EP4094649A1 - Dispenser for pieces of washing-active substance, dispenser device set, dispensing method and piece of washing-active substance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device (50) for the controllable dispensing of individual, spherical or spherical, solid or waxy pieces of a detergent substance that can be filled into the dispensing device (50) to a user. Each of the pieces of detergent substance has a piece size such that the piece of detergent substance is suitable for exactly one washing process, in particular of the body or a body part of the user. The dispensing device (50) comprises a multi-part housing (51) which can be fastened to a wall or to a substrate and has a round housing cross section. The housing (51) is formed in several parts and comprises a housing body (52), in the housing body (52) detachably insertable and in the housing body (52) rotatably mounted housing insert (53) and on the Housing body (52) and/or housing cover (54) that can be arranged on the housing insert (53). The housing insert (53) has several insert compartments (60) on the circumference. Two adjacent insert compartments (60) are separated from one another by a partition. Each insert compartment (60) has an inlet opening (61) on the inside in the radial direction, through which exactly one piece of the washing-active substance can be poured by turning the housing insert (53) by a magazine angle (α) and gravity into the Insert Compartment (60) entered. An outlet opening (62) is provided on the outside in the radial direction, through which exactly one bar of soap passes out of the insert compartment (60) by turning the housing insert (53) by a magazine angle (α) and due to gravity. The housing body (52) is formed like a hollow cylinder with a circular or almost circular wall surface (55) and an annular housing jacket (57) adjoining the circumference of the circular wall surface (55), wherein in the annular housing jacket (57) a dispenser opening (58) is provided through which, by rotating the housing insert (53) by the magazine angle (α), exactly one piece of the washing-active substance comes out of the dispenser device (50). On the inside of the wall surface (55), a ring-segment-like sealing means (59) is spaced in the radial direction from the area of the housing jacket (57) in which the dispenser opening (58) is arranged, with the sealing means (59) at least that Insertion compartment (60) can be sealed towards the inside of the housing, from which a piece of the washing-active substance leaves the dispenser device (50) by rotating the housing insert (53).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dispenser device according to the preamble of claim 1. The dispenser device is therefore used for the controllable dispensing of individual spherical or spherical, such as spheroidal or (rotational) ellipsoid, solid or waxy pieces of a detergent substance that can be filled into the dispenser device, the pieces of the washing-active substance can be donated to a user. Each of these pieces of detergent substance has a piece size, so that the piece of washing-active substance is suitable for exactly one washing process, in particular of the body or a body part of the user. The dispensing device comprises a multi-part housing which can be fastened to a wall or to a substrate and has a round housing cross section. The housing is formed in several parts and comprises a housing body, a housing insert that can be releasably inserted into the housing body and is rotatably mounted in the housing body, and a housing insert that can be arranged on the housing body and/or on the housing insert. Cover. The housing cover forms a lid and the insert delimits the inner dispenser volume or the dosing space. The housing body can be fastened to a wall or a wall tile or to any desired surface, such as on a vanity or the edge of a bathtub. In the following, the invention is always explained using pieces of washing-active substance, but other spherical or spherical hygiene article pieces such as spherical detergent tabs or spherical dishwashing liquid tabs, or a solid or almost solid detergent can also be provided.

The invention also relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 13. The method is used for dosing or dispensing a spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of a detergent substance.

The invention also relates to a spherical or spherical, solid or waxy, piece of a detergent substance according to the preamble of claim 14. The piece of detergent substance is therefore used for washing or rinsing, in particular for body care or for body care of a user. The piece of detergent-active substance is suitable for a dispensing device described herein or for a dispensing method described herein. The spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of detergent substance is intended for exactly one washing or rinsing process.

The invention also relates to a use of a piece of detergent-active substance according to claim 16, wherein the piece of detergent-active substance is spherical or spheroidal and solid or waxy.

The invention also relates to a container made of pieces of a washing-active substance according to the preamble of claim 17 and a dispenser set according to the preamble of claim 18.

Finally, the invention relates to a dosing device according to claim 19.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

In personal hygiene or in hygiene or cleaning measures, dispensing devices or dosing aids are increasingly being used. This is not only convenient, it is also more hygienic, since a supply of soap or detergent in the dispenser, which is provided at the washstand or in the shower, cannot be contaminated in the dispenser. This is not the case with the classic bar of soap, which is intended for multiple washings. It is increasingly understandable that many users have reservations about using the bar of soap if the bar of soap has previously been used by (several) other, possibly strangers, users. These reservations do not apply when using soap dispensers.

Most soap dispensers contain liquid soap. The disadvantage of this dispenser concept is that the liquid soap cannot be completely removed from the dispenser container, and that refilling the soap is problematic from an ecological point of view, since the refill packs have to be made of plastic and cannot be disposed of sustainably.

