EP1138614A2 - Products dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser (1) has a device to actuate it for a dispensing stroke (9), and adjusting elements (10) to vary the stroke, and a shut-off part, e.g. a valve (20,21,22), which is part of the adjusting elements. The valve has a passage defined by opposite valve surfaces (24,25), on of which is moved with the adjusting elements. The valve surfaces esp. control the dispensing stroke.

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser with which media are stored, which can be promoted or carried out liquid, pasty, gaseous, powdery and / or solid are. The dispenser is dispensing with a single user hand to carry and operate. It exists partially or made entirely of injection molded or plastic parts, of which any rigid, elastic or tension-free flexible can. The donor can only dispense a single media dose or separate for the successive discharge Media boxes should be trained. The discharge stroke to be carried out for this can only be provided in one direction or connect to a return stroke through which one Dosing or pumping chamber after discharge with the Medium is filled.

The operation to control the dispenser, such as opening of exhaust routes, for closing intake routes or triggering a discharge drive or for the manual drive of a Discharge stroke determines an activation measure that the path of the called opening or closing or the stroke and also that Media volume, which can be in a single Discharge process promoted in the donor or from this is expelled. This measure of activation is advantageous changeable, especially around the different Funding characteristics of the medium to meet or the Change media dose. To control the media flow a closure is provided by the dispenser, which is only closed open or close and conveniently a reversible is opening and closing valve.

The aforementioned change in the activation measure can only be used for this be determined that when assembling the dispenser from his Donor parts adjusted within a given area is or that it is also after assembly by the user of the Dispensers in one direction or in opposite directions is to be changed. For a dispenser with a pump, like a thrust piston pump, the actuating means can The return stroke position of the pump piston can be changed by a stop determine if the adjusting means one in opposite Stops adjustable in directions parallel to the piston stroke include against which the piston strikes during the return stroke. The forward stroke of the piston is also by a stop limited. The valve can be a destructible closure or Inlet or outlet valve for a chamber like that Pumping chamber.

The invention is also based on the object of a donor to create the disadvantages of known training are avoided and so its actuation or adjusting means act the valve that its control are affected can. Furthermore, the dispenser should be simple in structure or in the Handling as well as safe in the functions.

According to the actuating means can act so that the Relative position of the valve body in one or both end positions of the valve regardless of the setting by the Adjustment means remains the same, reducing the functions of the valve remain constant. The valve can be an outlet, a Inlet or a ventilation valve or a slide valve or a be such a valve, the valve surfaces of which are mutual Stop are set in one or both end positions. The valve can be purely path-dependent or dependent on the media pressure be controlled and will be in the one end position manually or transferred to the other end position by a spring. The valve passage can only be up to the narrowest, however permeable size narrowed or completely closed his.

The training according to the invention is also for such donors advantageous, in which the adjusting means are not on the valve act or have no valve if they have a slide include, which determines the degree of activation, but at Adjust no or only a slight rotary movement and possibly via an intermediate gear with a drive link, such as a rotating piece, is driven. This slider is with a guide secured against rotation, which is linear or helical or can be steep helical.

The design according to the invention is also for such donors suitable, in which an actuator of the actuating means, in particular a pitch or threaded link, in one piece with the Basic body is formed, which in turn from this Actuator in one piece up to one sealed to the outside Drying chamber, a ventilation opening passing through it, a piston race, a media chamber, an inlet valve or a connection for a riser pipe is formed.

The housing also expediently bears directly or in one piece a support flange with which the base body against one Carrier, such as a handle or a media storage, stretched can be. The support flange can be ring-shaped or cap-shaped be and is spaced between the ends of the one-piece housing, so that a short design from a small number of separate components can be achieved.

The handle for actuating the adjusting means can be in the direction of flow protrude freely or in the opposite direction the associated gear link overlapping or at a distance be offset so that they are in any position of the adjusting means is easily accessible or with the adjustment of the Adjustment means not their position in relation to the basic body or less than the adjusting means changes.

