RU2776433C2 - Dispenser for dispensing liquids and its functioning method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: storage.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing liquids (dispensers). Dispenser (10) is designed for dispensing liquids, and it contains tank (12) used for liquid storage until a dispensing moment, and outlet (38), through which liquid can be released to the environment. In addition, this dispenser is equipped with dosing device (20) dispensing the set amount of liquid in a response to activation of dispenser (10), wherein the dosing device, from an inlet side, is connected to tank (12), and from an outlet side – to outlet (38). According to the invention, dosing device (20) contains preliminary dosing chamber (26), which by means of feeding channel (22) is connected to tank (12), and main dosing chamber (32), which by means of intermediate channel (28) is connected to preliminary dosing chamber (26), and by means of dispensing channel (34) – to outlet (38). Both preliminary dosing chamber (26) and main dosing chamber (32) have one movable wall (26A, 32A), by changing the position of which it is possible to change the volume of the corresponding chamber. Movable walls (26A, 32A) of preliminary dosing chamber (26) and main dosing chamber (32) are functionally mated, so that an increase in the volume of one of these chambers leads to a decrease in the volume of another chamber (32).

EFFECT: obtaining a dispenser for liquids.

19 cl, 16 dwg

Description

State of the art

Devices for storing and dispensing liquids (dispensers) are known from various sectors of the prior art. Such devices have a reservoir for the liquid, inside which it is stored until the moment of dispensing, as well as a dispensing (outlet) opening through which the liquid can be dispensed. Typical dispensers are additionally provided with a dispenser which makes it possible at any time, by means of an actuating movement, to provide an approximately constant amount of liquid to be dispensed.

It should be understood that in the context of the invention, the term "liquid" refers to both liquids with a relatively low viscosity, comparable to the viscosity of water, and liquids such as creams or gels, having a relatively high viscosity.

Exemplary liquid dispensers, including those according to the invention, can be used to dispense pharmaceutical liquid preparations which are intended to be applied, in particular, to the user's skin or to the eyes, mouth or nose. These dispensers can also be used for cosmetic liquids sprayed onto the user's skin or hair. In addition, typical dispensers, including dispensers made according to the invention, can be used to dispense foodstuffs, such as ketchup or mayonnaise. Both the known dispensers and the dispensers according to the invention can also dispense technical liquids, in particular lubricants, paints or other coating materials.

Documents related to the context of the invention include, for example, US 2017/0021993 A1, US 2017/0008692 A1, US 9527658 B2, WO 2016/198257 A1, EP 0109361 A1 and US 3858771 A1.

Disclosure of invention

The problem to which the invention is directed is to provide a dispenser which, having a simple design, provides a reproducible dosing, preferably possible with a substantially constant liquid pressure in the liquid reservoir.

To solve this problem, the invention provides a dispenser and a method of its operation.

Like typical dispensers, the dispenser according to the invention comprises a reservoir for liquid (hereinafter referred to as the reservoir), in which it is stored until the moment of dispensing, and an outlet through which the liquid can be discharged into the environment. In addition, this dispenser is equipped with a dosing device that provides the issuance of a given amount of liquid, resulting from the activation of the dispenser. This device is installed between the reservoir and the outlet and is configured to reproducibly dispense identical amounts of liquid from the reservoir.

To do this, according to the invention, the dosing device is designed as follows. It contains a pre-dosing chamber, which is connected at least temporarily to the reservoir via a supply channel. The main dosing chamber is connected to this chamber via an intermediate channel, at least temporarily, and communicates with the outlet via a dispensing channel.

The liquid previously directed from the reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber, while in it, is isolated from this reservoir, and, as will be explained later, it is possible to use a valve device for this. Through the intermediate channel, the liquid from the pre-dosing chamber is transported in a forward direction to the main dosing chamber, in which, in the context of fluid exchange, it is isolated from both the pre-dosing chamber and the reservoir. As will be explained later, a valve arrangement may also be used for this.

According to the invention, the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber have one movable wall, by shifting which it is possible to change the volume of the corresponding chamber, and the movable walls of both chambers are functionally associated with each other so that an increase in the volume of the pre-dosing chamber leads to a decrease in the volume of the main dosing chamber.

Thus, in the dispenser according to the invention, two chambers are provided between the reservoir and the outlet, namely the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber. These chambers are at least temporarily connected to each other, so that in the first phase of the use of the dispenser, the liquid can flow from the reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber, and in the second phase - from the pre-dosing chamber to the main dosing chamber. As will be explained later, the respective control of these phases can be carried out by means of valves that can be opened and closed depending on the pressure and/or by switching an actuating lever.

Due to the functional conjugation of the movable walls, the volumes of the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber turn out to be interdependent. When the pre-metering chamber is enlarged by changing the position of the movable wall, the volume of the main metering chamber is reduced. According to the invention, this correlation is used in order to be able to dispense liquid from the main metering chamber through the outlet when, under the influence of the liquid flowing there, the pre-metering chamber is enlarged and the size of the main metering chamber is reduced, resulting in dispensing.

It is possible to make the supply channel connecting the reservoir with the preliminary dosing chamber and the intermediate channel connecting this chamber with the main dosing chamber so that some of their sections are combined with each other.

Typically, the dispenser according to the invention is configured as a portable device. Therefore, it is desirable that the maximum volume of its reservoir does not exceed 1000 ml, preferably 500 ml, particularly preferably 250 ml.

The application areas of the dispenser according to the invention are varied. It appears to offer particular advantages in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. In the pharmaceutical sector, the present dispenser is preferred for applying liquid to the user's skin or to the user's eyes, nose or mouth. To this end, the dispenser is filled with a pharmaceutical liquid preparation, and it is possible to provide the dispenser with an applicator suitably adapted. In the cosmetic sector, the dispenser according to the invention is particularly suitable for dispensing gels and lotions applied to the skin. In such an embodiment, it is preferable to fill it with a cosmetic liquid, and in particular with a cosmetic active gel or cosmetic active lotion.

