EP3174639A1

EP3174639A1 - Non-contact dispenser for dispensing liquid media

Info

Publication number: EP3174639A1
Application number: EP15752936.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hartmut J. Schneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-28
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2017-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-23
Also published as: DE102014010926A1; WO2016016079A1; EP3174639B1

Abstract

A non-contact dispenser for automatically dispensing liquid media comprises a metering device (12; 212) and a triggering device (22; 222); the metering device (12; 212) includes a mechanically actuated lifting displacement pump (14) comprising an actuation mechanism (36; 236), and the triggering device (22; 222) includes an actuation element (43; 143; 243) designed to actuate the actuation mechanism (36; 236). The triggering device (22; 222) comprises a sensor (45; 245) and an adjusting mechanism which can move the actuation element (43; 143; 243) from a basic position into a triggering position in accordance with the signal captured by the sensor (45; 245).

Description

"Non-contact dispenser for dispensing liquid media"

Description:

Technical area:

The present invention relates to a non-contact dispenser for dispensing liquid media.

State of the art:

Dispensers for the dispensing of liquid media, such as soap, lotions or

Disinfectants, are used for hygiene and are used today in many areas of life. For example, donors can be found in private households, in publicly accessible sanitary facilities or in medical facilities.

In the medical field donors are of particular importance, as they serve, in particular, to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases from one person to another.

By means of the detergent contained in the dispenser, such as disinfectants, for example, the hands of a person can be very hygienic clean.

Since a large number of dispensers still have to be operated by hand, there is the problem with existing hand-operated dispensers that germs or bacteria that are present on the hands of a person, for example, before the cleaning process, reach the dispenser. A subsequent person wishing to clean their hands then comes into contact with the bacteria or germs that are on the dispenser so that the bacteria and germs can reach the next person's hand. If the next person does not clean their hands carefully enough, the germs that were originally on the dispenser and remain after the cleaning process in the hands of the next person can then be transferred to other persons.

In order to prevent this, non-contact dispensers have been developed, as described, for example, in EP 2 561 820 A1. It has been found that the previous non-contact dispensers are not suitable for any type of liquid medium.

Presentation of the invention:

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a non-contact dispenser for the automatic dispensing of liquid media, which can be used for a variety of different liquid media.

For the purposes of the invention, liquid media are understood here to mean both low-viscosity and high-viscosity liquids. Thus, the term liquid media is understood to mean both aqueous compounds such as disinfectant solutions and viscous media such as lotions.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a non-contact dispenser for

solved automatic dispensing of liquid media with a metering device and a triggering device, wherein the metering device is a mechanically actuated

Hubverdrängerpumpe having an actuating device and the triggering device comprises an actuating element which is adapted to actuate the actuating device, wherein the triggering device comprises a sensor and an adjusting device and wherein the actuating element in response to the signal detected by the sensor by means of the adjusting device from a basic position in a Trigger position is feasible.

The invention is based on the finding that hitherto known mechanically actuated Hubverdrängerpumpen work reliably with a variety of different liquid media.

By means of the adjusting device, which is triggered in response to a signal detected by a sensor, the actuating element is automatically actuated by being transferred from a basic position to a release position. This actuates the

Actuator automatically the actuator of the mechanically actuated Hubverdränger pump in a mechanical manner.

The invention thus enables the use of proven mechanically operable

Hubverdrängerpumpen in a non-contact dispenser. According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating element is rotatably mounted and forms a lever. In this way, the actuator can be operated in a simple manner. For example, a housing is provided and the actuating element rotatably attached to the housing.

It is preferred that the actuating element has a stable, substantially elongate plate-shaped element, which is aligned substantially transversely to the actuating device, so that a space-saving design of the actuating device is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator comprises a support element which is aligned at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the actuator. As a result, the leverage of the plate-shaped element is transmitted to the actuator particularly advantageous.

