EP2117396A2 - Distributeur - Google Patents

Distributeur

Info

Publication number
EP2117396A2
EP2117396A2 EP08709679A EP08709679A EP2117396A2 EP 2117396 A2 EP2117396 A2 EP 2117396A2 EP 08709679 A EP08709679 A EP 08709679A EP 08709679 A EP08709679 A EP 08709679A EP 2117396 A2 EP2117396 A2 EP 2117396A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
outlet
nozzle
outlet valve
dispenser
passage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08709679A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Gerard O'brien
Timothy James Llewellyn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Packaging Innovation Ltd
Original Assignee
Packaging Innovation Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Packaging Innovation Ltd filed Critical Packaging Innovation Ltd
Publication of EP2117396A2 publication Critical patent/EP2117396A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
    • A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
    • A47K5/1207—Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dispenser for liquid products and particularly, but not exclusively, to a wall mounted soap dispenser.
  • Wall mounted soap dispensers typically comprise a housing secured to a wall and a disposable refill pack. It is preferable that the dispensing mechanism, normally in the form of some sort of pump, also forms part of the refill pack such that the pump and any associated valves are changed with the refill pack. Thus, if either the pump or any the valves fail they will simply be replaced when the next refill pack is inserted.
  • a product dispenser comprising a reservoir for a liquid product, an outlet nozzle and a pump chamber in fluid connection with the reservoir and the outlet nozzle, a non-return inlet valve located between the chamber and the reservoir permitting fluid to only flow from the reservoir into the chamber and a non-return outlet valve located in the nozzle, wherein the dispenser operation is arranged to decrease the volume of the chamber forcing liquid in the chamber out of the outlet valve and to subsequently allow expansion of the chamber to draw liquid into the chamber from the reservoir, wherein the outlet nozzle is in the form of a tube in which the outlet valve is located, the outlet valve being formed of a resilient material and arranged to be inserted in the outlet nozzle, the outlet valve having at least one passage extending from an outlet of the outlet valve to a wall of the outlet valve adjacent the outlet nozzle, wherein the resilient properties of the outlet valve act to press at least the part of the wall forming a mouth of the inlet of the passage into contact with the outlet nozzle to seal the mouth with nozzle, wherein the
  • the present invention is particularly applicable to soap dispensers where the liquid product may be anything from a low viscosity water-like gel to a high viscosity barrier cream.
  • an outlet valve in accordance with the present invention provides a valve with a single moveable component, which component can be inserted directly in the outlet of the nozzle, such that the outlet valve forms the outlet of the dispenser. This reduces the amount of residual product downstream of the outlet valve and therefore minimises the amount of product which can drip from the dispenser after use.
  • the outlet valve is inexpensive to manufacture, comprising only a single component and the wall of the outlet nozzle as a seal for the passage to the outlet of the valve.
  • the outlet valve preferably faces downwards and the at least one passage and outlet of the outlet valve are dimensioned such that for a particular liquid type, with which the dispenser is intended to be used, the mass of the volume of liquid retained in the at least one passage and the outlet of the outlet valve is insufficient to overcome the surface tension retaining the liquid in the outlet of the outlet valve so that the liquid will not drip from the outlet valve. In this manner, the very small residual amount of liquid remaining in the valve after a dispensing cycle is not sufficient to drip from the dispenser.
  • the outlet of the outlet valve is greater in cross-section than the mouth of the inlet of the passage through the outlet valve. This providing a way of reducing the velocity of the liquid as it passes through the point in which the valve closes. This ensures that liquid being dispensed is not squirted at high speed from the dispenser, which can result in unnecessary spillage.
  • the arrangement of the present invention enables this to be achieved without having an excess volume of liquid downstream of the point at which the valve seals, because this may be undesirable if it subsequently causes the dispenser to drip after completion of a dispensing cycle.
  • the outlet valve is in the form of a vertical tube closed at an upper end with the lower open end forming the outlet of the outlet valve, with the at least one passage extending through the wall of the tube; wherein the nozzle of the dispenser is also in form of a vertical tube and the outlet valve is a press fit in an opening at the bottom of the nozzle, the outlet valve being arranged to remain sealed with the nozzle at a point below the at least one passage, thus liquid can only be released from the nozzle via the at least one passage.
  • This provides a very simply way of fitting the valve to the outlet nozzle of a dispenser and ensures that liquid to be dispensed has to pass through the passage of the valve and thus via the sealing surface formed around the mouth of the inlet of the passage.
  • the nozzle and outlet valve may be dimensioned such as to provide a tapered space between an inner wall of the nozzle and the wall of the outlet valve at a point above the at least one passage. Pressurised fluid in the nozzle can then act on the wall of the outlet valve forming the tapered space to distort the wall of the outlet valve, forcing the mouth of the passage away from the inner wall of the nozzle and permitting liquid to exit the nozzle via the passage.
  • the outlet nozzle is preferably mounted vertically with the outlet valve located at the bottom thereof, the outlet valve and nozzle being dimensioned such that the outlet valve engages with an inner wall of the outlet nozzle at a point above the mouth of the at least one passage, such that pressure of liquid in the nozzle does not axially compress the outlet valve.
  • valve is arranged in the above manner, then even if excessive pressure is built up in the pump chamber, the outlet valve will not be compressed in the axial direction, which could result in the valve expanding radially and prevent the valve from operating.
  • a particularly simple arrangement for a pump chamber comprises a cylinder and a cylindrical piston slidably mounted within and sealed with the cylinder, wherein the piston and cylinder are mounted vertically with the lower one of the piston or cylinder forming the outlet nozzle at the lower end of which the outlet valve is located. This further minimises the number of components.
  • the pump chamber may then be actuated by simply lifting the outlet nozzle, either directly by the user exerting a vertical upward force on the outlet nozzle, or by means of an actuating mechanism mounted in a housing of the dispenser.
  • the present invention may advantageously be employed in a dispenser comprising a wall mounted housing and a replaceable refill pack, wherein the refill pack comprises the reservoir, pump chamber and non-return inlet valve, non-return outlet valve and nozzle.
  • the refill pack comprises the reservoir, pump chamber and non-return inlet valve, non-return outlet valve and nozzle.
  • all the components which are likely to fail are replaced as part of the refill pack.
