DISPENSING DEVICE FOR SPRAYING A SPRAYABLE FLUID

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device which is intended for spraying a sprayable fluid and is designed in the form of a hand-held unit, having a housing (12), in which are provided an air pump (22) and an electric drive motor (18), which drives the air pump (22), having a spray head (14), which is connected to the housing (12) and is intended for dispensing the fluid, having an accommodating chamber (29), which is arranged in the housing (12) and is intended for a storage container (41), in which the fluid which is to be dispensed is stored, having a fluid line (44), which leads from the storage container (41) to the spray head (14), and having a hose line (36), which leads from the air pump (22) to the spray head (14), wherein the spray head (14) has a first nozzle (46), which is connected to the fluid line (44), and, separately from said first nozzle, a second nozzle (38), which is supplied with the air flow from the hose line (36), and an atomizing zone (49) is formed outside the spray head (14).

Claims

1. A dispensing device for spraying a sprayable fluid which is formed as a hand-held appliance, having a housing in which an air pump and an electric drive motor driving the air pump is provided, having a spray head which is in communication with the housing for dispensing the fluid, having a receiving space arranged in the housing for a storage container in which the fluid to be dispensed is stored, having a fluid line leading from the storage container to the spray head and a hose line leading from the air pump to the spray head, wherein the spray head has a first nozzle which is in communication with the fluid line and, separately, has a second nozzle which is supplied with the air flow from the hose line and an atomisation zone is formed outside the spray head.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the second nozzle is orientated in the discharge direction and the first nozzle is arranged perpendicularly or at an angle of less than 90 relative to the discharge direction of the second nozzle.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head is arranged on a releasable closure of the storage container, or the spray head is formed in one piece with the closure or in one piece with the storage container.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head has a connection which is provided assigned to the nozzle and opposite to the discharge direction, said connection being connectable to the hose line in a media-tight manner.

5. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head, the closure or the storage container are provided to be exchangeable with respect to the housing.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein an air flow exits the first nozzle of the spray head for dispensing the fluid via the second nozzle from the storage container with a volume from 1 to 10 l/min.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid provided in the storage container is made of natural substances on a water basis.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the air pump generates an air flow which supplies the hose line leading to the spray head after leaving the air pump and supplies a pressure line leading to the receiving space, said pressure line building up a pressure in the receiving space for dispensing the fluid from the storage container.

9. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein the hose line opens into a closed pressure space in the spray head and the air accumulated in the pressure chamber exits via the second nozzle, or the second nozzle is directly in communication with the hose line.

10. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein the hose line or a pressure line or both have an air pressure regulator which is adjustable with a control element arranged on the housing.

11. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein the pressure line is arranged with a connector piece on the receiving space, preferably on the base of the receiving space and an inlet opening of the connector piece points into the receiving space.

12. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is formed as a cartridge having a cartridge base and has a displaceable base arranged in the cartridge, and an outlet opening is provided in a cartridge base which abuts the connecting piece in an air-tight manner; and the displaceable base has a sealing lip engaging an inner casing surface of the cartridge on its outer periphery.

13. (canceled)

14. The dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein the displaceable base has a bulge centrally in the base surface, said bulge pointing towards the interior of the storage container.

15. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is formed as a tubular bag which is inserted into the receiving space, and the receiving space is closed in an air-tight manner after the insertion of the tubular bag.

16. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head is arranged pivotably on the housing and the spray head is elevated from the housing and is transferrable into an open position for exchanging the storage container.

17. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head relative to the housing is displaceably received on the housing by a guide and is transferrable from a closed position into an open position for exchanging the storage container.

18. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line arranged in the spray head has a needle opposite to the nozzle which is immersed in a closure of the storage container during closing of the spray head; and the storage container has a self-healing closure for piercing and removing the needle of the fluid line.

19. (canceled)

20. The dispensing device according to claim 17, wherein a protective device for the needle of the fluid line is provided in the spray head, said protective device being transferred into a position which protects the needle during opening of the spray head relative to the housing by gravity or by means of an energy storage element and releases the needle during closing of the spray head.

21. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein an accumulator for supplying the drive motor and a charging connection are provided in the housing.

Description

[0028] The invention as well as further advantageous embodiments and developments of the same are described in further detail and explained in the following using the examples depicted in the drawings. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be applied individually or in any combination. Here are shown:

[0029] FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the dispensing device as a hand-held appliance,

[0030] FIG. 2 a schematic sectional view of a spray head of the dispensing device, said spray head being open to the housing,

[0031] FIG. 3 a dispensing device according to FIG. 1 having an alternatively formed storage container,

[0032] FIG. 4 a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment to FIG. 1,

[0033] FIG. 5 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device to FIG. 1,

[0034] FIG. 6 a schematic detail view of the embodiment of the dispensing device according to FIG. 5,

[0035] FIG. 7 a schematic sectional view of the alternative embodiment according to FIG. 5 and

[0036] FIG. 8 a schematic detail view of a spray head.

[0037] In FIG. 1, a schematic sectional view of a dispensing device 11 for a spray-like fluid is depicted. In particular, this dispensing device 11 is provided as a hand-held appliance for dispensing make-up. The dispensing device 11 comprises a housing 12 as well as a spray head 14 arranged on the housing 12. The spray head 14 is preferably provided to be releasable relative to the housing 12. For example, this spray head 14 can be provided to be pivotable relative to the housing 12 by means of a hinge 16, such that it is transferred from a closed position, as is depicted in FIG. 1, into a partially open position, as is depicted in FIG. 2, or into a fully open position. In the fully open position, the spray head 14 is pivoted relative to the housing 12, for example by more than 70 degrees.

[0038] An electric drive motor 18 is provided in the housing 12. This motor 18 is supplied, for example, by means of an accumulator 19. This motor can be provided to be exchangeable in the housing 12. Alternatively, both a wireless and a wired charging of the accumulator 19 can be provided. The dispensing device 11 is switched on and off by means of an operating button 21. The drive motor 18 drives an air pump 22. This air pump 22 is supplied with air by inlet openings 23 in the housing wall of the housing 12. One or more air inlet openings 23 can thus be provided in the housing wall. The air pump 22 comprises an outlet connector 25, through which an air flow generated by the air pump 22 is dispensed. A branch 26, for example, can be connected to these outlet connectors 25, the air flow generated being distributed by said branch 26. This air flow can be transferred into a pressure line 28 which leads into a receiving space 29 in the housing 12. Preferably, the pressure line 28 is attached to the base 32 of the receiving space 29 by means of a connecting piece 31 and has an inlet opening 34, which opens into the receiving space 29.

[0039] The air flow generated by the air pump 22 can furthermore be transferred by means of the branch 26 into a hose line 36. This hose line 36 leads into the spray head 14 and ends in a nozzle 38 for dispensing the air flow.

[0040] A storage container 41 can be inserted into the receiving space 29 of the housing 12. This storage container 41 receives the sprayable fluid, in particular make-up. The storage container 41 has a closure 42 on the dispensing side which is preferably formed as a self-healing closure. A fluid line 44 can be connected to this closure 42. Preferably, the fluid line 44 comprises a needle 45 pointing towards the closure 42, such that after the insertion of the storage container 41 into the receiving space 29 and a subsequent closing movement of the spray head 14 relative to the housing 12, the needle 45 of the fluid line 44 engages in the closure 42 and enables dispensing of the sprayable fluid.

[0041] The fluid line 44 has a nozzle 46 opposite the needle 45. This nozzle 46 for dispensing the fluid is provided separately from the nozzle 38 for dispensing the air flow to the spray head 14. For example, the nozzles 38, 46 are formed as small tubes. The atomisation of the fluid takes place in an atomisation zone 49 of the spray head 14, which is, for example, formed to be funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or similar.

