Dispensing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing system (1) having a dispensing head (4) and at least one container (2). The dispensing head (4) is threadably connectable to a container opening (6) of the container (2) such that stored material can be dispensed from or fed to the container (2) by means of the dispensing head (4). The dispensing head (4) has an actuating ring (15) on which the threaded connection is established by rotating the actuating ring (5) in a closing direction. The threaded connection is released by rotating the actuating ring (15) in a release direction. According to the invention, the actuating ring (15) has an overload protection mechanism, by means of which the effective closing torque is limited to a limit closing torque when the threaded connection is established.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing system according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Such a dispensing system is known from DE 10 20 21 1 16 140. The dispensing system is used for filling and draining containers, in particular drums, with liquid chemicals. The dispensing system comprises a dispensing head which can be fixed to a dip tube of the container. By means of the dispensing head, liquid can be dispensed from the container via the dip tube, or liquid can be supplied to the container.

[0003] The dispensing head can be fixed to the dip tube by a threaded connection. In order to establish this threaded connection, the dip tube has a thread. Correspondingly, the dispensing head has a corresponding mating thread.

[0004] One problem with such threaded connections is that if too high a closing torque is used to screw the thread into the mating thread, the threaded connection becomes so tight that it can only be released with increased force because the thread can tilt or get stuck on the mating thread.

[0005] In particular, if the thread and the mating thread are made of plastic, an excessively large closing torque can damage the thread and the mating thread. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a dispensing system of the type mentioned above which has a high degree of functionality and functional reliability.

[0007] The features of the independent claim are intended to achieve this object. Advantageous embodiments and suitable further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a dispensing system having a dispensing head and at least one container. The dispensing head can be connected to a container opening of the container by means of a threaded connection, so that the stored material can be dispensed from the container or supplied to the container by the dispensing head. The dispensing head has an actuating ring, wherein the threaded connection is established by rotating the actuating ring in a closing direction. The threaded connection is released by rotating the actuating ring in a releasing direction. The actuating ring has an overload protection mechanism, by which the effective closing torque is limited to a limit closing torque when the threaded connection is established.

[0009] The overload protection mechanism of the actuating ring according to the invention can prevent excessive closing torques when establishing a threaded connection between the dispensing head and the container opening of the container, since the overload protection mechanism automatically limits the acting closing torque to a limit closing torque.

[0010] This prevents overloading of components of the threaded connection, which could cause damage or destruction of the threaded connection.

[0011] This is particularly advantageous if the components of the screw connection are made of plastic. Plastic components of the screw connection are relatively easy to deform and thus damaged, and such damage can be reliably avoided with the overload protection according to the invention.

[0012] The actuating ring is advantageously connected with the thread. By rotating the actuating ring, the thread can be screwed onto or unscrewed from the mating thread in the container opening region.

[0013] The thread and the mating thread, like the actuating ring itself, are advantageously made of plastic and can thus be efficiently produced as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0014] For practical purposes, the thread is external and the mating thread is internal.

[0015] Depending on the design, the mating threads are located either in the container opening or in a dip tube mounted in the container opening.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuating ring has an outer ring and an inner ring firmly connected to the thread. The detachable coupling of the outer ring and the inner ring is achieved by an overload element forming an overload protection mechanism.

[0017] The outer surface of the inner ring lies tightly against the inner sleeve surface, wherein the outer ring and the inner ring are rotatable about a common axis of rotation.

[0018] The sleeve surfaces of the inner ring and the outer ring are thus very close, have very little clearance, and can rotate relative to each other.

[0019] Due to the fixed connection between the inner ring and the thread, when the inner ring rotates, the thread rotates together therewith. Advantageously, the inner ring and the thread are made of plastic injection molding.

[0020] The function of the overload protection mechanism designed in this way is that the overload element in the locked position couples the outer ring and the inner ring so that when the outer ring rotates, the inner ring rotates synchronously. When the limit closing torque is reached when establishing the threaded connection, the overload element automatically switches to the release position so that when the outer ring rotates in the closing direction, the inner ring does not rotate synchronously.

