DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A MATERIAL BY MEANS OF PRESSURIZED GAS AND PARTIALLY GAS-FILLED TUBULAR BODY FOR USE THEREIN

Abstract

A device for dispensing a material includes a reservoir for the material and an outlet channel connectable thereto. The reservoir has a tubular body partially filled with pressurized gas and partially filled with the material to be dispensed. One end of the tubular body is welded shut and an opposite end is closed by a sealing member extending over at least part of a cross-sectional area of the tubular body. The sealing member is arranged in a sleeve connected to the end of the tubular body opposite the welded end thereof. The sealing member has a pierceable diaphragm and the device may further comprise a piercing member. The sealing member can include a movable valve or can be removably fixed inside the tubular body and the device can include an operating member. The tubular body and the piercing member or operating member, respectively, may be movable towards each other.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a material, comprising: a reservoir for the material and an outlet channel connectable to the reservoir, wherein the reservoir comprises a tubular body partially filled with pressurized gas and is partially filled with the material to be dispensed, wherein one end of the tubular body is welded shut and an opposite end of the tubular body is closed by a sealing member extending over at least part of a cross-sectional area of the tubular body, and wherein the sealing member is arranged in a sleeve which is connected to the end of the tubular body opposite the welded end thereof.

2. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is fixed to the tubular body by clamping, welding, or an adhesive.

3. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an inner part supporting the sealing member and is configured to be arranged inside the end of the tubular body opposite the welded end thereof, and an outer part configured to be arranged around the end of the tubular body and to be connected to the inner part.

4. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner and outer parts of the sleeve are configured to protrude past an edge bounding the end of the tubular body and are also configured to be connected to each other.

5. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a pierceable diaphragm and the device further comprises a piercing member, the tubular body and the piercing member being movable towards each other.

6. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the piercing member is connected to the outlet channel.

7. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a movable valve and the device further comprises an operating member, the tubular body and the operating member being movable towards each other.

8. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the valve is biased to a position closing the end of the tubular body.

9. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is removably fixed inside the tubular body and the device further comprises an operating member, the tubular body and the operating member being movable towards each other.

10. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the operating member is connected to the outlet channel.

11. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet channel forms part of a nozzle or applicator that is connectable to the reservoir.

12. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the nozzle or applicator is connectable to the sleeve.

13. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas in the tubular body is separated from the material to be dispensed.

14. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a piston is slidably arranged in the tubular body to separate the pressurized gas from the material to be dispensed, the pressurized gas filling a part of the tubular body between the piston and the welded end, and the material to be dispensed fills a part of the tubular body between the piston and the sealing member.

15. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tubular body comprises an inner tubular body filled with the material to be dispensed, and an outer tubular body surrounding the inner tubular body and filled with the pressurized gas.

16. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein an annular space is defined between the inner and outer tubular bodies, said annular space being filled with the pressurized gas.

17. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner tubular body has substantially the same diameter as the outer tubular body, and has a smaller length than the outer tubular body, and wherein the pressurized gas is received in a space between the welded end of the inner tubular body and the welded end of the outer tubular body.

18. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular body tapers towards the end that is closed by the sealing member.

19. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular body tapers towards the end that is welded shut.

20. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular body is made of a flexible material so as to be resilient.

21. A tubular body for use in a dispensing device as claimed in claim 1.

Description

[0028] The invention will now be illustrated by way of a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which similar elements are identified by the same reference numerals, and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reservoir for a dispensing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1, showing the reservoir partially filled with gas and partially filled with a material to be dispensed, and ready for use;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a view corresponding with that of FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the reservoir, in which the gas and the material to be dispensed are separated by a slidable piston;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a view corresponding with FIG. 3 and showing the dispensing device during use, in which the sealing member has been pierced and an outlet channel is connected thereto;

[0033] FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal sectional view of an outlet channel that forms part of a spraying or foaming nozzle;

[0034] FIG. 5B is a view corresponding with FIG. 5A of the outlet channel as part of a sponge-like applicator;

