Dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser (100) for dispensing viscous and non-viscous materials. The dispenser (100) comprises a frame (5), a material reservoir (10) positioned within the frame (5) and containing at least one material to be dispensed, and a dispensing mechanism (7) for acting on a piston (11) to dispense material from the material reservoir (10). The dispensing mechanism (7) comprises a drive unit (4) configured to generate drive energy to cause a dispensing movement of the piston (11); and an energy buffer (13) configured to absorb a portion of the energy generated by the drive unit (4) during the dispensing movement of the piston (11). The energy damper (13) is configured to output the absorbed energy for a longer period of time than the drive unit (4) is operated to move the piston (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing viscous and non-viscous materials. Background Art

[0002] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary dispenser 100 with a fundamentally known basic function is illustrated. The dispenser 100 includes a dispenser handle 1, and a trigger 2 is pivotally coupled to the dispenser handle 1. A drive rod 3 engages with a spring-loaded drive unit 4 having a catchplate. The dispenser 100 includes a frame 5 that is fixed to the dispenser handle 1 and configured to support a support sleeve 6.

[0003] A spray valve 8 forming a manually operable valve assembly with a nozzle 9 is connectable to a proximal end of a flexible bag 10 within the support sleeve 6. The flexible bag 10 serves as a material reservoir for at least one material to be dispensed.

[0004] To dispense material from the flexible bag 10, a piston 11 is provided on the distal side of the flexible bag 10, which is axially movable along the support sleeve 6. The piston 11 is shaped to match a front portion of the flexible bag 10 so as to minimize the residual material within the flexible bag 10 after a full dispensing stroke with the piston 11.

[0005] A plunger 12 is fixed to the drive rod 3 of the dispenser 100 and configured to transfer the axial movement of the drive rod 3 caused by the operation of the trigger 2 to the piston 11 so as to squeeze the flexible bag 10 to dispense material from the flexible bag 10. In addition, a locking and releasing mechanism 30 is operably provided between the dispenser handle 1 and the drive rod 3 so as to axially lock the drive rod 3 releasably relative to the dispenser handle 1 when the trigger 2 is released. Since the structural and functional configurations of the various parts described above are well known to those skilled in the art, their detailed description is omitted for reasons of brevity.

[0006] In such a system, the propulsion energy and / or force is generated only when the trigger 2 is operated and not when the trigger 2 returns to its initial orientation. This results in a difficult-to-control pulsating dispensing process. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dispenser that does not suffer from such negative effects.

[0008] This problem is solved by a dispenser according to independent claim 1. Preferred modifications of this dispenser can be obtained from the dependent claims subordinate to it and from the embodiments described herein.

[0009] According to the present invention, a dispenser for dispensing viscous and non-viscous materials includes a frame, a material reservoir positioned within the frame and containing at least one material to be dispensed, and a dispensing mechanism for acting on a piston to dispense the material from the material reservoir. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive unit configured to generate drive energy to cause a dispensing movement of the piston; and an energy buffer configured to absorb a portion of the energy generated by the drive unit during the dispensing movement of the piston. The energy buffer is configured to output the absorbed energy over a longer time period than the drive unit is operated to move the piston.

[0010] This configuration allows the energy buffer to be charged during the dispensing movement of the piston, so as to increase the time for dispensing the material from the material reservoir beyond the operating time of the drive unit. Thus, the energy generated by the drive unit can be output in a very uniform and gradual manner, so as to drive the piston and dispense the material from the material reservoir in a highly controlled manner.

[0011] Preferably, the drive unit is configured to be manually driven.

[0012] This configuration enables easy operation without the need to provide a separate external energy source.

[0013] Preferably, the material reservoir is replaceably mounted within the frame.

[0014] Thus, a multi-purpose dispenser for dispensing viscous and non-viscous materials from various material reservoirs is formed.

[0015] Preferably, the material reservoir includes only one container filled with only one material.

