DISCHARGE HEAD FOR A LIQUID DISPENSER AND LIQUID DISPENSER HAVING SUCH A DISCHARGE HEAD

Abstract

A discharge head having a housing, a coupling device for attachment to a liquid store, a discharge opening and an outlet channel extending from an inlet region up to the discharge opening and by which the discharge opening is supplied with liquid. For throttling the liquid to be discharged, the discharge head has a throttle device with a throttle channel for reduction in the liquid pressure and/or the liquid flow through the throttle device. The throttle device is switchable between throttling and release states, and a minimum free cross section of the throttle channel is varied to subject liquid flowing in the direction of the discharge opening to a high throttling effect in the throttling state and liquid flowing in the direction of the inlet region is subjected to a low throttling effect in the release state.

Claims

1. A discharge head for a liquid dispenser, with the following features: a. the discharge head has a housing, and b. the discharge head has a coupling device for attachment to a liquid store, and c. the discharge head has a discharge opening through which liquid is able to be dispensed into a surrounding atmosphere, and d. the discharge head has an outlet channel which extends from an inlet region, pointing in the direction of the liquid store, up to the discharge opening and by means of which the discharge opening is able to be supplied with liquid, and e. the discharge head has, in the outlet channel, a throttle device with a throttle channel for the reduction in the liquid pressure and/or the liquid flow of the liquid flowing through the throttle device, and f. the throttle device is designed as switchable throttle device in which, between a throttling state and a release state, a minimum free cross section of the throttle channel is able to be varied such that liquid flowing out in the direction of the discharge opening is subjected to a relatively high throttling effect by way of the throttling state of the throttle channel and that the liquid flowing back in in the direction of the inlet region is subjected to a relatively low throttling effect by way of the release state.

2. The discharge head as claimed in claim 1, with the following additional feature: a. the throttle device has a throttle body which is able to be displaced between a release position and a throttling position in the throttle channel.

3. The discharge head as claimed in claim 2, with the following additional feature: a. with respect to an upright position of the discharge head, the throttle body is arranged at different heights in its release position and in its throttling position, and b. the throttle body is able to be moved freely between the release position and the throttling position such that, in an upright position on the one hand and in an opposite, upside-down position on the other hand, it assumes, in one case, the release position under the action of gravitational force and, in the other case, the throttling position under the action of gravitational force.

4. The discharge head as claimed in claim 2, with the following additional feature: a. the throttle body is arranged in the throttle channel such that said body is displaced in the direction of its throttling position by the liquid flowing out through the throttle device and/or that said body is displaced in the direction of its release position by the liquid flowing in through the throttle device.

5. The discharge head as claimed in claim 2, with the following additional features: a. the throttle channel has, at its ends, an inflow opening and an outflow opening, wherein the throttle body is arranged between the inflow opening and the outflow opening both in a release position and its throttling position, and b. the throttle channel has at least one side opening, wherein the throttle body, when arranged in the throttling position, is arranged between the side opening and the outflow opening, and wherein the throttling body, when arranged in the release position, is not arranged between the side opening and the outflow position.

6. The discharge head as claimed in claim 2, with the following additional feature: a. the throttle device has an elastically deflectable spring device, by means of which the throttle body is subjected to force in the direction of its release position or in the direction of its throttling position, preferably with at least one of the following additional features: b. the spring device is designed in the form of a plastic spring, preferably in the form of a helical spring composed of plastic, and/or c. the spring device is formed integrally with the throttle body.

7. The discharge head as claimed in claim 2, with the following additional feature: a. the throttle channel is outwardly delimited by an outer wall, and b. the throttle body is arranged within the throttle channel, and c. the throttle body and the outer wall of the throttle channel have corresponding stop surfaces, by which the throttle body is secured in the throttle channel.

8. The discharge head as claimed in claim 1, with at least one of the following features: a. the throttle body is spherical, and/or b. the outer wall of the throttle channel has a plurality of deflectable outer wall webs extending in a longitudinal direction of the throttle channel, at the end of which webs the stop surfaces for the throttle body are provided.

9. The discharge head as claimed in claim 1, with the following additional feature: a. the discharge head has, in the outlet channel downstream of the throttle device, an outlet valve which opens in dependence on the positive pressure prevailing upstream, wherein the outlet valve preferably has at least one of the following features: b. the outlet valve closes automatically in a pressure interval between a defined inlet-side negative pressure and an inlet-side positive pressure and opens when the defined negative pressure is exceeded and when the defined positive pressure is exceeded, and/or c. the outlet valve is formed from an elastic material and has a bulge which is directed upstream and in which a valve opening, which is able to be closed by valve lips, is provided such that, with increasing inlet-side positive pressure, the valve lips are increasingly pressed against one another by the positive pressure up to the attainment of an inlet-side limit pressure for positive pressure.

