Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
WO 2004/013016 PCT/EP2003/007245
Dispenser for pasty to flowable substances
The invention relates to a dispenser for pasty to
flowable substances, the filling volume of which is
held by a dimensionally stable container, at least half
of which comprises a bag which, when emptied from the
mouthpiece, collapses into one container half.
A dispenser of this type is known from EP 0 505 611 A2.
The delivery of the pasty substance takes place by
means of positive emptying pressure. It is produced by
means of a dimensionally stable, squeezable container.
The pressure build-up is obtained under valve control,
acting from the bottom of the dispenser. Such a device
is located in the head of the dispenser. The bag
enclosed by the container comprises in part a bottom
half which can be made to collapse and the other half
of which is stiffened from the inside by a hard part.
US Patent 2,471,852 provides the proposal of producing
the positive emptying pressure by means of a
compression spring mounted at the bottom of the
dimensionally stable container. The collapsing bag
provided over it in that case comprises part of a
cartridge, the upper container half of which is formed
as a dome-shaped hard part, in the zenith of which
there is an outlet valve, which is actuated by means of
a dispenser mechanism similar to a pushbutton. By this
means, the delivery path of the mouthpiece is opened or
released. The spring has over it a cup-shaped body,
which is shaped to follow the tapering collapsing
contour.
It is an object of the invention to form a dispenser of
the generic type that is structurally simple and
functionally reliable.
This object is achieved in first instance and
substantially by a dispenser with the features of claim
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 2 -
1, it being provided that the bag collapses on account
of a negative emptying pressure produced by a
mouthpiece pump, that is in the direction of a free
space of corresponding size facing the pump.
As a consequence of such a configuration, a dispenser
of the generic type of a simpler, functionally more
advantageous design is achieved: there is no longer any
need for the deforming squeezing actuation of the
container, which if overdone or underdone could lead to
malfunctions and, moreover, also takes quite some
getting use to. Rather, the dispenser head actuation
of the accustomed form of handling is used. The
replenishing of the apportioned portion dispensed takes
place by suction via the filling level column of the
pasty to flowable substance. The bag follows on
automatically in the dispensing direction. It is, as
it were, drawn along as an air-impermeable skin, to be
precise from the position near the bottom into the
region of the dispenser head, where it makes it
possible for the residue left in the dispenser to be
satisfactorily emptied, and to do so without a special
dispensing aid, as provided in the prior art in the
form of the spring described. The negative emptying
pressure produced in the region of the mouthpiece pump
is entirely adequate for the supplying collapse.
The respective subject matter of the further claims is
explained below with reference to the subject matter of
claim 1, but may also be of importance in their
independent formulation. For instance, it proves to be
structurally advantageous that an inwardly protruding
edge of the bag in the region of the, as it were,
equatorial connecting join of two container shell
halves is held in a flange-like manner, one half
carrying the emptying mouthpiece pump in the apex
region. The edge of the bag is held as though it were
between two clamping jaws. The longitudinally central
securing also has the effect that there is no stress on
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 3 -
the bag; it is acted on virtually equally in both
directions. The flange-like holding of the edge of the
bag can be achieved by screw connection if the
dispenser and the container of are of a rotationally
symmetrical construction. Otherwise, in the case of
unround cross sections, a thermal bonding takes place
in this region.
