DISPENSER AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A DISPENSER

Abstract

A dispenser includes a container, an applicator and a head part. The head part has the applicator, and is axially moveable relative to an outlet of the container. The head part includes a passage connected to the applicator in a fluid conducting manner, the passage further being connected to the container in a fluid conducting manner in an activated state of the dispenser and with no fluid communication being possible in a storage state of the dispenser. The passage extends along an outer circumferential surface of the head part, the head part having a base with a seal configured to seal with respect to the outlet of the container in the storage state of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A dispenser, the dispenser comprising: a container; an applicator; and a head part, the head part having the applicator, the head part being axially moveable relative to an outlet of the container, the head part comprising a passage connected to the applicator in a fluid conducting manner, the passage further being connected to the container in a fluid conducting manner in an activated state of the dispenser and with no fluid communication being possible in a storage state of the dispenser, and the passage extending along an outer circumferential surface of the head part, the head part having a base with a seal configured to form a seal with respect to the outlet of the container in the storage state of the dispenser.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is a unit-dose dispenser.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the head part is only axially moveable relative to the outlet of the container.

4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is arranged at an angle to the container.

5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the passage extends in an axial direction along the outer circumferential surface of the head part.

6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a core extending over a length thereof within the applicator.

7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a second end of the passage ends at the seal.

8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a top end of the head part comprises a radially extending ledge.

9. The dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the top end of the head part rests on a front end of the outlet in the activated state.

10. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an application end of the applicator comprises one or more brushes.

11. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is integrally formed at the head part.

12. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is a pipette type of dispenser.

13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is tubular.

14. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a cut-out configured to receive a part of the applicator in the activated state of the dispenser.

15. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is displaced from the storage state into the activated state by axially pressing the head part towards the container.

16. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a reservoir and a filling part remote from the head part with the reservoir being configured to be filled with a fluid via the filling part.

17. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the container further comprises a transition between the reservoir and the filling part.

18. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the container comprises at least one channel, with the channel extending through the transition.

19. The dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the transition comprises a sealing zone through which the at least one channel extends to connect the reservoir with the filling part in a fluid conducting manner.

20. The dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the at least one channel extends into the filling part.

21. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the dispenser further comprises a filling end at the filling part and remote from the head part.

22. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the head part and the applicator are made in one single piece such that the dispenser is made out of two single pieces, including the head part and the container.

23. The dispenser according to claim 22, wherein the dispenser is a pipette type dispenser.

24. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the dispenser further comprises a valve element arranged at an end of the reservoir remote from the head part.

25. The dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the valve element is arranged at an end of the at least one channel opening into the reservoir.

26. A method of assembling a according to claim 1, the method comprising: providing the container, the head part and the applicator; attaching the head part at the container; filling the container with a fluid at a filling end of the container remote from the head part; and welding the container at the filling end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates part sectional views of a dispenser in the activated and the storage state;

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates different steps of assembling and using a dispenser; and

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a part of a dispenser 10 comprising a container 12 filled with a fluid F, a head part 14 and an applicator 16. The container 12 comprises an opening 22. The head part 14 is configured to be at least partially be placed inside the container 12.

[0052] The left view of FIG. 1 shows the dispenser 10 in the storage, i.e. the closed, state whereas the right view of FIG. 1 shows the dispenser 10 in the activated, i.e. the open, state.

[0053] As one can also see, the head part 14 further comprises a passage 18 which is arranged at an outer circumferential surface of the head part 14. The passage 18 can be open at one side such that, at least in the storage state, the passage 18 comes into contact with an inner surface 24 of the container 12 (see also right view of FIG. 2). Furthermore, the passage 18 can be designed as an axial passage 18, as can be seen in the Figures. The passage 18 extends in parallel to a central axis A that extends through the opening 22 of the container 12.

[0054] In other embodiments the passage 18 can also be arranged along parts or the whole circumference of the outer surface of the head part 14. This can be beneficial in embodiments where the precise dosing of the fluid is crucial. A longer passage 18 can help to dose the fluid F more precisely.

[0055] In this connection it should be noted that a length of the passage 18 can be selected in the range of 0.1 to 5 cm, especially in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 cm.

