Mixing and dosing plugs and dosing containers

Abstract

Mixing and metering stopper (1) suitable for being installed in an outlet opening of a container having two independent storage chambers configured to hold liquid substances, comprising a body of generally cylindrical shape, which is provided with the following: - two spaced-apart fluid inlets (2, 3) extending from a bottom of the body, such that each inlet is configured to be assigned to a corresponding storage chamber, - an outlet (4) located on an upper side of the body opposite the side on which the arrangement of inlets (2, 3) is located, and - an inner mixing chamber (5) which is in fluid communication with the two liquid inlets (2, 3) and the outlet (4); characterized in that it has two spaced-apart channels extending outwards from the surface provided with the two liquid inlets (2, 3) which are in communication with the inner mixing chamber (5), each of the channels being configured for the inlet of air from a corresponding storage chamber when the plug body is attached to the container, and each channel including a check valve.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a mixing-dosing plug with higher reliability during a dosing process and a dosing container for supplying a liquid mixing substance, which is equipped with such a mixing-dosing plug. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For years, containers have been available on the market that have two liquid chambers or compartments in which two different liquid substances are stored, in order to be subsequently supplied in mixed form via an outlet nozzle, which may include a spray head or a mixing-dosing plug.

[0003] An example of a suitable stopper for such a compartment is known from document ES 2 613 748 A1, the common parts of which are part of the preamble to claim 1. Although this stopper satisfactorily fulfills the mixing and metering function at favorable manufacturing costs, it is desirable to improve the pre-dilution process and thus the metering during the dispensing process, e.g., by means of an outlet with a spray head. Furthermore, from a functional point of view, it is desirable that the container deforms as little as possible during use by the user.

[0004] Furthermore, the applicant is currently unaware of any invention that has all the features described in this description. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention was developed with the aim of providing a mixing and dosing stopper that represents a novelty in the field of application and solves the aforementioned disadvantages and also offers further advantages, which will become apparent from the following description.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mixing-dosing stopper suitable for installation in an outlet opening of a container having two independent storage chambers configured to hold liquid substances, wherein the stopper is of a type comprising a body of generally cylindrical shape, which is provided with the following: - two spaced-apart fluid inlets extending from one underside of the body, so that each inlet is configured to be assigned to a corresponding storage chamber, - an outlet located on an upper side of the body opposite the side where the arrangement of inlets is located, and - an inner mixing chamber that is in fluid communication with the two liquid inlets and the outlet.

[0007] In particular, the invention is characterized by two spaced-apart channels extending outwards from the surface provided with the two liquid inlets, which are connected to the mixing chamber, each channel being configured to admit air from a corresponding storage chamber when the body is inserted in the container, and each channel including a check valve that prevents the creation of a vacuum within each of the storage chambers. In this way, air can enter the interior while the liquid is retained in the storage chambers.

[0008] Preferably, the check valve comprises an elastic spring having one end in contact with a ball having a valve seat having an inverted frustoconical wall, while the opposite end of the elastic spring is in contact with a valve seat.

[0009] According to the invention, at least one of the inlets includes at its end facing the underside of the body a coupling section with a larger diameter, configured for coupling a flexible sleeve or cannula.

[0010] Advantageously, the body is made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene), which improves the surface quality and increases the durability of the stopper against wear or breakage that may be caused by liquid substances (mixture) passing through it during its service life.

[0011] Furthermore, the plug according to the invention can include stop means on the underside of the body, which facilitate the correct assembly and positioning of the plug in its corresponding receptacle in a container.

[0012] Preferably, such lifting devices consist of at least one pair of noses extending perpendicular to the underside of the body.

[0013] Another object of the invention is the provision of a metering container comprising two independent storage chambers configured to hold liquid substances, each of which is provided with an opening located at the outlet opening of the container, characterized in that the two upper openings are connected by a mixing metering plug, as described above.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the mixing-dosing stopper of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated as a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1. Perspective view of an embodiment of the mixing-dosing stopper according to the invention; Fig. 2. - Cross-section through the in Fig. 1 mixing and dosing stopper shown; Fig. 3. Perspective view of an embodiment of the container according to the invention; and Fig. 4. - Perspective partial view of the top of the dosing container with the stopper removed for illustrative purposes. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED VERSION

[0015] According to the numbering chosen, the aforementioned figures show an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising the parts and elements indicated and described in more detail below.

[0016] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, and embodiments of the invention may operate in sequences other than those described or illustrated in the present description.

