WO2023173156A1

WO2023173156A1 - Device for the dosed dispensing of a volume of fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2023173156A1
Application number: PCT/AT2023/060077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Gruendl; Moritz HARTSTANG
Original assignee: Eoos Next Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-03-17
Filing date: 2023-03-16
Publication date: 2023-09-21

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the dosed dispensing of an amount of fluid, in particular of water, from a supply container (1) over a defined period of time, wherein the device can be mounted on an outlet opening (2) in the supply container (1). The device has a main chamber (3) which encloses a volume corresponding at least to the amount of fluid to be dispensed over a defined period of time when activated once, wherein a volume withdrawal opening (4), which leads into the main chamber (3) and is open in every operating position, and a dispensing opening (5), which leads out of the main chamber (3), are provided, and wherein only the volume withdrawal opening (4) can be closed by means of a movable seal (6) which is biased toward a closed position and which can be moved into an open position by means of a handle (7). The cross section of the volume withdrawal opening (4) through which the fluid can flow is larger than the cross section of the dispensing opening (5) through which the fluid can flow.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE DOSAGED DISPENSING OF A QUANTITY OF LIQUID

Technisches GebietTechnical area

The invention relates to a device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid, in particular water, from a storage container over a defined period of time, the device being mountable at an outlet opening of the storage container.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

The adequate supply of drinking water in developing countries continues to be a problem, which is particularly exacerbated by climate change and the disappearance of natural water reservoirs. In many areas there is no consistent water supply and water is transported and distributed to people via a variety of storage containers, tanks and the like.

A key area of use for the water is hygiene, such as hand washing. In this area in particular, large amounts of water are often wasted at the delivery points. Handwashing typically occurs with running water and requires an appropriate faucet or pump at the dispensing station to deliver water from a storage container. Large amounts of water are lost unused because the often simple shut-off valves do not have an automatic stop or metering function. Even in the cases of metered pump devices, the water is usually released in a single gush per pumping process and therefore has to be pumped several times in order to carry out a single washing process, which means that the overall consumption is unnecessarily high.

In the case of dispensing fittings that are connected to a supply network, there are taps in the prior art that allow a time-limited dispensing of liquid either through electronic valve devices and control units or just mechanical devices and, after being actuated, switch off automatically after a certain period of time. Such a device is disclosed, for example, in US 4940206 A. These devices are often complicated and expensive to build and, in the case of an electronic control, also require an energy supply or, in the case of mechanical solutions, a supply network with a constant line pressure for the water supplied.

Container removal devices are also known which have an automatic stop valve. However, these must be kept open throughout the entire washing process by constant lateral pressure or by pressure in the direction of the axis of the outlet. On the one hand, this is inconvenient and, on the other hand, hygiene suffers because the washing process cannot be carried out properly and more germs are transferred to the device due to the constant contact. These devices can also usually only be mounted in one downward direction and additional components, such as a pipe bend section, are required for a horizontal water outlet from a storage container, which complicates the use of the devices and affects the stability and tightness of the device.

Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention

However, in developing countries there is a need to provide appropriate functionality for any type of storage container. A corresponding removal device should be constructed as simply as possible in order to be inexpensive to manufacture and transport. Ideally, such a device should be made with few individual parts and made of inexpensive material, such as plastic. Installation should be possible on any storage containers, such as tanks, rain barrels, small containers, buckets, etc. The device should make it possible to release a volume removed by a single actuation, preferably by pressure, for example over the back of the hand or with the help of the elbow, over a longer period of time, so that a process such as washing hands can be carried out as completely as possible within the period of time and as little water as possible overall is wasted. At the same time, it should also be possible to allow a continuous release of liquid by holding the actuation for a long time, so that transport containers can be filled, for example. For applications that require more water, this should be removable without having to be operated multiple times, which increases the longevity of the device.

