A dispensing device

Abstract

The application discloses a dispensing device, belonging to the packaging technical field, comprising a container for storing material, and a gas is reserved in the container; an axial end of the container is fixedly installed with a dispensing part, and a piston is floatingly arranged in the container along the axial direction; a blind tube is arranged on the side of the piston facing the dispensing part, the inner diameter of the blind tube is greater than the diameter of the dispensing part, and when the dispensing device is in a use posture with the dispensing part downward, the lower edge of the blind tube is lower than the interface between the material and the gas in the container. Compared with the prior art, when the application is used, the dispensing part only needs to exhaust the gas in the internal space of the blind tube at most, and the gas still existing in the container but outside the blind tube does not need to be considered, so that the gas inhaled by the dispensing part is greatly reduced, and the cut-off condition is significantly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of packaging technology, and in particular to a dispensing device. Background Technology

[0002] An existing dispensing device is in an inverted position during use, but upright when not in use or during filling. This dispensing device includes an inner bottle and an outer bottle. The inner bottle stores material, and its lower end (when inverted) is fitted with a dispensing component for distributing the material. The inner bottle contains a piston that floats as the material is used. The inner bottle is filled into the outer bottle, and the upper end of the outer bottle (when inverted) has an operating opening for pressing the inner bottle. When the inner bottle is pressed through the operating opening, the dispensing component is compressed, dispensing the material from the inner bottle. The dispensed material then flows out from the lower end of the outer bottle (when inverted).

[0003] Consumers who purchase dispensing devices containing the required materials do not want the device to have been previously activated. Specifically, consumers judge this by observing whether there is any material residue at the dispensing outlet. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the dispensing device from dispensing materials due to misoperation during filling and transportation.

[0004] The existing technological solution to this problem is to prevent the inner bottle from being completely filled with the filling material during the filling process, and instead reserve a portion of gas, such as air, in the inner bottle. Figure 1 As shown, when the dispensing device is placed in an upright position when not in use, the lighter gas will be above the material, and the dispensing element will be above the interface between the material and the gas. Even if the dispensing element is accidentally triggered, only gas will be dispensed, thus ensuring that the material within the dispensing device will not be accidentally dispensed due to (a limited number of) misoperations before it is used by the consumer. Figure 2 As shown, when used upside down, the gas is on top, which does not affect its use.

[0005] However, this method of reserving gas in the inner bottle also has drawbacks. Specifically, towards the end of the inverted operation, as the piston descends and approaches the dispensing component, the interface between the material and the gas also descends and approaches the dispensing component. Figure 3 As shown, when the suction end of the distributor is exposed at the interface, continued use will only cause the distributor to draw in gas (and dispense gas), which may mislead consumers into thinking that the material is used up. At this time, the gas needs to be completely dispensed by the distributor before the distributor can dispense the remaining material. This results in a period of "interruption" (also known as "interrupted spray") during use, which leads to a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problem in the prior art that the presence of gas in the inner bottle causes prolonged flow interruption in the dispensing component at the end of use, the purpose of this invention is to provide a dispensing device that can at least partially solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A dispensing device includes a container for storing materials, and the container is pre-filled with gas; a dispensing component is fixedly installed at one axial end of the container, and a piston is axially floatingly disposed inside the container; a blind tube is provided on the side of the piston facing the dispensing component, the inner diameter of the blind tube is larger than the diameter of the dispensing component, and when the dispensing device is in a use posture with the dispensing component facing downward, the lower edge of the blind tube is lower than the interface between the material and the gas in the container.

[0008] In some preferred embodiments, when the dispensing device is in a downward-facing usage position and gas remains in the blind tube, the lower edge of the blind tube is still below the interface between the material and the gas in the container.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the outer wall profile of the dispensing member extending into the container is clearance-fitted with the inner wall profile of the blind tube.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the inner wall of the container at one axial end is provided with a stop step for restricting the movement of the piston, and when the piston stops at the stop step, the upper end of the dispensing member abuts against the bottom of the blind tube or has a predetermined gap, and the lower edge of the blind tube abuts against the end wall of one axial end of the container or has a predetermined gap.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the blind tube is integrally formed with the piston.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the container has a filling port at one axial end for filling the piston.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, the filling port is detachably connected to a cover.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the dispensing component is fixedly installed in a pressure sleeve, which is detachably and fixedly connected to one axial end of the container, and the axial end of the container is also provided with a mounting hole for the dispensing component to pass through.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the inner wall of the pressure sleeve is connected to the outer wall of one axial end of the container by a threaded or snap-fit ​​structure.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the outer wall of the dispensing member is provided with a sealing element, which is pressed between the end face of the sleeve and one axial end of the container.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention using the above technical solution are as follows: By setting a blind tube on the piston and further configuring the lower edge of the blind tube to be lower than the interface between the material and gas in the container when the dispensing device is in the downward-facing usage position, the internal space of the blind tube can be isolated from the outside. Therefore, at the end of the dispensing device's use, when the suction end of the dispensing component exposes the material-gas interface, the suction end of the dispensing component is located inside the blind tube. When the dispensing function is used again, the dispensing component will discharge the gas inside the blind tube, creating a negative pressure inside the blind tube. Under this negative pressure, the remaining material in the container will be drawn into the internal space of the blind tube, and then drawn in and dispensed by the dispensing component. Compared to the prior art, the dispensing component only needs to empty the gas inside the blind tube at most; gas still present in the container but located outside the blind tube does not need to be addressed, thus greatly reducing the amount of gas drawn in by the dispensing component and significantly reducing the occurrence of flow interruptions. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the inner bottle when it is upright in the prior art; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the inner bottle when it is used upside down in the prior art; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the inner bottle in the prior art when it is inverted and used to the end and begins to draw in gas. Figure 4 This is an initial schematic diagram of the present invention when used upside down; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the final stage when the present invention is used upside down; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention when it is used upside down and the piston is stopped; In the diagram: 1-Container; 2-Distributor; 3-Piston; 4-Blind tube; 5-Material-gas interface; 6-Stop step; 11-Pressure sleeve; 12-Cover. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these descriptions are for the purpose of aiding understanding the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0020] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the description of the structure of this invention shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0021] The terms "first" and "second" in this technical solution are merely designations for corresponding structures that are identical or similar, or that perform similar functions. They do not represent an arrangement of the importance of these structures, nor do they imply any ranking, comparison of size, or other meaning.