For actuation, the dispenser advantageously has an actuating or discharge head with a handle or a media outlet on. The head is in engagement with the adjusting means. This head can be permanently inside an actuator of the actuating means protrude. This actuator can also protrude permanently into the inside of the head, so that corresponding covers are formed, through which the Ingress of dirt is prevented.

In a further embodiment, the adjusting means comprise a separate seal, which as a sliding seal is a basic body, the drying chamber or the like not acted upon by the medium seals.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Spender in teilweise geschnittener Ansicht sowie in Ruhelage bzw. Ausgangsstellung, und

Fig. 2 bis 6

weitere Ausführungsbeispiele in Darstellungen entsprechend Fig. 1.

These and further features of the invention are also apparent from the description and the drawings, the individual features being implemented individually or in groups in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other areas and representing advantageous and protectable embodiments for which protection is claimed here. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a dispenser according to the invention in a partially sectioned view and in the rest position or starting position, and

2 to 6

further exemplary embodiments in representations corresponding to FIG. 1.

The dispenser 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 6 has a stationary one Unit 2 and one on this via an activation measure, namely a hub, movable mounted unit 3. The unit 2 is rigid on a support or projecting above it Media storage 4 attached and comprises a one-piece Base body 5. This protrudes as a housing 6 deep into the memory 4 and is outside the memory 4 with a hollow cover 7 locked. The housing delimits the memory 4 6 a metering or pressure chamber 8, which through the stroke 9 of the Unit 3 is variable in volume.

The chamber 8 is also independent of the discharge actuation with adjusting means 10 variable in volume. Essentially all parts of the donor lie in a common central axis 11. The flows from the memory 4 or from the chamber 8 Medium when discharging in direction 12 away parallel to axis 11 from memory 4 to the outside. For this purpose, the unit 3 in the to operate in opposite direction 13 or opposite Move unit 2 while shortening donor 1, by pressing a handle 14 manually with a finger becomes. The chamber 8 is at one end of a hollow piston 15 limited to the inner circumference of the single-walled housing 6th sealed slides.

The piston 15 and the cover 7 are from a tappet 16 penetrates, which at its outer end an actuating and discharge head 17 carries. The plunger 16 is made up of several or three ram bodies lined up in the longitudinal direction composed of which the outermost one-piece with the Head 17 is formed and the innermost over the piston 15 protrudes into the chamber 8. The piston 15 and the two outer plunger bodies are penetrated by an outlet channel 19, which on the circumference of the head 17 in a media outlet 18 ends. The outlet 18 can be used to dispense drops, one bundled jet or for the finely atomized delivery of the Be formed medium, for which an inserted in the head 17 Nozzle body provided with a swirl device is.

The dispenser 1 has several valves 20 to 22, namely one Ventilation valve 20 for venting the memory 4, a Outlet valve 21 for controlling the transfer of the medium the chamber 8 in the channel 19 and one opposite the piston 15 Inlet valve 22 for controlling the passage of the Medium from the memory 4 into the chamber 8. The valves 20, 21 have a common valve body 23, which is formed by the hollow, one-piece piston sleeve and in direction 12 directly adjoins the piston lip. The movable valve surface 25 of the valve 20 lies on Outer periphery of the piston 15 and opposite a stationary Valve surface 24. The movable valve surface 26 of the valve 21 is located on the inner circumference of the piston 15 and closer to the Piston lip as the surface 24.

On the return stroke of the unit 3 in the direction 12, the slant strikes or conical valve surface 25 close to the surface 24 on, whereby the initial or rest position of the dispenser 1 is determined according to Figures 1 to 6. The area is 24 through the free end of a sleeve-shaped limiter 27 formed which between the jacket of the housing 6 and the Ram 16 protrudes freely into the housing 6 and the outer circumference of the plunger 16 leads. The limiter 27 is fixed or integrally connected to an actuator 28, which the Covering the outer circumference of the open edge 29 of the housing 6 or forms an annular groove with the limiter 27, in which the Housing edge 29 projects freely and without thread engagement. The coaxial shells 27, 28 are part of the cover 7 and by a guide 31 on the inner circumference of the actuator 28 relative to the base body 5 against rotation secured, whereby a slide 30 is formed.