Even adhesive bonding is conceivable. Disposing the
emptying mouthpiece pump in the apex region of one half
leads to a welcome polydirectionality of wall portions
and consequently to a stabilization of the entire
container, the half lying below the equator stabilizing
the relevant region; the dispenser as a whole lies well
in the hand for operating purposes. With sufficiently
extensible material, the bag can also be reduced to a
virtually planar membrane. The filling pressure then
turns the membrane out within the container to form a
bag, which in the way described collapses in the
opposite sense, that is in the direction of the
emptying mouthpiece pump, as emptying progresses. Even
the restoring force of the material can be used to help
achieve this. Whatever the case, it proves to be
advantageous for both versions that a grid is disposed
in front of the passage region between container shell
half and emptying mouthpiece pump, to support the
collapsed bag. This prevents the delivery access path
from being clogged with pasty substance. Serving the
same purpose, that of ensuring that flow supply paths
are kept free of clogging pasty substance, is the
measure that the shell half equipped with the emptying
mouthpiece pump has on its inner surface supporting
ribs for the bag, preferably reaching as far as the
passage region. Such a system of struts, similar to
buildings, can be provided already in the injection-
molding process. Path-blocking arrangements such as
loops are avoided. It is also advantageous that the
bag has an easily stabilized base area. This part,
which is subjected to increased mechanical loading, is
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 4 -
consequently ideally suited for using the dispenser
when re-filling as a disposable article. A further
measure for dispensing the substances without delivery
coming to a halt is that the inlet opening, adjoining
the passage region, of the emptying mouthpiece pump is
formed as a web-interrupted annular opening, running
concentrically and coaxially in relation to the bag.
The substance present is sucked over a wide front to
replenish the supply. No partial pockets can form in
the bag. Instead of a web-interrupted annular opening,
an annular opening may also be formed by a ring of
holes. In one case as in the other, the further
measure that the annular opening is disposed in the
base of a collecting funnel diverging counter to the
direction of delivery of the substances proves to be
advantageous. Said collecting funnel acts as an aligned
feeding collector. Finally, it is advantageous in
terms of flow that the diameter of the annular opening
substantially corresponds to the diameter of the
passage region or grid.
The subject matter of the invention is explained in
more detail below with reference to an exemplary
embodiment illustrated by drawings, in which:
figure 1 shows the dispenser realised as a standing
unit, in side view, closed by a protective
cap, slightly enlarged,
figure 2 shows the plan view of this,
figure 3 shows the dispenser in an exploded
representation,
figure 4 shows an inner view of the shell half of the
container carrying the emptying mouthpiece
pump, showing supporting ribs for the bag,
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 5 -
figure 5 shows a vertical section through the
container of the dispenser, with flanges
still unconnected,
S figure 6 shows a enlargement VI from figure 5,
figure 7 shows a cross-section in the -region of a
supporting rib and
figure 8 shows a vertical section through the emptying
mouthpiece pump, greatly enlarged.
The dispenser Sp represented is realised as a standing
unit. It serves for dispensing pasty to flowable
substances M, the filling volume of which is held by a
dimensionally stable container 1.
The container 1 is of an elongate form, flat and of
unround cross-section, preferably elliptical (see
figure 2).
The container 1 is divided in half with regard to its
longitudinal center axis x-x in terms of assembly.
It comprises an upper shell half 2 and a lower shell
half 3. Their open ends, directed toward each other,
butt together in a plane E-E lying perpendicular to the
longitudinal center plane x-x. The shell halves 2, 3
are identical in terms of their cavity, apart from
further molded formations still to be explained below.
The open ends, directed toward each other, are angled
away outward at the periphery. In this case, the upper
shell half 2 provides a flange 4 and the lower shell
half 3 provides a flange 5 (cf. also figure 6).
The flange 4 of the upper shell half 2 is folded
vertically in the direction of a standing surface 6, as
seen in the longitudinal direction of the container 1.
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 6 -
The corresponding angle leg 7 engages over the
outwardly directed end edge 8 of the flange 5 of the
lower shell half 3.
The relevant edge contour consequently forms a channel
9 ~cf . figure 3 ) for the snug fit of the flange 5 of
the lower shell half 3.
The precision of this peripheral edge connection
creates a gocd basis fcr the mounting of an internal
element of the container 1, to be precise in the form
of a bag 10. Said bag is foldable, preferably capable
of turning inside out, and has for this purpose the
required elasticity or also flexibility.
The bag 10 is made to match the inner lining both of
the lower shell half 3 and of the upper shell half 2
that can be reached when it collapses. It comes to lie
in close contact with the respective inside wall of the
container shell halves 2, 3. Above, pasty substance M
lies in between.
