Dispenser in particular for liquid to pasty substances

Abstract

A dispenser for liquid to pasty substances, has a pumping chamber that has a top pumping chamber wall and a bottom pumping chamber wall in relation to a vertical pumping movement; the bottom and top pumping chamber walls extend from laterally inside to laterally outside in relation to a geometrical axis running vertically through the center of the pumping chamber. In order to advantageously improve a dispenser of the aforementioned type, the bottom pumping chamber wall is joined to the top pumping chamber wall by designing the two walls as a single piece, or by welding or gluing the two walls together, and when the dispenser is actuated, the bottom pumping chamber wall deforms by folding inward such that an elevated region is formed inside in the lateral direction and a lowered region is formed outside in the lateral direction in order for substance to be dispensed.

Claims

1. A dispenser (1) for liquid to pasty substances, comprising a pumping chamber (14) that has a top pumping chamber wall (9) and a bottom pumping chamber wall (12) in relation to a pumping movement during a vertical pumping movement, the bottom (12) and top pumping chamber walls (9) extending from laterally inside to laterally outside in relation to a geometrical axis (x) running vertically through the center the pumping chamber (14), wherein, furthermore, the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) is joined to the top pumping chamber wall (9) by designing the two walls as a single piece, or by welding or gluing the two walls together and when the dispenser is actuated, the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) deforms by folding inward such that an elevated region is formed inside in the lateral direction and a lower region is formed outside in the lateral direction in order for substance to be dispensed, wherein the top pumping chamber wall (9) has a pipe section (11) formed as a single part with the top pumping chamber wall and extending against the direction of the substance's discharge into the pumping chamber (14) in an extension of a discharge channel (8), an outlet valve being provided for in the transition from the pipe section 11 into the discharge channel 8, and wherein the diameter of this pipe section (11) is adapted to an inner diameter of a bottom tubular section (16) of the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) so that, between the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) and the pipe section (11), an annulus is formed that is open in the direction of an inlet valve or a storage space or is set during the course of a pumping operation.

2. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) develops an intrinsic elastic restoring force when deforming.

3. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein a spring (30) pretensioning the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) into an initial position is provided.

4. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (18) and/or outlet valve (19) is manufactured using a second plastic material and is manufactured within the scope of a two-component injection-moulding method.

5. The dispenser (1) according to claim 4, wherein the inlet (18) and/or outlet valve (19) is accommodated in a form-fitting manner within an area made by means of a first plastic material.

6. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) has a topside (15) and a bottom-side tubular section (16), wherein the bottom-side tubular section (16) has a lateral extension in a longitudinal cross-section, which is a tenth less or more than a tenth less, all the way to a seventh less than the lateral extension of the topside tubular section (15).

7. The dispenser (1) according to claim 6, wherein the tubular sections (15, 16) merge into each other via a folding section (17), which primarily extends only in a lateral manner.

8. The dispenser (1) according to claim 6, wherein the bottom tubular section (16) is, in any case, cylindrical.

9. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein, between the bottom pumping chamber wall (12) and the pipe section (11), the annulus (31) is open in the direction of the inlet valve (18) or the storage space (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention is described using the enclosed drawing, which however only represents exemplary embodiments. One part, which is merely described with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments and, in the case of another exemplary embodiment, is not replaced with another part due to the feature having resulted there, is therefore also described as a possibly available part in any case for this other exemplary embodiment. The figures show:

(2) FIG. 1 a dispenser in a prospective illustration arranged on a storage container.

(3) FIG. 2 the dispenser in a prospective individual illustration, concerning a locked non-use position of the dispenser head;

(4) FIG. 3 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 2, concerning the unlocked use position of the dispenser head,

(5) FIG. 4 the dispenser head of the first embodiment in a longitudinal cross-section, concerning a raised position of the dispenser head;

(6) FIG. 5 a subsequent illustration to FIG. 4 within the course of displacing the dispenser head in the direction of a depressed position, concerning an intermediate position;

(7) FIG. 6 a longitudinal cross-section illustration shifted by 90? around a dispenser head longitudinal axis with relation to the illustrations in FIGS. 4 and 5, concerning the fully depressed position of the dispenser head;

(8) FIG. 7. The raised position of the dispenser head after carrying out a pumping movement in a cross-sectional illustration in accordance with FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 a prospective longitudinal cross-section illustration of the dispenser head of the first embodiment;

(10) FIG. 9: in illustration corresponding to FIG. 8, however concerning a second embodiment of the dispenser head and

(11) FIG. 10 in another illustration corresponding to FIG. 8, concerning a dispenser head in a third embodiment

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(12) A dispenser 1 for liquid to pasty substances in particular is shown and described.

