EP3527291A1 - Spraying device with a holder for a replaceable element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spray device (1) for dispensing a foamable spray agent (2) in the form of a foam. The spray device has a container (3) for receiving the spray (2) in liquid form, a foaming device (4) for forming a foam from the spray (2) and an outlet (5) for the foam. The foaming device (4) has at least one foaming element (6) which is designed to change a physical property of the foam and/or the spray (2). The foaming device (4), together with the foaming element (6), is in fluid communication with the container (3) and the outlet (5) at least when in use. It is essential to the invention that the spray device (1) is designed such that the foaming element (6) can be replaced and that the spray device (1) is designed to accommodate at least one additional foaming element (6') provided for replacement.

Description

The present invention relates to a spray device for dispensing a foamable spray in the form of a foam according to the preamble of claim 1.

Sprayers of the type in question are generally used to dispense a spray, wherein the applied spray is used for application to a variety of surfaces and mostly for their cleaning. So come such spraying z. B. in the home, in the garden and in the vehicle cleaning used. Spraying devices for dispensing a liquid spray in the form of an aerosol or spray are well known.

In the focus of the present invention are spray devices for dispensing a foamable spray in the form of a foam. By a foam are meant gaseous bubbles which are enclosed by liquid walls. The liquid walls are usually formed by surfactants and water. The size of the trapped gas bubbles is referred to herein as pore size.

The present invention is also focussed on spray devices that are designed to apply the spray in foam form by means of overpressure. Preferably, no blowing agent is used here. Preferably, it is hand-operated spray devices in which an overpressure is generated by means of a manually operated pumping device. In this case, spray devices which can be operated with one hand when applying the spraying agent are particularly preferred. For such devices, the term "hand pump sprayer" is used.

The spray is often a mixture of water and a detergent. It is essential that the spray is foamable. In the event of a foamable mixture, for example of water and a cleaning agent, the mixture or formation of the mixture takes place before the formation of a foam from the mixture. However, the present invention also relates to the case where two or more mixing agents are present separately and a foam is formed separately from the mixing means and the foams thus formed are mixed together.

A hand pumping sprayer of the type in question shows the DE 10 2009 048 572 A1 , The known spray device is designed for dispensing a foamable spray in the form of a foam. This spraying device comprises a container for receiving the spraying means in liquid form, a foaming means for forming a foam from the spraying means, a spraying nozzle and an outlet for the foam. The foaming device has a suction hose, which opens on the one hand into the container for sucking the spray and on the other hand is conductively connected to the spray nozzle. The suction hose has at least one opening for supplying air to the sucked spray. Between the suction hose and the spray nozzle, a foaming element is arranged, which is designed to change a physical property of the foam and / or spray. By this foaming a dynamic pressure is built up, which ensures that the consistency of the foam, ie its strength can be adjusted. The foaming element may have at least one foaming insert, in particular in the form of a fleece, felt or plastic fabric mat. To vary the strength of the foam, the number of foaming inserts can be varied.

An object of the present invention is to improve the known spray device in terms of handling.

The above-described problem is solved by the spray device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this spraying device are the subject of the subclaims.

The basic idea of the present invention is to store further, intended for replacement foaming elements in or on the spray device. For this purpose, the spray device is designed so that the foaming element used for spreading is replaceable. In particular, this foaming element is easily accessible and releasably fastened or fastened in or on the spray device. In addition, the spraying device is designed to accommodate at least one additional foaming element provided for replacement.

This allows comfortable storage of interchangeable foaming elements near their place of use during use and quick replacement.

Preferably, the spray device has a receptacle in which the further, provided for replacement foaming element is detachably arranged. When recording it may be z. B. act around a cavity in the spray device. Preferably, the receptacle is provided in a handle of the spray device and / or a pump handle of the spray device. This allows a compact construction. In the latter case, the pump handle serves to build up an overpressure in the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the intended for replacement foaming element can be arranged on a removable carrier. Preferably, this carrier by means of a bayonet lock releasably in the receptacle, in particular attachable to the handle. This allows for easy removal and attachment of the carrier. It is preferred if the carrier is designed to open and close the receptacle.

