EP1068906B1 - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser. With him two or more Media be played sequentially or together. Each of the media can be liquid, pasty, powdered, one tablet-shaped solid or else be gaseous. The media can via separate outlet channels or media outlets or over be discharged a common outlet channel. you will be either with the outlet flow or before discharge with each other mixed. In all these operations, the dispenser is with a single user hand both free to carry and operate. Of the Dispensers expediently consists of plastic or injection molded parts and can also contain glass parts.

From US 5,647,481 A, a dispenser, according to the preamble of claim 1, has become generally known works as a squeeze bottle. It contains two different storage chambers Media. A connecting channel is closed by a lid, the by internal pressure in the one of the container from his Seat is ejected into the other container.

US 3,966,089 A shows a spray gun with a 2-chamber memory, in which one of the storage chambers by screwing the The lid of the dispenser is pierced by means of a crown so that the media can mix.

FR 2,773,135 A shows a nebulizer with two storage chambers, which are each sealed off from each other by a ball valve. The Both balls are in operation by a thorn from their Sitting pushed and caught in a holder, leaving the contents the chambers can mix.

The invention has for its object to provide a dispenser, in which disadvantages of known training are avoided and with in particular two media volumes the same or different Aggregate state stored completely separate from each other and then several times in single doses can be discharged. each Medium should umfüll- or before the discharge in a metering chamber be sucked and then discharge directly from this metering chamber be. Furthermore, a good mixing or mixing of the media to be possible. Also, the dispenser is designed compact, easy to handle and easy to manufacture and assemble be. Finally, the media before the discharge from germs to be protective.

This object is achieved by the dispenser according to claim 1.

The dispenser has a base body with a storage unit, which with a discharge conveyor for repeated delivery of Media must be provided from the storage unit. Of the Discharge conveyor could only a pouring spout for emptying the Storage unit or another, preassembled on the base body to be attached conveyor unit, however, is suitably a pump. Should the media in a single move completely from the storage unit be discharged, so a pump is sufficient with a single Stroke direction; with multiple dose discharge, the pump either leads a step stroke advancing in said direction or alternately forward and backward strokes. The latter makes the metering or pump chamber first deflated and then out of the storage unit again filled with medium. The pump can also be powered by an elastic resetting squeeze bottle, which is the one or the Storage spaces or the mixing chamber for the two media limited.

The mixing chamber may be separate from both storage spaces. she can also be a single of these storage spaces or through the storage spaces be formed together. When mixing is then a good one Flushing these rooms given.

A storage room is as a pre-assembled, filled and sealed Assembly provided which to be attached to the other memory so is that the storage spaces only via a one-piece closure member are separated from each other. After opening this with regard to pressure or Bend flexible or elastic closure member can be any medium flow from its storage space into all other storage spaces. The Closure member or other member may then be a guide body for Forming flow turbulence in the mixing chamber. For example, can this Guide body in the mixing chamber unattached by mass forces freely be movable after moving from its holder to the main body detached or blasted off.

The mixing chamber or storage spaces may be prior to merging the media a smaller volume than at the beginning of Merge the media and afterwards. For example, can the concave boundary of a storage space in a convex shape be everted and then protrude into the other storage space. This increases the pressure in this other storage space, which also the first start-up or priming of the discharge conveyor improved.

Regardless of the described embodiments, a vessel body with two separate vascular openings proposed with To separate separate members are and / or each other coaxially opposite. Each vessel opening is through a formed opposite the vessel belly constricted neck, which in one-piece Training a projecting attachment member for a counter member, such as a snap ring, a metallic crimping ring, a threaded member or the like. Has. The counterpart is used for tight attachment or Clamping a closure unit, which the discharge conveyor or may include the assembly with the second storage space. Of the Vessel body is formed in one piece and its necks can be the same be formed so that both closure members either at each These necks are to be tightly fastened.