(13) In accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the dispenser 1 can be arranged on a storage container 2 with a storage space 3.

(14) In these embodiments, the latter is directly given and limited by the container wall of the storage container 2.

(15) According to the illustration in FIG. 10, as an alternative, a compressible bag 4 can be provided within the storage container 2, which forms the storage space 3.

(16) The dispenser 1 has a displaceable dispenser head 5. The displaceability is given to achieve a pumping movement along a geometrical axis x, which is vertically aligned when the dispenser 1 is handled normally and pushed through the middle of the dispenser head 5.

(17) Primarily, the dispenser head 5, and furthermore the entire dispenser 1, is designed to be rotationally symmetric to the axis x, with the exception of a discharge nozzle 6 primarily radially orientated to the axis x with a discharge opening. 7.

(18) In accordance with the illustrations in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser head 5 can be rotationally moved around the axis x from a locked position in accordance with FIG. 2, in which no pumping movement can be carried out, into a usage position in accordance with FIG. 3. From this position in accordance with FIG. 3, a pumping movement can be carried out, thereby discharging the substance by pressing down the dispenser head 5 and then moving the same back into the initial position.

(19) A discharge channel 8 is formed within the dispenser head 5 coaxially to the axis x. On one end, this leads into the discharge nozzle 6.

(20) Opposite to the mouth this leads into, the wall of the discharge channel 8, for example, being manufactured as a single piece and using an identical material within the scope of a plastic mould injection method or joined to top pumping chamber wall 9 via a shaped insert.

(21) The top pumping chamber wall 9 primarily extends in a plate-shaped manner on a horizontal level in the case of a vertical alignment of the axis x.

(22) Circumferentially along the edge of the pumping chamber wall 9, a collar 10 is formed under the top pumping chamber wall 9.

(23) In an extension of the discharge channel 8, opposite to it, preferably with a smaller diameter, a pipe section 11 formed as a single piece with the top pumping chamber wall 9 surrounded by the collar 10 extends under the top pumping chamber wall 9.

(24) Beneath, primarily surrounding the pipe section 11, a bottom pumping chamber wall 12 is attached to the top pumping chamber wall 9, in particular, via a radial collar 13. The bottom pumping chamber wall 12 primarily has a pan shape overall, with a centrally indented area.

(25) Thereby, this can be a single-piece design of the top and the bottom pumping chamber wall 9, 12. Preferably, with reference to this, joining by means of welding or gluing the surfaces facing each other of the radial collar 13 and the top pumping chamber wall 9.

(26) A pumping chamber 14 results limited by the pumping chamber walls 9 and 12.

(27) The bottom pumping chamber wall 12 primarily consists of a topside tubular section 15 and a bottom-side tubular section 16.

(28) The top tubular section 15 merges into the radial collar 13.

(29) Both tubular sections 15 and 16 merge into each other via a plate-like folding section 17 primarily only extending into a radial direction to axis x (in particular, in the starting position of the dispenser head 5).

(30) The folding section 17 is, in particular, in the unloaded starting position of the dispenser head 5 in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 4, spaced away from the top disc-like pumping chamber wall 9.

(31) The bottom-side tubular section 16 has, in relation to the axis x, a diameter a, which corresponds to approximately a fourth to a third of the diameter b of the top tubular section 15.

(32) In particular, the bottom tubular section 16 overall is designed to have a circular cylinder shape. The pipe section 11 can dip into this section when actuating the dispenser 1.

(33) At the foot end of the bottom tubular section 16, an inlet valve 18 is formed. For example, this can be manufactured within the scope of a two-component injection-moulding method.

(34) In particular, the bottom pumping chamber wall 12, furthermore, preferably also the top pumping chamber wall 9 are preferably manufactured using a plastic material with a high degree of barrier density. In this way, a multiple of layers can be provided in this respect. This can be achieved by means of barrier-injection-moulding using PP (polypropylene) or EVOH (ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer) or by designing the pumping chamber walls out of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) or PA (polyamide). Furthermore, a coating with silicon oxide or silicon dioxide can be provided, this also in the case of designing the wall with a multiple of layers, where, if applicable, only one or also a plurality of layers are coated in this manner.

