DELIVERY DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

A delivery device (5) for injecting a liquid active ingredient formulation (4) into a plant comprises a vessel assembly (51, 52) having a distal side (512) and a proximal side (523), a delivery outlet (53) connected to the distal side (512) of the vessel assembly (51, 52), a product port (57) connected to the distal side (512) of the vessel assembly (51, 52), a dosing piston (511) movably arranged in the vessel assembly (51, 52) such that a variable product chamber (515; 595) is formed between the dosing piston (511) and the distal side (512) of the vessel assembly (51), a directional valve (54) connected to the proximal side (523) of the vessel assembly (51, 52), a proximal chamber (525) limited by the proximal side (523) of the vessel assembly (51, 52) and reciprocally variable relative to the product chamber (515), and a pressure medium port (541) connected to the directional valve (54). The directional valve (54) is configured to switch between a delivery position in which the proximal chamber (525) of the vessel assembly (51, 52) and the pressure medium port (541) are in fluid connection, and a charging position in which the proximal chamber (525) of the vessel assembly (52) and the pressure medium port (541) are fluid tight towards each other.

Claims

1-31. (canceled)

32. A delivery device for injecting a liquid active ingredient formulation into a plant, comprising: a vessel assembly having a distal side and a proximal side; a delivery outlet connected to the distal side of the vessel assembly; a product port connected to the distal side of the vessel assembly; a dosing piston movably arranged in the vessel assembly such that a variable product chamber is formed between the dosing piston and the distal side of the vessel assembly; a directional valve connected to the proximal side of the vessel assembly; a proximal chamber limited by the proximal side of the vessel assembly and reciprocally variable relative to the product chamber; and a pressure medium port connected to the directional valve, wherein the directional valve is configured to switch between a delivery position in which the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly and the pressure medium port are in fluid connection, and a charging position in which the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly and the pressure medium port are fluid tight towards each other.

33. The delivery device of claim 32, wherein: the vessel assembly comprises a dosing vessel having the distal side and a driving vessel having a distal side and the proximal side; the delivery device comprises a driving piston movably arranged inside the driving vessel, the dosing piston is movable inside the dosing vessel; a variable distal chamber is formed between the driving piston and the distal side of the driving vessel; the variable proximal chamber is formed between the driving piston and the proximal side of the driving vessel; and the driving piston is cinematically coupled to the dosing piston.

34. The delivery device of claim 32, further comprising a throttle valve arranged between the directional valve and the proximal side of the vessel assembly.

35. The delivery device of claim 34, wherein the throttle valve is a throttle check valve.

36. The delivery device of claim 34, further comprising a delivery speed adjuster coupled to the throttle valve, wherein the throttle valve has an output port connected to the proximal side of the vessel assembly and the delivery speed adjuster is configured to adjust a medium flow into the output port of the throttle valve.

37. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein the directional valve is connected to the distal side of the driving vessel.

38. The delivery device of claim 37, wherein the directional valve comprises a first output port and a second output port, and wherein the first output port is connected to the proximal side of the driving vessel and the second output port is connected to the distal side of the driving vessel.

39. The delivery device of claim 38, wherein the directional valve is configured such that in the delivery position the first output port is open and the second output port is closed, and in the charging position the first output port is closed and the second output port is open.

40. The delivery device of claim 37, wherein the directional valve comprises an inlet port, and wherein the pressure medium port is connected to the inlet port of the directional valve.

41. The delivery device of claim 40, wherein the directional valve is configured such that in the delivery position the inlet port is open and connected to the first output port, and in the charging position the inlet port is open and connected to the second output port.

42. The delivery device of claim 37, wherein the directional valve comprises a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port.

43. The delivery device of claim 42, wherein the directional valve is configured such that in the delivery position the first exhaust port is closed and the second exhaust port is connected to the second output port, and in the charging position the second exhaust port is closed and the first exhaust port is connected to the first output port.

