WO2006094545A1

WO2006094545A1 - Multi-chamber system

Info

Publication number: WO2006094545A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/013155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Georg MÜHLHAUSEN; Wolfgang Barthel
Original assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
Priority date: 2005-03-10
Filing date: 2005-12-08
Publication date: 2006-09-14
Also published as: DE102005011585A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-chamber system (1) for accommodating at least two free-flowing products, having at least two chambers (2, 3) which each have at least one closable outlet opening, and having a closure element (4) by means of which the outlet openings of the chambers can be closed simultaneously. The multi-chamber system is distinguished in that, by virtue of the air pressure which acts on the multi-chamber system, each chamber can be compressed to the volume which corresponds to the volume of the free-flowing product located in the chamber.

Description

Multi-chamber system

The invention relates to a multi-chamber system for receiving at least two flowable products.

From US 5,102,016, for example, a multi-chamber system in the form of a bottle is known in which two separate chambers are formed by a partition wall. Each chamber has a closable outlet opening, which can be closed simultaneously by a closure element in the form of a screw-cap.

Due to the two separate chambers, the bottle can accommodate two flowable products or liquids that do not mix due to the partition in the bottle. In order to transport the two liquids from the bottle, first the screwed lid is unscrewed, and the bottle is turned upside down or inclined so that the two side-by-side outlet openings are directed downwards. The bottle can be squeezed together by a hand gripping the bottle so that the liquids in the two chambers come out through the outlet openings. The bottle is made of an elastic material, the restoring forces of which cause the bottle to return to its original shape when the pressure of the hand subsides.

A continuous and metered removal of the two liquids from the bottle is not possible. By squeezing the bottle, only a certain quantity of the two liquids comes out of the bottle. Further emptying of the bottle is only possible if the bottle after compression has returned to its original shape. In this case, the volume of the previously compressed chambers increases, with the result that air is sucked through the outlet openings in the two chambers. Only after this suction can be pressed out by turning the bottle upside down and by squeezing the bottle again liquid from the bottle.

By the above-described air suction, caused by the restoring forces of the elastic material of the bottle, the flowable products in the chambers inevitably come into contact with air. For products that may not come in contact with air due to given requirements, the bottle according to US 5,102,016 can not be used.

Furthermore, it is only partially possible to always allow the liquids to pass through the outlet openings in an equal or constant ratio. For example, it may be desirable for the liquids to leak out of the bottle in a 1: 1 ratio. By squeezing the bottle, however, one chamber can be compressed more than the other chamber. As a result, a larger amount of liquid from the more compressed chamber occurs as from the less compressed chamber.

Also disclosed in US 4,089,437 is a squeezable bottle having two chambers. Again, in a longitudinal direction of the bottle, a partition wall which separates the two chambers from each other. The partition has a soft and flexible area, which ensures that between the two chambers, a pressure or volume compensation can take place. If one of the two chambers is compressed more strongly, the flexible and soft area of the dividing wall ensures a corresponding compensation so that the two liquids exit through the two outlet openings to the same extent. The soft and flexible region of the dividing wall proposed in US Pat. No. 4,089,437 avoids the disadvantage of potentially uneven leakage of the liquids compared to US Pat. No. 5,102,016. But here, too, the bottle must revert to its original shape after being squeezed, thereby sucking in air. Only then can a further removal of the liquids take place by repeated squeezing. Egg- ne continuous delivery of liquids is therefore not possible. Also, the two liquids in the bottle inevitably come into contact with air.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a multi-chamber system that is simple in construction, allows a continuous removal of the liquids located in the multi-chamber system and ensures a defined ratio of the liquids passing through the outlet openings.

The problem underlying the invention is achieved by the multi-chamber system having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the multi-chamber system is characterized in that each chamber is compressible to the volume corresponding to the volume of the flowable product located in the chamber by acting on the multi-chamber system air pressure. The air pressure acting on the multi-chamber system is usually around 1000 hPa at sea level. Depending on the weather conditions (low-pressure, high-pressure influence), the air pressure may assume values that deviate more or less from 1000 hPa. Also, the air pressure decreases with increasing altitude above sea level. Thus, the air pressure in 3000m altitude is only 700 hPa.

