EP1974827B1 - Dispensing device for fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

An outer casing (12) has a discharge opening (12a). A discharge-manipulating device (52) provides a manual operation for a discharging device, e.g. with a thumb. A carrier (32) fits in the outer casing, moves along a main axis (2) in relation to the outer casing and has an active on-axis link to the manual operation of the discharging device. The carrier also has a retaining device for a pump dispenser and a pump operated by compressing the pump dispenser along the main axis. An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting a pump dispenser in a discharging device for holding a pump dispenser.

Description

Field of application and state of the art

The invention relates to a discharge device for media according to the preamble of claim 1.

A relevant in terms of the invention discharge is for example from the in EP 1197266 B1 known. The spray device disclosed therein comprises a cylindrical housing in which a pump dispenser is arranged. This pump dispenser includes a media reservoir and a pump which can be activated by axially compressing the pump dispenser. This axial compression is achieved indirectly via a handle, which is integrally connected to a carrier. Upon actuation of this handle, the pump dispenser is pressed in its entirety against a housing fixed stop, whereby the pump is compressed and thus the medium is conveyed from the pump dispenser, which is then further promoted to a discharge opening of the spray device and discharged from this.

The known in the art discharge devices are considered in many ways to be improved. Due to manufacturing tolerances in the housing-fixed stop as well as the pump provided in the pump dispenser, the operating range in which the discharge handle has to be moved for actuation in order to produce a discharge process, scatters to a great extent. This may result in a complete pump stroke beyond the discharge handle being unavailable or actuation beyond the end of the pump stroke. Furthermore, it is considered to be disadvantageous that the discharge handle protrudes in the unactuated state far from the housing of the discharge, so that the packing volume of such a discharge device is relatively large and there is a risk that accidentally in the transport handling of the discharge medium is discharged. Furthermore, it is considered to be disadvantageous that the assembly of such discharge devices usually has to be done by a coaxial mating in a main extension direction of the discharge, resulting in constructive limitations, since, for example, undercuts must be avoided. Furthermore, the arrangement of the dispensing handle which is customary in the prior art is considered to be disadvantageous, in which an actuation of the dispensing handle by means of the thumb of a hand is not possible in an ergonomic manner due to the opposing pivot axes of the thumb and the handle.

EP 1 616 629 A1 . WO 02/30504 A1 and WO 01/03851 disclose generic discharge devices.

From the WO 1998/030469 a dispensing device is known in which a pump dispenser relative to an actuating handle with respect to its position in the direction of actuation by a thread is adjustable, so that different pump dispenser with the discharge device can be used.

Task and solution

The object of the invention is to develop a generic discharge and a generic assembly method for a discharge to reduce the existing disadvantages in the prior art.

This is achieved by a discharge device according to claim 1 according to the invention.

A dispensing device with the generic features makes it possible to accommodate a pump dispenser comprising a media reservoir and a pump mounted on the media reservoir. This pump dispenser can be displaced by actuation of the discharge handle within the housing, wherein an actuating portion of the pump dispenser, which is usually identical to a dispensing tube of the pump dispenser, is moved relative to the other components of the pump dispenser in the direction of the main axis, which is an actuation the pump and a discharge device result. The discharged medium is discharged through a discharge opening, which is provided in the outer housing. The discharge opening need not be directly part of the outer housing, but may also be provided in an outlet assembly fixedly connected to the housing. The pump dispenser is preferably designed as a separate unit, but it can also be an integral part of the discharge device. In such a case, it is not mandatory that the pump of the pump dispenser and the media storage are firmly connected. Instead, the media reservoir may also occupy a fixed position in the housing while only the pump is moved by the carrier during a dispensing operation.

By the design with an adjusting means, with which the functional portion of the carrier, which exerts a force acting in the direction of the first housing-fixed stop force for the purpose of movement on the pump dispenser, with respect to its relative position to the discharge handle is adjustable, can be adjusted in which position of the Pump dispenser is located at a defined position of the discharge handle. This makes it possible to effectively compensate for tolerances that exist, for example, on the position of the stop relative to the housing, on the effective pump stroke, relative to the pump dispenser, and on an outlet tube of the pump dispenser and its length. This ensures that, despite the above-mentioned and further manufacturing tolerances with respect to the individual components, a discharge process always begins at the same position of the discharge handle and / or ends at the same position of the discharge handle. Accordingly, an area in the movement sequence of the discharge handle can be determined, in which the actuation of the discharge handle causes actuation of the pump dispenser. In particular, it is avoidable that an actuation of the discharge handle is not sufficient to carry out the complete pumping stroke or else it can still be moved after reaching the full pumping stroke. The adjustment also allows the use of different types of pump dispenser, as by adjusting the adjustment means the position of the functional section relative to the first housing-side stop in the operation of the discharge handle can be influenced.

The adjusting means is preferably arranged within the housing or in another way such that it is not accessible during normal operation of the discharge device. This prevents that after adjusting the adjusting means in the course of a production and / or assembly process, a disadvantageous adjustment is made.

The actual arrangement and configuration of the adjusting means is conceivable in many different embodiments. Particularly preferred are adjusting means, which are provided between the handle and the carrier or on a multi-part carrier between carrier sections themselves.

According to the adjustment means is axially stepped adjustable. Furthermore, the adjustment means according to the invention is designed as a latching means which are formed for latching connections in a plurality of different locking positions, wherein the locking positions differ from each other by the axial position of the functional portion relative to the discharge or the first support portion. Such locking means are particularly advantageous in terms of their stability and ease of installation. They can be brought in a simple manner by applying a defined assembly force in their desired position.