The actuator 28 stands over a gearbox or pitch elements, like thread, in engagement with the cover 7. The actuator 28 has the external thread and the sleeve-shaped Actuator 32 the internal thread. So is the lid 7 after Assemble all parts of the dispenser, but before putting on the Head 17, in the direction 13 through the actuator 32 in his Bring assembly position.

The one-piece actuator includes a jacket 32 Distance surrounding outer jacket 33, which is also in the rest position surrounds the head 17 on the outer circumference 17, freely in the direction 12 protrudes through the jacket 32 and through on the outer circumference Corrugation is designed as a handle 34 of the adjusting means. In the annular groove between the shells 32, 33 protrudes in the direction 13 the jacket 35 of the head 17 freely into it so that it is at the stroke end and can hit the bottom of the groove after opening the valve 21. The rotary piece 32, 33 is against the base body 5 against Movements in the direction 12 through an axial bearing 36 and against Movements in direction 13 through an axial bearing 37 positively secured. The thrust bearing 36 includes one Bearing body 38 which the housing 6 on the outside of the Storage 4 surrounds and at one end with an inside directed ring edge overlaps a sliding lip that over the Outer circumference of the inner end of the jacket 33 in the area of one projecting annular end wall, which the coats 32, 33 connects in one piece. The bearing 37 comprises an annular over the end wall of the rotating piece 32, 33 in the direction 13 projecting bearing body 39, which is immediately on Base body 5 slides.

The base body 5 is at a distance from and between the Ends of the housing 6 fixed or in one piece with an annular disc Flange 40 connected which is from the outer circumference of the Housing 6 protrudes and lies within the body 38 or extends to its inner circumference. On the outer face this flange 40 slides the bearing body 39. At the Flange 40 includes one piece and only in direction 13 Jacket 41 on, which braces the flange 40 against the memory 4 on the inner circumference of form-locking members 42, e.g. has radially resilient snap cams. The neck 43 of the Storage 4 has a radially outwardly projecting end Bead 44, which is under tension from the cams 42 is attacked. So the flange 40 is in the direction 13 below Intermediate layer of an annular seal 46 against the front or end face of the neck 43 stretched and the housing 6 protrudes through the neck 43 into the memory 4 with the largest part its length into it.

On the outer circumference and at a distance between the ends of the Limiter 27 is the casing of the housing 6 from a ventilation opening 45 interspersed against the inner circumference of the Neck 43 opens and covered inside by the limiter 27 and is surrounded on the outside by the jackets 38, 41. Right from the start of the stroke in the direction of 13 opens the valve 20 and air can through the cap 17 between plunger 16 and limiter 27 in Direction 13 against the surface 25 and between the surfaces 24, 25 flow through, after which the air in direction 12 deflected the outer circumference of the limiter 27 and then through the opening 45 is led directly into the memory 4. The ventilation paths and the limiter 27 are thus in one drying chamber not exposed to the medium, which opposite the chamber 8 is sealed only by the piston lip. If there is overpressure in the tank 4, the air flows in opposite direction.

The bottom of the memory 4 forms one of the handle 14 reversed further handling and both handling can with the fingers of a single hand pressed against each other become. As a result, the unit 3 is moved in the direction 13 and the chamber 8 with the piston 15 against the force of a spring 48 narrowed, which is in the chamber 8. The end of Piston 15 then strikes an inner shoulder 49 of the jacket of the housing 6, while the plunger 16 moves further becomes. This is the one behind the piston sleeve Neck of the piston 15 elastically compressed and the valve surface 26 lifts off from the counter surface, which through a the piston penetrating and the spring 48 centering core of the Tappet 16 is formed, the valve 22 at the end of the stroke can press into its closed position. Instead, can Reaching the stop 49 also by correspondingly high Pressure can be reached in chamber 8 that the valve surface 26 opens in the same way.

