EP3104980A1

EP3104980A1 - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: EP3104980A1
Application number: EP14723704.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Swen Barenhoff; Bernd Jasper
Original assignee: Aptar Dortmund GmbH
Current assignee: Aptar Dortmund GmbH
Priority date: 2014-02-10
Filing date: 2014-04-19
Publication date: 2016-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-19
Also published as: CA2937575A1; ES2690793T3; DE202014001084U1; US10040083B2; CN105980065B; WO2015117625A1; CN105980065A; EP3104980B1; US20170001208A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a dispensing device comprising a housing, a spray head, and a protective cap. By overcoming a resistance, the protective cap can be rotated between a blocked position and a released position. The protective cap is transparent and is rotationally coupled to the spray head.

Description

dispenser

The present invention relates to a dispensing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The term "dispensing device" is to be understood in the present invention in particular a spraying device or pumping device, which is preferably attached or attachable to a container. In particular, the dispensing device may comprise the container, possibly a pressure vessel.

The dispensing device preferably serves for the sprayed dispensing or dispensing of a product.

The term "product" is to be understood in particular also liquids, suspensions and fluids, possibly with gas phases. The product may be dispensed as a paste, jet or mist or otherwise, for example as a foam or gel.

DE 1 037 378 A discloses a spray head for a pressure vessel with a rotatable, permanent cap.

The present invention has for its object to provide a dispensing device that allows intuitive and / or safe handling with simple and inexpensive construction.

The above object is achieved by a dispensing device according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

One aspect of the present invention is that the dispensing device preferably forms a resistance that must be overcome when rotating the protective cap from the release position to the blocking position and / or vice versa. This is conducive to safe handling and prevents unwanted rotation of the protective cap from one position to the other. According to another aspect of the present invention, the dispensing device preferably has a protective cap and a spray head, which are preferably coupled directly via a rotary coupling in such a way that they only limited relative to each other are rotatable, in particular wherein during rotation of the protective cap from the blocking position in the release position of the spray head is rotated in a predetermined output direction when the spray head is rotated to the blocking position. This is conducive to safe handling, in particular since unintentional twisting of the spray head into an undefined dispensing direction is prevented. Furthermore, a simple structure is made possible because the depressible spray head does not have to be guided in a rotationally fixed manner on the associated housing or in the dispensing device. According to another aspect of the present invention, the protective cap is preferably transparent. This is conducive to an intuitive operation, in particular since a user can recognize the spray head and particularly preferably its nozzle or dispensing opening even in the locked position. The above-mentioned aspects of the present invention which emerge from the further description can be implemented independently of one another, but also in any desired combination.

Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows:

1 shows a schematic section of a proposed dispensing device with a container in the unactuated state.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section of the dispensing device without a container in the actuated state; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the dispensing device in one

Locked position without container;

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the dispensing device

Release position without container;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the dispenser in the depressed state without container. 6 shows a schematic section of a housing of the dispensing device with an engaging holding section of a protective cap in the blocking position;

7 shows a schematic section of the housing of the dispensing device with the engaging holding section of the protective cap in the release position;

Figure 8 is a schematic section of the housing of the dispenser with the engaging portion of the protective cap in the depressed state.

9 is a schematic section to illustrate the engagement of

Protective cap or the holding portion in the housing; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the dispenser with cut-cap.

In the partly not to scale, only schematic figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts, with corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved, even if a repeated description is omitted.

1 shows in a schematic section a proposed dispensing device 1 for dispensing a product 2, such as a liquid or the like.

The product 2 may be more viscous than water or possibly even pasty.

In particular, the product 2 may also form a foam or a gel.

The product 2 may also contain gas in liquid and / or other form.

It should be noted that basically any type of delivery of the product 2 - preferably as a jet or as a spray - comes into question.

In particular, the dispensing device 1 is designed for the sprayed dispensing of the product 2. However, a non-spraying output is also possible. The dispensing device 1 is preferably provided with a reservoir, in particular a container 3, for the product 2 to be dispensed or connected or connectable. The reservoir can thus form part of the dispensing device 1 or it can be connected or connectable to it. Preferably, the dispenser comprises the container 3.

