LIQUID DISPENSER, TAP SYSTEM HAVING A LIQUID DISPENSER AND LIQUID CONTAINER, AND METHOD FOR USING A LIQUID CONTAINER

Abstract

A liquid dispenser (1) for receiving a liquid container and for dispensing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein the liquid dispenser has a housing (2) into which the liquid container is insertable and wherein the housing has, in a liquid dispensing region: a guide device (4), by means of which a liquid dispensing device of the liquid container is able to be guided during the insertion of the liquid container into the housing (2); and an actuating device (8), by means of which the liquid dispensing device is able to be actuated to dispense the liquid from the liquid container.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser for receiving a liquid container and for dispensing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein the liquid dispenser has a housing into which the liquid container is insertable and wherein the housing has, in a liquid dispensing region: a guide device, by means of which a liquid dispensing device of the liquid container is able to be guided during the insertion of the liquid container into the housing; and an actuating device, by means of which the liquid dispensing device is able to be actuated to dispense the liquid from the liquid container.

2. The liquid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the guide device is designed as guide rails opposite each other and spaced apart from each other.

3. The liquid dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the guide rails are substantially U-shaped in cross section and respective openings of the guide rails are facing each other, or wherein the guide rails are substantially rectangular in cross section and in each case narrower sides of the guide rails are facing each other.

4. The liquid dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the guide rails have an effective spacing from each other of about 25 mm to 40 mm.

5. The liquid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device for shifting between an insertion position for inserting the liquid container and an actuating position for actuating the liquid dispensing device is attached to a removable cover of the housing, or is attached to be pivotable to the housing.

6. The liquid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein a bottom of the housing has a slope in the direction toward the liquid dispensing region.

7. The liquid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an end stop is formed in the liquid dispensing region, by means of which the liquid dispensing device of the liquid container can be positioned in its end position.

8. The liquid dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the end stop has a positioning section formed complementarily to a positioning section of the liquid dispensing device, in order to establish the position of the liquid dispensing device in relation to the guide device and/or the actuating device.

9. The liquid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device is designed to fix the position of the liquid dispensing device in relation to the housing in an actuating position of the actuating device for actuating the liquid dispensing device.

10. The liquid dispenser according to claim 9, the actuating device having: an operating lever mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation, a rocker arm mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation running substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, and a force transmitting element, the position of which can be changed by the operating lever and which is connected to a first side of the rocker arm, viewed from the second axis of rotation, wherein a second side of the rocker arm, viewed from the second axis of rotation, actuates the valve opening element of the liquid dispensing device.

11. The liquid dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the force transmitting element comprises an operating lever bushing or opening, through which the operating lever is guided out from the housing, wherein a contact surface of the operating lever at the side of the force transmitting element, with which a force is exerted on the contact surface of the force transmitting element at the lever side for dispensing the liquid, runs substantially in a straight line, and the contact surface at the operating lever side is curved.

12. The liquid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a grommet quick connector for coupling a grommet, the grommet being designed as a spray protection against the liquid dispensed by the liquid dispensing device.

13. The liquid dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a stand having a bearing surface, which in a positioning of the liquid dispenser as intended on a substantially flat positioning surface contacts the same, the bearing surface, viewed top down on the liquid dispenser, being arranged outside the footprint of the top side of the liquid dispenser.

14. A tap system, having: a liquid dispenser according to claim 1, and a liquid container which is insertable in the liquid dispenser, having a liquid dispensing device for withdrawing a liquid present in the liquid container, wherein the liquid container comprises a guide flange which cooperates with the guide device of the liquid dispenser.

15. The tap system according to claim 14, wherein the actuating direction of the liquid dispensing device of the liquid container, when viewed in its position of use, and a dispensing direction of the liquid are vertically oriented.

16. The tap system according to claim 14, wherein the guide flange, viewed from the front, is substantially round or substantially oval and has an effective outer diameter of about 25 mm to 40 mm.

17. The tap system according to claim 14, wherein the guide flange is formed at its outer circumference with a substantially rectangular cross section or with a substantially U-shaped cross section.

18. A method for inserting a liquid container into a liquid dispenser according to claim 1, the liquid container having a liquid dispensing device for withdrawing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein a guide flange is provided on the liquid dispensing device, by means of which the liquid container is able to be guided and inserted into the liquid dispenser; the method having the step of: inserting the liquid container into the housing, the guide flange of the liquid container being guided by means of the guide device of the housing.

19. The method for inserting a liquid container according to claim 18, carrying out, prior to inserting the liquid container into the housing, the step of: shifting the actuating device into the insertion position of the liquid container or ensuring that the actuating device has been shifted into the insertion position of the liquid container.

