JP2000145622A - Dispensing apparatus for viscous fluid contained in flexible package - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep an exit part clean and to substantially eliminate any residue therein by setting a connector to a disengagement state with packages connected thereto to remove the packages, and exchanging them to other packages in a drive positioned and fixed to the outer circumference of a rotary plate. SOLUTION: Flexible packages or bags 11 having fluid contained therein are connected to piston type pumps 12 by distributors 10 and then conduits 13 connect the flexible packages 11 to the pumps 12. A buffer storage part is arranged vertically under the flexible package 11 and the fluid is made to flow into the buffer storage part through the conduit part in an arrow direction. During a suction stroke, the fluid flows from the package 11 or the buffer storage part or from the both and enters into a cylinder 16 via the conduit part. When the package 11 becomes empty, a valve arranged in the conduit part is closed to separate the package 11 and then the package 11 is taken out to exchange for a filled package 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Application No. 08 / 888,826 filed on July 7, 1997, the earlier application being incorporated by reference into this application, Abandoned on filing date of application.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for distributing a viscous fluid, and more particularly, to a flexible container (=).
The present invention relates to a device for distributing a viscous fluid contained in a flexible package (hereinafter, abbreviated as a flexible container).

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many industries, thick viscous fluids are added to a mixture in small amounts. Since only a small amount of viscous fluid is required for each end product, the reservoir of viscous fluid must be designed so that the viscous fluid is not exposed to air for long periods of time. Otherwise, the viscous fluid dries and becomes difficult to mix with other fluids and liquids,
Alternatively, the viscous fluid may be reprocessed or discarded.

[0004]

Another problem in dispensing viscous fluids is that the fluids tend to leave slag or lumps at the outlet of the dispenser. Such residues can accumulate and block the outlet or interfere with the discharge of fluid from the outlet.

[0005] In many industries, only one type of device is used to dispense a number of viscous fluids. Typical applications include those where multiple pigments are used in one product, such as the manufacture of hair dyes and paints. Frequently, such pigment containers are often mounted on a rotating plate having a structure in which a plurality of containers for accommodating the fluid to be distributed are arranged around the outer periphery. Each container has its own specific pump. A problem with this type of device is that it is difficult to replace a container that has been emptied during operation of the device. This is especially a problem if the operator is not specially trained to operate this device. Thus, there is an improved rotary plate device with a plurality of containers that have been reshaped to facilitate quick and effective replacement when the container containing the fluid to be dispensed is empty. Required.

Another problem with the distribution of viscous fluids is that:
The viscous fluid is exposed to air through the outlet.
Ingress of air from the outlet results in the formation of slag and clumps in the outlet, which may result in obstruction of fluid flow through the outlet or blockage of the outlet.

[0007] Accordingly, an improved viscous fluid is provided which minimizes exposure of the fluid to air during fluid dispensing, keeping the outlet clean and substantially free of residue. A distributor is required.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a solution to the foregoing need by a fluid distributor using a flexible vessel as the first reservoir of viscous fluid. The flexible container is connected to the pump by a conduit. The pump may be a piston type pump having a cylinder and a piston. The lower end of the piston is located in the cylinder and the upper end is detachably connected to the drive.

In operation, in a suction process, a drive moves a piston upward to draw fluid from a flexible container and deliver it to a cylinder through a conduit. In the dispensing process, the drive pushes the piston down and forces fluid out of the cylinder through the outlet. If the viscous fluid in the flexible container is exhausted and the supply is interrupted, the movement of the drive during the suction stroke creates a low pressure in the cylinder and conduit and in the flexible container. As a result, the piston is pulled downward and disconnected from the drive. In this way, the distributor has the function of automatically stopping when the supply of the viscous fluid in the flexible container is exhausted.

[0010] In one embodiment, the distributor comprises a buffer storage container in communication with the flexible container. Preferably, the storage container is positioned vertically below the flexible container such that the fluid flows under the action of gravity through the conduit section into the buffer storage container.
Fluid is drawn from the flexible container or the buffer storage container, or both, during the pumping process. If the flexible container is empty and the buffer storage container is full or at least partially full, fluid is withdrawn from the buffer storage container during the inhalation process.

In one embodiment, a valve is provided in a section of the conduit extending between the flexible container and the buffer storage container so that the flexible container can be isolated. When the valve is closed, the empty flexible container can be removed and replaced with a full flexible container. Meanwhile, the pump continues to operate and draws fluid from the buffer storage container. In this way, the continuity of the dispensing operation is not hindered when replacing an empty flexible container with a new full one.

