Metering dispenser

Abstract

A cost-effective metering dispenser configured to allow at least one component accommodated in a container, in particular in cartridge form, to be metered by a pumping unit, having an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a pumping cylinder as well as a pumping piston, which is inserted in the pumping cylinder and can be activated by an actuating element. The dispenser is economical to produce because of the straightforward construction of the pumping unit, that can be arranged in a sleeve, which continues the container and is formed in one piece with the container.

Claims

1. A dispenser for metering of at least one component, the dispenser comprising: a container accommodating the at least one component; and a pump unit comprising: an inlet valve; an outlet valve; a pump cylinder; and a pump piston inserted in the pump cylinder and activated by an actuating element; wherein the pump piston is formed as a single piece and the pump unit is inserted into a sleeve continuing the container and being integrally formed on the container with a portion of the pump piston contacting and being guided by an inner surface of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve includes in an interior of the sleeve at least one undercut or bead for latching with the pump cylinder and the pump piston; wherein the pump cylinder is pressed into the sleeve in a sealed manner and clamps with an underside of the pump cylinder to the inlet valve; and wherein the outlet valve is biased by a spring.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the spring is disposed on a spring clip and is formed with the pump piston in one piece via the hinge as well as a locking pin at the opposite side thereof.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the pump piston is guided in the pump chamber.

4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a cartridge.

5. A dispenser for metering of at least one component, the dispenser comprising: a container accommodating the at least one component; and a pump unit comprising: an inlet valve; an outlet valve; a pump cylinder; and a pump piston inserted in the pump cylinder and activated by an actuating element; wherein the pump piston is formed as a single piece and the pump unit is inserted into a sleeve continuing the container and being integrally formed on the container with a portion of the pump piston contacting and being guided by an inner surface of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve includes in an interior of the sleeve at least one undercut or bead for latching with the pump cylinder and the pump piston; wherein the pump cylinder is pressed into the sleeve in a sealed manner and clamps with an underside of the pump cylinder to the net valve; and wherein the outlet valve is biased by a spring; and wherein the outlet valve is formed as a ball valve.

6. A dispenser for metering of at least one component, the dispenser comprising: a container accommodating the at least one component; and a pump unit comprising: an inlet valve; an outlet valve; a pump cylinder; and a pump piston inserted in the pump cylinder and activated by an actuating element; wherein the pump piston is formed as a single piece and the pump unit is inserted into a sleeve continuing the container and being integrally formed on the container with a portion of the pump piston contacting and being guided by an inner surface of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve includes in an interior of the sleeve at least one undercut or bead for latching with the pump cylinder and the pump piston; wherein the pump cylinder is pressed into the sleeve in a sealed manner and clamps with an underside of the pump cylinder to the inlet valve; and wherein the outlet valve is biased by a spring; and wherein the inlet and the outlet valves are self-closing valves that open to pressure.

7. A dispenser for metering of at least one component, the dispenser comprising: a container accommodating the at least one component; and a pump unit comprising: an inlet valve; an outlet valve; a pump cylinder; and a pump piston inserted in the pump cylinder and activated by an actuating element; wherein the pump piston is formed as a single piece and the pump unit is inserted into a sleeve continuing the container and being integrally formed on the container with a portion of the pump piston contacting and being guided by an inner surface of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve includes in an interior of the sleeve at least one undercut or bead for latching with the pump cylinder and the pump piston; wherein the pump cylinder is pressed into the sleeve in a sealed manner and clamps with an underside of the pump cylinder to the net valve; and wherein the outlet valve is biased by a spring; and wherein a return spring for returning the pump piston is guided between the sleeve and the pump cylinder, outside of a flow of the component.

8. A dispenser for metering of at least one component, the dispenser comprising: a container accommodating the at least one component; and a pump unit comprising: an inlet valve; an outlet valve; a pump cylinder; and a pump piston inserted in the pump cylinder and activated by an actuating element; wherein the pump piston is formed as a single piece and the pump unit is inserted into a sleeve continuing the container and being integrally formed on the container with a portion of the pump piston contracting and being guided by an inner surface of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve includes in an interior of the sleeve at least one undercut or bead for latching with the pump cylinder and the pump piston; wherein the pump cylinder is pressed into the sleeve in a sealed manner and clamps with an underside of the pump cylinder to the inlet valve; and wherein the outlet valve is biased by a spring; and wherein the inlet valve is in the form of a membrane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail with reference to the drawings. They show in:

(2) FIG. 1 a container a metering dispenser with a pump unit (three views);

(3) FIG. 2 an embodiment of a pump piston (three views), and

(4) FIG. 3 a detailed view of a pump cylinder in two perspective views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an improved metering dispenser.