[0042] An air pressure regulator 51 is preferably provided for controlling the air flow to be dispensed via the nozzle 38, said regulator 51 being adjustable via an operating element or control element 52, in particular a control wheel. Advantageously, such an air regulator 51 is also provided with a control element 52 in the pressure line 28.

[0043] The receiving space 29 is part of a housing wall or is adjacent to a housing wall, wherein the housing 12 advantageously comprises a viewing window 54 in the region of the storage container 41, in order to be able to identify the filling level in the storage container 41.

[0044] The storage container 41 according to FIG. 1 is formed as a cartridge which comprises a cartridge base 56 having a connection opening 57, which can be connected to the connecting piece 31 after the insertion of the storage container 41 into the receiving space 29, in particular can be latched or clipped. There is thus an air-tight connection between the connecting piece 31 and the storage container 41. Furthermore, a displaceable base 59 is preferably provided in the storage container 41, which has a sealing lip 61 on its outer side for sealing an inner space 62. The base 59 additionally has a bulge 63 which is orientated towards the inner space 62.

[0045] The operating button 21 is actuated for dispensing the sprayable fluid. The drive motor 18 is powered by the accumulator 19. The drive motor 18 drives the air pump 22, whereby an air flow is generated. The mass flow of the air flow is led into the storage container 41 via a pressure line 28, whereby an overpressure between the cartridge base 56 and the displaceable base 49 is built up.

[0046] The displaceable base 59 is displaced in the direction of the closure 42. The fluid is thus led to the nozzle 46 via the fluid line 44 and is dispensed. Simultaneously, the second mass flow of the air flow is led to the nozzle 38 via the hose line 36 and dispensed. An atomisation of the fluid thus takes place in the atomisation zone 49, whereby spraying of the sprayable fluid takes place in the dispensing direction according to arrow 65. In the case of a vacuum arising in which the fluid is pulled out of the nozzle 46 via the fluid line 44 by means of the air flow, the fluid space is balanced again in terms of pressure.

[0047] As soon as the operating button 21 is released or actuated once more, the drive motor 18 switches off. The pressure between the cartridge base 56 and the displaceable base 59 is thus reduced. The displaceable base 59 returns to its initial position, whereby a slight underpressure is generated, by means of which the fluid in the fluid line 44 is drawn back into the inner space 62 of the storage container 41 again.

[0048] The fluid line 44 is formed to be several times shorter in proportion to the hose line 36. The smaller amount collecting in the fluid line 44 is thus led back into the storage container 41 again after the drive motor 18 is switched off in order to avoid the fluid line drying out.

[0049] The spray head 14 is opened for exchanging the storage container 41, as this is depicted according to the arrow 67 in FIG. 2. Directly after the opening of the spray head 14, i.e. during raising of the housing 12, a protective device 71 is activated which surrounds the needle 45 in order to avoid danger of injury. The protective device 71 can be transferred into the protective position by means of an energy storage element 72. After replacement of the storage container 41, the spray head 14 is delivered to the housing 12 and the protective device 71 is returned to an initial position again, by contact with, for example, the closure 42 or a further abutment element on the housing 12.

[0050] In FIG. 3, the dispensing device 11 is formed for receiving a storage container 41 formed as a tubular bag. This arrangement differs from that of FIG. 1 in that the receiving space 29 is sealed in an air-tight manner after the insertion of the tubular bag, or the tubular bag is attached to an upper edge of the receiving space 29 in such a manner that a closed space between the base 32 of the receiving space 29 and the inserted tubular bag is created. A pressure can thus be built up again in the receiving space 29 in order to discharge the fluid from the tubular bag.

[0051] In FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment to FIGS. 1 and 2 is depicted.

[0052] The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 is described below with regard to the deviations. With respect to the further features and alternatives, reference is made to the above-mentioned description of the Figures.

