EP4289320A1 - Dispenser for dispensing sheet-like material from at least two containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispenser (1) with at least one receiving device (2) for at least two interchangeable containers (3,31,32), which have a wall (4), preferably made of an at least partially flexible material, the sheet-shaped container being inside the wall (4). Material (7) can be arranged or arranged, and the at least two containers (3,31,32) each have a container opening (6) for the removal of the sheet-shaped material (7), the dispenser (1) having at least one cover element (8). for closing and opening the container openings (6) which has at least two containers (3,31,32), the at least one cover element (8) being designed as a movement-coupled unit and being movable into a closed position (S), in which at least a closed position (S), the container openings (6) of the at least two containers (3,31,32) can be covered by at least one cover element (8), and - can be moved into at least one open position (O), wherein in the at least one open position ( O) the container opening (6) of at least one container (3,31,32) can be opened for the removal of sheet-shaped material (7).

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser with at least one receiving device for at least two replaceable containers, which have a wall, preferably made of an at least partially flexible material, the sheet-shaped material being able to be arranged or arranged within the wall, and the at least two containers each having a container opening for have the removal of the sheet-shaped material, the dispenser having at least one cover element for closing and opening the container openings of the at least two containers.

It is known in the art to store sheet material in containers and make them available for sale. In particular, containers which consist of at least partially flexible material are known, which can in particular be designed as a flow pack. Such containers can have a dimensionally stable body in which the container opening is arranged. The container opening can also be formed by a hole in the flexible material.

A dispenser for dispensing sheet material is known from the patent application WO 2008/044152 A2 . It is intended here that a container for wet wipes with a dimensionally stable body can be inserted into a dispenser.

In a first embodiment, a lid, which is arranged on the dimensionally stable body, is also used as a lid for the container during operation of the dispenser. In a second embodiment, the lid is on the dispenser itself attached, although the container does not have its own lid. In particular, several such dispenser units can be arranged together on a fastening clip.

The disadvantage of the prior art is that only one container is arranged in a dispenser, which means that no redundant system is created. Multiple dispenser units on a mounting bracket must be operated individually, making operation more difficult. For example, a user does not know which of the dispenser units is empty.

The object of the invention is to create a redundant system that is simple to build and easy to operate.

According to the invention it is provided that the at least one cover element is designed as a movement-coupled unit. The at least one cover element can be moved into a closed position, wherein in the at least one closed position the container openings of the at least two containers can be covered by the at least one cover element. In addition, the at least one cover element can be moved into at least one open position, wherein in the at least one open position the container opening of at least one container can be opened for the removal of sheet-shaped material.

This creates a redundant system with at least two containers, whereby the container openings can be closed and opened by means of a motion-coupled unit, the at least one cover element. Such a cover element is easier operated, be it by a motor or manually by an operator. In particular, only a single attack, for example via a pinion when moving by a motor or a handle when moving by an operator, can be sufficient to move the cover element. In the prior art, however, all cover elements must be operated and attacked individually.

A single component can be referred to as a motion-coupled unit. However, a motion-coupled unit can also consist of several components which are mounted to one another in a motion-coupled manner.

In particular, the container opening of at least one first container can be opened in a first open position. Preferably, in this first open position, the container opening(s) of at least one, preferably all, container(s) other than the first container can be closed by the at least one cover element.

Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that in a second open position the container opening of at least one second container can be opened, in particular the container opening(s) of at least one, preferably all, container(s) different from the second container can be closed by at least one cover element/ is.

Depending on the open position, one or more container openings can be opened. In particular, this allows access to the container opening of a non-empty container to be granted, while the container opening of an empty container is not released.

A trigger mechanism can be provided in the dispenser, which can be actuated, for example, without contact, in particular optically and/or capacitively.

It can be provided that in a first operating mode after the triggering mechanism has responded, the at least one cover element is moved from the closed position to a first open position and the container opening of the at least one first container is thus opened.

In a second operating mode, after the triggering mechanism has responded, the at least one cover element can be moved from the closed position to a second open position and the container opening of the at least one second container can thus be opened.

• es wird ein Leerstand des ersten Behälters mittels einer, vorzugsweise optischen, Messeinrichtung detektiert, und/oder
• nach einer definierten Anzahl an Öffnungen, wobei die Anzahl an Öffnungen von einem Zähler gezählt wird, vorzugsweise wobei der Zähler beim Detektieren eines neuen Behälters durch eine Messvorrichtung genullt wird, und/oder
• nach einer Zeitspanne nach dem der erste Behälter eingeschoben wurde und/oder an einem vordefinierten Ablaufdatum.

A control unit can switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on at least one of the following events:

• An empty state of the first container is detected by means of a, preferably optical, measuring device, and/or
• after a defined number of openings, the number of openings being counted by a counter, preferably the counter being zeroed by a measuring device when a new container is detected, and/or
• after a period of time after the first container was inserted and/or on a predefined expiry date.

