Patent Application
20080029558
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a closeable dispensing device for dispensing a liquid, viscous or pasty medium contained in a container. The device has an outlet opening that serves for dispensing the medium, and a channel that extends between the container and the outlet opening. A closure device which is inserted into an opening of the dispensing device, is movable relative to the latter and is intended for closing the channel.
Dispensing devices of this type are described, for example, in published, non-prosecuted German patent applications DE 101 13 109 A1 and DE 102 00 748 A1 (corresponding to U.S. patent disclosure No. 2005/0023306 A1).
These and all other dispensing devices of this type, or, more precisely, the closure devices of the same, have to be constructed and disposed in such a manner that they, on the one hand, in the closed state close the container in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner, and that they, on the other hand, can be actuated with relatively little effort. However, under certain circumstances, the simultaneous fulfillment of both requirements can prove difficult. Problems may occur in particular if a high pressure prevails in the container, as can be the case, for example, if there is a carbonated beverage in the container. In order to prevent a gas or liquid from being able to escape from a pressurized container, the closure device and the dispensing-device opening, which receives the latter, have to be configured in such a manner that, under all circumstances, they bear against each other tightly and without any intermediate space. However, in the case of such a configuration of the closure device and the dispensing-device opening receiving the latter, the actuation of the closure device requires a high effort. In order to be able to actuate the closure device with little effort, the latter must not sit too firmly in the dispensing-device opening receiving the closure device. However, a less firm seat of the closure device in the dispensing-device opening receiving it has the consequence that the closure device does not so readily seal the container, with the result that gas and/or liquid may escape from the container. A sealed closure of the container and easy actuability of the closure device accordingly appear to be requirements that cannot be fulfilled simultaneously.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a closeable dispensing device which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices of this general type, in which a sealed closure of the container and easy actuability of the closure device are possible simultaneously.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a closeable dispensing device for dispensing a medium such liquid mediums, viscous mediums and pasty mediums contained in a container. The closeable dispensing device contains a spout having an outlet opening formed therein serving for dispensing the medium and a closure opening formed therein and bounded by a surface of the spout. A channel extends between the container and the outlet opening. A closure device is disposed in the closure opening and is movable relative to the closure opening. The closure device is provided for closing the channel. Elevations are disposed on the closure device and/or on the surface bounding the closure opening. The closure device and the surface bounding the closure opening come into contact only via the elevations.
The dispensing device according to the invention is distinguished in that the closure device and the surface bounding the opening come into contact only via elevations provided on the closure device or on the surface adjacent to the opening.
As a result, the closure device and the opening receiving the latter come into contact with each other only over a relatively small surface. This has the positive effect that the closure device can be moved with little effort. At the same time, however, the bead-like elevations perfectly seal the container, so that, in the closed state of the dispensing device, neither liquid nor gas can escape from the container.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the channel-is composed of a plurality of channel sections which can be moved, at least in part, relative to one another and, in an open state of the dispensing device, are disposed such that a through-channel is formed between the container and the outlet opening and, in a closed state of the dispensing device, are offset in relation to one another such that there is no through-channel formed between the container and the outlet opening.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, at least one of the channel sections runs through the closure device, and the one channel section together with the closure device can be moved relative to other ones of the channel sections.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a part of the closure device that is disposed in the closure opening is a cylindrical element having a longitudinal axis, and the dispensing device can be opened and can be closed by rotation of the cylindrical element about the longitudinal axis.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, a part of the closure device disposed in the closure opening is a slide, and the dispensing device can be opened and can be closed by displacement of the slide within the closure opening.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the closure opening receiving the closure device is an opening crossing the channel. The closure device and the closure opening are configured such that the elevations press against the surface bounding the closure opening or against the closure device, so that neither a liquid nor a gas can pass between the elevations and the closure device and between the elevations and the surface bounding the opening.
The closure device is formed from plastic materials having different properties. Preferably, the closure device is composed of a first plastic material, and the elevations or at least an uppermost layer of the elevations are composed of a second plastic material. The first plastic material is a stiff plastic material that can only be insubstantially deformed, if at all, and the second plastic material is a soft and elastically deformable plastic material.
In accordance with another further feature of the invention, the channel sections include a first channel section having a first channel opening that extends between the container and the closure device and a second channel section having a second channel opening that extends between the closure device and the outlet opening. The elevations are disposed such that, in the closed state of the channel: the first channel opening, facing the closure device, is encircled by a first of the elevations; and the second channel opening, facing the closure device, is encircled by a second of the elevations.
