EP1630417B1 - Dispenser for fluids, liquids and viscous material - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing liquid, free-flowing or pasty media according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Dispensing devices for dispensing liquid, free-flowing or pasty media are required for a variety of applications such as toothpaste, shoe polish, granule adhesive, paint or the like. These media can be stored in various embodiments of the body, for example in a tube, a bottle or a bag.

The dispensing device required for this purpose, each of which is intended to dispense a defined amount of medium, must have the function that the dispensing opening preferably closes airtight after dispensing of the specific amount of the medium, so that residues of the medium remaining in the dispensing device can not dry out. It is advantageous if the dispensing device is easy to operate with one hand by means of a finger.

The dispensing devices known from the prior art essentially consist of a base body in which the medium to be dispensed is stored is. Furthermore, they provide an output element over which the medium is output. Between the two elements, namely the base body and the dispensing element, the known dispensing devices provide an operating element for conveying and dispensing the stored medium, which can preferably be operated by finger pressure via a functional element.

That's how it is US 2,772,817 A a dispensing device for liquid media known, consisting of a main body with a storage chamber, an output element and an operating element arranged therebetween, which forms a hollow body known. The main body is fluidly connected to the operating element through a first opening and a first valve arranged in front of it. The control element is made of an elastic material and has on the base body opposite side on a second valve, which also forms the output element.

A disadvantage proves in this prior art that the output element as it consists of an elastic material, whereby the possibilities of the design of the output element are limited. For example, the adaptation of different essays, such as a spray head, a cannula, a spout, a brush, etc. is not possible. An embodiment of the operating element as a component is therefore excluded. In addition, the one-piece design of the control element and the output element can not prevent that upon contact of the elastic material medium from the cavity can escape unintentionally. Finally, the possibilities of an oxygen-tight or antiseptic closure of the dispensing element are limited due to the flexibility of the material.

Out US 3,820,689 A is another dispensing device with a main body, a control element and an output element known. The operating element consists of a sturdy housing and an elastic functional element. The housing forms a cavity into which a first connection channel opens out of the storage chamber of the base body. The functional element extends over much of the upper surface of the housing and forms a flexible, dome-like control panel and a flat, elongated and flexible lip. The cavity of the housing is closed fluid-tight by the dome-like part of the functional element. The flat, elongated and flexible lip of the functional element is at a small distance to a second connecting channel running underneath, which fluidly connects the cavity to the dispensing element and opens into an annular outlet opening. From the cavity facing the inside of the dome-like part of the functional element, an integrated first valve in the form of a sealing lip is formed, which closes the first connection channel. By repeatedly pressing the dome-like functional element, a pumping effect is achieved, whereby the first valve opens and the medium from the main body enters the cavity and is passed through the second connecting channel to the annular outlet opening and from there into the dispensing element. As soon as the pressure on the dome-like functional element ceases, the first valve closes the first connection channel. Then, when the entire medium has leaked out of the cavity, the lip-like part of the functional element lowers over the annular outlet opening and closes it connection to the dispensing element.

Disadvantage of this invention is the limited sealing effect of the first valve, since this consists of the same elastic material as the functional element. In addition, the lip-like part of the functional element does not completely close the annular outlet opening when residues of the medium remain in the cavity, in particular under the lip-like part of the functional element. This can lead to a leakage of the medium. If the functional element does not seal the remainder of the medium remaining in the cavity in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the ambience surrounding the dispensing device, it can also - depending on the stored medium - come to its desiccation. If, in particular, the medium remaining in the cavity around the first valve dries out, this can lead to an impairment of the closing action of the valve up to its complete removal. The function of the dispenser is then no longer given.

Another significant disadvantage of the prior art is that the first valve protrudes into the cavity, which initially leads to a reduction of the cavity, so that the amount of material to be dispensed is small, which can be compensated only with an enlargement of the cavity , which in turn requires a larger pumping action to completely dispense the volume of the medium. On the other hand, there is the disadvantage that chambers and regions (undercuts) are formed in the region of the first valve, in which a sufficient flow velocity of the medium no longer prevails, so that the medium has not been transported further there. This can deposit, clump or dry. This also can affect the operation of the first valve as previously stated.