In one embodiment, the conduit comprises a T-shaped pipe, a first portion of the pipe extending from the flexible container to the buffer storage container, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the pump. In this embodiment, a valve is provided in the first portion of the conduit, between the point where the second portion is connected to the first portion and the flexible container, isolating the flexible container so as not to impede operation of the pump. The empty flexible container can be replaced with a new full one.

In one embodiment, the conduit between the flexible container and the pump is provided with an "active" buffer storage container. In this embodiment, the "active" buffer storage vessel comprises a piston pump (hereinafter abbreviated as buffer pump), with the lower end of the piston located in the cylinder and the upper end of the piston located above the cylinder. The viscous fluid is located in the cylinder of the buffer pump, below the piston of the buffer pump, since the spring normally pulls the piston upward. When the flexible container is emptied and low pressure is created in the main pump cylinder, conduit, flexible container and buffer pump cylinder, the piston of the buffer pump is pulled downwards against the force of the spring, causing the viscous fluid to flow. The main pump is supplied from the buffer pump cylinder.

In one embodiment, a valve is provided in the conduit between the flexible container and the buffer storage so that the flexible container can be isolated during operation of the main pump. This allows the empty flexible container to be removed and replaced with a new, full one without interrupting the operation of the main pump.

In one embodiment, a plurality of distributors made in accordance with the present invention as described above are arranged along the periphery of the rotating plate. Depending on the position of the pump and the outlet, the receiving container is provided under the part along the outer periphery of the rotating plate or under the inner part, so as to receive the distribution of the fluid from one of the distributors. . The rotating plate can be rotated so that any distributor placed on the plate is in a position on the receiving container.

In one embodiment, the outlet of the distributor according to the invention is provided with a scraper, which is in swiveling contact with the outlet,
The outlet opening through which the fluid passes is rubbed to remove any thin film or residue that accumulates in the outlet opening after the viscous fluid has passed.

In one embodiment, the outlet of the dispenser of the present invention further comprises a closure that is swiveled over the outlet,
The body of the closure is mounted to seal the exit hole through which the fluid passes. In one embodiment, a scraping device is mounted on the closure body to rub the outlet holes or openings through which the fluid passes to remove dry fluid residues and clumps that may collect at the outlet of the distributor. .

In one embodiment, the present invention also relates to a device for dispensing a viscous fluid, the device comprising a rotating plate rotating about an axis of rotation, wherein a plurality of containers containing the fluid to be dispensed are rotated. Mounted on the periphery of the plate, each vessel is associated with a pump for distributing the fluid and mounted on the rotating plate. Each pump is connected to each container by a connector that can be removed from the container.

One embodiment proposes a device characterized by a driving device fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating plate. The driving device has a first non-operating state that is disengaged from the rotating plate, a first operating state that is engaged with a connector that is connected to each container, and a connector that is used to replace a container with another container. To and from a second operating state deviating from the second operating state. Thanks to this function of the invention, one drive can be used for several containers. By rotating the rotating plate, the container to be replaced can be brought in front of the drive, and when the drive is actuated, the drive engages the connector and removes the container and moves it to a position where it can be replaced. The operation of moving the driving device between the non-operation state and the first and second operation states is performed by a series of operations using a starting tool such as a handle. The operator does not have to do anything special to operate the drive in two different directions in this way. One specific example that can be considered is to use a toothed plate (rack) for the connector and a toothed wheel for the drive. The toothed wheel couples with the activation tool through a transmission mechanism and transmits substantially continuous movement of the activation tool into a continuous rotational movement of the toothed wheel.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a nipple that fits into the opening of the container, the nipple is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the holder, and the holder has a transverse axis of the holder. A directionally extending slit is provided to guide and secure the container flange to the holder so that the opening of the container is aligned with the nipple. In this embodiment, the operator need only slide the flange of the container out of the slit to replace the container and place another container in the slit of the holder.

A further improvement according to the invention is that the pumps are mounted on the face of the rotary plate opposite to the face on which the connector is mounted. The pumps are arranged substantially in parallel in the radial direction of the rotating plate. By placing the pump on the opposite side of the connector,
The pump does not get in the way of the container and gives the utmost room to use the large container on the rotating plate, thereby increasing the time before changing the container. By arranging the pumps in parallel, the size of the device can be reduced.

It is convenient for the plurality of rollers to be in contact with the outer periphery of the rotating plate and to be supported in the radial and axial directions so as to be rotatable. When the rotating plate is supported on the outer periphery, the center axis of the rotating plate is not required, and the maximum room for mounting the pump is increased. If one or more rollers can be detachably moved with respect to the rotating plate, the rotating plate can be easily attached and detached.