[0021] In the initial state, the overload element is in its locked position, so that there is a fixed coupling between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0022] If the user rotates the outer ring in the closing direction, the inner ring will rotate synchronously, thereby screwing the thread on the actuation ring into the mating thread of the container opening or the dip tube. This only occurs until the limit closing torque is reached. Once the limit closing torque is reached, the overload element automatically switches to its release position, in particular by mechanically positively guiding the outer ring to disengage from the inner ring, so that when the outer ring rotates, the inner ring does not rotate synchronously.

[0023] If it is necessary to release the threaded connection, the overload element automatically switches from the released position to the locked position when the actuating ring is rotated in the release direction.

[0024] The transition of the overload element from the released position to the locked position also occurs by means of mechanical forced guidance.

[0025] The inner ring then rotates synchronously with the outer ring again, thus releasing the threaded connection.

[0026] According to an advantageous design, each overload element has a locking section which is elastically mounted in a cavity which extends in the radial direction and opens on the inner sleeve surface of the outer ring.

[0027] Accordingly, the inner ring has a plurality of grooves which are arranged at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction and open on the outer shell surface, wherein, in the locking position of the overload element, its locking section projects into one of the grooves.

[0028] If the locking segment is located opposite to the groove, the locking segment is guided into the groove by the elastic force of the elastic element, thereby achieving fixed coupling between the outer ring and the inner ring, that is, when the outer ring rotates, the inner ring also rotates synchronously.

[0029] The difference is that in the released position of the overload element, its locking section bears against the outer sleeve surface of the inner ring, as a result of which the locking section is completely retracted into the cavity.

[0030] By pressing the locking segment against the outer surface of the inner ring, which is located between the two grooves, the locking segment is pressed into the cavity against the elastic force of the elastic element. The outer ring is then disengaged from the inner ring, so that the rotation of the outer ring is not transmitted to the inner ring.

[0031] This design provides simple mechanical forced guidance for coupling and uncoupling the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0032] According to a geometrically advantageous design, the grooves are identical and are arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction of the inner ring.

[0033] The number of grooves is greater than the number of overload elements, wherein the arrangement of the overload elements on the outer ring is adapted to the arrangement of the grooves on the inner ring so that when the outer ring and the inner ring are coupled, the locking sections of all overload elements respectively engage in one of the grooves.

[0034] This means that the arrangement of the recesses on the inner ring is optimally adapted to the number and arrangement of the overload elements on the outer ring.

[0035] A key aspect of the design of the overload protection mechanism is that each recess is delimited by a wall, wherein the section of the wall lying in the closing direction has a flatter inclination than the section of the wall lying in the releasing direction.

[0036] The inclination of the wall section lying in the closing direction is designed such that, when the limiting closing torque is reached, the locking section is guided out of the groove via this wall section.

[0037] Conversely, the inclination of the segment of the groove that is located in the release direction is designed such that the locking segment remains in the groove when the actuating ring is rotated in the release direction.

[0038] This asymmetric design of each groove wall ensures that when the actuating ring is rotated in the closing direction, the locking segment automatically disengages from the groove when the limit closing torque is reached, because the locking segment slides out of the groove along the segment of the wall with the flatter inclination due to the applied closing torque.

[0039] If the threaded connection is to be released, the outer ring is first rotated relative to the inner ring until each locking segment engages in a groove. As the outer ring continues to rotate in the release direction, each locking segment rests on a segment of the wall with a large inclination, thereby ensuring that the locking segment does not disengage from the groove. This causes the inner ring to rotate with the outer ring, thereby releasing the threaded connection.

[0040] An advantageous effect of the overload protection mechanism according to the invention is that the or each overload element, in particular each locking segment, produces a clicking sound when it is guided out of the recess.

[0041] If the user manually turns the actuating ring to establish the threaded connection, an audible click indicates to him that the limit closing torque has been reached, which further increases functional reliability.

[0042] Alternatively, the actuation ring may be actuated robotically, in particular when the entire process of the dispensing system is automated and robotically controlled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a dispensing system according to the invention is shown.

[0045] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A partial view of a dispensing system with a container having a dip tube and a dispensing head.

[0046] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the device.

[0047] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 Individual view of a partial section of a dispensing head of a dispensing system.

[0048] Figure 5A perspective view of an actuation ring of a dispensing head is shown.

[0049] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a dispensing head is shown.