In the case of the receptacle provided in the pump handle, it is preferred if the pump handle has an openable and closable lid for opening and closing the receptacle. In particular, the lid can be detachably and / or pivotally connected to a lower part of the pump handle. this makes possible a compact design and easy accessibility to the provided for replacement foaming element.

Preferably, the carrier and / or the pump handle has a recess for collecting foam and / or spraying agent emerging from the foaming element in the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least two of the foaming elements are designed to differently change a physical property of the foam and / or the spray. Thus, by changing the different foaming elements, the physical property of the foam and / or the spray can be varied.

The foaming elements are preferably designed to change the pore size and / or viscosity of the foam. By using a corresponding foaming element, the cleaning effect of the foam on an application surface can then be influenced. So z. B. the duration of adhesion of the foam can be influenced. In particular, the foaming elements are designed to reduce and / or standardize the pore size of the foam.

Advantageously, each foaming element comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being formed by a wall having a plurality of openings. Preferably, the housing has a hollow cylindrical part. Particularly preferably, the housing of each foaming element consists of plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one foaming insert is arranged in the housing of each foaming element, in particular wherein the foaming insert comprises synthetic fibers and / or textile fibers. To change a physical property of the Foam and / or the spray, the number of foaming inserts can be changed.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of preferred embodiments, in part with reference to the drawings. The features described above and / or disclosed in the claims and / or in the following description may, if necessary, be combined with one another but also be implemented independently of one another, even if this is not expressly described in detail.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

schematisch in einer Seitenansicht einen Schnitt durch die Sprühvorrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht einen Handgriff der Sprühvorrichtung aus Fig. 1, zusammen mit einem Träger und Schäumungselementen dieser Sprühvorrichtung,

Fig. 4

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den Träger mit den Schäumungselementen aus Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht eine zweite bevorzugte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühvorrichtung,

Fig. 6

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht einen Pumpgriff der Sprühvorrichtung aus Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den Pumpgriff aus Fig. 6 ohne Deckel,

Fig. 8

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht einen alternativen Pumpgriff mit einem aufgeschwenkten Deckel.

In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

1 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a spraying device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

schematically in a side view of a section through the spray device Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

schematically in a perspective view of a handle of the spray device Fig. 1 , together with a carrier and foaming elements of this spraying device,

Fig. 4

schematically in a perspective view of the carrier with the foaming elements Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

1 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a spraying device according to the invention,

Fig. 6

schematically in a perspective view of a pump handle of the spray device Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7

schematically in a perspective view of the pump handle Fig. 6 lidless,

Fig. 8

schematically in a perspective view of an alternative pump handle with a swung lid.

In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components and devices, giving the same or corresponding advantages and properties, even if a repeated description is omitted.

Fig. 1 shows schematically in a perspective view a first preferred embodiment of a spraying device 1 according to the invention for dispensing a foamable spraying means 2 in the form of a foam. Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a section through this spray device. 1

The spray device 1 has a container 3 for receiving the spray 2 in liquid form. In addition, the spraying device 1 has a foaming device 4 for forming a foam from the spraying means 2 and an outlet 5 for the foam.

The spraying agent 2 is preferably a mixture of water and a cleaning agent. It is essential that the spray 2 is foamable. To facilitate foaming, spray 2 may contain at least one surfactant. The formation of the spray 2 preferably takes place before the formation of a foam from the spray 2.

The foaming device 4 has a foaming element 6, which is designed to change a physical property of the foam and / or the spray. The foaming device 4, together with the foaming element 6, at least in the use state of the spray device 1, is in fluid communication with the container 3 and the outlet 5.

The spray device 1 is designed so that the foaming element 6 is replaceable. The spray device 1 is also at least for receiving a further, provided for replacement foaming element 6 'is formed.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the spray device 1 has a manually operable pumping device 7 with a pump handle 8. The pumping device 7 has a hollow cylinder 9 and a piston 10 movably guided therein, which is rigidly connected to the pump handle 8 at one end of the piston 10. The hollow cylinder 9 has at a lower end a plurality of openings 9A and 9B a closure, which allow entry of gas from the hollow cylinder 9 in the container 3, but prevent entry of fluids from the container 3 in the hollow cylinder 9. By moving the piston 10 in the wood cylinder 9 in the direction of the openings 9A befindliches gas in the hollow cylinder 9, in particular air, is forced through the openings 9A in the container 3 and constructed or generated an overpressure in the container 3.