In a further development of the invention, the carrier has at least two carrier sections, wherein a first carrier section is forcibly guided by the discharge handle at least during actuation of the discharge handle, a second carrier section comprises the functional section of the carrier and the position of the carrier sections is adjustable relative to one another by means of the adjusting means.

In a discharge device according to this development, the movement sequence of the first support section is always the same as a function of the movement sequence of the discharge handle and can not be adjusted by the adjustment means. This leads to the possibility of very simple embodiments of the operative connection between the actuating member and the first support portion. Thus, in the simplest case, the first carrier section can be integrally connected to the discharge handle. Also, a particularly simple embodiment can be achieved by a pivotable discharge handle, wherein on the discharge handle an integrally formed Hebelabschriitt is provided which engages under an integrally on the support portion radially extending extension. The adjusting means is provided between the two support sections and structurally easy to implement. Here, for example, the execution of the first and the second support portion offers as a simple design as in approximately cylindrical or cup-like components, which are connected to each other by a thread. Thus, by simply rotating the second carrier section relative to the first carrier section, the adjusting means can be adjusted.

In a further development of the invention, a second fixed housing stop is provided, whose interaction with the discharge handle or the first support portion is provided.

This second housing-fixed stop thus determines indirectly or directly, to what extent the discharge handle can be actuated. Confirmation beyond this is prevented by the second housing-fixed stop. This second housing-fixed stop allows a particularly advantageous adjustment of the adjusting means, since it allows to adjust the adjusting means, while the discharge handle or the first support portion abut the second housing-fixed stop. If in this end position of the discharge handle or the first support portion, the adjusting means is adjusted so that the functional surface of the carrier is spaced relative to the first housing fixed stop so that the pump dispenser is in an actuated state, so as to ensure that in a subsequent Operation in operation of the effective pump stroke of the pump dispenser is exactly completed when the discharge handle or the first support portion comes to rest on the second housing-fixed stop. This provides effective protection of the pump against overstress because the pump can not be compressed beyond its intended pumping stroke. A manual introduction of force into the discharge handle beyond its end position defined by the second housing-fixed stop results in transmission of this force into the housing by means of the second housing-fixed stop without damaging the pump.

The step size of the axial graduation is preferably less than one millimeter, more preferably less than 0.6 mm, in particular less than 0.3 mm. The advantage of axially stepped and preferably positively acting adjustment means is that they have a high security against an unwanted provision depending on the design.

With regard to the latching means, it is preferably considered that the latching means comprise a plurality of partial latching means, the respective latching positions differ at least partially from each other. This provides the advantage that a bessonders fine division and thus particularly small increments can be achieved.

This can be achieved for example by means of latching means comprising at least one latching conductor with latching steps and the at least one latching conductor opposite two latching noses, which are designed to cooperate with the latching conductor. The latching lugs are arranged offset slightly relative to one another with respect to the extension direction of the latching conductor transversely to the latching steps, preferably offset by half the distance between the latching steps of the latching conductors. In one embodiment with a two-part carrier, the latching conductor can be formed, for example, circumferentially on an outer side of the second carrier section, while the latching lugs are provided on an inner side of the first carrier section surrounding the second carrier section.

In a development of the invention, a spacer is inserted between the functional section of the carrier and the pump dispenser. The use of such a spacer results in that a second functional section is formed by the spacer, which takes over the function of the first functional section with regard to the introduction of force into the pump dispenser. The spacer itself rests on the first functional section. The use of such a spacer allows the use of the same discharge device with different pump dispensers, which may differ in particular with respect to the size of their media storage. Although this flexibility can also be achieved by means of a corresponding design of the adjustment means, the adjustment means can be made substantially smaller in the use of spacers, since they then serve not primarily to adapt to different pump dispenser sizes but only to compensate for component tolerances.

In a development of the invention, the functional section is arranged such that the introduction of force takes place through the functional section on the side of the pump dispenser facing away from the first housing-fixed stop.

In the case of a conventional pump dispenser, which consists of an approximately cylindrical bottle as a media storage and a lid mounted thereon with a pump, the functional portion of a discharge would attack according to this development on the bottom of the bottle. The advantage of an embodiment according to this development is in particular that the pump dispenser is compressed by the actuating force in each case in its entirety, so that a special tightness is achieved. Especially in such an embodiment, the adjustment means are of great advantage, as they can be compensated by the tolerances in the pump dispenser between the bottle bottom and the pumping system of the pump dispenser.

In a preferred development, the carrier or the first carrier section has a preferably funnel-shaped centering aid and / or guide aid for connecting to a housing-fixed discharge channel on a side facing the first housing-fixed stop.

Such a design of the carrier is particularly advantageous in discharge devices in which the carrier is inserted in the direction of the main axis in the housing. In such an embodiment, the correct guidance of the carrier is considerable so that a connection of the discharge channel is achieved with the pump dispenser. In addition, such a centering can also serve as Führungshüfe by determining the position of the carrier during the axial movement during operation.

In a further development of the invention, a centering cone for introducing a discharge tube of the pump dispenser is provided in a housing-fixed receiving recess, wherein the centering cone protrudes axially in the direction of the main axis at least between a first end position in which he projects beyond the receiving recess in the direction of the pump dispenser, and a second end position, in which it does not obstruct actuation of the pump dispenser, is displaceably arranged, wherein preferably the centering cone is slidably mounted on a dispensing tube, which forms the first housing-fixed stop and / or in which the receiving recess is formed.