• der erste Behälter leer ist, und/oder
• angenommen werden kann, dass der erste Behälter leer ist, und/oder
• der Inhalt des ersten Behälters abgelaufen ist.

This ensures that the container opening of the first container is no longer released when

• the first container is empty, and/or
• it can be assumed that the first container is empty, and / or
• the contents of the first container have expired.

In the second operating mode, the container opening of the second container is released, which is still filled or whose contents have not yet expired.

• nach einer festen Verzögerungszeit, und/oder
• nachdem der Auslösemechanismus nicht mehr anspricht, und/oder
• nachdem der Auslösemechanismus ein weiteres Mal anspricht

das mindestens eine Abdeckelement von der ersten Offenstellung oder der zweiten Offenstellung in die Schließstellung bewegt wird und somit die Behälteröffnung des ersten Behälters oder zweiten Behälters abgedeckt wird. So muss der Behälter nicht extra geschlossen werden.In addition, it is preferably provided that

• after a fixed delay time, and/or
• after the trigger mechanism no longer responds, and/or
• after the trigger mechanism operates again

the at least one cover element is moved from the first open position or the second open position into the closed position and thus the container opening of the first container or second container is covered. This means that the container does not have to be closed separately.

The movement of the cover element after the trigger mechanism has responded can be accomplished in various ways. For example, the movement can be generated mechanically using a spring element. However, the movement is preferably provided by means of an electric motor.

For this purpose, at least one motor is preferably arranged in the dispenser, the motor being designed to open and/or close the at least one cover element. The force is preferably applied via a pinion to a ring gear that is mechanically coupled to the at least one cover element transmitted, particularly preferably wherein the ring gear is arranged on an axis of rotation of the at least one cover element.

The movement of the cover element can be carried out in various ways, the only essential thing is that the container openings can be either closed or opened.

It is preferably provided that the at least one cover element is mounted displaceably, in particular linearly and/or rotating.

A sliding cover element can remain in the housing when moved and is therefore less susceptible to vandalism or accidental damage than, for example, a hinged door.

Particularly preferably, the at least one cover element is rotatably mounted in a plane of rotation which is essentially parallel to the plane defined by the container opening of the at least two containers and can be pushed in a rotary sliding movement over the container openings of the at least two containers.

A rotatable cover element has the advantage over a linearly displaceable cover element that less space is required, especially if, as provided according to the invention, more than one container is arranged in the dispenser.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the at least one cover element comprises a plurality of segments, the segments being movably connected to one another. This is how one can Cover element can be created in the manner of a roller shutter. This has the advantage over a fixed, linearly displaceable cover element that less space is required when opening, since the cover element can be rolled up and/or guided around a curve, in particular into the interior of the dispenser.

• die mindestens eine Ausnehmung in der mindestens einen Offenstellung über die Behälteröffnung(en) mindestens eines Behälters bewegbar ist, und/oder
• die mindestens eine Ausnehmung in der mindestens einen Schließstellung über keine der Behälteröffnungen bewegbar ist. Durch die Platzierung der mindestens einen Ausnehmung im Andockelement können unterschiedliche Schaltmuster zum wahlweise Öffnen von Kombinationen von Behältern geschaffen werden.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the at least one cover element has a recess, wherein

• the at least one recess can be moved in the at least one open position over the container opening(s) of at least one container, and/or
• the at least one recess cannot be moved beyond any of the container openings in the at least one closed position. By placing the at least one recess in the docking element, different switching patterns can be created for selectively opening combinations of containers.

In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the at least one cover element is rotatably mounted on the dispenser, with the at least one recess being arranged in at least one angular range of the at least one cover element. By rotating the cover element, the angular range can be shifted and container openings of containers which are located in different azimuthal areas with respect to the axis of rotation of the cover element can be released.

Advantageously, the at least one cover element can be designed as a disk. At least one recess can be formed in that outside a radius of the entire at least one angular range is left out. The recess therefore does not have to be a hole in the cover element.

• beim Übergang von der Schließstellung in die mindestens eine erste Offenstellung im Uhrzeigesinn drehbar ist, und/oder
• beim Übergang von der ersten Offenstellung in die Schließstellung gegen den Uhrzeigersinn drehbar ist.

It can be provided that the at least one cover element

• can be rotated clockwise during the transition from the closed position to the at least one first open position, and/or
• can be rotated counterclockwise during the transition from the first open position to the closed position.

The opening and closing of a container opening can therefore be achieved by rotating the docking element back and forth. However, it can also be provided that the closing movement takes place by rotating in the same direction as the opening movement.

• beim Übergang von der Schließstellung in die mindestens eine zweite Offenstellung gegen den Uhrzeigersinn drehbar ist, und/oder
• beim Übergang von der zweiten Offenstellung in die Schließstellung im Uhrzeigesinn drehbar ist. Eine Bewegung in die zweite Offenstellung kann bevorzugt entgegengesetzt zur Bewegung in die erste Offenstellung gerichtet sein.

