PUMPSPENDER

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a pump dispenser for the metered withdrawal of a liquid from a container according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a pump container with such an attached pump dispenser. State of the art

[0002] Pump dispensers are used to dispense a measured amount of liquid, which may also have a higher viscosity (creams or gels), from a storage container by pressing down on a dispenser head. The dispenser extension is formed on the dispenser head and therefore moves with it. A metal spring is integrated into the dispenser to reset the dispenser head. The valve function, which is necessary to ensure that the liquid is pumped into the dispenser location when the head is pressed and that liquid is drawn back into the pump dispenser when the head is returned, is implemented by metal or glass balls.

[0003] Separate disposal of such state-of-the-art pump dispensers is not possible, or only with considerable effort, because the metal spring and valve balls would have to be removed from the pump dispenser. It is also impractical that the dispenser extension moves with the head, as this often causes liquid to miss its target (e.g., a user's hand) and contaminate the area surrounding the target.

[0004] DE 10 2019 132343 A1 discloses a pump dispenser comprising a reservoir and a dispenser pump. The dispenser pump has an inlet and an outlet channel and a pump chamber defined by valves on the inlet and outlet sides. The reset device is formed by a plastic spring with a lower spring ring and an upper spring ring, which are arranged essentially coaxially with each other. Furthermore, the spring rings are connected to each other by spring struts extending more than 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0005] US 2018 / 0214899 A1 also describes a similar pump dispenser, which features a plastic spring to simplify recycling of the entire pump dispenser. The spring is constructed similarly to that described in the last paragraph and accordingly features spring washers and spring legs. However, the diameter of the spring washers increases towards the bottom, resulting in the spring's outer dimensions resembling a truncated cone rather than a cylinder. Object of the invention

[0006] The disadvantages of the described prior art give rise to the task of creating a dosing dispenser which is improved in its function and designed to be more user-friendly. Description

[0007] The stated problem is solved in a pump dispenser by the features stated in the characterizing portion of patent claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0008] The spring is made of plastic and has a plurality of rings arranged one above the other, which are each connected to one another by at least one first connecting web. This design of the spring allows the rings and ring segments to bend and the spring to be compressed by an axial force and to return to its basic position when the force is removed, even though it is made of plastic. The connecting webs are preferably the same length. Their length can vary in order to adapt the spring travel to the required pump stroke. The pump dispenser is used to pump liquids from a container, whereby the viscosity of the liquid can vary as long as the liquid remains pumpable. In addition to an aqueous liquid, the liquid can also be a cream or a gel, for example.

[0009] The invention is characterized by a second plastic valve disc mounted on the underside of the adapter. The second valve disc closes a vent provided on the adapter and releases the vent when liquid is drawn into the dosing chamber. This prevents a vacuum from building up in the container, allowing the liquid to be pumped evenly by pressing down the pump head.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rings are oriented horizontally, vertically, or obliquely to the horizontal. The vertical and oblique orientation of the rings allows for increased spring travel.

[0011] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, superimposed rings are connected to each other by a first and second connecting web. This creates a particularly stable spring, which is advantageous when the product to be pumped has a high viscosity.

[0012] It has proven useful if adjacent, stacked first and second connecting webs are offset by 90 degrees. This allows the rings to bend sufficiently out of the horizontal plane to enable a downward pump stroke and generate sufficient restoring force to draw fluid into the dosing chamber.

[0013] Ideally, the first and second connecting webs on the ring or ring segment are positioned diametrically opposite each other. This gives the spring a symmetrical design and a restoring force evenly distributed across the circumference of the rings. A diametrically opposed arrangement is sometimes not possible on the ring segments. However, this is compensated for by connecting webs located at the open edges of the ring segments.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring is housed in the housing outside the metering chamber. This separates the spring from the fluid and prevents it from affecting it. This is important because the plastic of the spring cannot be damaged by the fluid, for example, it cannot become brittle. Furthermore, the spring encloses the metering chamber and is thus positively guided, which ensures reliable spring function.

[0015] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring has at least one ring segment in addition to the rings, wherein the at least one ring segment forms a recess. Several ring segments can also be arranged one above the other on the spring, thereby enlarging the recess. Components of the pump dispenser, for example, the dispensing channel, can be accommodated in the recess.

[0016] Because at least one distance is provided between vertically oriented rings of a horizontal plane, which distance forms the recess or part of the recess, the recess described in the last paragraph can also be provided in the embodiment of the spring with vertically oriented rings.

