Substances like for example cosmetics, hair dyes but also glues or other chemicals are stored in containers which are provided with a dispensing device. As known from example from DE 692 08 264 in the form of a squeezing bottle with a one way bag included therein. These so called dispensers facilitate dispensing a defined amount of the substance and prevent simultaneously that air enters the containers. Furthermore these dispensers facilitate dispensing the substances without having to open screw tops or similar. It is a disadvantage of conventional dispensers that they typically include a pump mechanism which dispenses the substances from the only container through the dispenser so that complexity of the configuration is rather high in particular because two component dispensers are increasing required for cosmetics or hair care products.
In addition to the known dispensers also collapsible tubes are bottles are used for storing the substances recited supra wherein the collapsible tubes or bottles have dosing heads or dosing openings from which the substance exits after a direct pressure loading of the container. It is a disadvantage of these containers that no complete emptying of the substance of the container is performed, thus residual amounts of the substances remain which are typically expensive. Furthermore air can enter the interior of the container through the output opening which can lead to oxidation or spoiling of the substance. In order to address the problem and in order to prevent that air enters the container including the substance so called bag in bottle or bag in bag packaging is proposed. This includes an outer container, for example a plastic bottle made from a rather firm material or a collapsible tube in which a second container filled with the substance typically a blown bag is arranged. Dispensers of this type are typically used in the pharmaceutical industry or aerosols and are produced by a so called coextrusion method. Thus between the outer container and the bag enclosed by the outer container an intermediary space is provided which is filled with air when the outer packaging is pressure loaded it is compressed and transfers the pressure to the bag through the air included in the intermediary space. The substance then exits from the intermediary space through a respective output valve. Thus air can flow in in order to place the volume of the dispensed substance.
It is a disadvantage of the recited types of packaging that the typically coextruded inner containers are not diffusion tight and are thus less suitable for long term storage. Furthermore only a single substance can be received in the respective container. When substances have to be stored which only may be mixed during dispensing or shortly after dispensing since a premature reaction would occur otherwise no solution is provided so far. This is the case for example for multicomponent glues or particular cleaners or cosmetic products.
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a dispenser which is simple in configuration and easily fillable and which additionally facilitates long term storage of two or more substances.
The dispenser according to the invention for substances is suited for storing and dispensing chemicals like components of multicomponent glues or of dyes but also for cosmetics or pasty or liquid substances. The dispenser thus includes an outer shell with a deformable outer wall and a container arrangement that is enclosed by the outer wall and also deformable. The deformability of the outer wall is thus adjusted so that the outer wall is deformable by simple pressure loading with one hand or plural fingers, thus however the wall has enough strength to provide stable support for the dispenser. When loading the outer shell with pressure which can also be provided a respective clamps or brackets it is provided that the substances stored in the interior container arrangement exit from the interior container arrangement. This is facilitated in that an air filled intermediary space is provided between the outer wall and the container arrangement and the pressure in parted upon the outer shell is evenly transmitted to the two or more containers of the container arrangement. In order to provide a filling of the intermediary space after putting out the stored substances the outer shell includes at least one inlet valve for balancing air. Through this balancing valve a corresponding amount of air flows into the intermediary space between the deformable outer wall of the outer shell and the container arrangement enclosed by the outer shell. The proposed dispenser for substances is characterized in that the container arrangement includes at least two container for separate storage of liquid or pasty substances. This configuration of the dispenser facilitates separate storage of substances in a single dispenser. Thus this dispenser facilitates for example that a two or multi component glue is stored in a single container but it also facilitates storage of particularly sensitive cosmetics like e.g. hair dyes which may only be mixed when exiting from the storage container in order to maintain for example their caring properties.
In order to increase storage time it is furthermore proposed that the exit portion of the containers includes at least substantial diffusion sealing, in particular made from metal, advantageously a respective aluminum cap or sleeve which is only penetrated or opened by the dispensing head, in particular by spikes provided thereon when the dispenser is being used. Thus the entire bag content is protected against incoming air, wherein opening the seal is provided advantageously by moving the dispensing head from a start or storage position into the operating position through interlocking.
In an advantageously embodiment it is provided that the substances stored in the container have identical or similar viscosities. Depending on the embodiment of the respective mixing device which can be additionally provided at the dispenser there is the option to keep the put out substance substantially constant. When in addition to a large amount of a first substance only a small amount of a second substance for example of a hardener shall be dispensed this can be adjusted by different cross sections of the dispensing openings. Through this dispenser a complicated storage of the substances to be mixed in separate containers is prevented. Additionally the dispenser can provide that a constant mixing ratio of the substances is always being dispensed. In addition to arranging two containers there is also the option to arrange more than two containers, for example for a three component glue in the dispenser.