[0016] This configuration is very simple structurally and is thus robust.

[0017] Preferably, the material reservoir includes at least one flexible container or flexible bag for at least one material to be dispensed.

[0018] The flexible container or flexible bag allows a very resource-efficient and lightweight configuration that is easy to handle. Alternatively, the material reservoir can include at least one rigid container or cylinder for at least one material to be dispensed, resulting in a very robust overall configuration.

[0019] Additionally preferably, the dispenser includes a rigid support sleeve surrounding the at least one flexible container or flexible bag.

[0020] This configuration results in a very robust configuration.

[0021] Additionally preferably, the support sleeve includes a flared feature for receiving the piston.

[0022] Thus, it becomes possible to introduce the piston into the support sleeve very smoothly and power - efficiently.

[0023] Preferably, the dispenser is a hand - held device. In particular, the dispenser has an overall shape of a pistol.

[0024] This dispenser is very easy for the user to handle.

[0025] Preferably, the dispenser includes a drive rod configured to be moved to load the energy buffer. The piston is configured to be moved by the energy from the energy buffer to dispense material from the material reservoir.

[0026] Thus, all the energy generated by the drive unit is introduced into the energy buffer before acting on the piston. This configuration is very compact and reliable.

[0027] Additionally preferably, the energy buffer is positioned between the drive rod and the piston. In particular, the drive rod is connected to a plunger, and the energy buffer is positioned between the plunger and the piston.

[0028] This implementation is very stable and practical.

[0029] Alternatively, the piston can be fixedly connected to the drive rod or integrated into the drive rod.

[0030] This implementation is very compact and reliable.

[0031] Preferably, the energy buffer can be of a mechanical type.

[0032] This configuration is very stable and reliable.

[0033] Preferably, the energy buffer is formed of an elastically deformable material or a composite of elastically deformable materials.

[0034] Thus, a very practical and reliable configuration is formed.

[0035] Preferably, the energy buffer is a spring.

[0036] This configuration is very simple and stable.

[0037] Preferably, the energy buffer includes a spring - loaded frame, which also serves as a force limiter configured to limit and / or regulate the force applied by the drive unit.

[0038] This configuration is very compact and highly practical. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Exemplary embodiments and functions of the present disclosure are described herein in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0040] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary dispenser having a fundamentally known basic function is illustrated;

[0041] Figure 2 A partial perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated;

[0042] Figure 3 Illustrated is Figure 2 a partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser of

[0043] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated;

[0044] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated;

[0045] Figure 6 A perspective view of a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated;

[0046] Figure 7 Illustrated is Figure 6 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the basic concept of the dispenser of

[0047] Figure 8 Illustrated is Figure 7 a perspective view of an exemplary valve assembly used with the dispenser of Detailed Description

[0048] In this document, the term "distal" refers to the component / end of the device, or the component / end of its parts or members, that is located farthest from the delivery / injection site according to the use of the device. Correspondingly, the term "proximal" refers to the component / end of the device, or the component / end of its members, that is located closest to the delivery / injection site according to the use of the device.

[0049] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown in

[0050] The energy buffer 13 is configured to disperse the drive energy received from the drive unit 4 into a first part and a second part, the first part being transferred directly to the piston 11 and the second part being stored in the energy buffer 13, in particular in the form of deformation energy. Thus, while the remaining drive energy is transferred to the piston 11, some of the drive energy from the drive unit 4 is absorbed by the energy buffer 13. This results in an axial movement of the piston 11 during operation of the drive unit 4, but prevents an unstable force transmission to the flexible bag 10.

