FI84161C - Distribution and mixing device which can be inserted into a container, especially a liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispensing and diffusing device which can be incorporated in a receptacle, especially for liquid products, the said device 1 having the form of a hollow body 3 with an aperture equipped with means 5, 6 of dispensing and diffusing the product, having a shaft 10 provided with orifices and extending inside the body 3, this device 1 also possessing means 7 of fastening it removably to the receptacle 2 or to the stopper 8 of the latter, the said device being characterised in that the said shaft 10 extends substantially up to the wall 13 of the body 3 opposite the said aperture, so that, particularly when the device is fitted on the receptacle, the shaft 10 is capable of functioning at the same time as a support to keep the body 3 intact. The invention is used for washing laundry by machine.

Description

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This invention relates to the field of packaging, in particular to liquids for use in metered amounts. In a preferred form, the invention also relates to machine laundry.

It should be borne in mind, first of all, that the applicant already has a number of patent applications which may be cited as references to illustrate the state of the art.

The FR patent application filed on 18 April 1984, "Process for washing laundry by a machine with a liquid detergent and a device for carrying it out", relates specifically to a normally refillable device which is first filled. washing liquid and then placed in the drum of the machine together with the laundry to be washed. The detergent contained in the appliance is progressively mixed with the washing water and the laundry in the machine. In one embodiment, the device has a filling opening and openings for the progressive discharge of liquid into the center of the laundry to be washed.

FR Patent Application No. 84/13 210, filed August 24, 1984, "A device for machine-washing with a liquid detergent and a process utilizing the said device" relates to a device of the above type which is more specifically, characterized in that it is substantially spherical.

An embodiment of the invention comprises a dome, and a unit 30 attached thereto, with a filling opening in the center, which may be in the shape of a shaft extending inside the dome. The liquid is filled or dispensed and / or mixed through a defined number of orifices.

2 84161 FR patent application filed April 3, 1985, "Packaging receptacle with a built-in dispenser, especially for liquid products", relates to a container comprising a detachable dispensing device which works together with a cutting device with which the container is fitted in the usual way. This dispensing device also preferably acts as a mixer according to the teachings of the two aforementioned patent applications. Some embodiments are described to show a detachable attachment of a dispensing and mixing device to a container containing a liquid. Therefore, if the container is generally in the form of a bottle with a neck with a stopper at the top, the dispensing and mixing device can be made in different ways to co-operate with the neck and / or the stopper.

In the case of dispensing and mixing equipment and associated containers, the applicant found that the equipment with which the containers were equipped could be damaged during handling and storage operations, in particular by pressure from stacked stored containers.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate this drawback by means of a simple arrangement of the dispensing and mixing device without increasing the number of its parts, and at the same time keeping their functions the same. The invention therefore relates to a dispensing and mixing device which can be connected to a container, in particular a liquid container, said device being in the form of a hollow dome with an opening 30 for means for dispensing and mixing the product, a dome-opening and apertured shaft and means for attaching it. removable container or stopper thereof, said device being characterized in that said shaft extends substantially opposite the opening of the dome wall, so that, in particular when the device is fitted in the container, said shaft can simultaneously act as a support to prevent damage to the dome.

The invention is particularly preferably used in the containers described in the above-mentioned FR patent application 85/05 069 in the applicant's name, the preferred form being a dispensing and mixing device of the type described in the above-mentioned FR patent application 84/13102, which is also the applicant's on behalf of. In order not to overburden this explanation, the teachings of the two applications in question are not fully reproduced in this explanation, but are, of course, incorporated by reference. Therefore, the present invention can be used in all the embodiments described in detail in FR application 85/05 069, i.e. in those in which the dispensing and mixing device cooperates with the neck of the container, i.e. with the top or stopper with which it is provided.