[0053] In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the spray head 14 is not pivotable, but rather is transferrable from a closed position, as is shown in FIG. 4, into an open position by means of a guide 75. This guide 75 can be formed as a sliding guide which independently positions the spray head 14 relative to the housing 12 by a latching, both in the closed position and in the open position. The fluid line 44 and the needle 45 projecting into the closure 42 are led out vertically from the housing 12 by the displacement movement of the spray head 14 during opening or raising of the spray head 14. Subsequently, the receiving space 29 becomes accessible from an end face which also points in the exit direction 65 of the fluid. After the spray head 14 is fully elevated and the needle 45 is fully led out from the closure 42, the storage container 41 can be gripped from the front and led out. Subsequently, a new storage container 41 is firstly inserted into the receiving space 29 according to the direction of the arrow 76, wherein this storage container 29 is then transferred downwards at a right angle onto the connecting piece 31 by a guide surface 77 on the receiving space 29 in an insertion movement. After a further pressure movement onto the storage container 41 according to arrow 76, this storage container latches independently with the cartridge base 56 on the connecting piece 31. Preferably, a self-latching clip connection or similar is provided. Finally, the spray head 14 is, in turn, moved onto the housing 12 and the receiving space 29 is closed.

[0054] In this closed arrangement of the dispensing device 11, the end face which, for example, forms the window 54 in FIG. 1, is free, i.e. the viewing window 54 is not present. Instead, the storage container 41 has a viewing window in order to identify the filling level. This end face of the storage container 41 is flush with the housing 12.

[0055] In this embodiment, the receiving space 29 is formed to deviate in such a manner that this receiving space 29 has an open portion which is open forwards against the direction of insertion, said portion transitioning into a half-cylindrical wall portion 78 which is closed by the deflection surface 76 on an upper side. The base 32 of the receiving space 32 is provided opposite. The storage container 41 can thus be inserted simply from the front and connected to the connecting piece 31 in a latched manner.

[0056] The spray head 14 according to FIG. 4 is furthermore formed alternatively to that of FIG. 1. For example, the hose line 36 is not directly connected to the nozzle 38. Rather, a pressure space 39 is formed in the spray head 14, said pressure space 39 having a first opening 79 to which the hose line 36 is connected. This leads the air flow into the pressure space 39. Furthermore, the pressure space 39 is in communication with the nozzle 38, whereby the accumulated or pent-up air in the pressure space 39 is dispensed in the flow direction 65. Pressure fluctuations in the hose line with the air flow generated can be balanced by this pressure space 39.

[0057] Preferably, the nozzle 38 is formed as a small tube which projects at least partially into the pressure space 39. The fluid line 44 is also preferably formed as a small tube. This can be provided in all embodiments.

[0058] Also in this embodiment according to FIG. 4, it can be provided that the hose line 36 is directly in communication with the nozzle 38.

[0059] The hose line 36 is either flexible or provided with an excess length, such that the spray head 14 can also carry out a retraction movement or extension movement along the guide 75 relative to the housing 12.

[0060] The nozzle 44 and the nozzle 38 are advantageously arranged at an angle relative to each other of less than 90. These are also separated from each other.

[0061] In all embodiments, it can advantageously be provided that a filter element is provided in the housing interior assigned directly to the air inlet openings 23, such that no particles of dirt can pass into the housing interior in order to enable a longer lifespan of the air pump 22.

[0062] In FIG. 5, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device 11 to FIG. 1 is depicted. FIG. 6 shows the alternative dispensing device 11 according to FIG. 5 having a housing 12 which is partially not depicted. FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the dispensing device 11 according to FIG. 5 for further depiction of the arrangement of the individual components relative to one another.

[0063] The dispensing device 11 comprises a housing 12 which is exemplarily formed in two parts, such that a first housing half is removable from the second housing half. An exchange of at least the storage container 41 can thus take place in a simplified manner. It can alternatively be provided that a housing portion is removable from the housing 12, said housing portion 12 only enabling access for inserting a storage container 11 and/or a closure 42 and/or a spray head 14, such that all further components remain closed by the housing 12.