The fact that the air pressure compresses each chamber to the volume corresponding to the volume of the flowable product located in the chamber, no negative pressure can occur when removing the flowable product in the chamber. A vacuum caused by suction of air can therefore be safely avoided. Since no negative pressure can occur in the chamber, removal of the liquid counteracts no forces. If one avoids the frictional forces which are created by the movement of the flowable product during removal. This simplifies the removal and also the dosing of the streams of flowable products from the chambers, which is necessary for the mixing of the Currents in a certain mixing ratio is important. Disturbing influences, such as the flow of air through the outlet channels against the flow direction of the flowable products during removal, are avoided by the invention.

Preferred is a multi-chamber system with two or three chambers, but it can also be five or more, for example, ten chambers may be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the outlet openings are each arranged at a lower end of the chambers. Thus, the product removal can be done solely by the effect of the gravity of the products. Preferably, the outlet openings are each at a lowermost or lowest point of the respective chamber, so that a complete emptying of the same is possible without the multi-chamber system must be turned upside down or tilted to the side.

In each case a chamber can be formed by a flexible product packaging such as a bag. The bag, which preferably hermetically separates its interior from the environment, collapses due to air pressure as the flowable product is removed. The volume inside the bag always corresponds to the volume of the product contained therein. The bag is made of a material that is tailored to the requirements of the product contained therein. For example, the material should be chosen so that the properties of the product are not undesirably altered by external influences (e.g., external light, diffusion of air) or chemical reaction between product and bag material. It is also possible that the chambers are formed by a product package in the form of a multi-chamber product package or by a bag in the form of a multi-chamber bag.

Preferably, a housing is provided in which the flexible product packages are housed. In contrast to the flexible product packaging - O -

When the product is removed due to atmospheric pressure, the housing retains its shape. The housing can on the one hand ensure a secure state of the multi-chamber system in the position of use. On the other hand, the housing can serve for the multi-chamber system to be stackable and therefore well stored and / or transported.

Since the housing does not come into contact with the flowable products, a choice of materials for the housing can be made regardless of the (chemical) properties of the products. This simplifies selection as a number of criteria that are important in selecting the material for product packaging are irrelevant. On the other hand, only criteria such as dimensional stability or stackability are to be considered. Therefore, the housing may be made of comparatively inexpensive materials such as cardboard or corrugated board. Preferably, the housing may also be made of pulp.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible product packages are each fixed to an upper end. A fixation can for example be made on the housing surrounding the product packaging. Such fixation promotes complete emptying of the product. Particularly favorable conditions arise when the outlet opening and the fixing are arranged diametrically relative to the chamber.

In each case an outlet opening can be followed by an outlet channel, which opens into an outlet valve. The closure element can be arranged movably in the outlet valve. As a closure element, a clamp can also be used, with which two elastic hoses can be compressed in a liquid-tight manner at a free end, which are connected to the outlet openings at another end.

The closure element can be acted upon by a clamping element with a (restoring) force and preferably pressed into a rest position, in the the closure element completely shuts off the outlet channels. As a tensioning element, for example, a spring can be used.

The closure element is preferably completely free in an open position, the outlet channels. The flow of the products thus depends exclusively on the dimensions of the outlet channels. In order to achieve the open position, the force must be overcome in the execution element with the clamping element, by which the closure element is held in its rest position. The force to be overcome can be adjusted so that this can be done in a simple manner by hand.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure element is designed as a piston which is rotatable and / or displaceable in a cylinder. The piston and the cylinder can have a circular cross section. Pistons and cylinders cooperate in such a way that, depending on the position in the cylinder, the piston covers or releases a region of the cylinder inner wall in which the outlet channels open into the cylinder. If the piston is in its rest position, the piston covers the corresponding area, so that the flowable products can not get into an interior space of the cylinder. If, on the other hand, the piston is in the open position, the flowable products can pass through the outlet channels into the cylinder interior and flow away from there.

In a preferred embodiment, the outlet channels open in the direction of displacement of the piston at the same height in the cylinder. This arrangement of the outlet channels ensures that the piston simultaneously releases the outlet channels when it is displaced within the cylinder. Thus, it is not possible to open only one outlet channel, while the other outlet channel remains closed. This avoids that not only a product flows from the multi-chamber system at certain piston positions in the cylinder. Preferably, the outlet channels open separately from each other into the relieving. A mixing of the product streams can thus be done only in the outlet valve.

If the outlet channels have the same size flow cross sections, the product flows into the cylinder interior are the same. This means that the products get into the cylinder in equal parts. Alternatively, the outlet channels may also have different sized flow cross-sections. On the interpretation of the flow cross sections can thus adjust the mixing ratio of the products in the outlet valve. The ratio of the flow cross sections or the mixing ratio can be 1: 1 to 1: 100 in a multi-chamber system with two chambers. A range of 1: 1 to 1: 5 is preferred. The ranges given for the mixing ratios apply analogously to multi-chamber systems with more than two chambers.

