EP3183065A1

EP3183065A1 - Discharge head for a metering dispenser, and a metering dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3183065A1
Application number: EP15741526.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Bruder; Tobias Baumann
Original assignee: Aptar Radolfzell GmbH
Current assignee: Aptar Radolfzell GmbH
Priority date: 2014-08-22
Filing date: 2015-07-20
Publication date: 2017-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-20
Also published as: DE102014216744B4; CN106573262A; DE102014216744A1; KR20170031208A; EP3183065B1; WO2016026633A1; KR101968427B1; US10150125B2; US20170225182A1; CN106573262B

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering dispenser for simultaneously or selectively discharging two liquid, gel-like or paste-like media, comprising an outlet opening (15), a first reservoir (12) for storing a first medium, a first metering-conveyor device for conveying said first medium from the first reservoir (12), a second reservoir (13) for storing a second medium, a second metering-conveyor device for conveying said second medium from the second reservoir (13), a mixing chamber (40) which is arranged upstream of the outlet opening and in which said first medium, conveyed by the first metering-conveyor device, and/or second medium, conveyed by the second metering-conveyor device, can be stored temporarily, as well as an output-conveyor device (4) for conveying the medium or media from the mixing chamber (40) to the outlet opening (15), at least said first metering-conveyor device taking the form of a metering-pump device (2, 3) comprising a metering chamber (20, 30) with a variable volume, an inlet (23) that is fluidically connected to said first reservoir and has an inlet valve (25), and an outlet (24) that is fluidically connected to the mixing chamber (40) and has an outlet valve (26). The invention also relates to a discharge head (11) for a metering dispenser (1).

Description

Discharge head for a dosing dispenser and dosing dispenser

AREA OF APPLICATION AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a metering dispenser for the simultaneous or optional discharge of two liquid, gel or pasty media.

Dosing dispensers for the simultaneous or optional dispensing of two liquid, gelatinous or pasty media are known, for example, from DE 10 2006 033 253 A1. The dosing dispensers known from DE 10 2006 033 253 A1 have two chambers for storing media, two conveying devices for conveying the media out of the chambers and a mixer for mixing the media, the conveying devices each having a spindle and an adjustable spindle Have volume of the chamber reducing piston. According to an embodiment known from DE 10 2006 033 253 A1, the mixer comprises a cylinder, in which the media collect, and a piston, by means of which the media are displaced from the cylinder into an applicator.

TASK AND SOLUTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a metering dispenser for the simultaneous or optional discharge of two liquid, gel or pasty media and a dispensing head for a dispenser, which are easy to use and allow accurate metering of the media.

This object is achieved by the metering dispenser and the dispensing head with the features of claims 1 and 15.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a metering dispenser for simultaneously or selectively discharging two liquid, gel or pasty media, comprising an outlet port, a first storage chamber for storing a first medium, a first metering conveyor for conveying the first medium from the first storage chamber, a second storage chamber for storing a second medium, a second metering conveyor for conveying the second medium from the second storage chamber, a mixing chamber arranged upstream of the outlet opening, wherein the first medium conveyed by the first metering conveyor and / or by means of the second metering Conveying device conveyed second medium can be temporarily stored in the mixing chamber, and an output conveyor for conveying the medium or media from the mixing chamber to the outlet port, wherein at least the first metering conveyor as a metered pump device comprises a variable volume metering chamber, an inlet fluidly connected to the first reservoir chamber with an inlet valve, and a fluidically connected to the mixing chamber outlet is designed with an outlet valve.

A metering-pumping device enables a simple and exact metering of a medium conveyed from the storage chamber into the mixing chamber, it being possible to convey both semi-solid viscous media, such as a skin cream, and thin or viscous media, such as a lotion , Dosing pumping devices are also small-scale feasible. Mixing takes place only in the mixing chamber. The products are safely separated from each other in the dosing chambers and the storage chambers.

Preferably, the dosing dispenser is designed such that two media are mixed. However, designs are also conceivable in which three or four media are mixed.

The metering chamber of the first metering conveyor designed as a metering pumping device is arranged between the storage chamber and the mixing chamber. Preferably, both metering conveyors, or in more than two metering conveyors all metering conveyors designed as a metering pumping device, wherein the respective metering chamber between the associated storage chamber and the mixing chamber is arranged. When the volume is reduced, a medium present in the dosing chamber is displaced and conveyed via the outlet in the direction of the mixing chamber. An amount of medium conveyed into the mixing chamber can thus be determined by a reduction of the volume, also referred to as a metering stroke.