  • these components may be tailored to suit the particular product within the refill pack.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-section through a dispenser mechanism, indicated generally as 1, of the dispenser 2 of Figure 9;
  • Figure 2 is an expanded view of section A of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a section through the outlet valve of the dispenser mechanism of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a plan view along line D-D of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a plan view along the line B-B of Figure 3;
  • Figure 6 is a plan view along the line C-C of Figure 3;
  • Figures 7 and 8 correspond to Figures 1 and 2 but depict the dispensing mechanism is a fully primed state at the start of a dispensing cycle;
  • Figure 9 is a partially cut-away side elevation of the dispenser incorporating the dispensing mechanism of Figures 7 and 8;
  • Figures 10, 11 and 12 correspond to Figures 7, 8 and 9 but depict the dispenser at completion of a dosing stroke;
  • FIGs 13, 14 and 15 correspond to Figures 7, 8 and 9 but illustrate the components of the dispenser at the start of its priming stroke.
  • the dispenser mechanism illustrated generally as 1, comprises a pump chamber 2 formed by a pump cylinder 3 and outlet nozzle 4, the latter in the form of a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder 3 and sealed to the cylinder by O- ring seal 5, maintained in place by retaining ring 6.
  • the cylinder 3 has an extended moulding 7 over which a reservoir 8 (shown in Figure 9) seals.
  • outlet nozzle 4 When outlet nozzle 4 is displaced in the direction of arrow 9, fluid is drawn into the pump chamber 2 through a non-return inlet valve 10, which allows fluid to pass from the reservoir 8 in the direction of arrows 11.
  • the dispenser mechanism of Figure 1 is actuated by exerting the force, represented by arrow 12 on flange 13 mounted on the lower section of outlet nozzle 4.
  • FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-section of the portion of the valve appearing in section A of Figure 1 and the components of the outlet valve 14 will now be described, with reference to Figures 2 to 6.
  • the outlet valve 14 comprises the lower portion of the tubular outlet nozzle 4 and an insert 15.
  • the insert 15 is formed of a soft resilient material such as a rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the lower portion of the outlet nozzle 4 has a circumferential rebate 16 towards the lowermost edge of its inner wall and above that a protrusion 26 which is chamfered on its upper and lower edges.
  • a protrusion 26 which is chamfered on its upper and lower edges.
  • a plurality of radially extending spars 18 are a plurality of radially extending spars 18. These can be most clearly seen from the planar views of Figure 4 and Figure 5 taken along the lines D-D and B-B of Figure 3 respectively. Here it is seen that the spars 18 define recesses 17 therebetween.
  • Resilient insert 15 is inserted into the bottom of the outlet nozzle 4 in the manner shown, until circumferential ridge 19 towards the bottom edge of the insert 15 engages in rebate 16, sealing with the rebate.
  • the insert 16 is substantially in the form of a vertically mounted tube having a central outlet passage 20.
  • the outlet passage 20 is sealed at its upper end by conical head portion 21 of the insert 15.
  • the outer wall 22 of the insert 15 is waisted towards a mid-portion, as shown, to provide a recess 23 under the edge of the conical head portion 21. When fully inserted, this recess 23 permits the edge of the conical head portion 21 to engage over the top of the spars 18, as shown in Figure 3.
  • the insert has a plurality of radial passages 25 extending from the outer surface 22 of the insert 15 to the central outlet passage 20.
  • the region of the wall 22 of the insert 15 around each outlet passage 25 defines a mouth 26 of the passage 25. Because of the dimensions of the insert 15 relative to the profiled inner surface of the nozzle 4, in the absence of any pressure differentials, the resilient nature of the inserts closes the passage 25 at the mouth 26 thereof.
  • Figure 9 depicts a dispenser 38 comprising reservoir 8 and the dispensing mechanism 1 forming a replaceable disposable insert.
  • the dispenser 38 is seen in its primed state prior to dispensing with an actuator handle 28 fully retracted as indicated by arrow 29 of Figure 9.
  • the outlet nozzle 4 of the dispenser mechanism 1 (shown in Figures 7 and 8) is fully retracted to its maximum downward position, as indicated in Figure 7 and represented by arrows 30 and 31.
  • Arrow 31 represents the downward pressure exerted on flange 13 by actuator 28.
  • the insert 15 of the outlet valve 14 because of its resilient nature seals outlet passages 25, as represented by arrows 32, by sealing the mouth 26 of each passage 25 against the inner wall of the outlet nozzle 4.
  • the liquid 27 is confined to the remaining portion of the tapered space 24.
  • Non-return valve 10 prevents the liquid passing back into the reservoir and instead, as the pressure is increased the insert 15 is compressed in its waisted region, as represented by arrows 34 of Figure 11 , permitting the liquid 27 to flow in the direction of arrows 35 and 36, through the now enlarged tapered space 24 through a mouth 26 of a passage 25, into central outlet passage 20.
  • the recess 23, engaging with spars 18, prevents the insert from being axially compressed and therefore permits the waisted region to be deformed as described above. This also ensures that excess pressure is not applied, via the body of the insert 15 itself, on the seal formed by ridge 19 and rebate 16.
  • the cross-section of the central outlet passage 20 is greater than the cross-section of radial passage 25.
  • the liquid soap 27 normally only passes through one of the radial passages 25, because once the seal is broken about the mouth of one passage 25, the pressure is reduced sufficiently that the other passages 25 do not open. However, more than one passage may open if excessive pressure is applied to the actuator 28 of Figure 12.
  • the reservoir 8 and dispenser mechanism 1 shown in the preferred embodiments, is a disposable replaceable unit intended as a refill pack for the dispenser 38.
  • the invention may equally be applied in non-disposable applications.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention porte sur un distributeur, en particulier sur un distributeur de savon liquide et, plus particulièrement, sur des distributeurs à recharges jetables. L'invention porte sur un mécanisme de distribution (1) particulièrement simple, comprenant une chambre de pompage (2) dont le volume peut varier. La chambre de pompage est munie d'une soupape anti-retour (10) permettant à du liquide contenu dans un réservoir de liquide (8) d'entrer dans la chambre. En cas de haute pression dans la chambre (2), une soupape de sortie anti-retour (14) située à l'extrémité inférieure de la chambre (2) permet à du liquide de sortir de la chambre. La soupape de sortie (14) comprend un insert unique (15) mis au point pour coopérer avec la paroi interne profilée de la buse de sortie (4) du mécanisme de distribution et fournir une fonction de soupape anti-retour fiable, distribuer du savon liquide à un courant constant et empêcher un dégouttement après achèvement d'un cycle de distribution.
EP08709679A 2007-03-12 2008-03-06 Distributeur Withdrawn EP2117396A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0704710A GB2447422A (en) 2007-03-12 2007-03-12 Dispenser with resilient ported outlet valve
PCT/GB2008/050160 WO2008110839A2 (fr) 2007-03-12 2008-03-06 Distributeur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2117396A2 true EP2117396A2 (fr) 2009-11-18