[0050] Figure 7 shows Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of the device with overload elements shown

[0051] a) In locked position.

[0052] b) in the released position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a dispensing system 1 according to the invention for a transportable container 2, in particular a barrel, a bottle or a similar container, is schematically shown. A liquid 3 is stored as storage cargo in the respective container 2. The liquid 3 stored in such a container 2 is in particular a liquid specialty chemical.

[0054] The dispensing system 1 comprises a dispensing head 4, which is fastenable to a dip tube 5. The dip tube 5 is supported in a container opening 6 of the container 2 and thereby firmly connected to the container 2. The longitudinal axis of the dip tube 5 extending into the container 2 extends in a vertical direction.

[0055] The dispensing head 4 is used to dispense the liquid 3 from the container 2. Likewise, this can also be used to fill the container 2. For this purpose, the dispensing head 4 has a liquid connection 4a at its upper end. A line 7 leading to a pump 8 is connected to the liquid connection 4a. The line 7 can be formed as a hose. The pump 8 is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0056] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A dispensing head 4 and an associated container 2 are shown. Figure 4 An isolated view of a partial section of the dispensing head 4 is shown.

[0057] The dip tube 5 has a hollow cylindrical body 9 and a head 10 ( Figure 2 and 3 ). The head 10 is supported at the container opening 6 on the upper side of the container 2 so that the tube body 9 extends into the container 2. The dip tube 5 is made of plastic.

[0058] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the head 10 has an opening of a circular cross section, which is open at the upper side of the head 10. An internal thread 11 is provided as a connection structure at the inner wall defining the opening. Like the rest of the dip tube 5, the connection structure with the internal thread 11 is made of plastic.

[0059] In particular, as from Figure 2 and Figure 4As can be seen in the figure, the dispensing head 4 has a base 4b, the upper end of which is provided with a liquid connection part 4a. A liquid channel (not shown) extends from the liquid connection part 4a into the base 4b, to which a tubular lug 12 is connected, which opens at the lower end of the base 4b. A vent 13 opens transversely on the base 4b. The dispensing head 4 is made of plastic.

[0060] Above the tubular lug 12, at the lower edge of the base body 4b, a connection structure in the form of an external thread 14 is designed. The external thread 14 is designed to cooperate with the internal thread 11 of the dip tube 5. These connection structures with the external thread 14 are also made of plastic.

[0061] To establish and release the threaded connection, the outer thread 14 of the dispenser head 4 is screwed into the inner thread 11 of the dip tube 5 .

[0062] The external thread 14 is screwed into and unscrewed from the internal thread 11 by means of an actuating ring 15 on the dispenser head 4 , wherein the actuating ring 15 is coupled to the external thread 14 .

[0063] To establish the threaded connection, the actuating ring 15 is rotated in the closing direction. To release the threaded connection, the actuating ring 15 is rotated in the opposite direction in the releasing direction.

[0064] According to the present invention, the actuating ring 15 has an overload protection mechanism. When the actuating ring 15 and the external thread 14 are rotated in the closing direction to establish a threaded connection, the overload protection mechanism limits the closing torque to a limit closing torque, thereby preventing the components of the threaded connection structure, especially the external thread 14 and the internal thread 11, from being damaged or destroyed.

[0065] Furthermore, when the limit closing torque is reached, the member of the actuation ring 15 forming the overload protection mechanism emits a clear audible click, through which the user who manually actuates the actuation ring 15 receives an audible warning or basic information that the limit closing torque has been reached.

[0066] Alternatively, the actuation ring 15 can also be actuated by a robot.

[0067] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A view of the actuation ring 15 is shown in isolation, said actuation ring 15 being composed of an outer ring 16 and an inner ring 17 .

[0068] The outer ring 16 and the inner ring 17 are arranged concentrically with the central axis A of the actuating ring 15 and are rotatable about the rotation axis. The central axis A is perpendicular to Figure 6 The drawing plane is extended.

[0069] The outer contour of the inner ring 17 (especially its outer sleeve surface) is adapted to the inner contour of the outer ring 16 (especially the inner sleeve surface), so that the outer sleeve surface of the inner ring 17 rests on the inner sleeve surface of the outer ring 16 with a small gap, so that the inner ring 17 can rotate relative to the outer ring 16.