In advantageous embodiments, the dosing dispenser has a dispensing head which can be connected to the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, wherein the dispensing head comprises at least the outlet opening, the first dosing conveyor device designed as a dosing pumping device and the dispensing conveyor device. Preferably, the discharge head comprises all dosing pumping devices of the dosing dispenser. The discharge head is available as a functional preassembled assembly to a bottler. The pantries are tool-less and non-destructively releasably connected in one embodiment with the discharge head, wherein, if necessary, a pantry can be replaced by a user. In other embodiments, an exchange of a storage chamber by a user is not provided. In an advantageous embodiment, the discharge head comprises a housing which at least partially delimits the mixing chamber, the metering chamber of the metering pump device and / or a first feed channel provided between the mixing chamber and the metering chamber. By such a housing, the number of components of the discharge head and thus the Dosierspenders is minimized.

In an advantageous development, the housing comprises a base plate and at least one circumferential wall projecting from the base plate and at least partially delimiting the mixing chamber or the metering chamber. Preferably, the housing has three, projecting from the base plate, circumferential walls which at least partially limit the mixing chamber and the two metering chambers of the two metering pumping devices. The positioning of the three walls is preferably chosen such that the two metering chambers can each be connected to the mixing chamber by means of a rectilinear feed channel.

In one embodiment, the metering chamber has an elastic deformable wall. The wall is deformable in one embodiment when applying an external force while reducing the volume of the metering chamber for displacing the medium. When the external force is removed, the wall is moved back into the initial position due to internal restoring forces and / or by means of additional return springs, wherein a medium is conveyed from the storage chamber into the metering chamber due to a negative pressure occurring in the metering chamber.

In advantageous embodiments, the metering pump device has a piston which is adjustably mounted in the metering chamber. By means of a suitably shaped piston, an at least almost complete emptying of the metering chamber is possible during a metering stroke. This is particularly advantageous for sensitive cosmetic media. The piston is adjustably mounted in an embodiment in the radial direction of the metering dispenser. In advantageous embodiments, an adjustably mounted in the axial direction of the dosing dispenser piston is provided.

For an adjusting movement of the piston, an automatic or semi-automatic adjusting device is provided in one embodiment. In advantageous embodiments, the metering pump device has an actuating handle for a manual operation, by means of which the piston against the force of a return spring for a reduction of the volume the dosing chamber is adjustable. The actuating handle is provided depending on a design of the dosing dispenser and an arrangement of the piston on a suitable surface of the dosing dispenser.

In one embodiment, an inlet and / or an outlet of the metering pumping device are provided on a side wall of the metering chamber. In advantageous embodiments, the inlet and the outlet of the metering pump device are provided at an end of the metering chamber opposite the piston.

The inlet valve and the outlet valve can be designed appropriately by the person skilled in the art. In advantageous embodiments, both valves are designed as check valves.

For a space-saving arrangement, in one embodiment, the outlet has a channel piece projecting into the metering chamber, the inlet being provided on an annular channel surrounding the channel piece.

In advantageous embodiments, a valve element having the inlet valve and the outlet valve is provided for reducing the components in the assembly.

By means of the dispensing conveyor device, the medium present in the mixing chamber or the media present in the mixing chamber can be conveyed from the mixing chamber to the outlet opening. In advantageous embodiments, the mixing chamber has a variable volume for this purpose, the volume being passively enlargeable by inflowing medium or inflowing media and being reducible by means of the delivery conveyor for discharging the medium or the media. It is provided in one embodiment that the mixing chamber has an elastically deformable wall, wherein preferably the wall is designed such that only when acting, applied by a user or by inflowing forces a volume change occurs.

In advantageous embodiments, the dispensing conveyor device has a piston displaceable in the mixing chamber and an outlet channel which is fluidically connected to the outlet opening. The piston is preferably displaceable in the axial direction. A displacement of the piston in the direction of an upper rest position is effected in advantageous embodiments by inflowing medium. For a discharge, the piston is displaceable in the direction of the lower rest position by applied forces. For a displacement of the piston, the output conveyor in advantageous embodiments, an actuating handle, by means of which the piston for a reduction of the volume of the mixing chamber and thus for discharging the medium or the media from the mixing chamber is adjustable.

The outlet opening is provided in advantageous embodiments of the actuating handle, wherein the outlet channel leads through the piston.

For a good mixing of the media, a static mixing system for deflecting the flow is provided in advantageous embodiments in the outlet channel. In advantageous embodiments, the mixing system has a mandrel protruding into the outlet channel, wherein a helical path is provided on a wall of the outlet channel and / or a wall of the mandrel.