From the DE 10 2020 119 819 A1 a soap dispenser is known that dispenses solid soap. A disadvantage of this device can be seen in the fact that water vapor is produced, for example when showering, which can penetrate through the outlets into the device; this can soften soap and make it unusable. A complete recycling of the soap is not intended. The handling of this dispenser is comparatively complex.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and to improve the handling of non-liquid detergents and the operation of devices for dispensing/dosing such non-liquid detergents. This object is achieved by a dispensing device according to claim 1. Further configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the independent claims. In the case of the dispensing device described at the outset, it is therefore provided that the housing insert has a plurality of insert compartments on the circumference. The insert compartments form a rotatable magazine. Two adjacent insert compartments are separated from each other by a partition. Each insert compartment has an inlet opening in the radial direction on the inside, through which precisely one spherical or ball-like, solid or waxy piece of the detergent substance can enter the insert compartment by turning the housing insert by a magazine angle and due to the force of gravity. Each insert compartment has an outlet opening on the outside in the radial direction, through which precisely one piece of the washing-active substance in the compartment exits the insert compartment again by rotating the housing insert by a magazine angle and due to the force of gravity. The magazine angle α corresponds to the quotient of the full circumference (360°) and the total number F of compartments in the housing insert (a = 360°/F). By turning the insert, the first compartment is first arranged on the dispenser opening and then by turning further the second and then the third compartment etc.. With ten compartments, which are preferably distributed evenly over the circumference, a magazine angle of α = 360°/10 = 36°, ie by turning the insert by approx. 36° the next compartment is positioned in front of the dispenser opening, by turning by approx. 72° the next but one compartment etc.. Each time a compartment is twisted or shifted towards the dispenser opening, exactly one piece of the washing-active substance gets out of the compartment via the dispenser opening in the donor environment. By turning further, a second piece of the washing-active substance comes out, by turning further a third, etc. Each piece of the washing-active substance is preferably designed in such a way that it is sufficient for exactly one washing or cleaning process. In practice, this means that, for example, a first user activates the dispenser before washing or showering and another user at a later point in time. The piece of detergent active substance of the second (first) user is not touched by the first (second) user, so that the user does not have any concerns about the cleanliness and hygiene of the soap. If the dispensing device is predominantly operated by only one user, this user always receives an optimal portion of soap according to the piece of detergent substance donated in each case before each washing process. This also promotes hygiene when handling the washing-active substance. This eliminates significant disadvantages of soap handling according to the prior art with the device according to the invention, which is simple and therefore inexpensive to manufacture.

The rotation around the angular range (a), which corresponds geometrically to a circular arc section of the magazine, takes place before each washing measure to provide a piece of the washing-active substance required for the washing measure. The washing measure can involve manual body washing or machine washing, for example using a dishwasher or washing machine. The housing body is formed like a hollow cylinder with a circular or almost circular wall surface and a ring-like housing shell adjoining the circumference of the circular wall surface, with a dispenser opening being provided in the ring-like housing shell through which, by turning the housing insert exactly one piece of the washing-active substance comes out of the dispenser device by the magazine angle α. On the inside of the wall surface, a ring-segment-like sealing means is spaced apart in the radial direction from that area of the housing jacket in which the dispenser opening is arranged. The sealing means can be used to seal off at least that insert compartment towards the inside of the housing from which a piece of the washing-active substance leaves the dispenser device by rotating the housing insert. The sealing means is preferably a (curved) Surface element and acts as a kind of squeegee, along which the areas with the openings of the insert are moved when the insert is turned. Water can - if at all - only penetrate into one compartment, namely the compartment which is arranged at the dispenser opening. The other compartments are not accessible from the outside because of the sealant for water. The sealing means may be formed as an arc with an arc angle of from about 70° to about 80° so that at least one compartment is sealed, preferably two adjacent compartments.

The housing body can comprise or be formed from a thermoplastic terpolymer, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), bio-ABS, polyamide (PA) and/or bio-PA. A "bio" material or "bio" material (example: bio-ABS, bio-PP as well as bio-PE, bio-PA, bio-PET, see below), as described herein, is bio-based in nature and does not include, for example or less petroleum or no or fewer ecologically problematic petrochemical ingredients. Because the housing body is made of (bio)PP, (bio)ABS, and/or (bio)PA, it is comparatively hard and forms a stable and robust housing component that the other housing components ( insert and cover). The housing body may also include or be formed from a metal or metal alloy.

The housing insert can preferably have a circular or almost circular cross section. The housing insert can have an insert end face and a circular ring-like lateral surface adjoining the insert end face on the peripheral side. The front face of the insert can adjoin an insert cavity wall of an insert cavity of the housing insert, the insert cavity wall comprising at least one round surface, hollow surface, curved surface, inclined surface, conical surface and/or truncated cone surface . The insert cavity forms the volume in which the pieces of detergent-active substance are stored in the dispenser. The insert cavity can be filled by removing the housing insert from the housing body and then filling it with pieces of the washing-active substance.

The housing insert can include at least one window, with which the interior of the dispenser device is visible at least in sections. The insert can also be formed entirely from a transparent or substantially transparent material, so that the part of the insert visible from outside the dispenser forms a window to the interior of the dispenser. The housing insert may include or be formed from cellulose acetate (CA), bio-CA, polyester, bio-polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bio-PET, PA, bio-PA.

The housing insert can also include at least one wooden material or be formed from a wooden material. According to a preferred embodiment, the housing body is made of metal, for example (brushed) stainless steel, and the housing insert is made of wood, with the housing cover being made of elastic plastic and being arranged in or on the insert. The housing cover can be formed in several parts.

The housing cover can be ring-shaped. The housing cover can be formed from an elastic material, in particular from a material which includes or is formed from polyethylene (PE), bio-PE, polypropylene (PP) and/or bio-PP. The cover, which is thus elastic, can be clamped onto the housing and nestles elastically against sealing edges or other areas of the housing. The elastic material is also perceived by the user as being ergonomic and easy to grip, so that the handling of the dispensing device is improved.

With regard to opening/closing the dispenser device, for example for filling or maintenance/cleaning, it can be expedient if at least one connecting means is provided for non-rotatably connecting the housing cover to the housing insert. A collar or bead can be provided on the edge of the insert, for example, into which a corresponding recess or groove or guide of the cover engages or snaps in place, so that when the dispenser is in operation, ie when dispensing, the insert can also be moved in the housing body by turning the cover can rotate. It can be a bayonet-like Be provided connection between cover and insert, whereby the cover is applied to the insert with a (slight) mechanical stress when attaching it, so that the cover (rotational) fixed and "tight" sits on the insert. The insert itself is - together with the cover - rotatably arranged in the housing body. This also ensures that the cover and insert become watertight, so that no water penetrates into the interior of the insert, ie to where the pieces of the washing-active substance are arranged.

At least one fastening means, in particular a fastening means comprising a rail or receiving a rail, is arranged on the outside of the housing body, in particular on the outside of the wall surface of the housing body. The rail can be made of plastic or metal. The fastening means can also be in the form of a suction cup or can include a suction cup, so that the housing can be fixed on a suitable surface. A clip or clamp attachment may also be provided, such as for attaching the housing to a rod, such as a shower or bath faucet.

