Dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device (1) having a pump device (2), which has an actuating element (5) having an output opening (12), wherein the actuating element (5) is movably arranged relative to a bearing element (6), which is connected to a pump housing (7) in a rotationally fixed manner in the usage position, wherein the actuating element (5) is rotatably arranged relative to the bearing element (6) and the bearing element (6) has at least one protruding bridge (25) having an upper stop edge (24) and a substantially tubular portion (5) of the actuating element (5) has, on the inner surface thereof, distributed over the circumference, at least two stages (22, 22, 22) defining a different displacement path, of which stages, depending on the rotational alignment of the actuating element (5), one stage (22, 22, 22) contacts the stop edge (24) in a lower displacement position.

Claims

1. A dispensing device comprising: a pumping device, which has an actuating element with a discharge opening, the actuating element being displaceably arranged with respect to a bearing element, the bearing element being connected to a pump housing in a rotationally fixed manner in a usage position, and the actuating element being arranged such that it can rotate with respect to the bearing element, the bearing element has at least one projecting land with an upper stop edge, and an essentially tubular section of the actuating element has, extending inwardly from an inner surface, distributed over the circumference, at least two steps defining different displacement travels, of which, in each case, depending on the direction of rotation of the actuating element, one step in a lower displacement position strikes the upper stop edge.

2. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the tubular section of the actuating element in an upper inoperative position covers the upper stop edge of the bearing element.

3. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the steps are immediately adjacent to each other circumferentially and define a stepped profile.

4. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a width of the step corresponds in each case to a width of the land having the upper stop edge.

5. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein guide lands extending in the displacement direction are provided in an extension of a jump in level between two adjacent steps.

6. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a blocking step is designed such that, when aligned with the upper stop edge, the actuating element is essentially blocked in its upper inoperative position.

7. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a flange-like projection is provided in a lower end section of the actuating element.

8. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the flange-like projection is a circumferential flange-like projection.

9. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a pull-off flap is provided, which is connected to the bearing element and blocks the displacement of the actuating element from an upper inoperative position.

10. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein two diametrically arranged lands are provided, together with the upper stop edge and correspondingly diametrically configured steps.

11. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bearing element is connected to the pump housing by a screw connection.

12. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the discharge opening of the actuating element is provided with a protective cap, which has a slot-shaped valve.

13. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protective cap has a circumferential bead, which is accommodated in a detent groove of the actuating element arranged adjacent to the discharge opening.

14. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protective cap consists of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone.

15. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the protective cap consists of a thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV).

16. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 15, wherein the thermoplastic vulcanisate comprises ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer rubber particles (EPDM) in a matrix of polypropylene.

17. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuating element is connected to a piston rod, which is moved together with the actuating element, and wherein a valve element is accommodated in the actuating element, and the piston rod is displaceably accommodated in the pump housing, which is provided at one end with a one-way valve.

18. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the piston rod is moved together with the actuating element against the restoring force of an elastic spring element.

19. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the one-way valve comprises a ball valve.

20. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pump housing is accommodated in a riser sleeve, in which a riser tube is accommodated, which is communicatively connected to the one-way valve.

21. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 20, wherein the pumping device is connected to the interior of a container and is connected to the container by a lid.

22. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 21, wherein the piston rod wherein the container accommodates a displaceably mounted overrun sleeve, which is connected in an essentially sealed manner to the riser sleeve and to the container.

23. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 22, wherein the overrun sleeve has a circumferential sealing lip, which widens conically upwards in a direction of the lid.

24. The dispensing device in accordance with claim 23, wherein the overrun sleeve has a circumferential a single sealing lip, which widens conically upwards in the direction of the lid.

Description

(1) The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred examples of embodiment depicted in the drawings, wherein the invention is in no way to be limited to these. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an inventive dispensing device, which is connected to a container;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the individual elements of the dispensing device together with the container;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the dispensing device in a position connected to the lid and partially accommodated in a container;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of an actuating element of the dispensing device arranged on a hearing member;

(6) FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the actuating element in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the bearing element including the tamper-evident flap;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a view of the bearing and actuating elements while the tamper-evident flap is removed;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device in an upper inoperative position;

(10) FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device in FIG. 7 with the actuating element in a rotational position corresponding to a metering step 1;

(11) FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional view in accordance with FIG. 8A with the actuating element in a rotational position corresponding to a metering step 2;

(12) FIG. 8C shows a cross-sectional view in accordance with FIGS. 8A and 8b with the actuating element in a rotational position corresponding to a metering step 3;

(13) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the dispensing device attached to a lid;

(14) FIG. 10 shows a view of the dispensing device in a blocked position;

(15) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view from below into a tubular section of the actuating element;

(16) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the bearing element; and

(17) FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an alternative design of a tamper-evident closure with a tamper-evident ring.