Fig. 1

einen Teil eines Spenders in teilweise geschnittener Ansicht,

Fig. 2 bis 7

Ausführungsbeispiele der Speicherräume im wesentlichen in Darstellungen entsprechend Fig. 1.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings, wherein the individual features may be realized individually or in each case in the form of sub-combinations in an embodiment of the invention and may represent advantageous embodiments. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a part of a donor in a partially sectioned view,

Fig. 2 to 7

Embodiments of the memory spaces substantially in representations corresponding to FIG. 1.

The dispenser 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 7 has three dimensionally stable Units 2 through 4, each pairwise independent of the third axially and / or rotationally against each other are movable. The units 3, 4 have axial distance from each other and are at each other remote ends of the central unit 2 movably mounted. The Unit 2 comprises a storage unit 5 and a base body 6, which are dimensionally stable. The unit 5 is limited to the main body. 6 a first memory space 7 and a multiple smaller, second Storage room 8. Both rooms 7, 8 adjoin one another Surface of a closure 9, which is a one-piece closing member or may be a limiting body. All mentioned arrangements lie in a common axis 10, to which the movements of Units 2 to 4 are parallel.

On the body 6 is a first discharge conveyor 11 (Fig. 1) and at a distance from this a second discharge conveyor 12 (Fig. 3) attached, softer optionally together with and independently of the conveyor 11 too The rigid base body 6 comprises two one-piece Storage vessels 13, 14, namely the vessel body 13 and the Boundary body 14 and the separate housing 29 of the pump 11th

The constant wide storage jacket 15 of the vessel 13 is coaxial with Boundary body 14 or memory shell 16 and is integral with one of the housing of the two conveyors 11, 12 is formed. The ends of the jacket 15 strike the vessel bottom 18 of the vessel 13. The wall 17 connects to an outwardly directed vessel neck 19 on. The neck 19 forms a holder 21 as a fastening member to rigid attachment of the housing of the pump 11th

The pump 11 and its housing 29 belong to a closure unit 23 for tight closure of the neck 19 against leakage of the Media. The closure 9 belongs to a further closure 25 a closure unit 24 for the tight closure of the neck 20th against leakage of medium to the outside or media exchange between the spaces 7, 8. The shutter 25 is located at an axial distance from the shutter 9, limited with this and the jacket 16 the space 8th and extends into the plane of the wall 18.

By ejecting the shutter 9 from the jacket 16 in the room. 7 is an exit or transfer opening 51 at the inner end of the Halses 20 open, over which the rooms 7, 8 then to a common space, namely a merger or Mixing chamber 27 are connected (Fig. 2). The piston 9 is then free in the Room 7 movable and forms a mixing or stirring member to Mixing of the two media. The volume of the room 27 is equal to that of the room 7 and smaller than the sum of the rooms 7, 8.

After mixing the media by shaking the dispenser 1 the mixing medium with the pump 11 through the housing 29 and the unit 3 through time spaced in single doses discharged. The housing 29 protrudes with the largest part of its length in the space. 7 and includes with its inner end to a riser 28, such as flexurally flexible riser, on, to the bottom 18 in the room 26th is sufficient, so that deducted only from here the medium from the unit 5 becomes.

For the formation of the pump 11 and its attachment or connection to the vessel 13 is to incorporate the features and effects in the present invention to the German patents 196th 10 457, 196 27 228, 197 39 989, 197 39 990 or on the German Patent applications 198 40 721 and 198 40 723 reference.

The housing 29 defines a pressure, metering and pumping chamber 30, which between the piston or the piston lip of a piston unit 31 and an intake valve 32 through the inner periphery of the housing 29th is limited. The unit 31 belongs to the unit 3 and includes a Exhaust valve 33, whose one valve body by the inner circumference of the elastically shortenable piston is formed while the other Valve part is rigidly attached to the piston plunger. In the starting position As shown in FIG. 2 are ventilation paths between the housing 29 and the Piston plunger sealed by a valve 34, one of which Valve body through the outer periphery of the piston and the other Valve body are formed by an inner sleeve of the lid, which with a longer and the space 30 limiting body the Housing 29 forms.

