Patent Application
20160332180
The invention relates to a liquids dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids, or liquids of the foodstuffs sector. A liquids dispenser of the generic type is equipped with a liquids reservoir in which the liquid is stored prior to discharging, with an outlet duct through which the liquid may be dispensed to an environment, and with a pump chamber which, proceeding from an initial state having the maximum pump chamber capacity, is volumetrically reducible by manual actuation of the pump by means of an actuation handle. Here, in the case of a liquids dispenser of the generic type an inlet valve assembly is provided between the liquids reservoir and the pump chamber, which inlet valve assembly is opened in a pressure-controlled manner when there is negative pressure in the pump chamber in relation to the liquids reservoir. Furthermore, an outlet valve assembly is provided between the pump chamber and the discharge opening.
A multiplicity of dispensers of the generic type are known from the prior art. Said dispensers dispose of a pump which comprises the pump chamber, the inlet valve assembly, and the outlet valve assembly, and which permits liquid to be dispensed by means of an actuation handle which is to be manually actuated. Apart from low-viscosity liquid media, a liquid in the context of this invention is also understood to include pasty media.
The liquids dispensers of the generic type on which the invention is based are mobile liquids dispensers which have a liquids reservoir of usually less than 200 ml and which are mostly conceived as single-use dispensers and sold together with the liquid which is intended to be discharged by the former.
The pump installations of known dispensers of the generic type usually dispose of inlet and outlet valve assemblies which each are operated in a pressure-controlled manner. Positive pressure in the liquids reservoir in relation to the pump chamber leads to the inlet valve assembly being opened such that the liquid can flow into the pump chamber. Positive pressure in the pump chamber in relation to an atmosphere surrounding the dispenser leads to the outlet valve assembly being opened such that liquid may be discharged. The pump chamber is reduced in size when the actuation handle is actuated, on account of which the inlet valve assembly is closed and the outlet valve assembly is opened in the case of the type of dispensers mentioned. During the subsequent increase in size of the pump chamber in the course of a return stroke movement and of the negative pressure created on account thereof, the inlet valve assembly is opened and the outlet valve assembly is closed. Liquid is suctioned from the liquids reservoir into the pump chamber in readiness for the next discharging procedure.
It is viewed as problematic in the known liquids dispensers of the generic type that the latter in the case of certain designs or under certain circumstances tend to leak. This applies, for example, when the liquids dispenser has a tube as a liquids reservoir. If and when the tube is inadvertently compressed, this may cause simultaneous opening of both the inlet valve assembly and the outlet valve assembly such that the liquid inadvertently escapes from the liquids reservoir. Also, the low ambient pressure which arises during air transportation of such a liquids dispenser may have the effect that the outlet valve assembly and in some cases also the inlet valve assembly is/are opened. Liquid may also inadvertently escape in such a situation.
It is an object of the invention to refine a liquids dispenser of the generic type with a view to the latter having improved protection against leakage. This is achieved according to the invention in that the outlet valve assembly comprises a switch valve which, independently of the liquid pressure in the pump chamber, as a reaction to the actuation handle being displaced is forcibly opened in a mechanical manner.
As opposed to the liquids dispensers outlined at the outset, it is thus provided in a liquids dispenser according to the invention that the opening of the outlet valve assembly is performed in the manner of a forcible opening, the latter to be understood to mean that the displacement of the actuation handle causes the outlet valve assembly to be opened, regardless of the pressure prevailing in the pump chamber. Actuating the actuation handle thus fulfills a dual function, specifically the mentioned volumetric reduction of the pump chamber, on the one hand, and the forcible opening of the outlet valve assembly in a pressure-independent manner, by opening the switch valve, on the other hand.
In principle, the outlet valve assembly in the case of a liquids dispenser according to the invention may be designed such that the former is opened solely by positive pressure of the liquid in the pump chamber, even when the actuation handle is not actuated. However, it is of advantage if such opening of the outlet valve assembly by way of positive pressure in the pump chamber alone does not take place, at least up to a limit value of positive pressure. Consequently, the outlet valve assembly is preferably configured in such a manner that the latter in the case of the actuation handle not being actuated prevents opening, wherein preferably opening is prevented in relation to the outlet duct/to the environment at least up to a positive pressure of 700 mbar in the pump chamber, preferably up to a positive pressure of at least 1500 mbar.
Such an outlet valve assembly which may not be opened by positive pressure in the pump chamber alone, or only once a significant positive pressure has been reached, prevents an inadvertent discharging procedure from being initiated when there is positive pressure in the pump chamber in relation to an environment by virtue of other means than by manual actuation. Having a safety feature preventing purely pressure-actuated opening of the outlet valve assembly up to a positive pressure of 700 mbar enables in particular also air transportation of liquids dispensers without the risk of leakage. It is particularly advantageous for the switch valve to be configured such that the latter is urged in the direction of the closed position thereof by positive pressure in the pump chamber such that inadvertent pressure-dependent opening cannot arise without the dispenser being destroyed.