10. A liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid, in particular for dispensing cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquids, with the following features: a. the liquid dispenser has a discharge head with a discharge opening for dispensing of liquid into a surrounding atmosphere, and b. the liquid dispenser has a liquid store, which is connected to a housing of the discharge head by way of a detachable coupling device or an integral formation, c. the discharge head is designed as claimed in claim 1.

11. The liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 10, with at least one of the following additional features: a. the liquid dispenser is designed in the form of a drop dispenser, and/or b. the liquid store is designed in the form of a squeeze bottle or tube, and/or c. an inner volume of the liquid store is less than 300 ml, preferably less than 100 ml, in particular preferably less than 50 ml, and/or d. the liquid store is filled with a cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will emerge from the claims and from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are discussed below on the basis of the figures.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a liquid dispenser according to the invention in an overall illustration.

[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3C show a first exemplary embodiment of the liquid dispenser in a sectioned illustration, and the throttle device thereof when the liquid dispenser is in use.

[0040] FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5C show a second exemplary embodiment of the liquid dispenser in a sectioned illustration, and the throttle device thereof when the liquid dispenser is in use.

[0041] FIGS. 6 and 7 and 8A to 8C show a second exemplary embodiment of the liquid dispenser in a sectioned illustration, and the throttle device thereof in a perspective illustration and when the liquid dispenser is in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a liquid dispenser 100 according to the invention. This has, as a main component, a liquid store 90 in the form of a squeeze bottle, which is subjected to force as intended in the region of actuation surfaces 92 for the purpose of discharge. A discharge head 10, whose housing 20 consists of two components 22 and 26, is mounted on the liquid store 90. The component 26 is an applicator tip, on whose distal end there is provided a discharge opening 38 which is surrounded by a drop formation surface 26A in the form of a spherical cap. In order to protect the liquid dispenser from drying out, a cap 110 is provided.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the liquid dispenser 100 in a sectioned illustration. Just like the exemplary embodiments described below, the dispenser has the stated liquid store 90, to which is fastened the housing 20 with the base component 22 and the applicator component 26. For the purpose of latching, the base component 22 has a coupling device 24. As an alternative, an integral configuration would also be conceivable. An integral valve component of an outlet valve 36 is, with its edge region, clamped in between the base component 22 and the applicator component 26.

[0044] Said valve component is provided in an outlet channel 30 which extends from an inlet region 32 on the liquid store side, through a throttle device 34 and the stated outlet valve 36, and up to the discharge opening 38.

[0045] If the liquid store 90 is subjected to force in the upside-down position of the liquid dispenser 100, with the discharge opening 38 pointing downward, the liquid passes from the inlet region 32, through the throttle device 34 and the outlet valve 36, and up to the discharge opening 38, and there, is released in drop form. As soon as the discharge has been completed and the user stops subjecting the liquid store 90 to force, the result is a negative pressure in the liquid store and the intention is for the liquid from the outlet channel to be sucked back into the liquid store as intended.

[0046] The stated throttle device 34 is designed so that, when liquid is discharged, it throttles said liquid sufficiently such that the release of a continuous jet is prevented and instead the desired drop release takes place. However, during the sucking-back, it is intended that no or little throttling is realized, in order that the liquid can pass as completely as possible back into the liquid store 90.

[0047] The construction described here is fundamentally identical for all three exemplary embodiments described below.

[0048] The throttle device 34 of the first exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 2 to 3C consists of merely two constituent parts, namely an outer wall 51, which is of approximately cylindrical design and surrounds a throttle channel 50, and a throttle body 52, which is arranged in the throttle channel 50 and, in the case of this configuration, is designed in the form of a spherical body.

[0049] The functioning of the throttle device 34 will be discussed on the basis of FIGS. 3A to 3C.

[0050] FIG. 3A shows an initial state. When the liquid dispenser 100 is not being used and stands upright according to FIG. 2, the throttle body 52 bears, at the distal end of the throttle channel 50, on stop surfaces 51B which are formed on the inside of the outer wall 51 at the distal end. Provided opposite said stop surfaces 51B are insertion bevels 51C which, during the assembly, allowed the throttle body 52 to be introduced into the throttle channel 50, with deflection of three outer wall webs 51A of the outer wall 51.