In the illustrated example, the reservoir is designed as a preferably rigid container 3. The container 3 is in particular elongated and / or cylindrical and / or rigid.

The dispensing device 1 preferably has a pump 4 or is preferably designed as such to suck or convey the product 2 from the reservoir 3 or to pressurize it and to dispense it. Alternatively, the product 2 may alternatively be under pressure or settable in the reservoir or container 3. For example, then the container 3 or the product 2 may contain a suitable propellant.

The dispensing device 1 has a housing 5, which or its attachment section 5A is preferably connectable to the container 3 via a screw connection or in another suitable manner.

Particularly preferably, the housing 5 can be detachably connected to the container 3, in particular in order to refill the product 2 and / or to be able to see the container 3. However, a non-detachable connection is possible.

Preferably, the pump 4 is inserted or installed in the housing 5, in particular latching received therefrom. However, other constructive solutions are possible.

The dispenser 1 or pump 4 preferably has a riser 6, for example a hose, in order to be able to suck or receive the product 2 from the container 3. The riser 6 is connected to an inlet of the pump 4, in particular inserted or plugged into a socket.

On the outlet side, the pump 4 has a preferably tubular or nozzle-like outlet element 7. By depressing the outlet 7, the pump 4 is actuated. Fig. 1 shows the pump 4 in a non-actuated starting position, in which the outlet member 7 and the pump 4 by spring force, here returned by the force of a return spring 8 again.

The dispensing device 1 has a spray head 9 for the preferably sprayed dispensing of the product 2, preferably via an outlet opening or nozzle 10 on or in the spray head 9. In the illustrated example, the nozzle 10 is inserted into the spray head 9. In particular, a spraying output of the product 2 takes place.

The spray head 9 is fluidically connected to the pump 4 or its outlet element 7, particularly preferably with an inlet 9A, such as a connecting piece, attached to the outlet element 7.

Instead of the pump 4, the dispensing device 1 or the container 3 can also have a dispensing valve, in particular if the product 2 is under pressure in the container 3. In this case, the outlet element 7 then forms a valve element of the dispensing valve. The spray head 9 or its inlet 9A is then connected to the dispensing valve or its valve element.

The dispensing device 1 has a protective cap 1 1, which covers or surrounds the spray head 9. In particular, the protective cap 1 1 covers the spray head 9 on the top or front side and also laterally or over the circumference.

The protective cap 11 preferably has a passage opening 12, through which the product 2 can be dispensed upon actuation of the dispensing device 1, in particular when the spray head 9 or the protective cap 11 is pressed down. Fig. 1 shows the dispensing device 1 and the protective cap 1 1 in a blocking position. The protective cap 1 1 is locked in this blocking position against manual depression. Accordingly, therefore, the spray head 9 is locked against manual depression. In the blocking position, the protective cap 1 1 preferably covers the dispensing opening or nozzle 10 of the spray head 9. The passage opening 1 1A shown in Fig. 2 is thus not in front of the outlet opening or nozzle 10 in the blocking position. Fig. 2 shows the dispensing device 1 in a schematic section without container 3. For reasons of simplification, the riser 6 is omitted.

The protective cap 1 1 is in the release position, the passage opening 1 1 A is located in front of the discharge opening or nozzle 0 of the spray head 9 and releases it.

FIG. 2 shows the dispensing device 1 in the actuated state, ie when the protective cap 11 is depressed and the spray head 9 depressed. During the depression, the product 2 is pumped and the product 2 pressurized by the pump 4 is actuated or the actuation of the Pump 4 via the spray head 9 and its nozzle 10, preferably as a spray or spray, as indicated in Fig. 2 schematically. In the normal position of use, the delivery direction A is preferably at least substantially horizontal and / or runs transversely, preferably perpendicular, to the actuation direction or depression direction B, which is indicated schematically in FIG. The housing 5 preferably has an upper portion or annular collar 5 B, which is open in particular upwards for receiving the spray head 9 and the protective cap 1 1.