The pumping device 7 is connected to a spray head 11 of the spray device 1 and is held thereon. The spray head 11 is releasably secured by means of a thread on the container 3, in particular screwed sealingly.

At the spray head 11, a conveying device 12 for conveying spraying means 2 located in the container 3 in the direction of the spray head 11 into the spray head 11 is provided.

The conveyor 12 has a delivery hose 12A, which protrudes from the interior of the container 3 with an upper end into the spray head 11. Through an opening at a lower end of the delivery tube 12A, the spray 2 may enter the delivery tube 12A. Due to an overpressure generated by the pumping device 7, the spraying means 2 can enter the spray head 11.

At the upper end of the delivery tube 12A, at least one air inlet 4A is provided. The air inlet 4A is located above the maximum filling level for spray 2 in the container 3 and serves to air from an air cushion above Initiate the level of the spray 2 in the container 3 in the spray head 11 and there to mix with the also promoted there spray 2. Foaming from the spray 2 can already be achieved by means of this air supply. However, the pore size of the foam thus formed is still too large and too different or too inhomogeneous for many applications. Here, the foaming element 6 helps, which can change physical properties, for example the pore size, of the foam.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the spray head 11 has at the outlet 5 a spray nozzle 13 which is held by means of a detachable, in particular screw-on, cap 14 to a spray nozzle holder 15. The spray nozzle holder 15 is fixed by means of a thread to a projection 16 of the spray head 11. In the spray nozzle holder 15, a sealing member 17 and in the projection 16, a spring-loaded stop member 18 is arranged.

In the event of overpressure, the foam formed at the upper end of the delivery hose 12A and in part also the spray agent 2 enters the projection 16. In its basic position, the stop element 18 together with the sealing element 17 blocks the foam or spray 2 from escaping from the projection 16 the spray nozzle holder 15th

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the spray device 1 has a handle 19. On the handle 19, an actuator 20 is mounted. The actuating element 20 is connected to the stop element 18 in such a manner that the stop element 18 is moved by actuating the actuating element 20 so that the foam or the spraying agent 2 can pass from the projection 16 into the spray nozzle holder 15 in the event of overpressure. There, the foam or the spray 2 hits the foaming element 6 arranged at least partially in the spray nozzle holder 15. The latter is arranged directly in front of the spray nozzle 13 in the discharge direction. The spray nozzle 13 abuts directly on one end of the foaming element 6. After passing through the foaming element 6 and the spray nozzle 13, foam exits from the spray head 11.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the spray device 1 has a receptacle 21 in the form of a cavity in the handle 19. This is in Fig. 3 recognizable. In the receptacle 21, the further, provided for replacement foaming element 6 'can be arranged detachably. For this purpose, a removable carrier 22 is provided which is movable into the receptacle 21 and out of the receptacle 21 out. The carrier 22 is in Fig. 4 shown.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the carrier 22 by means of a bayonet closure 23 releasably fastened in the receptacle 21. The bayonet catch 23 has two protrusions 23A on the carrier 22 and two protrusions 23B on the handle 19. The projections 23 B on the handle 19 protrude into the receptacle 21. The protrusions 23A on the carrier 22 are formed complementary to the protrusions 23B on the handle 19. The projections 23B on the handle 19 each have a limiter 23C.

For releasable attachment of the carrier 22 in the receptacle 21, the carrier 22 can be moved into the receptacle 21, wherein it should be noted that the projections 23A on the carrier 22 do not collide with the projections 23B on the handle 19. The carrier 22 is to be moved so far into the receptacle 21 in that the bayonet closure 23 can be closed, so that the projections 23 A on the carrier 22 can be brought into engagement with the projections 23 B on the handle 19. To close the bayonet closure 23, the carrier 22 is to be rotated in the receptacle 21, preferably by means of a rotating aid 24 on the carrier 22nd

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the carrier 22 has exactly three holders 25 for foaming elements 6 '. The holder 25 are limited here by two annular side walls 26. In each holder 25 is a foaming element 6 'can be arranged, in particular plugged. An in a holder 25 located foaming element 6 'is removable from the respective holder 25, in particular pulled out.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the carrier 22 has a termination element 27 on which the rotation aid 24 is arranged. The closing element 27 is designed such that it closes the receptacle 21 when the bayonet closure 23 is closed. In particular, the closing element 27 is circular.