It can be provided that

• can be rotated counterclockwise during the transition from the closed position to the at least one second open position, and/or
• can be rotated clockwise during the transition from the second open position to the closed position. A movement into the second open position can preferably be directed in the opposite direction to the movement into the first open position.

The at least two containers can each have a dimensionally stable body, with the container opening being arranged in the dimensionally stable body. In such a case, at least one seal can be arranged or is arranged between the at least one cover element of the dispenser and the dimensionally stable body of at least one container. This means that the sheet-shaped material can be protected from drying out in the closed position.

It is preferably provided that the at least one cover element or a part of the cover element can be placed or pressed against the at least one seal in the closed position, preferably wherein the at least one seal can thereby be placed or pressed against the dimensionally stable body of at least one container.

The seal can be designed as a separate component. Alternatively, the seal can be arranged on the cover element or on the dimensionally stable body of the container.

The seal may be formed from a soft, compressible material, such as rubber, and may be compressible by the cover member. However, the seal can also be made of a hard material, which is only pressed on but does not itself deform significantly.

In order to place the cover element against the at least one seal in the closed position, a lowering device for lowering the cover element or a part of the cover element is preferably provided. When opening, a lifting device can lift the cover element or part of the cover element again. The lowering device and/or the lifting device can be realized by means of a magnetic means arrangement.

It can be provided that the at least one cover element has a first part and at least one second part, the two parts being connected to one another in a movement-coupled manner.

A distance between the two parts can be increased when the cover element moves into the closed position and/or can be reduced when the cover element moves into the at least one open position. This allows a part to be placed on the seal. The at least one first part is preferably movably mounted on the dispenser, while the at least one second part can be placed on at least the at least one seal.

In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser has a housing in which the at least two replaceable containers are arranged. This creates a redundant system with more than one replaceable container in a particularly simple manner. If an empty first container is replaced before a second container is emptied, the removal of sheet material from a dispenser unit with a housing is possible at any time.

The at least one dispenser can have a housing, the housing having at least one dispenser opening through which sheet-shaped material can be removed from the replaceable container through the container opening. It is preferably provided that the at least one dispenser opening can be closed by the at least one cover element. The dispensing opening is closed together with the container opening being closed.

In addition, it can be provided that the outline of the container opening is contained in the outline of the dispenser opening in at least one projection direction, preferably orthogonally to a plane defined by the container opening.

The housing can have a base part, preferably wherein the base part can be attached to a stand and/or a wall, and/or wherein the housing has a housing cover which can be attached to the base part. The housing cover can be removed or opened to replace the replaceable containers in the housing.

It can preferably be provided that the housing cover is pivotably mounted on the base part, and/or the at least one dispenser opening is arranged in the housing cover, and/or the housing cover is subjected to spring force, so that the housing cover springs off the base part after unlocking.

The at least one receiving device can have a support device by means of which the replaceable container can be pressed by a support plate against at least one stop part. This means that the sheet-shaped material can be easily removed even when the container is almost empty because it is pressed towards the top.

It is preferably provided that the support device is designed as a scissor lift, by means of which the container can be lifted/compressed.

The at least one stop part preferably has a recess in the area of the container opening of the container, so that sheet-shaped material can be removed through the recess in the stop part.

A sliding seat is also provided into which the dimensionally stable body of the container, which is provided with projections and/or grooves, can be inserted.

At the end of the inserted position of the container, a viewing window can be provided in the sliding seat, by means of which it can be determined by visual inspection whether the container has been completely inserted. This is important so that the seal lies completely against the dimensionally stable body to avoid drying out.

Fig. 1a-c

Spender mit linear verschiebbarem Abdeckelement

Fig. 2a,b

Spender mit linear verschiebbarem Abdeckelement und zwei Ausnehmungen

Fig. 3a-c

Spender mit drehbar verschiebbarem Abdeckelement

Fig. 4a,b

Spender mit drehbar verschiebbarem Abdeckelement und zwei Ausnehmungen

Fig. 5a-e

Spender mit drehbar verschiebbarem Abdeckelement für vier Behälter

Fig. 6

Spender für zwei Behälter in Schließstellung

Fig. 7

Spender für zwei Behälter in erster Offenstellung

Fig. 8

Spender für zwei Behälter in zweiter Offenstellung

Fig. 9

auswechselbarer Behälter mit formstabilem Körper

Fig. 10

als separater Bauteil ausgeformte Dichtung

Fig. 11a, 11b

Abdeckelement und formstabiler Körper des Behälters in Schließstellung und Offenstellung

Fig. 12a, 12b

Abdeckelement und formstabiler Körper des Behälters mit alternativer Anordnung der Dichtungen in Schließstellung und Offenstellung

Fig. 13a, 13b

Abdeckelement und formstabiler Körper des Behälters mit einer Dichtung als separates Bauteil in Schließstellung und Offenstellung

