Liquid dispenser

Abstract

The dispenser includes at least one container and at least one biocidal radiation source, such as a UV light source. The at least one container includes a lid that is transparent to the biocidal radiation. The biocidal radiation source is located at a distance above the lid, for example, within the dispenser housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a liquid dispenser comprising at least one container for containing a liquid to be dispensed, such as an aqueous emulsion or dispersion, particularly a pigment dispersion, such as a paint colorant or tinting paste. This dispenser allows for the dispensing and mixing of selected colorants, optionally with a selected primer, according to a predefined formulation of a desired paint color, for example at a point of sale or in an automotive body repair shop. Background Technology

[0002] Distributors typically include a support structure for holding the container, such as a turntable or static platform, as well as a distributor housing.

[0003] The container or tank typically includes a dispensing nozzle (e.g., at the bottom side of the container) and a refill opening (e.g., at the top space section of the container). The container may include, or be optionally connected to, a pump to dispense a selected amount of toning paste in response to a control unit. Optionally, the container is provided with a stirrer.

[0004] Due to environmental regulations, current paints and tints are typically water-based. These aqueous compositions are sensitive to microbial activity, particularly the growth of mold, algae, bacteria, or other microorganisms. This is especially problematic for tints, which are often stored in containers for extended periods, with only small amounts dispensed occasionally. Microbial scaling and mold growth are particularly likely to occur in the top space of such containers or at the dispensing nozzle.

[0005] EP 3 395 454 A1 and EP 3 854 473 A1 teach the use of UV light to inhibit microbial activity within containers. In EP 3 854 473 A1, one or more UV sources are integrated into the lid of the container. This is relatively expensive. Powering the UV sources is complex and requires wiring to each container, typically on a rotating turntable. Relatively small UV-LEDs can only be used with limited power. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a dispenser with a biocidal radiation source that is easier and more effectively controlled.

[0007] The object of this invention is achieved by a dispenser comprising at least one container and at least one biocidal radiation source, such as a UV light source. The container includes a lid that is transparent to the applied biocidal radiation. The biocidal radiation source is located at a distance above the lid, for example, within the dispenser housing. Thus, a single system can be centrally used for all containers, rather than using a separate system for each container. A central electronic circuit with less wiring can be used, which does not need to pass through moving parts, such as a turntable. A radiation source with higher power can be used compared to the UV-LED of EP 3 854 473 A1. Furthermore, it is easier to test the normal functioning of a single system compared to testing a separate UV source for each individual container.

[0008] A biocidal radiation source can be arranged, for example, to irradiate the surface of the colorant in the container and / or the inner wall of the top space of the container and / or the stirrer inside the container.

[0009] Suitable biocidal radiation is, for example, UV light, such as UVC and / or UVB light, with wavelengths of 100-320 nm. This short-wavelength UV light disrupts DNA base pairing, leading to the inactivation of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Alternatively, biocidal radiation can be microwave radiation, X-rays, infrared radiation, or other suitable types of biocidal radiation. Combinations of different types of radiation can also be used.

[0010] Using shorter wavelengths, such as 150-200 nm, especially about 185 nm, generates ozone, which has an additional disinfecting effect.

[0011] If biotoxic radiation, especially UVB and / or UVC light, is present at a level of at least 4 mJ / cm², it can kill organisms. 2 For example, at least 8 mJ / cm 2 For example, at least 10 mJ / cm 2 For example, at least 12 mJ / cm 2 When irradiated with a certain intensity, good results are obtained.

[0012] Biotoxic radiation can be applied, for example, continuously, pulsedly, or on demand, such as after temporary removal and subsequent replacement of the cover, resulting in shorter or longer exposure of the top space to ambient air and potential microbial contamination.

[0013] Optionally, the control unit can be configured to activate biocidal radiation if the liquid level in the tank is below a set point and / or if microbial growth is detected.

[0014] Suitable UV light sources include, for example, high-pressure or low-pressure mercury lamps, excimer lamps, and UVC LEDs.

[0015] The lid of the container is transparent to the biocidal radiation used. A lid is considered transparent to biocidal radiation if an effective amount of radiation passes through the lid to reduce microbial activity, for example, if more than 50%, or more than 70%, of the irradiance passes through the lid. This transparency depends on the type of material and the thickness of the lid. The UV transparency of the lid can be determined as the ratio of the illuminance per unit area of ​​a light source blocked by the lid (e.g., expressed in lux) to the illuminance per unit area of ​​the same light source not blocked by the lid, multiplied by 100%. A lid is considered UV transparent if the UV transparency is greater than 50%, for example, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%.

[0016] UV transparent covers can be made of UV transparent materials, such as those selected from quartz glass, borosilicate glass, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP, or more particularly, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene).

[0017] In one specific embodiment, the biocidal radiation source is movable relative to the container and / or the container is movable relative to the biocidal radiation source. The dispenser may, for example, include a movable support, such as a turntable, supporting multiple containers, wherein the support is movable relative to the biocidal radiation source. If a turntable is used, the containers can be arranged in a concentric array, and the biocidal radiation source can be arranged to irradiate each container for intervals of substantially the same length. Alternatively, the dispenser may have a static platform supporting the containers and having one or more biocidal radiation sources movable along the container lid.