At least one sealing element can be arranged in or on the housing cover and/or in or on the housing body and/or in or on the housing insert. Preferably, the housing cover can include a peripheral sealing edge on the outside, in particular with a sealing edge profile, and/or a peripheral sealing edge on the inside, in particular with a sealing edge profile. The sealing effect is promoted in particular if the cover ring and, for example, a central window area of the insert overlap in sections.

At least one latching means of the dispenser device can be provided so that the user hears or feels when the dispenser device is actuated when the insert has been rotated through a magazine angle. The housing insert can be locked with the locking means in at least one use position in the housing body by rotating it by the magazine angle (a). The latching means can comprise at least one latching lug arranged on the housing insert or on the housing body (on the outside). and at least one locking groove arranged on the housing body or on the housing insert (on the inside).

With regard to the geometry of the spherical or spherical, solid or waxy, pieces of a detergent substance, and with regard to efficient handling of the pieces of the detergent substance when turning the insert, it can be provided that the insert compartments have a round cross section at least in sections or have a U-shaped cross section. Each compartment can have a width of about 14 mm to about 16 mm, preferably about 15 mm. Each compartment may have a length of from about 14mm to about 20mm, preferably about 14.5mm.

In order to avoid increased penetration of (splash)water into the dispenser, it can be expedient if a collar is provided at least in sections in or on the dispenser opening, with which a penetration of water into the dispenser opening can be prevented. The collar acts as a guiding means for running down (splashing or condensation) water, which is guided past the opening with the collar and thus does not penetrate into the opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the dispenser device comprises a certain number of spherical or nearly spherical pieces of the same size or almost the same size of the washing-active substance, which are arranged in the housing insert. The user can use the dispenser directly and does not need to be filled before use. The dimensions of the pieces of the detergent substance are each slightly smaller than the dimensions of an insert compartment of the housing insert, so that exactly one piece of the detergent substance fits into each insert compartment. This is conveyed there by rotating the insert. The movement of the pieces of washing-active substance into the compartments is promoted by the effect of gravity and possibly by the effect of an inclined surface or a rounded surface in the dispenser volume. A jamming or canting of the pieces of detergent substance is avoided if the interior of the dispenser, for example, a comprises a conical or tapering area, as a result of which the pieces of the washing-active substance receive a movement component in the direction of the inlet opening and/or in the direction of the dispenser opening when they are rotated around in the dispenser.

An improvement in the handling of non-liquid detergents, in particular with regard to use in a device for dispensing / dosing such non-liquid detergents, is also achieved by a method according to claim 13. The method is used for dispensing a spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of a detergent substance. The housing insert of a dispenser device described herein is accordingly rotated by the magazine angle (a), as a result of which exactly one piece of the washing-active substance is dispensed from the dispenser opening.

An improvement in the handling of non-liquid detergents, in particular with regard to use in a device for donating / dosing such non-liquid detergents, is also achieved by a piece of a detergent substance according to claim 14. The piece of detergent substance is for washing or Rinsing, in particular for body care or for a body part care of a user, wherein the piece of detergent-active substance is adapted for a dispensing device described herein, or for a method described herein for dispensing the piece of detergent-active substance. The spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of detergent substance is intended for exactly one washing or rinsing process. The piece of detergent-active substance, upon contact with water, rapidly dissolves in the water, forming a powdery or granular detergent-active substance, before forming a detergent-active foam. The foam is preferably formed within a few seconds. The piece of detergent substance has a diameter in a diameter range from about 8 mm to about 14 mm, in particular a diameter of about 13 mm or about 9 mm to about 11 mm, so that exactly one piece of detergent substance is exactly fits into an insert compartment of a dispensing device described herein.

Preferably, the bar of detergent-active substance comprises or is formed from citric acid, at least one surfactant, preferably the surfactant sodium cocosulfate (SCS) and/or the surfactant sodium cocoisethionate (SCI), sodium bicarbonate and at least one fat. Additional ingredients can be provided, for example one or more fragrances and/or one or more colorants. The ingredients citric acid, tenside(s), sodium bicarbonate, fat preferably form a base of the washing-active substance. In advantageous configurations, natural fragrances, such as essential oils, and natural colorants, such as from minerals, are also added. The ingredient sodium bicarbonate causes the piece of detergent-active substance to turn relatively quickly into a powdery or granular substance on contact with water, and then into a detergent-active foam. All the more so since the piece of washing-active substance is only dimensioned for one washing process. After the washing process, no residue or powder or granulate of the piece of detergent substance should remain. The pH value of the washing-active substance is adjusted with the citric acid so that the substance is almost pH-neutral. The pH neutrality is an advantage over conventional soaps that i. i.e. R. are formulated basic because the pH neutrality is skin and (waste) water and environmentally friendly. The piece of washing-active substance does not contain saponified fats/oils, but surfactants. This ensures that the shower, bathtub, washbasin or washing/cleaning device does not "saponify" due to residues of the washing-active substance after the washing process. The washing-active substance can contain a detergent or be formed from it, with the surfactants present preferably being produced from renewable raw materials.

An improvement in the handling of non-liquid detergents is also achieved by using a spherical or spherical, solid or waxy, piece of a detergent substance according to claim 16. The piece of detergent substance is therefore before a washing or rinsing process by a user from a here described donor device donated.

An improvement in the handling of non-liquid detergents is also achieved by a container of pieces of a washing-active substance according to claim 20. The container is used to refill a dispenser device described herein. It comprises a defined number of soap bars described herein, in particular about 18 to about 45, in particular about 20 or about 40 bars of the detergent substance described herein. Larger balls can be provided for a bath or shower wash process, so that about 20 balls can be stored in the dispenser device, for hand washing processes, smaller balls can be provided, so that about 40 balls can be stored in the dispenser device.

An improvement in the handling of non-liquid detergents is also achieved by a dispenser set according to claim 17. The dispenser set for dispensing pieces of a detergent substance comprises a dispenser device described herein and a container of pieces of a detergent substance described herein.