The object is further achieved by a discharge head for a metering dispenser having a first storage chamber for storing a first medium and a second storage chamber for storing a second medium, comprising an outlet opening, a first metering pump device for conveying the first medium from the first storage chamber, the a metering chamber having a variable volume, an inlet with an inlet valve and an outlet with an outlet valve, a second metering pumping device for conveying the second medium from the second storage chamber having a metering chamber with a variable volume, an inlet with an inlet valve and a Having outlet with an outlet valve, a mixing chamber arranged upstream of the outlet opening, in which the first medium conveyed by the first metering pump device and / or the second medium conveyed by the second metering pump device are cacheable, and an output Delivery device for conveying the medium or the media from the mixing chamber to the outlet opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is explained below with reference to the figures. Here are shown schematically:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dosing dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the metering dispenser according to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the dosing dispenser along a sectional plane III-III according to FIG. 2;

4 shows a sectional view of the dosing dispenser along a sectional plane IV-IV according to FIG. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a discharge head of the dosing dispenser before a discharge of a medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 5 show, in different views, a metering dispenser 1 for the simultaneous or optional discharge of two liquid, gelatinous or pasty media.

The dosing dispenser 1 shown comprises a housing 10, a discharge head 11, a first storage chamber 12 for storing a first medium and a second storage chamber 13 for storing a second medium. The storage chambers 12, 13 are realized in the illustrated embodiment in the housing 10, which has for this purpose in the sectional views of FIG. 3 and 4 visible partition 14. For dispensing the media, the dispenser 1 has an outlet opening 15.

The metering dispenser 1, more precisely its discharge head 1 1, comprises a first metering-conveying device designed as a first metering-pumping device 2 and a second metering-conveying device designed as a second metering-pumping device 3. The metering pump devices 2, 3 each have a metering chamber 20, 30, a piston 21, 31 displaceably mounted in the metering chamber 20, a return spring 22, 32, an inlet 23, an outlet 24, 34 and an actuating handle 28, 38 on. The inlet 23 and the outlet 24 are arranged on the metering chambers 20, 30 at an end opposite the associated actuating handle 28, 38.

As can best be seen in the detail view according to FIG. 5, an inlet valve 25 and the outlet 24 are each assigned an outlet valve 26 in each case. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet valve 25 and the outlet valve 26 are realized as a common component, which is mounted by means of a sleeve-like bearing element 27 on a projecting into the metering chambers 20, 30 channel piece 29. The channel piece 29 defines an outlet 24 located inside the channel piece 29. An associated inlet 23 is provided in an annular channel formed between a wall 112 of the metering chamber 20 and the channel piece 29. The outlets 24, 34 are fluidly connected via two feed channels 5 with a mixing chamber 40, wherein in the views shown only one feed channel 5 is visible. The illustrated mixing chamber 40 has a variable volume, the volume being passively enlargeable by inflowing medium or inflowing media, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 shows the dosing dispenser 1 after a medium delivery or before a first startup. Fig. 5 shows the discharge head 1 1 of the dosing dispenser 1 after one or more media have been conveyed into the mixing chamber 40 by increasing the volume.

The dosing dispenser 1 further comprises an output conveyor 4 with a piston 41 and an actuating handle 48 for conveying the medium or media from the mixing chamber 40 to the outlet opening 15. The mixing chamber 40 has one or two inlet / inlets 43 opposite the actuating handle 48 , in which / which the feed channels 5 open. A medium is conveyed on a displacement of the piston 41 from the mixing chamber 40 via an outlet channel 44 to the outlet opening 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet channel 44 comprises a first channel section extending in the actuating direction through the piston 41 and the actuating handle 48 and a second channel section extending radially to the actuating direction through the actuating handle 48, the outlet opening 15 at a free end of the second channel section is provided on the actuating handle 48. A corresponding arrangement has proven advantageous for dispensing viscous products onto a user's hand. However, other designs are conceivable.

The illustrated delivery conveyor 4 further comprises a static mixing system 49 designed as a helical spindle. The illustrated mixing system 49 comprises a mandrel 490 which is arranged fixedly on the housing of the discharge head 11 and projects into the outlet duct 44, wherein a helical path 491, for example in the form of an internal thread, is incorporated in a jacket surface of the outlet duct 44 in the region of the piston 41. Alternatively, it is conceivable to design the mandrel 490 as a spindle-shaped pin. In still other embodiments, no mixing system is provided.

