EP2181051B1 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dispenser for a preferably cosmetic product according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The dispenser preferably serves a non-spraying dispensing or dispensing of a preferably cosmetic product. However, a spraying output may also be provided.

In a narrower sense, the term "cosmetic product" includes cosmetics, hair spray, hair lacquer, a deodorant, a foam, in particular shaving cream, a gel, a paint spray, a sunscreen or skin care agent or the like or other cosmetic fluids, fluids, pastes , Lotions, emulsions or the like. But in a broader sense, other personal care products, cleaning products, o. The like., And also suspensions and fluids, possibly also with gas phases, preferably. Further, as other liquids and fluids, for example, air improvers, and in particular also technical fluids and fluids, such as rust remover o. The like., Are used. However, for simplification reasons and because of the focus of use, the following is often only spoken of cosmetic product. Particularly preferably, the proposed dispensing device for storage and dispensing of a gel, in particular shaving gel, or a paste, in particular toothpaste, o. The like. Used.

The EP 0 320 510 B 1 discloses a dispenser with a valve having a valve housing. The valve housing is provided with a tubular portion having radially extending side wings on opposite sides. On the side wings and the tubular portion, a bag-like, flexible inner container is welded by heat welding. The valve is held by a plate, which is gas-tightly connected to an outer container. Gas in the outer container exerts pressure on the inner container in order to be able to dispense a cosmetic product contained in the inner container. In order to allow a good heat welding, the valve housing and the inner wall of the inner container are preferably made of polypropylene. The problem is the diffusion behavior. Polypropylene is not diffusion-tight, especially not to oxygen. Accordingly, prolonged storage can be problematic because oxygen can diffuse through the valve housing in a valve chamber and, especially in the case of a cosmetic product in the inner container, can lead to undesired reactions. To counteract this undesirable effect, a very thick-walled construction of the valve housing is required. However, this is disadvantageous in terms of material costs and size.

The EP 0 179 538 A2 relates to a dispenser with a flexible, designed as a pressure bag inner container. This is relatively thick-walled and equipped with bead-like reinforcements so that it can exert pressure on a liquid located in this. For sealing the pressure bag against a valve assembly is called as a press-alertnative method ultraschalschweißend a flange-like outlet opening of the pressure bag, said flange is welded to a flange of the valve housing or a flange of a mounting ring.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved dispensing device, which allows a comparison with the prior art simplified and / or cost-effective production, in particular a stable, tight connection of a flexible inner container with less effort and / or material use.

The above object is achieved by a dispensing device according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the valve housing has an at least substantially flat and / or thin and / or flange-like and / or plate-like connecting portion with which the inner container is preferably welded or connected exclusively. In addition, the inner container is only externally connected to the valve housing. This allows an optimized, in particular simplified and more cost-effective production of the dispensing device, since the inner container compared to the prior art much easier or better and more defined with can connect the valve housing or its connecting portion, particularly preferably by ultrasonic welding.

In particular, the preferably at least substantially flat connecting portion is connected only with a flat side with an outer side of the inner container. This simplifies the production, since the inner container with only one wall and not with two walls as in the prior art must be connected to the valve body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, at least one welding bead is arranged or formed on the valve housing prior to welding to the inner container, which is covered during welding by the inner container. This in turn is a simple and cost-effective production, in particular the welding of the inner container with the valve housing by ultrasound, conducive.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the inner container is ultrasonically welded to the valve housing. Furthermore, polyethylene or polyamide is preferably used for the valve housing and the inner layer of the inner container. Thus, a simplified and cost-effective production is made possible, in particular, the valve housing can be made thinner at least equally good or even better diffusion tightness.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt einer vorschlagsgemäßen Abgabevorrichtung; und

Fig. 2

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Ventils der Abgabevorrichtung.

Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic section of a proposed dispensing device; and

Fig. 2

a schematic perspective view of a valve of the dispensing device.

In the partly not to scale, only schematic figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts, with corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved, even if a repeated description is omitted.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic section of a proposed dispensing device 1 for dispensing a preferably cosmetic product 2 in the sense explained above. In particular, the product 2 is shaving gel, toothpaste or the like.