[0035] FIG. 5C is a view corresponding with FIGS. 5A and 5B of the outlet channel as part of a brush-type applicator;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding with that of FIGS. 2 and 3 of another embodiment of the reservoir in which the material to be dispensed is packed in an inner tubular body and the gas is contained in an outer tubular body;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a view corresponding with FIG. 6 and showing the dispensing device at the beginning of use, with the sealing member having been pierced and an outlet channel connected thereto;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a view corresponding with FIG. 7 and showing yet another embodiment of the dispensing device, in which the sealing member comprises a movable valve;

[0039] FIG. 9A shows a longitudinal sectional view of an operating member that forms part of a spraying or foaming nozzle;

[0040] FIG. 9B is a view corresponding with FIG. 9A of the operating member as part of a sponge-like applicator;

[0041] FIG. 9C is a view corresponding with FIGS. 9A and 9B of the operating member as part of a brush-type applicator;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a view corresponding with that of FIG. 2 of yet a further embodiment of the reservoir, in which the tubular body tapers towards the end that is closed by the sealing member;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a view corresponding with that of FIG. 10 of an alternative embodiment of the reservoir, in which the tubular body tapers towards both ends; and

[0044] FIG. 12 is a view corresponding with FIG. 8 and showing a further embodiment of the dispensing device in which the material to be dispensed is packed in an inner tubular body that fits tightly in an outer tubular body containing the gas.

[0045] A reservoir 2 for a device 1 for dispensing a material M comprises a tubular body 3 having one end 4 shut by a weld 5 and an opposite end 6 closed by a sealing member 7 which extends over the cross-sectional area of the tubular body 3 (FIG. 1). The tubular body 3 is partially filled with pressurized gas G and partially filled with the material M to be dispensed (FIG. 2). The gas G and material M are in contact at an interface I, which moves as the orientation of the reservoir 2 changes, since the gas, being lighter than the material M, will collect in the upper part of the reservoir. When the reservoir 2 is held upright as shown in FIG. 2, the gas G will be in the part of the tubular body 3 that is welded shut, while the material M will be in the part of the tubular body 3 that is closed by the sealing member 7.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment the sealing member 7 is arranged in a sleeve 8 which is connected to the end 6 of the tubular body 3. The sleeve 8 has an inner part 9 supporting the sealing member 7. This inner part 9 is arranged inside the end 6 of the tubular body 3 and protrudes past an edge 10 bounding this end 6. The sleeve 8 further has an outer part 11 which is arranged around the outside of the end 6 of the tubular body 3, and which also protrudes past the edge 10. The protruding segments of the inner and outer parts 9, 11 are connected to each other.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment the inner part 9 has a shoulder 12 which supports a peripheral portion of the sealing member 7 and a fixation element 13 for clamping the peripheral portion of the sealing member 7 against the shoulder 12. In this way the sealing member 7 is recessed with respect to an end plane E of the sleeve 8. A segment 14 of the inner portion 9 which extends from the shoulder 12 outwards may serve as an adapter for receiving an outlet channel to be discussed below.

[0048] The shape and dimensions of the sleeve 8 may be varied independently of the shape and dimensions of the tubular body 3 to accommodate various types of outlet channel and different nozzles and applicators, as will be discussed below.

[0049] In another embodiment of the reservoir 2 the gas G and material M are separated by a piston 15 which is slidably arranged in the tubular body 3 (FIG. 3). As shown here the piston has double sealing edges 16, 17 which are elastic and closely conform to the inner surface of the tubular body 3 to prevent any leakage of gas past the piston, but other configurations are also conceivable. This embodiment is suitable when the material M to be dispensed is a highly viscous liquid or even a powder. The gas G is trapped in the part of the tubular body 3 between the piston 15 and the welded end 4, and forces the piston 15 in the direction of the opposite end 6. The material M is contained between the piston 15 and the sealing member 7, and may be dispensed as soon as the sealing member 7 is removed to free the open end 6 of the tubular body 3. This embodiment can be used in any orientation, since the piston 15 ensures that the gas G remains trapped and the material M is always at the dispensing end of the reservoir 2, i.e. the end 6 which will be opened by either piercing or moving the sealing member. Because the gas G remains trapped, this embodiment is suitable for dispensing materials which are to be consumed or inhaled.