The actuating element preferably has at least one force application section, in which the adjusting device acts on the actuating element. The at least one

Force section, for example, away from a contact portion of the

Actuator be formed with the actuator. This has, on the one hand, the advantage that the adjusting device can be attached to a suitable location in the non-contact dispenser and not necessarily directly in the region of the actuating device. In addition, it is also possible to achieve a reduction in force as a result, so that the adjusting device must apply a lower force than that which would be necessary if the force application region were in the region of the contact region.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjusting device has an eccentrically mounted control disk on a rotatable shaft, wherein the eccentrically mounted control disk is preferably formed on two sides. The control disc pushes the actuating element down during a rotation, whereby the

Actuator is actuated. While a one-sided control dial requires a full 360 ° turn, using a two-sided one will suffice

Control disc half a turn through 180 ° to take a rest position to trigger the next dosing.

It is further advantageous that the shaft is drivable by means of a motor which is above a contact portion of the actuating element with the actuating device arranged and connected to the actuating element. The net weight of the engine helps to overcome the frictional forces in the actuation of the actuator, so that the force applied by the adjusting device to actuate the actuator

Actuator is necessary, is reduced.

Preferably, an elastic element, such as a spring, is provided between the actuating element and the motor. The biased in the basic position of the actuating element elastic element exerts in the basic position of the actuating element a predetermined force on the actuating element and thus on the actuating device. However, the predetermined force is too low to convert the actuator into the release position. The force of the prestressed elastic element on the

Actuator acts, however, helps to overcome the frictional forces in the operation of the actuator, so that the force required by the adjusting device for actuating the actuator is further reduced.

In a preferred development of the invention, the adjusting device has an adjustable piston. The adjustable piston causes a mechanical displacement of the actuating element from the basic position to the release position. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment device may comprise a solenoid valve. The adjustable piston or the solenoid valve, for example, on a housing or on the

Metering device can be arranged.

For the use of the dispenser, it is advantageous that in the metering device, a valve, in particular a solenoid valve is provided.

Furthermore, a foam pump may be provided to donate foam by means of the dispenser.

The present invention also relates to a method of actuating a dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of:

Detecting a signal by means of the sensor;

Activating the adjusting device based on the signal detected by the sensor;

Adjusting the actuating element from a basic position into a release position for actuating the actuating device by means of the adjusting device;

Dispensing a predetermined amount of fluid by means of the metering device. Brief description of the drawings:

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a first embodiment of a dispenser;

Figure 2 is a cross-section through a second embodiment of a dispenser;

Figure 3 is an actuating device in cross section;

Figure 4 is an actuating element in cross section;

Figure 5 is an actuating element in a view from below;

Figure 6 shows a housing with a Dosiereinstellring;

Figure 7 shows the adjusting ring shown in Figure 6 in plan view;

Figure 8 is a cross-section through a third embodiment of a dispenser;

FIG. 9 shows a further cross section through the third embodiment of a dispenser;

10 shows a dispenser head.

Ways to carry out the invention and commercial usability:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a contactless dispenser 10 in FIG

Cross-section. The non-contact dispenser 10 comprises a metering device 12 with a mechanically actuatable Hubverdränger pump 14, a riser 16, a perpendicular to the riser 16 aligned application arm 18 and an application head 20th

Furthermore, a triggering device 22 are provided and a housing 24, in which a container 26 is received with a liquid medium.

The mechanically actuated Hubverdrängerpumpe 14 of the metering device 12 is formed as a piston pump, which, in particular Figure 3 shows a pump chamber 28, a piston 30, a delivery line 32, which connects the pump chamber 28 with a line section 34 of the application arm 18, and an actuator 36 has.

The actuating device 36 comprises a support element 38 above the

Application arm 18 and a sleeve-like piston rod 40 which connects the piston 30 with the support element 38. The delivery line 32 is guided inside the piston rod 40. Furthermore, a return element in the form of a helical spring 42 is provided around the piston rod 40.

The metering device 12 is received in an opening of the housing 24. The riser 16 of the metering device 12 is located in the interior of the fluid container 26.

In a known manner, a force F _1; acting on the support member 38, transmitted to the piston rod 40 and pushes the piston 30 against the force of the spring 42 in the pump chamber 28. A fluid, which is located in the pump chamber 28, is thereby through the feed line 32 in the application arm 18, promoted in particular in the line section 34 of the application arm 18 and pushed out of an opening in the application head 20.