If the dispenser is rotated before or during the pumping operation, so that the housing is directed to the ground, the weight of the first valve acts away from the opening of the first connection channel to be sealed. This can result in that the vacuum required in the cavity for the pumping action is compensated for early, whereby the required suction of the medium from the main body is not or insufficiently carried out. Likewise, the reversed closing action of the first valve can cause the medium to flow uncontrollably into the cavity while it is still being dispensed via the dispensing element. As a result, the dosing effect of the operating element is significantly impaired.

A common disadvantage of the entire aforementioned prior art is that at least one valve for sealing the dispensing device is part of the elastic functional element within the operating element. A use of different, adapted to the respective stored medium valve types is therefore not possible.

Finally, the production of a functional element made of an elastomeric plastic, with integrated first valve requires a special embodiment of a Injection molding tool and thus a more complex and thus more expensive manufacturing process.

From the US 2,879,924 (D01) a dispenser for dispensing liquid media is known. The operating element described there serves to convey the stored medium from a storage chamber and consists of a functional element which can be operated directly by hand. By depressing the elastically formed functional element, the air volume located below the functional element is pressed into a connecting channel, so that the medium located in this connecting channel is output via the dispensing element. If the elastic functional element is released, a negative pressure is created in the further connecting channel, which is connected to the storage chamber, such that the medium located in the storage chamber is at least partially sucked into the first connecting channel, before it then passes directly through the further connecting channel comes to the output.

From the generic US 2,081,253 (D02) a dispenser for dispensing liquid media is known. The operating element described there serves to convey the stored medium from a storage chamber and consists of a functional element which cooperates with a spring element which consists of a rubber material. The rubber material covers a membrane-like housing in which the medium sucked in via a first connecting channel (suction pipe) remains. By operating the control element, the membrane is depressed and the volume within the housing is reduced. A punch, which is integrally connected to the membrane, closes the open end of the connecting channel, so that no medium in the connecting channel but only in the output member, which connects fluidly to the housing, passes. When the operating element is released, the plunger releases the connecting channel again and at the same time closes a valve which is located in the dispensing element. This creates a negative pressure, so that in turn the medium passes through the connecting channel into the housing.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to further develop the dispensing devices known from the prior art and to avoid at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages.

Solution of the task

To achieve the object is provided by the features of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The operating element comprises a functional element and a housing and a cavity arranged between the functional element and the housing. This cavity is in fluid communication with a first connection element, wherein the first connection channel in turn communicates with at least one storage chamber of the base body. Furthermore, a second connecting channel, which in turn is in fluid communication with the dispensing element, opens into the cavity.

According to the invention it is provided that in each case a valve is provided in the first connection channel in front of the first opening or in the second connection channel after the second opening, wherein the valves are arranged in the housing of the operating element.

The valves are arranged such that upon actuation of the functional element at least the opening of the first connection channel is closed and medium can be dispensed into the dispensing element through the second opening via the second connection channel and the second opening of the further connection channel is closed by releasing the functional element and the medium is transported via the first connection channel through the first opening into the cavity.

By releasing the functional element, a restoring force given by the choice of material and by the shape of the functional element acts such that a pressure difference, in this case a negative pressure, arises in the cavity and the first valve opens to the reservoir chamber, so that the corresponding medium enters the cavity can flow below the functional element, wherein the second valve, which is arranged in the region of the second connecting channel, closes during this time.

The two valves are thus controlled by the resulting pressure difference in the cavity, that is, they are opened and closed accordingly.

In order to ensure the pumping function described above, the closing or opening cycles of the two valves are arranged in opposite directions. This means that the first valve is arranged such that at prevailing negative pressure within the cavity, the medium flows through the first connection channel and the first opening into the cavity and is closed when operating the functional element due to the overpressure. On the other hand, the second valve has the function that it is closed when the negative pressure within the cavity and with open pressure, that is, upon actuation of the functional element, so that the medium from the cavity through the second opening and the second connection channel to an output element can be transported.