[0051] The energy buffer 13 is configured to at least partially output the absorbed energy over a longer time period than the drive unit 4 is operated to move the piston 11. In other words, even when the user stops operating the drive unit 4 to generate new drive energy, the energy buffer 13 is activated and transfers energy to the piston 11, which was stored in the energy buffer 13 during operation of the drive unit 4. This allows the user to load the energy buffer 13 with multiple strokes of the trigger 2 to dispense material from the flexible bag 10 for a period of time without the need to additionally operate the drive unit 4.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the energy buffer 13 is provided in the form of a compressible metal helical spring. However, other materials or structural embodiments for the energy buffer 13 are possible. For example, the energy buffer 13 can be formed by a plastic spring, a compressible bellows filled with a compressible gas, or a closed-cell plastic foam element. Additionally, the energy buffer 13 can be formed not as a part separate from the piston 11 and the plunger 12, but as a compressible component molded onto the piston 11 or the plunger 12. Accordingly, the type of the energy buffer 13 can be hydraulic, pneumatic, and / or mechanical. Additionally, any combination of these types and separate parts is possible to form the energy buffer 13.

[0053] Independent of the specific embodiment of the energy buffer 13, it is essential for the basic concept of the present invention that the energy buffer 13 is not configured as an energy storage that is loaded by the operation of the drive unit 4 and activated independently of the operation of the drive unit 4 to output the stored energy. Instead, the energy buffer 13 is directly loaded during the dispensing movement and directly outputs its energy after the operation of the drive unit 4.

[0054] Figure 4 Another exemplary embodiment of the dispenser 100 according to the present invention is illustrated. In this configuration, no plunger 12 is fixed to the drive rod 3, but the piston 11 is directly coupled to the drive rod 3. In this configuration, it is preferred to provide a flared feature 14 at the distal end of the support sleeve 6 to allow the piston 11 to be easily inserted.

[0055] The energy buffer 13 can be formed as a component of the piston 11 itself or as an additional part or section between the piston 11 and the drive rod 3. In particular, a closed pressure chamber 13 can be formed within the piston 11. In this pressure chamber 13, a compressible material (such as air) is provided to serve as the energy buffer 13 for the purposes of the present invention.

[0056] For example, as Figure 5 shown, the energy buffer 13 can also be provided such that there is no direct force transmission path between the drive unit 4 and the piston 11. For example, the support sleeve 6 can be coupled to the frame 5 in a manner that is proximally movable relative to the frame 5 towards the energy buffer 13. Here, the energy buffer 13 is provided in the form of a helical compression spring that is clamped between a radially projecting portion 16 of the support sleeve 6 and a radially projecting portion 17 of the frame 5. Thus, a portion of the drive energy transferred to the piston 11 is absorbed via the axial relative movement of the support sleeve 6 relative to the frame 5 within the energy buffer 13 and is at least partially output after the operation of the drive unit 4 stops.

[0057] Finally, reference is made to the Figure 6 preferred fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0058] Here, the dispenser 100 includes a support sleeve 6 which is axially fixed (in particular similar to the support sleeve described above with reference to Figure 4 ), but is rotatably coupled to the proximal ends of two arms 5a and 5b of the frame 5 about a corresponding pin member 18. Thus, the dispenser 100 is configured to be "rear-loaded". In order to load the dispenser 100 with the material reservoir 10, the support sleeve 6 is rotated out of the Figure 6 horizontal orientation to insert the flexible bag 10 into the support sleeve 6. Thereafter, the support sleeve 6 is rotated back into the Figure 6 horizontal orientation such that the piston 11 can move into the support sleeve 6.

[0059] The arms 5a and 5b of the frame 5 are connected to each other at their distal ends via a cantilever 5c. In order to guide the axial movement of the frame parts 5a to 5c relative to the dispenser handle 1, the guide plate 19 includes three through-holes, one for each of the two arms 5a and 5b and one for the drive rod 3 which is fixedly coupled to the dispenser handle 1 either directly or via an additional intermediate part. Each of the two arms 5a and 5b is provided with a collar 20 between the guide plate 19 and the cantilever 5c. The energy buffer 13 in the form of a helical spring is clamped between each of these two collars 20 and the guide plate 19. Thus, a "spring-loaded frame" is formed that serves as both a force limiter and an energy buffer for the purposes of the present invention.