The handling of non-liquid detergents is further improved by a dispenser set according to claim 18. The dispenser set comprises a dispenser device described herein and at least one further housing cover, the housing covers of the dispenser set differing in color , Design, design and / or labeling, so that the user can either use one of the housing covers with the dispenser device. The housing cover is therefore interchangeable. By selecting one of the covers, a visual adaptation to the interior design environment of the dispenser device can be achieved, or a cover can be selected that particularly characterizes the contents of the dispenser, ie the soap bars. This is particularly useful when in a household a first user is to use a first detergent substance with a first dispenser and a second user uses a second detergent substance that differs from the first detergent substance by means of a second dispenser, with the first and second dispenser approximately adjacent to each other in a shower or on a bathtub are arranged. The cover can also be customized according to seasonal events or happenings, for example a cover with a wintry theme can be used in winter, or a cover with a floral or spring-related theme in spring.

An improvement in the handling of non-liquid detergents is also achieved by a dosing device according to claim 19. The dosing device is used for the metered dispensing of similar, spherical solids, consisting of a metering housing, a solid body receptacle and at least one dispensing opening provided on its outer circumference, one inside the metering housing rotatably arranged, circular dosing wheel with numerous dosing profiles spaced apart on its circumference, through which open dosing areas are formed on the inner circumference of the dosing housing in the direction of the solid body receptacle and which are rotatable on the inner circumference of the dosing housing, and a part-circular (cross-section), elongate wiper element, which is on the inner circumference of the dosing profiles is arranged, wherein the wiper element in any case completely covers a dosing area formed by the dosing profiles on the at least one (dispensing) opening.

The components to be used according to the invention mentioned above and claimed and described in the exemplary embodiments are not subject to any special exceptional conditions in terms of their size, shape, choice of materials and technical design, so that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be used without restriction.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention result from the dependent claims, as well as from the following description and the associated drawing, in which - by way of example - an embodiment of a dispensing or dosing device is shown. Individual features of the claims or of the embodiments can also be combined with other features of other claims and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

eine schematische Aufsicht auf eine horizontale Schnittebene durch eine Dosier- respektive Spendervorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht auf eine vertikale Schnittebene durch eine Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Spendervorrichtung in perspektivischer Explosionsansicht,

Fig. 4A-D

eine Spendervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 in verschiedenen Ansichten und

Fig. 5A-C

einen Gehäuse-Einsatz in verschiedenen Ansichten.

Show in the drawing

1

a schematic plan view of a horizontal sectional plane through a dosing or dispensing device,

2

a schematic side view of a vertical sectional plane through a device according to 1 ,

3

a dispenser device in a perspective exploded view,

Figures 4A-D

a dispensing device according to 3 in different views and

Figures 5A-C

a housing insert in different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

How out 1 As can be seen, the dosing device 1 consists of a dosing housing 10 with a solid body receptacle 100 and at least one dispensing opening 102 provided on its outer circumference 101, a circular dosing wheel 11 rotatably arranged within the dosing housing 10 and having numerous dosing profiles 111 spaced apart on its circumference 110, through which on the inner circumference 103 of the dosing housing 10 in the direction of the solid body receptacle 100 open dosing areas 1000 are formed and which are rotatable on the inner circumference 103 of the dosing housing 10, and a part-circular, elongate wiper element 12 which is arranged on the inner circumference 1110 of the dosing profiles 111.

In any case, the stripping element 12 completely covers a dosing area 1000′ formed by the dosing profiles 111 on the at least one dispensing opening 102.

The alignment of the entire metering device 1 is determined by the fastening device of the metering housing 10 . In order to fill and clean the metering device 1, the metering wheel 11 and the metering housing 10 can preferably be easily separated from one another. For this purpose, metering housing 10 preferably has a circular receptacle 104 for positively and rotatably receiving metering wheel 11, with at least one connecting means 1041 being provided on the circumference 1040 of receptacle 104, which can be connected to corresponding connecting means 115 on metering wheel 11 for reversible connection of the metering wheel 11 corresponds to the dosing housing 10.

For filling, the dosing device 1 is placed on a flat surface with the rear facing downwards. After the dosing wheel 11 has been removed, the solid body receptacle 100 can now be filled with the solid bodies 2 . Due to the limited filling volume, overfilling, which could cause the solid bodies 2 to tilt during the dosing process, is ruled out.

The depth 1001 of the solid body receptacle 100 is preferably less than three times the greatest width 10002 of the dosing areas 1000, at least in the area of the inner circumference 1110 of the dosing profiles 111.

The metering profiles 111 preferably have a shape that tapers in the direction of the center Z of the solid-state receptacle 100 .

The dosing wheel 11 can be rotated in the dosing housing 10 by hand.

By rotating the dosing wheel 11 within the dosing housing 10, one or more solid bodies 2 from the solid body receptacle 100 are inserted into the dosing region(s) 1000 of the dosing housing 10 released by the dosing profiles 111 on the inner circumference 103 of the dosing housing 10. The spherical solid bodies 2 are freely movable in the solid body receptacle 100 (the yoke). A mechanical impulse is applied directly to the dosing wheel as it rotates the solid body recording 100 initiated - tilting between the solid bodies are solved. The solids 2 arrange themselves in such a way that they fall into the dosing areas 1000 .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a click mechanism is provided between the dosing wheel 11 and the dosing housing 10 . This snap-in, which is preferably easy to feel, specifies the position of the dosing wheel 11 for the outlet of the balls. In addition, any bridges between the solid bodies 2 are broken by the mechanical impulse - and thus reliable separation is ensured.

