IE20120457A1 - Container device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a container device comprising at least one receptacle, such as dispensers for liquid media, waste containers or the like, having a carrying console (21) which can be fixe to a fixing surface, by way of example a wall, by means of fixing means, and which in turn comprises at least one receiving interface (22) for detachably receiving and holding the receptacle (12), and having locking means (30) which can be moved between a locking position (31) which secures the receptacle (12) on the carrying console (21) against theft, and a release position, the locking means (30) comprise handling means for manual, tool-free and keyless actuation of the locking means (30).

Description

Contain^! (ltd V leu The invention relates to a container device having at least one receptacle, such as dispensers for liquid media, waste containers or the like, having a carrying console which can be fixed to a fixing surface, by way of example a wall, by means of fixing means, and which in turn comprises at least one receiving interface for detachably receiving and holding the receptacle, and having locking means which can be moved between a locking position which secures the receptacle on the carrying console against theft, and a- release position.

A container device is known by way of example from DE 10 2007 054 084 Al, wherein it is disclosed to fix a liquid dispenser on a wall so as to be stationary. For this purpose the housing of the liquid dispenser is connected to a back plate fixed to the wall. To replace the preparation dispensing bottle of such a container device, it is known to design the housing so as to be swivelable, so, if required, and to replace the preparation dispensing bottle, it can be hinged downwards by unlocking locking means, so the preparation storage container is accessible and can be replaced. The locking means comprise a lock which can be unlocked using a key, so the housing can be hinged forwards.

It is not possible to replace the preparation dispensing bottle if the key is lost.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop a container device of the type mentioned in the introduction which is secured against theft and with which the receptacle can, if required, be easily and reliably detached from the carrying console. r j IE 120 457 IE 1 2 Ο 4 5 7.

This object is achieved by a container device having the features of independent claim 1. Developments of the invention are illustrated in the subclaims.

The container device according to the invention is 5 characterised in that the locking means comprise handling means for manual, tool-free and keyless actuation of the locking means.

The tool-free and keyless actuation of the handling means therefore constantly ensures that the locking means can be unlocked or locked. The locking means are therefore mounted on the container device so as to be captive. In the locking position of the locking means the receptacle is secured on the carrying console against theft. The locking means are expediently arranged so as to be hidden, so they are not visible at first sight. The function and that of the locking means are expediently only known to personnel authorised to replace or remove the receptacle from the carrying console.

In a development of the invention the locking means are constructed in such a way that in the normal position they adopt the locking position, and the handling means are to be actuated to move the locking means into the release position. The locking means expediently automatically move back into the locking position if the handling means are not actuated. Active actuation of the handling means is therefore preferably necessary to move the locking means into the unlocking or release position. This ensures that the locking means do not accidentally adopt the release position, whereby it would then be possible to steal the receptacle from the carrying console.

IE 1 20 4 5 7 The locking means particularly preferably comprise at least one locking element and at least one locking receiver associated with the locking element. The locking means are expediently mounted on the carrying console or the receptacle, while the locking receiver is constructed on the receptacle or the carrying console so as to correspond therewith. The locking element is preferably situated on the carrying console while the locking receiver is arranged on the receptacle, The handling means particularly preferably comprise a handling section constructed on the locking element. The locking element is in this case to be actuated directly therefore. Alternatively it is possible to actuate the locking element indirectly, by way of example by actuating handling means which do not form part of the locking element and which, in turn, act on the locking element and bring about its movement.

The locking element is particularly preferably mounted in such a way that it remains in its locking position due to gravity. This can be designed by way of example in such a way that the locking element is constructed as a pivot lever pivotally mounted by means of a pivot bearing. In this case the pivot lever can be eccentrically mounted therefore, whereby the locking position of the pivot lever is established due to gravity. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible to bring the locking element into the locking position by means of the spring force of a spring element, wherein this spring force must be counteracted for unlocking.

In a development of the invention the locking receiver is constructed as a receiving slot into which the locking IE 120 457 element, in particular the pivot lever, immerses in the locking position in order to block, removal or theft of the receptacle from the carrying console. The orientation of the slot can in particular run transversely to the removal direction of the receptacle.

Arresting means for arresting the receptacle are particularly preferably provided on the carrying console in addition to the locking means.

The arresting means can comprise at least one arresting pin which projects from the carrying console and is driven into an arresting opening constructed on the receptacle when the receptacle is assembled. The side and height positions of the receptacle are fixed as a result and this provides a safeguard against impacts and blows to the receptacle in particular. The container device can therefore also be used by people with jerky, spasmodic movement sequences or by people with hemi- or tetraplegia, i.e. with erratic movement, because the receptacle cannot be upwardly demounted from the carrying console in the event of rough actuation from all sides.