[0022] Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, a connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two structures. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention by considering the overall concept of the invention and the specific context of the solution.

[0023] A dispensing device, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, it includes a container 1, a dispensing component 2, a piston 3, and a blind tube 4.

[0024] Container 1 has a cylindrical structure, and its inner diameter cross-section is circular, square, or other shapes. Container 1 is equivalent to an "inner bottle," which is used to fill the outer bottle during use. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The container 1 (outer bottle not shown) has a dispensing component 2 fixedly installed at one axial end (the lower end shown in the figure, also called the axial distal end). The dispensing component 2 is, for example, a pump. The dispensing component 2 can be fixedly installed in a pressure sleeve 11, which can be configured in a stepped cylindrical structure. The proximal end of the pressure sleeve 11 with a larger diameter (i.e., the upper end in the figure) is connected to the outer wall of the axial distal end of the container 1 by a thread or snap-fit ​​structure. The dispensing component 2 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the distal end of the pressure sleeve 11 with a smaller diameter (i.e., the lower end in the figure). The axial distal end of the container 1 also has a mounting hole for the dispensing component 2 to pass through. When the pressure sleeve 11 is installed on the container 1, the upper end of the dispensing component 2 extends into the container 1, and its lower end protrudes outside the container 1. A sealing element is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the dispensing component 2. This sealing element is pressed between the stepped surface of the inner wall of the pressure sleeve 11 and the end face of the axial distal end of the container 1. Of course, in other embodiments, the dispensing component 2 can also be sealed and fixed in the mounting hole opened at the axial distal end of the container 1 by threading or bonding.

[0025] A piston 3 is floatingly disposed inside container 1 along its axial direction. A filling port for loading the piston 3 is provided at the other axial end of container 1 (the upper end shown in the figure, also called the axial proximal end). A cover 12 is detachably connected to the filling port. Typically, a gap is left between the cover 12 and the filling port for air to enter and exit, or an air inlet / outlet hole can be provided on the cover 12. It is understood that the filling port can also be located at the lower end of container 1 (i.e., the axial distal end). During assembly, the piston 3 is loaded first, and then the aforementioned pressure sleeve 11 is installed. Correspondingly, the upper end of container 1 can be sealed, or the filling port and cover 12 can be retained. When the upper end of container 1 is sealed, an air inlet / outlet hole should be provided.

[0026] The space inside container 1, located between piston 3 and the axial distal end of container 1, stores material, which is usually a liquid or a liquid-solid mixture with fluidity. At the same time, the space is also filled with gas, which is usually air. However, if the stored material is not suitable for contact with air, the gas filled in can be nitrogen or helium, which are gases that do not easily react with other substances.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, container 1 is in an inverted state, with the gas at the top. When container 1 is pressed through the operating hole on the outer bottle, the distributor 2 will pump out the material. As the material in container 1 decreases, piston 3 will descend and move toward the side where distributor 2 is located. Correspondingly, the interface 5 between the material and the gas will also approach distributor 2.

[0028] In this embodiment, a blind tube 4 is provided on the side of the piston 3 facing the dispensing component 2 (i.e., the distal side). The blind tube 4 is usually integrally formed with the piston 3. The distal end of the blind tube 4 is open and its proximal end is closed. The inner diameter of the blind tube 4 is larger than the diameter of the dispensing component 2. When the dispensing device is in an inverted position with the dispensing component 2 facing downward, the lower edge of the blind tube 4 is lower than the interface 5 between the material and the gas in the container 1. Under normal circumstances, a certain amount of gas will remain in the blind tube 4, and this part of the gas is isolated from the gas in the container 1.