[0051] If, proceeding from the state in FIG. 3A, the use then begins, then the user positions the dispenser upside-down, with the result that the throttle device 34 assumes the position in FIG. 3B. In this way, the throttle body 52 falls under the action of gravitational force onto the opposite, proximal end of the throttle channel 50, at which end the outflow opening 50B is provided. If, owing to the difference in density between the throttle body 52 and the surrounding liquid being too small, the gravitational force is not sufficient to bring the throttle body 52 into the position in FIG. 3B, then this will however be achieved at the latest by the applied pressure in the liquid and the flow thereof.

[0052] As can be seen referring to the dotted lines in FIG. 3B, the passage path through the throttle channel 50 for the liquid toward an outlet opening 50B is then significantly narrowed. The throttle body 52 fills most of the cross section of the throttle channel 50 immediately in front of the outflow opening 50B and thus brings about intense throttling of the liquid. Even if the user 90 applies force intensely to the liquid store 90, a drop formation is therefore, as desired, the result.

[0053] After the discharge process has ended, the dispenser is brought into its upright position in FIG. 2 again. As can be seen in FIG. 3C, the throttle body 52 then falls again onto the distal end of the throttle channel 50 in the region of the inflow opening 50A, with the result that, owing to the negative pressure in the liquid store 90, liquid from the outlet channel is sucked back into said liquid store without any problems. The liquid flowing back assists this displacement of the throttle body 52.

[0054] Although the spherical throttle body 52 still takes up the same amount of space in the unchanging cross section of the throttle channel 50, the liquid flowing back is then able to pass back into the liquid store 90 through side openings 50C, which are provided between the deflectable outer wall webs 51A, with only little throttling.

[0055] In the configuration as per FIGS. 4 to 5C, the throttle device is designed slightly differently.

[0056] As can be seen referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the outer wall 61 of the throttle device 34 is designed here in a manner very similar to that in the preceding variant. It again has mutually spaced apart outer wall webs 61A extending in the longitudinal direction and having end-side stop surfaces 61B and insertion bevels 61C. In this way, a throttle body 62 is secured in the throttle channel 60.

[0057] By contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiment, the throttle body 62 is designed here in the form of a disk-shaped throttle body and, moreover, is integrally connected to a spring device 64 in the form of a plastic helical spring, on whose side which is opposite the throttle body 62 a counter bearing disk 65 is provided.

[0058] The sequence corresponding to the sequence described with respect to FIGS. 3A to 3C leads here to the following behavior.

[0059] In the upside-down position for discharge, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the throttle body 62 is pushed against the proximal end of the throttle channel 60 and, in this way, closes off most of the outflow opening 60B. The liquid is consequently able to pass to the discharge opening 38 only in an intensely throttled form and is thus reliably released here in drop form.

[0060] After the discharge process has ended, however, the throttle body 62 is, during the sucking-back of liquid from the outlet channel 30, deflected by the liquid in the manner shown in FIG. 5C, with the result that the throttling effect is significantly reduced. In this way, much of the liquid can be reliably sucked from the outlet channel 30 back into the liquid store 90 through the throttle device 34. In this case, it exits the throttle device through the side openings 60C since, in this variant, an end-side inflow opening is permanently closed off by the counter bearing disk 65. It would however also be possible for said counter bearing disk to be designed with an aperture, in order to facilitate the exchange of liquid between the throttle channel 60 and the liquid store 90.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 6 to 8C, the throttle device 34 likewise has a throttle channel 70 which extends from an inflow opening 70A up to an outflow opening 70B. In said throttle channel 70, provision is again made of a throttle body 72, which, as can be seen in FIGS. 8A to 8C, is able to be displaced in relation to the housing 20 and the outer wall 71 by means of sliding sleeves. As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 7, a conical surface 71D which is interrupted in the region of three cutouts 71E is provided on the inner side of the outer wall 71.

[0062] The correspondingly likewise partially conically shaped throttle body 72 is, as in the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 4 and 5, subjected to force by a spring device 74, in this case preferably designed in the form of a metallic helical spring, in the direction of its release position, illustrated in FIG. 8A.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 8B, during a discharge, the throttle body 72 is subjected to force in the region of the end side 72A thereof and is consequently pushed into the position in FIG. 8B, in which the conical portion-shaped sub-surfaces of the outer wall 71 and of the throttle body 72 bear against one another. During discharge, a liquid flow can therefore still be realized only through the apertures 71E illustrated in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8B, this is shown by the dotted line. The liquid stream is thus intensely throttled and is consequently suitable for drop release.

[0064] After the discharge process has ended, the throttle body 72 is, even before the dispenser is brought into its upright position again, pushed back into its position in FIGS. 8A and 8C by the spring device 74 such that, as illustrated by the dotted lines, the liquid from the outlet channel can be sucked back into the liquid store with only low flow resistance.