Description

[0096] In the figures:

[0097] FIG. 1 a three-dimensional view of a liquid dispenser according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention:

[0098] FIG. 2 a top down view on a filled liquid container according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention:

[0099] FIG. 3 a side view of a liquid dispenser shown in sections according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, depicting inserting the liquid container of FIG. 2 in a first stage,

[0100] FIG. 4 a side view of the liquid dispenser of FIG. 3, wherein inserting the liquid container of FIG. 2 is depicted in a second stage,

[0101] FIG. 5 a side view of the liquid dispenser of FIG. 3, wherein inserting the liquid container of FIG. 2 is depicted in a third stage,

[0102] FIG. 6 a three-dimensional view of a half-section of the tap system of FIG. 5,

[0103] FIG. 7 a side view of the half-section of the tap system of FIG. 5 with a non-actuated liquid dispensing device,

[0104] FIG. 8 a side view of the half-section of the tap system of FIG. 5 with an actuated liquid dispensing device,

[0105] FIG. 9 a further embodiment of the liquid dispenser according to the invention,

[0106] FIG. 10 a further embodiment of a liquid dispensing device for use with the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 9,

[0107] FIGS. 11 and 12 an actuating process of an actuating device of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 9,

[0108] FIG. 13 a view of the bottom side of the liquid dispenser,

[0109] FIG. 14 a view of the top side of the liquid dispenser, and

[0110] FIG. 15 a grommet quick connector with attached grommet.

[0111] The three-dimensional view shown in FIG. 1 for a liquid dispenser 1 according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrates a housing 2 of liquid dispenser 1 having a guide device 4 and an actuating device 8 in a liquid dispensing region.

[0112] Housing 2 is substantially rectangular in shape and is beveled at one corner in liquid dispensing region 6.

[0113] Preferably, housing 2 can have a receiving space 3, and in the position of use of liquid dispenser 1 a liquid container 14 as shown in FIG. 2 is able to be inserted into the receiving space 3 preferably in a vertically downward movement.

[0114] Furthermore, receiving space 3 can be bounded downward in the vertical direction by a bottom 34, on which liquid container 14 inserted in liquid dispenser 1 preferably rests. Viewed in the position of use of liquid dispenser 1, receiving space 3 is bounded laterally or horizontally at least in sections by a first side wall 68, a second side wall 62, a third side wall 64 and a fourth side wall 66 of housing 2, wherein liquid container 14 inserted in receiving space 3 abuts at least in sections against the inside of side walls 60 to 66. In particular, first side wall 60 and second side wall 62 of receiving space 3 can be arranged opposite each other, preferably running substantially parallel to each other and/or vertically. Viewed in the position of use of liquid dispenser 1, first side wall 60 and second side wall 62 can have different length in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, preferably vertically running third side wall 64 of receiving space 3 may comprise guide device 4 and connect first side wall 60 to second side wall 62. Furthermore, preferably vertically running fourth side wall 66 of receiving space 3 can be arranged opposite third side wall 64 and connect first side wall 60 to second side wall 63. Preferably, third and fourth side walls 64 and 66 are not arranged parallel to each other, in order to form the beveled corner. In particular, third side wall 64 can be oriented or arranged such, in regard to first 60 and second side walls 62, that corresponding planes formed by first, second, and third side walls 60-64 are not perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, fourth side wall 66 can be oriented or arranged such, in regard to first 60 and second side walls 62, that corresponding planes formed by first, second, and fourth side walls 60/62/66 are perpendicular to each other. Preferably, the transitions between side walls 60 to 66 and/or to bottom 34 are rounded. This ensures better accessibility to liquid dispensing region 6. Furthermore, liquid container 14 can abut better against the inside of housing 2.

[0115] Preferably, side walls 60 to 66 and/or bottom 34 can be made at least in sections and/or entirely of a thermal insulation material. Thus, advantageously, a thermal insulation of the liquid container can be achieved, so that energy consumption for reaching and maintaining a target temperature of the liquid of the liquid container can be reduced, for example.

[0116] Guide device 4 is designed, according to the exemplary embodiment shown, as two guide rails 12 spaced apart from each other with an effective spacing 10, guide rails 12 having a rectangular cross section. Effective spacing 10 here corresponds to a clear distance between guide rails 12.

[0117] Between guide rails 12, a liquid container 14 with its liquid dispensing device 22 (see FIG. 2) not shown here can be guided during the inserting process.