[0029] This configuration isolates the internal space of the blind tube 4 from the outside, so that at the end of the dispensing device's service life, such as... Figure 5As shown, when the suction end of the distributor 2 exposes the interface 5 between the material and the gas, the suction end of the distributor 2 is located inside the blind tube 4. When the distribution function is used again, the distributor 2 will discharge the gas inside the blind tube 4, which will create a negative pressure inside the blind tube 4. Under this negative pressure, the remaining material in the container 1 will be drawn into the blind tube 4, and then drawn in and distributed by the distributor 2. In this process, the distributor 2 only discharges the gas inside the blind tube 4. The gas that is still in the container 1 but located outside the blind tube 4 is ignored. Compared with the prior art, the amount of gas drawn in by the distributor 2 is greatly reduced, and the occurrence of flow interruption is significantly reduced.

[0030] As the gas inside the blind tube 4 is partially discharged by the distributor 2, the material in the container 1 enters the blind tube 4 under negative pressure, causing the interface 5 inside the blind tube 4 to rise and submerge the suction end of the distributor 2, thus resuming material distribution. After the material that has entered the blind tube 4 is discharged, the piston 3 descends, reducing the negative pressure inside the blind tube 4. The suction end of the distributor 2 will once again expose the interface 5. If the distributor 2 is pressed again, it will discharge a portion of the gas inside the blind tube 4, increasing the negative pressure. The material in the container 1 will then re-enter the blind tube 4 under negative pressure, causing the interface 5 inside the blind tube 4 to rise and submerge the suction end of the distributor 2, thus resuming material distribution. This process repeats, with the distributor 2 alternately discharging the material in the container 1 and the gas in the blind tube 4. During this process, the piston 3 gradually descends until it reaches its lowest point.

[0031] Furthermore, the outer wall contour of the distributor 2 extending into the container 1 is clearance-fitted with the inner wall contour of the blind tube 4, and the diameter of the distributor 2 is configured to remain constant or gradually increase from the proximal end (i.e., the upper end in the figure) to the distal end (i.e., the lower end in the figure), i.e., smaller at the top and larger at the bottom. This configuration allows the piston 3 to fall as far as possible, enabling the blind tube 4 to fit more over the outer side of the distributor 2, thus placing the lower edge of the blind tube 4 as below as possible the material-gas interface 5, maintaining normal material intake by the distributor 2. Simultaneously, due to the clearance fit, only a small amount of material needs to be filled between them, reducing material waste in transit.

[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 6As shown, a stop step 6 is provided on the inner wall of the distal end of the container 1 to restrict the movement of the piston 3. When the piston 3 stops at the stop step 6, the upper end of the distributor 2 abuts against the bottom of the blind tube 4 or has a predetermined gap, while the lower edge of the blind tube 4 abuts against the proximal end wall of the container 1 or has a predetermined gap. This arrangement allows the material at the lower end of the container 1 to be pumped out by the distributor 2 as much as possible. Specifically, when the upper end of the distributor 2 abuts against the bottom of the blind tube 4, the upper end of the distributor 2 or the bottom of the blind tube 4 is configured to be uneven (or have grooves) to prevent material from being unable to be sucked in; similarly, when the lower edge of the blind tube 4 abuts against the proximal end wall of the container 1, the lower edge of the blind tube 4 or the proximal end wall of the container 1 is configured to be uneven (or have grooves) to prevent material from being unable to be sucked in.

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and these variations still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dispensing device, characterized in that: The device includes a container for storing materials, the container being pre-filled with gas; a dispensing component is fixedly installed at one axial end of the container, and a piston is axially floating inside the container; a blind tube is provided on the side of the piston facing the dispensing component, the inner diameter of the blind tube is larger than the diameter of the dispensing component, and when the dispensing device is in the use posture with the dispensing component facing downward, the lower edge of the blind tube is lower than the interface between the material and the gas in the container.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the dispensing device is in the use posture with the dispensing component facing downwards and gas remains in the blind tube, the lower edge of the blind tube is still lower than the interface between the material and gas in the container.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer contour of the dispensing component extending into the container is clearance-fitted with the inner contour of the blind tube.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container has a stop step on its inner wall at one axial end to restrict the movement of the piston. When the piston stops at the stop step, the upper end of the distribution member abuts against the bottom of the blind tube or has a predetermined gap, and the lower edge of the blind tube abuts against the end wall at one axial end of the container or has a predetermined gap.

5. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blind tube is integrally formed with the piston.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container has a filling port at one axial end for filling the piston.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The filling port is detachably connected to a cover.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dispensing component is fixedly installed in the pressure sleeve, which is detachably and fixedly connected to one axial end of the container. The axial end of the container is also provided with a mounting hole for the dispensing component to pass through.

9. The dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner wall of the pressure sleeve is connected to the outer wall of one axial end of the container by a threaded or snap-fit ​​structure.

10. The dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The outer wall of the dispensing component is provided with a sealing element, which is pressed between the end face of the pressure sleeve and one axial end of the container.

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