[0017] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a dispenser opening is provided on the housing. As a result, the dispenser opening does not move with the pump head. Therefore, the escaping liquid does not miss its target (e.g., the user's hand), and the area surrounding the pump dispenser is not contaminated by the liquid.

[0018] Conveniently, the dispenser opening extends partially into a dispenser extension formed on the housing. This allows the liquid emerging from the pump dispenser to be easily portioned into a hand or a container. It is also conceivable for the dispenser opening to end at the housing wall and be equipped with an atomizer. This allows the pump dispenser to also be used as a pump spray.

[0019] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve is implemented by a first plastic valve disc, which is arranged between the top of an adapter inserted into the housing and the housing itself, and seals either the dispenser opening or the adapter in a fluid-tight manner. Because the first valve disc is made of plastic, it has the necessary flexibility to bend and thereby expose either the adapter or the dispenser opening. It can also be recycled together with the pump dispenser.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the adapter connects a riser tube extending to the bottom of the container to the housing. The adapter acts as a reducer and allows the riser tube to be quickly connected to the housing. Furthermore, it is advantageous for rapid assembly of the pump dispenser if the first valve disc can be inserted into the housing, and then the adapter secures the first valve disc to the housing.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pump dispenser can interact with a slider arranged in the container and movable vertically, with a storage chamber of variable volume being formed between the adapter and the slider. This embodiment has the advantage that no air can penetrate into the storage chamber and the storage chamber contains only liquid. This ensures that the liquid can be stored in the container for a particularly long time after the pump dispenser is activated for the first time. The slider is pushed upward by the air pressure after each pump stroke and reduces the size of the storage chamber by the volume of the pump stroke.

[0022] It is advantageous if the adapter allows the housing to be connected to the container. This allows the pump dispenser to be quickly and easily attached to the container after filling. The adapter is preferably designed to snap onto the housing and the container in a form-fitting manner.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the valve is implemented by a third plastic valve disc as the inlet valve and a fourth plastic valve disc as the outlet valve. The third disc closes or opens an adapter inserted into the housing, and the fourth disc closes or opens the dispensing opening. Thus, the valve function is divided between two valve discs, making this embodiment highly reliable. The third and fourth valve discs can also be made of a different flexible material if the possibilities for improved recycling are not a priority.

[0024] In another particularly preferred embodiment, longitudinal ribs of varying lengths are formed on the inside of the pump head, wherein, by rotating the pump head relative to the housing, one of the longitudinal ribs interacts with at least one stop formed on the housing. This allows the height of the pump stroke to be easily adjusted, enabling different dosing or dispensing volumes with the pump dispenser. It is also possible to lock the pump stroke, thus providing a secure transport mechanism. It is also conceivable for the longitudinal ribs to all be the same length and for several stops of different heights to be provided on the housing.

[0025] Because all components of the pump dispenser are preferably made of plastic, the pump dispenser can be recycled without any separation steps. This is especially true if all components of the pump dispenser and the container are made of the same plastic.

[0026] A further aspect of the invention relates to a pump container comprising a pump dispenser as described above and a container onto which the pump dispenser can be placed. This allows the pump dispenser and the container to be sold fully filled and assembled.

[0027] A preferred pump container is one in which the pump dispenser interacts with a slider arranged in the container and movable in the vertical direction, with a storage chamber of variable volume being formed between the adapter and the slider. As described above, the storage chamber remains free of air, and the liquid contained therein has a particularly long shelf life. This embodiment is therefore particularly suitable for cosmetic products such as skin creams and other oxygen-sensitive liquids.

[0028] The pump dispenser is characterized by the fact that the valve is implemented as a first valve disc, which is arranged between the top of an adapter inserted into the housing and the housing itself, and seals either the dispenser opening or the adapter in a fluid-tight manner. The valve function is thus implemented in a very simple, reliable, and cost-effective manner.

[0029] Another aspect of the invention relates to a pump dispenser characterized by the fact that the dispenser opening is provided on the housing. As already described above, this makes the pump dispenser very user-friendly because the dispenser opening does not move during pumping, allowing the metered liquid to be applied precisely.

[0030] Preferably, the dispenser opening is provided in a dispenser extension formed on the housing in order to be able to dispense the liquid specifically into the hand of a user or into a container.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to a pump dispenser, which is characterized by longitudinal ribs of varying lengths formed on the inside of the pump head, wherein, by rotating the pump head relative to the housing, one of the longitudinal ribs interacts with at least one stop formed on the housing. The longitudinal ribs allow the pump stroke and thus the dispensed liquid volume to be intuitively adjusted by simply rotating them. This also allows for a transport lock.