The dispensing device 1 has a valve 3, via which the product 2 can be dispensed. If necessary, the valve 3 can be designed as a metering valve or the like. It can be opened, for example, by depressing a dispensing head, not shown, connected thereto, or in any other suitable manner. In particular, the product 2 via the valve 3 and an attached dispensing head o. The like. In liquid form, pasty form, as a foam, as a gel o. The like. Deliverable.

The dispensing device 1 has a flexible inner container 4, as shown schematically in FIG Fig. 1 hinted at. The inner container 4 is formed in particular as a bag. Preferably, it is a folded and welded container or bag. However, other constructive solutions are possible.

Particularly preferably, the wall of the inner container 4 is formed like a film and / or formed by a composite film. The wall is preferably formed at least substantially diffusion-tight. For example, the wall or foil may have an aluminum layer, aluminum vaporization or the like, as well as other layers, in particular consisting of a polyolefin.

The dispensing device 1 further preferably has an outer container 5, which in Fig. 1 only indicated by dashed lines. The inner container 4 is preferably received in the outer container 5 together with the valve 3. In the illustrated example, the valve 3 is provided with a plate 6 or held by it, which in turn is connected to the outer container 5 in particular gas-tight. Particularly preferably, the plate 6 forms a tight-closing lid or closure of the outer container 5.

The plate 6 is preferably made of metal. In principle, however, it can also consist of plastic or of any other suitable material, in particular a composite material.

The valve 3 has a valve housing 3 a, which is connected to the plate 6 and held by this. In the illustrated example, the plate 6 has a side facing the inner container 4 and the interior of the outer container 5 side 6a - Here, a bottom, inside, flat side or a ring area - on, which is provided with a preferably central, outwardly projecting recess 6b.

The valve 3 or valve housing 3a is received or held with one end in the recess 6b, in particular clamping, non-positive or positive, for example by injecting or injecting, caulking, Verschwei-βen, gluing o. The like. Valve housing 3a preferably ends in the recess 6b on the outlet side.

Preferably, a particular annular seal 7 between the bottom of the recess 6b and the end face of the valve housing 3a is arranged to seal the valve housing 3a on the outside of the plate 6 and so to close the outer container 5 gas-tight. However, other constructive solutions are possible.

The inner container 4 is gas-tight with the valve housing 3 - in particular at the end facing away from the plate 6 and inlet end - connected. This end region or this inlet end projects in particular into the interior of the outer container 5 and in particular into the interior of the inner container 4.

The inner container 4 contains the preferably cosmetic product 2 to be dispensed. In order to facilitate the reception of the product 2 from the inner container 4, an optional riser 8, in particular a hose or the like, may be connected on the inlet side to the valve 3. The riser 8 is in particular in one or on one of the valve housing 3a formed, inlet side connecting piece o. The like. Plugged or connected in any other suitable manner with the valve housing 3a on the inlet side or connectable.

The outer container 5 is filled with a pressurized gas 9, which in Fig. 1 dotted is indicated, filled. The gas 9 is, in particular, air or another suitable compressed gas, if appropriate also liquid gas or the like.

The prevailing in the outer container 5 gas pressure acts on the outside of the flexible inner container 4, so that the product 2 with the valve open 3 via the valve 3 and a possibly subsequent dispensing head o. The like. Is outputted. When removing or dispensing the product 2, the inner container 4 collapses.

The inner container 4 is connected to the valve housing 3a - as already mentioned - preferably gas-tight, in particular welded. Particularly preferably, the inner container 4 is ultrasonically welded to the valve housing 3a. This allows a much more energy-efficient, faster and / or less expensive production of the dispensing device 1 with respect to the Wänneschweißung provided in the prior art. However, in principle it is also possible to connect the inner container 4 to the valve housing 3 in any other suitable manner, for example by means of other welding, clamping, spraying, gluing or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the valve housing 3a has a preferably at least substantially tubular portion 3b, which forms in particular the inlet end and / or a connecting piece for the riser 10.