Fig. 14a, 14b

Zweiteiliges Abdeckelement und formstabiler Körper des Behälters mit einer Dichtung wie in den Figuren 13a und 13b in Schließstellung und Offenstellung

Fig. 15a, 15b

Spender mit Absenkvorrichtung und Hubvorrichtung in Schließstellung und Offenstellung

Preferred embodiments and further details are shown in the figures. Show:

Fig. 1a-c

Dispenser with linearly movable cover element

Fig. 2a,b

Dispenser with linearly movable cover element and two recesses

Fig. 3a-c

Dispenser with rotatable, sliding cover element

Fig. 4a,b

Dispenser with a rotatable, sliding cover element and two recesses

Fig. 5a-e

Dispenser with rotatable, sliding cover element for four containers

Fig. 6

Dispenser for two containers in closed position

Fig. 7

Dispenser for two containers in the first open position

Fig. 8

Dispenser for two containers in second open position

Fig. 9

Interchangeable container with a dimensionally stable body

Fig. 10

Seal formed as a separate component

Fig. 11a, 11b

Cover element and dimensionally stable body of the container in the closed position and open position

Fig. 12a, 12b

Cover element and dimensionally stable body of the container with alternative arrangement of the seals in the closed position and open position

Fig. 13a, 13b

Cover element and dimensionally stable body of the container with a seal as a separate component in the closed position and open position

Fig. 14a, 14b

Two-part cover element and dimensionally stable body of the container with a seal like in the Figures 13a and 13b in closed position and open position

Fig. 15a, 15b

Dispenser with lowering device and lifting device in closed and open positions

The Figures 1a to 8 show various exemplary embodiments of a dispenser with a cover element 8 with at least two replaceable containers 3 in the closed position and at least one open position. The replaceable containers 3 have a wall 4, which is preferably made of an at least partially flexible material, such as a plastic film. The sheet-shaped material 7 is arranged or can be arranged within this wall 4, in the interior of the container 3.

The sheet-shaped material can be removed by a user through a container opening 6, which is preferably arranged in the dimensionally stable body 5. The dimensionally stable body 5, if present, is preferably made of a hard plastic.

Typically, the containers 3 are factory filled with sheet material 7 and, when emptied, are replaced with a new, factory filled container 3. The container 3 can be designed as a commercially available flow pack container with two weld seams at the ends.

A top view of a container 3 is also in the Fig. 9 to see. In particular, the container opening 6 in the dimensionally stable body 5 can be seen there, which is not visible in the sectional views.

The cover element 8 is movably mounted between a closed position S, in which the cover element 8 closes the container opening 6 of the container opening 6 of the container 3, and at least one open position O, in which the container opening 6 of the container 3 is accessible for removing the sheet-shaped material 7 .

The cover element 8 is a part of the dispenser 1 and is preferably mounted on it. In particular, the cover element 8 can be mounted on a housing 19 of the dispenser 1.

In the Figures 1a-c a dispenser 1 with a housing 19 for two containers 3 with a linearly displaceable cover element 8 is shown. The cover element 8 has a recess 30 and is designed as a motion-coupled unit. Here the cover element 8 can in particular be formed as a part.

In the Fig. 1a the dispenser 1 is shown in the closed position S. The recess 30 here does not lie above one of the container openings 6, which means that sheet-shaped material 7 cannot be removed. In the closed position S, both container openings 6 can be sealed by means of a seal 9, not shown, which is arranged between the cover element 8 and the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3. This isolates the sheet-shaped material 7 from the outside world, which in particular prevents wet wipes from drying out.

The container opening 6 of a first container 31 is arranged to the left of the recess 30 in a plan view and the container opening 6 of a second container 32 is arranged to the right of the recess 30 in a plan view. In order to move from this closed position S to an open position O, the cover element 8 is moved to the left or to the right.

The Fig. 1b shows the dispenser 1 in a first open position O1, in which the container opening 6 of the first container 31 is released for removal. This is achieved in that the cover element 8 has been moved so that the container opening 6 of the first container 31 lies within the outline of the recess 30.

In the first open position O1, the container opening 6 of the second container 32 is covered and access is not possible.

The Fig. 1c shows the dispenser 1 in a second open position O2, in which the container opening 6 of the second container 32 is released for removal. The cover element 8 was moved so that the Container opening 6 of the second container 32 lies within the outline of the recess 30.

In the second open position O2, the container opening 6 of the first container 31 is covered and access is not possible.

The dispenser 1 thus implements a redundant system: If the sheet-shaped material 7 of the first container 31 is used up, sheet-shaped material 7 can still be removed from the second container 32. If the first container 31 is replaced before the second container 32 is emptied, the dispenser 1 is always ready for the removal of sheet material 7.

In order to ensure that a first container 31 is emptied first and then the second container 32, or vice versa, a control unit can be provided which is configured in two operating modes: In a first operating mode, in particular after a triggering mechanism has responded, the first containers 31 are released for removal by moving the cover element 8 into the first open position O1.