One particularly preferred design embodiment of the switch valve of the outlet valve assembly provides that this switch valve has a first sealing face which is forcibly coupled, in particular integrally connected, to the actuation handle, and a second sealing face which is movable in relation to the first sealing face and in the closed state of the outlet valve assembly bears on the first sealing face. Here, the second sealing face is movable in relation to the first sealing face and, by displacing the actuation handle, said second sealing face may be traversed onto an opening region which is contiguous to the first sealing face and which is configured such that said opening region prevents the first sealing face bearing on the second sealing face in a tight manner.
According to this proposal, the switch valve is thus configured as a type of gate valve. By displacing the actuation handle and the first sealing face which is connected thereto at least in an indirect manner but preferably in a direct manner, the second sealing face is traversed on the first sealing face until in the opening region which is contiguous to the first sealing face said second sealing face at least in portions is forcibly released from the first sealing face in such a manner that liquid may flow through between the first sealing face and the second sealing face.
One particularly advantageous design embodiment thereof provides that in the opening region which is contiguous to the first sealing face, a ramp-type web or a plurality of ramp-type webs which are mutually spaced apart is/are provided, the second sealing face being pushed onto the latter such that a separation of the two sealing faces is performed on either side of this web. This ramp-type web is preferably provided with one or a plurality of interruption points at which a separation of the second sealing face from the bearing area on the opening region is enforced.
It is viewed as particularly advantageous for the component on which the first sealing face is provided, and the component on which the second sealing face is provided, to be interconnected by a sprung element which is tensioned when the second sealing face is transferred into the opening region.
It is achieved on account thereof that opening of the switch valve by displacing the actuation handle simultaneously leads to tension in the sprung element mentioned. When the actuation handle is returned to the basic position thereof, the switch valve is thus automatically closed again by the sprung element mentioned. The sprung element may be a separate sprung element such as a helical spring, for example. However, the sprung element is preferably an elastic portion capable of forming, which is configured integrally with the second sealing face and which is supported on that component on which the first sealing face is provided, in particular on the actuation handle. The sprung element may in particular be configured as an encircling deformable web on the external side of a pump chamber wall body.
In the case of one preferred design embodiment the outlet valve assembly, apart from the switch valve which is provided according to the invention, also has a separate pressure relief valve which is opened in a pressure-controlled manner when there is positive pressure in the pump chamber in relation to the outlet duct.
In the case of such a design the outlet valve assembly thus disposes of two separate valves which are provided sequentially in series between the pump chamber and the discharge opening. In order for a discharging procedure to be initiated, both the switch valve and the pressure relief valve have to be opened.
This design having a separate pressure relief valve is above all advantageous since this pressure relief valve in the course of the return stroke of the actuation handle, after a discharging procedure having been performed, closes immediately when the pump chamber capacity increases again. The suction process into the pump chamber which takes place during the return stroke is thus not delayed by the switch valve not immediately being closed.
In the sense of a simple design embodiment of the liquids dispenser with as few components as possible it is of advantage for at least the second sealing face of the switch valve and at least one sealing face of the pressure relief valve to be integrally configured; a common and preferably elastically deformable component which makes available sealing faces of both separate valves is thus provided.
With a view to further simplification of the construction it is viewed as advantageous for the pump chamber to have a flexible wall which enables volumetric variability of the latter. This wall surrounds the pump chamber. This is preferably a component which is substantially rotationally symmetrical and is open at both ends. The mentioned second sealing face of the switch valve, and/or the mentioned sealing face of the pressure relief valve, in an advantageous design may be configured so as to be integral with this wall.
A particularly advantageous design of the liquids dispenser in which the entire outlet valve assembly, comprising the switch valve and the pressure relief valve, is collectively formed by that component that also forms the wall of the pump chamber, on the one hand, and by the actuation handle, on the other hand, may thus be achieved.
That component forming the wall of the pump chamber may simultaneously also act as a return spring of the liquids dispenser. It is of advantage in particular for this purpose for the pump chamber wall to be configured so as to be closed in an encircling manner and to have at one first end a substantially cylindrical first portion of an external diameter which is smaller than the internal diameter of a substantially cylindrical second portion at an opposite second end, wherein the pump chamber wall in the actuated state of the actuation handle is deformed in such a manner that the first portion is surrounded by the second portion.