In a further aspect of the invention, the pumps each include a valve, each valve having a position at which the pump draws fluid from the container and sends it to the metering reservoir, and Can be switched to the position where the distribution can be received. The valve is operated by a central handle, the handle can be switched, and the position of the switch is determined by a sensor. This embodiment simplifies the apparatus and ensures accurate distribution of the fluid from the container. This is an advantage of the present invention which proposes an improved distributor for distributing fluid from a flexible container.

Another advantage of the present invention is that when dispensing a fluid supplied in a flexible container, the flexible container is emptied or partially emptied without disturbing the operation of the dispensing pump. A dispenser that allows the flexible container to be removed and replaced with a full flexible container. Another advantage of the present invention is that it proposes a distributor for dispensing a viscous fluid from a flexible container, which prevents the fluid from being exposed to ambient air. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for dispensing a viscous fluid from a flexible container.
It proposes an improved distribution space. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the viscous fluid outlet closure is improved to remove dry fluid and residue from the outlet.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it proposes an improved apparatus for dispensing multiple types of viscous fluids in a flexible container. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary plate type device for dispensing multiple types of viscous fluids in a flexible container, as well as an improved device for replacing an empty container with a full container. It is to propose a shape.

[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and additional claims and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings and the examples of the invention described below.

It should be understood that these drawings are not necessarily to scale, and that embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphical symbols, imaginary lines, graphical depictions, or fragmentary views. In some instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that may make it difficult to understand other details may have been omitted. Of course, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments shown.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, there is depicted a distributor 10 for connecting a flexible container or bag 11 containing a fluid to a piston pump 12. A conduit 13 connects the flexible container 11 to the pump 12. The conduit 13 is the accessory 1
4, the container 11 is connected to the conduit 1
3 for easy attachment and detachment. The pump 12 comprises a piston 15 whose lower end (not shown) is in a cylinder 16 and whose upper end 17 is detachably connected to an arm 18 of the drive, which is used for the suction process. The piston 15 is pushed up and is pushed down in the discharging step. Fluid is discharged through outlet 19. In operation, the flexible container 11 is attached to a conduit 13 as shown in FIG. This container 11 is filled with a viscous fluid which is distributed through an outlet 19. Drive arm 1
8 pushes up the piston 15 during the suction process, so that the fluid flows out of the container 11, through the conduit 13 and into the cylinder 16. During the ejection process, the drive arm 18 pushes down the piston 15 and the piston 15
(Not shown) pushes the fluid out of the cylinder through outlet 19.

When the container 11 is emptied or almost empty, the arm 18 of the drive moves upward during the suction process, as shown in FIG. Away from the upper end 17 of the Specifically, when the suction process is performed with the container 11 empty, a condition close to low pressure or vacuum occurs in the cylinder 16, the conduit 13 and the container 11. This low pressure condition causes the piston 15 to be pushed down into the cylinder 16, where the upper end 17 of the piston 15 and the arm 18 of the drive are separated, as shown in FIG.

In order to reduce the problem of lack of fluid from the container 11, a buffer device can be provided as shown in FIG. Specifically, the conduit 21 is T-shaped, and the first portion 22 connects the container 11 to the storage container or the buffer storage portion 23,
The second part 24 connects the first part 22 and the pump 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the buffer reservoir 23 is made of a similar material as the container 11 and is connected to the conduit section 22 with an accessory 25.

The operation of the distributor 10a shown in FIG. 3 is as follows. Specifically, the buffer storage section 23 is a flexible container 1
1 vertically below. This arrangement causes the fluid to flow under the action of gravity in the direction of arrow 26 through the portion 22 of the conduit and into the buffer reservoir 23. During the inhalation process,
Fluid flows out of the container 11 and / or buffer reservoir 23 and enters the cylinder 16 via conduit 24. If all the fluid from the container 11 has mixed into the buffer reservoir 23, only the fluid from the buffer reservoir 23 will enter the cylinder 16 through the conduit sections 22 and 24 during the suction process. When the container 11 is empty, the valve 27 located in the section 22 of the conduit is closed, isolating the container 11. The container 11 is then removed and replaced with a full container 11 without interrupting the operation of the pump 12. Therefore,
If the container 11 is replaced before the fluid in the buffer storage 23 is used up, the operation of the distributor 10a will not be interrupted and the upper end 17 of the piston 15 will not be disconnected from the arm 18 of the drive. (Not shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 1
FIG. 4 shows another damping system. Specifically, the container 11 is connected to the pump 12 through a conduit 13a, but the conduit 13a is connected to the conduit 1 shown in FIGS.
3 differs in that the position of the valve 27 is adjacent to the container 11 and that the coupling point of the buffer system 30 is between the container 11 and the pump 12. The buffer system 30 shown in FIG. 4 is an active buffer in contrast to the passive buffer store shown in FIG. The buffer system 30
It consists of a piston pump 31 including a piston 32, the lower end of which is not shown, located in a cylinder 33.
A spring 34 is arranged between the cylinder 33 and the upper end 35 of the piston 32. This spring biases the piston 32 upward. Due to the biasing effect of the spring 34 on the piston 32, the cylinder 33 is usually filled with fluid stored in the reservoir until the container 11 is empty or nearly empty. Container 1
When 1 is empty, cylinder 16 of pump 12 and conduit 1
A low pressure condition occurs in 3a and the container 11. This low pressure draws fluid from the cylinder 33 and the suction effect will eventually lower the piston 32. This is because the buffer system 30 now supplies the pump 12 with fluid during the pump 12 suction stroke. When fluid is withdrawn from the buffer system 30, the valve 27 can be closed to change the empty container 11 to a full container 11. After the replacement of the container 11, the valve can be opened again and the fluid can be withdrawn from the container 11 and sent to the conduit 13a during the suction step of the pump 12.