The carrier 22 here has a depression 28 for collecting foam or spray 2 emerging from a foaming element 6 'located in the carrier 22. Preferably, the depression 28 is provided on the terminating element 27, in particular on an opposite side of the rotating aid 24.

Fig. 5 schematically shows in a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a spray device according to the invention 1. In contrast to the first preferred embodiment, the receptacle 21 is provided for further Schäumungselemente 6 'not in the handle 19, but in the pump handle 8. In the second preferred embodiment and preferred embodiment, the receptacle 21 is formed as a cavity in the pump handle 8.

The pump handle 8 is in Fig. 6 here and has an openable and closable lid 29 for opening and closing the receptacle 21. In the preferred embodiment shown here, the lid 29 of a lower part 30 of the pump handle 8 is removable. This is off Fig. 7 seen.

In an alternative embodiment of the pump handle 8, the lid 29 is pivotally connected to the lower part 30 of the pump handle 8. Fig. 8 shows schematically in a perspective view of this alternative pump handle 8 with pivoted lid 29th

For both embodiments of the pump handle 8 in the second preferred embodiment of the spray device 1 in the lower part 30 of the pump handle 8, three holders 31 are provided for holding foaming elements 6 '. The foaming elements 6 'can each be inserted into a holder 31, in particular inserted, and from the respective holder 31 can be removed. Alternatively, a one-piece holder 31 with several, z. B. three, brackets can be provided.

The lower part 30 here has a depression for collecting foam or spraying agent 2 emerging from foaming elements 6 'located in the receptacle 21.

In both preferred embodiments of the spraying device 1, it is advantageous if at least two of the foaming elements 6, 6 'are designed to differentially change a physical property of the foam and / or of the spraying means 2. For example, four foaming elements 6, 6 'may be provided, which may each vary differently a physical property of the foam and / or the spray 2. Of these four foaming elements 6, 6 ', three foaming elements 6, 6' can then be stored in the receptacle 21, while the fourth foaming element 6 is located in the spray nozzle holder 15. Before using the spray device 1 or the application of the foam can then according to the desired application that Schäumungselement 6, 6 'is selected and used by replacement in the spray nozzle holder 15, which changes the physical property of the foam and / or spray 2 as desired. Thus, for example, the degree of foaming can be variably adjusted in four stages.

Preferably, the foaming elements 6, 6 'are designed to change the pore size and / or viscosity of the foam.

In both illustrated and preferred embodiments of the spray device 1, each foaming element 6, 6 'has a housing 32 with an inlet 33 and an outlet 34. The outlet 34 is hereby formed by a wall 32A with a plurality of openings 32B.

The housing 32 here has a hollow cylindrical portion 32C which is partially bounded on the side of the outlet 34 by the wall 32A. The wall 32A protrudes beyond the hollow cylindrical portion 32C. In the wood cylindrical part 32C are textile fibers? arranged. Depending on the nature and / or thickness of the textile fibers? the pore size or viscosity of the foam or spray 2 passed through the foaming element 6 located in the spray nozzle holder 15 changes.

Preferably, the housing 32 of the foaming elements 6, 6 'made of plastic.

In both illustrated and preferred embodiments of the spray device 1, at least one foaming insert 6A is disposed in the housing 32 of each foaming element 6, 6 ', the foaming insert 6A comprising synthetic fibers and / or textile fibers. The foaming inserts 6A are in FIGS. 7 and 8 shown. To change a physical property of the foam and / or the spray 2, the number of foaming inserts 6A in the housing 32 can be changed.

In order to replace a foaming element 6 located in the spray nozzle holder 15, the cap 14 is to be removed from the spray nozzle holder 15, in particular unscrewed. Thereafter, the spray nozzle 13 can be removed from the spray nozzle holder 15. Subsequently or simultaneously with the spray nozzle 13, the foaming element 6 can be taken out of the spray nozzle holder 15. Then one of the further foaming elements 6, 6 'can be inserted into the spray nozzle holder 15, in particular inserted. Subsequently, the spray nozzle 13 is set up and fix with the cap 14 on the spray nozzle holder 15.

