EP0920907A2 - Mixing and dosing container - Google Patents

Abstract

A mixing and dosing vessel, for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products and similar, has a container body (10) with a cylindrical inner space. It has a tapered outlet (12) at one end with the other end structured to take an inserted piston unit (26) with a sealed passage (32) for it to drive the mixer. A drive (40, 42, 44) engages the passage (32), when the drive shaft has been withdrawn, to connect with the container to move the piston unit (26) towards the outlet (12), when the manual drive (42) is operated.

Description

The present invention relates to a mixing and dosing container for pharmaceutical, cosmetic or comparable Products.

In particular, the invention relates to such a container, the both for preparing or mixing the following substance to be dispensed by means of a suitable mixing or Stirring tool is provided, as well as thereupon even as a dosing and dispensing container for the so prepared Mix can serve.

A mixing and dosing tank from the prior art shows DE 42 16 252 C2.

This known device comprises an i. w. cylindrical Plastic housing, which one end of a unscrewable Lid can be closed with a central Breakthrough at the same time as a guide for the drive shaft a mixing tool reaching into the container serves. At the other end, the housing is used by one Bottom closed, which - during a later dosing operation - by manually pressing in the dosed dispenser of the mix.

However, such a known device is in particular only partially suitable for fully automatic filling and also has only a limited ease of use on: So it is with this well-known Device necessary after the mixing process has ended to remove the screw cap from the remaining container remove the mixing tool from the container. This then, with a suitable one, by a user as needed provided opening lock, again closed. Not only is such handling cumbersome, beyond that is the automation of these processes difficult.

The opening required according to the prior art also leads the container by removing the screw cap Termination of the mixing process to a further disadvantage, which is particularly useful when used on pharmaceutical Area affects: In addition to possible contamination by In any case, foreign matter leads to the removal of the cover that a comparatively large surface of the mix exposed to air, with the associated possible adverse consequences regarding oxidation and quality of the mixed product.

The one used for dosing can also be moved in the housing arranged floor is not without problems in this regard. So it is necessary to counter the force of one to carry out the highly viscous mixed product, which - especially with inexperienced people - too an uncontrollable output quantity and thus one extremely poor dosing result.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide such a Device from the prior art to that effect improve that both the dosing accuracy when removing a mixture from the container is improved, as well as the upstream handling steps when mixing and removal of the mixing tool can be simplified and thus accessible to automation.

The task is carried out by the mixing and dosing container solved the features of claim 1.

This advantageously serves the purpose in the container body movably arranged pistons both as a guide for a drive shaft the mixing tool, as well as by means of Drive device movable dosing.

Then the mixing process against the - closed - Container wall in the area of the outlet, and the Switching from mixing to dosing only requires by removing the mixing tool and replacing it through the drive device, which can then be metered in a sensitive manner Way allows the removal of the mixed product.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in the subclaims described.

So on the one hand it is possible and particularly preferred that Driving the piston by means of an externally by the operator perform rotatable lead screw that either even in an appropriately trained breakthrough Thread engages and thus drives the piston, or but with a driver piece adapted to the opening cooperates.

Rotating this threaded spindle is both from the (open) side of the container opposite the outlet possible, as well as on the outlet side. Particularly preferred also a snap and / or snap connection for one in the direction of movement the piston rigid connection between the actuating button and container body while at the same time doing so the pivoting takes place.

Alternatively, it is within the scope of the invention, batchwise Dosing by means of a graded - for example, by pressing - Actuate push rod.

All embodiments have in common that by loosening the drive shaft for a mixing tool - about one suitable molded mixing disc - the shaft through easily removed the breakthrough and through the drive device can be replaced while the mixing disc is also in use of the subsequent dosing process remains in the container. There by inserting the drive device or an organ the same in the breakthrough of the pistons one completely forms a closed shear surface in this way an optimal transport and dosing container available, the beyond about the drive means used sensitive and independent of a mix, precisely dosed Allows removal.