In accordance with another additional feature of the invention, the elevations include a first elevation encircling the closure device in a front region, and a second elevation encircling the closure device in a rear region. The closure device and the surface defining the closure opening together define a pressure-equalizing opening, and at least one of the first and second elevations encircling the closure device has interruptions formed therein. The interruptions are connected to the pressure-equalizing opening, via which, during the opening of the dispensing device, pressure between a container interior and a region surrounding the dispensing device can be equalized. Preferably, the pressure-equalizing opening and the outlet opening are different openings.
Ideally, the pressure-equalizing opening is disposed such that an individual who is opening the dispensing device with his mouth, or who positions the outlet opening in his mouth as the dispensing device is being opened, cannot, or need not, breath in gases which pass out of the pressure-equalizing opening as the container is vented.
The pressure-equalizing opening is a gap formed between the closure device and an end of the closure opening which receives the closure device, the end is adjacent to the first or second elevation having the interruptions.
The dispensing device is constructed such that, in the closed state of the dispensing device, there is no connection between the pressure-equalizing opening and the container.
Furthermore, the dispensing device is constructed such that, during a movement of the closure device which has to be carried out in order to move the dispensing device from the closed state into the open state, first of all a connection is produced between the pressure-equalizing opening and the container, and only then is a connection produced between the outlet opening and the container.
In addition, the dispensing device is constructed such that a connection between the pressure-equalizing opening and the container is broken if there is a connection between the outlet opening and the container.
In accordance with another further feature of the invention, the elevations are formed as ribs disposed on the closure device, or he elevations are webs disposed on the closure device. The elevations may have a semicircular cross section, a semi-oval cross section, or a polygonal cross section.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, a surface with which the elevations come into contact does not have any depressions assigned to the elevations. A surface with which the elevations come into contact have depressions assigned to the elevations and the elevations come to lie in the depressions.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a closeable dispensing device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to
It should be pointed out at this juncture, however, that the dispensing device described below is not restricted to such a use. It is also possible for the dispensing device—if appropriate following corresponding adaptation to the given conditions—to be used for containers other than a drink bottle, and for them to dispense different liquid, viscous or pasty media, for example medicaments, soaps, oils, perfumes, detergents, etc.
In the example in question, the dispensing device presented here is entirely composed of a plastic material, but it could also be only partially produced from plastic, or from any other desired materials.
In the example in question, the dispensing device described is configured for being screwed onto a non-illustrated bottleneck. It is not absolutely necessary, however, for the dispensing device to be fastened to the bottleneck by being screwed onto the same. It is also possible for the fastening to take place in any other desired manner, for example by plugging on, plugging in, screwing in, adhesive bonding, etc.
The dispensing device presented here contains a spout part 2 that is fixed (in the state in which the dispensing device has been fastened on the bottle neck), and a closure device 3 that is plugged into the spout part 2 and can be moved relative to the spout part 2.
The spout part 2 contains a fastening section 21, a cap holding section 22, a closure device receiving section 23, and a spout section 24.
The fastening section 21 serves for fastening the spout part 2 to the neck of a bottle and is similar to a screw closure that can be screwed onto the bottleneck. However, unlike a normal screw closure, the fastening section 21 is not fully closed upward; it has a connection to a channel section 233, which is described in more detail later on.
The cap holding section 22 disposed above the fastening section 21 is a cylindrical structure that is hollow on the inside and is encircled laterally on the outside by ribs 221 and 222, with which a cap that can be placed onto the dispensing device from the top can latch. The cap serves for protecting the dispensing device against soiling and for protecting against an unintentional opening of the dispensing device. The cap is in the shape, for example, of a cup and is not shown in the figures.
The closure device receiving section 23 disposed above the cap holding section 22 is passed through in the horizontal direction by a closure device receiving opening 231, which has a circular cross section. The closure device 3 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 can be plugged into the opening 231. The opening 231 is encircled at one end, more precisely at the end illustrated on the left in
In the example in question, the spout section 24 provided above the closure device receiving section 23 has, as is apparent in particular from
The closure device 3 is formed by a cylindrical element 31 and a lever 32 connected to one of the two ends of the cylindrical element 31. In the assembled state of the dispensing device, the cylindrical element 31 is plugged into the opening 231 (already mentioned above) of the spout part 2. The cylindrical element 31 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis within the opening 231. The rotation takes place here by the lever 32.
The cylindrical element 31 is passed through transversely to its longitudinal axis by the third channel section 311 (already mentioned above). In the example in question, the third channel section 311 has the same cross section as the first and the second channel sections 233 and 234.