After the first container 31 is empty or unusable, you can switch to a second operating mode in which the second container 32 is released for removal.

The switching from the first to the second operating mode can be triggered by various events, for example after an expiry date of the first container 31 has expired, after it has been determined by a, preferably optical, measuring device that the first Container 31 is empty or after a certain number of openings, after which one can assume, for example, that the container 31 is probably empty.

The Figures 2a and 2b show a dispenser 1 with a housing 19 for two containers 3. The linearly displaceable cover element 8 here has two recesses 30.

In the in Fig. 2a In the closed position S shown, both recesses 30 are not arranged above one of the container openings 6 of the containers 3, which means that removal of sheet-shaped material 7 is not possible and the sheet-shaped material 7 is optionally sealed from the outside world by means of at least one seal 9.

In the open position O in Fig. 2b a recess 30 is pushed over a container opening 6 of the two containers 3, so that both container openings 6 are released for removal.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment Figures 1a to 1c The container 3 from which the sheet-like material 7 is removed cannot be controlled here using two operating modes.

Such an arrangement would make sense, for example, if the containers contained 3 different products.

The Figures 3a to 3c show a dispenser 1 for two containers 3, the cover element 8 being mounted so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation 81. The rotatable cover element 8 allows the dispenser 1 to be particularly space-saving be executed. The cover element 8 is shaped as a disk.

The Fig. 3a shows, corresponding to Fig. 1a , the closed position S. In the closed position S, the recess 30 is arranged in an angular range in which none of the container opening 6 is arranged. This means that the removal of sheet-shaped material 7 is not possible. The container openings 6 can optionally be sealed by a seal 9.

The Fig. 3b shows a first open position O1, in which the recess 30 was rotated over the container opening 6 of the first container 31.

The Fig. 3c shows a second open position O2, in which the recess 30 was rotated over the container opening 6 of the second container 32.

The transition from the closed position S to the first open position O1 takes place by rotating the cover element 8 clockwise. The closed position S can then be reached by turning counterclockwise. However, it would also be possible for a second shooting position to be reached via a further clockwise rotation, which is essentially rotated through 180° with respect to the first closed position.

The transition from the closed position S to the second open position O2 takes place by rotating the cover element 8 counterclockwise.

Like in the Figures 1a to 1c Two operating modes can be provided here, with opening in a first operating mode with the first open position O1 and in a second operating mode with the second open position O2.

The Figures 4a and 4b show a further exemplary embodiment of a dispenser 1 for two containers 3. The cover element 8 is rotatably mounted and has two recesses 30. In the closed position S in Fig. 4a there is no recess 30 arranged above a container opening 6. In the open position O, however, both recesses 30 are above a container opening 6, which means access to both containers 3 is enabled.

The Figures 5a to 5e show a dispenser for four containers 3, the cover element 8 being rotatably mounted and having a recess 30.

In the closed position S off Fig. 5a the recess 30 is not above one of the container openings 6, which means access to the containers 3 is not permitted. The Figures 5b to 5e show open positions O, with one container 3 being selectively released.

A container can therefore be selected by selecting the rotational position of the cover element 8.

The Figures 6 to 8 show a particularly preferred embodiment of a dispenser 1 for two containers 3.

The Fig. 6 shows the dispenser 1 in the closed position S: the container openings 6 of both containers 3 are closed by a cover element 8.

The Fig. 7 shows the dispenser 1 in a first open position O1 in which the container opening 6 of the first container 3 is open, while the container opening 6 of the second container 3 is closed by the cover element 8.

The Fig. 8 shows the dispenser 1 in a second open position O2 in which the container opening 6 of the second container 3 is open, while the container opening 6 of the first container 3 is closed by the cover element 8.

The cover element 8 is shaped as a disk with a recess 30, the cover element 8 being rotatably mounted on the housing 19 of the dispenser 1. The recess 30 can thus be rotated either over the container opening 6 of the first container 3 or over the container opening 6 of the second container 3 or over neither of the two container openings 6 to realize the three positions mentioned above.

The recess 30 is formed here in that the disk is recessed in an angular range and outside a certain radius.

Two pairs of magnetic means 12 with opposite polarity are arranged on the cover element 8. A first pair is in the closed position S ( Fig. 6 ) arranged in alignment over a pair of magnetic means 12 of opposite polarity in the receiving device 2 of the first container 3, so that aligned magnets have opposite polarity. This means that the cover element 8 or part of the cover element 8 is pulled towards the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3, so that a Seal 9 is pressed between the cover element 8 and the dimensionally stable body 5.

A second pair of magnetic means is in the closed position S ( Fig. 6 ) arranged in alignment via a pair of magnetic means 12 of opposite polarity in the receiving device 2 of the second container 3, with the same effect as described in the previous paragraph.