The arresting means particularly preferably comprise at least one magnetic element whose magnetic force acts between the carrying console and the receptacle. The magnetic element expediently sits on the carrying console, in particular on the arresting pin.

The locking means and the additional arresting means, in particular with the at least one magnetic element, generates multi-stage locking of the receptacle on the carrying console. Unauthorised persons may potentially find the locking means and, in order to remove or steal the receptacle, can move it into the release position, IE 1 2 0 4 5 7 although there is an additional safeguard by way of the arresting means, so, in the case of the magnetic element, the receptacle has to be removed from the carrying console using a significant releasing force to counteract the magnetic force. This additional resistance is difficult or even impossible to overcome with one hand since the locking means have to be simultaneousiy actuated with the other hand.

It is particularly expedient if the magnetic force of the 10 magnetic element can be adjusted by way of adjusting means. The magnetic element could by way of example be adjustably mounted on the arresting pin, as mentioned.

This makes it possible to adjust the magnetic force, and in particular authorised persons can reduce the magnetic force by adjusting the magnetic element, and enlarging the air gap as a result, to the extent that the receptacle can be comfortably removed from the carrying console.

In a development of the invention catching means for catching a liquid medium issuing from a dispenser are arranged on the carrying console, wherein the catching means preferably comprise a collecting tray which is made in particular from flexible material. The flexible material is expediently of such a nature that it is flexible in three dimensions, so in the event of impacts or blows, regardless of their direction, the collecting tray can deform and damage resulting from collision with objects that have moved past cannot occur therefore, in particular in the case of cramped local conditions.

In a development of the invention at least one preparation storage container is held in the receptacle, wherein removal preventing means for preventing the removal of the IE 1 2 0 4 5 7 preparation storage container are provided when the receptacle is assembled. The removal preventing means therefore prevent removal of the preparation storage container when the receptacle is assembled. It is therefore necessary to remove the entire receptacle, i.e. in particular the dispenser and pump, as well as the preparation storage container from the carrying console. This has great advantages in terms of hygiene. There exists in particular a recommendation in the Bundesgesundheitsblatt (Federal Health Bulletin), which deals with the hygiene of such container devices. This recommendation has already been implemented in the hygiene directive in some federal states and- is therefore binding in hospital hygiene in particular. It is a requirement that such container devices have to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected- before being re-filled, with the system having to be thoroughly rinsed through several times with hot water in order to remove deposits. This is not possible in the case of container devices in which the receptacle cannot be removed from the carrying console and instead only the empty preparation storage container is exchanged for a full one. The removal preventing means therefore serve as a means for implementing the hygiene directive.

The removal preventing means particularly preferably comprise a support web arranged on the carrying console and projecting at an angle from the remainder of the carrying console and running below the preparation storage container when the receptacle is assembled. The support web is expediently also used for supporting the collecting tray.

IE 12 0 4 5 7 Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and-will be explained in more detail below.

In the drawings: ' Fig. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of the 5 container device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the container device in Fig. 1 along the line II-II, Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the detail X in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the detail Y in Fig. 2, Fig. 5 shows a front view of the container device in Fig.

I without preparation storage container, with the locking means in the locking position, Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the detail Z in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the detail Z in Fig. 5, wherein the locking means are in the release position, Fig. 8 shows a plan view of a locking element as a component of the locking means, Fig. 9 shows a front view of the carrying console of the container device in Fig. 1, Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the carrying console in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the container device according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the container 25 device 11 according to the invention. The container device II has a receptacle 12 which is illustrated by way of example in the form of a dispenser for liquid media, I such I IE 1 2 0 4 5 7 as liquid soap, disinfectant or the like. The dispenser, designated as a whole as a receptacle 12, has a preparation storage container 13 for storing the liquid medium, which is designed by way of example as a dispensing bottle or canister, and is made from plastics material in particular. The storage container is detachably mounted in a container housing 14 and can be removed from this by way of example to exchange an empty storage container 13 for a full one, something which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. A feed device, in particular in the form of a fluid pump, is associated with the storage container 13, with the aid of which device liquid medium may be conveyed out of the storage container 13. One component of the feed pump is a suction pipe 15 which projects a relatively long way into the storage container 13. An actuating device 16, which comprises an actuating arm 17 that protrudes forwards from the container housing 14, is used to actuate the feed device. The actuating arm 17 is bent forwards at the bottom and is mounted in the container housing 14 and connected to the feed device in such a way that a certain dosed amount is conveyed out of the storage container 13 by an actuation swing in the direction of the container housing 14.

