MXPA97003392A - Distributor container with fl control - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid distributor, which is of the type having a resilient container, coupled to an outlet structure, which includes a reservoir for containing a volume of the liquid, with air inside the reservoir above the liquid, External structure also includes a discharge opening, spaced above the volume of the liquid and in communication with the air inside the reservoir, above the liquid, to maintain pressure inside the reservoir, when the dispenser is not in use, the liquid inside the container is maintained by a negative pressure zone, above the liquid inside the container, and an outlet structure, which defines a flow path for the liquid to flow from the container through the reservoir upwards to the discharge opening, the distributor is characterized by the combination of the discharge opening being above the reservoir, so that a user pressing the container, cause the level in this tank rises, while the outlet opening equals the pressure with the atmosphere, until the level in the tank is such that the liquid flows through the outlet opening, and a flow controller placed in the flow path, this controller has a first condition in which the flow controller has minimal resistance to fluid flow, and a second condition, in which the controller supplies an access opening of a certain size, to allow the flow of the liquid at a predetermined rate, the flow controller is automatically operable in response to the user deforming the container to move the liquid outward along the flow path, to move the flow controller in the first condition, in which this controller exhibits minimal resistance to flow during distribution, and then in response to the movement of the liquid to the interior, along the path of e) flow, when the user relaxes the container, to move the flow controller to the second condition, in which this controller decreases the natural flow regime of the liquid along the flow path, so that there is less likelihood of that the air is trapped in the liquid and the tank is such that the air entering the distributor will be picked up inside the tank, above the volume of the liquid and will enter the container only if the level of the tank falls sufficiently for the air from the tank enter the container to replace the liquid distributed

Description

DISTRIBUTOR CONTAINER WITH FLOW CONTROL Owi or Technician This invention relates to liquid dispensing containers and, more particularly, to dispensing containers capable of storing and dispensing media of higher viscosity products, such as shampoos, hand soaps and the like. Prior Art Distributors have been developed which consist of an inverted container to receive the liquid and which have an outlet in the bottom, placed inside a tank. A quantity of liquid accumulates under the atmospheric pressure in the tank, around the outlet of the bottom, to trap the liquid inside the container, with a negative pressure above the liquid. Various structures have been provided to alter the balance of the liquid and the negative pressure in the container, to thereby cause controlled flow from the dispensing vessel through an outlet associated with the reservoir. These distributors can be seen from the applicant's prior patents, ie the US patents, Nos. 4324349, 4635828, 4645097, 5033653 and 5217147. The principles of the operation of the distributors are described in some detail in the US patent. USA, No. 5033653, which includes diagrams illustrating the conflicting parameters associated with the provision of temperature compensation. As shown in that patent, the liquid should not flow from the dispensing vessel when the temperature is raised and even the dispenser should have a response regime that allows the user almost instantaneous distribution by applying a force to this dispensing vessel. The patent of E. U. A., No. 5033653 also provides structures that overcome these disadvantages satisfactorily, separating the two parameters so that the response rate will not be so dependent on the amount of compensation of the temperature supplied in the structure. However, it has been found that when liquids of higher viscosities are used, there is a disadvantage in all the above structures, which was not evident before. It has now been found that when the distributor vessel recovers from the distribution, receiving air from the outside, instead of the liquid returning inside the vessel from the reservoir, the air will go directly through the viscous liquid and be routed into the receiver. pent This results in excessive accumulation of liquid in the reservoir and leakage and improper final distribution. A second cause of the same difficulty results from the recovery regime of the dispenser after tightening the container for distribution. The initial force that drives the recovery regime is greater when the vessel is at its maximum deviation, where most of the energy is available to drive recovery. As a result, the air will initially be inhaled into the distributor at a high rate and this will cause the air to go through the liquid and into the container. These disadvantages are aggravated in small structures, such as those used in containing hand soaps or shampoos. Inherently in these structures, the distances and dimensions are such that both of these disadvantages take place at the same time. It has now been found that different approaches to the relationship between temperature compensation and response regime have to be considered if larger viscosity liquids are to be dispensed, particularly from small dispensing vessels. Disclosure of the Invention The dispensing containers of the present type include a flow path, through which the liquid must pass to leave the dispenser. After the distributor is operated for distribution, the flow path then receives an inverse flow, since the distributor recovers quickly for the next distribution. This is an inherent and convenient part of the distributors of this type, because this reverse flow limits the possibility of dripping from the distribution outlet. The present invention places a flow controller in the path thereof, which automatically adjusts to have little or no interference with the flow of the liquid left by the distributor and then places itself to decrease the rate of reverse flow within the distributor. This decrease in regimen ensures that energy, which would otherwise be available for sudden recovery, is