According to the invention, in addition to pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, it is also proposed to use this dispenser for foodstuffs, i.e., respectively, to fill its reservoir with ketchup, mayonnaise, edible oil, sauces or seasonings. In the technical liquids sector, it is suggested to use this dispenser, in particular, for paints and other coating materials, as well as oils, and fill its tank accordingly.

The size of the dose of liquid, in each case measured by the dosing device, naturally depends significantly on the area of application. The dose measured by the dosing device also depends on the design features of the dispenser and is a function of its ability to change the position of the movable wall of the main dosing chamber by an application-dependent distance, preferably corresponding to a volume of 0.01-5 ml. For many applications, a dispensing volume in the range of 0.1-3 ml, and in particular in the range of 1-2 ml, is considered appropriate.

It is desirable to provide for the presence of a spring device, by means of which the functionally interconnected movable walls of the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber permanently counteract the force in the direction in which the volume of the first of these chambers effectively decreases and the volume of the second of them increases.

Said spring device performs a return function. Changing the position of the movable walls of the dosing chambers, reducing the size of the main dosing chamber and increasing the pre-dosing chamber, is performed in the manner described above, as a result of which the liquid flows into the pre-dosing chamber, being under pressure, prevailing with the suction displacements of these walls. The described spring device performs a return function so that the walls of the dosing chambers are displaced, providing a decrease in the volume of the preliminary dosing chamber and an increase in the volume of the main dosing chamber. In this case, the spring device must be adapted to the displacement pressure when the pre-dosing chamber is filled to a level at which the spring device can be compressed by this displacement pressure and ceases to counteract the expansion of this chamber.

It is particularly preferred to use a spring device for the purpose of pumping liquid from the pre-dosing chamber into the main dosing chamber after separating the filled pre-dosing chamber from the reservoir. Thus, the spring device, as it were, performs a dual function, which is especially advantageous. If an outlet valve is provided in the design of the outlet, this spring device, by increasing the main dosing chamber, creates a rarefied and increased pressure in it and in the preliminary dosing chamber, respectively, so that the liquid is able to flow through the intermediate channel from the second of these chambers to the first.

It is desirable to install an intermediate valve in this intermediate channel, which in its closed state blocks the flow of liquid from the pre-dosing chamber into the main dosing chamber, and in the open state facilitates this flow.

The purpose of the intermediate valve in its open state is to allow liquid to be recirculated from the pre-chamber to the main metering chamber, but only when the pre-chamber is full and/or when there is no prohibition against flowing liquid from the reservoir directly into the main metering chamber. bypassing the pre-dosing chamber, as well as in case of release of liquid from the main dosing chamber not in the direction of the outlet, but in the direction of the pre-dosing chamber. When the actuating lever is not engaged, the valve is preferably open; it closes only when this lever is actuated.

Likewise, it is desirable to provide a supply valve in the supply channel which, when closed, prevents liquid from flowing from the reservoir into the pre-dosing chamber and, when open, allows this flow to occur.

The purpose of the supply valve is, on the one hand, to isolate the pre-dosing chamber from the tank, so that the liquid pressure, variantly prevailing in the tank, cannot affect the liquid in the pre-dosing chamber and in the main dosing chamber when the dispenser is inactive ( non-working) condition. On the other hand, this isolation relative to the tank is an advantage, because allows liquid to be transported from the pre-dosing chamber to the main dosing chamber without the liquid flowing back into the tank.

Preferably, the supply valve is spring-loaded, and this is particularly preferably done by means of an integral spring device connected to its end and permanently compressed in the direction of the closed state of the valve. Thus, in order to open the supply valve, a counteracting force must be applied to this spring device.

Preferably, the dispenser is provided with an actuating lever, which is operatively connected to at least one of them to control the supply and/or intermediate valves. It is desirable that this lever acts on the supply or intermediate valve in a mechanical way, i.e. so that the respective valve can be controlled independently of the liquid pressure prevailing in the dispenser.

Particularly preferred is the variant in which the actuating lever directly mechanically acts on the intermediate valve. It is particularly advantageous to close this valve by acting on the actuating lever in the usual way, i.e. pushing it down. Specifically, the intermediate valve has a so-called seat and plug, where one of these two components can be configured to be locked relative to the actuating lever. However, an arrangement is preferred in which the valve plug is able to move separately from the actuating lever, but can nevertheless be pushed into a closing position with the valve plug resting on the seat, thus closing the intermediate passage.

In conjunction with the supply valve, the actuating lever controls whether pressurized liquid is transported from the reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber. As a result, the liquid in the main dosing chamber is also under pressure, albeit indirectly.

It is desirable to install on the dispenser a common activating lever used to control the supply and intermediate valves operatively connected to it. Then, in different phases of the use of the dispenser, both valves can be opened or closed, respectively, by means of only one actuating lever. An alternative variant of the mechanical interfacing of these valves is also possible, in which they are switched mechanically, but not by an activating lever, but in response to another change in state, for example, in the form of a response to an increase in pressure in the tank.

In one of the preferred constructions, it is provided that the functional links between the common actuating lever on the one hand and the supply/intermediate valves on the other hand are made in such a way that under the action of this lever the intermediate valve closes and the supply valve opens.

According to this particular embodiment, the actuating lever is configured to switch the metering device from an initial state in which the supply valve is closed and the intermediate valve is open to a second state in which the intermediate valve is closed and the supply valve is open. In this, the second state, the liquid under the influence of pressure in the tank can reach the pre-dosing chamber; however, its flow directly to the main metering chamber and/or to the outlet is blocked by an intermediate valve.

The functional interface provided between, on the one hand, a common activating lever (or other triggering means, such as pressurizing the tank) and, on the other hand, the supply and intermediate valves, is preferably carried out in this way: first, by activating the common activating lever, close intermediate valve, and then, continuing to activate this lever, open the supply valve.

