a slight shifting back of the actuating handle, so that the sack 5 relaxes. This movement causes suction of any excess that is still present in front of the mouthpiece opening. In this way, drying of this strand section is avoided in a simple manner.

The relaxation occurs, for example, even if the sack 5 sags due to gravity.

The pressure floor 2 holds frictionally in the respective end position or by self-locking thread pitch.

Claims (8)

1. Dispenser for discharging single portions of pastes or the like, with a housing tube (1) which at one end has a discharge opening (3') and, opposite the latter, is provided with a pressure plate (2) axially displaceable relative to the housing tube (1) to operate discharge, for conveying the discharge material contained in a bag (5) in the direction of the discharge opening (3'), which pressure plate (2) can be displaced by means of a handle (B) in the direction (x) of the discharge opening, wherein the housing tube (1) has two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots (7) which open out at one end of the housing and through which extend pin sections (8) which are oriented radially outwards relative to the pressure plate (2) and which are coupled to the handle (B), and which beyond the path to be travelled during discharge operation of the handle (B) continue into linearly extending feed sections for the pressure plate pin sections (8), characterised in that the feed sections for the pin sections (8) of the cup-shaped pressure plate (2) are provided at the end of the housing tube (1) opposite the discharge opening (3').
2. Dispenser for discharging single portions of pastes or the like, with a housing tube (1) which at one end has a discharge opening (3') and, opposite the latter, is provided with a pressure plate (2) axially displaceable relative to the housing tube (1) to operate discharge, for conveying the discharge material contained in a bag (5) in the direction of the discharge opening (3'), which pressure plate (2) can be displaced by means of a handle (B) in the direction (x) of the discharge opening, wherein the housing tube (1) has two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots (7) which open out at one end of the housing and through which extend pin sections (8) which are oriented radially outwards relative to the pressure plate (2) and which are coupled to the handle (B), and which beyond the path to be travelled during discharge operation of the handle (B) continue into linearly extending feed sections for the pressure plate pin sections (8), which feed sections are located at the end of the housing tube (1) facing towards the discharge opening (3'), characterised in that the pin sections (8) projecting from the peripheral wall of the cup-shaped pressure plate (2) form the rotary shaft (23) of a rotary toggle handle (B), which rotary shaft (23) comprises two pinions (25) which mesh with racks (26) adjacent to edges of the longitudinal slots (7).
3. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that the handle (B) consists of a sliding ring (9) which is coupled to the free ends of the pin sections (8) by a snap-fit connection and in its lowermost position is in abutment with an outwardly projecting shoulder (13) of the housing tube (1).
4. Dispenser according to claim 3, characterised in that the sliding ring (9) in the position closest to the discharge opening (3') abuts against a cap (3) which comprises the discharge opening (3'), is screwed onto the peripheral surface (M) of the housing tube (1) and with the inner surface (16) of its top forms the support for the bag (5).
5. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterised in that the longitudinal slots (7) are open as far as the end of the housing tube (1) by the discharge opening and are covered at that end by a cap (3) which is screwed onto the peripheral surface (M) of the housing tube (1) and with the inner surface (16) of its top forms the support for the bag (5), wherein the racks (26) end at a distance from the opening end of the tube (1).
6. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterised in that the rotary toggle (22) extends from a disc-shaped base plate (28) which extends beyond the edge of the longitudinal slot (7) and the rack (26).
7. Dispenser according to claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the lower edge of the cap (3) forms the stop (15) for upward movement (arrow x) of the pressure plate (2).
8. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that the handle (B) is formed by a sleeve (30) which is rotatable on the peripheral surface (M) of the housing tube (1) and which on its inner surface has a slotted link-like screw thread (31) into which the free ends of the pin sections (8) extend in such a way that the sleeve (30) is prevented from sliding in the axial direction by abutment of its lower end edge against an outwardly oriented shoulder (13) of the housing tube (1), wherein the longitudinal slots (7) are open towards the bottom end and the cap (3) engages by an external thread (33) in an internal thread (34) of the housing tube (1).

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