44. The delivery device of claim 37, wherein the directional valve is a 5/2-way-valve.

45. The delivery device of claim 32, wherein a delivery one-way valve is arranged between the delivery outlet and the distal side of the vessel assembly such that fluid transfer from the vessel assembly to the delivery outlet is possible and fluid transfer from the delivery outlet to the vessel assembly is prevented.

46. The delivery device of claim 32, wherein a product one-way valve is arranged between the product port and the distal side of the vessel assembly such that fluid transfer from the vessel assembly to the product port is prevented and fluid transfer from the product port to the vessel assembly is possible.

47. The delivery device of claim 32, comprising a trigger configured to switch the directional valve to the delivery position.

48. The delivery device of claim 47, wherein the directional valve comprises a resetter configured to switch the directional valve into the charging position.

49. The delivery device of claim 48, wherein the resetter of the directional valve comprises a spring element forcing the directional valve into the charging position.

50. A delivery system for injecting a liquid active ingredient formulation into a plant, having a product reservoir housing the liquid active ingredient formulation, a pressure medium reservoir housing a pressurized gas, and a delivery device, wherein the delivery device comprises a vessel assembly having a proximal side and a distal side connected to the product reservoir, a delivery outlet connected to the distal side of the vessel assembly, a dosing piston movably arranged inside the vessel assembly such that a variable product chamber is formed between the dosing piston and the distal side of the vessel assembly, a directional valve connected to the proximal side of the vessel assembly and to the pressure medium reservoir, and a proximal chamber limited by the proximal side of the vessel assembly and reciprocally variable relative to the product chamber, wherein the directional valve is configured to switch between a delivery position in which the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly and the pressure medium reservoir are in fluid connection, and a charging position in which the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly and the pressure medium reservoir are fluid tight towards each other.

51. The delivery system of claim 50, wherein the vessel assembly of the delivery device comprises a dosing vessel having the distal side and a driving vessel having a distal side and the proximal side, the delivery device comprises a driving piston movably arranged inside the driving vessel such that a variable distal chamber is formed between the driving piston and the distal side of the driving vessel and the variable proximal chamber is formed between the driving piston and the proximal side of the driving vessel, and the driving piston is cinematically coupled to the dosing piston.

52. The delivery system of claim 50, comprising a throttle arrangement configured to throttle a pressure medium supply out of the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly of the delivery device.

53. The delivery system of claim 52, wherein the throttle arrangement comprises a delivery speed adjuster configured to adjust the pressure medium supply out of the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly of the delivery device.

54. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the directional valve of the delivery device is configured to provide a fluid connection between the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly of the delivery device and the pressure medium reservoir in the delivery position, and a fluid connection between the distal chamber of the vessel assembly of the delivery device and the pressure medium reservoir in the charging position.

55. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the directional valve of the delivery device is configured to provide a fluid connection between the distal chamber of the vessel assembly of the delivery device and the product reservoir in the delivery position, and a fluid connection between the proximal chamber of the vessel assembly of the delivery device and the product reservoir in the charging position.

56. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the delivery device is configured to be in the delivery position when activated and in the charging position when not activated.

57. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the pressure medium reservoir comprises an adjustable pressure reducing valve.

58. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the product reservoir comprises an adjustable pressure control valve.

59. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the product reservoir is pressurized.

60. The delivery system of claim 59, wherein a pressure inside the product reservoir is in a range of about 0.1 bar to about 4 bar, or in a range of about 0.5 bar to about 3.5 bar, or in a range of about 1 bar to about 3 bar.

61. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the pressurized gas is pressurized carbon dioxide.

62. The delivery system of claim 51, wherein the delivery device further comprises: a product port connected to the distal side of the vessel assembly; and a pressure medium port connected to the directional valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an embodiment of a plant fluid delivery system according to this disclosure comprising an embodiment of a plant injection device according to this disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a functional diagram of the delivery system of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a functional diagram of a second embodiment of a plant fluid delivery system according to this disclosure with a second embodiment of a plant injection device according to this disclosure; and

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a functional diagram of a third embodiment of a plant fluid delivery system according to this disclosure with a third embodiment of a plant injection device according to this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0055] Detailed descriptions of one or more embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the devices, systems and methods according to this disclosure may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present devices, systems and methods in any appropriate manner.