As soon as no force acts on the support element 38, the relaxation of the now biased spring 42 causes the piston 30 with the piston rod 40 and the

Support element 38 together with the application arm 18 back up in her

Move home position. This creates a negative pressure in the pump chamber 28, which in turn leads to a liquid medium from the container is sucked into the pump chamber 28.

By means of the dosing device 12 described, low-viscosity and high-viscosity liquids can be dispensed and dispensed. The metering device 12 is suitable, for example, for metering and dispensing aqueous disinfectants and viscous lotions.

The triggering device 22 comprises an actuating element 43 with a stable, im

Substantially elongated plate-shaped element 44, a sensor 45 and a

Adjustment device in the form of a solenoid valve 46.

The sensor 45 and the solenoid valve 46 communicate with each other via a not shown control / regulating device. The elongated plate-shaped member 44, which is for example a metal plate or a plastic plate, is rotatably mounted at one end 47. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the end 47 of the plate-shaped member 44 is rotatably mounted on a pin 48 of the housing 24. The plate-shaped element 44 extends from its rotatably mounted end 47 above the application arm 18 of the dispenser along the application arm 18 outwards in the direction of the application head 20 and lies loosely on the support element 38 of the actuating device 36.

In the contact region with the support element 38, the plate-shaped element 44 has a mechanical reinforcement in that the plate-shaped element 44 has a greater thickness in the contact region than outside the contact region.

The support element 38 is, as can be seen in Fig. 3, not aligned exactly perpendicular to the actuator 36. The support element 38 has a small pitch of less than 10 ° in the direction of the application head 20. The angled orientation of the support member 38 serves to protect the application arm 18 when operating the triggering device 22. In particular, prevents the angled orientation of the support member 38 that the application arm 18 when pressing the

Trigger device 22 bends.

The plate-shaped element 44 thus forms a one-sided lever, which on the

Support member 38 rests, extending over the contact portion which forms the plate-shaped member 44 with the support member 38, and rotates about the rotatably mounted end 47 of the plate-shaped member 44. The solenoid valve 46 acts on the free end 50 of the plate-shaped member 44 and forms with the plate-shaped member 44 a

Force application area.

The solenoid valve 46 has a rest position and an actuating position. In the rest position, in which the solenoid valve 46 does not act on the plate-shaped element 44, the plate-shaped element 44 is in its normal position.

In its actuated position, the solenoid valve 46 acts on the plate-shaped element 44 and presses the plate-shaped element 44 downwards. As a result, the plate-shaped element 44 is transferred from its basic position to the release position. During the transition from the basic position to the release position, the plate-shaped element 44 acts on the support element 38 and presses the actuator 36 downwards in the direction the pump chamber 28. In this case, the fluid contained in the pump chamber 28 is displaced and rises via the delivery lines 32 from the pump chamber 28 in the

Line portion 34 of the application head 20. When the solenoid valve 46 is returned to its rest position, the plate-shaped member 44 is pressed against the force of the spring 42 upwards and fluid from the container 26 can flow into the pump chamber 28.

The adjusting device is triggered by the signal of a sensor 45, which detects, for example, the movement of hands or the temperature of hands.

The solenoid valve 46 shown in Figure 1 may be provided at any position of the dispenser.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the solenoid valve 146 is arranged on the housing 24.

Since the force application preferably takes place at the free end 50 of the plate-shaped element 45, a force deflection device 150 is provided.

In non-illustrated embodiments, the solenoid valve is disposed at an arbitrary position of the metering device 12. The illustrated positions of the solenoid valve are purely exemplary. For a variety of reasons, the solenoid valve may also be positioned at other locations of the dispenser. If necessary, then

Kraftumlenkvorrichtungen be provided.

In addition to the housing 24 receiving the container 26, the dispenser 10 includes a dispenser head housing 52 that receives the applicator arm 18.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of an actuating element 143. The

Actuator 143 is formed in cross-section substantially U-shaped and has two legs and a base member 144. The base member 144 is formed as a stable, substantially elongate plate-shaped member. At the ends of the two legs of the base member 144, the free end 150 of the actuating element 143 and the rotatably mounted end 147 of the actuating element 143 are formed.