The valve housing 3a has in particular at its tubular portion 3b on a connecting portion 3c, which is gas-tightly connected to the inner container 4, in particular welded, more preferably by ultrasonic welding.

In contrast to the prior art, the connecting portion 3 c is fixed or welded to the outside of the inner container 4.

The connecting portion 3c is preferably at least substantially planar. This is to be understood in the narrower sense, in particular, that the connecting portion 10 forms an at least substantially planar contact surface, with which the inner container 4 is or will be connected. It should be noted, however, that the connecting section 3c can also form only one, for example, radially extending, in particular end-side or annular, contact surface or connecting surface for connection to the inner container 4.

The connecting portion 3c is preferably formed thin and / or flange-like and / or annular disc-like or annular. In particular, it protrudes radially from the valve housing 3a or tubular section 3b to the outside.

The connecting portion 3c is preferably arranged at the inlet-side end of the valve housing 3a or tubular portion 3b.

The connecting portion 3c surrounds the inlet of the valve 3 or valve housing 3a and / or the riser 8 preferably annular disc-like.

Preferably, the inner container 4 in the illustration according to Fig. 1 from below to the connecting portion 3c and connected thereto. The connection surface is therefore preferably on the side facing away from the valve 3 or plate 6 of the connecting portion 10. In this case, the inner container 4 is only externally connected to the valve housing 3a and connecting portion 3b.

Alternatively, it is also possible, the inner container 4 with the other - in the illustration according to Fig. 1 upper ring surface of the connecting portion 3c to connect. In this case, the inner container 4 is connected to an inner side with the connecting portion 3c and its connecting surface.

In both cases, the connecting portion 3c is connected to only one wall of the inner container 4. In particular, it is not necessary to weld the valve housing 3a in a weld between two wall sections of the inner container 4, as is required in the prior art. Accordingly, a simple production is made possible or minimizes the likelihood of leaks.

According to a further, independent aspect of the present invention, at least one welding bead 10 is arranged or formed, in particular integrally formed, on the valve housing 3a prior to welding to the inner container 4. The welding bead 10 is covered during welding by the inner container 4. The weld bead 10 is in particular web-like or rib-like and / or continuous or continuously formed. The weld bead 10 is formed in cross section, for example, substantially triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal or convex or curved.

Particularly preferably, the inner container 4 is welded to the valve housing 3a along the welding bead 10, so that a defined, in particular at least substantially linear, connection between the valve housing 3a on the one hand and the inner container 4 on the other hand is made possible. Thus, a defined and sealed connection between the valve housing 3a and the inner container 4 can be achieved with relatively little ultrasound energy. However, the weld bead 10 can be used not only in ultrasonic welding but also in other welding.

The welding bead 10 preferably has a height and / or width of at least 0.2 mm and / or of at most 0.8 mm, particularly preferably less than 0.5 mm. Most preferably, the height and / or width is substantially 0.3 mm.

Particularly preferably, the weld bead 10 ends in an edge or tip which is at least substantially rectangular in cross-section. The weld bead 10 is formed in cross section in particular substantially triangular or trapezoidal or provided with an at least substantially triangular or trapezoidal tip to the free end.

Particularly preferably, the welding bead 10 extends at least substantially around a circumference of the valve housing 3a or a surface of the valve housing 3a to be connected to the inner container 4.

Particularly preferably, the welding bead 10 forms a closed loop. However, it can also be a fin, ie no closed loop forming web, rib o. The like. Act.

Instead of a continuous Schweißwulstes 10 and a plurality of sections, for example, overlap each other and / or have only very small distances may be provided.

Particularly preferably, at least two welding beads 10 are provided which are spaced or parallel to each other. Thus, a kind of "double seal" or double line connection between the valve housing 3a on the one hand and the inner container 4 on the other hand can be achieved.

When the inner container 4 is welded to the valve housing 3a, the welding bead 10 or the welding beads 10 are melted and, accordingly, a flattening and bonding to the inner container 4 takes place.

