EP0931192B1 - Paste dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP97/05402 Sec. 371 Date May 10, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date May 10, 1999 PCT Filed Oct. 1, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98/15684 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 16, 1998The invention relates to a device enabling delivery of a paste from a flexible storage container located in a dimensionally stable container. Product is fed into a dosing device which dispenses product under vacuum. A follow-up plate is located on the top portion of the flexible storage container exerting pressure upon it. An opening is provided at the bottom of the container. On the edge of the opening a sealing device is arranged. Inside this arrangement a tight connection is made between the flexible storage container and access to the dosing device. Access to the dosing device can be barred. The sealing device is a sealing ring. Inside the opening of the sealing ring an upwardly turned blade is located in a conduit that connects to the dosing device. Between the blade and the connecting conduit a free cross section is available in order to enable paste flow.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for feeding a paste from a a dimensionally stable container arranged with flexible storage containers descending product management in a vacuum-promoting Dosing device, with a follower plate on the flexible storage container is arranged, which exerts pressure on the storage container, and in the bottom of the Container has an opening.

Liquid to pasty detergents are known in large numbers. These are generally tailored to household needs, that is, they should be sufficiently liquid and pour and dose easily. There they are also stable in storage over a wide temperature range should not usually come without the use of organic Solvents and / or hydrotropic additives. These additives are however, wash-inactive, comparatively complex and additionally stress Packaging volume or transport and storage capacity. In particular, bothers a content of flammable solvents, which because of the comparatively high Throughput of detergents in laundries additionally Safety precautions are required. Detergent concentrates of the type mentioned are therefore of little or no use for laundries.

It is therefore mainly powdery in laundry companies Detergent used. Because especially in large companies with extensive Automation the exact dosage of such agents problematic or is personnel-intensive, the funds are usually in pre-solved form Stock liquors are stocked and dosed, which means you use a watery one Concentrate, which is then fed to the individual consumption points. The However, detergents commonly used in laundries contain comparatively high levels of washing alkalis, which are only limited in cold Water are soluble and also lead to salting out effects. They effect phase separation with the result that the organic components, especially the non-ionic surfactants and soaps to separate and cream. One must therefore work in relatively strong aqueous dilution and additionally mix the base lye constantly and in a cycle lead to also in the supply lines to the consumption points Prevent deposition of individual components. Such procedures therefore require high investments for spacious batch containers and with them connected statics for mixers and conveyors as well as permanent Energy supply for tempering and pumping around the stock liquors.

A detergent that meets these requirements is described in EP 0 295 525 suggested. It is a pasty detergent that special handling requirements for dosing and mixing with water as a solvent. Such detergent pastes are in large containers are transported and stored. It is suggested this Storage containers in a removal device above the metering device put and the paste descending down. In case of use a flexible container is proposed, to the one in the container Put a container on a follower plate, which exerts pressure on the storage container, to ensure that the storage container is largely emptied. In the Document describes a generic arrangement.

The technical problem underlying the invention is that training known arrangement so that the supply of the paste with simple Means is safe and controllable and the arrangement one tight connection to the dosing device which promotes negative pressure and a trouble-free, complete emptying guaranteed. This problem is solved in that in the known arrangement at the edge of the opening a sealing arrangement is present, within which a tight connection from flexible storage container for access to the metering device can be represented, and access to the metering device can be blocked.

The proposed arrangement has the advantage that the flexible storage container is completely emptied, since it is ensured that the material of the flexible Container does not clog or obstruct the paste conveying paths. this could easily happen when the connection between the flexible storage containers and the access to the dosing device would not be airtight or through the Emptying the unstressed supply container. Parts of the container material advance and cover the container outlet ahead of time before the whole Paste is emptied.

Within the framework of this inventive idea, two alternative solutions suggested. Once the arrangement then provides a sealing ring, within its opening in a connecting channel to the metering device upward knife is arranged. Between knife and The connection channel has a free cross-section for the paste to pass through. With this, it is advantageously possible in a simple manner, the flexible storage container cut open automatically when used in the container, at the same time the sealing lips ensure a pressure-tight seal to the outside becomes. The paste from this arrangement is therefore only funded if access to the dosing device is enabled. The can then Act negative pressure, by means of which the metering device promotes. This Sealing to the outside is particularly effective if one is on the sealing ring arranged and directed upwards, preferably obliquely upwards Sealing lip is present, which is firmly against the when the container is placed creates flexible packaging material.