Facing the plane E-E, the bag 10 is held on the
container side by means of an edge 11. The faces
directed toward one another of the flanges 4 and 5
serve in this case as a connecting join similar to
clamping jaws. The correspondingly outwardly projecting
edge 11 of the bag 10 is in this case captured in the
region of an, as it were, equatorial connecting join.
Its elastic material serves in this case at the same
time as a seal. The connecting join has the reference
numeral 12. It may have parallel walls, as clearly
shown by figure 6, or else thicken wedgingly
continuously toward the outer edge, so that undercut
areas are created which, in addition to the mere
nonpositive connecting engagement, also permit a
positive engagement as a reinforced capturing means.
The entries to the connecting join have a convex
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
_ 7 _
transverse rounding. This avoids a cutting action at
the "collapse hinge".
After positioning of the bag 10, the further bending of
the angle leg 7 takes place, ending in a final
engagement under the flange 5 of the lower shell half
3.
The bending of the angle leg 7 may take place
thermally. On the other hand, an adhesive connection,
a latching connection or even a screw connection is
also conceivable if the shell halves 2, 3 are
rotationally symmetrical, at least in the region of the
join.
With respect to their sides remote from the open ends,
directed toward one another, the shell halves 2, 3 go
over into narrowed cross-sectional zones. The upper
tapering zone in this case ends in a passage region 13
of the container 1 for the delivery of the pasty
substance M. Said passage region is circular and of
relatively large diameter, using virtually the entire
flattening width of the container 1.
The end of the lower shell half 3 directed toward the
standing surface 6 likewise goes over into a narrowed
cross-sectional zone. This tapering zone has a
standing edge 14. Said standing edge is of such a
vertical height that it leaves a clearance with respect
to said standing surface 6 under the base 15 of the
container 1 formed there. The base 15 has in the
center an air-equalizing opening 16. Said opening
compensates in terms of volume for the region
underneath the bag 10 as the latter moves upward.
In the passage region 13, the upper shell half 2
continues into an upwardly directed connection piece
17. This is an integrally formed portion. The
connection piece 17 receives an annular collar 18
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
adapted to it by being reduced in diameter. Both
formations are basically cylindrical.
The relevant head region of the dispenser Sp serves for
recei~aing a manually actuable emptying mouthpiece pump
P.
The emptying mouthpiece pump P actually seated in the
apex region of the upper shell half 2 forms with its
upper structure an actuating button 19 oriented
vertically in terms of movement. Away from its
recessed actuating surface, there is a laterally
directed, upwardly sloping mouthpiece 20. Said
mouthpiece is of a tubular form, at least in the end
region, and is consequently suitable for the delivery
of an amount of pasty or flowable substance M formed
into a strand.
A negative pressure is exerted by means of the
mouthpiece pump P, obtaining the effect of powerful,
complete emptying of the bag 10, which initially hangs
down then increasingly collapses in the dispensing
direction, to be precise perceptibly in the direction
of a clearance facing the mouthpiece pump P of the
upper shell half 2 of a size corresponding to the bag
10. The direction of delivery is identified by arrow
y. It coincides with the longitudinal center axis x-x
and goes over into a slightly rising lateral direction
within the actuating button 19. The actuating button
19, carrying the mouthpiece 20, can be turned, about
said longitudinal centre axis x-x. This permits
individually operatingly-convenient dispensing, whether
over the longer axis of the elliptical outline of the
container 1 or over the shorter axis or over steplessly
achievable intermediate regions.
As already indicated, the delivery does not leave any
residue, since a grid 21 is disposed in front of the
passage region 13 of the container 1, between the
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 9 -
inside wall of the upper container shell half 2 and the
emptying mouthpiece pump P. Said grid fills the
passage region 13 and is convexly curved slightly into
the region of the filling volume, counter to the
direction of delivery arrow y. It is stiffened in this
way. The grid 21 may be a separate component.
