The present application claims priority to German Patent Application Serial No. DE 10 2019 103 587.2 filed by the present inventor on Feb. 13, 2019.
The aforementioned German patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a device for applying a liquid of different viscosity to a surface to be wetted, having a reservoir for the liquid arranged in a housing, a valve unit for the metered discharge of the liquid from an outlet opening of the reservoir and an application unit connected to the valve unit on its outer side facing away from the liquid container.
The device described at the beginning is known from the state of the art in various forms.
For example, devices are offered with which shoe polish can be distributed on surfaces. Other applications are known from the cosmetic field, where liquids or creams can be applied to skin areas by means of the appropriate devices. Such devices are usually equipped with a valve unit which can be opened or closed by means of a cover cap which can be attached to the application unit from outside.
For example, a product storage and dispensing device is known from EP 1 293 440 B1, in particular for cosmetic products, in which a container containing the product has an opening which is equipped with a valve unit and in which a structure is mounted on the container, the removable structure being designed in such a way that an operation of the valve unit is brought about by means of an attached cover cap, wherein the cover cap also serves to cover an application unit arranged on the outside of the device for distributing the liquid located inside the reservoir.
The above-mentioned publication offers different embodiments with regard to the valve unit and the application unit to ensure that the valve unit is operated to close and release the outlet opening of the reservoir.
As already described above, the field of application of such a device known from the state of the art is manifold. In general, it ranges from the cleaning of sensitive surfaces such as displays of smartphones, tablets, laptops, scanners, cash register scanners, TV-devices to cleaning of glasses, optical lenses, glass panes, and medical technology, where fields of application for the application and incorporation of medical tinctures and healing ointments on the skin are known. In addition, as mentioned above, fields of application from the cosmetics and household sector are obvious.
Common to all fields of application is that the liquids of different viscosity applied by means of the known devices have to be applied by the user in a well-metered manner to the surface to be wetted. The application requires a great deal of attention to ensure that no excessive amount of liquid is applied to the surface in an uncontrolled manner by the application unit.
Practical applications have shown that, despite appropriate attention by the user, there is often a need to remove a part of the applied liquid from the wetted surface again. For this purpose, a separate removal cloth, a cotton ball or other objects with a certain absorption capacity for the liquid used have hitherto been necessary.
The procurement of appropriate removal cloths is sometimes associated with a corresponding amount of effort, so that in a considerable number of cases in which a repeated removal of excess liquid is not possible due to a lack of removal cloths or similar, the intended cleaning effect cannot be optimally realized due to the application of liquid.
Starting from the various devices known from the state of the art for the application of a liquid of different viscosity to a surface to be wetted with the features mentioned in the generic part of claim 1, it is an object of the invention to further develop a device of the described type in such a way that, under given conditions, the removal of excess liquid from the surface to be wetted is possible at any time and thus an optimum application and cleaning effect can be achieved with the corresponding devices. Furthermore, the device according to the invention should be inexpensive to manufacture and flexible with regards to its application and the liquids used.
The described object is solved by the technical teachings presented in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
It is essential for the invention of the independent claims that a removal device for removing excess liquid from the surface wetted by the application unit is arranged on the side of the reservoir opposite the valve unit.
The teachings according to the invention ensure, by means of the additional removal device firmly connected to the device for applying a liquid, that excess liquid can be removed again from the surface to be cleaned and wetted at any time without the need for separate removal cloths. This significantly simplifies the handling of corresponding devices, as unnecessary efforts to obtain separate cloths can be eliminated.
Special features of the subject-matter of the invention may result additionally from the features of the dependent claims.
In particular, it has been shown to be advantageous if the removal device has a working surface provided with a microfiber cloth, the working surface being located on the outside of a device housing which is connected to the reservoir. The microfiber cloth used combines a removal of excess liquid with a polishing option through the liquid used, so that especially sensitive surfaces, such as mobile phone or tablet displays, can be cleaned easily and reliably without streaks.
In addition, it has proven to be advantageous if a coupling unit for separating and connecting the components is arranged between the device housing and the housing of the reservoir. Thus, the removal device can be replaced by the coupling unit located on the device housing, so that, for example, a soaked microfiber cloth can be replaced by a fresh and absorbent one.
In addition, it is possible to adapt the device according to the invention for liquids of different viscosity, since the removal device can be optimally adapted to the liquid in the reservoir.
With regard to the design of the coupling unit, it has proven to be useful to fix it detachably to the reservoir by means of one or more connecting clips.
In order to further increase the use time of the device according to the invention, it has been shown to be advantageous, in addition to the replaceability of the removal device, for the housing to have an interior space into which a separate can-shaped container filled with the liquid is replaceably inserted. The described constructional design is also advantageous with regard to sustainability, as the device does not have to be disposed of after emptying the reservoir, but the device can be made functional again by placing a separate container filled with liquid in the housing of the reservoir.