[0070] The inner ring 17 is firmly connected to the outer ring 16 , wherein the inner ring 17 and the outer ring 16 are advantageously formed from plastic injection moldings. In this way, the rotational movement of the inner ring 17 is directly transmitted to the outer thread 14 .

[0071] The outer ring 16 has six gripping segments 18 arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction, and the gripping segments protrude radially outward beyond the outer surface of the annular base 4b. Each gripping segment 18 has the same outer contour. The user can simply hold the gripping segment 18 to rotate the actuating ring 15.

[0072] Each of the two opposing gripping segments 18 has a cavity 19 therein, which extends in the radial direction and opens at the inner sleeve surface of the outer ring 16 .

[0073] The locking segment 21 is elastically mounted in the cavity through the elastic element 20. The elastic element 20 and the locking segment 21 form an overload element, and an overload protection mechanism is formed by the overload element.

[0074] Correspondingly, the inner ring 17 has a groove 22 which opens out on the outer surface of the inner ring 17. The groove 22 is identical and is adapted to the shape of the locking section 21 of the overload element.

[0075] In the present invention, six grooves 22 are provided, and the grooves are arranged equidistantly, that is, they are arranged offset from each other by 60°.

[0076] The groove 22 is asymmetrical. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7a and 7b As shown in the partial enlarged figure.

[0077] Each groove 22 is delimited by a wall formed by the annular body of the inner ring 17. The section 23a of the wall situated in the closing direction has a flatter inclination than the section 23b of the wall situated in the release direction.

[0078] The inclination of the wall section 23 a lying in the closing direction is designed such that the locking section 21 is guided out of the groove 22 by the wall section 23 a when the limit closing torque is reached.

[0079] Furthermore, the inclination of the segment 23 b of the groove 22 located in the release direction is designed so that the locking segment 21 is held in the groove 22 when the actuating ring 15 is rotated in the release direction.

[0080] Refer to the following Figure 5 ,6 , 7a and 7b explain the function of the overload protection mechanism.

[0081] In the initial position, the outer ring 16 and the inner ring 17 are coupled via the overload element, such as Figure 6 As shown, the locking segments 21 of the two overload elements respectively engage in the grooves 22 of the inner ring 17. The elastic force of the respective elastic element 20 ensures that the locking segments 21 extend over the edge of the cavity and into the respective grooves 22.

[0082] If the actuating ring 15 is rotated in the closing direction by a user or a robot holding the outer ring 16 at the gripping section 18 , the inner ring 17 rotates together with the outer ring 16 , thereby forming a threaded connection.

[0083] Once the limit closing torque is reached when forming the threaded connection, the external thread 14 screwed into the internal thread 11 exerts a reaction force that prevents the actuating ring 15 from being tightened further, and the reaction force causes the locking segments 21 to be guided out of the corresponding grooves 22. Figure 7a Indicated by arrow I.

[0084] The inclination of the section 23a of the wall delimiting the groove 22 is also adjusted adaptively.

[0085] When the locking segment 21 disengages from the groove 22, an audible click is heard, indicating that the limit closing torque has been reached.

[0086] After each locking segment 21 is disengaged from the corresponding groove 22, it rests on the outer surface of the inner ring 17, as shown in FIG. Figure 7b As shown. Therefore, each locking segment 21 is completely pushed into the corresponding cavity 19. Therefore, the outer ring 16 is disengaged from the inner ring 17, thereby providing overload protection. Further rotation of the outer ring 16 is not transmitted to the inner ring 17, which can prevent the threaded connection structure from being subjected to a closing torque greater than the limit closing torque.

[0087] If the threaded connection is released again, the actuating ring 15 is rotated in the opposite direction. First, the locking segments 21 are guided again into the grooves 22. When the actuating ring 15 is rotated further, the rotational movement of the outer ring 16 is transmitted to the inner ring 17, because the locking segments 21 are then firmly held in the grooves 22 due to the steep inclination of the wall segments 23.