available to drive the viscous liquid through the restricted path. Consequently, during recovery, the liquid is separated from the outlet portion of the distributor, relatively slowly, before the air encounters the flow controller. At this point, there is less energy available, because the distributor has recovered to some extent. Also, the procedure ensures that the level of liquid in the tank has the opportunity to decrease, as the liquid is removed from the tank inside the container and this minimizes the risk that the liquid accumulates in the tank and makes the distributor inoperable . Therefore, in one aspect, the invention provides a dispenser for liquids, of the type having a resilient container for containing the liquid to be dispensed and an outlet structure for containing a quantity of the liquid at ambient air pressure, to support the liquid inside the container with a negative pressure zone above the liquid, this distributor being operated by deforming the container to cause the liquid to flow outward along the flow path and cause flow to the interior as the container relaxes , to discontinue the distribution, the distributor is characterized by a flow controller, placed in the flow path and automatically operable in response to the movement of the liquid outward along the flow path, to move the flow controller to a first condition, in which the controller exhibits a minimum resistance to flow, and then in response to the movement of l liquid to the interior, along the flow path, to move the flow controller in a second condition, in which the controller exhibits increased resistance to flow, sufficient to reduce the natural rate of flow within the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser vessel, according to the invention.; Figures 2 and 3 illustrate exemplary forms of the flow controller, which can be used in the mode, these flow controllers being drawn to a scale larger than the scale used in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, part of a second embodiment of the dispenser; Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figure 4 of additional embodiments of the dispenser; and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 and illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. The Best Way to Carry Out the Invention First referring to Figure 1, which shows an exemplary dispensing container 20, according to one of the preferred embodiments of the invention. The dispenser includes a deformable, resilient container 22 which maintains a liquid supply 24 and has an inverted bottom outlet 26 in a neck 28. At the bottom of the outlet, a flow controller 30 is immersed in a volume of liquid 32, which holds a negative pressure zone 33 above the liquid 24. The volume is contained in an outlet structure 31 having a reservoir 34, which is connected by thread contact 36 to a suitably formed portion of the container 22. closure element 38 with pivot (shown in a closed position) locks a discharge opening 40 and can be moved to an open position 42 (shown in silhouette) for storage, when the dispenser is in use. The operation of the distributor is similar to that described in the aforementioned patents. The negative pressure in the zone 33 above the liquid 24, retains the column of the liquid inside the container, because the liquid can not inhale air to displace this liquid, due to the fact that the neck 28 of the container meets the volume of the liquid. liquid 32 inside the reservoir 34. However, if the user changes this balance, then the liquid can be made leave the dispenser. This is conveniently done by making the container 22 sufficiently flexible and resilient and the user can tighten it, thereby changing the balance of the pressure and causing the liquid to flow down, past the flow controller 30 (which will be described later) and inside the warehouse. The level in the tank will rise until such time as this level encounters the discharge opening 40 and the liquid will leave the distributor. At this point, the container 22 is sufficiently deformed that a significant energy has been stored in the container to return to its original configuration. This energy can be actuated simply by releasing the container, whereby this container will again suck fluid from the reservoir 34 and, at the same time, inhale air into the discharge opening 40, thereby releasing the opening and allowing the contents of the distributor return to the position shown in Figure 1.

The arrangement also provides space for the volumetric change of zone 33, caused by fluctuations in ambient temperature. When an increase in temperature causes the level of the volume of liquid 32 to rise, there will be adequate space in the reservoir to minimize the risk of the liquid rising and escaping through the discharge opening 40. Also, as will be described, the suction again after discharge will tend to return the liquid within the reservoir to the level shown in Figure 1. As previously mentioned, a disadvantage that has been encountered with liquids having higher viscosities is that the suction again does not happen completely in that order. What actually happens is that, because the air can move more easily than the viscous liquid, this air will enter the discharge opening 40 and will proceed through the liquid towards the opening 26 at the end of the neck of the bottle. At this point, at the moment the reservoir 34 is filled with liquid, so that if the air reaches the container 22 first, it will rise to the zone 33 above the liquid in the container, before the liquid can be purged from the reservoir. reservoir 34. As a result, when the pressures are equalized, the liquid level in the reservoir is higher than it was originally. If the process continues, the level will almost reach the opening 40 and there will be no temperature compensation. The flow controller 30 is added to the structure to minimize the likelihood that the air will go through the liquid. The flow controller, shown in Figure 1, consists of an anchor ring 44, which is an impulse fit within the neck of the bottle. Attached to the anchor ring to the left of Figure 1, is a flap 46, connected to an active hinge 48. There is minimal resistance in the hinge so that, as a result, under normal circumstances, the flap will tend to fall in a first condition or open position 50 (shown in silhouette). In this position the flow controller offers a minimum resistance to flow out of the container and through the reservoir