EP2167240A1

EP2167240A1 - Dispenser for fluid to paste-like matters

Info

Publication number: EP2167240A1
Application number: EP08760579A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karlheinz Hummel
Original assignee: Megaplast GmbH
Current assignee: Aptar Villingen GmbH
Priority date: 2007-06-18
Filing date: 2008-06-05
Publication date: 2010-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-05
Also published as: DE102007027889A1; US20100102090A1; EP2167240B1; ATE518602T1; US8528788B2; WO2008155232A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser (1) for fluid to paste-like matters (M), having a pump chamber (20) comprising at least one outlet valve (28), a storage chamber (2), and a flow path (2) connecting the storage chamber (2) to the outlet valve (28), wherein a transport safeguard device is provided in order to avoid a discharge of the matter during transport. In order to advantageously configure a dispenser of the type in question with respect to the transport safeguard device, the invention provides that the flow path (W) to the transit safeguard device can be locked.

Description

Dispensers for liquid to pasty masses

The invention relates to a dispenser for liquid to pasty masses, with a pumping chamber having at least one outlet valve, a storage chamber and a supply chamber connecting the storage chamber with the outlet, wherein a transport lock is provided to prevent escaping during transport.

Donors of the type in question are known. In order to prevent leakage of the stored mass during transport, such dispensers are provided with a transport lock, for example, prevents movement of the pump head of the dispenser or further, for example, shuts off the output channel of the pump head.

With regard to the prior art described above, a technical problem of the invention is seen to design a dispenser of the type in question, in particular with regard to the transport safety advantageous.

This problem is solved first and foremost by the subject matter of claim 1, wherein it is pointed out that the flow path between the storage chamber and the outlet valve can be shut off for securing the transport. As a result of this configuration, the pump or dispensing head can continue to be freely movable in the manner of actuation. However, such actuation does not result in an output of mass, at least not to an output of mass in the storage chamber. Due to the shut-off in the area of the flow path, no mass can be sucked in via the pumping chamber during a pumping operation.

Furthermore, features are described which preferably have meaning in combination with the features of claim 1, but in principle also may have meaning with only some features of claim 1 or alone.

Thus, in a further development of the subject invention, it is provided that the flow path, in terms of the component, is composed of a part fixed relative to the storage space and a part movable relative to the storage space. These parts can be displaced relative to each other to secure transport or to cancel the transport lock. The movable relative to the storage space part of the flow path is accessible from the outside for the user. Thus, in a further development of the subject of the invention, the movable part is movable in a horizontal plane, more preferably in a plane directed transversely to the flow path extension. Accordingly, the movable part, for example, can be displaceable in the horizontal plane of the relative to the storage space fixed part to interrupt the flow path. In this regard, an embodiment is preferred in which the movable part is rotationally movable, more particularly in particular rotationally movable about a flow path axis.

The movable part is further preferably stop limited movable, so further between two attacks, on the one hand define the transport lock and on the other hand, the repeal of the transport lock and thus the free operating state of the dispenser. By the attacks the user is given help to find the respective operating conditions of the donor. The stops may also be visible to the user. Alternatively, the donor outer casing, in particular the dispensing head and a handle acting on the movable part of the flow path, can have orientation aids in the form of, for example, webs or the like. Thus, for example, webs positioned in a projection in a superposition of the stationary dispensing head part and of the handle can signal the release position of the dispenser. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, it is provided that in each case a hole pattern is formed in the movable part and in the fixed part, wherein the hole pattern to achieve the transport lock are to be moved in a mutually out of alignment position. In the transport securing position, the hole patterns overlap to a closed section of the opposite part, whereby the flow path is interrupted. Only the displacement of the movable part in a position in which the hole pattern of the movable part and the fixed part are in overlap, the flow path is opened and a mass output from the storage chamber accessible.

In the simplest way, the movable part and the fixed part can face one another and separating trays directed transversely to the flow path axis, which are provided directly overlapping with openings which can be brought into overlap. The areas adjacent to the openings in the direction of rotation of the movable part are in this case selected to be so large in terms of area that, after a corresponding rotation of the movable part, the openings of the stationary part are completely covered to interrupt the flow paths. Preferred in this regard is an embodiment in which the hole pattern of the movable part is formed by one or more vertical grooves and the hole pattern of the fixed part by one or more, hole-like openings. For this purpose, the fixed part can have a flow path section surrounding the bore-like openings, which receives the movable flow path part on the inside, in particular the end section provided with the vertical grooves. The vertical grooves can be formed accordingly as radially outwardly open grooves. By rotary displacement of the movable part, the vertical grooves for canceling the transport lock in overlap to the openings of the fixed part can be brought or to the transport locking in a mutually out of alignment position. Between the pumping chamber and the storage chamber, a pumping chamber inlet valve is provided in a development of the subject invention, wherein further the movable part pump chamber side forms a valve seat for the inlet valve. In this case, the movable part is preferably rotatable relative to the inlet valve in order to lift or to create the transport securing means. Alternatively, however, the inlet valve may be arranged to rotate.