Family

ID=37988793

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08709679A Withdrawn EP2117396A2 (fr) 2007-03-12 2008-03-06 Distributeur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2117396A2 (fr)
GB (1) GB2447422A (fr)
WO (1) WO2008110839A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1431467A (en) * 1920-02-20 1922-10-10 West Disinfecting Co Dispensing valve
US4474307A (en) * 1978-12-28 1984-10-02 The Metalife Company Down flow apparatus for dispensing viscous material and method of loading same
US4964544A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-10-23 Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. Push up dispenser with capsule valve
US5445288A (en) * 1994-04-05 1995-08-29 Sprintvest Corporation Nv Liquid dispenser for dispensing foam
DE19713721C2 (de) * 1997-04-03 2000-04-20 Calmar Albert Gmbh Spender
US6695176B1 (en) * 2002-08-08 2004-02-24 Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc. Pump dispenser having an improved discharge valve
US7654419B2 (en) * 2004-09-17 2010-02-02 Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc. Dispenser having elastomer discharge valve
EP1870008A1 (fr) * 2006-06-22 2007-12-26 The Procter and Gamble Company Outil de dosage de liquides

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2008110839A3 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008110839A3 (fr) 2009-01-15
GB2447422A (en) 2008-09-17
GB0704710D0 (en) 2007-04-18
WO2008110839A2 (fr) 2008-09-18

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