(35) Both the inlet valve 18 as well as an outlet valve 19 provided in the transition from the pipe section 11 into the discharge channel 8, which is preferably also manufactured within the scope of a two-component injection-moulding process, are, in particular, made of another plastic material, particularly out of another soft plastic material against the pumping chamber walls.

(36) The foot end of the bottom tubular section 16, which faces away from the discharge channel 8, of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 is designed to snap-lock a closure element 20 in a fixed position arranged in a outwardly in a radial manner. The closure element 20 is motion-coupled to the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 or fixed to its bottom tubular section 16.

(37) The closure element 20 is designed as a type of piston 21 with circumferential sealing lips 22, which are axially spaced away from each other, primarily aligned outwardly in a radial manner. Both sealing lips 22 provided extend on different radii.

(38) The piston 21 is led in a pan section 23 aligned coaxially to the axis x. The axial end positions can be defined in this area, for example, as a result of setting of piston section at corresponding protrusions of the pan section 23.

(39) The pan section 23 is part of a holder 24. Overall, this is pan-like in shape, having a pan base 25, which, in particular, separates the storage space 3 from the dispenser head 5.

(40) Preferably, on the pan base 25, there is an opening 27 provided, at which a suction pipe 28 can connected beneath as an axial extension to the discharge channel 8 and the pipe section 11, furthermore as an axial extension to a central piston opening 26. This dips into the substance.

(41) With reference to a dispenser head starting position in accordance with FIG. 4, a ventilation opening 29 is formed between the sealing lips 22 of the piston 21 in the area of the pan base 25. This is generally open toward the storage space 3.

(42) A spring 30 impinges the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 in the area of the radial collar 13. The spring 30 is supported on the other end on a pan base 25 of the holder 24; the holder 24 in which the pumping chamber 14 is held in its entirety. The top pumping chamber wall 9 can be led by the circumferential wall of the holder 24. The wall of the holder 24 can provide a stop limitation in interaction with the collar of the top pumping chamber wall 9 at least upwardly to the raised position of the dispenser head.

(43) Via the spring impingement of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12, the top pumping chamber wall 9 is loaded and thereby, the entire dispenser head 5 is loaded in the direction of the raised position. A pumping movement, meaning pressing down the dispenser head 5 to discharge substance, occurs against the force of the spring 30. In accordance with the first embodiment, the spring 30 can be a metal spring, in particular a cylindrical spring.

(44) FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment based on the first embodiment with a plastic spring, for example, manufactured within the scope of a plastic injection-moulding method, which spirally extends from the pan base 25 to the arrangement on the radial collar 13 of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12, thereby surrounding the axis x.

(45) An annulus 31 results, which is open in the direction of the inlet valve 18 between the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 or its bottom tubular section 16 and the pipe section 11.

(46) In order to discharge substance from the storage space 3, the dispenser head 5 is brought from a raised position in accordance with FIG. 4 into a depressed position in accordance with FIG. 6. The actuating pressure against the force of the spring 30 required for this is represented by the arrow P.

(47) With an axial displacement of the dispenser head 5 in the direction of the storage container 2, the pumping chamber 14 is initially carried along in an uninfluenced manner until reaching a position in accordance with FIG. 5, in which the piston 21 that is into a fixed position on the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 assumes an end position limited by an end-stop, at which the ventilation opening 29 is released.

(48) As a result of the displacement of a pumping chamber wall 9 and the top tubular section 15 attached to it relative to the fixed bottom tubular section 16 thereby occurring, the other axial displacement of the dispenser head 5 results in the folding section 17 folding inward (cf. FIG. 6). In this position, the radial inner area of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 is spaced away from the top pumping chamber wall 9 less than an radial outer area.

(49) The discharge of substance occurring can result in an additional effect, since a collapse of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 can occur only upon the end of the dispenser head displacement and hereby, if applicable, substance can be subsequently discharged again.

(50) The bottom pumping chamber wall 12 can build up an intrinsic elastic restoring force as a result of this folding inward, if applicable, additionally supporting the spring 30.

(51) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, where a bag 4 is arranged in the container 2, in particular, the ventilation opening is done without. Accordingly, the closure element 20 and the piston 21 can be done without. In this embodiment, the bottom tubular section 16 of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 is directly snap-mounted to the pan base 25. By using the downwards displacement of the dispenser head 5 to discharge substance, a relative displacement between the top tubular section 15 and the bottom tubular section 16 of the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 directly occurs.