As has already been mentioned above, whether the dispensing device is open or closed depends on the position of the closure device 3 within the opening 231. The dispensing device is open when the closure device 3 is in a position in which the channel sections 233, 234 and 311 are aligned and form a continuous channel by which the drink bottle and the drink opening 241 are connected. The closure device 3 is in this position when the lever 32 protrudes laterally at a right angle from the dispensing device. This position is referred to below as the opening position of the closure device. The dispensing device is closed when the closure device 3 is rotated in relation to the above-described opening position until the channel sections 233, 234 and 311 no longer overlap one another. In the correct closed position, the closure device 3 is rotated through 90° in relation to the opening position. The closure device 3 is in this position when the lever 32 protrudes vertically upwards.
In the correct closed position of the closure device 3, a region of the cylindrical element 31 that is denoted in the figures by the reference number 312 comes to lie over the channel section 233 of the spout part 2. The region 312 is completely encircled by an elevation 313. In the example in question, the elevation 313 is a bead-like elevation with a semicircular cross section. The same also applies to further elevations 314 to 316 which are described in more detail later on and are provided on the cylindrical element 31. As described in more detail later on, the elevations 313 to 316, however, may also have any other desired shape.
The elevation 313 is dimensioned in such a manner that it reaches as far as the surface bounding the opening 231 and is in contact with this surface over the entire length of the elevation 313. In the correct closed position of the closure device, the channel section 233 is therefore upwardly closed in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner by the region 312 of the cylindrical element 31 and the elevation 313 surrounding the region 312.
As has already been indicated above, diverse further elevations 314 to 316 are furthermore provided on the side surfaces of the cylindrical element 31. More precisely a second elevation 314 encircles the upper and the lower mouth opening of the channel section 311 and that region of the cylindrical element 31 which lies opposite the region 312. A third elevation 315 is provided between the elevations 312, 313 and the lever 32 and completely encircles the cylindrical element 31. A fourth elevation 316 is provided on the opposite side of the elevations 312, 313 and encircles the cylindrical element 31 with interruptions 317.
The second, third and fourth elevations 314, 315 and 316 are, like the first elevation 313, dimensioned in such a manner that they reach as far as the surface bounding the opening 231 and are in contact with this surface over the entire length of the elevation 313.
The third elevation 315 and the fourth elevation 316 serve for stabilizing the position of the cylindrical element 31 within the opening 231; they in particular prevent the cylindrical element 31 from being able to execute tilting movements within the opening 231.
The interruptions 317 present in the fourth elevation 316 are connected to the pressure-equalizing opening (already mentioned above), which is formed by the interruptions in the web 232, and, in interaction therewith, make it possible for a venting or ventilation of the drink bottle, or more precisely a dissipation of the positive pressure or negative pressure prevailing in the drink bottle, to be able to take place during the movement of the closure device 3 from the closed position into the opening position.
The second elevation 314 ensures that the venting of the drink bottle during the movement of the closure device 3 from the closed position into the opening position can take place exclusively via the interruptions 317, and not also via the drinks opening 241, and that there is no connection between the drinks bottle interior and the interruptions 317 when and for as long as there is a connection between the drink bottle interior and the drink opening 241.
At that end of the cylindrical element 31 that lies opposite the end carrying the lever 32, a groove 318 completely encircling the cylindrical element 31 is provided in the cylindrical element 31. In the assembled state of the dispensing device, the web 232 of the spout part 2 comes to lie in the groove 318. The groove 318 has the effect, in interaction with the web 232, that the closure device 3 cannot be unintentionally pulled out of the opening 231 of the spout part 2.
To clarify the function of the above-described components of the dispensing device presented here, the operations arising during the opening and closing of the dispensing device are described below.
It is assumed that the closure device 3 is inserted correctly into the opening 231 of the spout part 2. In this state, the web 232 of the spout part 2 is situated within the groove 318 of the closure device 3, as a result of which the closure device 3 is held in its correct position within the opening 231 of the spout part 2 and cannot be unintentionally pulled out of it. Let it be assumed that the closure device 3 is first in the closed position. In this position, the region 312 of the closure device 3 comes to lie above the upper end of the first channel section 233, and the first elevation 313 encircling the region 312 seals the intermediate space between the first channel section 233 and the region 312 to the side in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner. In this state, the first channel section 233 and therefore also the drink bottle bearing the dispensing device are upwardly closed in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner by the region 312 and the first elevation 313.