In a further development of the invention, the housing comprises at least two housing shells, which can be assembled in the region of connecting areas extending substantially in a main extension axis of the housing, joining rings being provided at both ends of the housing shells in the direction of the main extension axis, which encompass both housing shells and relative to one another fix. Such a housing allows, in particular, a simple assembly of the components of the discharge device arranged in the housing. These can be used in a first housing shell, on which then the second housing shell is placed before fixing the two housing shells is made by means of the joining rings. The connection areas do not need to extend exactly in the direction of the main axis of extension. It is significant, however, that the at least two housing shells each extend into the region of the front ends of the discharge device, where they are held together by the joining rings. A housing of this type is very simple and allows easy installation of the components provided in the housing. It does not necessarily require thermal joining methods for the housing shells, since, depending on the specific design, the connection by means of the joining rings is sufficient. It is preferred if in the connection areas a positive connection of the Housing shells is provided, by which a displacement of the housing shells against each other is prevented.

In a further development of the invention, the discharge handle for discharge handling is formed substantially transversely to the main axis and connected to the carrier via at least one separate transmission element. The translation element is connected directly to neither the carrier nor with the discharge handle and therefore performs an independent of the carrier and the discharge movement in the course of the actuation of the discharge. Together with the discharge handle and the carrier, the transmission element forms a gear which on the one hand allows a more flexible design of the action of an operation of the discharge on the carrier and which on the other also allows a more flexible arrangement of the discharge and a more ergonomic movement in the operation of the discharge. An actuation of the discharge handle acts via a contact directly on the transmission element, which in turn can be mounted either pivotable or linearly movable. In an embodiment with only one translation element, this translation element then acts on the carrier and moves it along the main axis to the first housing-fixed stop. In addition to the design of the transmission element as a transmission lever and the design of a translationally movable wedge element or cam element is considered particularly advantageous.

In a further development of the invention, the discharge handle is designed as a first lever, which is pivotable about a pivot axis, which is provided on the side opposite the discharge opening of the discharge. By this arrangement of the pivot axis, the discharge handle can be moved by means of the thumb of the hand, which embraces the discharge handle. The discharge handle is moving and the thumb approximately parallel to each other, which is ergonomically advantageous because the force can be applied to the lever not only on the foremost phalanx of the thumb, but over the entire length of the thumb.

The invention further comprises a method for mounting a pump dispenser in a discharge device provided for receiving a pump dispenser with a first housing fixed stop, wherein the pump dispenser is actuated by compression in the direction of a main axis, wherein the method is characterized in that the pump dispenser inserted into the discharge is and by means of an adjusting means an adjustment of the position of the pump dispenser in a compressed state of the pump dispenser relative to the position of the first housing-fixed stop.

In dispensing devices to which this method is applicable, the actuation of the dispensing device is accompanied by a movement of a portion of the pump dispenser which is thereby displaced in the direction of the first housing-fixed abutment, so that this first section of the pump dispenser faces a second section of the pump dispenser comes to rest in the housing fixed stop, is relatively moved, which has an operation of the pump pump side pump provided. The adjustment allow it to compensate for various manufacturing and assembly tolerances within the discharge and in particular within the pump dispenser by a permanent adjustment by means of the adjustment, so that the pump dispenser is located after the adjustment relative to the first housing-fixed stop in a defined position. This leads to a high reproducibility of the behavior of the discharge when actuated. Identical discharge devices are despite their different component tolerances respect. Their discharge behavior for the user indistinguishable.

In the compressed state in which the adjustment takes place, the pump is located in the pump dispenser at the end of its pumping stroke. If in this

Condition the adjustment is made, it can be ensured that upon actuation of a discharge of the discharge this state is reproducibly achieved. This ensures that the complete pump stroke is passed through and thus a predefined amount of media can be completely discharged.

In a further development of the invention, the adjustment takes place to the effect that the pump dispenser is in the actuated state when the dispensing handle or a part operatively connected to it reaches an associated second stop. This means that the discharge handle or the component operatively connected to it, in particular a support for receiving the pump dispenser or the pump dispenser itself, is approached to the second stop and in this state with compressed pump dispenser, the adjustment is made such that the pump dispenser held in this position becomes. This results in a normalization of a state that is reached during normal operation of the discharge at the end of the discharge. If the discharge device is subsequently actuated during operation, compression of the pump dispenser takes place until it has been compressed to such an extent that the pumping stroke of the pump located in the pump dispenser is completed. As soon as this state is reached, the discharge handle or the component operatively connected to it reaches the second associated stop so that actuation of the discharge handle beyond this state can not take place. The pump provided in the pump dispenser is thereby protected against overloading, because an exceeding operation of the discharge handle is prevented by the second stop.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 und 2

die Austragvorrichtung in einer geschnittenen Darstellung im Lieferzustand,

Fig. 3a bis 3e

verschiedene Bauteile der Austragvorrichtung,

Fig. 4 und 5

die Austragvorrichtung vor Montage des Pumpspenders in einer geschnittenen Ansicht,

Fig. 6 und 6a

die Austragvorrichtung mit eingesetztem Pumpspender in einer geschnittenen Ansicht,

Fig. 7

die Austragvorrichtung in einem aktivierten Zustand in einer geschnittenen Ansicht und

Fig. 8

die Austragvorrichtung während einer Betätigung, und

Fig. 9 bis 14 eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Austragvorrichtung, im Einzelnen:

Fig. 9

die Austragvorrichtung in einer geschnittenen Darstellung im unbetätigten Zustand während der Montage,

Fig. 10

die Austragvorrichtung in einer geschnittenen Darstellung im unbetätigten Zustand,

Fig. 11

die Austragvorrichtung in einer geschnittenen Darstellung im betätigten Zustand,

Fig. 12

eine Explosionszeichnung des Gehäuses der Austragvorrichtung,

Fig. 13

eine Darstellung des Betätigungsmechanismus und

Fig. 14

ein Querschnitt der Austragvorrichtung.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of two preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated by the drawings. The show Fig. 1 to 8 a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention, in detail:

Fig. 1 and 2

the discharge device in a sectional view in the delivery state,

Fig. 3a to 3e

various components of the discharge device,

4 and 5

the discharge device before assembly of the pump dispenser in a sectional view,

FIGS. 6 and 6a

the discharge device with inserted pump dispenser in a sectional view,

Fig. 7

the discharge device in an activated state in a sectional view and

Fig. 8

the discharge device during an operation, and

Fig. 9 to 14 a second embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention, in detail:

Fig. 9

the discharge device in a cutaway view in the unactuated state during assembly,

Fig. 10

the discharge device in a sectional view in the unactuated state,

Fig. 11

the discharge device in a sectional view in the actuated state,

Fig. 12

an exploded view of the housing of the discharge,

Fig. 13

a representation of the actuating mechanism and

Fig. 14

a cross section of the discharge device.

Detailed description of the embodiments

The Fig. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention, wherein the representations represent the same state, but differ in so far as that at Fig. 1 only a housing 12 of the discharge device is shown cut, while at Fig. 2 the entire discharge is shown cut. Furthermore, the discharge carries in the state of Fig. 2 a protective cap 90.

The discharge device has a total of four modules 10, 30, 50, 70, which are in each case relative to each other in different ways relative to each other movable and in each case substantially immovable. The first assembly 10 consists of an outer casing 12 and a filler 14 firmly inserted into the outer casing in the region of a discharge opening 12a. The filler 14 extends from an applicator 12d formed by the casing along a direction of a main axis 2 of the discharge apparatus into a casing 12 Surrounding interior 16. The second assembly 30 includes a support 32, which has as separate components an upper support portion 34 and a lower support portion 36. The support sections 34, 36 surround a space 38 into which a pump dispenser 40 is inserted. This pump dispenser 40 corresponds to a commercially available pump dispenser and comprises an approximately cylindrical media reservoir 42 to which a pumping system 44 is attached by means of a snap connection 46. The pumping system 44 is a conventional pumping system, which is actuated via a relative displacement of a discharge tube 44a relative to the media reservoir 42. The discharge tube 44a extends along the main axis 2 into the filler 14, wherein the upper support portion 34 has a central aperture 34a for this purpose. The pump dispenser 40 can be pressed in the direction of the discharge opening 12a by a bottom surface of the lower carrier section which acts as a functional section 36b.

The upper support portion 34 is connected to the lower support portion 36 via latching means 34f, 36a. On the side of the lower support portion 36, the latching means 36a are in a latching conductor 36a, which extend circumferentially at the upper end of the cup-shaped lower support portion 36. On the side of the upper support section 34, the latching means comprise a series of latching tongues 34f. The locking means 34f, 36a allow by the design of the locking means 36a as a circumferential locking conductor and a special design of the locking tongues 34f with respect to their arrangement, which will be explained below, a plurality of different locking positions, so that the relative position of the upper support portion 34 to the lower support portion 36th can be fixed in a variety of different positions

The carrier assembly 30 is movable relative to the housing assembly 10 in two ways. On the one hand, the carrier assembly 30 can be displaced essentially in its entirety along the main axis 2 in the direction of the filler 14. On the other hand, the carrier assembly 30 around the main axis 2 relative to the housing assembly 10 are twisted. Both degrees of freedom and their coupling will be explained below.

The third assembly 50 is the assembly of a discharge handle 52 which is formed as an approximately L-shaped pivotable lever. A first leg 52c of the one-piece lever 52 extends into the housing 12, while a second leg 52b is approximately parallel to the main axis 2 in the state of Fig. 1 and 2 extends in the region of an outer surface of the housing 12. The lever 52 is pivotable relative to the housing 12, wherein the pivot axis is defined by two axle sections 52a. The protruding into the housing 12 leg 52c is divided like a fork into two sections 52d, at the end of each a guide extension 52e is provided. In this case, the guide projections 52e face each other, they respectively protrude into a control cam 34c, which are provided on a cylindrical operative connection section 34d of the upper support section 34 of the carrier 32.

The fourth assembly 70 is the assembly of the activation handle 72. The activation handle is provided on the side facing away from the discharge opening 12 a side of the housing 12 and formed in approximately cylindrical and cup-shaped. On a lateral surface 72 a, a circumferential guide ring 72 b is provided, which is received in a groove 12 c of the housing 12. The housing 12 and the activation handle 72 form a clearance fit, so that the activation handle 72 is designed to be rotatable about the main axis 2 relative to the housing. This is at the same time the only degree of freedom of the activation handle 72 with respect to the housing 12 in operation. At an upper edge 72c, the activation handle 72 has an internal toothing 72d. This is formed in cooperation with an external toothing 34e on the first carrier portion 34 of the carrier 32. While the internal teeth 72 d over the entire surface a portion of the inside activation handle Covered 72, the teeth 34 e on the first support portion 34 is limited to a total of only three circumferentially distributed teeth 34 e.