To the valve 33 closes downstream and completely within the Piston plunger to an outlet passage 35 which immediately adjacent to Media outlet 37, namely a spray nozzle, with a fuse against the ingress of germs, for example with a valve 36, is provided. In the outlet channel 35 or all other media spaces Limiting walls may also contain germicidal agents be. The movable valve body of the valve 36 closes in the direction the discharge flow, while the movable valve body of the valves 32, 33 open in this direction. The valve 36 is opened after opening Valves 33 opened by the media pressure in the channel 35 and closes under spring force.

The outlet 37 is provided in the end face of a nozzle 38, the protrudes freely over a laterally adjoining handle 39 and in a nostril can be inserted. The opening 37 and the Stub 38 are in the axis 10. To equalize the pressure for Removal of the medium from the rooms 7, 8 is a ventilation 40th provided, which is guided solely by a germ filter 41. Of the Housing cover of the pump 11 has a protruding, annular Flange 43 on. Between the flange 43 and the end face of the Neck 19 and the holder 21 is the annular disk-shaped filter 41st under compression and liner of a seal 42 axially so clamped that the rings 41, 42 on the outer circumference of the housing 29th connect tightly.

The axial clamping takes place with a separate fastening member 44, such as a Krimpring, which left in Fig. 2 before and right after the bracing is shown. The member 44 is supported mutually remote shoulder surfaces of the members 21, 43 below Tension off and consists of sheet metal. The ventilation could also do that Pass housing 29 and the valve 34, then downstream of the space 30 of the jacket of the housing 29 of a Ventilation hole is interspersed, which is the inside of the housing shell directly connects with the room 7.

A trigger lock 45 prevents form-fitting, that the parts 38, 39 be deducted from the piston plunger or from the unit 2 although they can be attached to the plunger only by a Plug connection are attached. A lying within the room 30 Return spring 46 moves the unit 3 over the return stroke to the Stop of the fuse 45. The handle 39 is through the end wall a cap 47 formed which integrally formed with the neck 38 is and whose coat the freely projecting housing cover and the Parts 21, 23 and 41 to 45 permanent as discharge and actuating head covers.

But it may also be advantageous if the pump 11 with the Handle 39 due to a sequential circuit first to the end position pressed her pumping stroke and then in this position only the conveyor 12 with the handle 49 (Fig. 2) is actuated, so that after release of the Handle 39, 49 immediately run a suction stroke and the medium off the chamber 27 is sucked into the chamber 30. The sequential circuit can be achieved in that the operating force for the pump 12 is greater than the actuation force for the pump 11. Should the pump 11 remain unconfirmed during conveyance by the conveyor 12, the operating forces are chosen in reverse accordingly.

In each of the chambers 7 and 8, one of the said media be saved. The room 8 is completely filled and the room 7 only partially up to the visible in Fig. 1 media mirror below of the housing 29. Simultaneous finger pressure against both handles 39, 49 pushes the shutter 9 from the neck 20, to the end the exit and transfer opening 51 on the inner width of the shell 16th is free and in the course of the medium of the chamber 8 in the Chamber 7 is ejected.

Now the media can be shaking homogeneously and with support of the shutter 9 acting as a stirring member. By linear displacement of the handle 39 opposite to Displacement direction of the handle 49 and against the force of the spring 46th the chamber 30 is reduced in size and the medium contained therein compressed to open the valve 33. The valve 33 opens either by overpressure in the chamber 30 or by abutment of the piston at the end of the pumping stroke.

The medium exits the chamber 30 under pressure through the valve 33 out, flows through the inner circumference of the piston sleeve to the valve 36, opens this and then exits through the outlet 37 atomized into the open out. After release of the handle 39, the unit 3 performs the return stroke from, whereby under opening of the valve 32 medium from the chamber 27 is sucked into the chamber 30. The next stroke cycle leads to Discharge of a next dose.