The medium then flows out of the chamber 8 through longitudinal grooves of the Outlet channel 19 provided on the outer periphery of the core are, and further through the central outlet channel 19 through the head 17 until the medium is deflected transversely into the nozzle body the atomizer nozzle and then from the outlet 18 into Free exit. At the moment this preliminary stroke begins also lifts the stop or valve surface 25 from the counter surface 24 from, so that the valve 20 is open and air in passes one of the two directions mentioned. After this In advance, the handles are relieved, whereby the spring 48 first the valve 21 closes and then the unit 3 in its Rest position leads until the surfaces 24, 25 to each other attacks.

By turning the handle 34, the cover 7 or slide 30 can optionally be moved in the direction 12 or 13. As a result, the counter stop surface 24 is adjusted relative to the base body 5. 1 shows the forwardmost end position of the slide 30 in the direction 13, which corresponds to the shortest possible stroke 9 of the piston 15. If the actuating body 32, 33 is now rotated in the corresponding direction, the slide 30 moves together with the piston 15 or the unit 3 in the direction 12, as a result of which the maximum possible stroke 9 is increased accordingly. The discharge volume can be characterized, for example, increased μ l of 60 to at least 150 or reduced reversed continuously. With the greatest stroke, the slide 30 can then protrude upward out of the adjusting jacket 32 and into the head 17.

With the smallest stroke, the slide 30 strikes directly Base body 5, namely on the outer end face of the Flange 40 with a stop 47 which through the lower End of the actuator 28 is formed. In the other end position the slider 30 beats positively on, namely directly on the base body 5 or on the rotating piece 32, 33, a suitable snap ring as a counter-stop can have. With the greatest stroke, the thread 28 can indeed protrude from the top of the actuator 32, but it engages Internal thread then with at least a third or Half of its length in the external thread. The stop 47 lies immediately adjacent within the bearing body 39 and the thrust bearing 36 is located radially outside of the bearing body 39.

The slider 30 is with a sliding seal 50 opposite Base body 5 sealed. The seal 50 is one on the Outer circumference of the limiter 27 plugged in in the direction of 12 and a ring-shaped cuff striking a shoulder, which lies tightly against the inner circumference of the housing 6 and is downstream of the opening 45. At the smallest stroke the seal 50 in the plane of the flange 40 from where it is can slide along the edge 29 in the direction 12. The Cuffs 15, 50 are made of elastically yielding Material, while all other plastic parts are dimensionally stable are. The seal 50 prevents that when lying Dispenser 1 medium from the chamber 8 in the guide 31 or the thread engagement can seep.

The body 38 surrounds the tensioning jacket closely or with radial tension 41, making these two parts stuck together are connected and disengagement of the cam 42 by radial Expansion of the jacket 41 is prevented. In addition, the Coat 41 of the body 38 over its entire length as of covered by an aperture. It is also possible to have a resilient Provide locking device which the rotary piece 32, 33 in secure different rotational positions so that the respective rest position by the action of a corresponding high operating force on the handle 34 overcome can be. The interlocking locking members could e.g. on the rotating piece and on the base body 5 or flange 40 or be provided on the bearing body 38. A display device can also intended for the volume set in each case his. Whose mutually movable display elements are Appropriately provided on the rotating piece and on the bearing body 38. For example, the bearing body 38 then has in the region of the bearing 36 on the outer circumference or on its end face about the axis 11 Scale on which a marking on the outer circumference of the jacket 32 assigned.