The actuating arm 17 is operated by the user's finger movements, wherein the open palm of the hand then simultaneously serves to catch the expelled dosed amount of liquid medium. The dosed amount removed from the storage container 13 by means of the feed device passes via the suction pipe 15 to an output unit 18 which projects forwards in the manner of a nose from the container housing 14. An output nozzle 19, by means of which the dosed amount removed from the storage container IE 120457 by actuation of the actuating arm 17 is output, is located, on the free end of the output unit 18.

The output dosed amount then drops/flows into the open palm of the user. The dispenser can therefore also be called a finger movement dispenser. Such finger movement dispensers are an excellent choice in medical· establishments since they are much less germ-ridden than conventional dispensers with actuating arms that are upwardly bent forwards and in which actuation occurs by way of the palm and therewith the germ-intensive areas of the user's hand. The actuating force which is exerted on the actuating arm 17 is also oriented in the direction of an attachment surface, resulting in an advantageous flow of force. In conventional dispensers the actuating lever or arm 17 is pulled forwards, leading to a lever effect which is directed away from the attachment surface.

AS shown in particular in figures 1 and 2, the container housing 14 has a cuboid basic shape with a back 20 which is used for holding the receptacle 12, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The container device 11 also has a carrying console 21 which comprises at least one, in particular a single, receiving interface 22 for detachably receiving and holding the at least one receptacle 12, in particular its back 20. According to the first embodiment of the container device 11 according to the invention, the carrying console 21 is intended for stationary fixing of the container device 11 to a fixing surface, by way of example a wall.

As shown in particular in figures 9 and 10, the carrying console 21 is designed in the manner of a mounting IE 120 45 7 bracket. The carrying console has an upper interface section 23 for this purpose, on which the receiving interface 22 is arranged. At least two, and in particular two, fixing holes 24 for the passage of fixing means, in particular fixing screws, with which the interface section £3 is fixed to the wall, are located on the interface section 23. The receiving interface 22 is formed here by an upper edge of the interface section 23 which is bent forwards and upwards, thus forming a type of mounting lug for the container housing 14.

A corresponding counter-lug (not shown) on the container housing 14 is mounted in the mounting lug 25 in this connection. A narrower web section 26 integrally adjoins the interface section 23 below it and this widens to form a support section 27. As Fig. 9 shows in particular, the support section 27 has a larger cross-section than the interface section 23, The support section 27 is designed as a bracket as a whole and for this purpose has an arresting section 28, located in the same plane as the web section and the interface section 23, to which a support web 29 adjoins so as to be integrally connected thereto and in particular is oriented forwards at a right angle.

The container device 11 comprises locking means 30 which can be adjusted between a locking position 31, which secures the receptacle 12 on the carrying console 21 against theft, and a release position 32.

As a combined view of figures 4, 5, 6 and 10 shows, the locking means are arranged on the carrying console 21 on the one hand and on the container housing 14 of the receptacle 12 on the other. A locking element 33, which according to the preferred embodiments is designed as a IE 1 2 0 4 5 7 pivot lever or pivot bar, forms part of the locking means. As Fig. 8 in particular shows, the pivot bar is formed by a relatively narrow small material plate, metal in particular being used as the plate material. The pivot lever has a pivot bearing section 34 which is penetrated by a bearing hole 35. The bearing hole 35 is eccentrically located with respect to the central axis of the pivot bearing section 34. A handling section 36 adjoins the pivot bearing section 34 and is a component of the handling means. The handling section 36 has an arrow shape, indicating the pivoting direction in which the pivot lever has to be pivoted to move it from the locking position 31 into the release position 32. As Fig. 10 in particular shows, the pivot lever is pivotally mounted on the carrying console 21 by means of a bearing pin which engages in the bearing hole 35. Mounting is eccentrically configured in such a way that the pivot lever adopts the orientation shown in figures 9 and 10, which corresponds to the locking position 31, due to gravity.

A locking receiver 37, which is arranged on the container housing 14, also forms part of the locking means 30. The locking receiver 37 is designed as a receiving slot which is located on a cross member 38 arranged in the lower region of the container housing 14. In the locking position 31 the pivot bearing section 34 engages in the receiving slot thus preventing theft or removal of the receptacle 12 in the forwards direction away from the carrying console 21.

To allow pivoting of the pivot lever a notch 39 is made in the carrying console material, and in particular at the transition ‘between the arresting section 28 and the IE 1 2 0 4 5 7 support web 29 of the bearing section 27 of the carrying console 21.