to the discharge opening 40. On the other hand, as soon as the user stops distributing, the energy stored in the walls of the container 22 will arrive to the maximum and will provide maximum force to push the liquid and air back into the container 22. Because the flow reverses, the flap will automatically take a second condition or closed position, shown in Figure 1 and the only access to the vessel is then through a central opening 52 in the fin. As a result, the pressure drop through the opening 52 in the controller is such that the available energy is reduced by pushing air into the container through the discharge opening 40. Therefore, the flow regime is reduced in relation to the natural flow without the flow controller and the air has little opportunity to push its way through the liquid. Consequently, the level of the liquid in the reservoir 34 will fall slowly as the liquid is drawn through the opening 52 in the fin 46 of the flow controller. This will result in the volume of the liquid 32 in the dispenser returning essentially to the position shown in Figure 1, where it will be before the distribution takes place. Of course, the level of the liquid in the container 22 will have decreased. In general, the flow controller 30 is in the flow path through which the liquid must flow as it travels from the container and passes through the reservoir and exits through the discharge opening. The effect of this is an increase in the resistance to the flow of the liquid, when the flow is reversed. Figure 2 illustrates an alternative form of the flow controller, which differs only in that instead of having a central opening 52, the flap is narrowed to define the access openings 54, 56 on either side of a short active hinge 58. Other forms of the flow controller can be used, such as that shown in Figure 3. In this case, the flow controller is illustrated in sections and consists of a first and second parts 60, 62, which are located and joined together to contain a free ball 64 (shown in the reverse flow position). The part 60 defines a conical aperture of an upward closing and terminates in several radial ribs 66 defined between the rib space for the flow passing the ball. The second part (or lower part 62) has four radial fingers 68 (three can be seen) that support the ball and provide minimal resistance to flow during discharge. When the flow is reversed, the ball rises to the position of Figure 3 and the flow takes place around the ball and between the radial ribs 66. As mentioned with reference to Figure 1, the flow controller is placed in Flow path-This flow path will vary in shape, depending on the type of structure in use. For example, in Figure 4, a neck 70 terminates in a volume 72 of liquid in a reservoir 74. A discharge structure 76 forms part of the reservoir and defines an upwardly directed tube 78, which terminates in an opening 80 of discharge. At the bottom of the tube, a flow controller 82 is provided with a fin 84 somewhat similar to the fin described with reference to Figure 1. The structure shown in Figure 4 allows for temperature compensation, because the level of the liquid in the tank can rise freely by a vertical distance, indicated by "A" and after that, the air will be trapped in the tank and will increase more the pressure that will tend to cause the liquid is raised through the tube 78 to the discharge opening 80, the amount of temperature compensation may vary by changing the height "A". When a user unloads the distributor, the liquid will rise through a distance "B", because there will be a certain amount of air compression inside the tank. Once this compression is completed, all subsequent applied energy will force the liquid to flow past the flow controller and out through the discharge opening 80. Once the discharge is completed, the reverse flow will be restricted by the flow controller, so that there will be a tendency for the liquid in the tank to enter the vessel, at least initially, and then, as the level falls below the height indicated by "A", the air will enter the tank above the liquid level. Consequently, the air will no longer go through the liquid and will simply apply pressure to the entire surface of the liquid to push it back into the container. In this case, the flow path is from the container through the reservoir and then through the tube 78 and out through the discharge opening 80. Referring now to Figure 5, which is very similar to Figure 4, except that the flow controller is placed at a different position in the flow path. In this case, a reservoir 90 s is configured to place a disc 92, which is attached to the neck 94 of the container, to essentially close the reservoir annularly through the neck 94. In at least one location on the disc, a fin 96 joins to create a flow controller in that location. The flap will be opened upwards when the discharge takes place, to offer a minimum resistance to flow and then the flap will fall back to the position shown in Figure 5, where the flow will only be through a central opening 98, thus restricting the flow and ensuring that the air that enters the distributor does not go through the liquid. In fact, the air will end up above the liquid, applying pressure on the surface of the liquid, to cause this liquid to return to the reservoir. Still another structure is shown in Figure 6. In this case, a reservoir 100 is formed in a wall 102 of the container 104. Again there is a volume of liquid at atmospheric pressure and, in this case, a volume 106 is in the reservoir 100 and open to the atmosphere through the discharge opening 108. The flow path of the structure shown in Figure 6 is from the container 104 through the reservoir 100 and out through the discharge opening 108. The same operation is used in the embodiment of Figure 6 as in the previous embodiments in which the container is deformed to change the equilibrium of the pressures in the dispenser and cause the liquid to flow up and out through the opening 108 of the container. discharge. A flow controller 110 allows outward flow almost unrestricted and then moves to decrease flow in the reverse direction. It will be appreciated that numerous structures can be designed within the scope of the invention, as claimed. In general, the invention includes distributor structures which establish a first level of liquid below a zone of negative pressure and a second level at atmospheric pressure and which may cause distribution by altering the equilibrium