The mounting portion 5A and the annular collar 5B may be formed by separate parts which are, for example, latched together. Alternatively, these can also be formed in one piece. Particularly preferably, then, the housing 5 is formed as a whole in one piece. This is a cost-effective production or assembly conducive. The spray head 9 is preferably designed like a cap. It preferably protrudes into the housing 5 or its annular collar 5B with a ring section or sleeve section 9B, particularly preferably both in the non-actuated or non-depressed position (FIG. 1) and in the actuated or depressed position (FIG. 2). When actuated, the spray head 9 can thus be retracted or pushed into the housing 5 accordingly.

The protective cap 11 is preferably transparent. This is conducive to intuitive use of the dispenser. The protective cap 1 1 preferably covers the spray head 9 at least substantially completely, in particular in such a way that the spray head 9 can not be directly manually operated or depressurized, but can only be depressed by depressing the protective cap 11 itself in order to actuate the pump 4 or not shown Open dispensing valve.

Particularly preferably, the protective cap 11 or its sleeve portion 11 B preferably covers the spray head 9 on the front side or on the upper side and / or on the peripheral side. Particularly preferably, the protective cap 1 1 has a jacket or sleeve section 11 B, which covers the sleeve section 9B of the spray head 9.

In the illustrated example, the protective cap 1 1 projects beyond the spray head 9 in the direction of the actuating direction B or towards the container 3, that is, it continues to project toward the container 3 than the spray head 9.

The protective cap 1 is rotatable between the release position and the blocking position. The protective cap 1 1 is rotatable or rotatable relative to the spray head 9.

Preferably, the protective cap 1 1 is held in the upper or unactuated position by the spray head 9, which is prestressed into the starting position, in the illustrated example by the force of the return spring 8. The spring force is preferably chosen such that the spray head 9 and the protective cap 11 automatically return automatically to the unactuated position or initial position after actuation, but not so high that a manual actuation, in particular by pressing on the outer or Free end face of the protective cap 1 is too stiff for a user, not shown.

To make the rotation of the cap 1 1 relative to the spray head 9 is not too stiff, preferably a rotary bearing between the two is provided. This is particularly preferably designed as a central or point-shaped pivot bearing.

The protective cap 1 1 has for rotary mounting preferably a bearing portion 11 C, which engages in particular axially on the spray head 9 and / or a slight rotation of the cap 11 relative to the spray head 9 is beneficial. Preferably, the bearing portion 1 1 C is arranged centrally or centrally.

The bearing portion 1 1 C is preferably formed as a lenticular elevation and / or arranged or formed on the inside of the protective cap 1 1 and its end face.

The bearing section 11 C preferably engages in an at least substantially complementary depression in the spray head 9.

Particularly preferably, the pivot bearing or the bearing portion 1 1 C ensures that the protective cap 1 1 does not rest on the entire face of the spray head 9 to facilitate the rotation of the protective cap 1 1 relative to the spray head 9. Alternatively, the bearing portion may also be formed on the spray head 9 and engage in a corresponding recess in the protective cap 1 1.

FIG. 3 shows the dispensing device 1 without container 3 in a side view in the blocking position, that is to say in the position of the protective cap 1 corresponding to FIG. 1. The passage opening 11A is here twisted in relation to the nozzle 10, so that the protective cap 11 resp whose sleeve portion 1 1 B, the nozzle 10 of the spray head 9 covers. This signals a user that the dispenser 1 is not operable in this state. FIG. 4 shows in a representation corresponding to FIG. 3 the dispensing device 1 without container 3 with the protective cap 1 1 in the release position in the unactuated state. The passage opening 11 B releases the nozzle 10 here.

FIG. 5 shows, in a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, the dispensing device 1 in the actuated state, ie when the protective cap 1 1 is depressed.

Preferably, the housing 5 or its annular collar 5B has a depression or recess 5C at the upper edge, so that in the depressed end position of the spray head 9, the nozzle 10 retract into the annular collar 5B and output through the recess 5C the product in the desired manner can. The protective cap 1 1 is preferably depressible only in the release position. In the blocking position, the protective cap 1 1, however, is locked against depression. This will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The dispensing device 1 or its housing 5, in particular the annular collar 5B, preferably has a recess 5D in the illustrated embodiment, which forms a guide or movement path for a preferably radially projecting holding section 11D of the protective cap 1. Fig. 6 illustrates in a schematic section of the housing 5, a preferred embodiment of the recess 5 D and dashed lines the position of the portion 1 1 D in the blocking position of the protective cap 11 at.