This configuration advantageously achieves that when changing from mixing to dosing operation by removing only the drive shaft of the pistons remains in the container and so an - potentially disadvantageous - external Air and / or dirt access to the mixed product except for one Minimum reduced.

It is also achieved by the invention that an automatic Filling and mixing the container using a suitable Machines can be supported. By separation between drive shaft and mixing tool after one that is, according to the invention, it is unnecessary the piston or another covering element of the Remove container; only the uncoupled agitator shaft is pulled out.

Fig. 1:

eine Explosionsdarstellung wesentlicher, für den Mischvorgang benötigter Bestandteile der erfindungsgemäßen Misch- und Dosiervorrichtung in der seitlichen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 2:

eine seitliche Schnittansicht einer zur Verwendung mit dem Kolben aus Fig. 1 zu vervendende Antriebseinheit aus Gewindespindel und Mitnehmerstück in Explosionsansicht;

Fig. 3:

eine zum Einsetzen in den Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 bemessene Rührscheibe mit ansetzender Rührwelle;

Fig. 4:

eine seitliche Schnittansicht des Behälters gemäß Fig. 1 mit aufgeschraubtem Verschlußdeckel auf den Auslaßstutzen;

Fig. 5:

eine Schnittansicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 4 mit eingesetztem Mischwerkzeug und zusätzlicher, angedeuteter zweiter Mischerstellung;

Fig. 6

eine seitliche Schnittansicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 4 mit aufgesetzter Dosiereinheit gemäß Fig. 2 (anstelle der Rührwelle);

Fig. 7:

eine seitliche Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Misch- und Dosierbehälters gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform im Dosier- bzw. Auslieferungszustand und

Fig. 8

eine seitliche Schnittansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Misch- und Dosierbehälters im durchmischten und gefüllten, dosierbereiten Auslieferungszustand, der mittels Druckbetätigung dosierbar ist.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings; these show in

Fig. 1:

an exploded view of essential components required for the mixing process of the mixing and dosing device according to the invention in the side sectional view;

Fig. 2:

a side sectional view of a drive unit to be used for use with the piston of Figure 1 from the threaded spindle and driver piece in an exploded view.

Fig. 3:

a stirring disk dimensioned for insertion into the container according to FIG. 1 with an attached stirring shaft;

Fig. 4:

a side sectional view of the container of Figure 1 with the cap screwed onto the outlet port.

Fig. 5:

a sectional view of the arrangement of FIG 4 with inserted mixing tool and additional, indicated second mixer position.

Fig. 6

a side sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 4 with attached dosing unit of Figure 2 (instead of the agitator shaft).

Fig. 7:

a sectional side view of a mixing and dosing container according to the invention according to a second embodiment in the dosing or delivery state and

Fig. 8

a sectional side view of a third embodiment of the mixing and dosing container according to the invention in the mixed and filled, ready-to-dose delivery state, which can be dosed by pressing the button.

An approximately by means of a plastic injection molding process, for. B. made of PP, cylindrical vessel part 10 one Outside diameter of about 47 mm and an outer wall length of approximately 65 mm (all drawings of the present application documents are in this regard in their dimensions proportional) is, as shown in Fig. 1, bottom except for a centrally arranged outlet nozzle 12 by means of of a one-piece molded vessel bottom 14 closed. The outlet piece 12, which is also formed in one piece, has an external thread 16, on which a corresponding Internal thread 18 having a knurling 20 on the side for better actuation having closure cover 22 for Closing the outlet connector 12 can be screwed on.

At an open end opposite the vessel bottom 14 of the cylindrical vessel part 10 is an inner one on the edge Annular groove 24 in the inner peripheral surface of the vessel cylinder 10 molded.