In Figure 5, the actuator 143 is shown in a view from below. The

Base member 144 has substantially the contour of a dispenser head housing 52 in plan view. In addition, on the underside of the base member 144 Guide elements 156 for guiding the application arm provided and a counter-element 158, which interacts with a Dosiereinstellring 160 as shown in Figure 7. The counter element 158 forms by means of Dosiereinstellrings 160

Contact area with the actuator of the metering off.

The Dosiereinstellring 160 is as Figure 6 shows in a known manner inserted into a housing 124. Recesses 162 of different depths of the metering collar cooperate with latching grooves 164 to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid during a dispensing operation.

If the sensor 45 detects a signal, for example a movement signal of a hand, the magnetic valve 46, which is in the idle position, is actuated by means of a control device (not shown). 146 activated. The piston of the solenoid valve is in his

Extended operating position and acts in the force application area on the plate-shaped element 44; 144, so that the plate-shaped element 44 and the base member 144 is guided from the basic position against the support element 38 in its release position / pressed. As a result, the actuating device 36 is pressed down so that fluid from the pump chamber 28 through the line section 34 of the application to the

Application head 20 passes. After discharging the fluid, the piston of the

Solenoid valve retracted again. The tensioned spring 42 of the actuator 36 raises the actuator again and thus performs the plate-shaped element 44 and the base member 144 from the release position back to its normal position. In this case, fluid is sucked out of the container 26 into the pump chamber 28.

When a solenoid valve is shown as an adjusting device in the illustrated embodiments, any type of adjusting device capable of mechanically displacing the plate-shaped element can be used. For example, any type of controllable valves may be used which have a piston.

Figures 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of a dispenser 210 with an alternative type of adjusting device.

The non-contact dispenser 210 comprises, in the same way as the first and second embodiments, a dispenser 10; 1 10 a metering device 212 with a mechanically actuated Hubverdränger pump 214, an aligned perpendicular to a riser application arm 218 and an application head 220th Furthermore, a triggering device 222 is provided and a housing in which a container is received with a liquid medium.

The triggering device 222 comprises an actuating element 243 with a stable, substantially elongated, plate-shaped element 244, a sensor 245 and a

Adjustment device.

The actuator 243 is rotatably mounted on the housing and forms a lever. The actuating element 243 extends from its rotatably mounted end 247 above the application arm 218 of the dispenser along the application arm 218 outwards in the direction of the application head 220 and lies loosely on the support element 238 of the actuating device 236.

A motor 270, a shaft 272, and an eccentric control disk 274 constitute the adjusting device.

The motor 270 drives the shaft 272, wherein at the free end of the shaft 272, the eccentric control disk 274 is arranged. The eccentric control disk 274 acts on the free end of the elongate plate-shaped member 244.

The motor is above the contact portion of the actuator 243 with the

Actuator 236 is arranged and connected to the actuating element 243 via a spring 276, so that the weight of the engine contributes to the

To overcome frictional forces in the operation of the actuator 236 and the force required by the adjustment device for actuating the actuator 236 is reduced.

The spring 276 is biased in the basic position of the actuating element 243. The biased in the basic position of the actuator 243 elastic spring exerts in the normal position already a predetermined force on the actuator 243 and thus on the actuator 236. However, the predetermined force is too low to transfer the actuator 243 in the release position. However, the force exerted by the biased resilient spring 276 on the actuator 236 helps to overcome the frictional forces upon actuation of the actuator 236, such that the force applied by the adjustment device to actuate the actuator 236

Actuator 236 is necessary, is further reduced. In the rest position, the eccentric control disk 274 rests with its short side on the actuator 243. In the release position, the long side of the eccentric control disk 274 acts on the actuator 243.

If the sensor 245 detects a signal, the motor 270 is actuated by means of the control device (not shown), which in turn rotates the shaft 272 so that the eccentric control disk 274 rotates.

When the eccentric control disk 274 is rotated to its release position by means of the motor 270 due to the signal detected by the sensor 245, the long side of the eccentric control disk 274 pushes down the operation member 243, so that the operation device 236 is operated. Thereafter, the eccentric control disk 274 is further rotated by the motor 270 by about 270 °, so that the eccentric

Control disc 274 returns to its rest position to the next

Be able to trigger dosing.