[0118] In the exemplary embodiment shown, actuating device 8 is pivotably mounted on housing 2 and can pivot between an insertion position for inserting liquid container 14 and an actuating position for actuating liquid dispensing device 22.

[0119] Furthermore, housing 2 has an end stop 16, by means of which liquid dispensing device 22 of liquid container 14 can be positioned in its end position.

[0120] End stop 16 has a positioning section 18 formed complementary to a positioning section 32 of liquid dispensing device 22, in order to establish the position of liquid dispensing device 22 in relation to guide device 4 and/or actuating device 8. Complementary positioning section 18 can have two negatively conical receiving sections 18, in which valve opening elements 28 of liquid dispensing device 22 as described in FIG. 2 can be received by their positioning sections 32 in the end position of liquid dispensing device 22.

[0121] Housing 2 is placed on a frame housing 20, and in this way the height of the liquid dispensing device of the liquid container inserted in housing 2 can be influenced, in particular such that a vessel (not shown) for filling with the liquid can be placed under housing 2.

[0122] Filled liquid container 14 shown in a top down view in FIG. 2 is rectangular in shape, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, in particular in the unfilled state, its liquid dispensing device 22, viewed top down, being formed in a corner region of liquid container 14. A dispensing opening 48 of liquid dispensing device 22 can be oriented in the direction of the closest marginal region of liquid container 14.

[0123] As is further shown, liquid container 14 is largely flexible in shape, for example, as a bag made from plastic film. For example, the liquid container can be made from two or more film elements being joined together at their marginal regions, for example by welding and/or gluing, in order to form liquid container 14.

[0124] A guide flange 24 of liquid dispensing device 22 is round, viewed from the front, and formed with a U-shaped cross section on its outer circumference, in order to be able to be guided by guide device 4 described for FIG. 1 when liquid container 14 in inserted in housing 2. An effective outer diameter 26 (see FIG. 3) is measured in this case down to the bottom of the U-shaped opening.

[0125] Liquid dispensing device 22 has two valve opening elements 28, by means of which liquid dispensing device 22 can be positioned in its end position in liquid dispenser 1 against an end stop 16 of liquid dispenser 1.

[0126] As shown in this exemplary embodiment, valve opening elements 28 are formed at the side, protruding beyond a valve housing 30 of liquid dispensing device 22, and have a positively conical positioning section 32.

[0127] In this exemplary embodiment, valve opening elements 28 are connected as a single piece to a valve body (not shown) arranged in valve housing 30. A relative movement between valve opening elements 28 and valve housing 30 shifts the valve body, not shown here, from its tight seat to open up a dispensing opening 48 of liquid dispensing device 22.

[0128] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a liquid dispenser 1, shown in a sectional representation, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, inserting liquid container 14 of FIG. 2 being depicted in a first step.

[0129] In the case of liquid dispenser 1 according to the further exemplary embodiment, contrary to liquid dispenser 1 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, actuating device 8 is not attached to the housing 2, but instead on a cover 38 not shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 6), which is removed from housing 2 for inserting liquid container 14. Frame housing 20 is also not shown in FIG. 3.

[0130] Housing 2 of liquid dispenser 1 according to the further exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 likewise has a bottom 34 falling off in the direction of liquid dispensing region 6, just as housing 2 of liquid dispenser 1 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0131] The bottom can have a slope of at least about 2%, preferably at least about 4% and particularly preferably at least about 8%. Moreover, the slope can be at most about 18%.

[0132] Liquid container 14 is positioned on top of housing 2 such that liquid dispensing device 22 is on top of guide device 4. Furthermore, guide flange 24 is aligned with guide device 4.

[0133] The side view of liquid dispenser 1 of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 4, depicts inserting the liquid container of FIG. 2 in a second step.

[0134] Liquid container 14 is partly inserted in housing 2, liquid dispensing device 22 being guided by its guide flange 24, here U-shaped in cross section, between guide rails 12 of guide device 4, here rectangular in cross section.

[0135] Liquid container 14, largely flexible in shape, adapts to an inner shape of housing 2 when inserted into housing 2.

[0136] The side view of liquid dispenser 1 of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5, depicts inserting the liquid container of FIG. 2 in a third step. In other words, FIG. 5 shows a side view of a tap system 36 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein liquid container 14 of FIG. 2 is inserted into liquid dispenser 1 of FIG. 3.

[0137] Liquid container 14, largely flexible in shape, is adapted in particular to bottom 34 with the slope in the direction of liquid dispensing region 6. Thus, a residual amount of the liquid in liquid container 14 can collect at the lowest point of housing 2 in liquid dispensing region 6 and be available for removal from liquid container 14.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 6 in a three-dimensional view of a half-section of tap system 36 of FIG. 5, liquid dispensing device 22 of liquid container 14 inserted in housing 2 is positioned at its end position, wherein valve opening elements 28 of liquid dispensing device 22 abut against end stop 16.