Other components of the various assemblies and their operation are in connection with individual description of individual components, Fig. 3a to 3b , with the description of the assembly of the discharge device, shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6a , as well as with the description of the intended operation of the discharge, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , explained.

The Fig. 3a shows the upper support portion 34. This is constructed with respect to its basic shape substantially rotationally symmetrical. At its upper end, it has a cylindrical operative connecting portion 34d, in which the two control cams 34c are provided axially symmetrically with respect to the main axis 2. The cams each include a first camming portion 34g extending in a plane to which the major axis 2 forms the normal. Connected to this first control curve section 34g is a second control curve section 34h, which extends in an approximately helical section along the lateral surface of the active connection section 34d. At the end of the upper support section 34 opposite the operative connection section 34b, the teeth 34e are provided facing outwards for operative connection with the activation handle 72 and, on the other hand, the latching means are provided with the inwardly directed latching tongues 34f.

The Fig. 3b shows the lower support portion 36. This is very simple. It has an approximately cup-shaped basic shape, wherein on the outer surface in an edge region, the circumferential latching conductor 36a is provided for cooperation with the latching tongues 34f, which in the Fig. 3c is shown enlarged again.

The Fig. 3d shows the activation handle 72. This is also approximately cup-shaped, wherein it has in a lower region on the outer surface recessed grips 72e for easier handling and above the recessed grips 72e the locking ring 72b. At the upper edge region 72c, the internal toothing 72d is provided.

Fig. 3e shows the discharge handle 52 in a detailed view. Evident is one of the two axle sections 52a, which define the pivot axis relative to the housing 12 together. Further recognizable is the fork-shaped formation 52 d of the upper leg 52 b and the two guide extensions 52 e, which are provided for receiving in the control cams 34 c of the upper support portion 34.

The Fig. 4 to 6a show the assembly of the discharge, in particular the insertion of the pump dispenser 40th In the 4 and 5 the discharge device without activation handle 72 can be seen.

In the illustrated state, the assembly takes place. The discharge device consists at this time of the housing assembly 10, the discharge handle 52 and the upper support portion 34. Furthermore, the protective cap 90 is placed, so that a relative movement between the discharge handle 52 and the housing 12 is not possible. The only mobility that the discharge device in the in 4 and 5 illustrated state, the mobility of the upper support portion 34 is relative to the other components. The upper support portion 34 can be axially displaced on the filler 14, wherein such a shift due to the control cams 34c and the projecting into this guide projections 52e associated with a rotation of the upper support portion 34 about the main axis 2. In a first assembly step, the upper support portion 34 is rotated in a superimposed movement and in the direction of the filler 14th shifted upward until it comes to a second housing fixed stop 12d with its operative connection portion 34d to the plant. The guide extensions 52e of the discharge handle 52 are always located in the second cam section 34h. Even in the final position, the in Fig. 5 is shown, in which the active connection portion 34d abuts the second housing-fixed stop 12d, a transition of the guide projections 52e is not possible in the first cam section 34h.

In the state of Fig. 5 Then, the pump dispenser 40 is inserted together with the lower support portion 36 in the upper support portion 34. The state to be achieved is in Fig. 6 shown. The edge 14b of this receiving recess 14a thereby constitutes a first housing-fixed stop. The insertion of the pump dispenser 40 together with the lower carrier section 36 is not terminated as soon as the discharge tube 44a flush with the first housing-fixed stop 14b rests. Instead, the lower carrier portion 36 and the pump dispenser 40 are further inserted until the pumping system 44 of the pump dispenser 40 is in the compressed, ie actuated state. That this state is achieved is achieved via a defined acting in the direction of the main axis 2 mounting force, which is dimensioned such that both the system of the discharge pipe 44a on the first housing-fixed stop 14b and the complete compression of the pump dispenser 40 is ensured. In this case, the variations in the required actuation force for the pumping system 44 are to collect. During the insertion of the pump dispenser 40 together with the lower support section 36 into the upper support section 34, a latching connection between the latching means 36a, 34f is achieved. This is especially the Fig. 6a refer to. Due to the special, offset configuration of the locking tongues 34f a particularly fine division is ensured, so that After completion of assembly of the pump dispenser 40 with the lower support portion 36 only a slight axial re-expansion of the support 32 is to be expected as the last assembly step, the activation handle 72 is then inserted into the housing 12, wherein the teeth 72d of the activation handle 72 with the teeth 34e on the outside of the upper support portion 34 engages. The then reached ready assembled state corresponds to the representation of Fig. 2 ,

The operation of the fully assembled discharge device will be explained below.