If the knife is arranged so that it protrudes into the lower container space, expediently a corresponding recess in the follower plate provided such that the flexible material guided under the follower plate Containers even when the outer rim is placed on the bottom of the container Knife not touched. This also supports in a meaningful manner that at almost empty container in the peripheral areas of the container existing paste first through the lowering follower plate in the direction of the Center is displaced and the remnants of the paste are then in the room concentrate in the opening or between the bottom of the container and the Recess is formed in the follower plate.

According to a special embodiment, the knife is cruciform trained what the provision of free in a very simple and effective manner Cross-sections for pasting easier. The cruciform also causes Incision in the container material the formation of material corners, which are in the Shift the flow of the paste within the sealing arrangement in the direction of flow and do not obstruct the river.

In another embodiment, the inventive concept is implemented in such a way that in the area of the flexible container that when inserted into the container the container opening is set, a commercially available container neck is inserted whose clamping ring is placed on the edge of the opening. Through the The opening then protrudes in the direction of the metering device. Will in this Neck an insert tightly inserted, both against the surrounding atmosphere as well as with a channel arranged in the flow direction against the Dosing device is sealable, can be done with simple means and very effective the tight connection of the container with the dosing device being represented.

Usually the paste is so viscous that a cap of the channel can be removed before the container in the container and thus the channel in access to the dosing device is used. Should the paste become more fluid be, causing an unintentional leakage of paste before tight connection Access to the metering device could occur, which can be advantageous Ways are taken into account that the channel with a Insert into the opening of the dosing device that can be opened automatically Closure is equipped. Is above the operational channel, that is from this directed in the direction of the container, a sleeve arranged in the wall of which has at least one cut-out that differs from the transition of the channel to the sleeve extends just below the upper edge of the sleeve, this advantageously stabilizes the paste outflow and ensures complete emptying of the container. Here, too, is particularly advantageous Connection of such an arrangement with a corresponding recess in the Follower plate in the central area of the arrangement of the container neck and the Sleeve.

Fig. 1

eine Anordnung mit Dichtlippe und Kreuzmesser und

Fig. 2

eine Anordnung mit Gebindehals und darin angeordnetem Einsatz.

The mentioned and other advantages are clarified in the explanation of exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In it shows

Fig. 1

an arrangement with sealing lip and cross knife and

Fig. 2

an arrangement with container neck and insert arranged therein.

In the representation of the two exemplary embodiments is in the lower part schematically shown the metering device 2, the access 3 through a Closure 4 is lockable. On the frame of the metering device 2 is a fixed Container 5 with an opening 9 placed in the bottom. In the container 5 is a flexible container 6 used, which is also useful as Transport container for the washing paste is used. On the flexible container 6 is one Follower plate 7 is placed, which has a weight of a few kilos and so in the Container fits that between follower plate 7 and inner container wall only one there is a small gap. In this gap, if necessary, if the flexible Container is designed to be arranged a protrusion of the material which the flexible container 6 is made.

In Fig. 1 it can be clearly seen that a sealing ring 10th in the opening 9 of the container is arranged. This sealing ring points obliquely upwards circumferential sealing lip 11. Since the sealing ring 10 in the housing Dosing device 2 inserted and the container bottom into the annular Keyway is inserted between the sealing ring 10 and sealing lip 11, this provides Arrangement an effective seal of the system against the Surrounding. The protruding into the container or container volume cross-shaped knife 12 slits the material 20 of the flexible container 6, when this is inserted into the container 5 and pressed down. Bend between the cross-shaped blades of the knife 12 the sliced bag corners that give way to the pressure of the paste below so that they do not resist the paste. In the There is enough free cross-section for the segments between the blades Paste passage available that can enter the connecting channel 18. There is a transition to the access 3 of the metering device 2, which in the illustrated state is sealed by a closure 4.

If access 3 is opened, the injector can operate on the principle of a Water jet pump created negative pressure to suck the paste effective become. After dosing the specified amount, access 3 is restored closed so that no further paste can be conveyed.