In addition, it is preferable to provide the removal device with a protective cap that can be covered, since, especially in the case where liquid has already been taken up by the removal device, an unintentional return of the liquid taken up is reliably ruled out by putting on the cover cap.
It may also be advantageous if the removal device under the microfiber cloth has a sponge-like element to store the liquid absorbed by the microfiber cloth. The described measure can additionally extend the use time before the necessary replacement of the removal device, since a larger quantity of liquid can be removed from the wetted surface.
In a further preferred aspect, the application unit and/or the removal device are each mounted on the housing via an adapter. For this purpose, the application unit and/or the removal device can be connected to the respective adapter(s) by one of a bayonet lock, a thread, a detachable rivet connection, a clip connection, and/or a threadless section which can be slipped on, plugged on or clamped on.
In a further preferred aspect, the adapter can be connected to the housing by means of a form closure, a clip and a thread and/or slipped on, plugged on or clamped on over an upper area.
In another preferred aspect, the bayonet lock is designed in such a way that a plurality of recesses allows a plurality of cylindrical projections of the application unit and/or the removal device a relative movement in axial direction between the application unit and/or the removal device to the respective adapter.
In a further preferred aspect, a microfiber cloth can be connected to the application unit and/or the removal device by one of a hook and loop fastener, an adhesion configuration, an adhesive, an overwrapping of an elastic edge of the microfiber cloth and barbs on a ring groove. A hook and loop fastener, an adhesion configuration and/or an adhesive could be positioned between the microfiber cloth and the application unit and/or the removal device. Adhesive could be applied to either or both of the microfiber cloth and the mating application unit and/or removal device. A possible adhesion configuration could be provided by positive interlocking of microscopically small pores and depressions between the materials involved.
Below, two examples of the subject matter of the invention are explained in more detail using the attached drawings. It shows:
The device shown in
Reservoir 2 has an outlet opening 4 at its top as shown in
The application unit 5 is equipped with an application element 7 on its upper side facing away from the valve unit 3. The application element 7 can be made of a suitable fluid or the like and is permeable for the liquid supplied from below through the valve unit 3. Below the application element 7, there is advantageously a connecting part 8 made of elastic material, which has a passage channel 9 for the liquid in its center and is equipped with an intermediate space 10.
Application element 7 and connecting part B form an assembly unit which, in the assembled state of the device according to the invention, is covered by a closure cap 11 when not in use. The closure cap 11 can be screwed onto the body 1 of the device by means of a thread, as shown in
If, with the aid of the device according to the invention, liquid from the reservoir 2 is applied to a surface to be wetted via the application unit 5, pressure from above on the application element 7 reduces the intermediate space 10 and an impulse is applied to the valve unit, which causes it to transport liquid from the reservoir 2 via the outlet opening 4 and the passage channel 9 to the top of the application unit 5 by means of a pumping movement.
The liquid located on the application element 7 is transferred to the surface to be wetted (skin, display or similar) due to the translatory movement of the entire device.
In order to remove excess liquid from the wetted surface, the device is equipped with a removal device 12 on the lower side of the housing 1 opposite the application unit 5. The closure flap 13 can be connected to the housing 1 in the same way as the closure cap 11 by means of a screw device or by clipping.
The removal device 12 essentially consists of an elastic outer part 14 and a fixed inner part 15, which is screwed into housing 1. The outer part 14 and the inner part 15 can be designed replaceable in a suitable manner. On the outside of the outer part 14, this is covered by a suitable removal means, for example a microfiber cloth 16, which extends around the side surfaces of the outer part 14 and serves as a suitable working surface for absorbing excess liquid from the wetted surface. Alternatively, the material can be leather or another suitable material.
The inner part 15 has a central recess 17 as shown in
In addition, the replaceability of the removal device 12 has the advantage that the elastic consistency and liquid absorption capacity of the outer part 14 can be adapted to the liquid consistency in reservoir 2.
As can be seen, the variant of the device according to the invention shown in
A possible variant of replenishment is illustrated in the design variant of
On the top of valve unit 21, facing away from housing 1, there is an application unit 22, analogous to the embodiment variant in
According to the invention, a removal device 24 is arranged on the bottom of the can-shaped container 20 opposite the valve unit 21 analogous to the embodiment variant of
The individual parts of the second variant of the device for the application of a liquid according to the invention are again clarified in the exploded diagram in
As mentioned above, both the application unit 5 or 22 and the removal device 12 or 24 are covered on their outside with the removal means of a microfiber cloth 16 or 27. The different reference numbers of the above-mentioned components refer to the respective designs as shown in
The application and removal means in the form of the microfiber cloths 16, 27 are drawn around the edge of the element 25 or the outer part 14, as shown in the figures. The outer parts 14 and the element 25 each have an annular groove 29 accessible via the channel 28 from the rear side, i.e. the side facing the housing 1. The annular groove 29 is formed around the circumference. The annular groove 29 has a substantially oval shape, with the longitudinal extension parallel to the outer sides covered with the microfiber cloths 16, 27 being longer than the width perpendicular to it. Barbs 30 and 31 are located on the two edges of the entrance to channel 28 facing the annular groove.