Thus, this functional interface is configured to perform a delay type mode. Specifically, when the supply valve opens, the intermediate valve is already closed. The possibility of this option is inherent in the design of both valves: the supply and intermediate valves open or close in different operating positions of the activating lever. Particular advantages are provided by the design, in which it is structurally impossible to open the supply valve when the intermediate valve is open. This condition is realized, for example, if the force impulse created between the actuating lever and the supply valve passes through the intermediate valve so that the latter can receive the corresponding force impulse only in its closed state, i.e. when the shutter in it rests on the saddle.

The possibility of implementing such a sequence of actions is ensured by the fact that the intermediate valve has a seat and a shutter that are movable relative to each other. At the same time, to control this gate by means of a common activating lever, the first control section is allocated, which is fixedly attached to this lever. During activation of the lever, this section presses the valve plug against the seat, and the valve plug can be configured as a part separated from this first section, fixed relative to it or made integral with it.

In addition, a second control section can be provided that activates the feed valve, and preferably it is made with fixation relative to the seat of the intermediate valve and so that to open the feed valve after closing the intermediate valve, the position of the second control section can be changed by means of a common activating lever.

In one of the preferred designs of the dispenser according to the invention, it is provided that between the main metering chamber and the outlet is installed a vent valve, which under the influence of increased pressure in the main metering chamber can be kept closed. You can force open this valve by activating the dispenser.

This design allows liquid to be kept in the main dispensing chamber under pressure as the pressure autonomously holds the outlet valve closed until the dispenser is activated. The pressurization of the liquid is intended (not primarily) for subsequent dispensing, as the pressure required for this is preferably generated by enlarging the pre-dosing chamber when the dispenser is activated. The main advantage of this design, which allows the intermediate storage of liquid in the main metering chamber under pressure, is that due to this, liquids can not only be stored under pressure, but also dispensed. Specifically, such fluids include foam forming fluids. During actual dispensing, you only need to lower the pressure.

Said exhaust valve is characterized by the fact that the liquid pressure in the main chamber does not open it, but, on the contrary, forces it into a closed state. To open, you need to activate the dispenser, namely, press the activating lever down. Specifically, this valve is forcibly opened by bringing into physical contact with its plug a section that moves together with the actuating lever and retracts the plug from the seat in the valve.

The design, in which the outlet valve plug is identical to the intermediate valve plug, thus forming a common plug, provides a particular advantage in terms of design. Such a common valve plug is movable between two terminal positions, each corresponding to one valve seat. Thus, when this valve is driven to one of the terminal positions, it closes the exhaust valve. In the opposite terminal position, the shutter closes the inlet valve in the same way.

In the simplest version, the movable walls of the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber are formed by a deformable membrane, in which one side defines the pre-dosing chamber, and the other - the main dosing chamber.

However, substantially rigid movable walls are preferred for these chambers. It is possible to connect such walls by gearing.

Then the movement of one of the walls is possible only when the other wall moves simultaneously.

Specifically, in this case, the two walls may be configured in mutual fixation to form a common wall which is configured as a movable piston. This design option is particularly simple. Both movable walls are suitably designed as only one component. However, in alternative designs, the walls are separate components and, being in functional connection with each other, are displaced (for example, by means of the mentioned intermediate gearing) at unequal distances. Such transmission is a potentially useful aid, particularly when used to ensure that the liquid pressure in the main metering chamber is different from that of the reservoir and pre-chamber.

However, from a design simplification point of view, it is desirable that the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber have at least substantially identical pressures through the use of a common integral wall.

This is particularly advantageous when the movable walls of the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber are identical in size in the direction of movement, so that the volume of the first of these chambers decreases by the same amount due to a change in the position of the combined wall, the volume of the second chamber increases by the same amount. When the intermediate valve is closed, due to the identical dimensions, the liquid pressure on both sides, i.e. in both chambers is essentially the same. It is only by using said spring device that the liquid pressure prevailing in the main dosing chamber can be made somewhat lower than in the pre-dosing chamber.

However, as an alternative, it is also possible to use structures in which the movable walls vary in size. As will be explained later, this results in specific characteristics when liquid is transferred from the pre-dosing chamber to the main dosing chamber.

Thus, the movable wall of the pre-chamber can be larger or smaller than the movable wall of the main metering chamber, so that when the volume of the pre-chamber is reduced by changing the position of the combined wall, the volume of the main metering chamber increases to a greater or lesser extent.

In the present context, these differing dimensions correspond to those portions of the area of the corresponding movable wall that effectively influence the pressure. Due to the difference in size, you can get different effects that may be in demand in specific situations. In particular, a pressure control effect can be achieved in this way, such that the pressure in the main metering chamber can be substantially higher or substantially lower than that in the pre-metering chamber. By means of this effect, for example, it is possible to carry out a liquid dispensing that is not dependent on pressure at all, or to obtain a jet spray pattern generated by means of a particularly high pressure. In addition, reverse suction of liquid from the dispensing channel into the main dosing chamber can lead to an effective result, which leads to the fact that when the position of the moving walls changes, the increase in volume in the main dosing chamber becomes greater than the decrease in volume in the pre-dosing chamber.

In the described construction according to the invention, the liquid is transported under pressure from the reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber, as a result of which the volume of the main dosing chamber is reduced, i.e. the interaction of the walls causes the release of liquid.

In order to generate the pressure necessary to fill the pre-dosing chamber, as well as to reduce the volume of the main dosing chamber, it is preferable to use a tank configured to store liquids at elevated pressure as the dispenser reservoir.

In such a tank, the liquid is permanently under pressure, and it reaches the end customer already in the transported state. This can be done, for example, by means of a permanently tensed spring device placed in the reservoir and acting on the displacement piston. In other designs, a propellant is present in the reservoir. Designs are also possible in which a "liquid bag" type package is placed inside the reservoir, surrounded by a pressurized gas atmosphere.