According to FIG. 2, the units 12, 14 are separate from the body 13 and at this fixed with an intermediate member or annular flange 52, which is formed integrally with the parts 16, 25, 49. Also stands out Neck 20 opposite the neck 19 only outward over the ground 18 and has at the end or outer circumference a protruding Attachment member 22 which corresponds to the member 21. A ring-shaped seal 53 is against the end face of the parts 20, 22 clamped, connects in one piece to the upstream end of a Mantels 54 and surrounds the jacket 16 with radial clearance.

The other end of the shell 54 closes at an axial distance from the member 53 within the shell 20 via a connection 55 to the inner End of the shell 16 and forms in the region of this end wall 55 a annular joint for inversion of the vessel 14 in such a way that the jacket 16 then protruding into the space 7 extension the shell 54 forms and the inner boundaries of the vessel 14 then form its outer boundaries, which limit the annulus 26. The parts 16, 53 to 55 are in one piece. A sleeve or cap-shaped and separate attachment member 56 biases the Elastomer body 14, 52 against the bracket 22 and is on this over an annular elastic snap connection 57 and at the Seal 53 with a distance between its ends Abutment 58, namely an annular end wall supported.

The shutter 9 is a dimensionally stable or flexurally elastic plate, which with its outer circumference tight in an annular groove on the inner circumference of Mantle 16 engages. The mantle of the member 56 is above the vessel 14 and the handle 49, which is formed by the vessel bottom 25. The jacket 54 may have gap distance from the neck 20 or at the Inner circumference tension-free or sealed with radial stress issue. The snap connection 57 engages springing back by itself, when the one-piece member 56 is pushed axially onto the neck 20.

The elastomeric body 14, 52 is inherent or by latching bistable, namely in the starting position shown in FIG. 3 and in the everted position, with a latching in this end position additional push button can be set. By finger pressure against the handle 49 is everted the vessel 14 and while the shutter 9 jumps out of its anchorage, so that the opening 51st becomes free. After everting the chamber 27 is smaller than the chamber. 7 and after mixing is discharged with the pump 11.

According to FIG. 3, instead of the closure 9, the vessel 14 is separated from the Flange 52 formed and the sleeve jacket 59 in one piece with the Closure 9. The closures 9, 25 are inversely to Fig. 1. The Closure 25 is formed by a bottom 25, which is fixed or connected in one piece with the jacket 16 and flat or pointed or is cone-shaped. At the other, within the parts 20, 52 lying end the jacket 16 goes over in one piece into a narrowed vessel neck 61, the an attachment or snap member 62 for attachment to the parts 9, 52 having a snap connection 60. The shutter 9 is located then as a flat disc close to the end face of the neck 61 and connects in one piece to the jacket 59, which on the inner circumference of a annular snap groove for engagement of the member 62 has. The coat 59 may have the effect of the shell 16 of FIG. 2 and closes over an annular disc 55 to the jacket 54 at.

The handle 49 is here through the outside of the shutter. 9 educated. By pressure against the handle 49, the vessel 14 continues moved into the room 7 until the snap connection 60 disengages and the vessel 14 falls freely into the space 7. The parts 9, 59 can then in the room 7 to be everted into the second stable position and the neck 61 limited opening 51 is free. In this case, the volume is the Chamber 27 smaller than the sum of the volumes of the rooms 7, 8, however greater than the volume of the chamber 7.

The stirring member is formed in this case by the vessel 14, whose Room 8 forms part of the mixing chamber 27. The wall 58 is here at the end of the member 56, axially adjacent to the shutter 9 and Handle 49 and has a passage opening for the at the Handle 49 finger to be applied.

4, the shutter 9 comprises a in the neck 61st protruding plug, which with radial pressure close to the Inner circumference of the neck or the opening 51 abuts and immediately on the end wall 55 connects. To the outside of the end wall 55 also includes in one piece another projection or mandrel, which the opening in the wall 58 passes through to the outside and outside of the Link 56 forms the handle 49. Also, the wall 55 can be sealing the end face of the neck 61 and the collar 62 abut. To the Open here, the handle 49 is pulled axially outward, wherein the Wall 55 can enter the opening of the wall 58 and the plug. 9 is pulled out of the vessel 14. Since the vessel 14 exclusively is attached to the body 52 with the plug 9, it is then in the described manner freely movable and open.

