EP0766632A1

EP0766632A1 - Refill dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP0766632A1
Application number: EP95924196A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Finn Kehlet Schou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-05
Filing date: 1995-07-04
Publication date: 1997-04-09
Also published as: DK171608B1; AU2880395A; WO1996001215A1; DK80194A

Abstract

A refill dispenser (1) that encloses a package body (3) which is a disposable article and contains a fluid product (18). The refill dispenser (1) consists of a pumping means (2) which is provided at its one end with a valve (6) and at its other end with a collar (21), onto which a fixation element (4) and a holding means (5) are mounted. The package body (3) is secured at its one end on its lip opening (8) by the valve (6) and at its other end on its securing area (19) by means of securing means (11) for the fixation element.

Description

REFILL DISPENSER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a refill dispenser for use in the discharge of a fluid product from a soft package body, said package body constituting a disposable package and being in the form of a bag or the like, which package body is enclosed by a dispenser and provided with a lip opening at its one end and with a securing area at its other end.

It is known to use apparatuses for the discharge of fluid products that are contained in plastic bags or the like. Such known apparatuses have the following properties:

the dispenser is integral with an apparatus intended for permanent mounting on a wall, the dispenser and the apparatus are difficult to clean The apparatus is made of a solid material for contai- ning the bag which holds a fluid product, the dispenser constitutes a small portion of the apparatus assembly, and the bag with the product which is desired to be discharged is to be influenced by gravity in a particu- lar direction.

However, these properties are associated with inconveniences since, due to its permanent mounting on a wall, the apparatus is often used to discharge only a predetermined product. Moreover, the permanent mounting presents problems with respect to cleaning. Since almost the entire apparatus is made of a solid material, the dispenser will constitute, a minor portion thereof which yields a disproportionately voluminous apparatus. Finally, in order to allow an amount of a product to be discharged, the bag should be suspended in such a manner that the bag's opening is arranged at the bottom. Thereby the positioning and fields of application of the apparatus are limited.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which remedies the problems described above. That is a dispenser which may be refilled and which is used for disposable packages, a dispenser which constitutes the apparatus proper, a dispenser which may be used largely without the influence of gravity, a dispenser which may be used for a wide variety of products, and a dispenser which is minimized from a space point of view.

This is obtained with a dispenser of the type described in the introductory part and which is characterized in that said dispenser consists of a pumping means having an integral valve, a holding means that cooperates with a fixation element having means to secure the securing area of the package body, and that the fixation element is provided with at least one through-going notch.

In a dispenser of the above-mentioned type, the dispenser encloses the entire package element which holds the fluid product whereby the overall physical extent of the dispenser is minimized since the need to incorporate an actual appara- tus for containing the package body is thus eliminated. Since the dispenser encloses the entire package body and the package body being disposable, the dispenser may be refilled substantially without cleaning. It should be understood that hereby it is also possible to use the dispenser for several different products provided the physical appearances of the package bodies are identical.

The dispenser being provided with a valve that squeezes the lip opening of the package body, the dispenser with the package body is capable of operating independently of gravity. This is due to the fact that the valve influences the lip opening on the package body in such a manner that air is prevented from entering the package body. Thereby the dispenser discharges only a portion of the fluid product when exposed to any compression force.

A dispenser of the type described above may be used for a wide variety of products, such as ketchup, mustard, dres¬ sings, edible oil, vegetable fat, processed cheese, cream, various types of milk, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics, lubricating oil, abrasives and polishers, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through a dispenser turned 90° relative to the embodiment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 are enlarged partially sectional views through the first body, the second body, the holding means and the fixation element,

Figure 4 is an enlarged partially sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the view shown in Figure 3,

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a fixation element seen from the mounting side,

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a fixation element seen from the mounting side, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through an alternative embodiment of a fixation element,

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through a third em¬ bodiment of a fixation element,

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a fixation element,

Figure 10 illustrates a dispenser unit without package body,

Figures 10A-B are partially sectional views through the dispenser valve in different embodiments seen from the side shown in Figure 2,

Figures 10C-F illustrate the dispenser valve in different embodiments seen from the side shown in Figure 1,

Figure 11 illustrates a package body, and

Figures 11A-B are partially sectional views through the lip opening of the package body in different em¬ bodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sectional views through an embodiment of a dispenser 1 according to the present in- vention. In the embodiment shown the dispenser 1 consists of a pumping means 2, a package body 3, a fixation element 4 with through-going notches 17, and a securing means 11 (cf. Figures 3 and 4) , and a holding means 5.

The pumping means 2, which is at its upper end 7 provided with a valve 6, in an advantageous embodiment a one-way valve, and is at a lower end 20 provided with an outwardly facing collar 21. The pumping means 2 is made of an elastic, flexible material, preferably silicone, which, following compression, assumes its original shape.

At its one end, the package body 3 is provided with a lip opening 8 and, at its other end, with a securing area 19. The package body 3 is made of a material which is soft and resilient, preferably aluminium and/or soft plastics, such as polyethylene. A package body 3 of such material does not assume its original shape following compression.