[0018] In one specific embodiment, the biocidal radiation source may include multiple radiation devices, with each circular array of containers including at least one radiation device. Each container passes through at least one of the radiation devices by rotating a turntable. In this arrangement, it is advantageous that each radiation device has a width proportional to the radius of the corresponding concentric array, so as to ensure that all containers are irradiated during time intervals of equal length.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the dispenser may have a control unit, for example configured to custom control the irradiation of each individual container. Optionally, the type, wavelength, duration, intensity, and / or other irradiation parameters may be selected based on one or more container parameters, such as the liquid level within the container, the composition of the liquid within the container, or the level of microbial activity in the headspace of the container. A lower liquid level in the container means a greater distance between the radiation source and the liquid level. Since the irradiation beam is typically divergent, a larger area will be irradiated if the liquid level in the container is low. To prevent underexposure at lower liquid levels, the control unit may be programmed to adjust the intensity and / or duration of the irradiation based on the liquid level. Optionally, the control unit may be configured to move the radiation source to scan the liquid surface and / or the inner walls of the headspace of the container.

[0020] Optionally, each container is exposed to biocidal radiation for a duration determined for each container based on one or more parameters, such as the liquid level in the container, detected microbial activity, and the composition of the liquid in the container.

[0021] Alternatively, the radiation devices can be controlled independently of each other.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the biocidal radiation source may be movable, for example, along a guide, in a radial direction relative to the central axis of rotation of the turntable. The biocidal radiation source can be controlled to irradiate each container with a customized irradiation level or with the same irradiation level (e.g., the same intensity and / or duration).

[0023] Optionally, the dispenser may include a fixing device that carries multiple radiating devices and has one or more openings that allow radiation from the radiating devices to be transmitted to at least one container located below the respective opening. In a particular embodiment, the radiating devices may be positioned above a single opening shaped as a circular segment coaxial with the turntable. Therefore, the containers in the outer array are exposed to the corresponding UV light source for the same period of time as the containers in the inner array. This allows the use of UV light sources of the same intensity.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the bio-killing radiation source includes one or more reflectors, such as mirrors, to deflect the radiation beam from the future suicide bio-radiation source to a selected container. Optionally, the reflectors may be movable or shaped to focus the reflected radiation in order to prevent partial radiation from missing the target container. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments.

[0026] Figure 1 The dispenser is shown in perspective.

[0027] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 UV light source fixing device for the distributor;

[0028] Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of the UV light source fixing device is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 A third embodiment of the UV light source fixing device is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 The fourth embodiment is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1 A dispenser 1 for mixing and dispensing paint products is shown. Dispenser 1 includes containers or cans 2 arranged in a concentric array 3. Each container 2 contains an aqueous tint of a specific color. The containers 2 are positioned on a turntable (not shown) coaxial with the circular array 3 of the containers 2. Dispenser 1 also includes a platform 4 for positioning paint cans or similar containers (not shown). When a user inputs a desired paint color, a control unit determines a paint formulation matching the selected color, for example, from a paint formulation database. The determined paint formulation consists of tint or a mixture of tints available in the respective containers of the dispenser, and optionally a primer. The turntable can be rotated to position the containers 2 above the platform 4, thus dispensing the tint held in the selected containers 2 into the paint cans on the platform 4. Tints selected according to the determined paint formulation can be continuously dispensed and mixed.

[0032] Dispenser 1 also includes a user interface 5, allowing the operator or user to input the desired paint color. The control unit sequentially positions the containers 2 containing the required tinting paste above the paint tanks on platform 4 and controls the dispensing of the tinting paste from the corresponding containers 2 one after another. Dispenser 1 also includes a housing 6, which conceals the internal components of dispenser 1, including the containers 2 and the turntable.

[0033] A mounting device 7 supporting three UV light sources 8 is positioned at a certain distance above the container 2. The housing 6 includes a cover (not shown) that shields the UV light sources 8 and hides the container 2 from view. The mounting device 7 is located at... Figure 2 As shown in more detail, it includes a substantially horizontal plate with three openings 9 and opposing side edges 10, the side edges 10 being provided with flanges 11 for attaching the fixing device 7 to the inner wall of the housing 6.

[0034] Three UV light sources 8 are fixedly positioned on the fixture 7. Each of the UV light sources 8 is located above one of the openings 9 and above one of the circular arrays 3 of the containers 2. As the turntable rotates, the containers 2 pass one after another through the corresponding circular arrays 3 of the UV light sources 8, so that each container 2 is irradiated by the associated UV light source 8 via the corresponding opening 9 in the fixture 7. During the turntable rotation, the UV light sources 8 can irradiate continuously, or they can irradiate the containers in a pulsed manner, sending one or more pulses as one container passes by.