The recess 5D or backdrop comprises a first, circumferentially extending portion and a second, extending in the direction of actuation B and in the axial direction section.

Starting from the position of the holding section 1 D in the blocking position indicated in FIG. 6, when the protective cap 1 1 is rotated from the blocking position into the release position, the holding section 11 D is moved along the first section in the recess 5D, ie in the circumferential direction.

In the release position, the holding portion 1 1 D is above the second portion of the recess 5D. This state is indicated in FIG. 7. For this representation appears by the curvature of the holding portion 1 1 D narrower.

In the release position, the protective cap 1 1 can be depressed. As a result, the holding portion 1 1 D in the recess 5 D along the second portion down or in the housing 5 is moved further. Fig. 8 illustrates the depressed end position.

Fig. 9 shows in a schematic section the engagement of the protective cap 1 1 with an engagement portion, in particular a preferably arranged outside or radially outwardly projecting holding portion 1 1 D, in the housing 5 and its recess 5D.

Preferably, several, in particular three engagement or holding sections 1 1 D and corresponding recesses 5 D are distributed over the circumference in order to ensure safe guidance and / or mounting of the protective cap 4 on or in the housing 5. Afford. Particularly preferred is namely a tilting of the cap 1 1 under load, z. B. depression, be prevented in the locked position.

Particularly preferably, the protective cap 1 1 is permanently connected to the dispensing device 1 or the housing 5. This is preferably achieved in the illustrated embodiment in that the recess 5D is closed or delimited toward the free end of the housing 5 or annular collar 5B, particularly preferably by a radially inwardly projecting edge 5E, so that the retaining portion 11D does not extend out of the recess 5D can be axially moved out or pulled out. As a result, the protective cap 1 1 is preferably held or secured inseparably on the housing 5 and thus on the dispensing device 1. However, other constructive solutions are possible.

Particularly preferably, the protective cap 1 1 can be connected to the dispensing device 1 or the housing 5 in a latching manner, in particular by axial insertion or insertion of the protective cap 11 with its holding sections 11D into the associated recesses 5D. For this purpose, in the illustrated example, the respective edge 5E is preferably provided with an insertion bevel 5F, as indicated in FIG. The dispensing device 1 preferably forms a resistance that must be overcome when rotating the protective cap 11 from the blocking position to the release position and / or vice versa. Preferably, the resistance is formed by a rib, constriction or shoulder 5G in the trajectory or recess 5D. The constriction or shoulder 5G is particularly preferably formed in the illustrated example by an axial projection of the wall of the recess 5D.

Particularly preferably, the rib, constriction or shoulder 5G is arranged in the first section of the recess 5D and / or between the blocking position and release position of the holding section 11D in the recess 5D, as schematically indicated in FIGS. However, other constructive solutions are possible.

The protective cap 1 1 and the spray head 9 are preferably coupled in particular via a rotary coupling in such a way that they are limitedly rotatable relative to one another, for example by 20 to 45 °, in particular so that when turning from the release position to the blocking position and vice versa the protective cap 1 1 limited relative to the spray head 9 is rotatable and / or that when turning the Protective cap 1 1 is rotated from the blocking position to the release position of the spray head 9 in a predetermined output direction when the spray head 9 is rotated to the blocking position. This ensures that the spray head 9 assumes a defined rotational position or orientation in the release position and accordingly is aligned in a predetermined direction upon actuation of the dispensing device 1 and dispenses the product 2.

The rotary coupling is preferably designed such that the protective cap 1 is rotatable only by a preferred angle relative to the spray head 9, which corresponds to the angle for rotating between the release position and blocking position or vice versa. As a result, the rotary coupling normally forms a rotary freewheel between the protective cap 1 1 and the spray head 9. However, if the spray head 9 undesirably twists, the rotary coupling forces the spray head 9 back into the desired position to the passage opening 1 1A and recess 5C aligned rotational position guaranteed when the protective cap 1 is rotated from the blocking position to the release position.