The operation is based on the state of Fig. 1 , The protective cap 90 is already removed in this state and the discharge device is still in the deactivated operating state, which results from the fact that the guide extensions 52e are located in the second control cam sections 34h of the control cams 34c. An actuation of the discharge handle 52 is possible in this state only insofar as that the discharge handle 52 manually related to the perspective of the Fig. 1 can be swung clockwise, this has no effect on the position of the carrier 32 in the direction of the main axis 2, but only causes a rotation of the carrier 32 about the main axis 2. In order to start a discharge process, starting from the state of the Fig. 1 the activation handle 72 is rotated in the direction of rotation 4. This is in Fig. 7 shown. About the slip clutch, which is formed by the teeth 72 d, 34 e, this rotational movement is transmitted to the carrier 32, which is thereby rotated together with the activation handle 72. This rotation of the carrier 32 causes the cams 34c are rotated and thereby lead to a movement of the guide projections down and a pivoting out of the discharge handle 52 in a clockwise direction. This will get the leadership processes 52e in the region of the first cam section 34g. During the rotational movement of the activation handle 72 and also during the subsequent operation, the activation handle 72 and the carrier 32 by means of the teeth 72 d, 34 e remain in constant operative connection with each other. Once the state of Fig. 7 is reached, in which the guide projections 52e are located within the first cam portion 34 of the control cam 34c, so that the activated operating state of the discharge is achieved. Overturning is not possible because after reaching the end of the control cam 34c through the guide projections 52e beyond movement causes slippage of the slip clutch 34e, 72d. An actuation of the discharge handle 52 in the achieved state does not result in a rotation of the carrier more, as was the case when the guide extensions 52e were located within the second control curve section 34h.

Fig. 8 shows the operation of the discharge handle 52 and the resulting discharge device. In one of the Fig. 8 not removable manner, the discharge pipe 44a of the pump dispenser 40 is pressed during actuation against the first housing-fixed stop 14b of the filler 14 and thereby displaced relative to the media reservoir 42 of the pump dispenser 40 against a spring force of a return spring of the pumping system 44. This leads to a pumping process, which ends at the moment at the moment in which the operative connection portion 34 d of the upper support portion 34 abuts against the second housing-fixed stop 12 d of the housing 12. The type of assembly described above ensures that, irrespective of the specific actuating force required, which is specific for the pump dispenser 40 used, the pumping stroke of the pumping system of the pump dispenser 40 is also passed through at this moment, so that the desired quantity of the medium was discharged. After releasing the actuating force the discharge device is returned to its original position by the restoring force of the spring of the pumping system.

The discharge device shown combines a very practical handling by separate activation and actuation with a particularly advantageous mountability, are compensated by the tolerances in the components, and with a likewise advantageous pump protection in the form of the second housing fixed stop, which prevents overuse of the pumping system of the pump dispenser.

The Fig. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention. The basic mode of operation is similar to the mode of operation of the first embodiment. With regard to the discharge process, this discharge device is also based on the fact that a pump dispenser 140 is displaced axially relative to a first stop 114b which is fixed to the housing by means of a discharge handle 152. In a similar manner as in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 8 the position of the pump dispenser relative to the first housing-fixed stop 114b is adjustable by means of latching means 134f, 136a in order to be able to compensate for component tolerances of the pump dispenser 140 and of the components of the discharge device.

The assembly goes in a similar manner as in the first embodiment of Fig. 1 to 8 vonstatten. Based on the state of Fig. 9 For example, the inserted support 132, consisting of an upper support portion 134 and a lower support portion 136, is urged toward the discharge opening 122a until an upper end 132a of the support reaches a second fixed housing 112d stop. Along with this or subsequently, the carrier 132 is compressed by means of the latching means 134f, 136a to such an extent that the pumping system of the pump dispenser 140 is pressed in by pushing in a discharge tube 144a of the pump Pump dispenser 140 passes in its actuated stroke end position, while the discharge tube 144 a rests against the first housing-fixed stop 114 a. In order to prevent that the upper support portion 134 brings in consequence of the handling prior to assembly in an unsuitable for mounting position, a rotation lock is provided. This consists of an integrally formed on the housing and axially extending web 118 b, which engages in a provided on the upper support portion 134 groove 134 i. During assembly, therefore, a defined orientation of the upper support section 134 can be assumed. This positive connection of the web 118b with the groove 134i is in Fig. 14 shown

The final state of the assembly corresponds to the actuated state which is in Fig. 11 is shown.

Fig. 10 shows the unactuated state after assembly. Starting from this state, lifting of the carrier 132 can be achieved by the actuation of the discharge handle 152 by means of the transmission lever 160. The operative connection between the transmission lever 160 and the carrier 132 is achieved via two legs 162 of the transmission lever, which are only indicated in the drawings, and a corresponding projection 132b of the carrier, which is also only indicated. The legs 162 surround a neck of the carrier 132 below the projection 132b.

Fig. 11 shows how by pivoting the transmission lever 160, the carrier 132 is raised and thereby actuation of the pump dispenser 140 is achieved by means of the first fixed housing stop 114b. An operation on the state of Fig. 11 In addition, it is not possible because the upper end 132a of the carrier 130, which comes to rest on the second housing-fixed stop 112d, prevents this

Significant differences between the discharge devices of the Fig. 1 to 8 on the one hand and the Fig. 9 to 12 On the other hand, with regard to the type of housing, the centering aid for inserting the carrier into the housing and the dispensing handle 152.

While the housing 12 in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 8 is formed as a largely one-piece housing into which the support assembly 30 is inserted axially, the housing 112 of the second embodiment of the discharge device according to the invention is constructed differently. Like the exploded view of the Fig. 12 can be removed, it has two housing shells 118, 119 which have in a plane substantially parallel to the main axis 102 joining regions in which they are attached to each other. The fixing of the connection of the two housing shells 118, 119 via two joining rings 120a, 121, wherein the joining ring 120a, which closes the housing 112 of the discharge on the bottom side, is integrally formed with a bottom portion 120b and smaller Seitenwandungsabschnitten 120c. The joining ring 120a is dimensioned such that it forms a press fit with the housing shells 118, 119 and thus presses the two housing shells against one another. The discharge port 122a is provided in a separate applicator member 122 having at its opposite ends of the discharge port 122a a collar 122b which is received in an undercut chamber 122c formed by two approximately semicircular T-shaped profiles 118a formed on the housing shells 118, 199 , 119a on the housing shells 118, 119 is formed. The second joining ring 121 encloses these T-profiles and thus, in the region of the applicator 122, firmly attaches the two housing shells 118, 119 to one another. At the same time, the joining ring 121 has a sealing portion 121a, which bears sealingly against the outer wall of the applicator component 122.