However, it is also possible for this basket-like
formation already to be molded onto the upper shell
half 2. As can be seen, the assembly comprises an
outer ring 22 and an inner ring 23 joined by radial
webs 24 (reference is made to figure 4). There are six
radial webs 24, to be precise spaced at equal angles
from one another.
A further means for dispensing the pasty substance M
with virtually no residue is that the shell half 2
equipped with the emptying mouthpiece pump P on the
inside is provided with supporting ribs 25 for the bag
10. Said bag cannot then get in the way, even
partially. Rather, the flow supply paths W are kept
free by the exposed system of struts of such supporting
ribs 25 (compare figure 7). The bag 10 or its wall can
move in an orderly fashion toward the passage region 13
in the direction of delivery arrow y. With the grid 21
formed separately, the outer ring 22 rests on heads 25'
of the supporting ribs 25 protruding into the passage
region 13. Said outer ring is mounted in a clamping
manner on them.
Altogether, eight supporting ribs 25 distributed at
equal angles are provided. They can already be
moulded-in. The rib height increases continuously in
the direction of the passage region 13 and tapers in
the opposite direction on the inner face of the shell
surface 2.
As can be seen from figure 3, the base area 26 of the
bag 10 is formed with a thicker wall than the wall of
the bag 10 adjoining in the manner of a cup. The
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 10 -
thickness is chosen such that the overall
collapsability is not impaired, that is to say that the
collapsing behavior is retained. Said thickening acts
like a slightly stiffened follow-up base. The
thickening may extend over the entire base area 26 or,
however, as represented, be formed merely as an annular
path.
The head of the dispenser Sp has a protective cap 27
over it. This at the same time avoids unwanted
discharge of the content, for example when the
container 1 is carried along with other utensils in a
bag or the like.
The relative position of the protective cap 27 is
defined, for example by use of the stepped transition
between the connection piece 17 and the annular collar
18, forming a shoulder 28.
The cap-shaped body may be fractionally mounted;
however, a screw connection may also be used, as
preferred here (compare figure 8). The annular collar
18 received in the connecting piece 17 is part of an
insert 29 received in the dispenser head. Said annular
collar is terminated on the substance side by a base
30.
Extending from the base 30 is part of the cylinder 31
forming the aforementioned emptying mouthpiece pump P.
Running in the cylinder 31 is a piston 32, which can be
displaced against spring loading by the actuating
button 19. Said piston forms the upper limitation of a
pump chamber 33, the lower termination of which is
provided by the base 30.
In the base 30 there is an inlet valve V1. It is a
non-return valve, which controls in terms of flow an
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 11 -
annular opening 34 incorporated in the base 30 and
consists of elastomeric material.
Seated on the piston head 35 is an outlet valve V2.
This is also an elastomeric component acting in the
manner of a non-return valve.
The outlet valve V2 keeps passage openings 36 closed.
Behind the outlet valve V2 there is an intermediate
chamber 37 with flow connection to a central channel 38
of the actuating button 19 connected to the piston 32.
The central channel 38 itself is then in connection
with the mouthpiece 20.
For forming the intermediate chamber 37 and also for
receiving the central channel 38, the shaft 39 of the
piston 32 attached to the rear of the piston head 35 is
of a hollow form. As can be seen from the drawing, the
functional parts are accommodated in it appropriately
for operation.
A connecting part 40 contributes to this. So too does
the cup-shaped form. The cup opening points in the
direction of the container 1. Its top is firmly
connected to the actuating button 19.
On the outside, the cup-shaped connecting part 40 is
provided with an annular stop projection 41. Said stop
projection interacts with an axial channel 42,
providing counter stops, on the inner side of the
annular collar 18. The annular width determines the
excursion and establishes the portion-forming clearance
of the pump chamber 33.
The cup-shaped connecting part 40, like the annular
wall of the cylinder 31 open in the opposite direction,
contributes to the creation of a spring chamber 43.