The outlet channels can be of different lengths. Due to the different length of the outlet channels, the flow conditions in the channels can be selectively influenced and adjusted. For example, the flowable products in the multi-chamber system may have different viscosities, which lead to different flow conditions in the respective outlet channels. For example, it may be provided that an outlet channel, through which a product with low viscosity is, has a greater length than an outlet channel, through which another product with a higher viscosity flows. Alternatively or additionally, the influence of different viscosities can also be compensated by means of flow cross sections of different size of the outlet channels.

In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of a maximum volume of a chamber to the flow area of the associated outlet channel is substantially the same for all chambers. This feature ideally results in all the chambers being completely emptied at the same time regardless of the extent to which the products exit the multi-chamber system. If, for example, the flow cross-section of an outlet channel - o -

a first chamber twice as large as the flow cross-section of an outlet channel of a second chamber, the maximum volume of the first chamber is twice as large as the maximum volume of the second chamber.

The maximum volume of a chamber can vary within a wide range in the system according to the invention. For example, small chambers with a maximum volume of 10 ml or even large chambers that hold 1000 l can be used. A preferred chamber volume is between 0.5 and 10 1.

Refilling the individual chambers of the multi-chamber system can basically be done through the outlet channels. For this purpose, the product to be replenished is conveyed through the outlet channel into the chamber. In order to facilitate refilling, one chamber may each have an inlet opening, which is preferably arranged at the upper end of the respective chamber. Thus, a chamber can be filled in a simple manner.

Another way to refill the multi-chamber system is to replace a deflated chamber with a filled chamber. For this, the chamber to be replaced must be separated from the outlet valve and the filled chamber connected to the outlet valve. Accordingly, the connection between the chambers and the outlet valve is releasably interpreted.

In a preferred embodiment, the piston is connected to a handling element that has at least one wing extending transversely to the direction of displacement of the piston. This wing serves as an attachment for example, a finger through which the piston can be moved in the cylinder. Reference to an embodiment shown in the figures, the invention is described in detail. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a multi-chamber system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the multi-chamber system with an unfolded housing;

FIG. 3 shows the multi-chamber system with a closed housing; and

Figure 4 is an outlet valve of the multi-chamber system in section.

Figures 1 to 3 represent a multi-chamber system, which is designated in its entirety by 1. The multi-chamber system 1 comprises two containers or product packages 2, 3 and an outlet valve 4. FIGS. 2 and 3 also show a housing 5 which is shown in FIG. 2 in an unfolded state and in FIG. 3 in a closed state.

The multi-chamber system 1 with the two product packages 2, 3 forms two chambers in which two flowable products can be received separately from each other. To remove these flowable products, two outlet openings are provided at a lower end 6 of the product packages 2, 3, which are concealed in the illustrations of FIGS. 1 to 3 by a connection 7 for the outlet valve 4. In each case an outlet opening is assigned to a product packaging 2.3.

The product packages 2, 3 are designed to coincide with the air pressure acting on the multi-chamber system 1 when the flowable product is removed from them. Thus, the air pressure ensures that the volume of one of the product packages 2, 3 corresponds to the volume of the flowable product in the corresponding chamber. This has the consequence that, when removed in the respective product packaging, no ^

can train pressure. Thus, neither air sucked in nor are the removal of the flowable products forces or disturbing influences.

The connection 7 has an approximately semicircular flange 8, which is connected to the two product packages 2, 3. At right angles to the flange 8, two mutually spaced, parallel guided pipe sections 9, 10 extend. The pipe sections 9, 10 are aligned with the corresponding outlet openings in the product packaging 2, 3 and serve to receive the outlet valve 4th

The outlet valve 4 comprises two tubular outlet channels 11, 12, which can be stuck in each of the pipe sections 9, 10. Through this connector between the outlet channels 11, 12 and the pipe sections 9, 10 and the fixed connection of the flange 8 to the product packaging 2, 3 creates a tight connection between the product packaging 2, 3 and the outlet valve 4. In the assembled state, as he It can be seen from Figure 3, thus follows in each case an outlet opening to an outlet channel, which opens into the outlet valve 4.

Figure 4 shows the outlet valve 4 in section. Evident are the outlet channels 11, 12, which are now shown in cross section. The outlet channels 11, 12 open approximately radially into a cylinder 13, which is open at a lower end 14 and thus formed as an outlet pipe. The axes of the outlet channels 11, 12 and the axis of the cylinder 13 extend at right angles to each other.

