DISPENSER

Abstract

A dispenser provides measured doses of at least two components using a common pump. Each of the components is stored in its own separate container; each of which is connected to the common piston pump through an inlet valve. A metering device is disposed between the inlet valves and the pump chambers. The metering device is rotatable around an axis and controls the volume of each component disposed by either changing to flow rate of the component through its inlet valve or by changing the stroke length of the piston associated with its inlet valve.

Description

Further advantages, features and characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred, but non-limiting embodiments of the invention, as illustrated with reference to attached schematic drawings:

FIG. 1 shows three sectional views of a dosage dispenser with a metering device, an actuating device and two cartridges (containers) in three different dosage adjustments,

FIG. 2 three horizontal cross sections of the dosage dispenser according to FIG. 1 with respectively assigned adjustment disks in various variants,

FIG. 3 a modified embodiment of the metering element,

FIG. 4 an embodiment of a dosage dispenser as a so-called trigger sprayer with a metering cylinder, and

FIG. 5 various metering positions of the metering cylinder of FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 shows three vertical sections of a dosage dispenser 1 with two cartridges 6a and 6b, each having an inlet valve 2′ at the casing to a common pump 2 with a piston 2a. The term inlet valve 2′ refers to the entrance or suction opening to the pump volume although it is related to the container 6a, 6b as an outlet. The adjustment of the mixture is done by turning of the metering device 3 around the vertical axis, namely here with the dispenser head 5, as shown in its three metering positions. On pushing an actuating device 4 (here the upper area of the dispenser head 5) the piston 2a of the pump 2 is pressed into the pump volume 2b and is placed back by a return spring, wherein the components are suctioned via holes 3c (or recesses 3d etc.) into the pump volume 2b. As shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder of the pump 2 and the inlet valves 2′ together with the adapters to the container 6a, 6b are formed as a single element in which the dispenser head 5 with actuating device 4 are guided together with the piston 2a. These mentioned elements (5, 4 and 2a) are specifically formed as an injection molded part, so that the manufacturing costs and the assembly costs are low. The dispenser head 5 and the dispenser nozzle 5′ for discharge of the components belong to the metering device 3 since the twist position of the metering element 3a, here a disk is changed via a flattened shaft 3′.

The middle presentation in FIG. 1 shows both holes 3c in the metering element 3a with equal diameter, whereas the right and left presentations has different diameters because of the twisting of the dispenser head 5 around 90°, each (cf. direction of the dispenser nozzle 5′), if the metering disk 3b is twisted by the flat shaft 3′ (cf. FIG. 2). The flat shaft 3′ extending through the piston 2a leaves at least a gap towards the dispenser nozzle 5′, such that the components can be discharged from the pump volume 2b (cf. FIG. 3, as well).

FIG. 2 shows the various dosage positions, wherein the middle is a 50-to-50%-position as both holes 3c located above the two inlet valves 2′ have equal diameters. On twisting the metering element 3a via the flat shaft 3′ around 90°, here the left position, the smallest hole 3c in the metering element 3a is above the left container 6a and its valve 2′, such that a smaller volume is discharged compared to the right container 6b, e.g. 10% of the total volume from the left container 6a and 90% from the right container 6b. If the metering device 3 is then turned via the dispenser head 5 around 180° in the vertical axis into the right position, respectively 90° compared to the middle position, the delivery volumes from both containers 6a and 6b are vice-versa, i.e. about 90% of the total volume are from the container 6a and only 10% from the container 6b, having now the smallest hole 3c located above. The same function is achieved by differently sized recesses 3d at the periphery of the metering element 3a (shown in the last but one line in FIG. 2), which is here formed as a flat metering disk 3b, as well.

The same applies for a sickle-shaped slot 3e, shown at the bottom of in FIG. 2, that cooperates with a transfer opening 3g. In the middle position the components from the respective valves 2′ have the same lengths to the transfer opening 3g. By turning around 90°, e.g. into the left position, here, one component is cut (here of container 6a) while the other component (here of container 6b) can flow from the valve 2′ to the transfer opening 3g. In the right position the ratio is vice-versa, whereas each ratio between these extremes (e.g. 25-to-75% by turning of the metering element 3a around 45°) can be adjusted. As the slot 3e narrows with its sickle-shape a combination of the change of the flow section and the flow length results, also depending on the viscosity of the respective components.