[0056] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.

[0057] Where ever the phrase “for example,” “such as,” “including” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly “an example,” “exemplary” and the like are understood to be non-limiting.

[0058] The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that don't negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited.

[0059] The term “about” is meant to account for variations due to experimental or measurement error. All measurements or numbers are implicitly understood to be modified by the word about, even if the measurement or number is not explicitly modified by the word about.

[0060] The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Similarly, “comprises”, “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etc. Thus, for example, “a device having components a, b, and c” means that the device includes at least components a, b and c. Similarly, the phrase: “a method involving steps a, b, and c” means that the method includes at least steps a, b, and c.

[0061] Where ever the terms “a” or “an” are used, “one or more” is understood unless explicitly stated otherwise or such interpretation is nonsensical in context.

[0062] As used herein, “trunk” also refers to “stem” and “stem” also refers to “trunk”. Thus, for example, the phrase “trunk of a plant” also is interpreted to mean “stem of a plant,” and “trunk of a tree” is also interpreted to mean “stem of a plant,” unless nonsensical in context.

[0063] Further, in the following description certain terms are used for reasons of convenience and are not intended to limit the invention. The terms “right”, “left”, “up”, “down”, “under” and “above” refer to directions in the figures. The terminology comprises the explicitly mentioned terms as well as their derivations and terms with a similar meaning. Also, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “proximal”, “distal”, and the like, may be used to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions and orientations of the devices in use or operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both positions and orientations of above and below. The devices may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Likewise, descriptions of movement along and around various axes include various special device positions and orientations.

[0064] To avoid repetition in the figures and the descriptions of the various aspects and illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that many features are common to many aspects and embodiments. Omission of an aspect from a description or figure does not imply that the aspect is missing from embodiments that incorporate that aspect. Instead, the aspect may have been omitted for clarity and to avoid prolix description. In this context, the following applies to the rest of this description: If, in order to clarify the drawings, a figure contains reference signs which are not explained in the directly associated part of the description, then it is referred to previous or following description sections. Further, for reason of lucidity, if in a drawing not all features of a part are provided with reference signs it is referred to other drawings showing the same part. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

[0065] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a delivery system 1 which is arranged for injecting a liquid active ingredient formulation 4 into a plant. The delivery system 1 has: a product reservoir 2 housing the fluid formulation 4, such as a liquid active ingredient formulation; a pressure medium reservoir 3 housing a pressure medium; and, a first embodiment of a delivery device 5 according to the disclosure. The product reservoir 2 and the pressure medium reservoir 3 are in fluid communication with the delivery device 5. In use, both loading of the delivery device 1 with fluid formulation from the product reservoir 2 and delivery of fluid formulation to a plant from the delivery device 1 is controlled pneumatically or hydraulically by operation of the pressure medium reservoir. In some embodiments, liquid active formulation is loaded into the delivery device 5 and delivered to a plant from the delivery device 5 pneumatically by operation of the pressure medium reservoir. In some such embodiments, under conditions of use, the pressure medium is in liquid form when housed in the pressure medium reservoir 3, and in gas form when released from the pressure medium reservoir into the delivery device 5. For example, the pressure medium can be carbon dioxide, which while housed in the pressure medium reservoir 3 is pressurized into a liquid form, returning to gas form when releaed from the pressure medium reservoir 3 into the delivery device 5.