in the distributor. A flow controller is in the flow path, to allow flow to the outside and restrict the reverse flow. Reference is made to Figure 7, to illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, which may be preferred in some situations. In the modes already described, the fin of the flow control is opened to release the liquid at the level of the fin and the opening in the fin, which controls the flow of return, is at this level as well. Some liquids are not only viscous, but also have "stickiness", which results in their accumulation on surfaces. Such liquids will tend to coat the inner walls of reservoir 34 (Figure 1) and neck 28. As a result, the level in the reservoir will be slow to return to the level shown in Figure 1. Consequently, after the fin is closed, the liquid can flow up through the fin opening 52 faster than the liquid falls from the walls. In this condition, the air can pass through the opening to equalize the pressure before the liquid detaches from the walls. The level will then slowly rise above the level of Figure 1, reducing the available volume to compensate the temperature to reduce the risk of such failure, the mode shown in Figure 7 how it can be used. As seen in Figure 1, a dispenser 112 has a container 114 and a reservoir 116. A neck 118 of the container has a flow controller 120, which differs from the controller 30 (Figure 1) in that a fin 122 includes a projection descending tubular 124, ending at floor 125 defining a return opening 126 of the flow. The operation of the structure shown in Figure 7 differs from that in Figure 1 because the flow distribution takes place at one level and the return flow at a lower level. When the dispenser 112 is actuated, the flap 122 will open and the liquid will exit the container 114 and then rise through the reservoir (or other outlet structure) before leaving the dispenser. This leaves the volume below the fin intact. Consequently, when sucking, the fin will close and the liquid will be driven from the level of the opening 126. If the level of the liquid temporarily falls below the level of the fin, it will have no effect in re-establishing the equilibrium which can be achieved only by the impulse of the liquid through the openings. No air will be trapped in this flow. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the claims. Industrial Applicability During use, the distributors, according to the invention, are first filled by separating the container, inverted (in relation to the drawings) and filling them with liquid. While still in this position, the reservoir is assembled and the dispenser is then returned to an upright position, shown in the drawings. The distribution can take place by first releasing the closing element and applying a pressure to change the existing balance in the distributor. This is conveniently done using a resilient container which can be tightened. However, any structure that allows the user to alter the balance in the distribution will work.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A liquid distributor, which is of the type that has a resilient container, coupled to an outlet structure, which includes a reservoir to contain a volume of the liquid, with air inside the reservoir above the liquid, the external structure also it includes a discharge opening, spaced above the volume of the liquid and in communication with the air within the reservoir, above the liquid, to maintain pressure within the reservoir, when the dispenser is not in use. the liquid inside the container is maintained by a negative pressure zone, above the liquid inside the container, and an outlet structure, which defines a flow path for the liquid to flow from the container through the reservoir up to the opening of discharge, the distributor is characterized by the combination of the discharge opening being above the reservoir, so that a user pressing the container, will cause the level in this reservoir to rise, while the outlet opening equals the pressure with the reservoir. atmosphere, until the level in the tank is such that the liquid flows through the outlet opening, and a flow controller placed in the flow path, this controller has a first condition in which the flow controller presents resistance minimum to the flow of the fluid, and a second condition, in which the controller supplies an access opening of a certain size, to allow the flow of l liquid at a predetermined rate, the flow controller is automatically operable in response to the user deforming the container to move the liquid outward along the flow path, to move the flow controller in the first condition, in which controller exhibits minimal resistance to flow during distribution, and then in response to movement of the liquid to the interior, along the flow path, when the user relaxes the container, to move the flow controller to the second condition , in which this controller decreases the natural rate of liquid flow along the flow path, so that air is less likely to be trapped in the liquid and the reservoir is such that air entering the distributor will be collected inside the tank, above the volume of the liquid and will enter the container only if the level of the deposit falls sufficiently even that the air from the tank enter the container to replace the liquid distributed.
2. 2. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet structure includes a reservoir for containing the volume of the liquid.
3. 3. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container includes a neck, which extends downward, to extend within the volume of the liquid and in which the flow controller is attached to the neck of the container.
4. 4. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flow controller includes a fin defining an opening.
5. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fin further includes a tubular projection, which extends downwardly, and a floor defining said opening.
6. 6. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet structure includes a tube and wherein the flow controller is attached to the tube.
7. 7. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container includes a neck, which extends downward, to extend within the volume of the liquid and where the flow controller includes a disc surrounding the neck.
8. 8. A dispenser, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow controller further includes a fin, attached to the disk and defining an opening in the fin.