The dosing openings are advantageously designed in such a way that there is space for exactly one ball in each case. For this purpose, the height 10000 of the dosing areas 1000 is less than 2 times (preferably less than 1.4 times) the depth 10001 and the width 10002 of the dosing areas 1000 and the depth 10001 of the dosing areas 1000 is less than 2 times (preferably less than 1.4 times) the height 10000 and the width 10002 of the metering areas 1000 and the width 10002 of the metering areas 1000 less than 2 times (preferably less than 1.4 times) the height 10000 and the depth 10001 of the dosing areas 1000. The height 10000, depth 10001 and/or the width of the dosing areas 1000 are preferably specified by the corresponding configuration of the dosing profiles 111.

A conical receptacle 112 is preferably formed on the dosing wheel 11, which tapers from the dosing profiles 111 in the direction of the outside 114 of the dosing wheel 11, the dosing bevel 113 formed by the receptacle 112 on the dosing wheel 11 having an angle of at least 35°. The dosing bevel 113 has a positive effect on the flow of the solids 2 into the released dosing areas 1000 . The dosing bevel 113 merges directly into the vertical wall of the dosing wheel 11, so that the flow of the solids 2 to the yoke is not interrupted by straight sections. The solids 2 roll over the dosing slope 113 of at least 35° until they fall into the dosing openings. The continuous gradient prevents the solid bodies 2 from stagnating.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one fastening element (preferably a dovetail guide with a stop) or a fastening receptacle is provided on the metering housing 10, which is arranged and/or aligned on the metering housing 10 in such a way that the dispensing opening 102 is on the metering housing 10 is preferably aligned laterally on the dosing device 1 in a hanging position. However, the outlet angle should not be less than 15° in order to prevent the solid bodies 2 from getting stuck as they roll out.

The wiper element 12 is preferably designed in the shape of a part circle and is in sealing contact with the inner circumference 1110 of at least two metering profiles 111 in a form-fitting manner. This not only prevents the solids 2 from falling out, it also seals the solids receptacle 100 against moisture at the location of the dispensing opening 102 .

Due to the lateral positioning of the dispensing opening 102 and the stripping element 12, the lower part of the dosing areas 1000 for the solid bodies 2 is always freely accessible. This has a positive effect on the quality of the dosing, since the solid bodies 2 are always aligned at the lowest point of the yoke due to gravity.

Should a second solid 2 get stuck on a dosing area 1000, it will fall out again when the dosing wheel 11 rotates and the inclination caused by the rotation. At the latest when the stripping element 12 is reached, the second solid body 2 is gently stripped off by the stripping element 12 . Due to the lateral position of the stripping element 12 - and the inclination already reached at this point - only a very small impulse is necessary to convey the second solid body 2 back into the yoke. The solid bodies 2 are not damaged in this way.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the wiper element 12 has a rounded portion 120 at least on one side. The benefit of this Embodiment can be seen in particular in the fact that this also prevents damage to the balls.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a circumferential sealant 1040 is formed on the receptacle 104 or on the dosing wheel 11 to seal the solid receptacle 100 against moisture, the sealant 1040 preferably being a labyrinth seal.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the dosing device (1) for the dosed dispensing of similar, spherical solids (2) consists of a dosing housing (10) with a solid body receptacle (100) and at least one on its (10) outer circumference (101 ) provided dispensing opening (102), a circular dosing wheel (11) which is rotatably arranged within the dosing housing (10) and has numerous dosing profiles (111) spaced apart on its circumference (110), through which on the inner circumference (103) of the dosing housing (10) in Open dosing areas (1000) are formed in the direction of the solid body receptacle (100) and which can be rotated on the inner circumference (103) of the dosing housing (10), and a part-circular, elongated scraper element (12) which is arranged on the inner circumference (1110) of the dosing profiles (111). is, wherein the wiper (12) in any case by the dosing profiles (111) formed dosing area (1000 ') at the at least one dispensing opening (102) vol constantly covered.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the depth (1001) of the solid body receptacle (100), at least in the area of the inner circumference (1110) of the dosing profiles (111), is less than three times the greatest width (10002) of the dosing areas (1000). .

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that a) the height (10000) of the dosing areas (1000) is smaller than twice the depth (10001) and the width (10002) of the dosing areas (1000) and b) the depth ( 10001) of the dosing areas (1000) is smaller than twice the height (10000) and the width (10002) of the dosing areas (1000) and c) the width (10002) of the dosing areas (1000) is smaller is than twice the height (10000) and depth (10001) of the metering areas (1000).

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the dosing profiles (111) have a shape that tapers in the direction of the center (Z) of the solid-body receptacle (100).

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the dosing housing (10) has a circular receptacle (104) for the form-fitting and rotatable receptacle of the dosing wheel (11), with at least one connecting means (1041) being provided on the circumference (1040) of the receptacle (104). which corresponds to a corresponding connecting means (115) on the dosing wheel (11) for the reversible connection of the dosing wheel (11) to the dosing housing (10).

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that a circumferential sealing means (1040) for sealing the solid body receptacle (100) against moisture is formed on the receptacle (104) or on the dosing wheel (11).

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the sealing means (1040) is a labyrinth seal.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the wiper element (12) is designed in the shape of a part circle and forms a seal against the inner circumference (1110) of at least two metering profiles (111).

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that a conical receptacle (112) is formed on the dosing wheel (11), which tapers from the dosing profiles (111) towards the outside (114) of the dosing wheel (11), the through the receptacle (112) on the dosing wheel (11) formed dosing bevel (113) has an angle of at least 35 °.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the wiper element (12) has a rounding (120) on at least one side.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that at least one fastening element or a fastening receptacle is provided on the metering housing (10), which is arranged and/or aligned on the metering housing (10) in this way, and that the dispensing opening (102) on the Dosing housing (10) is aligned in a hanging position on the side of the dosing device (1).