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 12 -
Said spring chamber receives a compression spring 44.
The latter loads the actuating button 19 in the
direction of the basic position, as revealed by figure
8. For this purpose, the spring action at the upper
end is directed against the top of the cup-shaped
connecting part 40 and the spring action at the end
facing the supply of substance is directed against the
base 30, which consequently forms the fixed abutment.
Special supporting elements such as webs, beads etc.
are used. The compression spring 44 has a slight bias.
The transfer of the pasty to flowable substance M into
the apportioning region of the dispenser Sp, here
initially the pump chamber 33, takes place over a
relatively broad base and not through a centrally
located access path. This is actually embodied by the
inlet opening of the emptying mouthpiece pump P,
adjoining the grid-protected passage region 13, being
formed as an annular opening 34, running concentrically
coaxially with respect to the bag 10. The annular
opening 34 formed in the base 30 is interspersed,
between the central region of the base and the base
region concentrically adjoining radially beyond the
annular opening, by webs 45. Such webs 45, disposed in
the manner of spokes, preferably extend such that they
are spaced at equal angles from one another. A
likewise advantageous variant could consist in forming
the annular opening 34 by holes of a ring of holes.
Such holes are likewise uniformly spaced apart in the
circumferential direction.
The web-interrupted system explained and also the ring
of holes system can optionally also be used with
respect to the passage opening 36 in the region of the
outlet valve V2.
Both the annular opening 34 according to the described
basic configuration and the passage opening 36 continue
in the direction of delivery arrow y into funnel-shaped
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 13 -
widened portions in the manner of countersunk holes for
screws. This assists the raising of the valves V1, V2
to open them during the discharging pumping process.
This achieves the overall effect that the delimiting
region of the substance M, "sucked" as it were by the
negative pressure of the pump P in the direction of
delivery arrow y, is fed over a broad front to the
transfer region, which by simple means rules out
tilting of the bag 10, possibly forming a pocket,
causing a blockage, in particular in the end phase of
the dispensing.
This advantageous effect is further enhanced by the
annular opening having a catching funnel 46 on the side
facing the substance M. Said catching funnel is
already moulded into the base 30 and has a wall
diverging in a rotationally symmetrical manner counter
to the dispensing direction arrow y. The diameter of
the annular opening 34 substantially corresponds to the
diameter of the passage region 13 or of the grid 21.
It remains to be stated that the emptying mouthpiece
pump P, completely pre-assembled, can be positioned in
relation to the neck, that is the connecting piece 17,
of the container 1 by way of the screw connection. The
thread is designated by 47. At the height of the inlet
valve V1 there is a screw limitation 48. Directed
inward into the housing, said screw limitation
continues into a shoulder wall, which in the way
described above carries the grid 21. Between the grid
21 and the base 30 there remains a dispensing
antechamber, which cannot be clogged by the bag wall.
The delivery takes place as follows: downward movement
of the actuating button 19 causes the volume of the
pump chamber 33 to be reduced. Substance M located in
it cannot escape in the direction of the supply on
account of the closing action of the inlet valve V1.
CA 02493256 2005-O1-21
- 14 -
Rather, the enclosed substance, passing the passage
opening 36, is delivered via the intermediate chamber
37 to the central channel 38, to emerge from there via
mouthpiece 20. This path is released by the opening
action of the outlet valve V2. If the actuating button
19 is let go after delivery, a return displacement of
the piston 32 takes place in the direction of the basic
position represented. This leads to a negative
pressure in the pump chamber 33. Correspondingly,
substance M is replenished from the supply. The inlet
valve V1 opens. Extraneous air cannot enter as a
result of the closing action of the outlet valve V2.
The return displacement takes place because of the
force of the compression spring 44.
All disclosed features are (in themselves) pertinent to
the invention. The disclosure content of the
associated/attached priority documents (copy of the
prior patent application) is also hereby incorporated
in full in the disclosure of the patent application,
including for the purpose of incorporating features of
these documents in claims of the present application.