In one embodiment, not shown, the eccentric control disk 274 is formed on two sides, so that a rotation of the eccentric control disk 274 is sufficient by about 180 ° to return to a rest position to trigger the next dosing can.

The power supply of the motor 270 via batteries 278, located in the

Dispenser head housing 252 are located.

In the embodiment of a dispenser shown in FIG. 8, a second application arm 278 and a second application head 280 are provided in addition to the already described first application arm 218 and first application head 220. The second application arm 278 and the second application head 280 are adapted to be connected to an alternative pump, for example, a suction pump or a foam pump for dispensing liquid media. Although not shown, the alternative pump can also be provided in the housing, in particular dispenser head housing 152.

Thus, the dispenser can already be factory-made for the use of a variety

be prepared different liquid media. Depending on requirements, the application of the liquid medium is carried out via the first or second application head. When using the second application head as the output of the liquid medium it is advantageous if the first application arm 218 including the application head 220 and actuator 243 with adjusting device are removable from the housing 152.

In one embodiment, not shown, a valve, in particular a solenoid valve may be provided in the first application, for example, to issue an aerosol.

The dispenser head 52 is preferably of modular construction (see FIG. 10) and includes an upper portion 54 in which, in a known manner, a power supply and a

Display elements are mounted, and a lower portion 56. In the lower portion 56 of the dispenser head 52 are the described triggering device 22; 222 and the application arm 18; 218th

The lower portion of a housing 58 of the dispenser head 52 is preferably formed so that it can be placed on existing housing elements 24.

Claims

claims:

1 . Non-contact dispenser for the automatic dispensing of liquid media with a dosing device (12; 212) and a triggering device (22; 222),

wherein the metering device (12; 212) is a mechanically actuatable

Hubverdrängerpumpe (14) with an actuating device (36; 236) and the triggering device (22; 222) comprises an actuating element (43; 143; 243) adapted to actuate the actuating device (36; 236),

characterized in that the triggering device (22; 222) comprises a sensor (45; 245) and an adjusting device, wherein the actuating element (43; 143; 243) in dependence on the signal detected by the sensor (45: 245) by means of

Adjustment device is feasible from a basic position in a release position.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (43;

143; 243) is rotatably mounted and forms a lever.

3. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that a housing (24; 252)

is provided and the actuating element (43, 143, 243) is rotatably mounted on the housing (24, 252).

4. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing device (12; 212) has an application arm (18; 218) substantially transversely to the actuating device (36; 236) and the actuating element (43; 143; 243) is located above of the application arm (18; 218) extends along the application arm (18; 218).

Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (43; 143; 243) has a stable, substantially elongated plate-shaped element (44; 144; 244) which is substantially transversal to the

Actuator (36, 236) is aligned.

A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (36; 236) comprises a support member (38; 238) which is aligned at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the actuator (36; 236).

Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (43; 143; 243) has at least one force application section in which the adjusting device acts on the actuating element (43; 143; 243).

A dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one force portion is formed remote from a contact portion of the actuator (43; 143; 243) with the actuator (36; 236).

9. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device has an eccentrically mounted control disc (274) on a rotatable shaft (272).

10. Dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the eccentrically mounted control disk is formed on two sides.

1 1. Dispenser according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the shaft (272) by means of a motor (270) is drivable, which is arranged above a contact portion of the actuating element (243) with the actuating device (236).

12. Dispenser according to one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the motor (270) by means of an elastic element (276) with the actuating element (243) is connected.

13. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device has an adjustable piston.

14. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the metering device, a valve, in particular a solenoid valve is provided.

15. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (36) comprises a piston pump.

16. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a foam pump.

17. A method of actuating a dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

Detecting a signal by means of the sensor (45; 245);

Activating the adjusting device based on the signal detected by the sensor (45; 245); Adjusting the actuating element (43; 143; 243) from a basic position to a release position for actuating the actuating device (36; 236) by means of the adjusting device;

Dispensing a predetermined amount of fluid by means of the metering device (12; 212).