2, the jacket 33 is a separate from the jacket 32 Component and axially displaceable relative to the jacket 32, however with the jacket 32 in the direction of rotation over interlocking Links positively connected. These terms include from Outer circumference of the jacket 32 protruding cams and depressions on the inner circumference of the jacket 33, in which the ends of this Engage cam 51. The cams 51 are axially resilient and permanently so tensioned that the bearing body 39 permanently against the flange 40 is clamped. The jacket 33 surrounds both the Clamping jacket 41 along its entire length as well as the head jacket 35, so that there is a very smooth outer surface. The head 17 could also with respect to the base body 5 or the Slider 30 must be locked against rotation, e.g. With a guide corresponding to the guide 31. Then on Scope of the head 17 the scale or the pointer mark of the Display device may be provided.

The flange 40 and the clamping jacket 41 are here by separate Components formed. The tensioning jacket 41 is part of a Screw cap, which radially outside of the bearing body 39 the same end face of the flange 40 is clamped and with an internal thread in an external thread of the neck 43 intervenes. With this flange cap, the jacket 33 is axially in both directions 12, 13 positively but with little Movement play via a spring snap connection 53 connected. For this purpose, on the outer circumference of the jacket 41 and Inner circumference of the jacket 33 interlocking snap members provided which when sliding the jacket 33 in the direction 13 spring by itself, but the Allow rotation of the jacket 33 relative to the jacket 41. As a result, the rotating piece is permanently and securely stored nevertheless rotatable with little force.

As in FIG. 2, the jacket 33 is cap-shaped in FIG. 3 trained so that he simultaneously the body 38 of FIG. 1 forms, but the jacket 33 is permanently axially from the head 17 or its jacket 35 spaced. The tension jacket 41 is formed by a metallic Crimean ring, which is radial has inwardly bent ring ends which on the flange 40 and Bead 44 fit tight. The camp 36 is in the room between the flange 40 and the end wall of the outer jacket 33, one of its bearing members directly through the Base body 5 or flange 40 is formed. The bearing members of the bearing 36 are designed as resilient snap members, which when inserting the actuator 32 in the direction 13 of jump into mutual engagement. This stands for Bearing member of the flange 40 from its associated end face as a coat freely in the direction of 12. The actuator 32 has on the outer circumference a set of teeth 51 into which the jacket 33 engages in a rotationally locking manner with a corresponding internal toothing. This internal toothing lies on the inside of the End wall of the jacket 33, which in turn directly to the Head jacket 35 is opposite.

4, the pump, namely the base body 5 including cover 7, piston 15, core body and subsequent plunger section with the fastening member 41 are attached to the memory 4, after which the Put on jacket 33 and engaged with the rotary connection 51 is to be brought. The jacket 33 has one over his End wall in the direction 12 projecting jacket section, which is narrower compared to the handle 34 and the head coat 35 as in the case of FIG. 1 surrounds. The actuator 32 is here directly formed by the base body 5, namely an external thread on the housing edge 29, in which the actuator 28 engages with an internal thread. This will make the lid 7 rotated with the handle 34 relative to the base body 5 and axially displaced during the rotary movement. With the smallest stroke the stop 47 strikes ribs on the front side of the flange 40 are distributed over its circumference. At the top The external thread or the housing edge 29 can end Have projection, which unscrewing the actuator 28 limited and resilient when screwing in Internal thread is overcome.

5, the cover 7 is in one piece with the outer jacket 33 formed, which forms the groove with the actuator 28, in which the head jacket 35 engages. The tensioning jacket 41 stands in the direction 12 over the flange 40 and surrounds the outer jacket 33 to the handle 34. The clamping jacket 41 can integrally formed with the base body 5 or the flange 40 or, as indicated by dash-dotted lines, by a separate one Component be formed. In this case, the Base body 5 and the clamping jacket 41 coaxially one inside the other lying ring sections of the flange 40, the common form stepless end faces and in the area of their connection on the seal 46 and in the associated end position which lie against the annular end wall of the cover 7 connects the jackets 28, 33. The flange section of the jacket 41 presses the flange section of the base body 5 in a form-fitting manner towards 13, since the connection is graded accordingly Has ring surfaces. The dispenser according to FIG. 5 is particularly needed fewer items.