[0032] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of two exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. These are not to scale: Figure 1: a side view of a pump dispenser placed on a container; Figure 2: another side view of the pump dispenser; Figure 3: an isometric view of a spring for resetting the pump head of the dispenser in a first embodiment; Figure 4: an isometric view obliquely from below onto a housing; Figure 5: an isometric view obliquely from above onto the housing; Figure 6: a first sectional view taken lengthwise through the pump dispenser; Figure 7: a second sectional view taken lengthwise through the pump dispenser Figure 6 ; Figure 8: a first longitudinal sectional view through an alternative pump dispenser; Figure 9: a second longitudinal sectional view through the alternative pump dispenser from Figure 8 Figure 10 shows a sectional view through a third embodiment of the pump dispenser; Figure 11 shows an isometric view of the spring in a second embodiment; and Figure 12 shows an isometric view of the spring in a third embodiment.

[0033] In the Figures 1 , 2 , 6 and 7 a pump dispenser is shown, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 11. The pump dispenser 11 can be placed on a container 13, for example a bottle 13. The combination of the pump dispenser 11 and the container 13 is referred to as a pump container 14. The dispenser 11 has a housing 15 with which it is attached to the container 13. The attachment can be achieved, for example, in a known manner by an internal thread 17 which interacts with an external thread 19 formed on the container neck 21. A dosing chamber 23 is formed in the housing 15, in which the amount of liquid is sucked out of the container 13 and then conveyed outwards. The volume of the dosing chamber 23 corresponds to the volume of liquid that is withdrawn from the container 13 during one pump stroke. The dosing chamber 13 can also be regarded as a piston chamber.

[0034] An adapter 25 is positively secured to the underside of the housing 15. The adapter 25 serves as a reducer and connects a riser pipe 27 to the dosing chamber 23. The riser pipe 27 allows the container 13 with the dosing dispenser 11 to be completely emptied. A pump head 29 is movably arranged on the top of the housing. The pump head 29 can be moved up and down along the longitudinal axis 31 of the pump dispenser 11 between a first and second position, thereby enabling the pump stroke. In the first position, the pump head 29 is at its highest point, from which it can be pushed downwards to the second, lowest position.

[0035] A piston 33 is attached to the pump head 29, which, together with the pump head 29, can be moved up and down in the dosing chamber 23. The piston 33 seals the dosing chamber 23 fluid-tight at the top. A spring 35 is arranged between the housing 15 and the pump head 29. The spring 35 returns the pump head 29 to the first position after it has been pushed into the second position.

[0036] The pumped liquid leaves the pump dispenser 11 through a dispenser opening 37. Preferably, the dispenser opening 37 extends partially on the outside of the dosing chamber 23 and partially in a dispenser extension 39. In contrast to the prior art, the dispenser opening 37 or the dispenser extension 39 is not provided on the pump head 29, but on the housing 15.

[0037] A valve defines the direction of flow of the liquid from the riser tube 27 via the dosing chamber 23 into the dispenser opening 37. The valve blocks flow in the opposite direction. This allows the liquid to be pumped into the dispenser opening 37 in pump strokes. In a first embodiment according to the Figures 6 and 7 The valve is realized by a first valve disc 41, which is made of plastic. The first valve disc 41 is inserted between the adapter 25 and the underside of the dosing chamber 23 and closes the dosing chamber 23 from the adapter 25. On the underside of the dosing chamber 23, the valve disc 41 rests against a crescent-shaped shoulder 43, which shoulder 43 encloses the dispensing opening 37 ( Fig.4 ).

[0038] The spring 35 is made entirely of plastic and has a plurality of superimposed rings 45 and optional ring segments 47. The ring segments 47 are provided on the spring 35 so that the portion of the dispenser opening 37 that runs along the dosing chamber fits into a recess 49 of the spring 35. Adjacent rings 45 are connected by a first and second diametrically arranged connecting web 51a, 51b. Adjacent superimposed first and second connecting webs 51a, 51b are offset by 90 degrees from one another. This arrangement enables resilient bending of the rings 45 and the ring segments 47, respectively. Additional third connecting webs 51c are provided between the ring segments 47 to form the recess 49. A first embodiment of the spring 35 is shown in Figure 3 shown. The Figures 11 and 12show a second and third embodiment of the spring 35. In contrast to the prior art, the spring 35 does not come into contact with liquid, as it is arranged outside the dosing chamber 23 and virtually encloses the dosing chamber 23. Furthermore, the spring penetrates the pump head 29, whereby the uppermost ring 45 is arranged outside the pump head 29.