[0064] A motor 18 is provided in the housing 12 which is in contact with a control 17 on a lower end. Furthermore, the motor 18 is connected to accumulators 19, as is the control 17. The drive motor 18 can be activated by an operating button 21 on the housing 12, whereby an air pump 22 which generates an air flow is driven. This air flow is supplied to the spray head 14 via the hose line 36. In particular, the nozzle 38 is thus supplied with the air flow. A connection 81 is provided between the hose line 36 and the spray head 14. This connection 81 is preferably formed as a plug connection. By plugging or placing a connector on the spray head 14 in or on the hose line 36, a media-tight connection can be created. This connection can be releasable, such that the spray head 14 can be formed to be exchangeable.

[0065] The spray head 14 comprises the first nozzle 38 which has an exit direction for the air flow according to arrow 65. The second nozzle 46 is orientated at an angle preferably of less than 90, in particular 89 to 80. Stored fluid in the storage container 41 is dispensed via the second nozzle 46. An atomisation zone 49 is formed outside of the spray head 14 by this arrangement and orientation of the nozzles 38, 46 relative to each other. The fluid is conveyed out of the storage container 41 by the air flow dispensed from the nozzle 38, because an underpressure is generated on the nozzle 46 by the air flow of the nozzle 38. This embodiment of the spray head 14 has the advantage that, when the dispensing device 11 is switched off, the fluid is retracted from the fluid line 44, in particular the nozzle 46, and returns into the storage container 41. Drying out of the nozzle 64 can thus be prevented.

[0066] According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the storage container 41 and the closure 42 are formed in one piece. The spray head 14 is releasably attached thereon. Here, it can be provided by a flange connection, latch connection, clip connection, plug connection or screw connection. Alternatively, it can be provided that the spray head 14 and the closure 42 are formed in one piece, such that a simple mounting of the spray head 14 on the storage container 41 is possible. Alternatively, the spray head 14 and the storage container 41 can also be formed in one piece, such that these form a retail unit which can be completely inserted into the housing 12. The storage container 41 can comprise a supply air opening, such that there is independently a pressure equalisation in the storage container 41 during the dispensing the medium.

[0067] According to an alternative embodiment, the spray head 14 can have at least one nozzle 46 which, seen in cross-section, has a frusto-conical body surrounding the nozzle opening. The nozzle opening can be provided to be raised with respect to the frusto-conical surface. This nozzle 46 is preferably in the air flow exiting the first nozzle 38 with the mouth or the exit opening or is positioned adjacently to the air flow. A better flow around the nozzle 46 can thus take place by means of the air flow in the discharge direction 65 from the nozzle 38. Simultaneously, clogging of the nozzle 46 can thus be prevented over at least a longer period of time. The nozzle exit of the nozzle 38 can be in a surface bordering the atomisation zone 49 on the spray head 14 or can also have a frusto-conical contour 42.

[0068] It is preferably provided, and not depicted in more detail, that a protective cover can be placed on the spray head 14. Preferably, this protective cover can have one or more closure elements, wherein at least one closure element for the nozzle 46 dispensing fluid is provided. Thus, additionally, drying out can be prevented. Such a protective cover additionally serves to protect from damage.

[0069] Also in this alternative embodiment, an opening 79 can be provided on the housing 12, in order to read the filling level of the storage container 41 in a simple manner.

[0070] The spray head 14 and the atomisation zone 49 are depicted schematically enlarged in FIG. 8, in which the positioning and assignment of the nozzle 38 and the nozzle 49 is depicted. The nozzle opening of the nozzle 46 projects at least slightly into the fluid jet which is discharged from the nozzle 38, in order to atomise the medium supplied by this nozzle 46. The nozzle opening of the nozzle 46 protrudes relative to an inclined surface bordering the atomisation zone 49. This inclined surface is provided to be descending starting from the nozzle 38, such that the surface opens relative to the atomisation zone 49. The nozzle 38 can protrude relative to an end face of the spray head 14, as this is depicted in FIG. 8, or can, however, also be positioned flush with the end face of this inclined surface.