PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM COMPRISING A MOTOR DRIVEN AIR PUMP, A DISPENSING DEVICE AND A PRODUCT CONTAINER

Abstract

A dispensing system includes a motor driven air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is releasably connected to the air pump. The dispensing device includes an air connector connected to the air outlet of the pump, a mixture outlet, a product inlet, and a product uptake system connected to the air connector, the mixture outlet, and the product inlet. The dispensing system includes a product container for a product to be dispensed. The product container is connected to the product inlet. The product container is integrated in the dispensing device. The product uptake system may include an ejector for sucking product from the container and/or a container air inlet for pressurizing the container.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. A dispensing system, comprising: a motor driven air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet; a dispensing device releasably connected to the air pump, the dispensing device comprising: an air connector connected to the air outlet of the pump; a mixture outlet; a product inlet; and a product uptake system connected to the air connector, the mixture outlet, and the product inlet; and a product container for a product to be dispensed, the product container connected to the product inlet, wherein the product container is integrated in the dispensing device.

26. Dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the product uptake system comprises or consist of: an ejector arranged downstream of the air connector, when considered in a flow direction of air, wherein: the product inlet debouches in the ejector or downstream thereof; the mixture outlet is arranged downstream of the ejector; and wherein the ejector has a smaller cross-sectional area than the mixture outlet.

27. The dispensing system of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of interchangeable dispensing devices.

28. The dispensing system of claim 26, wherein the product inlet is arranged at an angle to the ejector.

29. The dispensing system of claim 26, wherein the product inlet is substantially perpendicular to the ejector.

30. The dispensing system of claim 26, wherein the ejector is convergent when considered in the air flow direction.

31. The dispensing system of claim 25, further comprising a flow restriction arranged in the product inlet.

32. The dispensing system of claim 25, further comprising a one-way valve arranged in the product inlet.

33. The dispensing system of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of product inlets.

34. The dispensing system of claim 33, further comprising a mixture conduit between the ejector and the mixture outlet, wherein the product inlets debouch in the mixture outlet at spaced apart locations.

35. The dispensing system of claim 34, further comprising a flow restriction arranged in the mixture conduit between adjacent product inlets.

36. The dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the product container comprises a bag-in-container.

37. The dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the air pump comprises an electric motor and an electric power supply connected to the electric motor.

38. The dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the air pump is configured to draw in ambient air through the air inlet, to pressurize the ambient air to an overpressure of between 0.1 and 2.0 bar, and to supply the pressurized air through the air outlet.

39. The dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the air pump has a variable output and comprises a controller for controlling the output.

40. The dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the motor of the air pump has a variable speed and/or variable power, and wherein the controller is configured for controlling the speed and/or power of the motor.

41. The dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the air pump comprises a transceiver connected to the controller.

42. The dispensing system of claim 41, further comprising an identifier connected with the dispensing device or the product container, wherein the transceiver is configured for communication with the identifier, and optionally wherein the transceiver is configured for communication with an external device.

43. The dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the air pump, dispensing device and/or product container are configured for the dispensing system to be handheld.

44. The dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the product uptake system comprises or consists of: a container inlet which connects the air connector to the container, wherein: the product inlet is connected to the mixture outlet, and optionally a further fluid connection between the air connector and the mixture outlet.

Description

[0046] The invention will now be elucidated by way of a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a dispensing system in accordance with a first embodiment, having an air pump and a dispensing device with integrated product container releasably connected thereto;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the air pump and dispensing device of FIG. 1 after they have been released from each other;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the dispensing system having a one-way valve in its product inlet;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the dispensing system in which the product container is a bag-in-bottle;

[0051] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the dispensing system, in which the dispensing device is integrally formed with the air pump, while the product container is releasably connected to the dispensing device;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the dispensing system in which the product inlet is oriented at an acute angle to the ejector;

[0053] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of the dispensing system, in which two product containers are in product communication with the ejector and mixture conduit, respectively, in a series connection;

[0054] FIG. 8 shows a seventh embodiment of the dispensing system, in which two product containers are collectively in product communication with the ejector;

[0055] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an eight embodiment of the dispensing system, in which the air pump includes a controller and a transceiver, in combination with a mobile device which communicates with the dispensing system;

[0056] FIGS. 10A-10L are schematic representations of a variety of configurations for the dispensing device, which may be used in various embodiments of the dispensing system;

[0057] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a side view and front view, respectively, of a ninth embodiment of the dispensing system;

[0058] FIG. 11C shows a rear view of the dispensing system of FIGS. 11A and 11B, in which the product container is disconnected from the dispensing device;

[0059] FIG. 12 shows a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in which the cartridge forms part of the bag-in-bottle type container;

[0060] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a tenth embodiment of the dispensing system, in which a container is connected in series and in parallel to an air connector; and

[0061] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of an eleventh embodiment of the dispensing system, in which a container is connected in series to an air connector.