In addition, it is proposed that the pumping chamber is formed by a pumping chamber bellows and that the movable part is movable relative to the pumping chamber bellows. The pumping chamber bellows, as further preferred, can integrally form the inlet valve, so on, in particular in the region of a bellows bottom assigned to the movable part of the flow path.

For actuation of the movable part, this has in a development on donation head outer sleeve portion, for activation or reactivation of the transport lock. This externally accessible, annular sleeve portion is correspondingly non-rotatably connected to the movable part and relative to the dispensing head and further limited to the supply space rotation limited by a stop. In this regard, it can further be provided that the sleeve portion is detectable and correspondingly rotatable even in a cap-covered position of the dispensing head. Thus, the transport lock can be activated even with a cap set on the dispensing head.

The stop limited rotational end positions of the movable part and the spendekopfäußeren sleeve portion may be further provided with a slightly overflowable detent, which respective detent is deliberately canceled only intentionally. Furthermore, in the area of the rotatable parts, so on, for example, in the area between the sleeve section and the dispensing head, a tear-off protection can be provided, which prior to a first actuation of the dispenser can option of repealing the transport safety must be separated.

The storage space may be part of a separate tube which is snap-connected or screw-connected to the fixed part. Such a tube usually consists of a soft plastic with a fixed part of the donor for latching or Schraubfestlegung facing hard plastic section. Alternatively, the storage space can also be part of a dimensionally stable container.

Below, the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrates only one embodiment, explained in more detail. It shows:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser of the type in question in cap closure position and activated transport lock.

2 shows the section along the line II-II in Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the enlargement of the region III in FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 4 is a representation corresponding to Figure 1, but after removal of the transport lock.

5 shows the section along the line V-V in Fig. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the enlargement of the region VI in FIG. 4; FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the dispenser in a longitudinally sectioned exploded view; FIG. 8 shows the parts of the dispenser forming the transport securing device in a perspective, partially cut-away detail view;

9 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection region of the dispenser to a container.

Shown and described is first with reference to FIG. 1, a dispenser 1 for dispensing a pasty to liquid mass M such as a cream or the like.

The approximately cylindrical shaped and having a circular cross-section dispenser 1 has a, a reservoir 2 ausformendes storage container 3, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a separate tube 4.

The dispenser 1 has a dispensing head 5, which at the same time is designed as a pump head, which in turn is arranged telescopically on the dispenser 1 for removing the mass M to be dispensed.

Thus, it is provided that the dispensing head 5 cooperates telescopically with an immovable part 6 in the direction of extension of the dispenser axis x. For this purpose, it is further provided that the dispensing head 5 has at its lower portion a circumferentially enlarged diameter and step-shaped in cross-section wall portion 7, which in turn is guided by the inner wall of a cavity 8 of the part 6 in pumping operation of the dispensing head 5. In order to secure the dispensing head 5 in the cavity 8 of the part 6 axially, it is provided that the opening edge 9 of the cavity 8 extends inwardly of the cavity and locks together with a step 10 of the wall section 7. As can be seen further, the dispensing head 5 surrounds a fixedly arranged in the dispensing head 5 and centrally about the dispenser axis x arranged transition part 11, wherein the attachment between the dispensing head 5 and the transition part 11 is made by means of a locking connection, not shown. The stepped neck 12 of the transition part 11 protrudes into a arranged in the upper region of the dispensing head 5, circular trained receiving opening 13, which in turn cooperates with its inner wall sealingly with the outer wall of the neck 12. The edge end surface of the receiving opening 13 is supported flat on a correspondingly adapted stage 14, on which the neck 12 roots. Due to this and by the locking connection, the transition part 11 is trapped around the dispenser axis x within the dispensing head 5, so that consequently the transition part 11 by the pumping operation of the dispensing head 5 and the resulting axial displacement of the dispensing head 5 follows.

The dispensing head 5 is covered in a non-use position as shown in FIG. 1 by a protective cap 15. This is at the foot, d. H. provided in the region of its opening edge with a locking ring 16 provided on the inside for detent engagement with a corresponding annular catch receptacle 17 of the dispenser part 6 or a sleeve section 18 fixed against rotation on the outside of the part 6.