[0039] As the Figure 11 As shown, adjacent rings 45 can also be connected by only one connecting web 51a. To increase the spring travel between two adjacent rings 45 or ring segments 47, the rings or ring segments can also be inclined relative to the horizontal. Preferably, the outermost ring 45 and the outermost ring segment 47 are oriented horizontally in order to lie flat against the pump head 29 or the housing 15. Only at the recess, in addition to the first connecting webs 51a, are third connecting webs 51c arranged to close off the ring segments 47.

[0040] The rings 45 located between the outermost ring 45 and the outermost ring segment 47 can also be oriented vertically ( Figure 12 ). The contact of adjacent rings 45 forms the connecting webs 51a. The distance between two rings lying in a horizontal plane forms the recess 49. As Figure 12 As shown, several rows of vertical rings arranged one above the other can be provided. If these rows are spaced apart from each other, this spacing can form the recess 49. It would also be conceivable for two adjacent rows of vertical rings 45 to touch each other. The vertical rings 45 create a particularly large spring deflection for the spring 35.

[0041] Longitudinal ribs 53 of varying lengths are formed on the inside of the pump head 29. Stops 55 are provided on the inside of the housing 15 ( Figure 5), which limit the pump stroke, since one of the longitudinal ribs 53 abuts a stop 55. The pump stroke 57 is represented by the double arrow. By rotating the pump head 29, one of the longitudinal ribs 53 comes to a stop, and the pump stroke 57 has a specific height depending on the length of the longitudinal rib 53. This allows the dosing volume of the liquid to be adjusted. The pump stroke can also be set to 0, whereby the pump dispenser 11 can be closed.

[0042] To prevent negative pressure from developing in the container 13 during pumping, the pump dispenser is provided with a vent. For this purpose, a second plastic valve disc 59 is attached to the underside of the adapter 25. The second valve disc 59 closes a vent opening 61 provided on the adapter 25 and a further vent opening 63 provided on the housing. If a negative pressure develops in the container 13, the second valve disc 59 is forced open by atmospheric pressure until the pressure difference is equalized. This allows the liquid to be delivered evenly from the pump dispenser 11.

[0043] In the Figures 8 and 9An alternative embodiment of the valve function is shown. For this purpose, a third valve disc 65 and a fourth valve disc 67, preferably each made of plastic, are provided. The third valve disc 65 serves as an inlet valve into the dosing chamber 23: During the suction stroke, the third valve disc 65 opens, and during the pressure stroke, the third valve disc 65 closes the adapter 25. The fourth valve disc 67 serves as an outlet valve from the dosing chamber 23: During the suction stroke, the fourth valve disc 67 closes the dispenser opening 37, and during the pressure stroke, the fourth valve disc 67 opens.

[0044] The pump dispenser 11 and the container 11 are completely metal-free, and it is even possible to manufacture all components from the same plastic; preferably PP or PET. This ensures the recyclability of the entire assembly, and the pump dispenser 11 can be disposed of and recycled together with the container. It is noteworthy that the spring 35 and the valve discs 41, 59, 65, and 67 are made of plastic. State-of-the-art pump dispensers typically use a metal spring and metal balls as valves.

[0045] The pump dispenser 11 functions as follows: The pump head 29 is in the first position. From this position, it is pushed downwards, which also moves the piston 33 in the dosing chamber 23 downwards. During this pressure cycle, the first valve disc 41 closes the adapter 25 or the riser tube 27, and the liquid is dispensed via the dispensing opening 37. During the pressure cycle, the first valve disc 41 is deformed such that it is partially lifted off the shoulder 43, thereby releasing the dispensing opening 37. The pressure cycle ends when the piston 33 is in the second position. The prerequisite for liquid delivery is that the dosing chamber 23 is already filled with liquid. Otherwise, the pump head 29 must be operated until the dosing chamber 23 is filled.

[0046] When the piston 33 is moved by the spring 35 to its initial position (first position), the first valve disc 41 opens access to the riser tube 27 and fluid is drawn into the metering chamber 23. The sealing effect results from the interaction of the first valve disc 41 with the adapter 25 and the shoulder 43.