[0060] In the following, the function of such a dispenser 100 is described:

[0061] The proximal movement of the drive rod 3 caused by the drive unit 4, in response to mechanical resistance within the support sleeve 6 (partly from frictional forces and partly from the increased pressure within the flexible bag 10), causes the support sleeve 6 to move proximally relative to the guide plate 19, and thus causes the two arms 5a and 5b and their collars 20 to move proximally relative to the guide plate 19. This axial movement causes the compression of the helical spring, which serves as the energy buffer 13 in terms of the present invention.

[0062] When the axial movement of the arms 5a and 5b relative to the guide plate 19 and thus relative to the dispenser handle 1 exceeds a predetermined amount, the cantilever 5c operates a locking and releasing mechanism 30 for the drive rod 3 (similar to Figure 1 the locking and releasing mechanism). This releases the energy still present in the dispenser 100.

[0063] With this configuration, the maximum amount of energy stored within the energy buffer 13 is limited, and thus the maximum amount of force acting on the flexible bag 10 within the support sleeve 6 is also limited.

[0064] In order to more accurately control the dispensing process with the dispenser 100, a valve assembly having a spraying valve 8 and a nozzle 9 can be coupled to the proximal outlet opening of the material reservoir 10, and the spraying valve 8 has an operating handle 8a for manually closing and opening the spraying valve 8.

[0065] The valve assembly 8, 9 can be directly coupled to the material reservoir 10 (especially in a rear-loaded configuration), for example via a threaded connection (in view of Figure 5 see Figure 6 ). Alternatively, the valve assembly 8, 9 can be coupled to the support sleeve 6 (especially in a front-loaded configuration). Figure 7 Illustrated in the loaded state (indicated by the arrow) Figure 6 a front-loaded embodiment of the "spring-loaded frame" configuration of Figure 8 as shown in. However, other types of connections can also be implemented.

[0066] Pointing out the fact that the scope of the ultimately implemented protection is defined by the appended claims and also covers modifications and / or combinations of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0067] In this text, the following additional features and modifications are pointed out:

[0068] The present invention relates to a dispenser 100 for dispensing viscous and non-viscous materials. The dispenser 100 includes a frame 5, a material reservoir 10 positioned within the frame 5 and containing at least one material to be dispensed, and a dispensing mechanism 7 for acting on a piston 11 to dispense the material from the material reservoir 10. The dispensing mechanism 7 includes a drive unit 4 configured to generate drive energy to cause a dispensing movement of the piston 11; and an energy buffer 13 configured to absorb a portion of the energy generated by the drive unit 4 during the dispensing movement of the piston 11. The energy buffer 13 is configured to output the absorbed energy over a longer time period than the drive unit 4 is operated to move the piston 11.

[0069] The drive unit 4 can be configured to be manually driven.

[0070] The drive unit 4 can include a motor.

[0071] The drive unit 4 can include an internal energy source for powering the motor.

[0072] The motor of the drive unit 4 can be configured to be supplied with electrical energy from an external source.

[0073] The motor of the drive unit 4 can be configured to be supplied with low voltage or mains voltage.

[0074] The material reservoir 10 can be fixedly mounted within the frame 5.

[0075] The material reservoir 10 can be replaceably mounted within the frame 5.

[0076] At least one material within the material reservoir 10 can be low-viscosity. In particular, at least one material can be a liquid.

[0077] The material reservoir 10 can include only one container filled with only one material.

[0078] The material reservoir 10 can include at least two separate containers filled with different materials to be dispensed in a specific mixing ratio.

[0079] The material reservoir 10 can include at least one flexible container or flexible bag for at least one material to be dispensed.

[0080] The dispenser 100 can include a rigid support sleeve 6 surrounding at least one flexible container or flexible bag.