In alternative embodiments, other designs are possible in which the dispenser is provided with a pumping device to increase the pressure. By means of this device, pressure can be applied to the liquid for supplying it from the reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber in each particular case.

Such an arrangement may include, for example, a pumping device by means of which the pressure in the reservoir, which is not intended to be kept pressurized for a long time, is increased in preparation for dispensing.

In principle, it is also possible to connect a pumping device to the already mentioned activation lever, which ensures the transport of liquid from the reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber. This connection first assists in expelling liquid from the reservoir and then optionally acts on the intermediate valve or supply valve/interval valve combination. A design is also acceptable in which the reservoir is pressurized manually, such as in a pipe, and said valves (ie, intermediate and supply valves) are alternatively controlled indirectly by the pressure in the reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser is a modular design consisting of a storage unit and an associated dispensing head. The design of the storage unit in this case includes a reservoir, as well as an outlet channel through which liquid is supplied in the direction of the dispensing head. This head combines a pre-dosing chamber, a main dosing chamber and an outlet.

In a design having between the reservoir and the pre-dosing chamber a supply valve installed in the supply channel, this valve is preferably part of the storage unit.

Storage units of this type, comprising a pressure reservoir and a valve, are well known, for example in the context of deodorants. Thus, a dispensing head provided with a metering device of the type chosen according to the invention can be connected to a serial container having a valve of this type and, as a result of this connection, additionally acquiring a metering device. In the described context, the valve on the tank in this embodiment functions as a supply valve.

In one particularly preferred design, the dispensing head is divided into an adapter and a dispensing unit. The adapter is provided with a fastening device by means of which it is attached to the storage unit. The dispensing unit has an outlet. The adapter and the dispensing unit are inserted in a simple way, which also forms a dispensing channel extending from the main dosing chamber to the outlet. Specifically, the adapter and dispenser may be connected simply by a tight fit. However, designs with a plug-in connection formed by positive fit are also possible. Such a connection can be made, for example, by means of locking cams located on the adapter or on the dispensing unit.

This design, with an adapter and dispensing unit, provides a high level of versatility. It is advantageous to be able to attach the dispenser unit, with or without an adapter, to the storage unit in such a way that it can be adapted to the specific requirements of the manufacturer or customer. The dispenser is connected to the adapter by a simple connection that can be formed without any further disassembly of these components. This connection can be implemented, in particular, in the form of a plug-in interface made only on the basis of a tight fit, i.e. just as it has already been in the case of tank dispensing heads. A design that simply inserts an adapter may also be preferred.

The storage unit preferably has a lid (preferably metal) that closes the reservoir on the dispensing head side. An outlet channel extends through the lid, and the lid has a concave area. The pre-dosing chamber and/or the main dosing chamber may be limited by an outer wall enclosing the respective chamber from the outside, and an end wall, these walls being two different parts attached to each other with a closure. The advantage of this variant is that, since the outer wall and/or the fastening element provided on the outer side protrude into the concave area of the lid, mechanical separation of the outer and end walls from each other, initiated by pressure respectively in the pre-dosing chamber or in the main chamber, is prevented. dosing chamber, because such separation is prevented by the fastening wall of the lid enclosing these walls.

Said cover of the storage unit is also known from the prior art. Typically, this is a metal cap that is crimped to a substantially cylindrical wall of the tank. The design proposed in this description, allows you to use the recess formed by the cover to prevent (by conformity in shape) the separation of the said outer wall and said end wall from one another. This separation is likely to occur due to the high pressure at which liquid flows from the reservoir into the pre-dosing chamber, and this pressure depends on the chosen design option.

Designs are possible in which there are no additional components at all between the fixing wall of the lid and the outer wall of the pre-dosing chamber or the main dosing chamber; however, an intermediate fastening component can also be provided. In particular, this is expedient when the outer and end walls, according to the chosen use of the dispenser, are displaced axially when the dispenser is activated (see below). In such a case, the presence of an intermediate fastening component can ensure that the joint between these walls is maintained even when it moves out of the recess of the lid.

One of the preferred designs is characterized in that the pre-dosing chamber and/or the main dosing chamber is limited/limited by two common components connected to each other in the axial direction, and it is desirable to install these components so that they are fixed relative to the second control area.

In addition to the designs described above using a lid as a safety feature, a design in which each chamber component has a single cylindrical outer portion, two such portions being inserted into each other in an overlapping manner, has shown structural advantages, providing a particularly high level of stability. In addition, overlapping zones of a few millimeters in overlap length are very suitable for accommodating closing elements used in closing chamber components.

An additional advantage is provided if the main body of the dispensing head encloses one of said outer areas in such a way that the expansion of this area is limited, counteracting any separation of the components of the chambers. This way you can prevent their complete separation. Of course, the possibility of leakage remains, but, nevertheless, the potential separation of these components, which could lead to injury, is effectively prevented.

The advantage of the design of the dispenser according to the invention is the presence of the main body of the dispensing head, which is attached to the reservoir in a fixed way by means of a fastening device. In a preferred embodiment, this head contains an activating block capable of linear movement relative to the said body and containing an activating lever. In addition, the head provides for the presence of a chamber block capable of linearly moving relative to the main body and the activating block and forming the outer wall of the pre-dosing chamber and/or the main dosing chamber.

Said main body in any situation remains spatially fixed with respect to the tank (in particular with respect to the body of this tank). The actuating lever, on the contrary, is able to change its position, thus opening and closing the intermediate valve and, in addition, opening or closing the supply valve.

A variant of the design of the chamber block, which allows changing its position, is not necessary, but desirable. This design allows direct use of the chamber block or the actuating portion fixed relative to it to open or close the supply valve. In this case, the advantage is that no sliding seals have to be provided in the area of the pre-dosing chamber between it and the reservoir. In particular, this is an advantage in view of the fact that high pressures prevail in this zone and, as has been shown, sufficiently safe sliding seals can only be achieved in a very difficult manner.