Also in this open area of the vessel part 10 is the in 1, also as a plastic injection molded part realized piston 26 insertable, the outer diameter to the clear inside width of the cylindrical part of the vessel 10 is adjusted. More specifically, the piston 26 at the edge of its downward-facing piston surface 28, tapered sealing lips 30, the for a safe, yet easily movable guidance of the Ensure the piston in the cylinder 10. The piston 26 also has a central hollow cylindrical piston guide 32 integrally formed on the opposite of the piston surface 28 A pair of transverse slots 34 are provided at the end is.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is alternative Interaction with that in Fig. 3 as a combination of agitator shaft 36 and stirring disc 38 trained stirring tool and the dosing unit shown in cross section in FIG. 2 trained, the latter consisting of threaded spindle 40 and dosing or knurled on the edge Control wheel 42 and associated with the threaded spindle 40 Driver piece 44 with internal thread 46.

According to the invention, as follows with reference to the 4 to 6 is described, the stirring tool with in otherwise trained in a known manner, for example with Breakthroughs provided stirring disc 38 after completion of Stirring process against the dosing unit shown in Fig. 2 to exchange, in an advantageous manner according to the invention only the agitator shaft 36 is removed from the arrangement, while the stirring disc 38, separated from the stirring shaft 36, remains in the container provided for dosing afterwards.

Fig. 4 shows - with the outlet nozzle inclined downwards - the ends Filling state of the mixing and dosing container according to the invention for those to be mixed and subsequently dosed Active ingredients. The outlet port 12 is through the screwed on cover 22 sealed.

As shown in Fig. 5, the stirring tool is then made up from agitator shaft 36 and agitator disc 38, through the open End of the cylindrical vessel part 10 inserted. The Stirring shaft is from the hollow cylindrical piston guide 32 in the piston inserted at the end 26 - axially rotatable -- guided. 5 shows an example of a raised, upper stirring or mixing position of the stirring disc 38 and a lower, lowered mixed position of the same (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5). The stirring takes place against the bottom of the vessel 14.

After the mixing process has ended and the mixture in is homogenized in the desired way, the - to Mixing purpose in an otherwise known manner with a drive unit connected - agitator shaft separated from the mixing disc and out of the vessel through the piston guide 32 removed while the stirring disc remains inside the vessel. More specifically, the release of shaft 36 and Disk 38 by driving the opposite in illustrated embodiment by means of a right-hand thread in a corresponding thread of the stirring disk 38 engaging agitator shaft in the left direction, being to this Unscrewing or loosening the stirring disk 38 in one example raised or lowered position at a (Not shown in the figure) projection held against rotation is.

After doing this, move the agitator shaft off the agitator disc 38 has been released and removed from the container, the in the dosing unit shown in FIG. 2 is attached and snapped; 6 shows this state.

More precisely, the knurled dosing or Control wheel 42 of the dosing unit by means of a rotating suitably shaped ring shoulder 48 snapping into the edge-side annular groove 24 of the vessel cylinder 10 and is in this latching position about the axis of symmetry shown in the figures 50 rotatably mounted.

The driver piece 44, screwed onto the threaded spindle 40 with a corresponding external thread 52, engages in the in Fig. 6 dosing state the piston guide 32 of the Piston 26, with a suitably shaped, double Flange shoulder 54 of the driver piece 44 in the transverse slots 34 engages at the upper end of the piston guide 32 and thus the driver piece 44 fixed against rotation on the piston 26.

The assembly state shown in Fig. 6 with overhead Piston, locked dosing wheel and driver piece in the connected position with the piston 26 shows at the same time Delivery state of the filled and ready mixed Container to a customer, ready for removal. By manual Turn the dosing or control wheel 42 in the direction of the arrow 56, the spindle 40 seated on the wheel 42 rotates and thereby drives the seated driver piece 44 and hence the piston 26 in the direction of arrow 58 downward. The piston area 28 (the stirring or mixing disk 38 is in the interior 60 remaining) expresses the content of the interior 60 through the outlet nozzle 12 as soon as the closure cover 22 is unscrewed. In particular, the Rotary movement of the metering wheel with a correspondingly smooth Feed thread between spindle 40 and driver 44 extremely precise and sensitive dosing of the interior 60 contained mix, so that in particular less Experienced and / or handicapped users and Patients the mix evenly, precisely and practically remove and dispense waste-free.