The illustrated housing form is particularly easy to implement and advantageous during assembly. It makes it possible to insert the carrier 132 in one of the two housing shells 118, 119 and then to connect these with the second housing shell 119, 118, whereby the need can be omitted to insert the carrier axially. In addition, it allows to use the actuating handle 152 designed as a discharge handle and a transmission lever 160 in each case two bearings 119 b, 119 c, which are provided in the same housing shell 119. Although this is basically also conceivable for a one-piece housing, the elastic deformability is greater for a single housing shell than for a one-piece overall housing. This facilitates assembly without adversely affecting the stability during operation.

The second major difference relates to the presence of a centering cone 192. The centering cone 192 is slid onto the housing 112 at the lower end of the filler 114 before and during assembly of the carrier 130. This condition is in Fig. 9 represented by. When the carrier 132 is pushed axially into the housing 112, the dispensing tube 144a of the pump dispenser 140 is captured by means of the cone 192 and thus allows easy insertion into a receiving recess 114a of the filling piece 114. As soon as the discharge tube 144a is arranged in the receiving recess 114a and the carrier 132 is pushed further into the housing 112, a lid 141 of the pump dispenser 140 itself comes into contact with the centering cone 192 and pushes it in the course of the further insertion of the pump dispenser and the carrier on the filler 114 in the direction of the discharge opening 122a upwards. The end position of the centering cone 192 is reached when an upper end 132a of the carrier 132 arrives at a second housing-fixed stop 112d. The centering cone thereby enters an area in which it is not disturbing for the further operation of the discharge device.

This end position of the centering cone 192 is the Fig. 10 refer to. Since the end position of the carrier 132 during assembly also the end position of the carrier 132 during the operation, shown in FIG Fig. 11 , corresponds, the centering cone 192 does not affect the operation in operation.

The third significant difference between the second embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention according to the Fig. 9 to 11 compared to the first embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 8 lies in the design and the storage of the discharge handle 152 and in the presence of the transmission lever 160. While in the first embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 8 a largely linear relationship between the deflection of the Austraghandhabe 52 and the corresponding deflection of the carrier 32 is, in the actuating mechanism of the second embodiment of the Fig. 9 to 11 a more complex operating mechanism is provided. This includes the actuating lever 152, the transmission lever 160 and the carrier 132. Like the Fig. 10 and 11 show can be indirectly pivoted by pressing the operating lever 152 and the transmission lever 160, wherein the direction of rotation of the two lever movements are opposite to each other. This embodiment with two levers allows the simple realization of non-linear transmission ratios. In the specific embodiment of the second embodiment, this leads to the fact that at the beginning of the actuation of the actuating lever 152 pivoting about a defined angle with respect to the actuating lever 152 has a comparatively strong pivoting of the transmission lever 160 result Towards the end of the actuating movement of the transmission lever 160 during pivoting of the operating lever 152 by the same angle a significantly reduced pivoting movement. The result is that the force that an operator must expend to the discharge of the Fig. 9 to 11 to press, is larger at the beginning than at the end. The increased force applied at the outset reduces the risk that the operator will reduce the force to zero during the discharge process, thereby leaving the discharge process unfinished. To further increase the required force initially, the surface portion 152f of the operating lever 152, in which the point of contact with the transfer lever 160 at the beginning of the discharging operation, is different from a surface portion 152g in which the contact point is later in the discharging operation be. For example, it makes sense to design the surface in the area 152f, for example with respect to its roughness or its shape, in such a way that a high static friction coefficient with the transmission lever 160 is recommended. On the other hand, in the region 152g, attention must be paid to a low coefficient of sliding friction so that only slight frictional losses preclude continuing the movement.

The design with two levers, an actuating lever 152 and a transmission lever 160, has further advantages. Thus, the use of two levers 152, 160 makes it possible to provide the pivot axis of the actuating lever 152 at the end of the discharge device facing away from the discharge opening 122a. This is advantageous because it allows actuation of the actuating lever 152 with a thumb, with the thumb and the actuating lever 152 approximately parallel to each other throughout the complete actuation process. The force applied by the thumb can thereby be applied over the entire length of the lever 152. This is advantageous from an ergonomic point of view.

The operating lever 152 and the transmission lever 160 are also in two perspectives Fig. 13 refer to. It can be seen that the actuating lever 152 has an outer surface 152h and thereafter three inwardly facing ribs 152i, 152j, 152k. This design offers high stability with low material costs. Corresponding to the middle rib 152j, a recess 160b is provided on the transmission lever 160 between two contact tongues 160a. The contact tongues 160a engage in the recesses between the ribs 152i, 152j, 152k, while at the same time the middle rib 152j engages in the recess 160b. As a result, a positive connection is created in a direction transverse to the direction of actuation. A sliding of the actuating lever 152 from the transmission lever 160 in this direction 166 is therefore not to be feared.