[0050] As shown somewhat schematically in FIG. 4, the sealing member 7 may be a diaphragm that may be pierced by a piercing member 18 which is connected to an outlet channel 19. In this embodiment the piercing member 18 and outlet channel 19 form part of the dispensing device 1. They may be separate from the reservoir 2 or they may be movably connected to the sleeve 8. The diaphragm may be made of an elastic material, so that it sealingly fits around the piercing member 18, preventing any material from escaping around this piercing member. Alternatively, the diaphragm may be made of a non-elastic material that is ruptured after piercing. In that case material M could freely flow out of the reservoir over a large part of its cross-section.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment the piercing member 18 is formed by a sharp point of the outlet channel 19, which is embodied as a hollow needle. The outlet channel 19 is arranged in a body 20 which is fittingly accommodated in the inner part 9 of the sleeve 8 and which has an outflow opening 21 at the end of the outlet channel. As a result of the gas pressure acting on it, the piston 15 moves towards the end 6 and pushes the material M out of the tubular body 3 through the outlet channel 19, as schematically represented by a drop 22.

[0052] Instead of a regular outflow opening, the outlet channel may debouch in a nozzle 23 from which the material can be dispensed in the form of a spray or foam cone 28 (FIG. 5A). The nozzle 23 is arranged on a body 20 which can be connected to the adapter 14 of the inner sleeve part 9. For instance, the body 20 may be externally threaded and the inner sleeve part 9 may be internally threaded, or the body 20 and inner sleeve part 9 may have bayonet provisions.

[0053] Alternatively, the body 20 may carry an applicator into which the outlet channel 19 debouches. This applicator may be a sponge-like applicator 24 which may distribute the dispensed material M over a relatively wide area 29 (FIG. 5B), or may have the form of a brush 25, which may similarly distribute the material M over a relatively wide stroke 30 (FIG. 5C). Obviously, other arrangements are also conceivable.

[0054] Instead of movable piston, another way to separate the gas G and material M is by providing two concentric compartments in the reservoir 2. This can be done by packing the material M in an inner tubular body 3A and containing the pressurized gas G in an outer tubular body 3B which has a larger diameter and surrounds the inner body (FIG. 6). Each of the tubular bodies 3A, 3B is again welded shut at one end 4, while the opposite end 6 of the inner tubular body 3A is closed by a sealing member 7. The annular space between the inner and outer tubular bodies 3A, 3B is closed at that end by a sleeve 8 which supports the sealing member 7. In this case the outer tubular member 3B is fixed between an outer part 11 and an inner part 9 of the sleeve 8, while the inner tubular member 3A is fixed in an annular slot in the inner sleeve part 9. The outer tubular body 3B may have optimized gas barrier properties, while the inner tubular body may have optimized liquid barrier properties—in case the material to be dispensed is a liquid. The gas G in the annular space between the inner and outer tubular bodies 3A, 3B exerts pressure in radial direction on the material M to be dispensed from the inner tubular body 3A.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, the sealing member 7 can be a pierceable diaphragm in this embodiment as well. However, instead of such a diaphragm, the sealing member 7 could comprise a valve which is movable between a closed position as shown in FIG. 6 and an open position as shown in FIG. 8. In this way the flow of material M can be interrupted so as to provide a controllable dispensing device 1. Movement of the valve from its closed to its open position can be effected by an operating member 26 which may engage the valve. The operating member 26 is connected by arms 27 to an outlet channel 19, which in this embodiment is defined by a sidewall of body 20 and debouches in outflow opening 21. When the body 20 is disconnected from the adapter 14 of the inner sleeve part 9, the operating member 26 is disengaged from the valve. Here again, the operating member 26 and outlet channel 19 may form part of the dispensing device 1, either separate from the reservoir 2 or movably connected to the sleeve 8.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment the movable valve is biased to its closed position at least by the gas pressure acting on the inner tubular body 3A containing the material M, which in turn transfers this pressure to the valve. In order to achieve rapid closing of the valve, it may additionally be biased by mechanical means, e.g. spring force. In the shown embodiment the valve is connected to the inner sleeve part 9 by flexible arms 31 which urge the valve back to its closed position to interrupt the flow of material M out of the reservoir.