[0066] The delivery device 5 comprises a vessel assembly with a dosing cylinder 51 as dosing vessel and a driving cylinder 52 as a driving vessel. It further comprises a delivery outlet 53 and a 5/2-way valve 54 as directional valve. a carbon dioxide reservoir 3 housing pressurized carbon dioxide as pressure medium

[0067] At a distal side 512 as distal side of the vessel assembly, the dosing cylinder 51 is equipped with a product port 57. The product port 57 has a product one-way valve and is connected to the product reservoir 2 via a tube. The delivery outlet 53 is arranged at the distal side 512 of the dosing cylinder 51. It has a nose-shaped spout 531 distally equipped with a delivery one-way valve 532.

[0068] Inside the dosing cylinder 51 a dosing piston 511 is arranged. The dosing piston 511 is axially movable between the distal side 512 and a proximal side 513. Thereby, a variable product chamber 515 is formed between a distal face of the dosing piston 511 and the distal side 512 of the dosing cylinder 51.

[0069] The driving cylinder 52 has a distal side 522 and a proximal side 523 as proximal side of the vessel assembly. Inside the driving cylinder 52 a driving piston 521 is axially movable arranged such that a variable distal chamber 524 is formed between the driving piston 521 and the distal side 521 of the driving cylinder 52, and a variable proximal chamber 525 is formed between the driving piston 521 and the proximal side 523 of the driving cylinder 52. The driving piston 521 is cinematically coupled to the dosing piston 511 by an axial rigid rod 514 such that the two pistons 511, 521 together are axially movable to the left and right.

[0070] The 5/2-way valve 54 has five ports, i.e. an input port 541, a first output port 542, a second output port 543, a first exhaust port 544 and a second exhaust port 545. The input port 541 is embodied as pressure medium port and connected to the carbon dioxide reservoir 3 via a tube. The first output port 542 is connected to the proximal side 523 of the driving cylinder 52 via a tube. The second output port 543 is connected to the distal side 522 of the driving cylinder 52 via a tube and via a throttle valve 56 as throttle arrangement of the delivery system 1. The first and second exhaust ports 544, 545 are connected to the product reservoir 2 and, particularly, a gas containing upper section thereof via respective tubes.

[0071] The 5/2-way valve 54 is configured to switch between two positions. In particular, as will be shown in more detail below, it can be switched on the one hand into a delivery position in which the proximal chamber 525 of the delivery cylinder 52 is in fluid connection with the carbon dioxide reservoir 3 and the distal chamber 524 of the delivery cylinder 52 is fluid tight towards the carbon dioxide reservoir 3. On the other hand, the 5/2-way valve 54 can be switched into a charging position, in which the distal chamber 524 of the driving cylinder 52 is in fluid connection with the carbon dioxide reservoir 3 and the proximal chamber 525 of the driving cylinder 52 is fluid tight towards the carbon dioxide reservoir 3.

[0072] The delivery device 5 further has a trigger 55 which is coupled to the 5/2-way valve 54. To activate the delivery device 5 the trigger is to be pulled by a user. Thereby, the 5/2-way valve 54 is switched from the charging position to the delivery position.

[0073] The carbon dioxide reservoir 3 comprises a pressure cylinder 31 in which the pressurized carbon dioxide is housed in liquid form. The carbon dioxide reservoir 3 has a pressure reducing valve 32 and a pressure display 33 for indicating the actual pressure inside the pressure cylinder 31. By means of the pressure reducing valve 32, a pressure of the carbon dioxide supplied out of the pressure cylinder 31 can be manually adjusted.

[0074] The product reservoir 2 comprises a bottle body 21 housing an amount of the liquid active ingredient formulation 4, i.e. the product. In a top portion of the bottle body 21 carbon dioxide is located as protective gas. The product reservoir 2 further comprises a pressure control valve 22 by means of which the pressure inside the bottle body 21 can be controlled. For example, the pressure inside the bottle body can be adjusted to be about 1.5 bar.

[0075] In FIG. 2 a schematic functioning diagram of the delivery system 1 is shown. Therein, it can be seen that the 5/2-way valve 54 is configured to take two positions, i.e. the charging position depicted on the right-hand side in FIG. 2 and the delivery position depicted on the left-hand side in FIG. 2. The 5/2-way valve 54 is further equipped with a spring element 546 pushing the 5/2-way valve 54 into the charging position when not being activated by a user pulling the trigger 55.