An exploded view of a variant of a dispensing device 50 for use in a shower or next to a bathtub is shown in FIG 3 . The dispenser device 50 comprises a multi-part housing 51 with a round cross-section and with a pot-like or hollow-cylindrical housing body 52, which can be (detachably) fastened to a wall of the bathroom or the shower, for example. A housing insert 53 can be arranged in the housing body 52 . With the housing cover 54, the housing insert 53 is fixed in the housing body 52 so that the housing insert 53 is rotatably arranged in the housing body 52. The fixed housing cover 54 can be removed again so that the insert 53 can be removed again, for example for filling. The housing cover 54 can be formed from an at least partially elastic (plastic) material. The insert 53 and the housing body 52 are formed from a rigid (plastic) material or from a metal or metal alloy. According to a variant, the insert 53 is made of wood and the case-body 52 is made of (brushed) stainless steel.

The housing body 52 comprises a round wall surface 55 which has a fastening means 56 on the back, ie on the outside, with which the housing body 52 can be fixed to a bathroom wall or in some other way. In the ring-like housing jacket 57, which is arranged on the circumference of the wall surface 55, there is a dispensing opening 58, through which exactly one spherical or spherical piece of the detergent substance is dispensed during a dispensing process. Spaced in the radial direction from the dispenser opening 58 is on the inside of the Wall surface 55 arranged a sealing means 59 with a circular segment-like or arcuate cross-section, whose function based on Figure 4A is described below.

Matching the housing body 52, the insert 53 also has a round cross section, so that the insert 53 can be arranged in the housing body 52 with little play. Insert compartments 60 are arranged circumferentially in the insert 53 , each insert compartment 60 having an inlet opening 61 radially on the inside and an outlet opening 62 radially on the outside. Between the inlet opening 61 and the outlet opening 62, each insert compartment 60 has a U-shaped cross section and in this respect is geometrically similar to a tunnel. Each insert compartment 60 has dimensions that are slightly larger than the diameter of the spherical pieces of detergent-active substance, so that exactly one piece of detergent-active substance fits into each insert compartment 60 . The pieces of detergent substance are stored in the insert cavity 63 . The insert cavity 63 is bounded by a slightly curved insert end face 64 and by an insert cavity wall 65, which is tapered, so that an inclined surface 66 adjoins the insert end face 64, which causes the spherical pieces of the washing-active Roll the substance towards the inlet opening 61 due to gravity.

Latch means 67 are provided in the housing 51, with latching lugs 69 being distributed over the circumference of the insert 53 on the lateral surface 68 of the insert 53, and grooves 70 distributed over the circumference being arranged on the inside of the housing jacket 57, into which the Latches 69 intervene when latched.

When the open dispenser device 50 is closed, for example after it has been filled with a supply or a container of pieces of the washing-active substance, the housing cover 54 is pushed onto the housing jacket 57 . At least one sealing element 71 is provided between the housing cover 54 and the insert 53, so that the housing cover 54 seals off the interior of the housing 51 from the outside. The housing cover 54 has the geometry of an annulus with a recess 72 in the center of the cover 54. When assembled, FIG the insert face 64 is arranged in or on the recess 72 of the cover 54 . When the insert 53 is formed of a transparent or nearly transparent plastic, the insert face 64 forms a window 73 in the housing 51, allowing the interior of the insert cavity 63 to be viewed from the outside. In this respect, a user can see through the window 73 whether the dispenser 50 still contains pieces of the detergent substance, in particular how many pieces of the active detergent substance are contained in the dispenser 50 . If the supply of pieces of the washing-active substance is used up after several donation processes, the user recognizes this through the window 73 and can procure a new pack of pieces of the washing-active substance to fill the dispenser 50 .

On the insert 53 there are provided connecting means in the form of a collar 74 which engage in a suitable recess or groove in the cover 54 . This results in a non-rotatable connection between the insert 53 and the cover 54. The insert 53 can thus be rotated relative to the stationary housing 51, 52 by rotating the cover 54.

The function of the donor device 50 or the donation method is based on the Figures 4A to 4D explained. A top view of a sectional plane running parallel to the wall surface 55 through the dispensing device 50 according to FIG 3 can he Figure 4A be removed. The insert 53 is rotatably disposed in the housing body 52 with the housing body 52 being mounted or fixed in place, and the insert 53 is rotatable in the fixed housing body 52 about the central axis 75 . The pieces of detergent substance to be donated (not shown in the Figures 3 to 5C ) are stored in the insert cavity 63, and during a dispensing process exactly one piece of the washing-active substance passes through the dispenser opening 58 into the vicinity of the dispenser 50.

A piece of the washing-active substance that, for example, rolls into the bottom compartment 60 ′ due to the force of gravity can be transported in the direction of the dispenser opening 58 by rotating the insert 53 clockwise (turning to the right). With a rotation around the magazine angle a, here α = 36°, the piece reaches the washing-active Substance the position of the compartment next to the bottom compartment 60 ', and with a further rotation by the magazine angle α, the piece of detergent substance reaches the position of the compartment, which is adjacent to the dispenser opening 58. A piece of the detergent substance leaves the dispenser 50 due to the force of gravity when it is transported into the compartment 60 which adjoins the dispenser opening 58 by rotating the insert 53 . When one of the outlet openings 62 reaches the dispenser opening 58, ie when rotated by the magazine angle a, the latching means 67 engages each time, so that the user feels or hears this in each case.

According to the in the Figures 3 to 5C dispenser variant shown, 10 compartments 60 are arranged on the circumference. In other variants, fewer or more compartments can be provided. Two of the ten compartments 60 as shown in the figures have the inlet openings 61 sealed inwards with the curved sealing means 59 statically attached to the wall surface 55 so that moisture from the dispenser environment, such as water vapor or splashing water from showering/bathing, can not penetrate into the use of cavity 63. As a result, the pieces of the washing-active substance stored in the insert cavity 63 have a longer shelf life and do not stick or clump together.

A side view of the dispensing device 50 is shown in FIG Figure 4B shown. The dispenser opening 58 is arranged in the lower region of the housing jacket 57, through which exactly one piece of the washing-active substance leaves the housing 51 per dispensing process. The cover 54 covers the front in sections and a part of the housing jacket 57.

Figure 4C 12 shows the back of the housing 51, in particular the fastening means 56 with which the dispenser 50 can be fastened to a wall or to a shower stall. The fastening means 56 comprises a fastening rail with a taper. The rail sits in a rail guide on the outside of panel 55.