During the opening and/or closing movement of the cover element 8 (from the closed position S in Fig. 6 into an open position O1, O2 in Fig. 7 or 8th or back), a magnetic means 12 in the cover element 8 and a magnetic means 12 in the receiving device 2 with the same polarity pass over each other. As a result, the movement of the cover element 8 is not inhibited, meaning that the motor or an operator does not have to use too much force. In contrast, a lifting device 11 is realized, which lifts the cover element 8.

The housing 19 has a housing cover 20, the housing cover 20 being openable, in particular foldable, for changing the containers 3.

The housing 19 also has a dispenser opening 18, the outline of the container opening 6 being contained in the outline of the dispenser opening 18 in at least one projection direction, preferably orthogonally on a plane defined by the container opening 6. The dispenser opening 19 can be closed together with the container opening 6 by the cover element 8.

The Figures 11a to 15b show exemplary embodiments of the sealing mechanics. The exemplary embodiments only show one Container 3. The sealing mechanism can be applied to one of the at least two containers 3 of the present invention.

The Figures 15a and 15b also show a receiving device 2 for a container 3. In the case of several containers 3, such a receiving device 2 can be used for one container 3 each.

In the Fig. 11a the open position of the cover element 8 is shown. A dashed arrow schematically represents a possible course of movement of the cover element 8 from an open position O into a closed position S. During the course of the movement, the cover element 8 is pushed over the container opening 6 in the dimensionally stable body 5 (to the right in Fig. 11a ) and lowered on the other hand. The lowering can be done by a lowering device 10, with an exemplary embodiment in more detail in the Figures 15a and 15b is described.

Like in the Fig. 11b As can be seen, the cover element 8, or at least a part of the cover element 8, is placed or pressed against the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3 by the lowering in the closed position S together with the seal 9. This seals the container opening 6 and isolates the interior of the container 3 from the outside world.

The Figures 12a and 12b show a slightly modified exemplary embodiment, in which the seal 9 is arranged, preferably fastened, with a sealing point 14 on the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 4. The movement of the cover element 8 is the same as in the Figures 11a and 11b .

Like in the Fig. 12b As can be seen, the cover element 8, or at least a part of the cover element 8, is placed or pressed against the seal 9 of the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3 by the lowering in the closed position S. This seals the container opening 6 and isolates the interior of the container 3 from the outside world.

The Figures 13a and 13b show a preferred embodiment in which the seal 9 is formed as a separate component. The seal 9 has two sealing points 14 and 15 here. The first sealing point 14 can be placed sealingly on the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3 and the second sealing point 15 can be placed sealingly on the cover element 8.

In particular, the first sealing point 14 lies against the dimensionally stable body 5 in the open position and in the closed position of the docking element 8. Without the docking element 8, however, preferably no pressure is exerted on the seal 9.

In particular, the second sealing point 15 only rests on the docking element 8 in the closed position of the docking element 8. The docking element 8 can be pressed against the seal 9, in particular the second sealing point 15, by a lowering device 10, so that the second sealing point 15 rests sealingly on the docking element 8.

Due to the pressure that the docking element 8 exerts on the seal 9, the first sealing point 14 is also pressed against the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3, so that the first sealing point 14 also seals well.

The seal 9 does not move with the docking element 8.

The first sealing point 14 and the second sealing point 15 lie on opposite sides of the seal 9.

The seal 9 can in particular as in Fig. 10 be executed as shown. The seal 9 has a seal opening 29, which can be essentially aligned with the container opening 6. Sheet-shaped material 7 can be removed through this sealing opening 29.

In Fig. 10 is a view from the side of the second sealing point 15, that is, the side facing the docking element 8 in the closed position. The first sealing point 14 is arranged on the back and is therefore shown in dashed lines.

The second sealing point 15 has a larger outline than the first sealing point 14. In particular, the first sealing point 14 is contained in the outline of the second sealing point 15 in a projection direction, which here corresponds to the viewing direction.

The size and shape of the first sealing point 14 is adapted so that it can be placed on the support surface 13 of the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 3.

The size and shape of the second sealing point 15 is adapted so that it can be placed on the docking element 8, or a part of the docking element 8. The size and shape of the second sealing point 15 is also chosen so that there is a receiving space 17 for a container protruding from the container 3 sheet-shaped material 7 is produced. A protruding sheet-shaped material 7 can be placed flat on the seal 9 by the docking element 8 during the closing movement of the docking element 8, in particular in the sliding direction of the docking element 8. If the sheet-shaped material 7 protrudes through the second sealing point 15, the second sealing point 15 is no longer close. In particular, the sheet-shaped material 7 can act like a wick, so that moisture is drained from the interior of the container via the sheet-shaped material 7. This can be avoided by the recording space 17.

That point of the second sealing point 15, which delimits the receiving space 17, is arranged at a laying distance L from the edge of the container opening 6, so that the sheet-shaped material 7 has enough space. The laying distance L can be at least 2 centimeters, preferably more than 3 centimeters and particularly preferably more than 4 centimeters long.