The actual dispensing and mixing device is generally spherical in shape, as explained in FR application 84/13 210. Accordingly, the device again consists of a hollow figure 20 and a unit attached thereto with openings and / or holes for dispensing and mixing. This unit is arranged around the opening of the dome and the means for attaching the device to the container are preferably in the same way around said opening. Again, the container and the dispensing and mixing device are preferably provided by means of a quick connector, for example a spring connection or the like. Such features are explained in the FR patent application, as mentioned above.

The improvement obtained as a result of the present invention is based on the fact that the shaft which distributes and mixes the liquid also acts as a support which prevents the device from being compressed in any way. For this purpose, the gap, which in previous embodiments extended into the dome only just enough to ensure that the liquid was poured during filling, according to the invention extends substantially up to the wall of the dome opposite the opening.

4 84161 According to the present invention, the expression "extends substantially up to the wall of the dome" means that the gap extends in the immediate vicinity of this wall, which is usually made flattened. It is also within the scope of the invention that the shaft contacts the wall, but for practical reasons due to the fact that such products are made by injection molding, the end surface of the shaft preferably terminates very close to the wall, leaving a gap of 1-5 mm, for example. It was found that the gap 10 arranged in this way completely supported the device and absorbed any pressure that might occur during handling and storage.

The side walls of the shaft arranged according to the invention also have openings which make it possible to ensure that the liquid is distributed efficiently during filling and mixing.

15 The profile of the gap is not critical. It is sufficient if it is in the shape of a rotating surface. For production reasons, the gap is slightly conical or staggered in shape. There is nothing to prevent the use of a shaft which is substantially in the shape of a cylindrical tube, but this embodiment is not so advantageous and its removal during injection molding is problematic.

In a simple embodiment, the gap is open along its entire inner surface, without an inner partition between the opening of the device and the end surface of the gap. In contrast, it is possible to use one or more partitions, so that in a particular embodiment a partition with openings is arranged inside the shaft in the vicinity of the opening.

The invention will now be illustrated, without being limited in any way, by means of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an axially sectional schematic view of a device according to the invention connected to a container.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing 35 alternative embodiments.

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Figure 3 is a similar view showing an alternative form.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing another alternative form.

5 The devices shown by way of example in the drawings are derived from the same inventive concept and therefore the parts appearing in different figures are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Each dispensing and mixing device is indicated by the general reference number 1. It relates to a container 2, which, for convenience, is shown at the top of the drawings, while the device is shown at the bottom. In practice, the situation may, of course, be the opposite, especially when the tank 2 is intended to contain a liquid, in particular a detergent.

The device 1 essentially comprises a hollow dome 3 which is substantially spherical in shape and on which a unit 4 is mounted for filling and mixing the liquid. For this purpose, the unit 4 has ventilation holes 5 and openings 6. The area 7 has means for clicking it on the plug 8, 20 which closes the container 2. In addition, the dome 3 and the unit 4 follow the teachings of FR claim 84/13210. In particular, notches 9 can be seen which facilitate gripping of the device 1. All the properties described so far belong to the state of the art and are specifically explained in the FR patent application just mentioned. Similarly, FR patent application 85/05 069 describes a method for fitting a device 1 to a plug 8, i.e. its detachable quick-release by a spring connection. It is clear that some other fastening method can also be used. According to the invention, the unit 4 extends inside the dome 3 as a shaft 10 with openings 11. An essential feature of the invention is that the end surface 12 of the shaft opposite its opening extends very close (e.g. 1-5 mm) to the flattened surface 13 of the dome 3.

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In the example shown in Figure 1, the shaft is in the form of a gentle truncated cone which widens towards the end surface 12. In addition, there is no partition on the entire inner surface of the shaft 10. In other words, when the device 1 is separated from the container 5 2, an opening 14 opposite the end surface 12 is released, allowing the filling liquid to flow freely out.

The device described in Figure 1 can be used in the same manner as any of the devices described in the aforementioned FR patent applications. If tank 2 recommended-10 sa detergent is used, the device 1 covers the tank for storage, handling and sale. During use, the mother removes the device 1 from the tank top. After removing the plug 8 from the latter, he can fill the dome 3 with liquid detergent to the desired height up to -15 ka. He then places the appliance in the washing machine in the middle of the laundry to wash the laundry.