[0076] The throttle valve 56 has an input port 564 and an output port 563. The input port 564 of the throttle valve 56 is connected to the first output port 542 of the 5/2-way valve 54 via a tube. The output port 563 is directly mounted to the proximal side 523 of the driving cylinder 52.

[0077] In the charging position of the 5/2-way valve 54, the first output port 542 is in fluid connection with the first exhaust port 544. Thus, the proximal chamber 525 of the driving cylinder 52 is in fluid connection with the product reservoir 2. Thereby, the carbon dioxide can exhaust from the proximal chamber 525 via the throttle valve 56 and the 5/2-way valve 54 into the top portion of the bottle body 21 of the product reservoir 2. Thereby, the supply of the carbon dioxide out of the proximal chamber 525 is controlled by the throttle valve 56. More specifically, the throttle valve 56 adjustably limits the carbon dioxide supply.

[0078] At the same time, the input port 541 of the 5/2-way valve 54 is in fluid connection with the second output port 543. Thus, the distal chamber 524 of the driving cylinder 52 is in fluid connection with the carbon dioxide reservoir 3. Thereby, the pressurized carbon dioxide is provided from the pressure cylinder 31 via the pressure reducing valve 32 and the 5/2-way valve 54 into the distal chamber 524 of the driving cylinder 52. Due to the carbon dioxide being pressurized, the driving piston 521 is proximally moved to the right. Together with the driving piston 521 also the dosing piston 511 coupled to the driving piston 521 via the rod 514 is proximally moved to the right. This results in the product chamber 515 being enlarged such that active ingredient formulation 4 is withdrawn from the product reservoir 2 via the product one-way valve of the product port 57 into the product chamber 515 of the dosing cylinder 51. The second exhaust port 545 of the 5/2-way valve 54 is closed. The delivery one-way valve 532 of the delivery outlet 53 prevents that the active ingredient formulation is provided out of the delivery outlet 53.

[0079] In the delivery position of the 5/2-way valve 54, the second output port 543 is in fluid connection with the second exhaust port 545. Thus, the distal chamber 524 of the driving cylinder 52 is in fluid connection with the product reservoir 2. Thereby, the carbon dioxide can exhaust from the distal chamber 524 via the 5/2-way valve 54 into the top portion of the bottle body 21 of the product reservoir 2. This carbon dioxide is used as protective gas in the bottle body 21 and for pressurizing the bottle body 21. At the same time, the input port 541 of the 5/2-way valve 54 is in fluid connection with the first output port 542. Thus, the proximal chamber 525 of the driving cylinder 52 is in fluid connection with the carbon dioxide reservoir 3. Thereby, the pressurized carbon dioxide can be provided from the pressure cylinder 31 via the pressure reducing valve 32, the 5/2-way valve 54 and the throttle valve 56 into the proximal chamber 525 of the driving cylinder 52. Thereby, the carbon dioxide supplied via a free unidirectional bypass 562 of the throttle valve 56 into the proximal chamber 525. Due to the carbon dioxide being pressurized, the driving piston 521 is distally moved to the left. Together with the driving piston 521 also the dosing piston 511 is distally moved to the left. This results in the product chamber 515 being reduced such that active ingredient formulation 4 is forwarded out of the delivery outlet 53 via the delivery one-way valve 532. The first exhaust port 544 of the 5/2-way valve 54 is closed. The product one-way valve of the product port 57 prevents that the active ingredient formulation is provided towards the product reservoir 2.