6, the handle 34 is directly through the Outer periphery of the actuator 28 formed, which here like that Handle 34 is freely accessible along the entire length and until can protrude into the tensioning jacket 41. The handle 34 can also be lockable or lockable, so that an adjustment is only possible after this lock has been released. For example, can the head 17 or its jacket 35 in the direction 13 the handle 34 and overlap the clamping jacket 41 on the outer circumference. First after the head 17 is removed from the plunger 16, then the Handle 34 accessible for actuation. This can be avoided that the user does so by an authorized person preset discharge volume itself adjusted. Any embodiment can all features of all other embodiments exhibit. Corresponding parts are in all Figures used the same reference numerals, which is why Description applies mutatis mutandis to all embodiments. All Properties and effects can be precise or only essential or be provided as specified and depending on deviate more strongly from the requirements.

Claims (11)

Dispenser for media with a base body (5), an actuation for controlling the dispenser (1) between settings via an activation measure (9), such as an actuation path or the discharge of a media dose, with adjusting means (10) for changing the activation measure (9) , and with a closure, such as a valve (20, 21, 22), characterized in that the adjusting means (10) comprise the closure (20). Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (20) has a valve passage delimited by opposing valve surfaces (24, 25) and at least one of the valve surfaces (24) can be changed in position using the adjusting means (10), in particular that the valve surfaces (24 , 25) limit the activation dimension (9), and that preferably the valve surfaces (24, 25) abut one another in one of the end positions of the valve (20). Dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve surfaces (24, 25) of the adjusting means (10) are supported against one another in the rest position of the dispenser, in particular that the valve surfaces (24, 25) can be moved relative to one another until the valve passage is closed, and that preferably the valve passage is most narrowly delimited by the valve surfaces in one of the end positions. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (10) comprise a slide (30) determining the activation dimension (9), that in particular the slide (30) is drive-connected to a rotating piece (32, 34), and that preferably the rotating piece (32, 34) can be rotated relative to the slide (30). Dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide (30) of the adjusting means (10) is prevented from rotating freely by a guide (31) relative to the base body (5), in particular that the slide (30) is one of the valve surfaces (24). carries, and that preferably the rotary piece (32, 34) drives the slide (30). Dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the slide (30) of the adjusting means (10) protrudes from the base body (5), that in particular the slide (30) closes the base body (5), and that preferably the slide (30 ) directly covers a wall (29) of the base body (5) on opposite wall sides. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (10) on the base body (5) which comprises a one-piece housing (6) with different internal widths and has a support flange (40) have a gradient member which is integral with the base body (5 ) is designed such that in particular the pitch member is a thread which is continuous over the adjustment path of the adjustment means, and that the adjustment path of the adjustment means (10) is preferably limited by a stop on the support flange (40). Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (10) are in engagement with an actuating head (17), that in particular an adjusting handle (34) of the adjusting means (10) radially at least as far as the inner circumference of the actuating head ( 7) protrudes, and that preferably an edge (35) of the actuating head (17) engages in a recess of an actuating body forming the handle (34). Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (10) comprise a separate seal (50) which seals the base body (5), in particular that the seal (50) is guided in the base body (5) as a sliding seal, and that preferably the seal (50) seals a drying chamber not acted upon by the medium. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (10) are secured to the base body (5) with a fastening flange (40), in particular that the fastening flange (40) attaches the dispenser (1) to a carrier, such as a media store ( 4), clamped, and that preferably the mounting flange (40) is surrounded on the outside by an aperture (38). Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is preceded by a closure (20) encompassed by the adjusting means (10) in front of a second closure, such as an outlet valve (21), in that the closures (20, 21 ) comprise a common closure (23) with mutually facing closure surfaces (25, 26) for both closures (20, 21), and that the closure (20) is preferably a ventilation closure.

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