When the buffer system 30 of the dispensing device 10b is activated, it is desirable to provide a signal from the contact switch 36 or other suitable signal. As a result, the valve 27 can be closed automatically or manually, and the operator can be notified that the time for replacing the container 11 has come.
Any suitable signal or alarm may be used. Further, the signal or alarm may be applied to the passive damping system shown in FIG. The fluid is a flexible container 11
The operator only needs to be alerted when it comes to be pulled out only from the buffer storage unit 23, not from the air. After recognizing the alarm or signal, the operator will know that it is better to close the valve 27 shown in FIG. 3 and replace the flexible container 11 with a new one. A controller (not shown) can be used to inform the operator to replace the container 11. A software program that keeps track of the distribution (consumption) of the viscous fluid can also be used. This software program will be able to alert the operator when the fluid supply of the flexible container 11 or the buffer reservoir 23 is exhausted.

A plurality of similar dispensing systems, indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 10a in FIG. 3 and 10b in FIG. 4, can also be mounted on a rotating plate 40 as shown in FIG. In order to receive a small amount of fluid from any distributor 10 on the rotating plate 40, the rotating plate 4
Zero can also be turned. The systems 50 and 50a shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are particularly useful in applications where a small amount of fluid is withdrawn from the container 11 during the production of paint, ink or other colorant mixtures. The rotating plate is rotated so that a small amount of material is withdrawn from the container 11 and added to the receiver 41 in an efficient manner. With respect to the system 50a shown in FIG. 6, the receiving container 41a may be located below the center of the rotating plate 40a, as opposed to the outer edge shown in FIG. The outlet of the distributor 10 is typically provided below the rotating plates 40 and 40a.

Various shapes of the outlet 19 are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the seal 52 is the swivel arm 5
3 attached to the pump 12. Sealing device 5
2 includes a main body 54 and a closing ring 55. When the closure 52 is in the closed position, the closure ring is over the outlet 19 as shown in FIG. The body 54 is provided with a scraping bar 56 which rubs the outlet 19 and removes any residue or dry fluid from the outlet each time it is closed, keeping the outlet 19 clean and relatively residue-free. As mentioned above, the viscous fluid dries and forms a film at the outlet, which can ultimately solidify the openings 57 through which the fluid passes.

Turning to FIGS. 10-15, there is a rubbing tool 58 that pivots across a hole 57 in the outlet 19 through which the fluid 60 passes. Similar to the rubbing tool 56 of FIGS. 7-9, the rubbing tool 58 also keeps the opening 57 and outlet 19 clean and relatively free of residue to prevent solidification.

The buffer systems represented by 23 and 30 can be integrated. This damping system can also be used in the rotating systems 50 and 50a shown in FIGS. In addition, the shape of the outlet closure shown at 52 and 58 in FIGS. 7-15 is 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, 10a in FIG. 3 or 10b in FIG.
Can be adopted for any distributor represented by. Still further, pumps 12 and 31 other than piston-type may be employed, and there may be many drive systems other than the drive arm shown at 18 in FIGS. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIGS. 16-25 show an apparatus 100 for dispensing a viscous fluid in a container, in particular a flexible container or bag 101, such as a hair dye. This device is used to mix supplies from several containers to create a specially formulated hair dye. In order to obtain a precise mixture of hair dyes from several containers, each containing a particular dye, the equipment must be able to precisely dispense the fluid.