In addition to the locking means 30, the container device 11 comprises arresting means 40, so the container housing 14 can be arrested on the carrying console 21. As shown in particular in figures 2, 4 and 9 and 10, the arresting means 40 comprise an arresting pin 41 which protrudes forwards from the carrying console 21 and in particular its arresting section 28. When the receptacle 12 is attached to the carrying console 21, the arresting pin 41 engages in an arresting opening (not shown) arranged on the container housing 14, so the receptacle 12 is also fixed in the height and side directions in its lower region. As a result of the fact that the interface section 23 is integrally connected by the web section 26 to the arresting section 28, the position of the two fixing holes 24 is always strictly predefined in relation to the arresting pin 41, so. it is no longer necessary to measure the spacing between the fixing holes 24 and the arresting pin 41 if the interface section 23 and the arresting section 28 were two separate components.

The arresting means 40 also include at least one magnetic element 42 whose magnetic force acts between the carrying console 21 and the container housing 14 of the receptacle 12. As figures 4, 6 and 10 show in particular, the magnetic element 42 is designed as a ring magnet which has a central bearing opening via which it is adjustably mounted toward the arresting section 28 of the carrying console 21 or away from it. By adjusting the magnetic element 42 the air gap between the magnetic element 42 and the container housing 14 may be enlarged or reduced as required, so the magnetic force can be reduced or f £ 120457 enlarged. The adjusting means for displacing the magnetic element 42 include by way of example an external thread formed on the arresting pin 41 and an internal thread located on the bearing opening of the magnetic element 42.

Firstly this allows continuous adjustment of the position of the magnetic element 42 on the arresting pin 41 and, furthermore, the magnetic element 42 remains in the desired, adjusted position.

The container device 11 also has removal preventing means 10 43 for preventing removal of the preparation storage container 13 when the receptacle 12 is assembled. As Fig. shows in particular, the support web 29 located on the carrying console 21 is a component of this removal preventing means 43. The support web 29 supports the storage container 13. The support web 29 is therefore in contact with the lower side of the storage container 13.

As a result of the fact that the suction pipe 15 is introduced into the storage container 13 via a container opening and reaches close to the bottom of the storage container 13 there, it is not possible to remove the storage container 13 when the receptacle 12 is assembled on the carrying console 21. The support web 29 namely blocks the swing which would be necessary to pull the storage container 13 from the suction pipe 15.

Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of the container device 11 according to the invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that the container device 11 is designed as a mobile container device and can be detachably fixed or is detachably fixed to the fixing surface by means of at least one suction head 44. For this purpose a fixing interface 45 is formed on thecarrying console for connecting the at least one 120457 suction head 44. The suction had 44 can adhere to the wall by actuation of an actuating lever. A lock (not shown) is attached to the actuating lever, in the closed position of which it is not possible to actuate the actuating lever, so the suction head cannot be removed from the wall without unlocking the lock. The carrying console 21 has a back wall 46 and side walls 47a, 47b bent therefrom approximately at a right angle. According to a preferred embodiment, two fixing interfaces 45 respectively are located on the back wall 46 and side walls 47a, 47b, and these each comprise a through-hole in the material of the carrying console 21. According to an illustrated embodiment, the through-holes 18 are star-shaped or cross recess-like.

Plug-in means for plugging-in the suction head can be docked on the fixing interfaces 45, in particular the through-holes 48. Fixing means 49 are provided for docking the plug-in means, whereby detachable fixing of the plugin means is possible. According to the illustrated embodiment, the fixing means 49 comprise a threaded bolt 50 integrated in the plug-in means and which sits in particular on the back of a plug-in pin and projects outwardly therefrom. The fixing means 49 also include a threaded nut 52 which can be screwed to the threaded bolt 50. For this purpose the plug-in pin 51 with the threaded bolt 50 is pushed into the through-hole 58 in advance and is screwed from the other side to the threaded nut 52, which is constructed as a knurled nut by way of example.

As shown in Fig. 11, the container device 11 also includes catching means 53 with which liquid issuing from the output nozzle 19 when the, dispenser is actuated and which is not caught by means of the hands and possibly drips, IE 1 20 45 7 . can be caught. The catching means 53 comprise a collecting tray 54 made from flexible material, by way of example elastomer material. The collecting tray 54 can be detachably coupled to the carrying console 21 by the support web 29. As a result of its flexibility in all three spatial directions, the collecting tray 54 can bend away, so the broadly spreading position is not disruptive. Damage resulting from collision with objects moved past the container device 11 can be prevented thereby.