In the improvement obtained as a result of the invention, the shaft 10, which participates in filling and mixing operations during washing, also performs another function, it acts as a support which can keep the dome 3 undamaged when the device 1 is subjected to a compressive force during storage, for example. To facilitate filling, the shaft 10 has openings 11 and may have, for example, four. It was found that these openings did not impair the mechanical support provided by the shaft 10.

If the device 1 is accidentally pressed, the flattened part 13 comes against the end surface 12, but no other stress is applied to the dome 3.

A product of the type shown in Fig. 1 is easy to manufacture at low cost from plastic by an injection molding method.

The alternative shape shown in Figure 2 is similar to the device of Figure 1 in all other respects, except that the shaft 10 has a partition 15 which may have 35 openings (not shown in the drawing). In this case 7 84161 the liquid flows out through the substantially transverse openings 6 and the holes in the partition 15. It was found that in some cases the mixing in the device of Figure 2 was very uniform, with the liquid 5 contained in Figure 3 progressively flowing out into the laundry during washing substantially through the openings 6 and holes 5. However, the openings 11 are useful for good distribution of the liquid in Figure 3.

Figure 3 shows a device similar in all respects to the device of Figure 2. Here, however, the conicity of the shaft 10 is inverted so that it tapers towards its end face 12. Its general shape remains as a truncated cone.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative shape in which the structure of the shaft 15 is the same as in Figs. 2 and 3, so that it has a partition 15, but its profile is staggered. In the example shown, there are three steps and they are denoted by reference numerals 16, 17 and 18. It is clear that the profile of the shaft openings can be identical. In the example of Figure 4, the diameter of the surface 12 of the end-20 is larger than the opening delimited by the step 16 at the level of the partition 15. In another possible form, the arrangement may be inverted, and in particular the diameter of the step 16 would be larger than the diameter of the step 18 in a slightly similar way to the shaft of Figure 3, the conicity of which is opposite to the conicity of Figure 2.

As can be seen, many alternative forms are possible and are within the reach of those skilled in the art. The examples shown in Figures 1-4 are purely illustrative.

It should also be noted once again that the above description is based on a particular embodiment of the dispensing and mixing device and its attachment to the container. The FR patent applications mentioned at the beginning of this specification also provide a certain number of other exemplary embodiments. It is within the scope of the present invention to use devices equipped with a shaft which participates in the filling of the liquid β 84161 and subsequently in its mixing, while acting as a mechanical support because it forms a support inside the hollow dome. Said support function is particularly useful when the dispensing and mixing device is attached to the packaging container. However, the same function will no doubt continue when the device is used independently of the tank.

Claims (10)

84161 A dispensing and mixing device which can be connected to a container, in particular a liquid container, said device 5 (1) being in the form of a hollow dome (3) with an opening provided with means (5,6) for dispensing and mixing the product, the dome (3) ) extending and provided with openings (10) and means for releasably securing it to the container (2) or its plug (8), characterized in that said shaft (10) extends substantially into the wall (13) of the dome (3) substantially opposite said opening. ) so that, in particular when the device is fitted in the container, said shaft (10) can simultaneously act as a support to prevent damage to the hood (3). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the end wall (12) of the shaft (10) extends in the immediate vicinity of the wall (13) in contact with or terminates very close thereto, with a gap of 1 to 5 mm in particular. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side wall of the shaft (10) has openings (11), which can be, for example, four. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shaft (10) has the shape of a rotating surface. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the shaft (10) has a slightly conical shape. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the profile of the shaft (10) has steps (16, 17, 18). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner surface of the shaft is completely open, without inner partitions. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the shaft (10) has one or more partitions, in particular a partition (15) with openings, which is fastened to the inside of the shaft, close to the opening. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device is intended for use in connection with a tank containing washing liquid. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that, after the device has been filled with washing liquid 10, it is intended to be placed in the drum of a washing machine. 84161