The device according to the invention uses a horizontal rotating plate 102 which can be rotated about a vertical axis. The rotating plate 102 does not have an axis at the center of the plate, and supports rollers 103 and 104.
(FIG. 18). The roller 103 is fixed and can only rotate. In contrast, the roller 104 is mounted on a slide and can move in a direction toward or away from the roller 103. The purpose is to contact the outer periphery of the rotating plate 102 to support it in the axial direction and the radial direction, or to release the rotating plate 102 so that it can be detached from the rotating plate 102. In principle, only three rollers are required, one of which
All you need to do is move one or two. In this case, a method of arranging 20 containers 101 on the rotating plate 102 at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the rotating plate 102 was selected. Each container 101 has a nipple 1
The connector 106 with 07 is adjusted so as to fit into the opening of the container 101 by friction. For this purpose, the flexible container 101 has a rigid dispensing section 108,
The dispensing opening 109 extends through this part and the nipple 1
Contact around 07. The dispensing section 108 has a flat flange 110, the free end of the dispensing section and this flange 110
Is inserted into the gap 111 in the holder 112 of the connector 106. A slit 113 is provided so that the neck of the dispensing section 108 of the container 101 can pass through. As will be described later, the nipple 107 and the distribution opening 109 of the container 101 are connected to each other. The dispensing section 108 of the container 101
Is connected to the storage unit 114 of the storage device. The reservoir 114 is made of a thin plastic film and is kept upright on the connector 106 with a bottom support 115 and a side support 116. The side surface of the storage portion 114 of the flexible container 101 reaches the bottom support 115 and the container 101
On the other side, there is no useless gap where the fluid remains as a residue. The residue remaining after the container 101 was emptied during the test was at most 1%.

FIGS. 16, 19 and 20 illustrate the suction and discharge adjusted to connect to each connector 106 to draw and extrude the fluid from each container 101 to dispense the fluid in precise amounts. The mechanism 117 is shown. The suction / discharge mechanism 117 includes a cylinder 118 serving as a compound storage and a piston 119 which reciprocates in the cylinder 118.
And the piston 119 has a drive end 12 at its free end.
It is guided and controlled by a piston rod 120 having a 1 and adjusted to mesh with drive means described below.

The cylinder 118 of the suction / discharge mechanism 117
Is connected to the nipple 107 of the connector 106 by the valve block 1.
22. Pin-shaped valve body 123
Is installed so as to be slidable in the valve block 122, a first position (FIG. 19 (a), 19 (b)) in which the suction pipe 124 is opened and the distribution pipe 125 is closed, and the valve body 1.
23 slides between the second positions (FIGS. 19C and 19D) where the suction pipe 124 is closed and the distribution pipe 124 is opened.
The arrangement of valves and tubes is of conventional design.

The valve body 123 is operated by a control rod 126. The control rod 126 pivots about a horizontal pivot axis 127, the branched end of which is attached to the valve body 123 and extends vertically into the vertical slot 129 of the valve block 122.
And is slidably engaged with a pin extending therethrough. The pins 128 engage slots 130 on both sides of the valve block 122 so that when the pins 128 are displaced vertically, the valve block
6 and the pin 128, the valve body 123
Is moved back and forth between the first position and the second position.
Points of contact 128, 130 of the control rod 126 with the pin slots
The remote end can be connected by a handle 131 to drive means to be described hereinafter. FIG. 20 shows the valve body 123 and the suction / discharge mechanism 11.
7 shows operation means 7. The operating means includes a drive shaft 132
And a rotary valve handle 133 that can be rotated around a horizontal swivel shaft 134 by a crank mechanism 135. The crankshaft 136 of the crank mechanism 135 works in cooperation with a sensor 137 that determines the starting and ending points of the travel of the handle 133.
Since the starting point and the ending point of the stroke of the crank mechanism 135 are near the upper and lower dead points of the crank mechanism 135, even if the starting and ending positions of the crankshaft are slightly different, the starting and ending of the valve handle 133 are different. Has almost no effect on the position.

The operation of the valve and the suction / discharge mechanism is as follows.

When the computer (not shown) of the device determines the amount of fluid to be dispensed from a particular container 101,
The rotating plate is rotated by the driving means until the target container 101 matches the position of the operating means. So handles 131 and 13
3 meshes with the drive end 121 and the end of the control rod 126, respectively. The piston 119 and the valve body 123 are shown in FIG.
It is in the position shown in FIG. According to the amount to be dispensed,
The piston 119 is displaced by the pump handle and moves to the point where the dispensing quantity to be dispensed into the cylinder 118 which serves as a dispensing reservoir.