[0081] The support sleeve 6 can include a flared feature 14 for receiving the piston 11.

[0082] The material reservoir 10 can hold from 100 ml to 10 l (in particular 600 ml) of the material to be dispensed.

[0083] The dispenser 100 can be a handheld device.

[0084] The dispenser 100 can have a pistol-like overall shape.

[0085] The dispenser 100 can be a body-mounted device, especially a device carried via a belt clip, shoulder strap, or backpack.

[0086] The dispenser 100 can be a floor-mounted device, especially a device directly located on the floor, which is provided with wheels or legs, especially configured to straddle the ridge of a corrugated roof.

[0087] The dispenser 100 can be a wall-mounted device.

[0088] The material reservoir 10 can include an outlet opening for dispensing the material therefrom. The outlet opening can be provided with manually operable valve assemblies 8, 9 to control the dispensing of the material through the outlet opening.

[0089] The valve assemblies 8, 9 can terminate in a nozzle 9 for dispensing the material.

[0090] The dispenser 100 can include a drive rod 3, which is configured to be moved to load the energy buffer 13. The piston 11 can be configured to be moved by the energy from the energy buffer 13 to dispense the material from the material reservoir 10.

[0091] The energy buffer 13 can be positioned between the drive rod 3 and the piston 11.

[0092] The drive rod 3 can be connected to a plunger 12, and the energy buffer 13 can be positioned between the plunger 13 and the piston 11.

[0093] The piston 11 can be fixedly connected to the drive rod 3 or integrated into the drive rod 3.

[0094] The piston 11 can be a separate part from the drive rod 3.

[0095] The energy buffer 13 can be integrated into the drive rod 3.

[0096] The energy buffer 13 can be integrated into the piston 11.

[0097] The energy buffer 13 can be of a mechanical type.

[0098] The energy buffer 13 can be formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0099] The energy buffer 13 can be formed of a composite of elastically deformable materials.

[0100] The energy buffer 13 can be a spring.

[0101] The energy buffer 13 can be molded.

[0102] The energy buffer 13 can be of the hydraulic type.

[0103] The energy buffer 13 can be of the pneumatic type.

[0104] The drive unit 4 can include an air pump.

[0105] The drive unit 4 can include a bicycle style pump.

[0106] The drive unit 4 can include a positive displacement pump.

[0107] The drive unit 4 can include an electric compressor.

[0108] The drive unit 4 can include a central compressed air system.

[0109] The drive unit 4 can include an air bottle.

[0110] The dispenser 100 can be formed by two separate bodies, which are connected to each other via hoses and flexible tubes.

[0111] The first body of the dispenser 100 can include a material memory provided in a pressure tube, and the second body of the dispenser can include a pressure source.

[0112] The hoses and flexible tubes can include valves with connectors, which allow the first body to be decoupled from the second body.

[0113] The energy buffer 13 can include compressed air, which is stored in the pressure tube of the first body, and which allows the material to be dispensed after the first body is decoupled from the second body.

[0114] The two bodies of the dispenser 100 can be connected to each other via telescopically coupled rods, which allow the entire dispenser 100 to extend and contract along its axial direction.

[0115] The dispenser 100 can include a hand-held sprayer, which is connected to the outlet opening of the material memory 10 to dispense the material.

[0116] The hand-held sprayer can include valve assemblies 8, 9 and a manually operable control interface 8a (in particular a lever or knob) to control the dispensing operation.

[0117] The energy buffer 13 can be formed by a combination of a pneumatic or hydraulic energy buffer and a mechanical memory.

[0118] The energy buffer 13 can be (at least partially) formed by a closed volume of fluid (in particular air).

[0119] The energy buffer 13 can include additional mechanical energy buffers, in particular energy buffers with mechanical springs.

[0120] The additional mechanical energy buffer can act between two bodies of the dispenser 100, which are movable relative to each other with an increased amount of energy stored hydraulically or pneumatically in the fluid.