(18) FIG. 14 shows a partially cross-sectioned view of another alternative example of a tamper-evident closure with a tamper-evident ring;

(19) FIG. 14A shows a side view of the bearing element in accordance with FIG. 14 with the tamper-evident ring (without actuating element);

(20) FIG. 14B shows a perspective view of the bearing element in accordance with FIG. 14 with the tamper-evident ring (without actuating element).

(21) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a dispensing device 1 with a device 2 connected to a lid 3 of a container 4.

(22) Any fluid medium can be contained in the container 4; the medium can be dispensed from the container 4 in a metered manner by means of the pumping device 2. For this purpose, the pump device 2 has an actuating element 5 or actuator, which is designed to be displaceable and rotatable in relation to a bearing element 6 designed as a screw cap.

(23) The pump device 2 has a pump housing 7 in which the fluid medium previously accommodated in the container interior 4, after passing from the container interior 4 via a riser tube 8 through a ball valve 3, is temporarily stored. When the actuating element 5 is displaced in the direction 5, the volume of the pump housing 7 is reduced by a piston rod 10 connected to the actuating element, such that the fluid medium temporarily stored in the pump housing or cylinder 7 passes through the valve 10 and can escape via the outlet channel 11 and the discharge opening 12 of the actuating element 5.

(24) In the position shown in FIG. 1, the actuating element 5 is in an upper inoperative position, into which the actuating element 5 is automatically returned by means of a helical spring 10, which acts between the bearing element 6 and the actuating element 5, after the actuating element 5 has been depressed in order to dispense the fluid medium.

(25) The pump housing 7 and the bearing element 6 each have a flange, 7 and 6 respectively, at their ends. In addition, the bearing element has an internal thread 6 in a lower end section and the pump housing 7 has a corresponding external thread 7 in an upper end section. With the production of a screw connection that is rotationally fixed when in use, a connection can be made readily and easily between the pump device 2 and the container 4 by clamping the lid 3 between the two flanges 6 and 7.

(26) The discharge opening 12 is protected with a protective cap 13, which has a slit-shaped, preferably cross slit-shaped, valve 14.

(27) The protective cap 13 has a circumferential latching bead 15, which is latched to a corresponding groove 16 of the actuating element 5 adjacent to the discharge opening 12, such that the protective cap 13 can easily be attached to the actuating element 5. The slot-shaped protective cap 13, which preferably consists of a thermoplastic vulcanisate, in particular Santoprene () or the like, opens and closes automatically so that, in the closed position of the slot-shaped valve 14, any penetration of dirt into the medium temporarily stored in the actuating element 5 is prevented, as is, to a large extent, any drying out of the fluid medium as a result of exposed surfaces.

(28) Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a so-called overrun sleeve 17, which abuts in a sealing manner against the inner face of the cylindrical container 4 and on a riser sleeve 18 enclosing the riser tube 8. Thus, the negative pressure generated during the pumping process inside the container 4 moves the overrun sleeve 17 downwards, together with the medium to be pumped, as a result of the negative pressure, so that during the emptying of the container 4 the overrun sleeve 17 abuts essentially continuously against the surface of the medium to be delivered.

(29) In FIGS. 4 and 4a the actuating element 5 is shown in detail, in particular in FIG. 4a it is shown that the actuating element 5 has a tubular section 5 that is pushed over the bearing element 6 in a downwards displaced dispensing position.

(30) As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a pull-off flap 18, which is attached to the bearing element 6 by means of thin-walled lands 19 that are easily detachable, can be used to prevent the actuating element 5 from sliding downwards. If, therefore, the pull-off flap 18 is not removed from the bearing element 6, it is not possible to actuate the actuating element 5, and it is therefore obvious to the user that the dispensing device 1 is still unused, i.e. is in its original condition; the pull-off flap 18 therefore serves as a tamper-evident seal.

(31) In the cross-sectional view in accordance with FIG. 4a it is further apparent that the actuating element 5 has a valve seat 20, in which a valve 10 is accommodated, which opens when the actuating element 5 is depressed, whereby the medium to be dispensed can pass into a dispensing channel 21. The dispensing channel 21 leads into the discharge opening 12. To protect the discharge opening 12 from contamination, a protective cap 13 has been snapped on in the vicinity of the discharge opening 12 by way of a snap-in bead 15 in a detent groove 16, as explained above.

(32) In FIGS. 7 and 8a to 8c the dispensing device is shown in different metering positions, wherein in each metering position a different stroke or displacement travel is released for the actuating element 5, so that the dispensation of different volumes can be set. For the setting of the different metering steps, only the direction of rotation of the actuating element 5 relative to the bearing element needs to be changed.

(33) In the blocked position shown in FIG. 7, the actuating element 5 is aligned in such a way that a step 22 projecting into the interior of the tubular section 5, which step 22 is arranged directly adjacent to a lower edge 23 of the tubular section, already rests on an upper stop edge 24 of a projecting land 25 on the bearing element 6, so that the actuating element 5even after removal of the tamper-evident flap 18 shown in FIG. 7, cf. FIG. 6is essentially immovable. Thus a movement of the actuating element, or a metered dispensation of the medium via the dispensing device, is not possible m this blocking metering position.