A side sectional view of the dispenser variant according to the Figures 3 to 5C is in Figure 4D shown. The cover 54 comprises two sealing elements 71, the first sealing element 71 being formed as a sealing edge which engages in a sealing groove on the circumference of the front face 64 of the insert. A labyrinth seal 77 is provided in the folded area 76 of the cover 54 and engages in corresponding recesses of the insert jacket 68 and the housing jacket 57 in a form-fitting or almost form-fitting manner. Because the cover 54 is formed from an elastic material, the cover 54 sits on the insert 53 with a slight mechanical tension, which promotes the sealing effect between the insert 53 and the cover 54. Some play is provided between the cover 54 and the housing shell 57 so that the insert 53 with the cover 54 can be easily rotated in the housing body 51 .

A top view of insert 53 is in Figure 5A shown. Arranged on the circumference of the insert jacket 68 are five collars 74 distributed evenly over the circumference, each collar being part of a connecting means for connecting the insert 53 and the cover 54 . The cover 54 can be connected to the insert 53 with the collars 74 in the manner of a bayonet, which leads to a tight fit of the cover 54 on the insert 53 which promotes the sealing effect of the sealing elements 71 .

the Figure 5B shows a side view of the insert 53 according to FIG Figure 5A . With the sloping insert cavity wall 65 and the insert face 64 protruding slightly from the insert 53, a flush connection between the cover 54 and the insert 53 is created, as is shown in the assembled illustration according to FIG Figure 4D you can see. The radially inner sealing element 71 engages in the sealing groove 78 in the area of the circumference of the insert face 64. According to FIG Figure 5A /B, the insert 53 has five detents 69 on the circumference.

Overhead view of the insert cavity 69 is permitted Figure 5C . By gravity and with the help of the sloping insert cavity wall 65, the pieces of the washing-active substance get into the compartments 60, 60' arranged below Insert 53. By rotating the insert 53, the pieces of the washing-active substance are conveyed upwards on a trajectory in the shape of a segment of a circle, where they fall out of the dispenser 50 when they reach the dispenser opening 58.

The pieces of washing-active substance are designed in such a way that they are sufficient for one washing process. Therefore, only one dispensing process is required per wash process. The pieces of the detergent substance can be refilled at any time, for example with a counted container of pieces of the detergent substance matched to the volume of the dispenser, it being possible for the container to be packed in cardboard or paper. A plastic packaging for the container is not required, which is useful and efficient from an ecological point of view. Unlike plastic packaging, for example liquid soap, the paper or cardboard packaging of the container can be biologically degraded. A further ecological advantage of the dispenser concept described here is that the pieces of washing-active substance are used up without leaving any residue. No residues of the washing-active substance remain in the dispenser 50 even after a comparatively large number of dispensing processes. This is also useful and efficient from an ecological point of view.

REFERENCE LIST

1

dosing device

2

solid

10

dosing housing

11

dosing wheel

12

wiper

50

dispenser device

51

Housing

52

case body

53

housing insert

54

housing cover

55

wall surface

56

fasteners

57

casing coat

58

dispenser opening

59

sealant

60, 60'

insert compartment

61

inlet opening

62

outlet opening

63

insert cavity

64

insert face

65

Insert Cavity Wall

66

bevel

67

locking means

68

lateral surface

69

detent

70

locking groove

71

sealing element

72

recess

73

window

74

collar

75

central axis

76

beveled area

77

labyrinth seal

78

sealing groove

100

solid state recording

101

outer perimeter

102

dispensing opening

103

Inner circumference of the dosing housing

104

Recording on metering housing

110

Circumference on the dosing wheel

111

Dosing profiles on the dosing wheel

112

conical mount

113

dosing slope

114

outside of the dosing wheel

115

Connection means on the dosing wheel

120

Rounding on the wiper element

1000, 1000'

Dosing ranges in the solid body holder

1001

depth of solid state recording

1040

scope of recording

1041

Connection means on the recording

1042

sealant on the mount

1110

Inner circumference on the dosage profiles

10000

Height of the dosing areas

10001

Depth of dosing areas

10002

largest width of the dosing ranges

Z

Center of solid state recording

f

Total number of bet slots

a

magazine angle

Claims (19)