[0121] The dispenser 100 can be configured such that a valve assembly having a spraying valve 8 and a nozzle 8 can be coupled to the material memory 10 or the support sleeve 6, for example via a threaded connection or via a bayonet connection, and the spraying valve 8 is operable via an operating handle 8a.

[0122] The energy buffer 13 can include a spring-loaded frame 5, which also serves as a force limiter and is configured to limit and / or regulate the force exerted by the drive unit 4.

[0123] List of reference numerals

[0124] 100 Dispenser

[0125] 1 Dispenser handle

[0126] 2 Trigger

[0127] 3 Drive rod

[0128] 4 Drive unit

[0129] 5 Frame

[0130] 5a First arm of the frame

[0131] 5b Second arm of the frame

[0132] 5c Cantilever

[0133] 6 Support sleeve

[0134] 7 Distribution mechanism

[0135] 8 Spraying valve

[0136] 8a Operating handle

[0137] 9 Nozzle

[0138] 10 Flexible bag / Material memory

[0139] 11 Piston

[0140] 12 Plunger

[0141] 13 Energy buffer / Spring / Pressure chamber

[0142] 14 Flared feature

[0143] 16 Radial extension of the support sleeve 6

[0144] 17 Radial extension of the frame 5

[0145] 18 Pin member

[0146] 19 Guide plate

[0147] 20 Collar

[0148] 30 Locking and releasing mechanism

[0149] 40 Cap portion

[0150] 41 Bayonet guide

[0151] 42 Bayonet pin.

Claims

1. A dispenser (100) for dispensing viscous and non-viscous materials, comprising: a frame (5), a material reservoir (10) positioned within the frame (5) and containing at least one material to be dispensed, and a dispensing mechanism (7) for acting on a piston (11) to dispense material from the material reservoir (10), characterized in that the dispensing mechanism (7) includes a drive unit (4) and an energy buffer (13), the drive unit (4) being configured to generate drive energy to cause a dispensing movement of the piston (11), the energy buffer (13) being configured to absorb a portion of the energy generated by the drive unit (4) during the dispensing movement of the piston (11), wherein the energy buffer (13) is configured to output the absorbed energy over a longer time period than the drive unit (4) is operated to move the piston (11).

2. The dispenser (100) according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit (4) is configured to be manually driven.

3. The dispenser (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the material reservoir (10) is replaceably mounted within the frame (5).

4. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material reservoir (10) includes only one container filled with only one material.

5. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material reservoir (10) includes at least one flexible container or flexible bag for at least one material to be dispensed.

6. The dispenser (100) according to claim 5, wherein the dispenser (100) includes a rigid support sleeve (6) surrounding the at least one flexible container or flexible bag.

7. The dispenser (100) according to claim 6, wherein the support sleeve (6) includes a flared feature (14) for receiving the piston (11).

8. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (100) is a handheld device, wherein the dispenser (100) particularly has a generally pistol-like shape.

9. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (100) includes a drive rod (3) configured to be moved to load the energy buffer (13), wherein the piston (11) is configured to be moved by energy from the energy buffer (13) to dispense material from the material reservoir (10).

10. The dispenser (100) according to claim 9, wherein the energy buffer (13) is positioned between the drive rod (3) and the piston (11), wherein the drive rod (3) is particularly connected to a plunger (12), and the energy buffer (13) is positioned between the plunger (13) and the piston (11).

11. The dispenser (100) according to claim 9, wherein the piston (11) is fixedly connected to the drive rod (3) or integrated into the drive rod (3).

12. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy buffer (13) is of a mechanical type.

13. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy buffer (13) is formed of an elastically deformable material or a composite of elastically deformable materials.

14. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy buffer (13) is a spring.

15. The dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy buffer (13) comprises a spring-loaded frame (5), the spring-loaded frame (5) additionally serving as a force limiter configured to limit and / or regulate the force exerted by the drive unit (4).

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