[0062] A dispensing system 1 comprises a motor driven air pump 20 and a dispensing device 6 (FIG. 1). The air pump 20 has an air inlet 4 and an air outlet 5. In the illustrated embodiment the air pump 20 comprises a airflow generator 2, e.g. a fan, a piston pump or a wobble pump, which is connected to and driven by a motor 3. In this embodiment the dispensing device 6 is shown to be releasably connected to the air pump 20. This allows the dispensing device 6 to be replaced by another dispensing device having a similar connection, or to be refilled and reinstalled.

[0063] The dispensing device 6 comprises an air connector 7 which is connected to the air outlet 5 when the dispensing device is connected to the air pump 20, and an ejector 8 which is in product communication with the air connector 7. The dispensing device 6 further comprises a product inlet 10 (FIG. 10) which can be connected to a container 11 which is at least partially filled with a product P. In this embodiment the product inlet 10 debouches immediately downstream of the ejector 8. There is further shown to be a flow restriction 23 arranged in the product inlet 10. A dip tube 12 extends from the product inlet 10 into the product container 11. And finally, the dispensing device 6 comprises a mixture outlet 13 which is arranged downstream of the ejector 8.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment the product container 11 is integrated in the dispensing device 6, so that these two parts together form a cartridge 36 that may be replaceable or refillable.

[0065] However, in another embodiment the product container 11 may be a separate part having a product outlet 15 that is connectable to the product inlet 10 of the dispensing device 6 (FIG. 5). In that embodiment the dispensing device 6 is shown to be integrated with the air pump 20, so that the entire dispensing system 1 still has no more than two constituent parts. This embodiment lacks the air outlet and air connector of the previous embodiments, and instead has an air conduit 9 running from the airflow generator 2 to the ejector 8.

[0066] It should be noted that it is also conceivable for the dispensing device 6 to be separate both from the air pump 20 and from the product container 11, as shown in FIG. 10. In that way the dispensing system 1 comprises three constituent elements.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment the ejector 8i.e. a central axis of the ejectorand the product inlet 10i.e. a central axis of the inletare arranged at an angle ? to each other. This angle ? may be a right angle, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the product inlet 10 and the ejector 8 are substantially perpendicular to each other, but it is also conceivable that an acute angle ? is selected, as shown in FIG. 6. Such an acute angle ? may be beneficial to improve mixing of the product P with the air A. An acute angle ? may also be selected for reasons of providing a compact system, e.g. if the product outlet 15 is arranged eccentrically on the product container 11as shown in dash-dotted lines.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 10A-L, the air connector 7, the ejector 8, the product inlet 10 and the mixture outlet 13 may have various configurations, depending on the characteristics of the product P to be dispensed and/or the characteristics of the air pump 20. In all configurations the cross-sectional area of the ejector 8 at the location 16 where it debouches in the mixture outlet 13 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the mixture outlet 13.

[0069] This cross-sectional area determines the flow velocity v.sub.a of the air A in the ejector 8, and in accordance with Bernouilli's principle this in turn determines the air pressure p a in the ejector 8. Since the cross-sectional area of the mixture outlet 13 is greater than that of the ejector 8, the airflow exiting the ejector 8 will expand and decelerate, resulting in a pressure rise towards ambient pressure p.sub.amb. The air pressure p a in the ejector 8 or at its exit 16, which is lower than ambient pressure p.sub.amb, exerts a suction force on the product P in the container 11, which is drawn through the product inlet 10 into the ejector 8. The (optional) flow restriction 23 in the product inlet 10 serves to regulate the product flow from the container 11 to the ejector 8, where the product P is mixed with the air A. The resulting mixture M is expelled through the mixture outlet 13, from where it is dispensed as a fine mist 18.