The sealing points 14, 15 can be designed as a sealing bead raised above the rest of the seal 9. They can be made of the same material or a different material as the rest of the seal 9.

The seal 9 can be made at least partially, and in particular at the sealing points 14 or 15, from a soft sealing material, such as rubber, and/or a hard sealing material, such as a hard plastic. Both variants can lead to good sealing performance.

In the Figures 14a and 14b The docking element 8 has a first part 25 and a second part 26, whereby the both parts 25, 26 are connected to one another in a movement-coupled manner. When the cover element 8 moves into the closed position, the distance between the two parts 25, 26 is increased. In particular, the second part 26 is moved towards the dimensionally stable body 5 and/or the seal 9, so that the second part 26 lies against the seal 9 and presses it.

The second part 26 can have an elongated hole 27 in which a pin 28 of the first part 25 is guided. The second part 26 is thus mounted on the first part 25 in a movement-coupled manner. In particular, it is an open elongated hole 27, so that the second part 26 can be separated from the first part 25, for example for maintenance purposes.

The Figures 15a and 15b show a dispenser 1 with a container 3 inserted in a receiving device 2. The receiving device 2 has a support device 21, which in this exemplary embodiment is designed as a scissor lift. The scissor lift has a support plate 22 on which the container 3 rests.

The scissor lift is preferably biased by means of a torsion spring, so that the support plate 22 of the container 3 presses against a stop part 23. This means that the sheet-shaped material 7 can easily be removed through the container opening 6 even when the container 3 is used. The stop part 23 itself has a recess through which sheet-shaped material can be removed.

In particular, the container 3 is inserted into a sliding seat 24, the sliding seat 24 having a projection which engages in a groove between the dimensionally stable body 5 and the wall 4 of the container 3.

In the Figures 15a and 15b A lowering device 10 realized by magnetic means 12 is also shown. In particular, there are two magnetic means 12 with opposite polarity on the cover element 8, in particular on the second part 26 of the cover element 8, which is on the first part of the cover element 8 as in the Figures 14a and 14b is movably mounted, arranged. In the receiving device 2, in particular in the stop part 23, two further magnetic means 12 with opposite polarity are arranged. These are arranged in such a way that a magnetic means 12 of the docking element 8 and a magnetic means 12 of the receiving device 2 are aligned with one another in the closed position of the docking element 8. The aligned magnetic means 12 are polarized in opposite directions, so that an attractive force acts on the docking element 8. This is how the lowering device 10 is realized: The attractive magnetic force pulls the docking element towards the seal 9 or the dimensionally stable body 5, so that the seal 9 is pressed between the dimensionally stable body 5 and the docking element 8.

The same arrangement of the magnetic means 12 realizes a lifting device 11 when the docking element 8 moves into the open position. As in Fig. 15b shown, a magnetic means 12 in the docking element 8 passes over a magnetic means 12 of the same polarity in the receiving device 2. The docking element 8 is thus lifted away from the seal 9. In particular, less force is required when closing the cover element 8.

List of reference symbols:

1

Donor

2

Recording device

3

container

31

first container

32

second container

4

wall

5

Stable body

6

Container opening

7

Leaf-shaped material

8th

Cover element

81

Axis of rotation of the cover element

9

poetry

10

Lowering device

11

Lifting device

12

Magnetic means

13

Support surface

14

First sealing point

15

Second sealing point

16

Orientation element

17

Recording room

18

Dispenser opening

19

Housing

20

Housing cover

21

Support device

22

Support plate

23

stop part

24

Sliding seat

25

First part of the cover element (base plate)

26

Second part of the cover element (sealing plate)

27

Long hole

28

Pen

29

Seal opening

30

Recess in the cover element

S

Closed position

O

open position

O1

first open position

O2

second open position

Claims (16)