In the embodiment shown here and preferred embodiment, a drain valve 35 is provided on the container 3, which serves to reduce the pressure in the container 3.

In a further preferred, but not shown embodiment, a receptacle 21 in the handle 19 and a receptacle 21 in the pump handle 8 is provided. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES: </ b> 1 sprayer 23B Lead at 19 2 spray 23C limiter 3 Container of 1 24 turning aids 4 Foaming device of 1 25 Holder of 22 4A Air intake of 4 26 Sidewall of 25 5 Outlet of 1 27 End element of 22 6 Foaming element of 4 28 Deepening of 22 or 30 6 ' further foaming element for 4 29 30 Lid of 8 base of 8 6A Foaming insert of 6, 6 ' 31 Holder of 8 7 Pumping device of 1 32 Housing of 6, 6 ' 8th Pump handle of 7 32A wall 9 Hollow cylinder of 7 32B opening 9A Opening of 9 32C hollow cylindrical part 9B Closure of 9 33 inlet 10 Piston of 7 34 outlet 11 Spray head of 1 35 drain valve 12 Conveyor of 1 12A Delivery hose of 12 13 Spray nozzle of 11 14 Cap of 11 15 Spray nozzle holder of 11 16 Advantage of 11 17 Sealing element of 11 18 Stop element of 11 19 Handle of 1 20 Actuating element of 1 21 Recording of 1 22 Carrier of 1 23 bayonet catch 23A Ahead at 22

Claims (15)

A spray device for dispensing a foamable spray (2) in the form of a foam, the spray device (1) comprising: a container (3) for receiving the spray (2) in liquid form, - A foaming device (4) for forming a foam from the spray (2) and an outlet (5) for the foam, wherein the foaming means (4) comprises at least one foaming element (6) adapted to alter a physical property of the foam and / or the spraying means (2), and
the foaming device (4) together with the foaming element (6) at least in use being in fluid communication with the container (3) and the outlet (5),
characterized in that
the spray device (1) is designed so that the foaming element (6) is replaceable and
the spray device (1) is designed to accommodate at least one further foaming element (6 ') provided for replacement. Spray device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spraying device (1) has a receptacle (21), in particular a cavity, in which the further, provided for replacement foaming element (6 '), can be arranged detachably. Spray device according to claim 2, characterized in that the receptacle (21) in a pump handle (8) for pressure build-up and / or a handle (19) of the spray device (1) is provided. Spray device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the foaming elements (6, 6 ') can be arranged on a support (22) which can be removed from the receptacle (21). Spray device according to claim 4, characterized in that the carrier (22) by means of a bayonet closure (23) releasably in the receptacle (21), in particular on the handle (19), can be fastened. Spray device according to claim 5, characterized in that the carrier (22) for opening and closing the receptacle (21) is formed. Spray device according to claim 3 and, optionally, one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pump handle (8) has an openable and closable lid (29) for opening and closing the receptacle (21). Spray device according to claim 7, characterized in that cover (29) is detachably and / or pivotally connected to a lower part (30) of the pump handle (8). Spray device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the carrier (22) and / or the pump handle (8) has a recess (28) for collecting foam and / or spraying means (2) emerging from the foaming element (6 '). has / s. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the foaming elements (6, 6 ') are designed to differentially change a physical property of the foam and / or of the spraying means (2). Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foaming elements (6, 6 ') are designed to change the pore size and / or viscosity of the foam. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each foaming element (6, 6 ') has a housing (32) with an inlet (33) and an outlet (34), the outlet (34) being formed by a wall (32A) having a plurality of openings (32B). Spray device according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing (32) of each foaming element (6, 6 ') consists of plastic and / or has a hollow cylindrical part. Spray device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that in the housing (32) of each foaming element (6, 6 ') at least one foaming insert (6A) is arranged. Spray device according to claim 14, characterized in that the foaming insert (6A) comprises synthetic fibers and / or textile fibers.

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