[0056] In this connection it should further be noted that a width of the passage 18 can be selected in the range of 0.02 to 5 mm, especially in the range of 0.05 to 2 mm.

[0057] A cross-section of the passage 18 in parallel to the central axis A can be selected as round, oval, square rectangular and triangular.

[0058] In this connection it should be noted that a cross-section of the opening 22 in parallel to the central axis can be round or oval, in particular with the opening 22 being of cylindrical design in parallel to the central axis A.

[0059] The head part 14 further comprises a seal 20 which is arranged at a base 26 of the head part, i.e. the part of the head part 14 which is placed inside the container 12 in both of states. The seal 20 is configured to caulk the container 12 when the dispenser 10 is in the storage state (see left part of FIG. 1).

[0060] This is realized by the container 12 comprising a definite shape, which is tapered towards a top section of the container 12. This way, the seal 20 closes the container completely once the dispenser 10 is brought into the storage state and leaves at least the passage 18 open when the dispenser 10 is in the activated state.

[0061] The seal 20 is typically press-fit into the opening 22 as it is dimensioned with a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the opening 22.

[0062] In this connection it should be noted that a material of the head part 14 can be different from a material of the container 12, i.e. a material of the head part 14 can be softer or harder than the material of the container 12. By selecting different material properties a function of the seal 20 can be improved.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the head part 14 also comprises a ledge 28 which is arranged at an outer circumference of a top part of the head part 14. The ledge 28 is configured such that it limits the movement of the head part 14 towards the container 12 in the axial direction along the central axis A by allowing the ledge 28 to rest on a front end 30 of the outlet 22 (see right part of FIG. 1). The ledge 28 can be formed integrally with the head part 14.

[0064] In the embodiment depicted the applicator 16 is arranged at an angle of about 45? to the container 12. Therefore, the ledge 28 does also not extend around the whole circumference of the top part of the head part 14 but is rather interrupted by the applicator 16. Generally, it is possible to arrange the applicator 16 at any given angle with respect to the container 12. The precise angle can be chosen according to the application field of the dispenser 12.

[0065] In this connection it is noted that an angle between the applicator 16 and the central axis A of the container 12 is selected in the range of 30 to 60 degrees, especially in the range of 40 to 50 degrees.

[0066] Also, a length of the applicator 16 as well as the container 12 and therefore also the dispenser 10 as a whole can be chosen freely. The lengths can vary from one application to another.

[0067] When the applicator 16 is arranged at an angle to the container 12, with the angle between the applicator 16 and a central axis A of the container 12 being bigger than 45?, it can be beneficial for the container 12 to comprise a cut-out 32 which receives part of the head part 14, for example a part of the applicator 16, once the dispenser 10 is being brought into the storage state.

[0068] The applicator 16 can further comprise a core 34, for example in the form of a canal 34, extending over its length within the applicator 16 and which is connected with a first end of the passage 18 (see FIG. 1). A second end of the passage 18, on the other hand, ends at the seal 20. Hence, when the dispenser 10 is in the activated state, the fluid F can flow through the passage 18 inside the canal 34 and further out of the canal 34 at a dispensing opening 36 at an application end of the applicator 16.

[0069] The core 34 can be formed as a cylindrical shaped core 34 or in the manner of a truncated cone, i.e. with a diameter of the core 34 reducing over its length.

[0070] The core 34 can further be formed as a cannula, in particular of metal, which is overmolded by or inserted into and then fixed to the head part 14 prior to inserting the head part 14 into the container 12.

[0071] In this connection it should be noted that a length of the applicator between the dispensing opening 36 and the passage 18 can be selected in the range of 0.5 to 5 cm, especially in the range of 0.8 to 3 cm.

[0072] In this connection it should be noted that a ratio of the diameter of the core 34 to the diameter of the passage 18 can be selected as 0.5:1 3:1 at a position where the passage 18 and the core 34 merge.