According to Fig. 1, the container device 11 is fixed to a fixing surface, in particular a wall, so as to be stationary. The receptacle 12 is held on the carrying console 21, with a counter-bracket on the back of the container housing 14 being mounted on the mounting bracket on the carrying console 21 and an arresting hole simultaneously being mounted on the arresting pin 41. The locking element 33 in the form of the pivot lever is located in the locking position 31, with the pivot bearing section 34 being driven into the receiving slot on the container housing 14. The handling section 36 protrudes from the lower side of the container housing 14. As a result of the fact that, as described, the preparation storage container 13 cannot be removed when the receptacle 12 is assembled on the carrying console 21, the entire receptacle 12, i.e. with fluid pump, suction pipe and actuating device 16, must be removed from the carrying console 21 to replace any empty storage container 13 with a full one. The handling section 36 on the pivot lever is touched in this connection, with the pivot lever being pivoted in the direction of the arrow into its release position 32 by means of movement of the fingers. The pivot lever then adopts the position shown in Fig. 7 in which /£ 120 45 7 the pivot bearing section 34 is disengaged from the receiving slot on the container housing 14. As a rule, the magnetic element 42 is in contact with the back of the container housing 14, moreover, so a relatively strong magnetic force acts on the container housing 14 and additionally secures this to the carrying console 21. The position of the magnetic element 42 can be changed, however, so the magnetic force may be reduced. For this purpose the magnet is actuated via a gap between the back of the container and the carrying console 21 and is screwed onto the arresting pin 41 in the direction of the carrying console 21, producing an air gap, so the magnetic force becomes smaller. The receptacle 12 can then be removed from the carrying console 21. During removal the pivot lever should always be actively held in the release position since it would pivot back into the locking position 31 if let go. Removal of the entire receptacle 12 has the advantage that, in addition to replacement of the storage container 13, the fluid pump may also be thoroughly rinsed since the receptacle 12 has been removed from the carrying console 21 anyway.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. Container device having at least one receptacle (12), such as dispensers for liquid media, waste containers or 5 the like, having a carrying console (21) which can be fixed to a fixing surface, by way of example a wall, by means of fixing means, and which in turn comprises at least one receiving interface (22) for detachably receiving and holding the receptacle (12), and having 10 locking means (30) which can be moved between a locking position (31), which secures the receptacle (12) on the carrying console (21) against theft, and a release position (32), characterised in that the locking means (30) comprise handling means for manual, tool-free and 15 keyless actuation of the locking means (30).

2. Container device according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking means (30) are constructed in such a way that in the normal position they adopt the locking position (31), and the handling means are to be actuated 20 to move the locking means (30) into the release position (32) .

3. Container device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the locking means (30) comprise at least one locking element (33) and at least one locking 25 receiver (37) associated with the locking element (33), wherein the locking element (33) is mounted on the carrying console (21) or the receptacle (12) and the locking receiver (37) is constructed on the receptacle (12) or the carrying console (21) so as to correspond 30 therewith. IE 12 0 4 5 7

4. Container device according to claim 3, characterised in that the handling means comprise a handling section (36) constructed on the locking element (33) .

5. Container device according to claim 3 or 4, 5 characterised in that the locking element (33) is mounted in such a way that it remains in its locking position (31) due to gravity.

6. Container device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the locking element (33) is 10 constructed as a pivot lever pivotally mounted by means of a pivot bearing.

7. Container device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the locking receiver (37) is constructed as a receiving slot into which the locking 15 element (33), in particular the pivot lever, immerses in the locking position (31) in order to block removal of the receptacle (12) from the carrying console (21).

8. Container device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition to the 20 locking means, arresting means (40) for arresting the receptacle (12) are provided on the carrying console (21).

9. Container device according to claim 8, characterised in that the arresting means (40) comprise at least one arresting pin (41) which projects from the carrying 25 console (21) and is driven into an arresting opening constructed on the receptacle (12) when the receptacle ¢12) is assembled.

10. Container device according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the arresting means comprise at ie 12045 7 least one magnetic element whose magnetic force acts between the carrying console (21) and the receptacle (12).

11. Container device according to claim 10, characterised in that the magnetic force can be adjusted by means of 5 adjusting means.

12. Container device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that catching means (53) for catching a liquid medium issuing from a dispenser are arranged on the carrying console (21), wherein the 10 catching means (53) preferably comprise a collecting tray (54) which is in particular made from flexible material.

13. Container device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one preparation storage container (13) is held in the 15 receptacle (12), wherein removal preventing means (43) ar.e provided for preventing the removal of the preparation storage container (13) when the receptacle (12) is assembled.

14. Container device according to claim 13, characterised 20 in that the removal preventing means (43) comprise a support web (29) arranged on the carrying console (21) and projecting at'an angle from the remainder of the carrying console (21) and running below the preparation storage container (13) when the receptacle is assembled.