The shutter 9 can also after production of the line connection between the spaces 7, 8 continue to carry the vessel 14 or aligned. In Fig. 4 this is indicated by dash-dotted lines by the stopper 9 is extended accordingly and with the inner circumference of the Halses 61 as a valve, such as slide valve, cooperates. This valve can not only open, but with the handle 49 or through the elastic restoring forces of the body 52 to close again be when the handle 49 is released.

The movable valve body 9 has valve channels, e.g. on the outer circumference Axialnuten on which by the opening movement partially from the Opening 51 emerge and thereby the line connection between the rooms 7, 8 produce. The vessel 14 can then by friction again firmly connected to the plug 9 and moves with the Return movement of the body 52 in the space 7 in, whereby also the system of the Federal 62 on the wall 55 is repealed. The But vessel 14 could also by a stop or another Holder to be prevented from this movement. The floor 25 is in Cross-section to the outside convex round or spherical, in particular halbkugerförmig.

Similarly, it is the same with the vessel 14 of FIG a test tube with continuous constant wide jacket 16 is formed is. The closure 9 is like the entire member 52 to the end wall 55th hollow, which forms the inner end of the plug 9 and on the inside the mandrel 48 abuts with its inner end. The outer end is from the member 56 and carries the handle 49. The mandrel 48 pushed inward, he stretches the shutter 9 axially, the External width thereby decreases, so that the holding connection with the Reserved vessel 14 and transferred the vessel 14 freely in the room 7 becomes. Here, as in Fig. 4, the mixing chamber is the same size as the sum of the rooms 7, 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, the inner end 63 of the mandrel 48 forms a acute-angled cone, self-locking and with radial preload engages in the reaching to the wall 55 blind hole of the body 52. When inserting the mandrel 48 of the section 63 expands the shutter 9 without or with the subsequent section 54, whereby the Radial pressure generated against the inner circumference of the neck 61 and 20 respectively becomes. By pulling out the mandrel 48, this pressure lifted and the vessel 14 released. According to FIGS. 2 to 6 belong to the unit 4, only the movable parts of the body 52 and the Vessel 14 and the mandrel 48th The body 52 may be connected to the housing 56th also be one piece.

The dispensers 1 according to FIGS. 2 and 7 have a similar effect, but in FIG Fig. 7, the vessel 14 through a film blister with crease-resistant Walls 16, 25 are formed, which are less than hemispherical Form shell and one piece into the flat foil flange 62. The shell opening 51 is inclusive of the ring plate 62 with a level foil 9 made of metal or plastic covered, which under Interposition of the seal 53 at the end face of the neck 20, 22 below the voltage applied by the wall 58 directly on the flange 62 is exercised.

The bottom 25 or an applied to this actuator forms the handle 49, with which the vessel 14 against the space. 7 is pressed, whereby the shutter 9 is torn open and in the Room 8 powder contained in the liquid in the room 7 passes and in this liquid goes into solution. The then in the room 7 protruding tear tabs of the closure 9 form guide surfaces, which when shaking the flow in the chamber 27 swirl. The container 14 does not have elastic and in the inverted position be stable in position or be reset to the position shown in FIG. 7.

The outlet 37 is here transversely or radially to the axis 10, so that the extreme end of the discharge head 47, the handle 39 forms. The Attachment member 44 is a snap ring made of plastic. The germ filter 41 is not assigned a separate seal, so that it alone semipermeable seals or no liquid and only air passes, the penetrates radially and then axially between the neck 19 and housing 29 in the Rooms 7, 8, 27 flows.

The devices 11, 12 can independently of each other at the Unit 2 or the vessel 13 with the fastening members 44, 56th be attached and solved non-destructively. The vessel 14 can thereby together with the body 52 and with the seal 53 and the Housing 56 are mounted as a preassembled unit.

All features of all embodiments can be added to each other or combined with each other, which is why all parts of description mutatis mutandis apply to all embodiments. The illustrated Dimensional ratios are favorable. All properties and effects can exactly or only essentially or as described be provided and depending on the requirements also strongly of it differ.