Dispenser (1) with at least one receiving device (2) for at least two interchangeable containers (3,31,32), which have a wall (4), preferably made of an at least partially flexible material, the sheet-shaped container being inside the wall (4). Material (7) can be arranged or arranged, and the at least two containers (3,31,32) each have a container opening (6) for the removal of the sheet-shaped material (7), the dispenser (1) having at least one cover element (8). for closing and opening the container openings (6) which has at least two containers (3,31,32), characterized in that the at least one cover element (8) is designed as a movement-coupled unit and - can be moved into a closed position (S), wherein in the at least one closed position (S) the container openings (6) of the at least two containers (3,31,32) can be covered by at least one cover element (8), and - Can be moved into at least one open position (O), wherein in the at least one open position (O) the container opening (6) of at least one container (3,31,32) can be opened for the removal of sheet-shaped material (7). Dispenser (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein - in a first open position (O1), the container opening (6) of at least one first container (31) can be opened, in particular wherein in the first open position (O1) the container opening(s) (6) of at least one, preferably all, of the first container ( 31) different container(s) (3,32) can be closed by at least one cover element (8), and/or - in a second open position (O2), the container opening (6) of at least one second container (32) can be opened, in particular wherein in the second open position (O2) the container opening(s) (6) of at least one, preferably all, of the second container ( 32) different container(s) (3,31) can be closed by at least one cover element (8). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover element (8) is mounted displaceably, in particular in a linear and/or rotary manner, preferably wherein the at least one cover element (8) is in a plane of rotation which is essentially parallel to that through which Container opening (6) of the at least two containers (3,31,32) is defined in a plane, is rotatably mounted and can be pushed in a rotary sliding movement over the container openings (6) of the at least two containers (3). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover element (8) has a recess (30), wherein - the at least one recess (30) can be moved in the at least one open position (O) via the container opening(s) (6) of at least one container (3,31,32), and/or - The at least one recess (30) cannot be moved beyond any of the container openings (6) in the at least one closed position (S). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover element (8) is rotatably mounted on the dispenser (1), the at least one recess (30) being arranged in at least one angular range of the at least one cover element (8), preferably wherein the at least one cover element (8) is designed as a disk, particularly preferably the entire at least one angular range is left out outside a radius. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover element (8) - during the transition from the closed position (S) to the at least one first open position (O1) can be rotated clockwise, and / or - can be rotated counterclockwise during the transition from the first open position (O1) to the closed position (S), and/or - can be rotated counterclockwise during the transition from the closed position (S) to the at least one second open position (O2), and/or - can be rotated clockwise during the transition from the second open position (O2) to the closed position (S). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two containers (3,31,32) each have a dimensionally stable body (5), the container opening (6) being arranged in the dimensionally stable body (5), with between the at least a cover element (8) of the dispenser (1) and the dimensionally stable body (5) of at least one container (3,31,32) at least one seal (9) can be arranged or is arranged. Dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the at least one cover element (8) or a part of the cover element (8) can be placed or pressed against the at least one seal (9) in the closed position (S), preferably the at least one seal (9) thereby can be placed or pressed against the dimensionally stable body (5) of at least one container (3,31,32). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover element (8) has a first part (25) and at least one second part (26), the two parts (25, 26) being connected to one another in a movement-coupled manner, preferably where - a distance between the two parts (25, 26) can be increased when the cover element (8) moves into the closed position (S) and/or can be reduced when the cover element (8) moves into the at least one open position (O), and/ or - the at least one first part (25) is movably mounted on the dispenser (1), and/or - the at least one second part (26) can be placed on at least one seal (9) which can be placed or attached to the container, particularly preferably wherein the at least one second part (26) has a substantially flat surface on the side of the container opening (6) facing has at least one cover element (8). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one dispenser (1) has a housing (19). has, in which the at least two replaceable containers (3,31,32) can be arranged or are arranged, the housing (19) having at least one dispenser opening (18) through which sheet-shaped material (7) from the replaceable container (3) passes the container opening (6) is removable, preferably wherein - the at least one dispenser opening (18) can be closed by the at least one cover element (8), and/or - In at least one projection direction, preferably orthogonally on a plane defined by the container opening (6), the outline of the container opening (6) is contained in the outline of the dispenser opening (18). Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a triggering mechanism is provided for opening the at least one cover element (8), the triggering mechanism preferably being actuable without contact, particularly preferably optically and/or capacitively. Dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one motor is arranged in the dispenser (1), wherein the motor (1) is designed to open and / or close the at least one cover element (8), preferably wherein the at least one motor the force is transmitted via a pinion to a gear ring mechanically coupled to the at least one cover element (8), particularly preferably wherein the gear ring is arranged on an axis of rotation of the at least one cover element (8). Method for providing sheet-shaped material (7) with a dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a trigger mechanism is provided in the dispenser (1), wherein in a first operating mode after the trigger mechanism has responded, the at least one cover element is moved from the closed position (S ) is moved into a first open position (O1) and thus the container opening (6) of the at least one first container (31) is opened. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein in a second operating mode after the triggering mechanism has responded, the at least one cover element (8) is moved from the closed position (S) to a second open position (O2) and thus the container opening (6) of the at least one second container ( 32) is opened. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein a control unit switches from the first operating mode to the second operating mode due to at least one of the following events: - An empty state of the first container (31) is detected by means of a, preferably optical, measuring device, and/or - after a defined number of openings, the number of openings being counted by a counter, preferably the counter being zeroed by a measuring device when a new container (3) is detected, and/or - after a period of time after the first container (31) was inserted and/or on a predefined expiry date. Method according to one of claims 14 to 15, wherein - after a fixed delay time, and/or - after the trigger mechanism no longer responds, and/or - after the trigger mechanism responds again the at least one cover element (8) is moved from the first open position (O1) or the second open position (O2) into the closed position (S) and thus the container opening (6) of the first container (31) or second container (32) is covered .

Images