This object is achieved by the present invention in that the device has a main chamber which encloses a volume which corresponds at least to the amount of liquid to be dispensed over a defined period of time upon a single actuation, with a volume removal opening leading into the main chamber and one leading out of the main chamber Each operating position open dispensing opening is provided, and only the volume extraction opening can be closed via a movable seal biased towards a closed position, which can be moved into an open position via a handle, and that the cross section of the volume extraction opening through which the liquid can flow is larger than that through which it can flow Cross section of the delivery opening. When you press the handle briefly, the volume extraction opening is briefly opened and the main chamber is completely filled with liquid from the connected storage container. When the handle is released, the seal immediately closes the volume extraction opening again, thereby preventing uncontrolled flow from the storage container. The liquid begins to flow out through the dispensing opening immediately after actuation. Since the flow-through cross section of the delivery opening is smaller than that of the volume extraction opening, the liquid flows out of the main chamber more slowly than it entered when filling the volume of the main chamber. A given dose volume in the main chamber of, for example, about 200 ml takes about 20 seconds to drain until the main chamber is completely emptied. A complete hand washing process can be carried out with one or a maximum of two activations and a total consumption of 200 or 400 ml. Since the dispensing opening is always open, no residual volume of liquid remains in the main chamber after use. If the device is not needed for a longer period of time, the main chamber can dry out completely and the risk of germ contamination in the area of the device is minimized.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the handle is connected via a linearly movable rod to a disk at the free end of the rod, with the seal being arranged on the disk, which seals the volume extraction opening in the closed position. This represents a particularly simple arrangement in which the relevant components can all be manufactured very cost-effectively, for example from plastic. The device can be assembled or transported to the place of use in individual parts and can therefore also be easily maintained if individual components need to be replaced. The manufacturing costs are therefore hardly higher than with known simple stopcocks for storage containers.

It is an additional preferred feature that the rod is biased towards the closed position by means of a spring. In the simplest case, the bar is pushed back into the closed position by the water pressure from the reservoir. In order to achieve a defined closing state regardless of the existing water pressure in the storage container, it is advantageous to provide an additional spring, which is mounted, for example, around the rod and is supported between the handle and the housing of the main chamber.

It is also a preferred feature that the discharge opening in the main chamber is arranged in the edge region between a lateral surface side and an end face facing away from the volume extraction opening, and that the end face of the main chamber facing away from the volume extraction opening is designed to be inclined, the inclination being such that the Section of the end face adjacent to the delivery opening has the greatest normal distance from the volume extraction opening in relation to any other section of the end face. The position of the dispensing opening and the inclined design of the end face of the main chamber allow the device to be mounted both horizontally and vertically and the dispensing opening is always placed at the lowest point of the main chamber regardless of orientation, ensuring complete emptying of the liquid in the main chamber existing volume with uniform flow is possible.

An additional preferred feature is that a ventilation opening leading into the main chamber is provided, the ventilation opening preferably being arranged substantially diagonally opposite the discharge opening. An additional ventilation opening allows an even flow through the delivery opening without any “gurgling” caused by air flowing back into the main chamber. The arrangement diagonally opposite the dispensing opening means that, regardless of the orientation of the mounted device, the vent opening is above the liquid level as quickly as possible during dispensing and unhindered air entry is possible.

According to a possible preferred embodiment, it is provided that the volume extraction opening corresponds directly to the outlet opening of the storage container. In this embodiment, a correspondingly large outlet opening is required in the storage container, to which the main chamber with the volume extraction opening can be attached directly. The advantage of this embodiment is that particularly few parts are required for the device according to the invention.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment, it is provided that an antechamber is provided, which is arranged between the outlet opening of the storage container and the volume extraction opening, wherein an inlet opening leading into the antechamber can be connected to the outlet opening of the storage container, for example via a screw connection with a nut. An advantage of this design is that a smaller outlet opening can be provided in the storage container, to which the antechamber can be attached. The water collects in the antechamber and, when actuated, can quickly pass through the volume extraction opening into the main chamber and then flow out via the delivery opening. By providing different antechamber components, the device can also be easily adapted to outlet openings of different storage containers, while the remaining components of the device are each constructed the same, which keeps production costs low and further increases the flexibility of the device.

It is also a preferred feature that the inlet opening on the end face of the antechamber facing the storage container is arranged asymmetrically near an edge to the lateral surface side of the antechamber, with the inlet opening being aligned as high as possible when the device is mounted horizontally. The asymmetrical arrangement of the inlet opening into the antechamber allows the antechamber to be completely filled with liquid when the device is mounted horizontally. With a central positioning, an air bubble would otherwise remain in the upper area of the antechamber when installed horizontally, which would cause uneven flow during the removal process and, as a result, the main chamber would not be completely filled by a short actuation.

It is an additional preferred feature that a connecting element is provided, which serves to connect the antechamber and the main chamber, the connecting element being designed as a separate component or as an integral part of the main chamber. The connecting part can be, for example, a ring with receptacles for a flange of the main chamber and for a thread of the antechamber, which enables the device to be assembled easily. If the connecting part is an integral part of the main chamber, it can be, for example, a threaded collar in which a corresponding mating thread of the antechamber can be received.