It is perceived advantageous when the outer shell is made from a thermoplastic material using PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) or PET (polyethylenterephthalat). The inner containers are advantageously made from a metal foil or a laminated multilayer foil, a so called barrier foil, wherein containers fabricated with sealing seams can be produced in a particularly cost effective manner and diffusion tight. Depending on the reactive properties of the stored substances a metal coating of the plastic material can be additionally provided. A respective coating is also advantageous for keeping the product fresh since this coating can find an antibacterial effect.
It is advantageous to form the container as a cost effective foil bag with 2, 3 or also 4 sealing seams per container bag. Thus the two or more bags can be combined into a multi chamber bag through adjacent seal grooves. Thus also a separate storage of the substances is possible, e.g. during inserting into the outer shell by hand or machine is substantially simplified. The dispenser with inserted and filled bags is thus actuated as follows. The relatively resilient outer wall of the outer shell is squeezed together by hand or with a clamp. Thus a positive pressure e.g. 0.5 bar is created in an interior of the dispenser wherein the pressure directly impacts the bags arranged at this location and thus completely evenly. Based on the air filled intermediary space enveloping the containers an even loading of both bags is provided so that both bags respectively dispense an identical amount of a substance or of plural substances for identical outlet cross sections wherein the amount is independent from the force of pressure loading the outer shell.
An advantageous embodiment provides that the dispenser is provided as a disposable container. A dispenser of this type is discarded after retrieving the entire substance stored therein. Thus the containers and the outer wall can be connected in at least one portion, in particular connected pressure tight through corresponding seal lips. For connecting purposes certainly also a subsequent welding of the containers and the outer wall can be provided. This prevents that the containers collapse in the housing after partial emptying so that a complete retrieval of the substances from the containers is not possible anymore. Through the connection between the container and the outer wall at least in a portion the containers remain aligned in the dispenser until they are emptied completely. This is also achieved when a tube is welded into each container wherein a free end of the tube is used for connecting with the common dispensing head and by each container having a check valve or filling valve for liquids.
For simplified retrieval and mixing the substances as required it is advantageous to provide an applicator that is connected with the outer shell. The containers are thus connected with the applicator through channels or conduits. The applicator can include for example two dispensing openings that are arranged adjacent to each other or accordingly two or more annular gaps that are arranged concentrical wherein the substances are separately put out through the concentric annular gaps and mix only when exiting from the applicator.
Is furthermore advantageous that the dispenser can be configured as a reusable container thus it includes replaceable or refillable containers in its interior. In order to be able to retrieve the empty containers or in order to be able to perform a refill the dispenser includes a removable dispensing head. The dispensing head is configured in particular as a screw top or as a plug in top or connected with the outer shell through a respective snap locking connection. Besides a removable closure or a dispensing head there is also the option that the outer shell for example in the base portion includes a flap or a cover thus permitting access to the containers arranged in the interior. The closure provided at the dispenser is advantageously also configured as an applicator and thus offers the advantages described supra.
As a compensation for the retrieved amount of substance air flows in the dispenser into the intermediary space between the outer wall and the container. In order to facilitate a quick refill of the intermediary space with exterior air the inlet valve is configured as a valve that is arranged in the outer wall or in the closure. For a valve in particular an arrangement of a so called ball valve or needle valve is suitable. The valve is opened by a vacuum that is provided in the container after substance removal or the valve is advantageously opened by gravity in that the dispenser is placed upright again from the preferred upside down position while being used. The valve can be integrally formed when shaping the dispensing head, in particular as a cage for guiding a small ball. This configuration is an invention in itself since it provides plural functions. Thus a ball valve or needle valve of this type provides long term storage without intensive pressure variations (e.g. from temperature changes) in an open position of the dispenser and thus in an open position of the valve so that also a transportation on aircraft is facilitated. When filling the containers compressed air can be provided to the balancing valve in order to press the foil bags flat before filling them with the substance, thus evacuate them. In the operating position (overhead position) the gravity actuated ball together with a sealing seat facilitates safe sealing and thus simple pressure loading.
Furthermore the base portion of the outer wall can have a rounded shape so that the dispenser is stored upside down or lying flat wherein leakage is prevented. Thus, the dispenser cannot be put upside down which also prevents unintentional run out. Thus a so called ball valve is useable as a venting valve.