The package body 3 is mounted on an outwardly facing area 16 (cf. Figs 7, 8 and 9) on the fixation element 4. The area 16 is provided between an inside plane 14 and an outside plane 15. The outside plane 15 may be used as a stand plane whereas the package body 3 is mounted above the inside plane 14. The openings 17 which are provided in the fixation element 4 prevents the occurence of vacuum in the pumping means 2 when the pumping means 2 assumes its original shape following compression.

As shown in Figs 1 and 2, the valve 6 extends across the entire lip opening 8 of the package body 3 and continues to the outer circumference of the pumping means 2. In the Figures, the dispenser 1 is shown standing upright on a plane 10 but it may also be provided with a suspension means 9 on the plane 15 to allow the dispenser 1 to be suspended.

In the following the assembly and use of a dispenser 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 will be described in further detail. The dispenser 1 is assembled and used by fastening the package body 3 to the fixation element 4 by means of fixation means 11 (cf. Figs 3 and 4) . The pumping means 2 is sub¬ sequently mounted to enclose the package body 3 while the valve 6 on the upper end 7 of the pumping means 2 is opened by pressing one corner 12 and another corner 13 towards each other. In this manner passage is established for the lip opening 8 of the package body 3.

It is to be noted that the lip opening 8 is not broken with a pair of scissors (cf. Figs 11 A and B) or the like at the relevant point in time whereby any possible soiling of the pumping means 2 interior is avoided.

Following arrangement of the bag 3 with the lip opening 8 protruding outwardly through the valve 6 on the pumping means 2, the holding means 5 is carried downwards to enclose the pumping means 2. The pumping means 2, the fixation element 4 and the holding means 5 are subsequently secured relative to each other whereupon the lip opening 8 is opened with a pair of scissors or the like.

The desired fixation of the pumping means 2, the fixation element 4 and the holding means 5 relative to each other may be obtained in several ways. In the embodiment shown in Figs 3 and 4, the holding means 5 is provided with an internal groove 26 while the pumping means 2 is provided with a recess 25. The recess 25 and the groove 26 could also be arranged invertedly or between the pumping means 2 and the fixation element 4. The purpose of the fixation is to ensure that the dispenser cannot be disassembled by compression.

Securing of the pumping means 2, the fixation element 4 and the holding means 5 relative to each other following fixation may be obtained with a snap lock 27.

An alternative way of assembling and using the dispenser 1 will be described in further detail in the following. The dispenser is assembled by lowering the package body 3 into the pumping means 2 while the valve 6 on the upper end 7 of the pumping means 2 is opened as described above. The fixation element 4 is subsequently arranged within the pumping means 2 and rotated to secure the fixation element in the holding means 5. Such securing of the holding means 5 and the fixation element 4 is advantageously obtained with a bayonet socket 28.

When the pumping means 2 of the assembled dispenser 1 is subsequently compressed, an amount of a fluid product 18 contained in the package body 3 will be forced out through the broken lip opening 8. The package body 3 being suspended in a securing area 19 by means of fixation means 11 arranged at its one one and being secured in the lip opening by the valve 6 at its other end, dosaged emptying of the bag 3 with result in an increasing narrowing of the package body between the securing area 19 and the lip opening 8 since the valve 6 does now allow air to be sucked into the bag.

The above-described suspension of the package body 3 also permits the dispenser 1 to be used in its standing position as well as suspended and ensures optimum utilization of the contents of the package body 3. This is due to the fact that the valve 6 will, as described above, ensure that the bag 3 contains only and therefore only discharges the desired product 18 and not air. The securing of the package body 3 means that the dispenser 1 may be used in a standing 4 as well a suspended position as shown in Figs 1 and 2 since the package body cannot collapse or fall down and hence block further discharge of the fluid product 18.

Replacement of the package body 3 may be provided in two ways. Most advantageously the bag 3 is pulled out through the valve 6 by gripping the lip opening 8 and pulling it. In this way it is ensured that the interior of the dispenser 1 is not soiled and consequently a new package body 3 may immediately be installed without cleaning.

Alternatively the package body 3 may be removed by separating the fixation element 4 and the holding means 5 from each other and subsequently removing the pumping means 2 and the fixation element 4 with the package body 3 from each other. Owing to the fixation means 11, the bag 3 will continue to be suspended from the fixation element 4 and thus, the bag 3 may be pulled out along the same path as it was mounted. This alternative way of replacing the bag 3, however, may be associated with drawbacks since the pulling out involves a risk of soiling the pumping means 2 interior.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a fixation element 4 with two embodiments of the fixation means 11. Moreover, the figures show a snap locking system as described above for securing the pumping means 2, the fixation element 4 and the holding means 5.

Figure 3 shows a detachable annular fixation means 11 mounted in an inward recess 16 on the fixation element 4. The fixation means 11 shown herein is made of a resilient material, such as artificial or natural rubber, to obtain such physical properties as large friction capacity and elasticity.