[0139] Valve opening elements 28 protruding at the side from liquid dispensing device 22 are received here by their positively conical positioning sections 32 in the corresponding negatively conical receiving sections 18 of end stop 16.

[0140] Actuating device 8 is arranged in cover 38 of housing 2, cover 38, after inserting liquid container 14, being placed on top of housing 2 for actuating liquid dispensing device 22.

[0141] As shown in this exemplary embodiment, actuating device 8 is operable by means of an operating element 40 attached to cover 38. Operating element 40 here is designed as a push button. The cover has a circumferential side wall 50, which fully covers the housing here when the cover is placed on it.

[0142] As is further shown in FIG. 6, operating element 40 is electrically connected to an actuator 44 by connection cables 42, which actuator 44 is designed here as a servo motor. Upon actuation, actuator 44 extends an actuating element 46, which is designed here as a piston.

[0143] The side view of the half-section of tap system 36 of FIG. 5, shown in FIG. 7, shows unactuated liquid dispensing device 22.

[0144] Liquid dispensing device 22 is in its end position, wherein its valve opening elements 28 are received by their positioning sections 32 in receiving sections 18 of end stop 16. Actuating device 8 is arranged by means of cover 38 placed on top of housing 2 such that actuating element 46 is positioned above valve housing 30 of liquid dispensing device 22.

[0145] As shown in the side view of the half-section of tap system 36 of FIG. 5, shown in FIG. 8, liquid dispensing device 22 is actuated.

[0146] Actuating element 46 has been extended and pushes valve housing 30 down. Valve opening elements 28 are prevented from moving downward by end stop 16 and a relative movement takes place between valve housing 30 and valve opening elements 28. This relative movement shifts the valve body, not shown, from its tight seat to open up dispensing opening 48 of liquid dispensing device 22, so that the liquid can be dispensed from liquid container 14.

[0147] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a liquid dispenser 1 according to the invention, wherein in the following only the essential differences from the previous embodiments will be discussed. In particular, end stop 16 is designed to position liquid dispensing device 22 shown in FIG. 10 in its end position, valve housing 30 of liquid dispensing device 22 being positioned at end stop 16. Contrary to the previously described embodiment, valve opening element 28 or valve opening elements 28 are not positioned at end stop 16. As can be seen from FIG. 10, varve opening elements 28 preferably have no positioning section. As shown in particular by FIGS. 11 and 12, valve housing 30 is positioned around dispensing opening 48 at end stop 16. Furthermore, end stop 16 can have an opening (see FIG. 15), through which dispensing opening 48 of liquid dispensing device 22 is guided in the position of use.

[0148] Moreover, actuating device 8 is mounted pivotably on housing 2. In the inserting position of actuating device 8 shown in FIG. 9, liquid dispensing device 22 can be removed from housing 2 against the inserting direction or be inserted into housing 2 in the inserting direction.

[0149] FIGS. 11 and 12 show actuating device 8 in the actuating position in sectional view. Actuating device 8 is designed to fix the position of liquid dispensing device 22 in relation to housing 2 in the actuating position of actuating device 8. In particular, actuating device 8 prevents liquid dispensing device 22 from being moved against the inserting direction. This can be achieved, for example, in that actuating device 8 contacts a top side of valve housing 30, so that liquid dispensing device 22 is sandwiched between end stop 16 and actuating device 8, Furthermore, actuating device 8 can be designed to lift valve opening element 28 of liquid dispensing device. 22, viewed in the position of use of liquid dispenser 1, for dispensing the liquid.

[0150] In particular, actuating device 8 can have an operating lever 72 mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation 70, a rocker arm 76 mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation 74, running substantially parallel to first axis of rotation 70, and a force transmitting element 78. Force transmitting element 78 can be changed in its position by operating lever 72 and connected to a first side 80 of rocker arm 76, viewed from second axis of rotation 74. Furthermore, a second side 82 of rocker arm 76, viewed from second axis of rotation 74, can actuate valve opening element 28 of liquid dispensing device 22. In particular, force transmitting element 78 can be shifted by operating lever 72 substantially along the inserting direction. Operating lever 72 can be operated in particular by a user in order to cause dispensing the liquid. It can be provided, in particular, for dispensing the liquid, that operating lever 72, designed preferably as a one-sided lever, is moved in the direction of the inserting direction or downward (see FIG. 12), which produces a corresponding shifting in position of force transmitting element 78. As a result, second side 82 of rocker arm 76 is shifted against the inserting direction, so that valve opening element 28 is likewise moved against the inserting direction, and dispensing the liquid ensues.