In Fig. 1 For reasons of illustration, the welding beads 10 are shown. In fact, the welding beads 10 are at least substantially no longer present or visible when the inner container 4 is welded.

Particularly preferably, the valve housing 3a and at least the inner and / or outer layer of the inner container 4 - in particular the to be welded to the valve housing 3a layer of the inner container 4 - made of the same material. This facilitates the joining, in particular welding. However, this is not essential. It is also possible that different materials are used, which are connectable to each other, in particular by welding or other suitable manner, as already described.

When the inner container 4 is made of a single-layer material, this material also forms the inner layer. The term "inner layer" is thus also understood to include a single-layered training.

In the illustrated embodiment, the valve housing 3a and / or the inner layer of the inner container 4 is preferably made of polyethylene. This material has a much higher diffusion-tightness than the polypropylene used in the prior art. Furthermore, this material can also be welded by ultrasound.

Alternatively, polyamide can be used in particular for the valve housing 3a and / or the inner layer of the inner container 4. This results in particular corresponding advantages as in the use of polyethylene.

It should be noted that the valve housing 3a does not have to be made entirely of said material. Rather, according to an embodiment variant, not shown, the valve housing 3a may also be partially made of a different material. For example, according to an embodiment not shown, it is possible to make the valve housing 3a in the region where it is not connected to or covered by the inner container 4, from another material and / or to provide it with a cover made of a different material, wherein the other material in particular has a higher diffusion-tightness or other advantageous properties. For example, it is possible to inject a diffusion-tight cover in these other areas, particularly preferably by so-called "bi-injection", ie spraying of the other material in the same injection mold against a first material.

Individual features and constructive solutions of the embodiments described can also be arbitrarily combined with each other and / or used in other dispensing devices.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the valve housing (3a), the tubular portion (3b) and the connecting portion (3c) are preferably integrally formed. Multi-part embodiments are also possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dispenser

2

product

3

Valve

3a

valve housing

3b

tubular section

3c

connecting portion

4

inner container

5

outer container

6

Plate

6a

Side (underside of plate)

6b

deepening

7

poetry

8th

riser

9

gas

10

weld bead

Claims (15)

1. Dispensing device (1) for dispensing a preferably cosmetic product (2), having a valve (3), which has a valve housing (3a), and having a flexible internal container (4), which is welded or connected to an at least substantially planar, flange-like and/or plate-like connecting portion (3c) of the valve housing (3a),
   characterized in
   that the connecting portion (3c) is welded or connected only to an outer side of the internal container (4).
2. Dispensing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion (3c) extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the valve housing (3a) and/or of an external container (5) of the dispensing device (1) and/or of a main dispensing direction of the valve (3).
3. Dispensing device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve housing (3a) has a tubular portion (3b) which is adjoined by the connecting portion (3c).
4. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting portion (3c) surrounds an inlet or an ascending line (8) of the dispensing device (1) in the manner of an annular disc and/or projects from the valve housing (3a) in a radially encircling manner in the manner of an annular disc.
5. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container (4) is ultrasonically welded to the valve housing (3a).
6. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one weld bead (10) is arranged or formed on the valve housing (3a) prior to welding to the internal container (4), said weld bead (10) being covered by the internal container (4) during welding.
7. Dispensing device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the weld bead (10) extends at least substantially about a circumference of the valve housing (3a) and/or is integrally formed on the valve housing (3a).
8. Dispensing device according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that there are provided two weld beads (10) which extend in a spaced-apart and/or parallel manner.
9. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve housing (3a) and/or an inner layer of the internal container (4) consists of polyethylene.
10. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the valve housing (3a) and/or an inner layer of the internal container (4) consists of polyamide.
11. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container (4) is in the form of a bag.
12. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container (4) collapses when the product (2) is removed.
13. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device (1) has an external container (5) to which the valve housing (3a) is connected in a gas-tight manner or into which the valve (3) is incorporated.
14. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container (4) is arranged in the external container (5) and is under external pressure or gas pressure.
15. Use of a dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for storing and dispensing a gel, in particular shaving gel, or a paste, in particular toothpaste.

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