Furthermore, a pump chamber bellows 19, which cooperates with the transition part 11 and is positioned centrically around the dispenser axis x, is arranged within the dispensing head 5. This forms inside a pumping chamber 20. Upon actuation of the dispensing head 5 in the pumping direction r (after removal of the protective cap 15), the pumping chamber bellows 19 is compressed in a force-storing manner in the usual manner and thus also provides the necessary restoring force for the dispensing head 5. The pumping chamber bellows 19 is designed to run zigzag in a vertical section, whereas, as would arise from a horizontal cross section, it is fundamentally circular in shape. This is preferably a plastic injection molded part made of a correspondingly flexible plastic. Within the pumping chamber 20, the pumping chamber bellows 19 has on the foot side an integral and centrally arranged inlet valve 21, the axially subordinate and an inlet opening 22 forming cooperating part of a bottom 23 of the dispenser part 6 is formed.

The dispenser part 6 forms in further detail a supporting base 24 projecting from the base 23, in which the foot region F of the pumping chamber bellows 19 is seated on the underside, in cooperation with the inner wall of the circularly shaped support base 24. In this region, the pumping chamber bellows 19 is not bellows-like formed, but with a solid wall, which has a reinforced cross section in the overlapping region of the support base 24.

Surrounded by the support base 24, the pumping chamber bellows 19 or its foot region F rests on the floor 23. Here, both the foot region F and the inlet valve 21 of the pumping chamber bellows 19 are arranged concentrically around the inlet opening 22 of the bottom 23. At the mouth side, the inlet opening 22 runs in two concentric rings 25 and 26. The outer surface of the inner ring 26 sealingly cooperates with a concentric lip 27 of the inlet valve 21.

At the top of the dispensing head 5 there is an outlet valve 28 arranged concentrically around the dispenser axis x, which is designed as a flexible plastic part. The exhaust valve 28 is seated in a funnel-shaped and axially extending channel 29 of the transition part 11 a. About the cylindrical outer wall of the channel 29, the transition part 11 is firmly seated in a concentrically arranged and circular support portion 30 of a second adapter part 31 a. The adapter part 31 acts on a surrounding the support portion 30 and enlarged by diameter collar 32 with the transition part 11 together such that between the collar 32 and a corresponding support surface of the transition part 11 of the pumping chamber 19 is fixed by an upper collar 33 by clamping, including further wall inside a collar portion 32 of the adapter part 31 and the collar 22 of the pumping chamber Blags 19 concentrically comprehensive transition portion section clamping webs 34 are provided.

The outlet valve 28 sealingly cooperates with a funnel-shaped widening opening portion 35 of the channel 29th

The outlet opening thus formed communicates with an output channel 36 oriented transversely to the dispenser axis x.

The connection of the dispensing head 5 with the storage container 3 via a further dispensing part 37 by means of a provided between the storage container 3 and the dispenser part 37 in the in the Figs. 1 to 6 illustrated first embodiment provided screw. For this purpose, the neck of the storage container 3 is provided with an external thread 38. This cooperates with an internal thread 39 of a cup-like over the neck of the storage container 3 inverted portion of the dispenser part 37 together. The pot section is open at the bottom, wherein in the screwed-on position according to FIG. 1, the opening edge of the pot section 40 acts against a turn-up protection 41 provided on the supply side.

The neck 42 of the storage container 3 is provided with a transversely to the donor axis x aligned cover 43, which has a central coaxial with the axis x a passage opening 44. This ceiling 43 is overlapped by a flat resting bottom portion 45 of the second dispenser part 37, which bottom 45 radially outside of the pot portion 40 in a first donor Part 6 leading comprehensive collar 46 passes. Approximately in the transition region from the bottom 45 into the collar 46, a step 47 is formed radially on the outside, to which a cup section 40 surrounding, downwardly funnel-shaped widening sleeve portion 48 connects.

The first dispenser part 6 sits with a radial collar 49 on the upwardly facing free end face of the collar 46 and is rotatable relative to the fixed second dispenser part 37 about the dispenser axis x. For rotary handling, the first dispenser part 6 is provided with the spendekopfäußeren sleeve portion 18. This is rotatably connected to the part 6 in the region of above the radial collar 49 extending portion of the part 6 via a gearing, not shown, and extends the radial collar 49 including the collar collar 46 of the stationary dispenser part 37 encompassing the dispenser part side step 47. Über eine On the inside of the wall provided peripheral bead 49, which engages in a correspondingly positioned ring receptacle 51 of the collar 46, a trigger safety with free rotation of the movable member 6 relative to the dispenser part 37 is achieved.

The stage 47 overlapping step-like portion of the sleeve portion 18 represents the support surface for the assignable edge of the protective cap 15.