[0017] Furthermore, the terms upper, lower, top, bottom and the like are used in the description and claims for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions.

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a mixing-dosing stopper, generally designated by reference (1), suitable for being fitted into an outlet opening of a container having two independent storage chambers configured to hold liquid substances, and comprising a body made of HDPE material having a generally cylindrical shape, having two liquid inlets (2, 3) extending apart from each other from a bottom (10) of the body, such that each inlet is configured to be associated with a respective storage chamber, and an outlet (4) located on a top (11) of the body opposite the side on which the arrangement of the liquid inlets (2, 3) is located.

[0019] Fig. Figure 2 shows with arrows the flow direction of the liquid substances to be mixed and of the mixed liquid substance.

[0020] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the plug (1) also includes an inner mixing chamber (5) which is in fluid communication with the two liquid inlets and the outlet.

[0021] To improve the pre-dilution function of the liquid substance before outlet, two spaced-apart channels (6) are provided, extending outwards from the surface of the two liquid inlets (2, 3) which are connected to the mixing chamber (5). Each channel (6) is configured to allow air to enter from a corresponding storage chamber when the body is inserted into the container. Each channel (6) includes a check valve in an internal through-hole, which prevents the formation of a vacuum inside the storage chamber and its undesirable deformation.

[0022] More precisely, the check valve comprises an elastic spring (7) which has one end in contact with a ball (8) having a valve seat which has an inverted frustoconical wall, while the opposite end of the elastic spring (7) is in contact with a valve seat which is formed from a cover (9).

[0023] The inlet (2) includes a coupling section (20) with a larger diameter at its end near the underside (10) of the body. Furthermore, the inner through-bore in the inlet has a frustoconical taper at one end (21).

[0024] The plug (1) also includes attachment means on the underside of the body, consisting of a pair of lugs (12) extending perpendicular to the underside of the body.

[0025] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a metering container (100) which includes two independent storage chambers for liquid substances, each with an opening at the container's outlet. The two upper openings (102), located in the container's stuffing box, are connected to the fluid via the mixing / metering plug (1) and are separated by an internal partition (103) (see Figure 4). Fig. 4) Furthermore, the dosing container (100) includes an additional opening (101) in a projection extending laterally from the body of the dosing container (100), which is fitted with a removable plug (13) for closing the opening. In this way, it is possible to fill storage chambers quickly and easily.

[0026] On the upper part of the dosing container (100) upstream of the mixing dosing plug (1) a head (14) is attached, which consists of a spray gun for supplying the liquid substance mixture.

[0027] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements used in the manufacture of the mixing-dosing stopper according to the invention can be suitably replaced by others that do not deviate from the scope defined by the following claims. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EU 2 613 748 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Mixing and metering stopper (1) suitable for being fitted into an outlet opening of a container having two independent storage chambers configured to hold liquid substances, comprising a body of generally cylindrical shape, which is provided with the following: - two spaced-apart fluid inlets (2, 3) extending from a bottom of the body, such that each inlet is configured to be assigned to a corresponding storage chamber, - an outlet (4) located on an upper side of the body opposite the side on which the arrangement of inlets (2, 3) is located, and - an inner mixing chamber (5) which is in fluid communication with the two liquid inlets (2, 3) and the outlet (4); characterized bythat it has two spaced-apart channels extending outwards from the surface provided with the two liquid inlets (2, 3) and communicating with the inner mixing chamber (5), each channel being configured to allow air to be drawn in from a corresponding storage chamber when the plug body is attached to the container, and each channel including a check valve. [2] Mixing-dosing stopper (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the check valve comprises an elastic spring (7) having one end in contact with a ball (8) having a valve seat having an inverted frustoconical wall, while the opposite end of the elastic spring (7) is in contact with a valve seat. [3] Mixing-dosing stopper (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that at least one of the fluid inlets (2) includes at its end facing the underside of the body a coupling section of larger diameter configured to couple a flexible sleeve or cannula. [4] Mixing-dosing stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the body is made of HDPE material. [5] Mixing-dosing stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it includes lifting gear on the underside of the body. [6] Mixing-dosing stopper (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the lifting means consist of at least one pair of noses (12) extending perpendicular to the underside of the body. [7] Metering container (100) comprising two independent storage chambers configured to hold liquid substances, each of which is provided with an opening at the outlet opening of the container, characterized by , that the two upper openings are in fluid communication through a mixing-dosing plug (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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