The functional element is formed from an elastomer, wherein its shape is designed such that a certain restoring force is given, which acts after the actuation of the functional element. Due to the Shore hardness of the functional element, the restoring force can be designed accordingly. Furthermore, the functional element is designed such that no "dead" volume areas arise in the cavity, in which the medium is, that is not transported in the direction of the dispensing element. In an advantageous embodiment, the functional element is designed such that an operating point is intuitively defined by its actuation is achieved that the medium contained in the cavity can be completely discharged. For this purpose, for example, it is proposed to form the functional element teardrop-shaped in cross-section and to arrange on the operating element such that the user-facing side of the functional element by means of a finger, for example a thumb, is operable.

In contrast to the flexible functional element, the housing of the operating element consists of a more rigid material. This ensures that upon actuation of the operating element, the flexible functional element is pressed against the (more rigid) housing, whereby the cavity located between these elements is compressed. This cavity may be formed such that by its shaping a defined volume of the medium is present, which is output at each complete actuation of the functional element, while only partial actuation conveys only a corresponding partial volume through the second connecting channel and the dispensing element.

A significant advantage of the dispensing device according to the invention is the ability to use different valve types, since they do not have to consist of the same elastomeric material as the functional element. Furthermore, the valves are inserted into the connection channels within the stable housing of the operating element, which is why a stable environment for anchoring the valves is available and the valves can not be deformed by the actuation of the functional element. Both also increase the range of valve types that can be used and improve the ability to use sealed valves in any position. The choice of a wide variety of valve types makes it possible to choose the appropriate valve for the stored and dispensed medium used. This increases the range of use of the dispensing device with regard to the media to be dispensed.

Another advantage is that the dispenser can be used in any position relative to the room, since the valves are not affected by their weight in an unfavorable position can slip. Thus, the device according to the invention also allows an output "overhead".

It also proves to be advantageous that the dispensing element of the dispensing device can be coupled to the stable housing of the operating element. This allows appropriate adaptation options, which consist for example in that Ausstreichelemente, atomizers, rotary valves, brushes or otherwise designed tools are adaptable. It can thus be achieved that a corresponding processing of the dispensed medium can take place immediately after dosing and dispensing.

In an advantageous embodiment, the operating element is designed as an assembly, this assembly having interfaces which can be connected on one side to the base body with at least one storage chamber and on its other side to the output element. For fluid transfer into the storage chamber or in the output element, the connecting channels are provided. The operating element may be designed as a module, but it may also be an integral part of the entire dispensing device, the base body, the functional element and the dispensing element forming an integral part.

Depending on the application, the corresponding modules can be used, so that a simple design of a product in the formation of a dispensing device is given depending on the application and application.

If the dispensing element in turn provides a valve (for example an atomizer, a rotary valve or the like) for metering the medium, this can replace the second valve in the operating element in an alternative embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided to design a dispensing device consisting of main body, operating element and output element, wherein the base body is designed as a hollow body and in the hollow body corresponding storage chambers, for example in the form of cartridges or tubes are inserted. Once the storage chambers are emptied, they can be replaced by new ones.

In a further alternative embodiment, it is provided to form the main body itself as a storage chamber. For this purpose, it is provided that the base body is first provided with material via a filling opening and, after filling, with a trailing element, for example a trailing ring, and preferably an end cap. The exemplary selected follower ring, which has sealing lips in its circumference, runs automatically within the storage chamber in the direction of the first connecting element and thus reduces the storage chamber. This makes it possible to fill this listed embodiment multiple times.

Alternatively it can be provided to close the base body, so that after emptying the storage chamber no re-filling can take place and the said embodiment is to be used as a disposable product.

Another alternative embodiment of the dispenser is to form the storage chamber in several parts. This means that different materials, regardless of their consistency, can be stored in different containers within the body. Either it can be provided that either one or the other medium can be metered and conveyed by means of a selection element. However, it can also be provided that the operating element has two first connection channels to a respective storage chamber, so that both materials reach the cavity between housing and functional element upon actuation of the functional element and are mixed there by depressing the functional element, so that the two mixed components can be transported via the second opening and the second connecting channel in the output element.

A further alternative embodiment can be that the media are stored in different storage chambers and are connected via the first connection channel with a plurality of adjacently arranged control elements, so that the individual media are transported in the direction of the output element via the further connection channels respectively - without mixing can. Either the media emerge individually or they can be mixed via an adaptation means. According to the invention, such an adaptation means has the function that the conveyed and metered media can be mixed and dispensed. Alternatively, it can be provided that the adaptation means has the formation of a stripping element, so that when the media emerge from the dispensing unit in the Ausstreichelement the media can be mixed before they are then applied to a corresponding other further element.