In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge head 1 1 comprises an example manufactured as an injection molded housing 1 10 with a base plate 1 1 1 and with three of the base plate 1 1 1 projecting, circumferential walls 1 12, 1 13, 1 14. The three walls 1 12th , 1 13, 1 14 limit in the circumferential direction of the metering chambers 20, 30 and the mixing chamber 40. The mandrel 490 of the mixing system 49 and the channel piece 29 are also formed by protruding from the base plate 1 1 1 parts of the housing 1 10. An assembly of the others Components of the metering pump devices 2, 3 and / or the output conveyor 4 is in a simple manner via a base plate 1 1 1 opposite open end of the walls 1 12, 1 13, 1 14 possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the return springs 22, 32 surrounding peripheral walls 1 15 are further provided on the housing 1 1 1, which concentrically to the walls 1 12, 1 13 of the metering chambers 20, 30 protrude from the base plate 1 1 1. The housing 1 10 is closed by means of a lid 12, wherein the housing 1 10 has an annular web 1 16 for mounting the lid 12.

On one of the walls 1 12, 1 13, 1 14 opposite underside of the base plate 1 1 1 grooves are provided which limit the feed channels 5. The feed channels 5 are closed by the housing 10 of the reservoir 12, 13.

For a discharge, first the first metering pump device 2 and / or the second metering pump device 3 are actuated. For this purpose, a force is applied to the actuating handle 28, 38 of the respective metering pump device 2, 3 and by means of the actuating handle 28, 38 of the piston 21, 31 against the force of the return spring 22, 32 moves, so that a volume of the metering chamber 20, 30 of Dosing pumping device 2, 3 is reduced. In the dosing chamber 20, 30 in the delivery state located air or a product located there is displaced. The inlet valves 25 are designed such that they remain closed despite the increasing pressure in the associated metering chamber 20, 30. On the other hand, the exhaust valves 26 are designed to open due to the increasing pressure in the associated metering chamber 20, 30, so that the air displaced due to the reduction of the volume or the displaced product is delivered to the mixing chamber 40 via the supply passage 5. In this case, the piston 41 is moved from the lower rest position shown in Fig. 4 due to the inflowing product upwards.

When eliminating the applied force to the actuating handle 28, 38 of the first metering pump device 2 and / or the second metering pumping device 3, the piston 21, 31 of the first metering pumping device 2 and / or the second metering pumping device 3 due to the reset force of the return spring 22, 32 brought back into the starting position shown in Fig. 4. The outlet valves 26 are designed such that they remain closed despite a suction effect in the associated metering chamber 20, 30 in a return movement. By contrast, the associated inlet valve 25 is opened due to the suction effect, so that the product from the fluidically connected storage chamber 12, 13 is conveyed into the metering chamber 20, 30. If necessary, this process can be repeated until a maximum filling volume of the mixing chamber 40 has been reached and / or until a desired product quantity has been conveyed.

A discharge of the intermediately stored in the mixing chamber 40 media is carried out by a subsequent operation of the output conveyor 4. By applying a force on the actuating handle 48 of the output conveyor 4, the actuating handle 48 is moved to the piston 41, so that the product from the pumping chamber 40th is conveyed to the outlet channel 44. The outlet valves 26 of the metering pump devices 2, 3 prevent the medium or the media from being conveyed back into the metering chambers 20, 30. If two media were conveyed into the mixing chamber 40 by means of the two metering pump devices 2, 3, these are mixed during discharge. By contrast, in the metering pump devices 2, 3 and in the storage chamber 12, 13, the media are reliably separated from one another.

The mixing chamber 40 of the discharge conveyor 4 is at least almost completely emptied by the operation. After actuation, the actuating handle 48 of the output conveyor 4 remains in the lower rest position shown in Fig. 4. Only with a renewed promotion of the medium or the media in the mixing chamber 40 by actuation of the metering pump devices 2, 3, the actuating handle 48 is moved to the piston 41 by increasing the volume of the mixing chamber 40.

For a movement of the pistons 21, 31 of the metering pump devices 2, 3 against the force of the return springs 22, 32, two separately operable actuating handles 28, 38 are provided in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, a common actuating handle for both metering pump devices 2, 3 is provided. In one embodiment, a Dosierhub for the two metering pump device 2, 3 effected by the common actuating handle is differently adjustable by means of suitably designed adjusting means.