In the illustrated example, the protective cap 1 1 preferably has an in particular rib-like engagement element 1 1 E, which engages axially or frontally in an engagement opening 9 C of the spray head 9, as schematically indicated in Fig. 10, the dispenser 1 without container 3 in a Top view with cut protective cap 1 1 shows. Particularly preferably, the engagement of the engagement element 1 1 E in the engagement opening 9D forms said rotary coupling.

The engagement element 1 E is preferably formed like a rib.

The engagement element 1 1 E is preferably arranged on the inside of the protective cap 1 1, for example at the closed end, preferably formed.

The engagement opening 9D is preferably formed at the frontal or upper end of the spray head 9.

The engagement opening 9D is preferably formed annular section-shaped.

However, other constructive solutions for the realization of rotary coupling are possible. Individual aspects of the present invention may also be implemented independently and in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 dispenser

2 product

3 containers

4 pump

5 housing

5A attachment section

5B ring collar

5C recess

5D recess

5E edge

5F insertion bevel

5G shoulder

6 riser

7 outlet element

8 return spring

9 spray head

9A inlet

9B sleeve section

9C recess

9D engagement opening

10 nozzles

11 protective cap

1 1A opening

11 B sleeve section

1 1 C position section

11 D holding section

11 E engagement element

A output direction

B actuating direction

Claims

claims:

1. dispensing device (1) for a preferably liquid product (2),

with a housing (5), a spray head (9) and a protective cap (11), the protective cap (11) covering the spray head (9) on the outside,

the protective cap (1 1) being depressible together with the product delivery nozzle (9) and / or pumping product (2),

wherein the protective cap (1 1) is manually rotatable between a release position and a blocking position,

wherein the protective cap (11) in the release position together with the spray head (9) is depressible manually, and

wherein the protective cap (1 1) is locked in the locked position against manual depression,

characterized,

in that the dispensing device (1) forms a resistance which must be overcome when rotating the protective cap (11) from the release position into the blocking position and / or vice versa, and / or

in that the protective cap (11) and the spray head (9) are preferably coupled directly via a rotary coupling in such a way that the protective cap (1 1) and the spray head (9) can be rotated relative to one another in a restricted manner, in particular so that when the protective cap (11 ) is rotated from the locking position into the release position of the spray head (9) in a predetermined output direction (A) when the spray head (9) is rotated to the blocking position, and / or

that the protective cap (1 1) is transparent.

2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing device (1) has a projection or a shoulder (5G) for forming the resistor.

3. Dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective cap (1 1) at least one preferably radially projecting holding portion (1 1 D) which engages in a recess (5D) in the housing (5) and along a backdrop or Movement path in the recess (5D) during rotation and depression of the protective cap (1 1) is movable.

4. Dispensing device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the housing (5) has the projection or the shoulder (5G) in the region of the movement path or forms, in particular to narrow this and / or to form the resistor.

5. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cap (1) detent and / or by axial insertion and / or inseparable from the housing (5) is connected.

6. Dispensing device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the protective cap (1 1) by means of the holding portion (1 1 D) against axial withdrawal from the housing (5) is secured.

7. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary coupling engages axially in the spray head (9).

8. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary coupling has a on the protective cap (1 1) inside and / or frontally arranged engaging element (1 1 E).

9. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary coupling has a preferably front-side engagement opening (9D) on the spray head (9).

10. Dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the engagement opening (9D) is formed annular section-shaped.

1 dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the spray head (9) has an outlet opening or nozzle (10) for the sprayed output of the product (2).

12. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cap (1 1) has a passage opening (1 1A), in particular only in the release position an output opening or nozzle (10) of the spray head (9) releases.

13. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device (1) or the housing (5) comprises or forms a pump (4).

14. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device (1) or the housing (5) has a screw connection for attachment to a container (3) or forms.

15. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the dispensing device (1) has a container (3) with or for the product (2).