Instead of a spray, the outlet 37 can also be individual drops or emit an unsprayed jet. The vessel 13 or 14 can Made of plastic also made of glass. The container 14 is also suitable for a powder or other temperature or moisture-sensitive solid first as a solution in a Fill with liquid and then dry or freeze-dry. It can also be the shutter 9 already with the container 14 as Unit, which then, filled with the dried substance, is mounted on the dispenser or units 2, 6.

Claims (11)

1. A dispenser for media including a base body (6), a reservoir unit (5) retained on the base body (6) for storing media, namely a first and a second medium, first and second reservoir spaces (7, 8), a merging assembly (27) for the media, and a discharge delivery unit (11), such as a pump for discharging at least one of the media from a dispenser orifice (37) wherein said base body (6) comprises a mounting fixture (21) such as a reservoir neck (19) for securing said discharge delivery unit (11) and said reservoir unit (5) comprises a first and a second reservoir (13, 14) as well as a closure (9) with a closing member (52) connecting both reservoirs (13, 14), characterized in that at least one of said two definitions formed by said closing member (52) and said second reservoir (14) is flexibly deformable for opening said second reservoir.
2. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said discharge delivery unit (11) is to be secured to said reservoir unit (5) substantially preassembled ready for operation, independent of said reservoir unit, and preferably that a closure element (52) including said closure (9) comprises a pliant intermediate member (54, 55, 56) adjacent to said closure (9).
3. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that said closure element (52) is in one piece, more particularly that said closure element (52) sealingly closes off separate ports of the reservoirs (13, 14), and preferably that the port (51) of said second reservoir (14) is to be opened independently of the port of said first reservoir (13).
4. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said closure element (52) comprises for said first reservoir (13) a closing part (53, 54) spaced away from said closure (9), more particularly that said closure element intrudes into both ports of said reservoirs (13, 14), and preferably that a bottom (25) of said second reservoir (14) is located nearer to said mounting fixture (21) than its port (51).
5. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 to 4, characterized in that said second reservoir (14) freely protrudes into said first reservoir (13), more particularly that an annular space (26) is defined between said reservoirs (13, 14), and preferably that said second reservoir (14) adjoins one wall (18) of said first reservoir (13) located spaced away from said mounting fixture (21).
6. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 to 5, characterized more particularly in that said during opening, at least one of said definition parts is moved against said mounting fixture (21), and preferably that said discharge delivery unit (11) is supplied with the medium via a conduit (28) protruding from said closure (9) and located outwardly adjacent to said second reservoir (14).
7. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 to 6, characterized in that said closure element (52) is supported on said first reservoir (13) by a freely outwardly protruding radial annular flange (53), more particularly that said first reservoir (13) comprises two restricted reservoir necks (19, 20), and preferably that said closure (9) remains secured to said reservoir unit (5) when said second reservoir (14) is open.
8. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 to 7, characterized in that said second reservoir (14) is immersible into said first medium, more particularly that said second reservoir (14) is movable by a finger rest (4), and preferably that said second reservoir (14) is connected to said first reservoir (13) or said closure element (52) via a snap-action connection.
9. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 to 8, characterized in that said closure (9) is restrictable, more particularly that said closure (9) is elastically stretchable, and preferably that a flexible body is provided which can be translated into one of said media by being turned inside out.
10. The dispenser as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one reservoir (14) is a blister pack whose film-type closure (9) is in contact with both media, more particularly that said finger rest (49) is flexed to open said closure (9), and preferably that said finger rest (49) is formed by said dished bottom (25) of said reservoir (14).
11. The dispenser as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said discharge delivery unit (11) is a plunger pump including a pressure chamber (30) and a spring (46) powering the return stroke, more particularly that a vent is provided for at least one of the spaces formed by said reservoir spaces (7, 8) and the merging assembly (27), and preferably that anti-germ means are provided for at least one of these spaces and said discharge delivery unit (11).

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