Claims

claims

1 . Dosing dispenser for the simultaneous or optional discharge of two liquid, gel or pasty media comprising

an outlet opening (15),

a first storage chamber (12) for storing a first medium, a first metering conveyor for conveying the first medium from the first storage chamber (12),

a second storage chamber (13) for storing a second medium, a second metering conveyor for conveying the second medium from the second storage chamber (13),

a mixing chamber (40) arranged upstream of the outlet opening, wherein the first medium conveyed by the first metering conveyor and / or the second medium conveyed by the second metering conveyor are cacheable in the mixing chamber, and

an output conveyor (4) for conveying the medium or media from the mixing chamber (40) to the outlet port (15),

characterized in that

at least the first metering-conveying device as a metering-pumping device (2, 3) comprising a metering chamber (20, 30) with a variable volume, an inlet (23) fluidically connected to the first storage chamber with an inlet valve (25) and one with the mixing chamber (40) fluidly connected outlet (24) with an outlet valve (26) is designed.

2. dosing dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that with the first storage chamber (12) and the second storage chamber (13) connectable discharge head (1 1) comprising at least the outlet opening (15) designed as a metering pump device (2) first Dosing conveyor and the output conveyor (4) is provided.

3. dosing dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the discharge head (1 1) comprises a housing (1 10), which the mixing chamber (40), the metering chamber (20) of the metering pump device (2) and / or one between the Mixing chamber (40) and the metering chamber (20) provided first supply channel (5) at least partially limited.

4. dosing dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing (1 10) a base plate (1 1 1) and at least one of the base plate (1 1 1) projecting, the mixing chamber (40) or the metering chamber (20) at least partially delimiting, circumferential wall (1 12, 1 13, 1 14) includes.

5. dosing dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metering pump device (2, 3) in the metering chamber (20, 30) adjustably mounted, preferably in the axial direction (A) of the dosing dispenser (1) adjustably mounted, Piston (21, 31), wherein preferably the metering pump device (2, 3) further comprises an actuating handle (28, 38), by means of which the piston (21, 31) against the force of a return spring (22, 32) for a Reduction of the volume of the metering chamber (20, 30) is adjustable.

6. dosing dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the inlet (23) and the outlet (24, 34) of the dosing pumping device (2, 3) at one of the piston (21, 31) opposite the end of the metering chamber (20, 30 ) are provided.

7. dosing dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inlet valve (25) and the outlet valve (26) are designed as check valves.

8. Dosing dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the outlet (24, 34) in the metering chamber (20, 30) projecting channel piece (29) and the inlet (23) at one of the channel piece (29) surrounding annular channel is provided.

9. dosing dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the dosing pumping device (2, 3) comprises a the inlet valve (25) and the outlet valve (26) exhibiting valve element.

10. dosing dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mixing chamber (40) has a variable volume, wherein the volume passively by inflowing medium or inflowing media and enlarged by means of the output conveyor (4) for discharging the medium or the media is reducible.

1 1. Dosing dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the dispensing conveyor device (4) has a piston (41) displaceable in the mixing chamber (40) and an outlet channel (44) which is fluidically connected to the outlet opening, wherein preferably the dispensing conveyor device (4) further an actuating handle (48) has, by means of which the piston (41) for reducing the volume of the mixing chamber (40) is adjustable.

12. dosing dispenser according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the outlet opening on the actuating handle (48) is provided and the outlet channel (44) through the piston (41).

13. Dosing dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that in the outlet channel (44) a static mixing system (49) is provided for deflecting the flow.

14. Dosing dispenser according to claim 13, characterized in that the mixing system (49) has a mandrel (490) projecting into the outlet channel (44), wherein a wall of the outlet channel (44) and / or a wall of the mandrel (490) helical path (491) is provided.

15. Discharge head for a dosing dispenser (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 with a first storage chamber (12) for storing a first medium and a second storage chamber (13) for storing a second medium, the discharge head (1 1) comprising an outlet opening (15)

a first metering pump device (2) for conveying the first medium from the first storage chamber (12), the first metering pump device (2) having a metering chamber (20) with a variable volume, an inlet (23) with an inlet valve (25 ) and an outlet (24) with an outlet valve (26), a second metering pump device (3) for conveying the second medium from the second storage chamber (13), the second metering pump device (3) having a metering chamber (30) with a variable volume, an inlet with an inlet valve and an outlet (34) with an outlet valve (36), a mixing chamber arranged upstream of the outlet opening, wherein the first medium conveyed by the first metering pump device (2) and / or by means of the second metering pump device (3) funded second medium in the mixing chamber (40) are temporarily stored, and

an output conveyor (4) for conveying the medium or media from the mixing chamber (40) to the outlet port (15).