In FIG. 19B, the piston 119 is moved to the limit position where the piston 119 can be displaced, and the entire cylinder is filled with the fluid. Next, the valve handle 133 rotates so as to move the control rod 126 to the position shown in FIG. 19C, whereby the valve body 123 moves from a position where the fluid can be sucked to a position where the fluid can be distributed. The valve body 123 closes the suction pipe 124 and closes the distribution channel 12.
5 is shown as being released. Thus, when the piston 119 moves to the original starting position, the fluid is gathered and mixed from several containers 101 through a distribution port below the valve mechanism, for example, into a mixing container of hair dye. .

The computer software accurately records the original volume of fluid in the container and the amount of dispensed dispensing so that the container is known to be empty or nearly empty. The computer may be unable to replace the almost empty container with a new container 101 immediately, or the container may be almost empty to fill the dispensed volume. Use up 101 to the end,
The operator is signaled when the device has to be adjusted to choose to cover with the first part of the full container 101. When removing the empty container 101, the nipple 107 of the connector 106 is pulled out from the distribution port 109 of the container 101, and the dispenser 10 of the container 101 is removed.
8 must be able to move laterally from the space 111 in the connector 106. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 25, a driving device 138 having a handle 139 as a driving element is provided, and by operating the handle 139, the holder 112 comes into contact to move the container 101 upward, The distributor 108 is moved upward with respect to the stationary nipple 107. As a result, the distribution port 109 and the nipple are cut off,
One distributing section 108 can move laterally without being disturbed by the nipple 107. After the new container 101 has placed its flange 110 in the space 111 in the holder 112,
Return the handle 139 to its original position and connect the new container 101 to the connector 10.
6 can be connected. All connectors 106 and containers 10
There is only one drive 138 for one, so if the container 101 to be replaced is brought in front of the drive 138, the rotating plate 102 must be able to move freely with respect to the drive 138. Therefore, the driving device 138
Must be separated from the rotating plate during rotation of the rotating plate. When the connector 106 comes in front of the drive 138, the drive must engage the connector 106 and move it up and down. Thus, since the drive 138 must be capable of different operations or movements, a special transmission mechanism 140 is provided to convert the substantially continuous movement of the handle 139 into separate movements by the drive means. I have. In this case, the toothed ring 141 of the driving device 138 is adjusted so as to move in coordination with a rack (teeth) plate provided outside the holder 112 of the connector 106.

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate the driving device 138. On the other hand, the exploded view of FIG. 24 shows the various components. The drive 138 comprises a housing 143 including side plates 144 and upper and lower mounting plates 145 and 147. The handle 139 is bifurcated on the lower side with an auxiliary part 147. Handle parts 139 and 147
Is a toothed ring 1 through a helical (coil) spring 148.
41. The end of the spring is a toothed ring 141
And the handle parts 139 and 147 are engaged with the holes in the surfaces facing each other. Toothed ring 141 is shaft 1
49 and can rotate with the shaft 149 within a limited angle. The angle is determined by the engagement of the pin with the pin 150 which is located on the circumference of the toothed ring 141 protruding from the shaft 149 and in the circumferentially extending slot 151. (See FIG. 22) The shaft 149 and the handle parts 139, 147 have slot holes 152, 153, respectively. Slot hole 152
(FIG. 22) and 153 (FIG. 24) extend in the axial direction,
The shafts are aligned with each other, and the mutual positional relationship is maintained by a fixing screw 154 that fixes the handle 139 and the shaft 149. Through the slot holes 152 and 153, the inner shaft 155 extends to the side plate 144 of the housing 143,
Therefore, it is supported in a fixed form. Handle parts 13
9 and 147 have a rotatable pin 156,
Pin with curved slot 157 in side plate 144-
This is also fixed to the side plate 144 by the slot connection.

The rotatable pin 156 is mounted on the handle part 13
9 and 147 are attached at eccentric positions with a certain distance from the slot hole 153. In contrast, a curved slot 157 including a first slot 157 '
Extends in the direction of the mounting hole to the inner shaft 155, and the second slot position 157 "extends concentrically around the mounting hole to the inner shaft 155.

The operation of the driving device 138 will be described according to various positions of the driving device 138 shown in FIG. FIG.
In (a), the handle 139 is in a vertical position, and the driving device 138 is not working. This position is
43 is attached to the lower mounting plate 146 and engages with the recesses of the handle parts 139 and 147.
9 is maintained. The inner shaft 155 of the driving device 138 has a slot hole 15 extending horizontally.
2, 153 at the first end, facing connector 106. In this position, the toothed ring 141 is separate from the toothed rack 142 on the retainer 112. Thus, in this position, the rotating plate is driven by the drive 13
8 can rotate without being disturbed. In FIG. 25, the container 106 is located in front of the driving device 138.