If, starting from this state, the closure device 3 begins to be rotated with the aid of the lever 32 into the opening position, then those parts of the closure device which close the first channel section 233, i.e. the region 312 and the first elevation 313, move away from the first channel section 233. In the process, the first channel section 233 is initially connected to the intermediate space between the first elevation 313 and the second elevation 314. The intermediate space is connected via the interruptions 317 of the fourth elevation 316 and the pressure-equalizing opening formed in the web 232 by the interruptions, to the region surrounding the dispensing device. A positive pressure or negative pressure prevailing in the drink bottle can be dissipated via this connection. The equalization of the pressure takes place exclusively via the pressure-equalizing opening, and cannot also take place via the drink opening 241 because at this time there is still no connection between the first channel section 233 and the second channel section 234. It has proven advantageous that the equalization of the pressure does not take place via the drink opening 241 but rather exclusively via the pressure-equalizing opening, which is at a relatively far distance away from the drink opening and is provided on the side of the closure device receiving section 23, because, as a result, even if the individual drinking from the drink bottle opens the drink bottle with his mouth, or positions the drink opening 241 in his mouth as the dispensing device is being opened, cannot, or need not, breath in gases which pass out of the drink bottle interior. The act of breathing in these gases, in particular when there is a carbonated beverage in the drink bottle, is not without its problems. This is because the gas that passes out in this case is carbon dioxide, and breathing the latter in could result in the individual who wishes to drink from the bottle suffering from a lack of oxygen and the associated side effects.
As the closure device 3 continues to be rotated in the direction of the opening position, that region of the cylindrical element 31 that is encircled by the second elevation 314 comes to lie over the first channel section 233. Since the region encircled by the second elevation 314 is sealed to the side in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner by the second elevation 314, there is no longer any connection between the first channel section 233 and the pressure-equalizing opening, so that an equalization of the pressure can no longer take place via the pressure-equalizing opening. An equalization of the pressure is also no longer required in this phase since the positive pressure or negative pressure prevailing in the drink bottle has already been dissipated and it is not possible for a positive pressure or negative pressure to build up again in the meantime.
As the closure device continues to be rotated in the direction of the opening position, the third channel section 311 finally comes to lie over the first channel section 233. In this state, there is a through-connection between the drink bottle interior and the drink opening 241 via the first channel section 233, the third channel section 311 and the second channel section 234. The closure device 3 has reached its opening position in which an individual can use the drink opening 241 to drink the liquid contained in the drink bottle. However, the connection between the drink bottle interior and the pressure-equalizing opening continues to remain broken, so that no liquid can escape from the pressure-equalizing opening during drinking.
To close the dispensing device, the closure device 3 has to be rotated back again into the closed position. In this case, the above-described operations proceed in the reverse sequence.
The elevations 313 to 316 have the effect that only certain parts of the cylindrical element 31, namely only the elevations, can come into contact with the surface bounding the opening 231, so that the surface via which the cylindrical element 31 and the surface bounding the opening 231 come into contact is very small. This has the positive effect that, when rotating the cylindrical element 31, only a relatively small frictional force occurs between the cylindrical element and the surface bounding the opening 231, and the cylindrical element 31 can be rotated with correspondingly little effort.
It has proven advantageous if the closure device 3 is produced using plastic materials having different properties. In the example in question, the closure device 3 is composed of a first plastic material that is stiff and is only slightly deformable, if at all, and of a softer and elastically deformable second plastic material. In the example in question, a hard and tough polypropylene is used as the first plastic material, and a thermoplastic elastomer with a Shore A hardness of between 50 and 95 is used as the second plastic material. In this case, most of the closure device 3 is produced from the first plastic material, and only the upper layer of the region situated between the third elevation 315 and the fourth elevation 316 is produced from the second plastic material. The production of at least the upper layer of the elevations 313 and 314 from the second plastic material has proven advantageous because the elevations 313 and 314 press, as a result, elastically over their entire length against the surface bounding the opening 231 and therefore particularly good sealing of the regions situated on the near side and far side of the elevations 313 and 314 is obtained. This effect can be reinforced if the first elevation 313 and the second elevation 314 are configured to be somewhat higher than the third elevation 315 and the fourth elevation 316, with the outside diameter of the cylindrical element 31, which outside diameter is measured across the elevations 315 and 316, preferably approximately corresponding to the inside diameter of the opening 231, and with the outside diameter of the cylindrical element 31, which outside diameter is measured across the elevations 313 and 314, preferably being somewhat larger than the inside diameter of the opening 231. Furthermore, it may also prove advantageous if, in addition, the core of that end section of the cylindrical element that is provided with the groove 318 is composed of the second plastic material. This will confer a certain degree of elasticity on this end section too, and the end section, upon insertion into the opening 231, can more easily pass by the web 232 protruding into the opening 231.