As a protection against contamination, an elastic and deformable in the course of actuation membrane 164 is provided on the Austraghandhabe 152. The elastic membrane is a very advantageous possibility for producing a seal on the discharge handle, which allows particularly small discharge devices, since it eliminates the need to provide for sealing the discharge handle with sealing side surfaces, which are immersed in an operation in the housing and there Take up space.

Claims (15)

1. Dispensing device for fluids having

   - an outer housing (12; 112, 118, 119) with an outlet opening (12a; 122a),

   - a dispensing lever (52, 152) for manual actuation of the dispensing device,

   - a holder (32; 132) arranged inside the outer housing (12; 112, 118, 119), movable along a main axis (2; 102) relative to the outer housing (12; 112, 118, 119) and in axial operative connection to the dispensing lever (52 152), said holder having a receptacle (38) for a pump dispenser (40; 140) that has a pump (44) actuatable by compressing the pump dispenser along the main axis, and

   - a first stop (14b; 114b) fixed to the housing and provided for interaction with the pump dispenser (40; 140) for the purpose of actuating the pump (44),

   wherein

   - the holder (32) has at least one functional section (36b; 136b) which during a dispensing operation subjects the pump dispenser (40; 140) to a force oriented in the direction of the first stop (14b; 114b) fixed to the housing, and

   - an adjusting means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) is provided between the dispensing lever (52; 152) and the functional section (36b; 136b) of the holder, by which means the position of the functional section (36b; 136b) is adjustable relative to the first stop (14b; 114b) fixed to the housing for a defined setting of the dispensing lever,

   characterized in that
   the adjusting means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) is adjustable in axial steps and comprises engaging means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) designed for engagement connections in a plurality of different engagement settings, where said engagement settings differ from one another by the axial position of the position of the functional section (36b; 136b) relative to the dispensing lever (52; 152) or to a first holder section (34) that is forcibly guided by the dispensing lever at least during an actuation of the dispensing lever.
2. Dispensing device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the holder (32; 132) has at least two holder sections (34, 36), where

   - a first holder section (34) is forcibly guided by the dispensing lever (52; 152) during an actuation of the dispensing lever (52; 152),

   - a second holder section (36) comprises the function section (36b; 136b) of the holder (32; 132) and

   - the position of the holder sections (34; 36) relative to one another is adjustable by means of the adjusting means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a).
3. Dispensing device according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   a second stop (12; 112d) fixed to the housing is provided for interaction with the dispensing lever (52; 152) or with the first holder section (34).
4. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the step width of the axial graduation of the adjusting means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) is less than 1 mm, in particular preferably less than 0.6 mm, in particular less than 0.3 mm.
5. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the engaging means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) comprise several partial engaging means whose respective engagement positions differ at least partly from one another.
6. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the engaging means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) comprise at least one engaging catch (36a; 136a) and engaging lugs (34f; 134f) opposite at least one of the engaging catches (36a; 136a) and designed for interaction with said engaging catch (36a; 136a).
7. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a spacer is inserted between the functional section of the holder and the pump dispenser.
8. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the functional section (36b; 136b) is arranged such that the force is introduced through the functional section (36b; 136b) on that side of the pump dispenser (40; 140) facing away from the first stop (14b; 114b) fixed to the housing.
9. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the holder (32) has on a side facing the first stop (14b) fixed to the housing a preferably funnel-like centering aid (34a) and/or guidance aid for connection to a dispensing channel (14) fixed to the housing.
10. Dispensing device for fluids according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized by
    a centering cone (192) for insertion of a dispensing tube (144a) of the pump dispenser into a receiving recess fixed to the housing, where the centering cone (192) is arranged axially movable in the direction of the main axis at least between a first end position in which it projects beyond the receiving recess in the direction of the pump dispenser (140) and a second end position in which it does not hinder actuation of the pump dispenser (140), where the centering cone (192) is preferably arranged movably on a dispensing tube (114) which forms the first stop (114b) fixed to the housing and/or inside which the receiving recess is provided.
11. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the housing comprises at least two housing shells (118, 119) that can be joined together at connection areas extending substantially in a main extension axis (102) of the housing, where joining rings (120a, 121) are provided at both ends of the housing shells (118, 119) in the direction of the main extension axis (102) which grip around the two housing shells (118, 119) and fix them relative to one another, the joining rings (120a, 121) being preferably designed as closed clamping rings which in the joined state form a press-fit with the housing shells (118, 119).
12. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the dispensing lever (152) for a dispensing operation is designed substantially transversely to the main axis (102) and is operatively connected by at least one transmission element (160) to the holder (132).
13. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the dispensing lever (152) is designed as a first lever (152) swivellable about a swivel axis provided on that side of the dispensing device opposite to the outlet opening (122a).
14. Method for fitting of a pump dispenser (40; 140) inside a dispensing device provided for receiving a pump dispenser (40; 140) and having a first stop (14b; 114b) fixed to the housing, the pump dispenser (40; 140) being actuatable by compression in the direction of a main axis (2; 102),
    characterized in that

    - the pump dispenser (40) is inserted into the dispensing device and

    - an adjustment of the position of the pump dispenser (40; 140) relative to the position of the first stop (14b; 114b) fixed to the housing is achieved by an adjusting means (34f, 36a; 134f, 136a) in a compressed state of the pump dispenser (40; 140).
15. Method according to Claim 14,
    characterized in that
    the adjustment is achieved to the effect that the pump dispenser (40; 140) is in the actuated state when the dispensing lever (52, 152) or a component (32; 132) operatively connected thereto reaches an associated second stop (12d).

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