[0073] At the dispensing opening 36 the applicator 16 can further comprise brushes 38 or anything alike which can help the user to apply the fluid F at its application site.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows the different steps of the method of assembling a dispenser 10. A container 12, a head part 14 and an applicator 16 which is connected with the head part 14 is provided. The container 12 further filled with the fluid F at a filling end 40 of the container 12 and then sealed, e. g. welded, at the filling end 40. The head part 14 can be inserted in the container 12 rather easily through its opening 22.

[0075] In the embodiment shown the container 12 comprises a reservoir 42 as well as a filling part 44. The reservoir 42 receives the fluid F once it is filled inside the container 12 through its filling part 44. The filling part 44 can comprise a bigger diameter than the reservoir 42.

[0076] One can further see in FIG. 2 that the container 12 can be welded not only at the filling end 40 but also at a transition 46 between the reservoir 42 and the filling part 44. In this connection it is noted that the transition 46 may not be welded completely to form at least one channel 48 (see FIG. 2) such that the filling part 44 can later be used as an actuation mechanism. That is, by pressing the filling end 44, which only contains air or another gas, the fluid F can be pressed out of the reservoir 42 inside the passage 18 and the canal 34 out of the dispenser 10 at the dispensing opening 36.

[0077] This is also the reason why the volume of the filling part 44 is selected to be 2 to 4 times larger than the volume of the reservoir 42. By comprising a larger volume, the complete volume of fluid F stored inside the reservoir 42 can be pressed, i. e. dispensed, out of the reservoir 42.

[0078] Furthermore, the channel(s) 48 comprise a diameter selected in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 mm, in particular smaller than 0.8 mm. With such small sized channels 48 it can be ensured that the fluid F stored in the reservoir 42 cannot flow back into the filling part 44 since the surface tension of the (viscous) fluid F prevents the fluid F from entering the channel(s) 48. Nevertheless, the air stored in the filling part 44 can flow through the channel(s) 48 when the filling part 48 is pressed, thereby subjecting the fluid F to a pressure such that it starts flowing out of the dispenser 10.

[0079] In FIG. 3 one can see a further embodiment of the dispenser 10 according to the disclosure where the channel(s) 48 extend in the filling part 44.

[0080] It can further be possible that only the filling end 40 is welded such that the dispenser comprises the shape of a tube with the reservoir 42 and the filling part 44 being one and the same such that no channel(s) 48 are formed.

[0081] One can further see in the right part of FIG. 3 that in some embodiments the dispenser 10 can further comprise a valve element 50 arranged at the end of channel 48 opening into the reservoir 42.

[0082] The valve element can be a flap as is shown in FIG. 3 that can be lifted in the direction of flow of material on dispensing and that can be lowered again over the channel 48 after dispensing. Other forms of valve element (not shown) can also be utilized.

[0083] The flap can be hinged at one side of the channel 48 and open and close this in use.

[0084] Such a valve element, in particular in the form of a valve flap, can have the advantage that it prevents the fluid from flowing back into the filling chamber 44 once the user releases the pressure exerted on the dispenser 10. As a consequence, the user needs less press operations in order to disperse to complete content of the dispenser 10. That is, if pressure is applied to the dispenser, in particular to the filling part 44, the liquid stored as well as possible air stored therein will be pushed in a direction towards the head part such that the valve element 50 opens the channel 48. As soon as the pressure is released, the valve element 50 closes the channel again such that no liquid can flow back into the filling part 44.

[0085] In this embodiment one can also see that it is also possible that the channel 48 extends into the reservoir 42. In this way one can ensure that the valve element 50 can properly open and close the channel 48 during use 48.

[0086] As can be seen in the Figures the applicator 16 and the head part 14 can be formed integrally. Furthermore, the reservoir 42, the filling part 44 and the transition 46 can be formed integrally. This way it can be ensured that the dispenser 10 can be assembled out of only two components, thereby reducing the production/assembling costs as well as the production/assembling time massively and making the dispenser 10 more robust.

[0087] In this connection it should be noted that the container 12 and the head part 14 can respectively be formed by one of injection molding and additive manufacturing.

[0088] In this connection it should be noted that the parts of the dispenser can be formed by a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, for example polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvincl chloride, polyoxymethylene and mixtures of the foregoing.