(52) The aforementioned embodiments serve to explain the inventions recognised by the application overall, which also independently further develop the most recent background art, at least by means of the following feature combinations respectively, namely:

(53) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 is joined to the top pumping chamber wall 9 by designing the two walls as a single piece, or by welding or gluing the two walls together, and when the dispenser is actuated, the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 deforms by folding inward such that an elevated region is formed inside in the lateral direction and a lowered region is formed outside in the lateral direction in order for substance to be dispensed.

(54) In order to further improve the dispenser of the kind in question, it is initially and primarily provided that the bottom pumping chamber wall 9 is joined to the top pumping chamber wall by designing the two walls as a single piece, or by welding or gluing the two walls together, and that the pumping chamber walls 9, 12 are made of a plastic material, which has a high degree of barrier density, for example, being made of multiple layers and has a EVOH layer or has a coating, for example, a silicon oxide or silicon dioxide coating and/or, in the case of a design with multiple layers, if only applicable with regard to one or a plurality of layers, consisting of a material such as PET, PBT or PA.

(55) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the pumping chamber 14 has an inlet and outlet valve 18, 19.

(56) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 develops an intrinsic elastic restoring force when deforming.

(57) A dispenser 1, characterized in that, if applicable, additionally, a spring 30 is provided that pretensions the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 into an initial position.

(58) A dispenser, characterized in that the inlet and/or outlet valve 18, 19 is manufactured using a second plastic material and is preferably manufactured within the scope of a two-component injection-moulding method.

(59) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the inlet and/or outlet valve 18, 19 in a form-fitting manner within an area formed by a first plastic material.

(60) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 has a topside 15 and a bottom-side tubular section 16, wherein the bottom-side tubular section (16) has a lateral extension in a longitudinal cross-section, which is a tenth less or more than a tenth less, all the way to a seventh less than the lateral extension of the topside tubular section 15.

(61) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the tubular sections 15, 17 merge into each other through a folding section 17, which primarily extends only in a lateral manner.

(62) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the bottom tubular section 16 is in any case cylindrical.

(63) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the top pumping chamber wall 9 has a pipe section 11 extending into the pumping chamber 14 against the discharge direction.

(64) A dispenser 1, characterized in that, between the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 and the pipe section 11, there is an annulus that is open in the direction of the inlet valve 18 or a storage space 3.

(65) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the ventilation opening 29 is closed in the raised position and open in the depressed position.

(66) A dispenser 1, characterized in that a ventilation opening 29 of the storage space 3 can be opened and closed by the pumping movement between a depressed and a raised position.

(67) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the ventilation opening 29 is open in the depressed position.

(68) A dispenser 1, characterized in that a closure element for 20 for the ventilation opening 29 is motion-coupled with a bottom pumping chamber wall 12 and/or a holder area of the inlet valve 18.

(69) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the closure element 20 has a piston 21 that has one or a plurality of circumferential sealing lips 22.

(70) A dispenser 1 characterized in that the piston 21 made of a rubber or TPE material is snap-mounted on the outside to the bottom pumping chamber wall 12, preferably to its bottom tubular section 16.

(71) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the dispenser 1 has a pan-like holder 24, in which the pumping chamber 14 is accommodated.

(72) A dispenser 1, characterized in that the piston 21 leads the bottom pumping chamber wall 12 in the holder 24.

(73) All disclosed features (on their own, but also in combination with one another) are essential to the invention. In the disclosure of the application, the disclosure contents of the related/enclosed priority documents (copy of the pre-application) shall hereby be fully included, and also concerning this purpose, features of these documents must be included in claims of the present application. The subclaims with their features characterize further independent inventive embodiments of the most recent prior art, in particular, in order to make divisional applications based on these claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(74) 1 dispenser 2 storage container 3 storage space 4 bag 5 dispenser head 6 discharge nozzle 7 discharge opening 8 discharge channel 9 top pumping chamber wall 10 collar 11 pipe section 12 bottom pumping chamber wall 13 radial collar 14 pumping chamber 15 top tubular section 16 bottom tubular section 17 folding section 18 inlet valve 19 outlet valve 20 closure element 21 piston 22 sealing lip 23 pan section 24 holder 25 pan base 26 piston opening 27 opening 28 suction pipe 29 ventilation opening 30 spring 31 annulus a diameter b diameter x axis P arrow