The bottom 23 of the first dispenser part 6 is spaced from the bottom 45 of the stationary dispenser part 37. For this purpose, facing the bottom 23 of the first, movable part 6 on the bottom 45 of the second, fixed part 37, a hollow pin 52 is provided with an inner diameter which is adapted to the diameter of the passage opening 44 of the storage container 3. At the top, the hollow pin 52 is reduced outside diameter-side with a constant inner diameter. This reduced portion 53 engages in a correspondingly positioned annular groove 54 of the bottom 23 a. The interior of the hollow pin 52 as well as in the flow direction of the mass M before the inlet Valve 21 formed in the bottom 23 inlet opening 22 form a common coaxial with the donor axis x aligned flow path W from.

In the movable part 6, specifically in a downwardly projecting into the hollow pin 52 on the bottom side 55 and on the fixed part 37, specifically in the region of the hollow pin 52 associated region of the bottom 45 Lochmuster L, L 'are provided to achieve a transport safety , In particular, in the illustration in Fig. 6, the respective hole patterns L and L 'are clearly visible.

Thus, the hole pattern L of the movable part 6 is formed by outer walls on the extension 55 formed vertical grooves 56. These extend over an axial height, which corresponds approximately to the distance between the bottoms 23 and 45 of the two parts 37 to each other. Both vertical grooves 56 are diametrically opposite and are radially outward and bottom-side, d. H. designed open in the region of the free end of the extension 55. Above a continuation bottom 57, the vertical grooves 56 communicate via transverse openings 65 in connection with the channel-like flow path W or with the inlet opening 22.

The hole pattern L 'of the fixed part 37 is formed by two diametrically opposed axially aligned bore-like openings 58 in the bottom area enclosed by the hollow pin 52.

By rotational displacement of the parts 6 and 37 relative to each other about the donor axis x, the hole patterns L and L 'and the vertical grooves 56 and the openings 58 can be brought into overlap, so that the flow path W for the passage of the mass M is released. The mass M occurs in dispensing head actuation through the bores 58 of the fixed part 37 and the vertical grooves 56 oriented for this purpose through the inlet opening 22 while opening the inlet valve 21 into the pumping chamber 20. To achieve a transport lock, the rotatable part 6 is rotated over the rotatably connected thereto sleeve portion 18, so on by 90 °, so that hereafter the hole pattern L and L 'are not aligned. Rather, the holes 58 of the fixed part 37 are sealingly covered by the extension bottom 57 of the twisted extension 55. The flow path W is correspondingly interrupted and shut off.

The rotation of the movable part 6 via the sleeve portion 18 is possible even when plugged protective cap 15, wherein further the rotation of the movable part 6 is stop-limited. For this purpose, this part 6 has at its bottom 23 integrally formed, in the free space between the bottom 23 and bottom 45 of the fixed part 37 einragende, in plan view kreisabschnittför- mig extending over 90 ° strips 59, the inside wall of the collar 46 of the fixed part 37th abutting against stop shoulders 60 protruding radially inwards from this collar 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the attachment of the dispenser 1 to the storage container 3. Here, the connection via a locking seat, for which the pot portion 40 of the fixed part 37 in the region of its free end has a radially inwardly projecting, circumferential latching projection 61 which engages in a correspondingly positioned annular groove 62 of the container neck 42.

All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure content of the associated / attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby also incorporated in full in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of including features of these documents in claims of the present application.

Claims

1. dispenser (1) for liquid to pasty masses (M), with a pumping chamber (20) having at least one outlet valve (28), a storage chamber (2) and a storage chamber (2) with the outlet valve (28) connecting Flow path (W), wherein a transport lock is provided to prevent escape of mass during transport, characterized in that the flow path (W) for transport lock can be shut off.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1 or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the flow path (W) componentally composed of a relative to the storage space (2) fixed and a relative to the storage space (2) movable part.

3. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the movable part (6) is movable in a horizontal plane.

4. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the movable part (6) is rotationally movable.

5. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the movable part (6) is stop-limited movable.

6. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that in the movable part (6) and in the fixed part (37) each have a

Hole pattern (L, L ') is formed, wherein the hole pattern (L, L') for Reaching the transport lock to move in a mutually out of alignment position.

7. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the hole pattern (L) of the movable part (6) by one or more vertical grooves (56) is formed and that the hole pattern (L ') of the fixed part (37) is formed by one or more, bore-like openings (58).

8. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that a pumping chamber inlet valve (21) is provided and that the movable part (6) pumping chamber side forms a valve seat for the inlet valve (21).

9. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the pumping chamber (20) by a pumping chamber bellows (19) is formed and that the movable part (6) relative to the pumping chamber bellows (19) is movable.

10. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the pump chamber bellows (19) integrally forms the inlet valve (21).

11. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the movable part has a dispensing head outer sleeve portion (18) for activating or reactivating the transport lock.

12. Dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the storage chamber (2) is part of a separate tube (4) which is latching or screw-connected to the fixed part (37).