(34) If the actuating element 5 is rotated relative to the bearing element 6, a step 22 (cf. also FIG. 11) on the inner surface of the tubular section 5 comes into alignment with the land 25, so that the stroke or displacement travel is defined in a first metering step which corresponds to the distance A (cf. FIG. 7) between the stop edge 24 on the bearing element 6 (cf. FIG. 12) and the step 22 of the actuating element 5 in its (upper) inoperative position. The steps 22, 22 and 22 are formed in the example of embodiment shown by a plurality of ribs arranged next to each other, but can of course also be defined by a step projecting two-dimensionally in each case, which then forms a continuous contact surface for the stop edge 24.

(35) For the metering of a larger dispensation quantity, the actuating element 5 can be further rotated in relation to the bearing element 6, such that the step 22 is aligned with the land 25. Thus a longer stroke travel is defined, which corresponds to the distance B (cf. FIG. 7) between the stop edge 24 on the bearing element 6 (cf. FIG. 12) and the step 22 of the actuating element 5 in its (upper) inoperative position.

(36) In a third metering step, the area 22 is arranged in alignment with the land 25 of the bearing element 6, in which the tubular section 5 of the actuating element 5 has no projecting step, so that the actuating element 5 can be pressed downwards over the entire stroke C (see FIG. 7) until the lower edge 23 sits on a connecting flange 6 of the bearing element 6. The different stroke travels are compared in FIG. 7.

(37) As shown in FIG. 10, the actuating element 5 has markings 26 assigned to the different directions of rotation, so that the user can easily see whether a zero, large or small quantity is dispensed when the actuating element 5 is depressed. In addition, guide lands 27 extending in the displacement or axial direction 5 of the tubular section 5 are provided on the inner face of the tubular section 5as shown in particular in FIG. 11in each case in an extension of a jump in level between two steps 22, 22, 22 and the step-free section 22, such that a guide is formed in each case between two adjacent guide lands 27, in which the land 25 is guided when the actuating element 5 is displaced.

(38) In order to change the metering position accordingly it is necessary to move the land 25 over a guide land 27. This requires an elastic deformation of the tubular section 5 and/or the bearing element 6, such that the land 25 snaps into the adjacent guide after overcoming the guide land 27. The user can hear and/or feel this snap-in process, so that the user can easily detect that the metering position has been changed. FIGS. 11 and 12 also show that preferably two diametrically opposed lands 25 are provided with corresponding stop edges 24; correspondingly two opposite steps 22, 22, 22 or step-free areas 22 are provided in each case, so that when the steps 22, 22, 22 encounter the stop edges 24 any oblique positioning of the actuating element 5 is avoided.

(39) FIG. 13 shows an alternative design of a tamper-evident closure instead of the pull-off or tamper-evident flap 18. Here a tamper-evident ring 27 is provided, which has some projecting lands 28 distributed around the circumference, which are accommodated in corresponding groove-shaped recesses 28 of the actuating element 5, which is only shown to a limited extent in FIG. 13.

(40) Here the tamper-evident ring 27 is connected to the bearing element 6 via thin-walled, land-shaped elements 29. Only by turning the actuating element 5 out of the blocked position and the associated release of the connection between the lands 28 and the bearing element 6, can the actuating element 5 be released from the blocked position, whereby the tamper-evident ring 27 is released from its upper position. After the tamper-evident ring 27 on the bearing element 6 has slipped downwards, it is clear to the user that the dispensing device 1 is no longer in its original sealed state.

(41) In the design in accordance with the invention, the diametrically opposed lands 25 and the stepped design of steps 22, 22, 22 on the inner surface of the actuating element 5 can therefore be used to achieve in a simple manner a metering of the quantity of fluid medium dispensed by the pumping device 2 when actuated.

(42) As shown in FIGS. 14, 14a and 14b, as an alternative the actuating element 5 can also be fixed in a position displaced downwards, such that the transport volume of the dispensing device 1 is advantageously reduced.

(43) For fixing the actuating element 5 in a lower inoperative position, a preferably circumferential flange-like projection 30 is provided in s lower end section of the actuating element 5. Via this projection 30 the actuating element 6 can be held in the lower blocking position shown in FIG. 14 in conjunction with a tamper-evident ring 18. If the pull-off flap 18 of the tamper-evident ring 18 is pulled off (in the direction of the arrow), the connection between the tamper-evident ring 18 and the bearing element 6, which in the example of embodiment shown is implemented via lands 31, is released, so that the actuating element 5 is released for the use of the dispensing device 1. Needless to say, all the designs described above can also be used for tamper-evident protection with a pull-off flap and/or a tamper-evident ring independently of the steps defining different displacement travels depending on the direction of rotation of the actuating element, i.e. they can be used with any dispensing device with a bearing element and an actuating element.