In Fig. 2 an embodiment is shown in which in the flexible container 6 a commercial container neck 13 is inserted such that this Insert the flexible container 6 into the container 5 in the opening 9 of the Container fits. The flat underside of the clamping ring 14 lies on the Edge of the opening 9 on. Through the clamping ring 14, the flexible material 20th of the container 6 in a gap between the clamping ring 14 and the container neck 13 tightly clamped. An insert is in the central opening of the container neck 13 15 used by a radially outward ring web and a ring bead protruding radially outwards against the sleeve-shaped part of the Neck 13 is set. The cylindrical outer wall of the insert 15 is on its container end bent radially inwards and goes into one Channel 16 over, which is slightly conical facing away from the container. This channel 16 is closed at the lower end with a cap, not shown. Is this Cap integrated with the channel 16, it is before the insertion of the Container 6 separated into the container, which results in a higher viscosity of the paste does not lead to leakage. A special one can be used for low viscosity pastes Embodiment may also be designed so that the cap Insert the channel 16 in the access 3 to the dosing device automatically opens.

The slightly conical design of the channel 16 allows a tight connection the access 3. On the container-side crest of the insert 15 is a sleeve 17 arranged, which protrudes into the container volume. In the sleeve jacket is a Cutout 19 available, which extends from the transition of the bead into the sleeve extends just below the upper edge of the sleeve. In one up extending annular web 21 of the metering device 2, within it the connecting channel 18 is formed, are annular sealing elements 22 on the outside provided that a seal between the metering device 2 and the allow this web mounted insert 15.

The proposed arrangement in which at the edge of the opening 9 Sealing arrangement is present, within which a tight connection from flexible storage container 6 for access 3 to the metering device 2 can be represented, is suitable, also in the form of the two alternative solutions, in special way to combine with a metering device 2, the one Injector 23 has. In this injector is via a lockable channel 25 high-tension fluid, such as pressurized water, which is after passing through the injector nozzle 23 into a relaxing water opposite access 27 flows to a measuring section. The one after Principle of a water jet pump working injector 23 generated on the Suction side 24 a negative pressure that through the feed channel 26 to the access 3rd can be transferred to the metering device 2. The pressure-tight connection between flexible container 6 and the access 3 allows advantageously Way that this vacuum sucks the paste from the flexible container 6 and feeds the metering device 2. The two channels 25 and 26 are thereby closed by a double control piston system.

The peculiarity of this control circuit can be seen in that the pistons are coordinated so that always the first Closure 4 of the channel 26 is released before the channel 25 sealing piston is lowered so far that the high pressure water flow in and through the injector the necessary to convey the paste Can generate negative pressure. Because the water is the solvent for the paste represents a simple and effective mixing in this way guaranteed. The dosage is controlled by that in the measuring section behind the access 27 a conductivity measurement is carried out, which Determination of the exact concentration of the paste and in solution thus allowing the crowd. When the target dosage is reached, the Channels 25, 26 then closed again in reverse order.

Claims (9)

1. An arrangement for delivering and guiding a paste from a flexible storage container (6) accommodated in a dimensionally stable pot (5) downwards into a dispenser (2) operating by reduced pressure, the flexible storage container (6) being surmounted by a follower plate (7) which applies pressure to the storage container (6) and an opening (9) being present in the base of the pot (5), characterized in that a sealing arrangement (10,13) is present at the edge of the opening (9), inside which an air-tight connection can be established between the flexible storage container (6) and the access (3) to the dispenser (2), and in that the access (3) to the dispenser (2) is designed to be shut off.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sealing arrangement is a sealing ring (10) and in that an upwardly directed knife (12) is arranged within the opening (9) of the sealing ring (10) in a connecting passage (18) to the dispenser (2), free cross-section for the passage of paste being present between the knife (12) and the connecting passage (18).
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the sealing ring (10) comprises an upwardly directed sealing lip (11) which applies itself firmly to the flexible container material (19).
4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the knife (12) is arranged in such a way that it projects into the pot (5) and in that the follower plate (7) comprises a recess (8) so that, when it rests on the bottom of the pot, it does not touch the knife (12) or the sealing lip (11).
5. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the knife (12) is cruciform in shape.
6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sealing arrangement (10) consists of a container neck (13) known per se in which an insert (15) is tightly arranged, the insert (15) being designed to be sealed off from the dispenser (2) and comprising a passage (16) designed to be connected to the access (3) to the dispenser (2).
7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that a closure (4) designed to open automatically when the passage (16) is inserted into the access (3) to the dispenser (2) is present at the front end - relative to the flow direction - of the passage (16).
8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a sleeve (17) projecting into the container (6) is arranged above and connected to the passage (16), the sleeve (17) being provided in its wall with at least one cut-out (19) extending from the junction between the passage (16) and the sleeve (17) to just below the upper edge of the sleeve.
9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the follower plate (7) comprises a recess (8) so that, when it rests on the bottom of the pot, it does not touch the container neck (13) or the sleeve (17).

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