However, it is possible to secure the camera unit locally relative to the main body by choosing an alternative design. However, in this design, since the actuating lever must switch the intermediate and supply valves, it is necessary that the corresponding actuating portion performing the switching of the supply valve be able to move relative to the chamber block, and this displacement creates the problem described above associated with the sliding seal required in this embodiment. . However, this design option can also be considered effective if the required complications are justified or if problems do not arise due to the fact that only low pressures are used in the dispenser according to the invention.

In one potential design, the dispenser is provided with a dispensing valve located in the dispensing channel. The opening of this valve occurs depending on the pressure of the liquid coming from the main dosing chamber.

The dispensing valve preferably switches depending on the pressure. Specifically, it opens when there is sufficient pressure in the main dosing chamber and, accordingly, in the dispensing channel leading to the outlet. This makes it possible to tailor the delivery characteristic in a special way, for example in the form of a specific spray pattern. In addition, such a valve is effective in isolating the liquid remaining in the dispensing channel from the environment, thus making it possible to prevent associated contamination. In relation to the recirculation of liquid from the pre-metering chamber to the main metering chamber, the valve is also effective in creating the required negative pressure in the main metering chamber. By means of this dispensing valve, this rarefied pressure is prevented from being eliminated by air flowing from the environment through the outlet.

In addition to the dispenser as such, the invention relates to the method of its operation. This method includes the following operations. First, the preliminary dosing chamber is filled through the supply channel with liquid under pressure and coming from the tank, and this chamber and the main dosing chamber, as a result of changing the position of their movable walls, depending on the pressure, acquire their maximum and their minimum volumes, respectively. Then, after filling the pre-dosing chamber, the liquid from it, in the process of changing the position of the movable wall, is transported through the intermediate channel to the main dosing chamber until the volume of this chamber becomes maximum, and the volume of the pre-dosing chamber, respectively, is minimal. In the process of refilling the pre-dosing chamber with liquid under pressure and coming from the tank through the supply channel, the moving walls of the pre-dosing chamber and the main dosing chamber once again change their position, moreover, so that the volume of the main dosing chamber decreases, as a result of which liquid is dispensed through the outlet.

Brief description of the drawings

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the appended claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are taken as examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1 shows, in section, a dispenser according to the invention.

In FIG. 2A-2H show a fragment of the dispenser, covering its dispensing head, as well as the top of the storage unit, and these drawings illustrate the various stages of actuating the dispenser.

In FIG. 3A-3B illustrate the operation of the dispenser after it has been started.

In FIG. 4 shows an alternative dispensing head design.

In FIG. 5A and 5B show another possible dispensing head design and illustrate the possibility of using its dispensing unit without an adapter.

In FIG. 6 shows another alternative dispensing head design.

In FIG. 7 shows a further alternative dispensing head design, different from the design of FIG. 6 by the presence of a forcedly controlled exhaust valve.

Implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1 shows, in section, a liquid dispenser 10.

The dispenser 10 includes a storage unit 11 which includes a reservoir 12 provided with a dispensing valve assembly 13 . A dispensing head 14 is installed on the storage unit 11, attached to it by means of a fastening device 50. In turn, the head 14 contains an adapter 16 and a dispensing unit 18, in which an outlet 38 is provided.

The dispensing head 14 contains several main components of the dispensing device 20. These include the pre-dispensing chamber 26, which in FIG. 1 is shown in the position corresponding to its minimum volume, and the main metering chamber 32. These chambers 26, 32 together form a chamber block 74, which, among other functions, provides with its outer walls the outer wall 56 and the end wall 58. The pre-metering chamber 26 and the main metering chamber 32 is separated from each other by an integral wall 48, which is installed with the ability to change its position in the vertical direction relative to the walls 56, 58 in the piston mode, which allows you to increase the pre-dosing chamber 26, while reducing the size of the main metering chamber 32, and, on the contrary, to reduce the size of the pre-dosing chamber 26, while increasing the main dosing chamber 32. The combined wall 48 forms the movable wall 32A of the main metering chamber 32 on one side, and the movable wall 26A of the pre-dosing chamber 26 on the other side. By means of a spring device 40, in this case made in the form of a helical compression spring, the combined wall 48 is pressed down under the action of the force applied to it, i.e. in the direction corresponding to the volume reduction of the pre-dosing chamber 26 .

The chamber 26 is connected to the tank 12 through the supply channel 22, which partly passes inside the storage unit 11, and is partly formed by a hollow control section 46 of the chamber unit 74. The supply valve 24 is installed in the channel 22, which is part of the assembly 13 included in the design of the storage unit 11. The pre-dosing chamber 26 and the main dosing chamber 32 are connected to each other by an intermediate channel 28 in which a valve (specifically, the intermediate valve 30) is also installed.

The liquid is allowed to flow from the main metering chamber 32 into the dispensing channel 34 ending in the outlet 38. If the pressure of the liquid in the channel 34 and in the main metering chamber 32 is high enough, under its influence, the issuing valve 36 installed in the channel 34 opens.

The already mentioned chamber unit 74 is movable in direction 2 relative to the reservoir 12 and the main body 70 of the dispensing head, by means of a fastening device 50 attached to the storage unit 11 . The activation block 72 is also capable of moving in direction 2, but relative to the main body 70 of the dispensing head and the chamber block 74, and this block 72 contains the dispensing block 18 together with the dispensing channel 34 and the outlet 38, as well as the first control section 44 extending into the chamber block 74 to the intermediate valve 30 and, further, to the outside in the area of the sliding seal 45, which is slidable relative to the block 74. On the upper side of the dispensing head 14, there is an actuating lever 42 having a push front surface.