Further advantages features and details of the invention can be derived from the subsequent description of advantageous embodiments of the invention with reference to drawing figures, wherein:
In the left sectional view (centrally through the narrow side of the dispenser) the filled containers 11a, b are visible which adjoin the dispensing head 15 together with their dispensing openings 18a, b and with their filling valves 19, in particular for liquids. The dispenser 10 illustrated herein is a disposable container, wherein the containers 11a, b are not replaceable. In order to apply the cover 10′, a thread 16′ is provided herein (c.f.
The balancing valve 23 illustrated in the right sectional view is embodied as a ball valve and facilitates air access in the position of
The applicator 24 that is illustrated in more detail in
As described supra an intermediary space 14 that is filled with the air is arranged between the outer wall 12 of the dispenser 10 and the containers 11a, b. This intermediary space 14 assures even distribution of pressure imparted upon the outer wall 12 which is necessary for retrieving the substances from the containers 11a, b. After retrieving a particular amount of a substance (in the operating or upside down position according to
In addition to the illustrated arrangement of two containers 11a, b with identical volume there is also the option that the containers 11a, b have different volumes. Additionally the dispensing head 15 or the applicator 24 can have diameter reduced output openings 18a, b, so that a constant ratio of substances is always put out when the dispenser 10 is evenly loaded with pressure. For example an additive mixing of a smaller amount of a substance to a larger amount of additional substances can be performed. This is advantageous for example when the dispenser 10 is used for multi component glues which only require a small additive mixing of a hardener. Besides the use with glues there is certainly also the option to use the dispenser 10 for cosmetics, wherein for example a connection of the substances for forming for example a care substance is only performed when the substances exit the dispenser 10. Through the configuration of the applicator 24 as illustrated in
According to
In addition to the configuration of the applicator 24 with a defined diameter of the output openings 18a, b also using an adjustable system is feasible where a cross section or a size of the output openings 18a, b is variable as a function of the amount to be dispensed. The dispenser 10 according to the invention thus forms a cost effective alternative to dispensers 10 with pumps and thus facilitates a relatively precise dosing or a precisely adjustable mixing ratio of the dispensed substances due to the air filled intermediary space 14 due to the absolutely identical pressure ratios which impact the containers 11a, b arranged in the dispenser 10 since the containers 11a, b are arranged in the same pressure cavity or outer shell 13.
In particular the balancing valve 23 in particular in combination with the filling valves 19 in the containers 11a, b facilitates effective filling of the containers 11a, b so that a compressed air connection can be applied to the balancing valve 23 so that the intermediary space 14 of the preassembled can be loaded with compressed air. Since the outer shell 13 and the dispensing head 15 are sealed e.g. through the seal lip 15b and the applied upper edge 13b the air pressure impacts the inserted containers 11a, b and presses them flat, thus almost evacuates them. Then a commercial filling head can be applied to the openings 18a, b (c.f. in particular
In the right sectional view of
The balancing valve 23 illustrated in the left sectional view of
In the center perspective view of
As described supra there is an intermediary space 14 between the outer wall 12 of the dispenser 10 and the containers 11a, b which is filled in air. This intermediary space 14 facilitates an even distribution of pressure applied to the outer wall 12 wherein the pressure is required for removing the substances from the containers 11a, b. After removing a certain amount of a substance in the operating position or upside down position according to
In addition to the arrangement of two containers 11a, b with identical volumes there is also the option for the containers 11a, b to have different volumes. Furthermore the dispensing head 15 can have diameter reduced dispensing openings 18a, b so that a respective ratio of substances is put out for an even pressure loading of the dispenser 10. For this embodiment of the dispenser 10 then for example an additive mixing of a smaller amount of a substance to a larger amount of additional substances can be performed. This is advantageous for example when the dispenser 10 is used for multi component glues which only require additive mixing of a small amount of hardener. Besides a use with glues there is certainly also an option to use the dispenser 10 for cosmetics, wherein a connection of the substances performing for example a care substance is only performed when the substances exit the dispenser 10. Using an applicator a spreading of the cosmetic substances exiting from the dispenser 10 can be performed during spreading, for example on the skin or on the lips.
According to
Additionally the balancing valve 23 together with the filling valve 19 in the containers 11a, b facilitates an effective filling of the containers 11a, b as illustrated in
As stated supra a respective blocking ball 21 made from metal or glass is inserted within the dispensing openings 18a, b in a particularly advantageous embodiment (c.f.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2014 001 720.4 | Feb 2014 | DE | national |
20 2014 009 449.7 | Nov 2014 | DE | national |
The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/120,955 entitled “DISPENSER,” filed Aug. 23, 2016 which is a national stage entry of PCT/EP2015/000458, filed on Feb. 27, 2015. The entire disclosures of each are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15120955 | Aug 2016 | US |
Child | 16854025 | US |