[0080] The throttle valve 56 has an adjustable narrowing section 561 as charging speed adjuster of the delivery system 1, which allows for defining an extent of supply or feed-through of the carbon dioxide from the proximal chamber 525 of the driving cylinder 52. By such definition, when the directional valve 54 is in its charging position, the pressure reduction applied in the proximal chamber 525 can be adjusted for achieving an appropriate speed of proximally moving the driving piston 521. In particular, the speed can be adjusted to achieve an active ingredient formulation provision complying with the conditions given by the properties of the active ingredient formulation 4. The bypass 562 allows the carbon dioxide to be provided or supplied into the proximal chamber 525 of the driving cylinder 52 when the directional valve 54 is in its delivery position.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a schematic functioning diagram of a second embodiment of a delivery system 1 according to the invention which comprises a second embodiment of a delivery device 5 according to the invention. Unless differently described in the following, the second embodiments of delivery system 1 and device 5 function in correspondence with the first embodiments of delivery system 1 and device 5 described in connection with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. More specifically, the components and features of the second system 1 and device 5 which work or function the same as the corresponding components or features of the first system 1 and device 5 are generally not repeated in the following. In this context it is referred to the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0082] Instead of the product one-way valve of the product port 57 and the delivery one-way valve 532, the second delivery device 5 comprises a 3/2-way valve 58. The 3/2-way valve has an output port 581 connected to the delivery outlet (not shown in FIG. 3), a throughput port 582 connected to the product chamber 515 of the dosing cylinder 51 and an input port 583 as product port connected to the product reservoir 2.

[0083] The 3/2-way valve 57 is configured to switch between two positions. In particular, on the one hand, in a delivery position, which is the upper position shown in FIG. 3, the throughput port 582 is in fluid connection with the output port 581. Thus, the product chamber 515 of the dosing cylinder 51 is connected to the delivery outlet such that the active ingredient formulation can be delivered out of the delivery device 1. At the same time, the input port 583 is closed such that a fluid transfer to or from the product reservoir 2 is blocked. The delivery position of the 3/2-way valve 58 is identically set as the delivery position of the 5/2-way valve 56. More specifically, the 3/2-way valve 58 and the 5/2-way valve 56 are coupled such that they are commonly in the delivery position.

[0084] On the other hand, in a charging position, which is the lower position shown in FIG. 3, the throughput port 582 is in fluid connection with the input port 583. Thus, the product chamber 515 of the dosing cylinder 51 is connected to the product reservoir 2 such that the active ingredient formulation can be withdrawn or supplied from the bottle body 21 into the product chamber 515. At the same time, the output port 581 is closed such that a fluid transfer to or from the delivery outlet is blocked. The 3/2-way valve 58 further comprises a spring 584 which forces the 3/2-way valve 58 into its charging position when it is not activated.

[0085] Due to the implementation of the 3/2-way valve 58 instead of the two one-way valves, the second delivery device 5 is capable of managing a comparably high pressure inside the product side of the delivery system 1. This particularly allows for applying a comparably high pressure inside the bottle body 21 which may assist provision or supply of the active ingredient formulation into the product chamber 515. More specifically, the carbon dioxide exhausted of the distal chamber 524 and the proximal chamber 525 of the driving container 52 can be used for pressurizing the bottle body 21.

[0086] In FIG. 4 a schematic functioning diagram of a third embodiment of a delivery system 1 according to the invention is shown, which comprises a third embodiment of a delivery device 5 according to the invention. Unless differently described in the following, the third embodiments of delivery system 1 and device 5 function in correspondence with the first embodiments of delivery system 1 and device 5 described in connection with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 above. More specifically, the components and features of the third system 1 and device 5 which work or function the same as the corresponding components or features of the first system 1 and device 5 are generally not repeated in the following. Rather, it is referred to the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in this connection.

[0087] Instead of the vessel assembly of the first delivery device having the dosing and the delivery cylinders 51, 52, the vessel assembly of the third delivery device has one single cylinder 59 with a distal side 592 and a proximal side 593. Inside the single cylinder 56, a dosing piston 591 is arranged which tightly separates the single cylinder in a proximal chamber 594 and a distal product chamber 595. In the product chamber 595 a spring 596 is positioned which is arranged to force the dosing 591 piston into a distal direction.