(6) With reference to the perspective view in FIG. 1, the basic concept of a metering dispenser is described, which consists of a container 1, here a cartridge with oval or semicircular shape, and a pump unit 2. In a dispenser, two or more of such containers 1 may be provided, each with a respectively associated pump unit. Advantageously, adjustment of the mixture of the individual components in the containers 1 can be carried out by turning a non-illustrated actuator. In many applications, however, a fixed setting of the mixing ratio is sufficient. The output of the component from the respective container 1 is effected by pressure on the pump piston 3 of the pump unit 2 via an actuator B, as is indicated only schematically. The pump piston 3 acts along with a pump cylinder 6, as shown in sectional views in FIG. 1 and shown enlarged in FIG. 3. This so-called pressure-suction pump unit 2 is inserted in a sleeve 7, which continues the container 1 at the top. In a favorable manufacturing the sleeve 7 is injection-molded together with the container 1, so that a stable, integral construction is obtained. In the annular space between the inside of the sleeve 7 and the outer periphery of the pump cylinder 6 a coil spring for returning the pump plunger 3 can be easily inserted.

(7) In the left section of FIG. 1 the pump piston 3 is shown in a non-operated state, while in the central representation the pump plunger 3 is pressed-down in the pump cylinder 6. Thus, the volume of the pump chamber 4a is reduced, so that an inlet valve 4 opens and in consequence the component is sucked-out of the container 1 and a spring-loaded outlet valve 4 opens. This one is formed by a ball, which is depressed by a spring 5 towards an associated valve seat in the pump piston 3. The pump piston 3 and the pump cylinder 6 are held within the sleeve 7 by circumferential beads 7, by latching these components with corresponding gradations (see for example, FIGS. 2 and 3) on the pump cylinder 6 and pump piston 3, locked in the sleeve 7. Thus, the pump cylinder 6, preferably formed of elastic plastic, is fixed in the sleeve 7 in a sealing manner or pressed-in, such that the bottom or underside of the pump cylinder 6 clamps the inlet valve 4, being particularly shaped as a membrane (see for example, FIG. 3, right perspective view).

(8) FIG. 2 shows the pump piston 3 in a side view, a cross-section, and a perspective view. This illustrates the structure of the outlet valve 4 and the associated spring 5, which is arranged on a spring clip 5a, being preferably injection-molded in one piece with the pump piston 3. Therein the spring clip 5a can include a film hinge 5b to be folded and locking pin 5c at the opposite side for locking at the wall of the pump piston 3. As can be seen, the plastic spring 5 is preferably formed in a meander shape on the spring clip 5a by injection-molding, so that a bias effect results and the spring 5 blocks upon actuation of the pump unit 2.

(9) In FIG. 3, the pump cylinder 6 is shown in perspective views from above and from below. As can be seen, the latter has a pump chamber 4a and on the outer periphery a collar design to seal the pump unit 2 relative to the sleeve 7 and the container 1, in particular during actuation of the pump piston 3, immersing into the pump chamber 4a. Of course, in this case the non-illustrated component is conveyed from the container 1 to an outlet nozzle. As indicated above, the dispenser might include a plurality of such containers 1 with respective pump units 2, so that in a center position of a control element, the two pump units have identical strokes or delivery volumes of 50% of the total discharge amount, each. In this case, the mixture contains equal parts of the two (or more) components of the two containers. At appropriate intermediate positions of the control element and thus corresponding discharge volumes, each component can be continuously varied between 0% and 100%. The container 1 can be formed in the manner of a bottle or a bag and might have different cross-sections.

(10) Here, the compact design of the described elements is important as especially the pump unit 2 is integrated into the sleeve 7 and preferably manufactured by injection-molding in an inexpensive manner, as well as detent or snap connections for easy assembling. Thus, the dispenser together with suitable containers 1, especially in the form of an oval cartridge as shown in FIG. 1, can be used for various materials, such as cosmetics. The pump unit can be also be used as a single dispenser or an adjustable two-component dispenser for highly viscous products with low dosage, such as shaving gel, two-component silicone (adhesive gel) or glue.

(11) The following claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention. The illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should not be taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.