[0151] Preferably, it can be provided that force transmitting element 78 has an operating lever opening or bushing 84, through which operating lever 72 is guided out of the housing. Furthermore, a contact surface 86 of operating lever 72 at the side of the force transmitting element, with which a force is exerted on a contact surface 88 of force transmitting element 78 at the lever side for dispensing the liquid, being formed at the operating lever opening 84, can run substantially in a straight line, and contact surface 88 at the operating lever side can have a curved profile. Upon actuating operating lever 72 for dispensing the liquid, contact surface 86 at the side of the force transmitting element can be guided at least in sections along contact surface 88 at the side of the operating lever. Due to the curved profile of contact surface 88 at the side of the operating lever, said contact surface can slide particularly easily along contact surface 86 at the side of the force transmitting element, contributing to an easy operability of actuating device 8. Contact surface 88 at the operating lever side is preferably formed on the inside of operating lever bushing 84.

[0152] Furthermore, second side 82 of rocker arm 76 can act or push on the underside of valve opening element 28. It should be understood that actuating device 8 can have a separate rocker arm 76 for each valve opening element 28.

[0153] As shown n FIG. 13, liquid dispenser 1 can have a stand 90 with a bearing surface 90, which in a positioning of liquid dispenser 1 on a substantially flat positioning surface as intended, makes contact with same. Stand 90 can be provided in particular in addition to further bearing points 92, which are arranged on the bottom side of liquid dispenser 1. By means of bearing points 92 and, stand 90, liquid dispenser 1 can be positioned or set up on the positioning surface.

[0154] As can be seen from FIG. 14, bearing surface 90, viewed top down on liquid dispenser 1, is arranged outside the footprint of the top side of liquid dispenser 1. On the other hand, bearing points 92 are arranged inside the footprint. Bearing surface 90 is situated in particular in the region of actuating device 8, in order to stabilize liquid dispenser 1 on the positioning surface and prevent liquid dispenser 1 from tipping over when actuating device 8 is actuated and especially when operating lever 72 is actuated. In particular, bearing surface 90 can be ring-shaped and run outside the footprint at least in sections.

[0155] Furthermore, stand 90 can be arranged below dispensing opening 48 and have a drip pan 94 (FIG. 9) for collecting the liquid on one side facing toward dispensing opening 48.

[0156] As is shown in FIG. 15, liquid dispenser 1 can have a grommet quick connector 96 for coupling a grommet 98 below end stop 16, grommet 98 being designed as a spray protection against the liquid dispensed by liquid dispensing device 22. In particular, grommet 98 can be beveled, so that the length of grommet 98 near the housing is longer than the outside length. Furthermore, grommet 98 can be arranged below liquid dispensing device 22 or dispensing opening 48.

[0157] Furthermore, grommet 98 can be releasable from and connectable to grommet quick connector 96 by a rotary movement.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0158] 1 Liquid dispenser [0159] 2 Housing [0160] 3 Receiving space [0161] 4 Guide device [0162] 6 Liquid dispensing region [0163] 8 Actuating device [0164] 10 Effective spacing [0165] 12 Guide rail [0166] 14 Liquid container [0167] 16 End stop [0168] 18 Receiving section (complementary to positioning section) [0169] 20 Frame housing [0170] 22 Liquid dispensing device [0171] 24 Guide flange [0172] 26 Effective outer diameter [0173] 28 Valve opening element [0174] 30 Valve housing [0175] 32 Positioning section [0176] 34 Bottom [0177] 36 Tap system [0178] 38 Cover [0179] 40 Operating element [0180] 42 Connection cable [0181] 44 Actuator [0182] 46 Actuating element [0183] 48 Dispensing opening [0184] 50 Side wall [0185] 60 First side wall [0186] 62 Second side wall [0187] 64 Third side wall [0188] 66 Fourth side wall [0189] 70 First axis of rotation [0190] 72 Operating lever [0191] 74 Second axis of rotation [0192] 76 Rocker arm [0193] 78 Force transmitting element. [0194] 80 First side of rocker arm [0195] 82 Second side of rocker arm [0196] 84 Operating lever opening or bushing [0197] 86 Contact surface on force transmitting element side [0198] 88 Contact surface on operating lever side [0199] 90 Stand bearing surface [0200] 92 Bearing points [0201] 94 Drip pan [0202] 96 Grommet quick connector [0203] 98 Grommet