When assembling the removal device 12 or 24 as well as the application unit 5 and 22, the covering take-off sleeve in the form of the microfiber fabric liner 16, 27 is inserted into the annular groove 29 by suitable assembly-side measures. The barbs 30 and 31 located at the exit of channel 28 facing the annular groove 29 keep the microfiber clothes 16, 27 in position.
The elements 14, 25 equipped with the removal means in the form of microfiber cloths 16, 27 are designed to be exchangeable in accordance with an advantageous further development, where the corresponding microfiber cloths 16, 27 themselves can also be designed to be exchangeable as described below by way of example.
As shown in
As can be seen in
The bayonet lock 44, 52 is designed in such a way that the plurality of recesses 43, 51 allow the plurality of cylindrical projections 57 of the application unit 22 and/or the removal device 24 a relative movement in axial direction between the application unit 22 and/or the removal device 24 and the adapter 38, 39 or housing 1 of the device according to the invention. The special feature of the relative movability of the application unit 22 to the first adapter 38 is maintained for the pumping movement. On the opposite side at the removal device 24, this constructive variant of the bayonet lock 51 allows a relative movement between the removal device 24 and the second adapter 39 to provide a little play to prevent scratches. Optionally, the constructive configuration of the bayonet lock 44, 52 also serves to hold the application unit 22 or the removal device 24 in a special position in relation to the adapters 38, 39 and to hinder relative movement (not shown).
As shown in
All previously described variants of the application unit 22 can also be regarded as variants for the removal device 24, since the application unit 22 differs from the removal device 24 only by the passage channel 9.
The skilled person will recognize that it is possible to redesign the lower section 56 of the application unit 22 and/or the removal device 24 in such a way that the connection to the first adapter 38 or the second adapter 39 can be made by one of a bayonet lock, a detachable rivet connection, a clip connection and a thread or by slipping, plugging or clamping.
The skilled person will recognize that the device according to the invention is not limited to the foregoing. As particularly advantageous, the skilled person will recognize that the device according to the invention can be considered as a metering device, since no contamination can get into the container.
If a user wishes to wet a surface with a metered liquid of different viscosity for cleaning or moistening without coming into direct contact with the liquid, the upper cap 11, 23, 33, 61 of the device according to the invention is first removed from the housing 1 by the possibilities described. If necessary, the application unit 5, 22 can be provided with a new fresh microfiber cloth 16, 27. It is particularly advantageous here that the application unit, which is normally fixed by the bayonet lock, possibly with a degree of freedom of translation, can be detached from the device so that it can be replaced as a whole, or so that the microfiber cloth can be replaced more easily. Optionally, the application unit 5, 22 is then moved from the special position to the first adapter 38 in the bayonet lock 44 to allow relative movement between the application unit 5, 22 and the first adapter 38. The relative pumping movement between the application unit 5, 22 and the first adapter 38 reduces the gap 10 and exerts an impulse on the valve unit 21, which causes the liquid in the container 20 or in the reservoir 2 to be transported via the outlet opening 4 and the passage channel 9 to the top of the application unit 5, 22 and finally to the microfiber cloth 16, 27. By repeating the pumping movement, the amount of liquid on the microfiber cloth 16, 27 can be metered. By translatory movement of the entire device, the liquid on the microfiber cloth 16, 27 is transferred to the surface to be wetted (skin, display or similar).
After the surface has been wetted with metered liquid for cleaning or moistening, the application unit 5, 22 can optionally be moved back into the special position to the first adapter 38 in the bayonet lock 44 to prevent relative movement between the application unit 5, 22 and the first adapter 38 in the assembled state. After the upper cap 11, 23, 33, 61 has been attached back to the housing 1, the device according to the invention can be turned by 180 degrees. Now the lower cap 13, 26, 36, 62 of the device according to the invention is removed from housing 1 by the possibilities described. If necessary, the removal device 24 can be provided with anew fresh microfiber cloth 16, 27. It is particularly advantageous here that the removal device, which is normally fixed by the bayonet lock, possibly with a degree of freedom of translation, can be detached from the device so that it can be replaced as a whole, or so that the microfiber cloth can be replaced more easily. Optionally, the removal device 24 is then moved from the special position to the second adapter 39 in the bayonet lock 52 to allow relative movement or play between the removal device 24 and the second adapter 39. By translatory movement of the entire device, excessive liquid is removed from the wetted surface by the microfiber cloth 16, 27, thus wiping the surface dry. After the surface is dry, the removal device 24 can optionally be moved back into the special position to the second adapter 39 in the bayonet lock 52 to prevent relative movement between the removal device 24 and the second adapter 39 in the assembled state. Finally, the lower cap 13, 26, 36, 62 is attached to the housing 1 again.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2019 103 587.2 | Feb 2019 | DE | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200254479 A1 | Aug 2020 | US |