It should be expressly pointed out at this juncture that the plastic materials mentioned by name above are to be considered only as examples. It is also possible for any other desired plastic materials to be used as the first plastic material and as the second plastic material. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned at this juncture that, in the example in question, the spout part 2 is produced from a hard or medium hard polyethylene. However, this is also to be considered only as an example; the spout part 2 may also be produced from any other desired plastic materials.
In the closed position of the closure device 3, the lever 32 stands vertically upwards, as has already been explained above, and protrudes here over the spout section 24 of the spout part 2. At the upper end of the lever, a plate 321 is provided which, in the closed position of the closure device, comes to lie over the drinks opening 241 and prevents dirt or insects from being able to enter the latter. In the opening position of the closure device, the lever 32 is rotated through 90° and protrudes laterally. In this position, the lever 32 protrudes over the dispensing device to the side and prevents the cap (which has already been mentioned above and is not shown in the figures) from being placed onto the dispensing device.
The elevations 313 to 316 are, as has already been mentioned above, bead-shaped elevations with a semicircular cross section. As has likewise already been mentioned above, they are not, however, restricted to this. The elevations may also have any other desired cross section, for example a semi-oval or an angular (square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) cross section. The elevations 313 to 316 do not have to be bead-like elevations either. They may also be formed by ribs, narrow webs, etc. Although it is currently considered particularly advantageous that the elevations 313 to 316 are bead-like elevations with a circular cross section, the precise appearance of the elevations 313 to 316 is of secondary importance. Of primary importance is that the elevations 313 to 316 are configured in such a manner that the surface via which the elevations come into contact with the surface bounding the opening 231 is as small as possible.
In particular, when ventilation and/or venting of the drink bottle is not to take place via a separate pressure-equalizing opening, it can also be provided to configure the cylindrical element 31 without the elevations 313 to 316 being formed and, instead, on the surfaces bounding the opening 231, to provide elevations which project into the opening, more precisely extend as far as the cylindrical element 31, and are shaped and configured in the same manner as the above-described elevations 313 to 316. For example, it could be provided that the opening via which the first channel section 233 opens into the opening 231, and/or the opening via which the second channel section 234 opens into the opening 231, is/are encircled by one elevation encircling the particular opening. Such a construction of the dispensing device would also have the positive effect that the cylindrical element 31 can be rotated with little effort under all circumstances.
In the example in question, the surfaces with which the elevations 313 to 316 come into contact, i.e. the surface bounding the opening 231 or the outside of the cylindrical element 31, do not have any associated depressions into which the elevations 313 to 316 protrude. However, it could also be provided, at least for certain elevations, for example for the third elevation 315 and/or the fourth elevation 316, to provide in the surfaces, with which they come into contact, associated depressions into which the elevations protrude. However, care should also be taken here to ensure that the cylindrical element 31 and the surface bounding the opening 231 come into contact only via the elevations 313 to 316, and the elevations can look after the above-described functions.
It should be clear and does not need any more detailed explanation that the provision of elevations of the type described also proves advantageous in the case of a dispensing device of the type described in published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 101 13 109 A1, and also in all other dispensing devices in which a closure device, however it is constructed, is inserted into an opening of the dispensing device and has to be moved relative to the opening to open and close the dispensing device. The effect also achieved in such dispensing devices by the elevations is that the surface via which the closure device and the opening are in contact is minimized, so that the closure device can move relatively easily and nevertheless perfectly seals the drink bottle. In the case of these dispensing devices, it has likewise, of course, also proven advantageous if the elevations or at least the uppermost layer of the same are composed of a soft and elastically deformable plastic material.
The dispensing device described proves advantageous irrespective of the details of implementing it in practice: a sealed closure of the container and easy actuability of the closure device can be achieved simultaneously by it.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2004 037 411.2 | Jul 2004 | DE | national |
This is a continuing application, under 35 U.S.C. §120, of copending international application PCT/EP2005/053649, filed Jul. 26, 2005, which designated the United States; this application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German patent application DE 10 2004 037 411.2, filed Jul. 30, 2004; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP05/53649 | Jul 2005 | US |
| Child | 11699832 | Jan 2007 | US |