Such a pump chamber wall in the case of the actuation handle not being actuated has the approximated shape of a chalice. By displacing the actuation handle the second end, which in terms of the diameter is larger, is pushed over the first end, overlapping the latter in relation to the direction of compression of the pump chamber wall. A connection region which connects the cylindrical portions of dissimilar diameters, for the purpose of the return function preferably acts as an elastically deformable sprung element. This connection region is preferably configured having thinner walls than the cylindrical regions.
One advantageous design of a liquids dispenser according to the invention provides that the actuation handle is operationally coupled to the pump chamber and to the switch valve in such a manner that in the case of the actuation handle being actuated, the switch valve is initially opened and the pump chamber is subsequently reduced in size.
In the case of such a design it is thus provided that there is initially no interaction between the displacement of the actuation handle and the pump chamber capacity, since only the switch valve is initially opened in the course of the commencing displacement of the actuation handle. It is only when the switch valve is opened that delayed operational coupling between the actuation of the actuation handle and the pump chamber capacity arises.
One possibility in terms of construction in order for this to be designed lies in that an opening portion which is displaceable by the actuation handle and which in particular is preferably an integral part of the actuation handle and which has two active faces is provided, wherein a first active face of the two active faces is provided for impinging a first counter face on a valve body or on a valve flap with a force, and wherein furthermore the second active face of the two active faces is provided for impinging a second counter face with a force, wherein the pump chamber is reducible in size by impinging the second counter face with a force. Here, in an initial state of the liquids dispenser, in which the actuation handle is not actuated, the spacing between the first active face and the first counter face is smaller than the spacing between the second active face and the second counter face.
In the case of the actuation handle being actuated, the first active face and the first counter face thus initially come into contact with one another such that, on account thereof, the valve is subsequently opened. It is only in the case of continued displacement of the actuation handle that the second active face and the second counter face come into contact, the reduction in size of the pump chamber taking place thereafter.
In the case of such a design, the first active face which is provided for opening the switch valve by displacing the valve body or the valve flap, may fulfill yet another function. Said first active face, in the case of a non-actuated actuation handle, is disposed in such a manner that the former, acting as a stop, prevents displacement of the valve body or of the valve flap, which is conceived by high pressure in the pump chamber, counter to the intended opening direction such that, on account thereof, opening of the outlet valve assembly by virtue of the pressure of the liquid in the pump chamber alone is prevented, at least up to a certain limit value of pressure.
One further advantageous design embodiment of a liquids dispenser according to the invention provides that the pump chamber at least in portions is delimited by an elastically deformable wall. Sealing faces of the switch valve, which in the closed state are mutually bearing, are provided on or fastened to this wall in such a manner that by deformation of the wall as a consequence of the actuation handle being displaced they are mutually spaced apart such that the switch valve is opened.
It is thus provided in this design that forcible opening of the switch valve in a mechanical manner is performed when the pump chamber wall is deformed. This opening by virtue of the spacing apart of the sealing faces of the switch valve here is performed regardless of any potentially existing liquid pressure in the pump chamber, by virtue of the deformation of the wall of the pump chamber alone. This may be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner by a pump chamber wall which has a bell shape, that is to say which from a maximum diameter tapers off in the direction of the switch valve, it being particularly advantageous for the sealing faces to be an immediate part of this wall. The desired effect of the valve, which is preferably configured in the manner of a slot valve, being forcibly opened in a mechanical manner by the deformation of the wall may be achieved in particular by a comparatively thick-walled design of the wall.
Further aspects and advantages of the invention are derived from the claims and from the exemplary embodiments which will be explained hereunder by means of figures in which:
The three exemplary embodiments which will be described hereunder represent liquids dispensers which may have various kinds of liquids reservoirs. Since the design according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the case of liquids reservoirs which are configured as tubes, such tube-type liquids reservoirs are mentioned hereunder. However, this is to be understood as being exemplary.
All three dispensers which are described hereunder dispose of a discharge head which is fastened on top of this tube or on top of another liquids reservoir, and which disposes of a volumetrically variable pump chamber which by displacing an actuation handle may be reduced in size in relation to an assigned base, in order to discharge liquid. The description of the functional mode hereunder assumes a pump chamber which is not filled with liquid, since it is provided according to the invention that opening of the outlet valve of the pump chamber takes place regardless of any liquid pressure which arises upon actuation. Of course, the pump chamber during normal operation of such a dispenser is filled with liquid such that the latter may be discharged when the volume of the pump chamber is reduced.
The actuation handle 40 comprises a pressure area 43 and a jacket face 44 which protrudes downward from the former. This jacket face 44, together with an internal encircling guide web 31 and an external encircling guide web 32, forms a guide on the sides of the base 30, along which guide the actuation handle 40 is displaceable in the direction of the arrow 2.