[0070] FIG. 10A shows the most basic configuration of the dispensing device 6, where the ejector 8 is a straight channel that is relatively narrow when compared to the mixture outlet 13, which is represented as a relatively wide, straight-walled recess. The product inlet 10 is shown to debouch in the mixture outlet 13, immediately downstream of the ejector 8.

[0071] FIGS. 10B-10F show configurations of the dispensing device 6 in which the mixture outlet 13 is again represented as a relatively wide, straight-walled recess, while the air connector 7 is shown in a similar way. The air connector 7 and the mixture outlet 13 are shown to be connected by the ejector 8, and the product inlet 10 is shown at various locations and at different orientations. In FIG. 10B the product inlet 10 is the same as in FIG. 10A, while in FIG. 10C it is shown to be arranged further downstream of the ejector 8, which may lead to a weaker suction force being exerted on the product to be dispensed. In FIG. 10D, on the other hand, the product inlet 10 is shown to debouch in the ejector 8, which may lead to a stronger suction on the product. In FIG. 10E the product inlet 10 is arranged immediately downstream of the ejector 8, like in FIGS. 10A and 10B, but at an acute angle, whereas in FIG. 10F the product inlet 10 debouches in the mixture outlet 13 such that the flow of product P is parallel to the airflow A.

[0072] FIGS. 10G-10I show similar configurations as FIGS. 10B-10D, in which the air connector 7 is shown to converge, while the mixture outlet 13 is shown to diverge. In this way pressure losses in the flow are minimized FIG. 10J is similar to FIG. 10I, but shows the product inlet 10 at an acute angle, rather than a straight angle to the ejector 8.

[0073] And finally, FIG. 10K combines the straight-walled air connector 7 of FIG. 10B with the diverging mixture outlet 13 of FIG. 10G, while FIG. 10L combines the converging air connector 7 of FIG. 10G with the straight-walled mixture outlet 13 of FIG. 10B.

[0074] Although the schematic representations of FIGS. 10A-10L only show straight walls and sharp edges, it will be apparent that in practice the walls may be curved and the edges rounded, in order to minimize aerodynamic losses.

[0075] In all embodiment illustrated thus far the motor 3 is an electric motor and the air pump 20 further comprises an electric power supply 19, e.g. a battery, which is connected to the motor 3 through a circuit 21 including a switch 22. When the switch 22 is closed the electric motor 3 is powered and the airflow generator 2 is operated to draw in ambient air through the air inlet 4, pressurize the ambient air drawn in and supply the pressurized air through the air outlet 5. The switch 22 can be automatically closed when the dispensing device 6 is connected to the air pump 20, or the switch 22 may be operable by a user of the dispensing system 1. The switch 22 may be open and the air pump 20 switched off whenever it is disconnected from the dispensing device 6 (FIG. 2).

[0076] In this embodiment the airflow generator 2 and the electric motor 3 are dimensioned such, and the air inlet 4 and air outlet 5 are configured such, that the ambient air can be pressurized to an overpressure of between 0.1 and 2.0 bar, preferably 0.25 and 1.0 bar, more preferably approximately 0.5 bar. This range of pressures ensures that a wide range of products having widely varying viscosities may be dispensed as a fine mist 18, i.e. atomized. The products may range from relatively thick, i.e. highly viscous oils to relatively thin watery liquids, and may even be fine granulates or powders.

[0077] In a further embodiment the dispensing device 6 comprises a one-way valve 24 arranged in the product inlet 10which in this case does not include a flow restriction (FIG. 3). This valve 24, which is shown here to be biased by to a closed position by a spring 25, prevents any product P leaking from the container 11. This in turn allows the dispensing system 1, which is shown here in an upright position, to be used in any random orientation, thus greatly increasing usability. Moreover, the one-way valve 24 allows the dispensing system 1 to be transported e.g. in a user's bag or pocket without the risk of spilling product. Instead of by a separate spring or other biasing element, the one-way valve 24 may also be biased to its closed position by inherent flexibility of a material of which it is constructed, e.g. silicone, rubber or an elastomer.