FIG. 3 shows a modified form of the metering element 3a that is again adjusted by a flat shaft 3′. Above both inlet valves 2′ there's a chute in form of a thread or worm such that the balls of the inlet valves 2′ can be opened in a different stroke. The same applies for the right alternative in which the balls of the inlet valves 2′ are replaced by conical elements. If the metering device 3 is turned via the flat shaft 3′ around 180° compared to the position shown in FIG. 3 and the actuating device 4 is pressed downwards, a contrariwise position of the metering element 3a above the inlet valves 2′ results, so that the flow cross section on the right side would then be e.g. 90% of total delivery volume whereas on the left side only a flow rate of ca. 10% would be discharged. Usually a middle position is pre-adjusted such that the same volume is delivered from both containers 6a and 6b. Thus, the ratio at the dispenser head 5 contains the same portions of both components. Intermediate positions of the metering device 3 between the aforementioned positions provide respective ratios so that these are changeable for each component between 0%:100% and 100%:0%. For adjusting the mixing ratio in a very simple manner the cylindrically formed dispenser head 5 is turned as shown in FIG. 1, whereas a separate adjusting knob 8b is provided for adjustment in a so-called trigger sprayer 7, as subsequently described.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a trigger sprayer 8 with an actuating lever 8a, that acts on a piston 2a or piston rod of the pump 2. The piston 2a is guided in the interior of a metering cylinder 3f, such that, as explained above, the metering element 3a of the metering device 3, here in form of the metering cylinder 3f is arranged within the pump volume 2b and can be turned via the adjusting knob 8b. Some of the different turning positions of the metering cylinder 3f are shown in FIG. 5. As shown, the suction pipes of the containers 6a, 6b and their inlet valves 2′ are directed to the periphery of the metering cylinder 3f. The periphery of the metering cylinder 3f has recesses 3d or peripheral slots for the components from the containers 6a and 6b, being twisted against each other on the periphery, such that the suction amount from the containers 6a, 6b can be varied in order to adjust the total ratio discharged to the dispenser nozzle 5′ via an exit port 3i.

In FIG. 5 two recesses 3d are twisted on the periphery of the metering cylinder 3f and flow openings 3h to the pump volume 2b are shifted around 180°. In the topmost illustration the right flow opening 3h in the recess 3d is directed to the container 6b (or its valve 2′), while the left flow opening 3h is in an opposite direction and distanced to the container 6a. Thus, a stroke of the pump 2 will convey a larger amount from container 6b than from the container 6a, e.g. in the ratio 80% to 20%, since the component from the container 6a has to travel a greater distance around the periphery of the cylinder 3f. In the following position below (turning by 90° as indicated by arrow) both recesses 3d or periphery slots are closed towards the container 6a and 6b such that conveying is not possible and the dispenser is closed. The same applies for the exit port 3i in order to avoid an evaporation, in particularly of cleaning agents with alcohol content or to obviate a removal in order to protect children.

At the following position below the ratios are contrariwise to the topmost in FIG. 5, i.e. there's a larger amount is discharged from the container 6a than from the container 6b, as the component from the container 6a has the shortest distance via the adjacent flow opening 3h. At the bottom position of FIG. 5 both flow openings 3h at the periphery of the metering cylinder 3f are equally distanced to the container 6a and 6b such that a balanced conveying of both components (about 50% to 50%) is obtained. As mentioned above, this middle position can be easily changed by twisting of the adjusting knob 8b such that the mixing ratio can be adjusted, whereas the prior art usually squeezes a suction hose of one component.

Claims

1. Dispenser (1) for dosing of at least two components each contained in a reservoir (6a, 6b) by means of a common pump (2) having an inlet valve (2′) for each component, a pump volume (2b) with a piston (2a) and a dispenser head (5) for discharging of the components, wherein a metering device (3) is provided for dosage of amount ratios of each component, characterized in that the metering device (3) is arranged within the pump volume (2b) of the pump (2) and a rotatable metering element (3a) is provided for oppositely changing the flow section and/or flow length of the components.

2. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering element (3a) is connected to the piston (2a) and the dispenser head (5) of the pump (2) in a non-rotative rotating manner and metering is done by turning the dispenser head (5).

3. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering element (3a) includes differently sized large holes (3c), recesses (3d) or a slot (3e) for changing the flow section or flow length.

4. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow section of each input valve (2′) is varied by limiting the valve opening via the metering element (3a).

5. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispenser head (5) and the piston (2a) of the pump (2) are formed as one piece.

6. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering element (3a) is formed as a metering disk (3b).

7. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering element (3a) is formed as a metering cylinder (3f) with flow openings (3h).

8. Dispenser (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the metering cylinder (3f) is arranged in a trigger sprayer head (8).

9. Dispenser (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the dispenser head (5) and the piston (2a) of the pump (2) are a single injection-molded part.