[0035] As the turntable rotates, the containers 2 in the outer circular array 3 move faster than those in the middle and inner circular arrays 3. Therefore, the containers 2 in the outer circular array 3 pass through the corresponding UV light source 8 in a shorter time period. To compensate for this, the UV light source 8 for the outer circular array 3 can be controlled to irradiate the containers 2 with enhanced intensity, while the UV light source 8 for the middle circular array 3 can be controlled to irradiate the containers 2 with normal intensity, and the UV light source 8 for the inner circular array 3 can be controlled to irradiate the containers with reduced intensity.

[0036] Figure 3 One embodiment is shown in which the fixing device 7 has a single central opening 9', which is shaped as a circular segment coaxial with the turntable. Therefore, the containers 2 of the outer circular array 3 of the container 2 are exposed to the corresponding UV light source 8 for the same time period as the containers 2 of the middle circular array 3 and the inner circular array 3 of the container 2. In this way, UV light sources 8 of the same intensity can be used.

[0037] Figure 4 Another embodiment is shown, which has the same Figure 2 The embodiment uses the same fixing device 7, having three openings 9 of the same size and shape, but also having a single UV light source 8' connected to a drive mechanism 12 for moving the UV light source 8' along the rows of the three openings 9. In a first position, the UV light source 8' is located above the outer circular array of the container and above the corresponding opening 9 in the fixing device 7. In a second position, the UV light source 8' is located above the middle circular array of the container and above the corresponding opening 9 in the fixing device 7. In a third position, the UV light source 8' is located above the inner circular array of the container and above the corresponding opening 9 in the fixing device 7.

[0038] Figure 5A distributor 1 is schematically shown, comprising a UV light source 8” with a fixed position and a reflector 13 above three aligned openings 9 of a fixture 7. The reflector 13 is connected to a driver 12, which is movable between positions above the respective openings 9. At each position, the reflector 13 deflects a UV beam 14 from the UV light source 8” to a container located below the respective opening 9. The reflector 13 may be tiltable relative to the driver 12. The reflector 13 may be bent to focus or guide the beam from the UV light source. Alternatively, the reflector may be flexible, having a curvature adjustable in response to a control unit, so that the beam can be focused, scattered, or guided according to parameters such as the liquid level in the container. The reflector 13 may be a mirror or have a top layer that is nanopatterned to optimize light distribution.

[0039] The illustrated embodiment features three circular arrays of containers arranged on a turntable. Alternatively, the dispenser may have only one circular array or container, or it may have two, four, or more circular arrays of containers. In another alternative embodiment, the dispenser may have a static platform or linear sliding stage, which allows the containers to move linearly relative to the dispensing opening and the biocidal radiation source.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser (1) comprising a plurality of containers (2) for containing liquid to be dispensed, a support for supporting the containers, and at least one biocidal radiation source (8), Each container (2) includes a lid that is transparent to the biocidal radiation. The at least one biocidal radiation source (8) and the plurality of containers (2) are movable relative to each other, and The bio-killing radiation source (8) is located at a certain distance above the cover. Its features are, The containers (2) are arranged in a concentric circle array (3) on the turntable. The turntable is movable relative to at least one biocidal radiation source (8); The biocidal radiation sources are arranged to irradiate each container (2) during time intervals of substantially the same length. The bio-killing radiation source (8) includes multiple radiation devices, and each circular array (3) of the container (2) includes at least one of the multiple radiation devices.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The biocidal radiation source (8) is arranged to irradiate the surface of the colorant in the container and / or the inner wall of the top space of the container and / or the stirrer in the container.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The bio-killing radiation is UV light.

4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The biocidal radiation is UVB and / or UVC light.

5. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The biocidal radiation is UV light with a wavelength of 100-320 nm.

6. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The UV light has a frequency of at least 4 mJ / cm 2 Intensity of irradiation.

7. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The UV light has a frequency of at least 8 mJ / cm 2 Intensity of irradiation.

8. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The UV light has a frequency of at least 10 mJ / cm 2 Intensity of irradiation.

9. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The UV light has a frequency of at least 12 mJ / cm 2 Intensity of irradiation.

10. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The lid is made of a UV-transparent material selected from the group consisting of quartz glass, borosilicate glass, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, or fluorinated ethylene propylene.

11. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, Each radiating device has a width proportional to the radius of the corresponding concentric array (3).

12. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising a fixing device (7) that carries a plurality of the radiating devices and has one or more openings that allow radiation from the radiating devices to be transmitted to at least one of the containers located below the respective openings.

13. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein, The radiating device is located above a single opening (9), which is formed as a circular section coaxial with the turntable.

14. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The radiation devices are controlled independently of each other.

15. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The biocidal radiation source (8) includes one or more mirrors (13) that are movable between multiple locations, in which the mirrors deflect a beam of light from the biocidal radiation source to different containers in the container (2).

16. The dispenser according to claim 15, wherein, The biocidal radiation source (8) is capable of moving radially along the guide relative to the central axis of rotation of the turntable.

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