[0047] In a further embodiment according to the Figure 10A slide 69 is arranged in the container. The slide 69 is displaceable along the longitudinal axis 31 in the container 13 and slides in a liquid-tight manner along the container wall. A storage chamber 71 is formed between the adapter 25 and the slide 69, in which the liquid is located. With each pump stroke 57, the slide 69 moves upwards in accordance with the volume of liquid withdrawn. In order for the air pressure to push the slide 69 upwards, the container must have a compensation opening below the slide 69. This embodiment enables the storage chamber 71 to be free of air. As a result, oxygen-sensitive filling materials can be stored for a long time after the first use of the pump container 14, since they do not come into contact with atmospheric oxygen. It is preferred if the adapter 25 can be positively and liquid-tightly locked to the container 13 and the housing 15, as shown in the Figure 10 is shown.

[0048] All components of the pump dispenser and the container 13 can be made from the same plastic. This ensures recycling of the entire assembly. The spring 35, through its design with rings 45 and connecting webs 51, ensures the reset of the pump head 29 even after frequent use, even though it is made of plastic. Another special feature of the pump dispenser 11 is the valve and ventilation function with a first and second valve disc 41, 59. It is particularly practical that the dispenser opening 37 does not move with the pump head 29, but is provided on the stationary housing 15. It is also conceivable that the dispenser opening 37 is designed as an atomizer, thus giving the pump dispenser 11 a spray function for the liquid. The size of the dosing volume orThe locking of the pump stroke 57 can be adjusted by rotating the pump head 29 relative to the housing 15, since the longitudinal ribs 53 are of different lengths. Legend:

[0049] 11 Pump dispenser 13 Container, bottle 14 Pump container 15 Housing 17 Internal thread 19 External thread 21 Container neck 23 Dosing chamber, piston chamber 25 Adapter 27 Riser tube 29 Pump head 31 Longitudinal axis 33 Piston 35 Spring 37 Dispensing opening 39 Dispensing extension 41 First valve disc 43 Shoulder 45 Rings 47 Ring segments 49 Recess 51a, 51b, 51c First, second and third connecting webs 53 Longitudinal ribs 55 Stops 57 Pump stroke 59 Second valve disc 61 Ventilation opening 63 Further ventilation opening 65 Third valve disc 67 Fourth valve disc 69 Slide 71 Storage chamber

Claims

1. Pump dispenser (11) for the metered removal of a liquid from a container (13) onto which the pump dispenser (11) can be placed, comprising - a housing (15) which can be placed on the container (13) and in which a metering chamber (23) is formed, - a pump head (29) which can be moved up and down relative to the housing (15) along the longitudinal axis (31) of the dispenser (11) between a first and second position in order to carry out a pump stroke (57), - a piston (33) which is secured to the pump head (29) and can be moved in the metering chamber (23) in order to convey the liquid, - a dispenser opening (37) which is connected to the metering chamber (23) and through which metered liquid can leave the pump dispenser (11), - a spring (35) which resets the pump head (29) relative to the housing (15), and - a valve (41) which defines the conveying direction of the liquid from the container (13) into the dispenser opening (37) and which blocks a conveying process in the opposite direction, wherein - the spring (35) is made of plastics material and has a plurality of rings (45) which are arranged one over the other and which are connected together by at least one first connecting web (51a) in each case and - the valve is realized by a first valve disk (41) made of plastics material, which valve disk (41) is arranged between the upper side of an adapter (25) inserted into the housing (15) and the housing (15), and closes either the dispenser opening (37) or the adapter (25) in a liquid-tight manner, characterized in that a second valve disk (59) made of plastics material is held on the adapter (25) on its underside, and the second valve disk (59) closes a ventilation opening (61) provided on the adapter (25) and releases the ventilation opening (61) when liquid is sucked into the metering chamber (23).

2. Pump dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the rings (45) are oriented horizontally, vertically or at an angle to the horizontal.

3. Pump dispenser according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that rings (45) lying one above the other are interconnected by a first and second connecting web (51a, 51b), wherin adjacent first and second connecting webs (51a, 51b) arranged one above the other are offset by 90 degrees and the first and second connecting webs (51a, 51b) are diametrically opposed to the ring (45).

4. Pump dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (35) is accommodated outside the metering chamber (23), in the housing (15).

5. Pump dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (35) has at least one ring segment (47) in addition to the rings (45), the at least one ring segment (47) forming a recess (49).

6. Pump dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one distance is provided between vertically oriented rings (45) of a horizontal plane, said distance forming the recess (49) or a part of the recess (49).

7. Pump dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser opening (37) is provided on the housing (15).

8. Pump dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (25) connects a rising tube (27), extending to the base of the container (13), to the housing (15).

9. Pump dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (15) can be connected to the container (13) by the adapter (25).

10. Pump container comprising a pump dispenser (11) according to any of the preceding claims and a container (13) on which the pump dispenser (11) can be placed.