[0078] The dispensing system 1 can be used with a variety of product containers. In one embodiment, which also includes the one-way valve 24, the product container 11 may be a bag-in-container (FIG. 4). In this embodiment the product container comprises a relatively flexible inner container or bag 26 which is arranged in a relatively stiff outer container or bottle 27. An interspace 28 between the inner and outer containers 26, 27 is in product communication with the atmosphere through an opening 29. Such a bag-in-container prevents the product to be dispensed from being exposed to the atmosphere. Moreover, the ejector 8 only has to generate a relatively limited underpressure to draw product from the bag-in-container. In this embodiment there is no need for a dip tube, but the use of a bag-in-container does require a one-way valve 24 to be arranged in the product inlet 10. The product inlet 10 is further shown to include a flow restriction 23.

[0079] Instead of arranging a separate bag-in-bottle type container 11 in the cartridge 36, it is also conceivable that a part of the cartridge 36 itself may form the relatively stiff outer container or bottle 27 of the bag-in-bottle (FIG. 12). In this case the opening 29 will be formed directly in an outer wall, here the bottom wall of the cartridge 36.

[0080] Although the embodiments shown thus far included only a single product container 11, it is also conceivable for the dispensing system 1 to comprise a plurality of product inlets. In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the dispensing device 6 includes two product inlets 10A, 10B. The product inlets 10A, 10B are connected to two dip tubes 12A, 12B protruding into respective product containers 11A, 11B which may contain two products PA and PB. These products PA, PB may for instance be two components of a composition which must be stored separately before use.

[0081] The first product inlet 10A guides the first product PA to a location immediately downstream of the ejector 8, where it is mixed with the air A to form a first mixture M1. This first mixture M1 is guided through a mixture conduit 14, which includes a flow restriction 17. The second product inlet 10B guides the second product PB to the part of the mixture conduit downstream of the flow restriction 17, where it is mixed with the first mixture M1 to form a second mixture M2. This second mixture M2 is then dispensed as a fine mist 18 from the mixture outlet 13. In this embodiment the flow restriction 17 has a greater cross-sectional area than the ejector 8, while the mixture outlet 13 has a greater cross-sectional area than the flow restriction 17, so that the flow velocity decreases and the pressure increases in the direction of flow. A suitable selection of the diameter of the flow restriction 17 allows a mixing ratio of the two products PA:PB to be set at a desired value.

[0082] In a more compact embodiment the two product inlets 10A, 10B may converge and meet near the ejector 8 (FIG. 8). In that case the first product inlet 10A runs at an acute angle ?1 with respect to the ejector 8, whereas the angle ?2 between the ejector 8 and the second product inlet 10B is obtuse. Where the two product inlets 10A and 10B meet the ejector 8, the two products PA and PB mix with the air A to form the final mixture M, which is again expelled through the mixture outlet 13. In this embodiment, like in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the flow restrictions 23A, 23B in the first and second product inlets 10A, 10B serve to regulate the flow rate of each of the two products PA, PB and thus also the mixing ratio of these products.

[0083] In the embodiments shown thus far the air pump 20 has two states, on or off. In a further embodiment of the dispensing system 1 as shown in FIG. 9 the air pump 20 has a variable output and comprises a controller 30 for controlling the output. The output may be varied in different ways, e.g. by means of a controllable element like a valve or a throttle between the air inlet 4 and the air outlet 5 or by a variable configuration of the airflow generator 2. In the illustrated embodiment the motor 3 of the air pump 20 has a variable speed and/or variable power, and the controller 30 is configured for controlling the speed and/or power of the motor 3.

[0084] The controller 30 may be operated manually, e.g. by means of a slide or rotary knob, but in the illustrated embodiment the air pump 20 comprises a transceiver 31 connected to the controller 30, thus allowing the air pump 20 to be controlled remotely. In this embodiment there is an identifier 32 which is connected with the dispensing device 6 that includes the product container 11. This identifier 32 may include information about the product P contained in the product container 11, e.g. its viscosity. Additionally or alternatively, the identifier 32 may include information about the configuration of the dispensing device, e.g. about the ejector 8 and the various flow restrictions 17, 23. All this information may be relevant for setting an appropriate motor speed and/or motor power. The transceiver 31 is configured for communication with the identifier 32, so that the information from the identifier 32 may be transferred to the controller 30. The controller 30 may then determine the optimum speed and/or power settings and control the motor 3 accordingly.