Finally, it is a further preferred feature that a storage element is provided, which has a storage surface, for example for a bar of soap, and a holding section, wherein the holding section can be fixed like a clip around the antechamber and/or main chamber, preferably in the area of the connecting element . When the device is mounted horizontally, additional functionality can be easily provided in that a shelf, for example for soap, can be mounted directly on the dispensing device.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in greater detail using exemplary embodiments and with the help of the accompanying figures. Show it
1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a device according to the invention,
2 to 4 each show schematic sectional views of a device according to the invention in different operating positions when mounted vertically,
Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention in a functional position when mounted horizontally and
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an assembled device according to the invention with a storage element arranged thereon.

Weg(e) zur Ausführung der ErfindungWay(s) for carrying out the invention

In Fig. 1, all components of a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention are shown schematically in an exploded view. The storage container 1 is only shown by a section of its container wall with the outlet opening 2. To assemble the device shown, the antechamber 14 is placed at the outlet opening 2 of the storage container 1 and the component for the inlet opening 15 is inserted. The component for the inlet opening 15 is a piece of pipe with a flange, which rests with the flange on the inside of the antechamber 14 and protrudes into the storage container 1 with an external thread. The external thread forms the screw connection 16, which, together with the nut 17, which is placed inside the storage container 1, secures the antechamber 14 at the outlet opening 2. Depending on the embodiment, a seal can also be used here. It is also possible to design the inlet opening 15 and the screw connection 16 as an integral part of the antechamber 14 and a threaded receptacle may already be present on the storage container 1. When installed horizontally, the antechamber 14 must be aligned so that the inlet opening 15 is positioned as high as possible so that the antechamber 14 can be completely filled with liquid. The embodiment with an existing antechamber 14 offers the advantage that the component for the inlet opening 15 can be designed differently in order to be compatible with a large number of different storage containers. This means that only this component would have to be adjusted, while all other components remain the same, which saves production costs.

In this embodiment, the main chamber 3 is made up of two parts, the housing section with the lateral surface side 11 and the end face 12 and a disk-shaped part which has the volume extraction opening 4. To assemble the main chamber 3, the spring 10 is placed on the rod 8 with the handle 7 and the rod 8 is then inserted into a corresponding receptacle in the end face 12. After inserting the rod 8, the part with the volume extraction opening 4 is put on, the seal 6 is attached to the disk 9 and the disk 9 is connected to the free end of the rod 8. The spring 10 presses the seal in the direction of the volume extraction opening 4 and closes it. The antechamber 14 and the main chamber 3 are connected to one another using the connecting element 18 and the device is completely assembled. The main chamber 3 can be rotated within the connecting element in order to align the delivery opening 5 downwards.

Different functional positions of the device according to the invention are shown schematically in sectional views in FIGS. 2 to 4. The device was mounted vertically in these views, which is why the storage container 1, which is again only shown here by a wall section with the outlet opening 2, is located above the device. 2 shows the closed position, in which the main chamber 3 is empty and the volume extraction opening 4 is closed by the disk 9 with the seal 6. Liquid enters the device from the storage container 1 via the inlet opening 15 and fills the antechamber 14.

3 shows the state during actuation in which the rod 8 was pressed linearly into the device via the handle 7 against the force of the spring 10. As a result, the disk 9 with the seal 6 is lifted from the volume extraction opening 4 and due to the large flow-through cross section of the volume extraction opening 4, the main chamber fills completely with liquid almost immediately.

As soon as the handle 7 is released after being pressed once, the rod 8 is moved back into the closed position by the spring 10 and the volume extraction opening 4 is sealed again. The liquid volume located in the main chamber 3 can be continuously and completely discharged via the delivery opening 5. Due to the smaller flow-through cross section of the delivery opening 5, this takes significantly longer than the entry of the liquid through the volume extraction opening 4. The size of the main chamber 3 allows the amount of liquid to be dispensed per actuation to be defined. The delivery time can be defined by the flow-through cross section of the delivery opening 5. A useful withdrawal quantity is, for example, around 200 ml, which is then continuously dispensed over a period of around 20 seconds. So that the delivery takes place evenly, a ventilation opening 13 is provided in the lateral surface 11 of the main chamber 3, which is arranged approximately diagonally opposite the delivery opening 5 in order to be above the liquid level again as early as possible during delivery.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, the end face 12 of the main chamber 3 facing away from the volume extraction opening 4 is designed to be inclined. The inclination is designed such that the area near the delivery opening 5 has the greatest normal distance from the volume removal opening 4. As a result, this area of the end face 12 is at the lowest point when installed vertically and the volume in the main chamber 3 can always flow away completely.