The handle is the rotating plate 102 and the connector 10
When it is separated from the shaft 6, a rotational force also acts on the shaft 149. However, the pins 156 on the handle parts 139, 147 are not 157 'of the curved slot 157.
And the rotation of the handle 139 is prevented.
Cannot rotate around the inner shaft 155. The only possible movement for the handle 139 is to move forward, with the result that the slot holes 152, 153 move relative to the inner shaft 155 and the inner shaft 1
55 is a slot hole 152 far away from the connector 106;
Upon reaching the second end of 153, the teeth of the toothed ring 141 become engaged with the teeth of the toothed rack 142 of the connector 106 and the pins 156 concentrically leave the slot position 157 'of the curved slot 157. Slot position 1
In order to reach 57 ", the pin 156 is
It becomes possible to make a circular motion around 55.

In FIG. 25B, the shaft 155
Is in the center of the handle and the center of the slot bend 15
7 "so that handles 139, 147 can rotate about shaft 155. Handles 139, 147
47 rotates against the toothed ring until the pin 150 on the shaft 149 reaches the end of the slot 151 in the toothed ring 141 to extend the spiral spring 148. The protruding part of the toothed ring 141 beyond the teeth is released from the wall of the housing 43 so that the toothed ring can follow the movement of the handles 139, 147.

From the position shown in FIG. 25B to the position shown in FIG.
The toothed ring 141 also rotates with the handle 139 because it abuts on one end. The meshing of the toothed rack 142 and the toothed ring 141 causes the connector 106 to move upward until the nipple 107 is separated from the dispensing portion 109 of the flexible container 101, and removes the empty flexible container 101 to fill it. It becomes possible to replace it with a container. By returning the handle 139 to the position shown in FIG. 25A, the distribution port 109 of this (replaced) container covers the nipple 107. When the nipple 107 enters the dispensing section 108 of the container, the automatic closing valve of the container is pushed away, so that when the nipple changes its position and enters and exits the dispensing section 108 of the container 101, the container automatically opens and closes.

From the above description, the objects achieved by the present invention are clear. While only specific embodiments have been described, alternative embodiments, various modifications, and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. These other alternatives are considered to be equivalent to the present invention and included in its spirit and purpose.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a portion of a distributor made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing the distributor shown in FIG. 1 with the drive separated from the piston of the pump.

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevation view of a portion of another distributor made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevation view of a portion of another distributor made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rotary dispensing station made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another rotary dispensing station made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a dispenser outlet closure made in accordance with the present invention, particularly in the open position of the closure.

FIG. 8 is another bottom view when the closure shown in FIG. 7 is halfway between an open position and a closed position.

9 when the closure shown in FIG. 7 is in the closed position,
It is another bottom view.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the outlet of a fluid distributor with a scraper.

FIG. 11 shows an outlet and a scraping tool shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an elevational view when the scraper is engaged with the outlet.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view specifically illustrating the state immediately after the rubbing tool is engaged with the outlet with respect to the ejection port and the rubbing tool shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the outlet and the scraping tool shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the outlet and the rubbing tool shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the outlet and the rubbing implement shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 (a) is a side view showing a part of a rotating plate of a device according to the present invention as a cross section, and some parts are omitted. (B) is a partial enlarged view of the apparatus shown in (a).

FIG. 17 is a top view of the rotating plate of FIG. 16 (a), showing all container supports.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the upper surface of the rotating plate, in which only the support means of the rotating plate is illustrated.

19 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the suction / discharge operation of the device of FIG. 16 (a), illustrating the operation of the pump at four different positions. (B) is a cross-sectional view of the suction / discharge operation in the device of FIG. 16 (a), illustrating the operation of the pump at four different positions.

20 is a side view, partially in section, of the operating means for the suction / discharge operation of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a side view of a drive for activating a connector to replace a container.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a drive for activating a connector to replace a container.

FIG. 23 is a front view of a driving device that operates a connector to replace a container.

FIG. 24 is a partially enlarged development view of the driving device of FIGS.