The device shown is also advantageous Mixing and dosing container revealed, which is simple constructive structure - therefore extremely suitable for Inexpensive large-scale production using the injection molding process - excellent, in particular also to be filled automatically is and in an advantageous manner for the filling process not removing the complete stirring tool the mixing room needed after the stirring process. Rather, an appropriately remains Suitable as a single-use mixing tool, disc-shaped Mixing unit, for example as a molded plastic part, in Housing without hindering the subsequent dosing process.

In addition, the change from mixed to Dosing or delivery status as extremely easy to use. According to the invention, only that is - after unlocked from the stirring disc - end of the Pull the agitator shaft out of the guide in the piston, and pull it is then the already assembled dosing unit put on from control wheel, threaded spindle and driver piece; the latter then directly engages in its sealing Lock position in the piston while the control wheel rotatable with the edge of the cylindrical vessel part 10 locked. So that the device is then immediately in the above-described manner with high accuracy ready to dose.

7 shows an alternative embodiment of the dosing configuration according to FIG. 6. While in FIG. 6 the manual driven lead screw 40 on the open end of the cylindrical Vessel part 10 is placed in place, takes place the manual drive of the threaded spindle for dosing purposes 4 from the side of the outlet connection in the embodiment according to FIG. Specifically, reaches for removal the loosened agitator shaft 36 - again the driver piece 44 the threaded spindle 40 in the piston guide 32 of the piston 26 a. 7 extends in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG however, the threaded spindle 40 up to the opening of the outlet port 10 (the representations of FIGS. 7 and 8 are reversed aligned as the previous pictures), where then a swivel-like swivel on the Outlet connector 12 attached drive piece 62 a rotary operation the threaded spindle 40 enables. More specifically is by manual rotation of the drive member 62 around the axis of symmetry of FIG. 7, the driver piece 44 with seated Piston 26 towards the outlet port 40 pulled, and the content in the metering interior 60 'can suitably provided outlet slots in the drive piece 62 and a seated outlet spout 66 emerge. As in 6 is by sensitive turning of the drive piece 62 an exact dosage of the removal of the mix possible from the interior 60 '.

8 shows another embodiment of the present Invention, wherein - according to Fig. 7 - the removal also on the outlet side by means of one provided there Actuator takes place.

In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 here, however, no rotary spindle as a drive for the Piston provided in the vessel part 10; rather it is in the spindle shown in Fig. 8 by an i.w. smoother Lateral surface, which by means of two bow-shaped clamping or Clamping elements 68 against the inner wall of the vessel part 10 is clamped below the piston.

An actuator 70 is snapped over the outlet port 12 and acts against the restoring force of a compression spring 72; is also analogous to the embodiment according to FIG. 7 in the further embodiment according to FIG. 8 the smooth one Spindle 74 rotatably and tiltably with the actuating piece 70 connected.

The dosing removal works as follows: One pressure leads down to the actuator in the direction of arrow 76 the spindle 74 down and causes a small relative movement between clamping elements 68 and spindle 74. Will then the actuator is released, the spindle 74 by restoring force of the compression spring 72 back into the raised initial position pulled in this direction of movement however, the clamping elements clamp the piston the spindle (while in the previous downward movement left the piston in the same position).

In this way it is through a sequence of individuals Pressure actuations of the pistons can be moved up in fine steps, and the mix can be removed and metered accordingly become.

The present invention is not based on the forms of implementation shown and limited embodiments, so are basically other means of manual operation of the piston in metering mode possible.

It is also particularly preferred to use essential components of the mixing and dosing container according to the invention as Realizing plastic injection molded parts, basically however, other materials, such as metals, offer depending on an intended purpose.