[0088] Further, instead of the 5/2-way valve 54 of the first delivery device 1, the third delivery device is equipped with a 3/2-way valve 54′ as directional valve. The 3/2-way valve 54′ has an input port 541′, an output port 542′ and an exhaust port 543′. The input port 541′ forms a pressure medium port of the delivery device 5. It is connected to the pressure cylinder 31 of the delivery system 1 via the pressure reducing valve 32 by means of tubes. The output port 542′ is connected to the proximal chamber 594 of the single cylinder 59 via the throttle valve 56 mounted to the proximal side of the single cylinder 59 by means of a tube. The exhaust port 543′ is connected to the bottle body 21 of the product reservoir 2 by means of a tube.

[0089] The 3/2 valve 54′ is configured to switch between two positions, i.e. a charging position and a delivery position. In particular, in the charging position, which is the right-hand position shown in FIG. 4, the output port 542′ is in fluid connection with the exhaust port 543′. Thus, the proximal chamber 594 of the single cylinder 59 is connected to the bottle body 21 of the product reservoir 2. The input port 541′ is blocked or closed. The spring 596 pushes the dosing piston 591 towards the proximal side 593 of the single cylinder 59, i.e. in a proximal direction. Thereby, carbon dioxide located in the proximal chamber 594 is forwarded via the throttle valve 56 and the 3/2-way valve 54′ into the bottle body 21. The throttle valve 56 allows for adjusting the carbon dioxide flow through it such that the speed of moving the dosing piston 591 likewise is adjusted. The carbon dioxide provided into bottle body 21 is used as protective gas and for smoothly pressurizing the bottle body 21. By the spring 596 proximally moving the dosing piston 591, the product chamber 595 of the single cylinder 59 is enlarged. Thereby, liquid active ingredient formulation is withdrawn from the bottle body 21 via the product one-way valve of the product port 57 into the product chamber 595. The 3/2-way valve 54′ has a spring 546′ which pushes the 3/2-way valve 54′ into the charging position.

[0090] In the delivery position of the 3/2-way valve 54′, which is the left-hand position depicted in FIG. 4, the input port 541′ is in fluid connection with the output port 542′. The exhaust port 543′ is closed. Thereby, the pressure cylinder 31 is connected to the proximal chamber 594 via the pressure reducing valve 32, the 3/2-way valve 54′ and the throttle valve 56. More specifically, the pressure reducing valve 32 allows for adjusting a pressure by which the carbon dioxide is provided. The carbon dioxide flows through the 3/2-way valve 54′ and the bypass 562 of the throttle valve 56 into the proximal chamber 594 of the single cylinder 59. Like this, the dosing piston is moved against the force of the spring 596 towards the distal side 592 of the single cylinder 59. The volume of the product chamber 595 is thereby reduced and the active ingredient formulation is supplied through the delivery one-way valve 532 out of the delivery outlet 53. For being in the delivery position, the 3/2-way valve 54′ or the delivery device 5 has to be activated.

[0091] This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate aspects and embodiments of the present invention should not be taken as limiting the claims defining the protected invention. In other words, while the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Thus, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope and spirit of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below.

[0092] The disclosure also covers all further features shown in the FIGS. individually although they may not have been described in the afore or following description. Also, single alternatives of the embodiments described in the figures and the description and single alternatives of features thereof can be disclaimed from the subject matter of the invention or from disclosed subject matter. The disclosure comprises subject matter consisting of the features defined in the claims or the exemplary embodiments as well as subject matter comprising said features.

[0093] Furthermore, in the claims the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single unit or step may fulfil the functions of several features recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The terms “essentially”, “about”, “approximately” and the like in connection with an attribute or a value particularly also define exactly the attribute or exactly the value, respectively. The term “about” in the context of a given numerate value or range refers to a value or range that is, e.g., within 20%, within 10%, within 5%, or within 2% of the given value or range. The term about is intended to take into account experimental or measurement error. Components described as coupled or connected may be electrically or mechanically directly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.