Dispenser device (50) for the controllable dispensing of individual spherical or spherical, solid or waxy pieces of an active detergent substance that can be filled into the dispenser device (50), wherein the pieces of active detergent substance can be dispensed to a user, each of the pieces of the detergent substance having a piece size such that the piece of the detergent substance is suitable for exactly one washing process, in particular of the body or a part of the user's body, wherein the dispensing device (50) comprises a multi-part housing (51) which can be fastened to a wall or to a substrate and has a round housing cross-section, and wherein the housing (51) is formed in several parts and comprises a housing body (52), a housing insert (53) that can be used detachably in the housing body (52) and is rotatably mounted in the housing body (52) and a the housing body (52) and/or the housing cover (54) which can be arranged on the housing insert (53),
characterized, that the housing insert (53) has several insert compartments (60) on the circumference,
wherein two adjacent insert compartments (60) are separated from one another by a partition, and wherein each insert compartment (60) has an inlet opening (61) on the inside in the radial direction, through which exactly one piece of the washing-active substance by rotating the housing insert (53) by a magazine angle (a) and gravity into the insert compartment (60), as well as an outlet opening (62) on the outside in the radial direction, through which exactly one piece of the washing-active substance by rotating the housing insert (53) by a magazine angle (a) and by gravity out of the insert compartment (60), that the housing body (52) is formed like a hollow cylinder with a circular or almost circular wall surface (55) and an annular housing jacket (57) adjoining the circumference of the circular wall surface (55), wherein in the annular housing jacket (57 ) a dispenser opening (58) is provided, through which exactly one piece of the washing-active substance comes out of the dispenser device (50) by rotating the housing insert (53) by the magazine angle (a), and that on the inside of the wall surface (55) a ring-segment-like sealing means (59) is spaced apart in the radial direction from the area of the housing jacket (57) in which the dispenser opening (58) is arranged, with the sealing means (59) at least that insert compartment (60) can be sealed towards the inside of the housing from which a piece of the washing-active substance leaves the dispenser device (50) by turning the housing insert (53). Dispensing device (50) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing body (52) comprises a thermoplastic terpolymer, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), bio-ABS, polyamide (PA) and/or bio-PA or formed from it, and/or that the housing body (52) comprises or is formed from a metal or a metal alloy. Dispenser device (50) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing insert (53) has a circular or almost circular cross section, that the housing insert (53) has an insert end face (64) and a peripheral side on the Insert end face (64) adjoining annular lateral surface (68), and that the insert end face (64) adjoins an insert cavity wall (65) of an insert cavity (63) of the housing insert (53), wherein the Insert cavity wall (65) comprises at least one round surface, hollow surface, convex surface, inclined surface, conical surface and/or truncated cone surface, wherein the housing insert (53) preferably comprises at least one window (73), with which the interior of the dispenser device (50) is at least partially visible. Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing insert (53) contains cellulose acetate (CA), bio-CA, polyester, bio-polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bio-PET, PA, bio -PA comprises or is formed from it, and/or that the housing insert (53) comprises at least one wood material or is formed from it. Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing cover (54) is annular and/or that the housing cover (54) is made of an elastic material, in particular of a material which comprises or is formed from polyethylene (PE), bio-PE, polypropylene (PP) and/or bio-PP. Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one connecting means (74) is provided for non-rotatably connecting the housing cover (54) to the housing insert (53). Dispenser device (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the outside of the housing body (52), in particular on the outside of the wall surface (55) of the housing body (52), at least a fastening means (56), in particular a fastening means (56) comprising a rail or receiving a rail, is arranged. Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in or on the housing cover (54) and/or in or on the housing body (52) and/or in or on the housing insert ( 53) at least one sealing element (71) is arranged, and/or
that the housing cover (54) comprises a peripheral sealing edge on the outside, in particular with a sealing edge profile, and/or a peripheral sealing edge on the inside, in particular with a sealing edge profile. Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized by latching means (67), whereby the housing insert (53) can be latched into an insert position in the housing body (51) by rotating it through the magazine angle (a). wherein the locking means preferably (67) comprises at least one locking lug (69) arranged on the outside of the housing insert (53) and at least one locking groove (70) arranged on the inside of the housing body (52). Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the insert compartments (60) have a round cross section or a U-shaped cross section, at least in sections. Dispenser device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a collar is provided at least in sections in or on the dispenser opening (58), which prevents water from penetrating into the dispenser opening (58). Dispensing device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized by a number of equally sized or almost equally sized spherical or almost spherical pieces of the washing-active substance which are arranged in the housing insert (53) and their respective dimensions are slightly smaller than the dimensions of an insert compartment (60) of the housing insert (53), so that exactly one piece of the washing-active substance fits into each insert compartment (60). Method for dispensing a spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of an active detergent substance, characterized in that the housing insert (53) of a dispenser device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 is rotated by the magazine angle (a). , whereby a piece of a washing-active substance is dispensed from the dispenser opening (58). Spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of a washing-active substance, for washing or rinsing, in particular for body care or for body care of a user, wherein the bar of detergent-active substance is suitable for a dispensing device (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or for a method of dispensing a bar of detergent-active substance according to claim 13, and wherein the spherical or spherical, solid or wax-like piece of a washing-active substance is intended for exactly one washing or rinsing process,
characterized in that the piece of detergent-active substance at least partially dissolves on contact with water in the water, whereby first a powdery or granular detergent-active substance is formed, and then a detergent-active foam, wherein that the piece of detergent-active substance has a diameter in one Diameter range from about 8 mm to about 14 mm, in particular a diameter of about 13 mm or about 9 mm to about 11 mm, so that the piece of detergent Substance fits into an insert compartment (60) of a dispensing device (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A bar of detergent-active substance according to claim 14, characterized in that the bar of detergent-active substance comprises or is formed from citric acid, at least one surfactant, preferably the surfactant sodium cocosulfate (SCS) and/or the surfactant sodium cocoisethionate (SCI), sodium bicarbonate and at least one fat , wherein the washing-active foam formed therefrom upon contact with water is preferably pH-neutral. Use of a spherical or spherical, solid or waxy piece of an active detergent substance, in particular a piece of the active detergent substance according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the piece of the active detergent substance is removed by a user from a dispensing device ( 50) is donated according to any one of claims 1 to 12. Container made of spherical or spherical, solid or waxy pieces of a detergent substance for refilling a dispenser device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized by a defined number of pieces of a detergent substance according to Claim 14 or 15, in particular by approx. 18 to approx. 45 pieces, in particular about 20 or about 40 pieces, according to claim 14 or 15. Dispenser set for dispensing spherical or spherical, solid or waxy pieces of a detergent substance, characterized by a dispenser device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, and by a container according to Claim 17, and/or by a dispenser device (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, and by at least one further housing cover, the housing covers (54) of the dispenser set differing in terms of colour, design, Design and/or labeling so that one of the housing covers can be used with the dispenser device (50) as desired. Metering device (1) for the metered dispensing of similar, spherical solids (2), consisting of a metering housing (10) with a solid body receptacle (100) and at least one dispensing opening (102) provided on its (10) outer circumference (101), a The dosing housing (10) rotatably arranged, circular dosing wheel (11) with numerous dosing profiles (111) spaced apart on its circumference (110), through which dosing areas (1000 ) are formed and which are rotatable on the inner circumference (103) of the metering housing (10), and a part-circular, elongate scraper element (12) which is arranged on the inner circumference (1110) of the metering profiles (111), the scraper element (12) having at least one completely covers the dosing area (1000') formed by the dosing profiles (111) at the at least one dispensing opening (102).

Images