When a high pressure is created in the chamber block 74 during the operation described below, under the influence of this pressure it is fixed relative to the end wall 58 in a position separated from the cylindrical outer wall 56. The guarantee of this configuration is ensured by the fact that the chamber block 74 protrudes into the inner zone 54 of the metal covers 52 of the storage unit 11. The wall 60 of the lid 52 enclosing this area 54 indirectly blocks the radial expansion of the outer wall 56 by means of the wall of the main body 70, which acts as a fastening element, which could lead to separation from the end wall 58.

Further with reference to Fig. 2A-2H, the operation of the dispenser 10 shown in FIG. one.

In FIG. 2A, the dispenser is shown in the same state as in FIG. 1. The actuating lever 42 is illustrated in its upper terminal position, which is also its initial position. Intermediate valve 30 is open, i. e. therein, the spherical seal 30B can freely move away from the seat 30A, as a result of which the main metering chamber 32 is connected to the pre-metering chamber 26. The supply valve 24 is closed under pressure applied by the valve spring of the storage unit 11 . In this state, the pre-dosing chamber 26 and the main dosing chamber 32 have minimum and maximum volumes, respectively.

From its rest position, the actuating lever 42, together with the entire actuating block 72, is pressed downwards, displaced in direction 2, with the result that the first control portion 44 is displaced downward by the same distance. In FIG. 2B illustrates an intermediate state in which the activating block 72 is displaced downward so that the lower end side of the first control section 44 reaches the spherical seal 30B of the intermediate valve 30 and presses this seal 30B against the valve seat 30A of the chamber block 74, closing the intermediate valve 30.

Continued lowering of the activation block 72 in the manner shown in FIG. 2C causes the integral chamber assembly 74 to be pushed out by the force transmitted through the valve plug 30B. Under this influence is also the second control section 46, which performs its function on the supply valve 24 and opens this valve, overcoming the resistance of its spring. From the reservoir 12, configured in a pressurized version, the liquid is now able to flow along the line indicated in FIG. 2 With dots, into the pre-dosing chamber 26. Since the intermediate valve 30 is closed at this stage, it cannot enter the main metering chamber 32.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the flow of liquid entering the pre-dosing chamber 26 increases it by moving the integral wall 48 upwards and overcoming the force applied by the spring device 40. At the same time, the size of the main metering chamber 32 is reduced by the same amount, so that the air that was in it, in delivery mode, is compressed and, if the pressure is high enough, is forced out of the dispenser 10 through the dispensing channel 34.

In FIG. 2E shows a state of the dispenser in which the pre-dosing chamber 26 has been enlarged to its maximum volume and the size of the main dosing chamber 32 has thereby been reduced to the maximum. In this state, the flow of liquid from the reservoir 12 is blocked.

Now that the actuating lever 42 is in the neutral position, the delivery valve 24 closes first (see FIG. 2F) and then the intermediate valve 30 opens (see FIG. 2G), as it is no longer brought into its closed position by the first control section 44. The fluid is allowed to flow along the path indicated in FIG. 2G dots, from the pre-dosing chamber 26 to the main dosing chamber 32, doing so under the action of the spring device 40 pressing the integral wall 48 down.

Since after transferring the dispenser 10 to the operating mode, the main dosing chamber is still filled with air, this air must be expelled before the start of actual dispensing. In the process of recirculation between the pre-dosing chamber 26 and the main dosing chamber 32 (see FIGS. 2G and 2H), this air cannot be eliminated, since at this stage the total volume of these chambers is essentially unchanged. Only when the said sequence of actions, starting from the state of FIG. 2H, it is repeated that during the steps of increasing the pre-dispensing chamber 26 and reducing the size of the main dispensing chamber 32 the air is forced out so that the chamber 32 is finally completely filled with liquid and the dispenser can be used as intended.

In FIG. 3A illustrates the state of the dispenser 10, functionally ready for use. In this state, the main metering chamber 32 is completely filled with liquid. During the use of the dispenser 10, the described sequence of movements of its functional parts corresponds to the sequence of preparation for work performed according to FIG. 2A-2H.

As a result of pressing the activation lever 42, which is in a functionally neutral ready state (see Fig. 3A), it enters the state of Fig. 3B, in which the intermediate valve 30 closes as shown in FIG. 2D, and the supply valve 24 is opened, which in turn causes liquid to flow from the reservoir 12 into the pre-dosing chamber 26. As a result, the combined wall 48 is displaced upwards, which, in turn, initiates a decrease in the volume of the main dosing chamber 32 and the release of liquid through the dispensing channel 34 and the outlet 38.

As soon as the activation lever 42 is again in the neutral position after dispensing, the spring device 40 presses the integral wall 48 down again, thus forcing the liquid from the pre-dispensing chamber 26 into the main dispensing chamber 32, with the result that, by the next activation of the dispenser, the dispensing of the liquid can be repeated. .

In FIG. 4 shows a slightly modified alternative dispensing head design. Except for components that are unequivocally illustrated in some other way, the remaining components are functionally identical to their counterparts in the construction of FIG. 2A-3B. In this alternative design, the combined wall 48 and chamber block 74 are designed with some differences. Specifically, the movable wall 26A of the pre-metering chamber 26 generating pressure when moving in direction 2 is smaller than the movable wall 32A performing the same function in the main metering chamber 32. volume of chamber 32 exceeds the decrease in volume of chamber 26. This effect, accompanied by the suction of liquid from the dispensing channel 34 back into the main dispensing chamber 32 during recirculation, reduces the possibility of contamination of the liquid. In order to facilitate such suction back, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the dispensing valve 36 has been removed.

In the design variant according to FIG. 5A, the dispensing unit 18 is constructed differently from the previous embodiments. In this case, it forms a nasal applicator. In addition, it is provided in this embodiment that the connecting dimension of the dispenser 18 in the first control section 44 is identical to the connecting dimension of the second control section 46 and the storage unit 11 . As a result, the adapter 16 can optionally be omitted from the design. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the dispensing unit 18 combined with the nasal applicator can be attached directly to the storage unit 11.

With the exception of the mentioned aspects, the embodiment of FIG. 5A and 5B are structurally identical to those of FIGS. 2A-3B.