While the base 30 and the actuation handle 40 are composed of a comparatively rigid and, according to the intended use, non-deformable plastics material such as PP or PE, the pump chamber component 50 disposed therebetween is manufactured from an elastically deformable material such as, for example, an elastomeric material. The pump chamber component 50 has a shaping which is substantially rotationally symmetrical, and at the lower end 50b thereof and at the upper end 50a thereof is designed to be open. Retaining portions 51a, 51b by means of which the component 50 is fastened to the base 30, on the one hand, and to the actuation handle 40, on the other hand, are provided at both ends 50a and 50b. Therefore, the pump chamber component 50 is compressed when the actuation handle 40 is depressed in the direction of the arrow 2. The component 50 has a chalice-type shape which disposes of two approximately cylindrical regions 52a, 52b, and a connection region 52c therebetween. The wall thickness of the component in the connection region 52c is reduced in relation to the mean wall thickness into the cylindrical regions 52a, 52b. The connection region 52c, in particular, during operation acts as a spring, as will yet be explained hereunder.
The pump chamber component 50 surrounds a pump chamber 60 of the dispenser, which according to the intended use is volumetrically reduced in order for liquid to be discharged. In order for the discharging procedure to be enabled, an inlet valve assembly 70 and an outlet valve assembly 80 which are disposed on the entry side or the exit side, respectively, of the pump chamber 60 are provided.
The inlet valve assembly 70 disposes of an inlet valve which is formed by a valve lip 72 and a counter face 74 which is provided on a centric pin. This inlet valve is opened depending on the pressure differential between the pump chamber 60 and the liquids reservoir 12. If there is negative pressure in the pump chamber 60 in the course of the return stroke, the inlet valve is opened, permitting the inflow of liquid into the pump chamber 60. For the purpose of simplified construction, the valve lip 72 is designed to be integral with the pump chamber component 50.
The outlet valve assembly 80 is of more complex construction and, therefore, is illustrated once more in an enlarged manner in
This switch valve 84 in the non-actuated state of the dispenser is closed. The sealing lip 84b in an encircling manner bears from the inside on the counter face 84a. The switch valve 84 cannot be opened even by increasing the pressure in the pump chamber 60, since any such increased pressure, achieved for example by squeezing the tube 12, may indeed open the inlet valve assembly 70 and the pressure relief valve 82, but the pressure further increases the sealing effect on the switch valve 84 rather than likewise opening the latter. The higher the pressure in the pump chamber 60 and beyond the pressure relief valve 82, the more the valve lip 84b is urged against the counter face 84a.
Functioning of the dispenser according to
Here, a corresponding relative movement between the valve lip 84b and the counter face 84a to the state of
The incline 84d and the interruption 84e ensure that it is no longer possible for the valve lip 84a to bear in an encircling tight manner. The valve lip 84a lies at least in the region of the interruption 84e separated from the actuation handle 40. The switch valve 84a is now opened such that pressurized medium may now exit from the pump chamber 60 along the path 8.
If the movement of the actuation handle 40 is continued, significant deformation of the pump chamber component 50 subsequently arises. Here, the upper cylindrical region 52a, while being subjected to increased elastic flexural and tensile deformation in particular in the connection region 52c, is pushed over the lower cylindrical region 52b. The internal capacity of the pump chamber is reduced here such that pressurized medium therein is discharged along the path 8.
If the actuation handle 40, after the discharging procedure has been completed, is retuned back to the initial position of
The pump chamber wall 50 in the case of the design embodiment of
In order to cause a discharging procedure, the actuation handle 40 is moved downward in the direction of the arrow 2a. By way of an opening portion 48 which is an integral part of the actuation handle 40, pressure is exerted from above onto the pump chamber wall body 50 which is configured in a comparatively thick-walled manner.
As can be seen by means of
The design embodiment of
As can be derived from
If the actuation handle 40 is now displaced downward in the direction of the arrow 2a, there is initially no contact between the active face 48b and the counter face 56. Instead, only the active face 48a initially acts on the valve flaps 88a, 88b, on account of which the outlet valve 88 is forcibly opened. This state is shown in
It is only once this has taken place that the active face 48b comes to bear on the pump chamber component 50. Continued displacement of the actuation handle 40 thus now leads to deformation of the pump chamber wall body 50, in the case of the outlet valve 88 being opened, said pump chamber wall body 50 here being elastically deformed such that the latter can later make available a restoring force. The internal capacity of the pump chamber 60 is reduced in the course of this deformation and any liquid being already contained in the former is discharged.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2014 200 867.0 | Jan 2014 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2014/075753 | 11/27/2014 | WO | 00 |