The delivery opening 5 is also arranged in an edge region between the lateral surface side 11 and the end face 12. In Fig. 5 the device is shown in horizontal installation, in which the storage container 1 is now arranged next to the device. The situation is also shown here shortly after actuation, while liquid volume is still flowing out of the main chamber 3 through the delivery opening 5. Due to the cylindrical lateral surface side 11 of the main chamber 3 and the placement of the delivery opening 5 in the edge area, it is at the lowest point even when installed horizontally and here too the volume of liquid removed can flow away completely. The inlet opening 15, on the other hand, is directed upwards so that the antechamber 14 is completely filled. The special design of the position of the delivery opening 5 together with the inclined end face 12 as well as the asymmetrical position of the inlet opening 15 in the antechamber 14 therefore allow the device to be mounted as desired in both vertical or horizontal outlet openings 2 of storage containers. The device can therefore be used particularly flexibly, with no different embodiments being required, which keeps production costs low.

6 shows schematically a possible embodiment of a storage element 19, which can be mounted on the device. The storage element 19 has a storage surface 20, which is wavy in the embodiment shown. The wave crests are partially flattened and provide support for a bar of soap, for example. The troughs serve as drainage channels for water dripping from the soap. Below the storage surface 20 there are clamp-like holding sections 21, which partially surround the main chamber 3 and antechamber 14, whereby the storage element 19 can be clamped on. In the area of the connecting element 18, the holding section 21 is guided around accordingly, whereby the storage element 19 cannot slip in the direction of the front end face 12 and is held securely.

Claims

Device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid, in particular water, from a storage container (1) over a defined period of time, the device being mountable at an outlet opening (2) of the storage container (1), characterized in that the device has a main chamber (3 ) which encloses a volume which corresponds at least to the amount of liquid to be dispensed over the defined period of time upon a single actuation, with a volume extraction opening (4) leading into the main chamber (3) and a dispensing opening (4) leading out of the main chamber (3) which is open in every operating position. 5) are provided, and wherein only the volume extraction opening (4) can be closed via a movable seal (6) which is biased towards a closed position and which can be moved into an open position via a handle (7), and that the cross section through which the liquid can flow the volume extraction opening (4) is larger than the flow-through cross section of the delivery opening (5).
Device for the metered dispensing of a quantity of liquid according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (7) is connected via a linearly movable rod (8) to a disk (9) at the free end of the rod (8), with the disk (9 ) the seal (6) is arranged, which seals the volume extraction opening (4) in the closed position.
Device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid according to claim 2, characterized in that the rod (8) is biased towards the closed position by means of a spring (10).
Device for the metered dispensing of a quantity of liquid according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the dispensing opening (5) in the main chamber (3) is in the edge region between a lateral surface side (11) and an end face (12) facing away from the volume extraction opening (4). is arranged, and that the end face (12) of the main chamber (3) facing away from the volume extraction opening (4) is designed to be inclined, the inclination being such that the section of the end face (12) adjacent to the delivery opening (5) is relative to each other Section of the end face (12) has the greatest normal distance from the volume extraction opening (4).
Device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a ventilation opening (13) leading into the main chamber (3) is provided, the ventilation opening (13) preferably being arranged essentially diagonally opposite the delivery opening (5). is.
Device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the volume extraction opening (4) corresponds directly to the outlet opening (2) of the storage container (1).
Device for the metered dispensing of a quantity of liquid according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an antechamber (14) is provided, which is arranged between the outlet opening (2) of the storage container (1) and the volume extraction opening (4), one in the inlet opening (15) leading to the antechamber (14) can be connected to the outlet opening (2) of the storage container (1), for example via a screw connection (16) with a nut (17).
Device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid according to claim 7, characterized in that the inlet opening (15) is arranged asymmetrically near an edge to the lateral surface side of the antechamber (14) on the end face of the antechamber (14) facing the storage container (1), the inlet opening (15) is aligned as high as possible when the device is installed horizontally.
Device for the metered delivery of a quantity of liquid according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a connecting element (18) is provided, which serves to connect the antechamber (14) and the main chamber (3), the connecting element (18) being a separate component or as is formed as an integral part of the main chamber (3).
Device for the metered dispensing of a quantity of liquid according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a storage element (19) is provided which has a storage surface (20), for example for a bar of soap, and a holding section (21), the holding section (21) can be fixed like a clip around the pre-chamber (14) and/or main chamber (3), preferably in the area of the connecting element (18).