It is also possible within the scope of the invention before carrying out of the stirring process the stirring disk - detached from the agitator shaft 36 - to be arranged in the container so that after filling the container with those to be mixed Substances to prepare the mixing process the agitator shaft through the opening provided in the piston and with the (suitable for example held on the piston) Stirring disc, for example by screwing, is connected before then the stirring process can be carried out.

According to a further embodiment, not shown in the figures it is also particularly suitable, the in the Fig. shown as a simple screw cap 22 to be provided with a child lock so that the mix secured against unauthorized removal, especially by children can be.

While in the shown embodiments always one separate driver piece the connection between rotary or Threaded spindle and piston manufactured for dosing it is possible and included in the invention, this driver thread directly in the guide of the piston (through which the agitator shaft is also guided).

While in the alternative embodiments of FIG. 7 and 8, where the metering operation is carried out at the outlet end a corresponding actuator on or attached or snapped around the outlet port 12 is, it is also possible, here about an attachment, a Snap or the like. Mounting on the cylindrical vessel part 10, for example, around the outer edge.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention it is intended to use a suitable outlet - Removable - cover that either before a user removes the mix for the first time is destroyed or removed, or the - about in shape a flap or a stopper - in addition is reusable. One is concrete Continuing education can be realized by means of an example during the Injection molding of the container produced skin or membrane-like cover as a closure for the outlet, the then through a suitable pointed object through a User can be opened. Alternatively, it is conceivable using prefabricated die cuts or one Predetermined breaking point and a suitably provided Handling tab to offer the user the opportunity by tearing out the outlet for the removal of mix to expose.

It is an alternative to the above embodiments also encompassed by the invention, the solution-based, tapered outlet of the container body (10 in Fig. 1) as Form breakthrough or hole in the vessel bottom 14 (i.e. without an external outlet nozzle), then a closure of this outlet is particularly preferred Sealing cover for gripping over the entire base 14, and more preferably for pinching, snapping and / or releasable connection to the cylindrical outer wall of the Container body 10 is formed. According to one particularly Favorable development of this embodiment would also the cover to be placed over the entire surface aligned or engaging in the bore Have protrusion, which is particularly advantageous in this way is that an i. w. flat, continuous inner surface of the vessel bottom for Interaction with the agitator disc 38 arises.

Claims (11)

Mixing and dosing containers for pharmaceutical, cosmetic or similar products, with a container body (10) forming an iw cylindrical interior, which on one end has an outlet (12) tapering in diameter and on the other end is designed for inserting a piston unit (26) that is sealingly and movably guided in the interior,
wherein the piston unit has an opening (32) for a drive shaft (36) of a mixing tool (38) which can be driven in the interior, a drive means (40, 42, 44) engaging the aperture (32) is connectable to the container body after removal of the drive shaft and for moving the piston unit (26) toward the outlet (12) in response to manual actuation of an actuator (42) of the drive device is formed. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive shaft and the mixing tool are designed in this way are that the drive shaft when recorded in the interior Mixing tool detachable from this and through the opening (32) can be led out of the interior is. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device is a threaded spindle (40), which via the opening (32) with the Piston is connectable. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the breakthrough is adapted to the threaded spindle Has thread. Container according to claim 3, characterized by a Driver piece that can be screwed onto the threaded spindle (44), the sealing insert in the opening (32) is. Container according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized characterized in that the threaded spindle by means of a Knob (42,62) can be driven and this can be rotated via a snap or snap connection to the container body (10) is connected. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the snap or snap connection at the outlet (12) opposite, open end region of the container body is provided. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the snap or snap connection on the outlet side End of the container body is provided and the threaded spindle (40) through the outlet (12) into the interior reaches in. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device is a push rod has, via the opening (32) with the piston (26) is connectable and via an external pressure and / or Tilt actuation one step at a time Piston feed enables. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized characterized in that the outlet (12) with an attachable Closure element (22) can be closed in a sealing manner is, which is preferably designed as a screw cap and more preferably with a child lock is provided. Container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized characterized in that the outlet by means of a seated, destructible or reclosable sealing closure closed at least during a mixed operation is.

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