In the cylinder 13, a piston 15 is slidably disposed. The piston 15 has a piston skirt surface 16, which rests against a shell inner surface 17 of the cylinder 13. In the position shown in Figure 4, the piston 15, the two outlet channels 11, 12 free and thus creates a connection between these channels 11, 12 and the open end 14 of the cylinder 13. Thus, through the outlet valve 4, the flowable products from the Produktverpackun - - -

Gen 2, 3 flow. It should be noted that the two outlet channels 11, 12 open into the cylinder 13 at a distance from each other. As a result, mixing of the product streams takes place only in the cylinder 13. If the piston 15 is displaced in the direction of the open end 14, the product streams are sheared off through the outlet channels 11, 12 and shut off by the piston skirt surface 16.

Between the piston 15 and an oval plate 18 (see Figures 1 to 3), which is fixedly connected to the cylinder 13, a spring 19 is arranged. The spring 19 presses the piston 15 in a rest position in which the two outlet channels 11, 12 are shut off. In order to move the piston 15 upwards, thus releasing the outlet channels 11, 12, two wings 20, 21 extending perpendicularly to the piston are integrally formed on the piston 15 and likewise complement each other to form an approximately oval plate. The wings 20, 21 serve as an attack surface for two fingers, preferably for the index finger and the middle finger, so that a user can easily push the piston 15 upwards. He can put his thumb on the plate 18 as an abutment.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the housing 5 consists of two housing halves 5a, 5b. The housing halves 5a, 5b can be folded starting from the position in Figure 2 to form a closed housing, as shown in Figure 3. Edges 22 of the housing halves 5 a, 5 b, which abut one another in the closed state (see FIG. 3), each have an approximately semicircular recess 23, which rest against the pipe sections 9, 10 in the closed state of the housing 5. A flange 24, which is fixedly connected to the outlet channels 11, 12, can be connected to the housing 5 in a suitable manner. For example, the flange 24 may be adhered to an outer side 25 of the housing 5. It is also possible to produce a connection, preferably a snap or latching connection, between flange 24 and flange 8, whereby the intermediate housing 5 is thereby clamped and thus locked. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 multi-chamber system

2 container / product packaging

3 container / product packaging

4 outlet valve

5 housing

6 lower end

7 connection

8 flange

9 pipe section

10 pipe piece

11 outlet channel

12 outlet channel

13 cylinders

14 open end

15 pistons

16 piston skirt surface

17 shell inside surface

18 plate

19 spring

20 wings

21 wings

22 edge

23 recess

24 flange

Claims

claims

1. multi-chamber system for receiving at least two flowable products, with at least two chambers, each having at least one closable outlet opening, and with a closure element through which the outlet openings of the chambers are closed at the same time, characterized in that acting on the multi-chamber system air pressure each chamber is compressible to the volume corresponding to the volume of the flowable product in the chamber.

2. multi-chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet openings are each arranged at a lower end of the chambers.

3. Multi-chamber system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in each case a chamber is formed by a flexible product packaging such as a bag.

4. multi-chamber system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a housing is provided, in which the flexible product packaging are housed.

5. Multi-chamber system according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing is made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard and / or preferably of pulp.

6. multi-chamber system according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the flexible product packaging is fixed to an upper end. - -

7. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in each case an outlet opening adjoins an outlet channel, which opens into an outlet valve.

8. Multi-chamber system according to claim 7, characterized in that the closure element is movably arranged in the outlet valve.

9. multi-chamber system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the closure element is pressed by a clamping element, preferably by a spring in a rest position in which the closure element completely shuts off the outlet channels.

10. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the closure element completely releases the outlet channels in an open position.

11. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the closure element is designed as a piston which is rotatable and / or slidably disposed in a cylinder.

12. Multi-chamber system according to claim 11, characterized in that the outlet channels open in the direction of displacement of the piston at the same height in the cylinder.

13. Multi-chamber system according to claim 12, characterized in that the outlet channels open separately from each other in the cylinder.

14. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the outlet channels have different sized flow cross-sections.

15. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the outlet channels are of different lengths.

16. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the ratio of a maximum volume of a chamber to the flow cross-section of the associated outlet channel for all chambers is substantially equal.

17. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the chambers has an inlet opening for filling the chamber.

18. Multi-chamber system according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that a handling element is connected to the piston, which has at least one, transversely to the direction of displacement of the piston extending wings.