The structure according to Fig. 6, in a normal situation, functions in the same way as the structures described above; however, it is optimal in terms of ease of manufacture. The essential difference of this design is that the chamber block 74 is supplemented with two components 57, 59, both of which are designed like a cup and are inserted into each other in a tight fit in the area of the cylindrical outer walls. In the overlap zone, a form-fitting interface is formed, and the locking cams are shaped to prevent the chamber components 57, 59 from being separated along the axis without destroying them. The expansion of the outer component 57 and the resulting separation of these chamber components is blocked by the fact that too much expansion is prevented by the inside of the main unit 72.

The structure according to Fig. 7 is basically identical in functionality to the construction of FIG. 6; however, the difference is that the dispenser according to FIG. 7 is provided with an outlet valve 31 which is designed to be forced open and held closed by the overpressure in the main metering chamber 32.

The presence of this outlet valve 31 allows you to keep the liquid in the main metering chamber 32 under increased pressure until the moment of issue. This is important, for example, if, according to its purpose, the liquid should form foam when the pressure is removed. In order that such foam does not already form in the main metering chamber 32, the pressure must be maintained at a minimum level.

In the neutral state of the dispenser in the outlet valve 31, the valve 31B is pressed against the seat 31A by the liquid pressure in the main dispensing chamber 32. After actuating the actuating lever 42, its operating portion 44 presses against the protrusion of the valve plug 31B, and thus pushes this plug 31B away from the valve seat 31A, thereby opening the outlet port.

After dispensing, the liquid flowing under pressure into the main chamber 32 again presses the plug 31B in the valve 31 against the seat 31A and thus closes this valve again until the next activation of the dispenser.

In the design of Fig. 7 provides a common closure 30B, 31B which is a closure for both intermediate valve 30 and outlet valve 31. This design has the advantage of reducing the number of parts required. However, a design variant is also possible in principle, in which the two valves 30, 31 have their own separate closures 30B, 31B.

Claims (67)