[0057] Alternatively, the valve could be permanently held in its open position against the pressure acting on the material M. To this end the valve, when being opened by the operating member 26, could be moved past a cam, ridge or other obstacle that will render a return movement of the valve impossible.

[0058] Here again, the outlet channel 19 could also debouch in a nozzle 23 to form a spray or foam cone 28 (FIG. 9A), a sponge-like applicator 24 to cover a wide area 29 (FIG. 9B) or a brush-type applicator 25 to form a brushstroke 30 (FIG. 9C).

[0059] Instead of being formed by a pierceable diaphragm or a movable valve, the sealing member 7 could also be removably arranged in the inner part 9 of the sleeve 8. For instance, the sealing member 7 could have its peripheral portion clamped in the inner sleeve part 9 such that it can be permanently removed by forcing it out of the clamping engagement. The sealing member 7 could e.g. be a spherical body clamped in a circumferential groove in the inner sleeve part 9. This spherical body could then be pushed inward into the tubular body by means of an operating member, after which it could be left to float inside the tubular body 3.

[0060] In an embodiment of the invention, the tubular body 3 may taper towards the end 6 that is closed by the sealing member 7 (FIG. 10). In this way the open end 6 has a diameter d.sub.e that is smaller than the diameter D.sub.c of the cylindrical part of the tubular body 3, which allows a smaller sealing member 7 to be used. This sealing member 7, which is subject to lower loads because the gas pressure acts on a smaller surface area, may be lighter and simpler than the sealing member of any of the other embodiments.

[0061] In similar fashion, the tubular body 3 may also taper towards the welded end 4 (FIG. 11). Here again, because the gas pressure acts on a smaller surface area, loads acting on the weld 5 are smaller and the weld may be thinner and lighter. Conversely, a tubular body 3 having a tapered end 4 may allow higher gas pressures for given dimensions and strength of the weld 5, which is determined at least to some extent by the wall thickness of the tubular body 3.

[0062] And although in this embodiment both ends of the tubular body 3 have a reduced diameter d.sub.e, it is also conceivable that only the welded end 4 is tapered, and the end 6 closed by the sealing member 7 has the full diameter D.sub.c.

[0063] In another embodiment having inner and outer tubular bodies 3A, 3B (FIG. 12), the inner tubular body 3A has substantially the same diameter as the outer tubular body 3B (D.sub.i≠D.sub.o), such that it fits tightly and there is no space between the inner and outer tubular bodies 3A, 3B. The ends of the inner and outer tubular bodies 3A, 3B are fixed together between the inner part 9 and the outer part 11 of the sleeve 8. The inner tubular body 3A has a length Li that is smaller than the length Lo of the outer tubular body 3B. In this way the gas G is trapped in the part of the outer tubular body 3B that is left free by the inner tubular body 3A. The gas G exerts pressure on the end 4A of the inner tubular body 3A that is closed by the weld 5A. This pressure results in a force that is directed towards the end closed by the sealing member 7. This embodiment combines the advantages of the slideable piston 15 of FIGS. 3 and 4 with those of the inner and outer tubular bodies 3A, 3B of FIGS. 6-8.

[0064] The invention described above provides a simple and low-cost dispensing device having a minimum number of parts, of which only one or two are movable. The dispensing device of the invention may be for single use or may be used repeatedly, and can be easily recycled after its final use. The various parts of the dispensing device may be made of any suitable plastic material, advantageously a flexible plastic material. Preferably, at least the sealing member is made of the same or a similar material as the tubular body, so that the reservoir may be recycled as one. For the same reason it is advantageous if the sleeve and the piston are made of the same or a similar material as the tubular body and the sealing member as well. Preferably, the outlet channel, nozzle and/or applicator are also made of the same or similar materials.

[0065] Although various embodiments have been shown and described here, it will be clear that the invention is not limited thereto. For instance, features of different embodiments could be combined into a new embodiment. The inner and outer tubular bodies of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 could be tapered, or the tapered reservoir of FIGS. 10 and 11 could include a piston. All embodiments could be provided with either a pierceable diaphragm or a movable valve.

[0066] The scope of the invention is defined solely by the following claims.