[0088] List of reference numerals:

[0089] 1 Distribution system

[0090] 2 Containers

[0091] 3Liquid

[0092] 4 distribution head

[0093] 4a Liquid connection

[0094] 4b matrix

[0095] 5 Dip tube

[0096] 6Container opening

[0097] 7 pipeline

[0098] 8 Pumps

[0099] 9 tube body

[0100] 10Head

[0101] 11 Internal thread

[0102] 12 lugs

[0103] 13 Ventilation ports

[0104] 14 External thread

[0105] 15 Actuating ring

[0106] 16 Outer ring

[0107] 17 Inner Ring

[0108] 18 Grip

[0109] 19 cavity

[0110] 20 Elastic elements

[0111] 21 Locking Segments

[0112] 22 grooves

[0113] 23 paragraphs

[0114] Segment 23a (closing direction)

[0115] Section 23b (release direction)

[0116] ACentral axis

Claims

1. A dispensing system (1) comprising a dispensing head (4) and at least one container (2), wherein: The dispensing head (4) can be connected to the container opening (6) of the container (2) by means of a threaded connection, so that the stored material can be dispensed from the container (2) or supplied to the container through the dispensing head (4), and is characterized in that an actuating ring (15) is provided on the dispensing head (4), wherein the threaded connection is established by rotating the actuating ring (5) in a closing direction, and the threaded connection is released by rotating the actuating ring (15) in a releasing direction, and the actuating ring (15) has an overload protection mechanism, through which the effective closing torque is limited to a limit closing torque when the threaded connection is established.

2. The dispensing system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The actuating ring (15) is connected to a thread and by rotating the actuating ring (15) the thread can be screwed onto or unscrewed from a mating thread in the region of the container opening (6).

3. The dispensing system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The mating thread is located in the container opening (6) or in a dip tube (5) mounted in the container opening (6).

4. The dispensing system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The thread is an external thread (14), and the matching thread is an internal thread (11).

5. Dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The actuating ring (15) has an outer ring (16) and an inner ring (17) firmly connected to the thread, wherein an overload element forming an overload protection mechanism is provided, through which the outer ring (16) and the inner ring (17) are detachably coupled.

6. The dispensing system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The outer surface of the inner ring (17) is tightly against the inner surface, wherein the outer ring (16) and the inner ring (17) are rotatable about a common axis of rotation.

7. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The overload element in the locked position couples the outer ring (16) and the inner ring (17), so that when the outer ring (16) rotates, the inner ring (17) rotates synchronously, and when the limit closing torque is reached when establishing the threaded connection, the overload element automatically switches to the released position, so that when the outer ring (16) rotates in the closing direction, the inner ring (17) rotates asynchronously.

8. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that When the actuating ring (15) is rotated in the release direction, the overload element is automatically switched from the release position to the locking position.

9. Dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that Each overload element has a locking segment (21) which is elastically mounted in a cavity (19) which extends radially and opens on the inner sleeve surface of the outer ring (16).

10. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The inner ring (17) has a plurality of grooves (22) which are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction and open on its outer surface, wherein, in the locked position of the overload element, its locking section (21) extends into one of the grooves (22).

11. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that In the release position of the overload element, its locking segment (21) rests on the outer surface of the inner ring (17), so that the locking segment (21) is completely retracted into the cavity (19).

12. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The grooves (22) are identical and are arranged equidistantly along the circumference of the inner ring (17).

13. Dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that The number of grooves (22) is greater than the number of overload elements, wherein the arrangement of the overload elements on the outer ring (16) is adapted to the arrangement of the grooves (22) on the inner ring (17) so that when the outer ring (16) and the inner ring (17) are coupled, the locking segments (21) of all overload elements are respectively engaged in one of the grooves (22).

14. Dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that Each groove (22) is delimited by a wall, wherein the section (23a) of the wall situated in the closing direction has a flatter inclination than the section (23b) of the wall situated in the release direction.

15. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The inclination of the wall segment (23a) located in the closing direction is designed so that when the limit closing torque is reached, the locking segment (21) is guided out of the groove (22) via the wall segment (23a), and the inclination of the segment (23b) of the groove (22) located in the release direction is designed so that when the actuating ring (15) rotates in the release direction, the locking segment (21) remains in the groove (22).

16. Dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that A clicking sound is produced when the overload protection mechanism engages.

17. Dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 16, characterised in that The actuating ring (15), the thread and the mating thread are made of plastic.

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