An alternative solution of the problem provides that the first valve is reduced to the inlet opening of the first connection channel. In order to prevent a return of the conveyed in the direction of the dispensing element medium, the flexible functional element on its side facing the cavity on a preferably stamp-like shape, which covers the inlet opening of the first connection channel into the cavity upon actuation of the functional element.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are based on the structural and functional details which are described and claimed in detail below.

drawings

Fig. 1

eine Prinzipdarstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Bedienelements für eine Spendevorrichtung für Medien;

Fig. 2

das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Figur 1 in betätigtem Zustand;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Spendevorrichtung mit einem Bedienelement gemäß Figur 1 und 2;

Fig. 4

eine weitere Darstellung der Spendevorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 und Figur 2.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an operating element according to the invention for a dispensing device for media;

Fig. 2

the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in the actuated state;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a dispensing device according to the invention with an operating element according to FIG. 1 and 2 ;

Fig. 4

a further illustration of the dispensing device according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 ,

Description of the embodiments

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 is a schematically illustrated control element 2 of a first dispensing device 1 according to the invention according to the Figures 3 and 4 shown.

The operating element 2 consists of a functional element 3 and a housing 4. Between the housing 4 and the functional element 3, a cavity 5 is arranged. The functional element 3 consists of an elastomer and is therefore freely movable in the direction of the arrow 17 and in its opposite direction, with the respective ends, which are shown schematically here, firmly connected to the housing 4, so that the cavity 5 is sealed against the housing 4 in a fluid-tight manner is.

In the cavity 5, a first connecting channel 8 open via an opening 6 and a further connecting channel 9 via an opening 7. The two openings 6 and 7 are widely spaced. A first valve 11 is arranged in front of the opening 6 in the connecting channel 8. A second valve 12 is disposed after the opening 7 within the connecting channel 9.

The control 2, the in FIG. 1 is shown, is an integral part of a dispensing device 1, wherein the dispensing device 1 stores at least one medium from a not shown in this drawing storage chamber in the direction of arrow 14 through the cavity 5 in the direction of arrow 15 in the direction of one in the FIGS. 1 and 2 not shown output member 24 is conveyed.

If now the functional element 3 is actuated in the direction of the arrow 17, then the cavity 5 is reduced and the medium 18 stored in the cavity 5 is dispensed in the direction of the arrow 15, the valve 12, which is arranged within the connecting channel 9, moving in the direction of the arrow 15 opens. At the same time, the first valve 11 closes the first connection channel 8, so that the medium 18, which is arranged within the cavity 5, can not flow back into the first connection channel 8 and thus counter to the direction of the arrow 14.

If the functional element 3 is released, then the restoring forces provided in the functional element 3 due to its material and its design act, and the functional element 3 returns to the - in FIG. 1 illustrated - starting position. Due to the pressure prevailing inside the cavity, the second valve closes 1 2 and the first valve 11 opens. As a result, the medium stored in the storage chambers (not shown) flows into the cavity 5 in the direction of the arrow 14, but can not pass beyond the opening 7 into the second connection channel 9 due to the closed valve 12 and thus can not be transported further in the direction of the arrow 15. This process can be repeated as desired. Almost the entire volume of the cavity can be dispensed in the direction of arrow 17 by actuating the functional element 3.

The dispensing device 1 according to the invention, as shown in the Figures 3 and 4 The dispensing device 1 consists essentially of the three elements, namely a base body 10, the operating element 2 and the output element 24. These three elements are next to each other arranged and fluidly connected together. Thus, the medium 18 stored within the base body 10 in a storage chamber can enter the cavity via a first opening 6, this medium stored in the cavity being actuated by actuating the functional element 3 via the second opening 7, the second connection channel 9 and the second valve 12 can be transported in the direction of the output element 24.

The main body 10 of the dispensing device 1 further comprises a follower element 22, which moves independently within the main body in the direction of the first opening 6. This follower element has on its circumference sealing lips 23 in order to effect a fluid-tight seal against the base body 10.