[0085] It is also conceivable that the identifier 32 merely contains an ID code, and that the controller 30 includes a look-up table containing the necessary information about characteristics of the product P and/or the dispensing device 6. The identifier 32 may e.g. be a RFID tag and the transceiver 31 may comprise an RFID reader.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally, the transceiver 31 may be configured for communication with an external device 33, e.g. a smartphone or a tablet. A program or app for controlling the dispensing system 1 may be installed on the external device, and a user may communicate with the program or app through a GUI. The program or app may cause the external device 33 to send instructions to the transceiver 31 and hence to the controller 30, or to receive information from the controller 30 through the transceiver 31. The user may for instance request information about the status of the product container 11, e.g. the nature of its contents and/or the amount of product left, or about the air pump 20 or dispensing device 6, e.g. statistics of use, maintenance message, etc. The user may also enter information, like e.g. personal settings, which may be stored in the controller 30 for future use.

[0087] Communication between the transceiver 31 of the dispensing system 1 and the external device 33 may be implemented by any known protocol, like e.g. Bluetooth, Wifi or GSM.

[0088] A practical embodiment of the dispensing system 1 is shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment the air pump 20 and the product container 11 are arranged at opposite sides of the dispensing device 6. The air pump 20 is shown to have a slender cylindrical housing, while the dispensing device 6 has a relatively smaller cylindrical housing. The mixture outlet 13 comprises a nozzle which protrudes from the cylindrical housing of the dispensing device 6. The product container 11 is semi-spherical, and is arranged upside down on the dispensing device 6, i.e. with its product outlet (not shown) oriented downward. The product container 11 is shown to be releasably connected to the dispensing device 6 by means of a connector 37, e.g. a bayonet or screw thread. In FIG. 11C a socket 34 is shown which receives a charging cable 35 for recharging the power supply 19. The dispensing system 1 is shown to be designed and dimensioned to be handheld, and may have similar dimensions as e.g. a conventional deodorant dispenser.

[0089] Another embodiment of the dispensing system 1 is shown in FIG. 13. The dispensing system 1 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. As such, only differences will be described herein. It is noted that variations to the dispensing system 1 of FIG. 13 are possible, for instance those explained with reference to above-described embodiments. The dispensing device 6 of FIG. 13 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that a product air inlet 99 is provided. The product air inlet 99 connects the air connector 7 to the container 11, so that air flows in from the air connector 7 to the container 11 when the motor driven air pump 20 is operated. The incoming air in the container 11 pressurizes the product P in the container 11, thereby forcing it out through product inlet 10, and ultimately out the dispensing device 6 via mixture outlet 13. The product inlet 10 in FIG. 13 still debouches at or near the ejector 8, which is a flow restriction, so that air and product P mix and are dispensed together as a fine mist 18. As air flows from the air connector 7 to both the container 11 and through the ejector 8, the container 11 is connected to the air connector 7 in parallel as well as in series.

[0090] Yet another embodiment of the dispensing system 1 is shown in FIG. 14. The dispensing system 1 is similar to that of FIG. 13. As such, only differences will be described herein. The dispensing device 6 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that no ejector 8 is provided. As such, the parallel connection of FIG. 13 is removed, so that the container 11 is connected in series only to the air connector 7. The dispensing device 6 works following an increased pressure in the container 11 due to the air supplied via the air connector 7, which forces product P out of the container 11. Product P leaves the container 11 via product inlet 11, and flows out of the mixture outlet 13. In this embodiment, the product P is not necessarily mixed with air, so that the mixture outlet 13 may also be referred to as product outlet 13.

[0091] In this way a wide variety of products may be atomized using a single handheld air pump, which may easily be carried around. The dispensing system 1 may be used for personal care, e.g. to dispense a deodorant, an eau de toilette, a suntan lotion, a dry shampoo, etc. Alternatively, the dispensing system 1 may be used in household settings, e.g. to dispense oils, condiments or detergents. It is also conceivable that the system is used to dispense a water mist for cooling purposes. The dispensing system can be a low cost and lightweight appliance, which can have various configurations and designs, dependent on its use.

[0092] Although the invention has been illustrated by way of various exemplary embodiments, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but can instead be varied within the scope of the appended claims.