1. A dispenser (10) for dispensing liquids, having the following features: a. the dispenser (10) contains a reservoir (12) used to store liquid until it is dispensed; b. the dispenser (10) has an outlet (38) through which the liquid can be discharged into the environment; in. the dispenser (10) is equipped with a dosing device (20) that dispenses a predetermined amount of liquid in response to the activation of the dispenser (10), and the dosing device is connected to the liquid reservoir (12) on the inlet side, and to the outlet (38) on the outlet side ; d. the dosing device (20) contains a pre-dosing chamber (26), which is connected to the liquid reservoir (12) via a supply channel (22); e. the dosing device (20) contains the main dosing chamber (32), which is connected via an intermediate channel (28) to the pre-dosing chamber (26), and through the issuance channel (34) to the outlet (38); e. each of the pre-dosing chamber (26) and the main dosing chamber (32) has one movable wall (26A, 32A), and by changing the position of said wall (26A, 32A), the volume of the corresponding chamber can be changed; and. movable walls (26A, 32A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) and the main dosing chamber (32) are functionally coupled so that an increase in the volume of the pre-dosing chamber (26) leads to a decrease in the volume of the main dosing chamber (32); h. in the supply channel (22) there is a supply valve (24), which in the closed state is capable of blocking the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir (12) into the pre-dosing chamber (26), and in the open state allows the said flow; and. an intermediate valve (30) is installed in the intermediate channel (28), which in the closed state is able to block the flow of liquid from the pre-dosing chamber (26) into the main dosing chamber (32), and in the open state provides the possibility of this flow. 2. Dispenser (10) according to claim 1, having the following additional feature: a. there is a spring device (40), by means of which a force is permanently applied to the functionally coupled walls (26A, 32A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) and the main dosing chamber (32) in the direction in which the volume of the pre-dosing chamber (26) effectively decreases and increases the volume of the main dosing chamber (32). 3. Dispenser (10) according to claim 1, having the following additional feature: a. the dispenser (10) contains an actuating lever (42), which is operatively connected to at least one of said valves (24, 30) to control the supply valve (24) and/or intermediate valve (30). 4. Dispenser (10) according to claim 3, having the following additional feature: a. the actuating lever (42) is configured to act on the supply valve (24) or on the intermediate valve (30) mechanically, making it possible to control the corresponding valve (24, 30) regardless of the liquid pressure prevailing in the dispenser (10). 5. Dispenser (10) according to claim 3 or 4, with the following additional features: a. the activating lever (42) is functionally connected to the supply valve (24) and to the intermediate valve (30) and is configured to control both of these valves (24, 30), and b. functional connections between the common actuating lever (42), on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the supply valve (24) and the intermediate valve (30) are made in such a way that, under the action of the common actuating lever (42), the intermediate valve (30) closes, and the supply valve (24) opens. 6. Dispenser (10) according to claim 5, having the following additional feature: a. functional connections between the common actuating lever (42) on the one hand and, on the other hand, the supply valve (24) and the intermediate valve (30) are made in such a way that the intermediate valve (30) is first closed by the action of the common actuating lever (42) , and the supply valve (24) is opened by subsequent continued actuation of the common actuating lever. 7. Dispenser (10) according to claim 6, having the following additional features: a. the intermediate valve (30) has a seat (30A) and a shutter (30B) movable relative to the seat, and for controlling the shutter (30B) of the valve by means of a common activating lever (42) there is a first control section (44), which is connected in a fixed way to the common activating lever (42) and is capable of pressing the valve plug (30B) against the valve seat (30A) when the actuating lever (42) is moved, and b. there is a second control section (46) for activating the supply valve (24), fixed in position relative to the seat (30A) of the intermediate valve and made with the ability to change its position after closing the intermediate valve (30) by means of a common activating lever (42) and open the supply valve (24). 8. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional features: a. between the main dosing chamber (32) and the outlet (38) there is an outlet valve (31) configured to be kept closed by increased pressure in the main dosing chamber (32), moreover b. the outlet valve (31) is forced to open by activating the dispenser (10); while the exhaust valve (31) has at least one of the following additional features: in. the outlet valve (31) has a plug (31B), which in the closed state of the valve abuts against the seat (31A) of the valve, and is pressed against the seat (31A) of the valve mechanically by changing the position of the activating lever (42), and/or d. the exhaust valve (31) and the intermediate valve (30) have a common gate (30B, 31B), which is able to move between two terminal positions, each of the terminal positions is given by one of the seats (30A, 31A) of these valves. 9. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional feature: a. the movable walls (26A, 32A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) and the main metering chamber (32) are configured as movable walls that are mutually fixed in position, resulting in an integrated wall (48). 10. Dispenser (10) according to claim 9, having the following additional feature: a. the movable walls (26A, 32A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) and the main dosing chamber (32) are identical in size, so that reducing the volume of the pre-dosing chamber (26) by changing the position of the combined wall (48) causes, to the same extent, an increase the volume of the main dosing chamber (32). 11. Dispenser (10) according to claim 9, having the following additional features: a. the movable wall (26A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) is smaller than the movable wall (32A) of the main metering chamber (32), so that a decrease in the volume of the pre-dosing chamber (26) by changing the position of the combined wall (48) causes an increase in the volume of the main metering chamber (32 ) to a greater extent, or b. the movable wall (26A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) is larger than the movable wall (32A) of the main metering chamber (32), so that a decrease in the volume of the pre-dosing chamber (26) by changing the position of the combined wall (48) causes an increase in the volume of the main metering chamber (32 ) less. 12. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional features: a. the reservoir (12) of the dispenser (10) is configured to store liquids at elevated pressure, or b. the dispenser is provided with a pressurizing device, by means of which the pressure of the liquid can be increased to supply it from the liquid reservoir to the pre-dosing chamber. 13. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional features: a. the dispenser (10) contains: a storage unit (11), which is a reservoir (12) for liquid, and a dispensing head (14), which is attached to the storage unit (11) by means of a fastening device (50) and contains a pre-dosing chamber (26) , main dosing chamber (32) and outlet (38). 14. Dispenser (10) according to claim 13, with the following additional features: a. the dispensing head (14) is provided with an adapter (16) and has a dispensing unit (18); b. for attaching to the storage unit (11), the adapter (16) is provided with a fastening device (50); in. the dispensing unit (18) has an outlet (38), and d. the adapter (16) and the dispensing unit (18) are connected to each other by a push-fit connection. 15. Dispenser (10) according to claim 13 or 14, with the following additional features: a. the pre-dosing chamber (26) and/or the main dosing chamber (32) are limited by two common components (56, 58; 57, 59) which are connected to each other in the axial direction and preferably have at least one of the following additional features: b. each of the components (56, 58; 57, 59) of said chambers has one cylindrical outer portion, two such outer portions being inserted into each other in an overlapping manner using a tension fit, and/or in. at least one of the components (56, 58; 57, 59) of the chambers has a cylindrical outer section, and the specified section is covered by the main body (70) of the dispensing head (14) in such a way that the expansion of the specified section is limited, creating resistance to any separation of camera components. 16. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional features: a. the dispensing head (14) has a main body (70) which is fixedly attached to the liquid reservoir (12) by means of a fastening device; b. the dispensing head (14) contains an activating block (72), which is mounted with the possibility of linear movement relative to the main body (70) and is provided with an activating lever (42), and in. the dispensing head (14) contains a chamber block (74), which is mounted with the possibility of linear movement relative to the main body (70) and the activating block (72) and forms the outer wall of the pre-dosing chamber and/or the main dosing chamber. 17. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional feature: a. in the dispensing channel (34), a dispensing valve (36) is installed, which opens depending on the pressure of the liquid flowing out of the main dosing chamber. 18. Dispenser (10) according to any of the previous paragraphs, having the following additional features: a. the liquid reservoir is capable of being filled with a liquid selected from the group consisting of: liquid food products such as edible oils, mayonnaise or ketchup, technical liquids such as paints or lubricants, pharmaceutical liquid or cosmetic liquid, and/or b. the liquid reservoir has a volume up to 1000 ml, preferably up to 500 ml, and particularly preferably up to 250 ml, and/or in. the dispensing volume of the dosing device (20), which is set by the ability of the movable wall (32A) of the main dosing chamber (32) to change its position, is 0.01-5 ml, preferably 1-2 ml, and/or d. the intermediate valve (30) has a plug (30V) capable of moving in the valve chamber, the valve seat is installed on the inlet side of the valve chamber, and the size of the valve chamber can be reduced by means of an actuating lever (42), and/or e. movable walls (26A, 32A), being parts of the combined wall (48), are able to change their position in the direction of movement of the activating lever. 19. The method of operation of the dispenser (10), designed to dispense liquids and made according to any of the previous paragraphs, while this method includes the following operations: a. through the supply channel (22) the pre-dosing chamber (26) is filled with a liquid under pressure and coming from the liquid reservoir (12), while the pre-dosing chamber (26) due to a change, under the action of pressure, of the position of its movable wall (26A) , takes its maximum volume, and the main dosing chamber (32) due to a change, for the same reason, the position of the movable wall (32A) takes its minimum volume; b. transport, by changing the position of the movable wall (26A), the liquid from the pre-dosing chamber (26) through the intermediate channel (28) to the main dosing chamber (32) until the main dosing chamber (32) reaches its maximum volume, and the pre-dosing chamber (26) will not accept its minimum volume, and in. in the course of refilling the pre-dosing chamber (26) with liquid under pressure and flowing through the supply channel (22) from the liquid reservoir (12), the positions of the moving walls (26A, 32A) of the pre-dosing chamber (26) and the main dosing chamber (32) so that the volume of the main dosing chamber (32) is reduced and liquid is dispensed from the main dosing chamber (32) through the outlet (38).

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