Since the dispensing device 1 consists of very few components, namely in which in the Figures 3 and 4 illustrated embodiment of two identical shell housing halves 20 and a control element 2 and an output member 24 and a follower 22, a simple but functional dispensing device 1 can be created, which makes it possible to spend all sorts of liquid, free-flowing or pasty media on the dispenser.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS Dispensing device for liquid, free-flowing and pasty media

1. 1. dispenser
2. 2nd control element
3. 3rd functional element
4. 4. Housing
5. 5. Cavity
6. 6. First opening
7. 7. Second opening
8. 8. First connection channel
9. 9. Second connection channel
10. 10.Grundkörper
11. 11. First valve
12. 12. Second valve
13. 13.- not named -
14. 14. arrow direction
15. 15. arrow direction
16. 16.- not named -
17. 17. arrow direction
18. 18.Medium
19. 19th
20. 20.Schalengehäusehälfte
21. 21.- not named -
22. 22. caster ring
23. 23. Sealing lip
24. 24.Ausgabeelement

Claims (8)

1. Dispenser (1) for dispensing liquid, free-flowing or pasty media from a storage chamber, comprising a basic body (10), an operating element (2) and a dispensing element (24), wherein

   - the operating element (2), for delivering at least one stored medium (18), comprises a housing (4) and at least one functional element (3), between which a cavity (5) is arranged, and

   - there is at least one first connecting channel (8) provided, this leading from the basic body (10) to a first opening (6), wherein the opening is arranged in the housing (4), and

   - there is at least one second connecting channel (9) provided, this leading from a second opening (7) to the dispensing element (24), wherein the opening is arranged in the housing (4) and the first connecting channel (8) is provided with at least one first valve (11) and the second connecting channel (9) is provided with at least one second valve (12), such

   - that the functional element (3) consists of an elastomer and can be moved elastically, wherein the respective ends are fixed to the housing (4), and therefore the cavity (5) is configured in a fluid-tight manner in relation to the housing (4),

   - that, by virtue of a user letting go of the functional element (3), a restoring force, which is obtained by the selection of materials and by the configuration of the functional element (3), acts such that a negative pressure arises in the cavity (5) and the first valve (11) opens in the direction of the storage chamber, and therefore the corresponding medium can flow onwards under the functional element (3), wherein the second valve (12) closes during this time, and

   - that, by virtue of the functional element (3) being actuated, the second valve (12) opens and the first valve (11) closes, and therefore the medium can be transported to the dispensing element via the second opening (7) and the second connecting channel (9), wherein

   - the first valve (11) is arranged in the first connecting channel (8) and the second valve is arranged in the second connecting channel (9), wherein the two connecting channels (8, 9) are arranged within the housing (4) and the connecting channels (8, 9) open out into the cavity (5) by way of their openings (6, 7),

   - the functional element (3) is of teardrop design in cross section and is arranged on the operating element (2) such that that side of the functional element which is directed towards the user can be operated by means of a finger, for example a thumb, and the medium located in the cavity (5) can be dispensed via the second connecting channel (9), characterized in that

   - the basic body (10) comprises a follow-on element (22), which can be moved independently within the storage chamber of the basic body (10), in the direction of the first opening (6), and has sealing lips on its circumference in order to provide fluid-tight sealing in relation to the basic body.
2. Dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting channels (8, 9) are oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent of the operating element (2).
3. Dispenser according to at least one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the valves (11, 12) are designed in the form of one-way valves, and are configured from silicone, such that the closing and opening cycles thereof takes place in opposite directions.
4. Dispenser according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body (10) is provided in the form of a hollow body for accommodating cartridges filled with medium.
5. Dispenser according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body (10) provides a plurality of storage chambers, wherein the storage chambers are connected to the cavity (5) of the operating element (2) via one or more connecting channels (8, 9).
6. Dispenser according to Claim 5, characterized in that the operating element (2) is designed such that media (18) can be dispensed optionally from one or more of the storage chambers.
7. Dispenser according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the provision of a plurality of operating elements (2) which have a plurality of separate cavities (5) with different connecting channels (8, 9) which lead to different storage chambers, and the dispensing element (24) has an adaptation means for dispensing and/or for mixing the medium, or the media (18), to be dispensed.
8. Dispenser according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that various dispensing elements (24) can be coupled to the operating element (2).

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