FIG. 25 (a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 22, illustrating the operation of the driving device at one of five different positions. (B) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 22, illustrating the operation of the driving device at one of five different positions.
(C) is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 22, illustrating the operation of the driving device at one of five different positions. (D)
Is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 22, illustrating the operation of the drive at one of five different positions. FIG.
2 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, illustrating the operation of the drive at one of five different positions.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Michel Jacobs Johannes Langef Elt Netherlands 2724 IA Zelemeer Zeilthroat 53 (72) Inventor Johannes Hendriks Mink The Netherlands 2215 Geenne Hallhout Carmesjotsov 19

Claims (21)

[Claims] An apparatus for dispensing a viscous fluid, characterized by having a rotating plate rotatable about an axis of rotation, said rotating plate being connected to a plurality of containers containing the fluid to be dispensed. Wherein the rotating plate has an outer periphery and the containers are spaced around the outer periphery; the rotating plate is connected to a plurality of pumps, each pump being a container for distributing a fluid. The pump is releasably connected to one of the pumps, the pump comprising a connector for releasably connecting the container;
The dispensing device further comprises a fixed drive located on the outer periphery of the rotating plate, the drive comprising a first inactive position not engaged with all connectors, and one of the connectors. Moving between a first operating position associated with the first operating position and a second operating position in which one of the connectors is disengaged from the associated container to remove and replace the container. You can move. 2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive element for moving said drive device between an inoperative position and first and second operating positions. 3. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the drive element is a handle. 4. The connector comprises a toothed rack, and the drive comprises a toothed ring, the toothed ring and the toothed rack being connected through a transmission mechanism, wherein the drive substantially comprises 3. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the continuous movement is converted and transmitted into a continuous rotational movement of the toothed ring. 5. The transmission mechanism includes a fixedly supported shaft, the drive includes a slot, the shaft extending through a toothed ring, the slot extending between a first end and a second end. When the shaft is at the first end of the slot, the toothed ring does not engage the toothed rack of the connector and the shaft is at the second end of the slot. When the toothed ring is engaged with the toothed rack of the connector, the toothed ring and the fixed support are further connected by a pin-slot connection, wherein the slot of the pin-slot connection has at least two parts. Wherein the first part commands the linear movement of the toothed ring and the second part commands the rotational movement of the toothed ring;
5. The dispensing device of claim 4. 6. The dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein said drive element and said toothed ring are rotatable with respect to each other to a limited extent and are connected by a torsion spring. 7. The connector comprises a nipple insertable into one opening of the container, the nipple slidably received in a retainer, the retainer having a slit extending transversely thereof. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein each container has a flange, and wherein the slit is adapted to receive the flange of one of the containers. 8. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the pumps and the connectors are located on opposite sides of a rotating plate. 9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pumps extend substantially radially with respect to the rotating plate. 10. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating plate is rotatably supported in a radial direction and an axial direction by a plurality of rollers engaged on an outer periphery thereof. 11. The dispensing device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises two fixed-position rollers and at least one movable roller, wherein the movable roller can move closer to or away from the rotating plate. 12. The container is a flexible package,
2. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said rotating plate is provided with support means for keeping said package upright. 13. Each pump comprises a valve, wherein the valve draws fluid from the container and delivers it to the formulation reservoir;
The valve can be moved between a location for dispensing fluid from the dispensing reservoir to the container, the valve is operated by a central handle capable of moving an actuation stroke, and the position of the central handle is controlled by a plurality of sensors. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is detected. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 including a flexible reservoir made of a foil material and a rigid distributor including a distribution port, the distributor being joined to the reservoir. Container for use. 15. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a self-closing valve, the valve being opened by engagement with the nipple.
Container of 4. 16. A dispensing device for a viscous fluid, characterized by having the following configuration: a rotating plate rotatable around a rotation axis; said rotating plate having an outer periphery, wherein said container is provided around said outer periphery. Being spaced apart; the rotating plate being connected to a plurality of pumps; each pump being associated with a respective vessel for distributing the fluid; the pump being provided with a connector for detachably connecting the vessel. The pump is disposed opposite the connector with respect to the rotating plate across the rotating plate; the pump extends substantially parallel to the rotating plate and in a radial direction thereof. I have. 17. The container according to claim 16, comprising a flexible reservoir made of a foil-like material and a rigid distributor comprising a distribution port, the distributor being joined to the reservoir. Container for use in equipment. 18. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein said rotating plate is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers engaging at its outer periphery and supporting both radially and axially. 19. Apparatus for distributing a viscous fluid, characterized in that the rotating plate is connected to a plurality of containers containing the fluid to be distributed, the containers being spaced around the circumference of the rotating plate. Wherein the rotating plate is connected to a plurality of pumps, each pump being associated with each container for distributing fluid, the pump comprising a connector for detachably connecting the container. The rotatable plate is rotatably supported in a radial direction and an axial direction by a plurality of rollers engaged on its outer periphery. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, comprising a flexible reservoir made of a foil-like material and a rigid distributor including a distribution port, the distributor being joined to the reservoir. Container for use in. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pump (s) and the connector (s) are located on opposite sides of the rotating plate.