In the embodiment shown, the fixation means 11 is arranged interiorly of the securing area 19 of the package body 3. However, the securing means 11 could also be arranged exteriorly of the securing portion 19 in such a manner that the securing portion 19 is pinched between the fixation element 4 and the fixation means 11.

Figure 4 illustrates a securing means 21 which is integral with the fixation element 4. The securing means 21 is provided in the form of protrusions 21 on the axial plane 16. The amount of protrusions 21 may vary from two to several whereby the protrusions may assume any shape from small pins to substantially circular protrusions. According to an advantageous embodiment, the fixation element 4 is provided with three securing means 21 which are tapered and slightly inclining towards the plane 15. This allows for reliable and solid mounting of the package body 3 on the fixation element 4.

In figures 5 and 6, two embodiments of the fixation element 5 4 are shown. The fixation element 4 is seen from the plane 15 in the Figures. The two fixation elements 4 are to be consi¬ dered exemplary of the ways in which the through-going notches 17 may be provided as it is obvious that they may assume other geometrical shapes, such as triangular, square 10 shapes, etc.

In Figures 3 and 4 only circular fixation elements 4 are illustrated, but the fixation means may also have other shapes, such as oval, elliptic, square, hexagonal, octagonal ,15 or the like.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate three different embodiments of a fixation element 4. Figure 7 shows a fixation element 4 intended for standing on a plane surface 10 (see Figs 1 and

20 2) . The fixation element 4 could also be massive and without the recess as shown. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate two em¬ bodiments of a fixation element 4 when the dispenser 1 may be suspended. In the two embodiments the dispenser 1 may be suspended from a hook (not shown) or suspended by means of a

25 hook. Figures 10 A and B are partially sectional views through a valve 6. In Fig. 10A the valve is shown with a semicircular boss 22 that extends interiorly on each side in the longitudinal direction of the valve 6. By means of the boss 22, the valve 6 will pinch a small portion of the

30 package body 3. Hereby it is possible to use the valve 6 for high-viscosity material 18. Figure 10B illustrates a valve 6 which, contrary to the one shown in Fig. 10A pinches a wide area. This provides safe closing of the package body 3 and thus allows for use of low-viscosity material therein which

35 cannot leak even in case of suspension. Figures 10C-F show different geometrical embodiments of the valve 6. The design of the valve 6 depends on the desired performance of the valve 6 and the shape in which the dis¬ charged product 18 is desired to be discharged.

Figures 11A-B illustrate two different embodiments of the opening area 8 of the bag 3. In figure 11A the lip opening 8 is shown with a longitudinal external boss 24 on each side of the package body 3. This boss 24, which may be broken in its longitudinal direction, prevents the bag 3 from falling or being sucked downwards into the pumping means 2. In Fig. 11B a standard lip opening 8 is shown wherein no measures are taken to prevent sucking or falling down.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A refill dispenser (1) for use in the discharge of a fluid product (18) from a soft package body (3), said package body (3) constituting a disposable package and being in the form of a bag or the like, wherein the package body (3) is enclosed in a dispenser (1) and at its one end provided with a lip opening (8) and at its other end provided with a securing area (19), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the dispenser (1) consists of a pumping means (2) having an integral valve (6) , a holding means (5) that cooperates with a fixation element (4) with means (11) for securing the securing area (19) of the package body (3) , and that the fixation element is provided with at least one through-going notch (17) .

2. A dispenser (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the valve (6) in the pumping means (2) is in the form of a one-way valve, that each inside of the valve (6) is provided with a boss (22) , and that the valve (6) is disposed most distally from that end of the pumping means (2) where the fixation element (4) is mounted, and that the one plane (15) of the fixation element (4) is a stand plane.

3. A dispenser (1) according to claims 1-2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the package body (3) is made of aluminium and/or soft plastics, preferably polyethylene, and that a boss (24) is provided on the lip opening (8) .

4. A dispenser (1) according to claims 1-3, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d in that the pumping means (2) is made of an elastic, flexible materiale, prefeably silicone.

5. A dispenser (1) according to claims 1-4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the securing means (21) of the fixation element (4) is integral with a plane (16) and provided in the form of pins (21) , said pins (21) being outwardly protruding.

6. A dispenser (1) according to claims 1-5, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the securing means (11) of the fixation element (4) is annular and made of an elastic, flexible material, preferably natural rubber or artificial rubber.

7. A dispenser (1) according to claims 1-6, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the fixation element (4) is provided with a groove/recess which cooperates with a recess/groove (25) in the pumping means (2) to secure the fixation element (4) and the pumping means (2) relative to each other.

8. A dispenser according to claims 1-7, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the holding means (5) is provided with a groove/recess (26) which cooperates with a recess/- groove (25) in the pumping means (2) to secure the holding means (5) and the pumping means (2) relative to each other.

9. A dispenser (1) according to claims 1-8, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the one plane (15) of the fixation element (4) is provided with a means (9) for the suspension by means of hooks, rings, male threads, female threads or the like