Hose for a removal system and removal system for removing liquid from a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a hose for a dispensing system (1) with an interface 5a for a detachable connection to a dispensing head (2) of the dispensing system (1), so that the hose (5) can be used as a disposable part for dispensing liquid from a container.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hose for a dispensing system and a dispensing system for dispensing liquid from a container.

[0002] Such dispensing systems comprise bottles containing liquids such as chemicals, and dispensing heads that can be attached to the bottle openings, the dispensing heads having suitable sealing devices. These bottles are used, for example, in laboratories.

[0003] In known dispensing systems of this type, the dispensing head is designed as a simple lid into which a hose is inserted and led into the interior of the associated bottle. The hose is then connected to a pump to pump liquid from the container.

[0004] Once the bottle is emptied, the hose is pulled out of the lid and, if necessary, used to draw liquid from another bottle.

[0005] Alternatively, the hose can remain threaded through the lid during the change. The lid is then attached to a new bottle.

[0006] One disadvantage of such a dispensing system is that the hole in the lid, through which the hose is routed, does not form a tight seal. Therefore, vapors from the liquid stored in the bottle can escape, which is particularly critical if the bottle contains toxic chemicals.

[0007] Another disadvantage is that the hose pulled out of the empty bottle contaminates the liquid in the next bottle into which it is inserted, as it still has traces of liquid from the first bottle adhering to it.

[0008] Furthermore, when the hose is pulled out, the operator may be exposed to residual liquid due to dripping liquid from the hose.

[0009] From EP 2 848 583 B1, a dispensing system is known in which a dispensing head with a dip tube can be attached in a container opening. Liquid can be drawn from the container via the dip tube.

[0010] Such extraction systems, which use dip tubes, can only be used for larger containers such as barrels, but not for extracting liquids from bottles.

[0011] Using the bottle extraction system would require structural modifications that would affect the transport approval required for extracting liquids from the bottles.

[0012] US Patent 5,836,364 A pertains to a refillable bottle for storing carbonated beverages. A cap can be detachably attached to the bottle opening at the top of the bottle. The cap has vent holes and a single valve. Liquid can be dispensed from or added to the bottle via the valve.

[0013] The invention is based on the objective of designing a withdrawal system of the type mentioned above in such a way that it has a high level of functionality despite its simple design.

[0014] The features of the independent claims are provided to solve this problem. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] The invention relates to a hose for a dispensing system with a dispensing head that can be attached to a container by means of a closure device. The hose has an interface for a detachable connection to a dispensing head. The interface is designed such that when the closure device is opened to detach the dispensing head from the container, the hose is detached from the dispensing head and falls into the container, thereby forming a disposable part. The closure device has two parts that can be moved relative to each other into a locking position, in which the hose is fixed to the dispensing head, and which can be moved relative to each other into a release position, in which the hose is detached from the dispensing head. Alternatively, the dispensing head has locking means that fix the hose in the dispensing head in a locking position.An actuating mechanism moves the locking means into a release position, in which they release the hose.

[0016] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to design the hose for extracting liquid from a container, or for filling the container, as a disposable part, i.e., as a throwaway part.

[0017] For this purpose, the hose has a suitable interface by means of which the hose can be detachably connected to the extraction head of a extraction system.

[0018] To dispense liquid, the hose is connected to the dispensing head, and the dispensing head is fixed to the container using a sealing element integrated into the dispensing head. After the liquid has been dispensed, the hose is detached from the dispensing head and can be disposed of along with the bottle. In principle, the dispensing system according to the invention is also suitable for filling containers.

[0019] The hose with the dispensing system according to the invention can be used for different containers. Particularly advantageous are containers formed from bottles or canisters, which are referred to below without limitation of generality.

[0020] The hose with the interface forms a cost-effective, rationally manufactured unit that can be used as a modular unit in a extraction system.

[0021] The interface is particularly advantageous for connecting to different extraction heads.

[0022] Thus, the hose and its interface form a modular unit that is flexible and can be used in a wide range of applications thanks to the possibility of connecting it to different extraction systems.

[0023] Furthermore, the interface is advantageously formed by a plastic part attached to the hose.

[0024] The interface can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively and efficiently in the form of a plastic injection-molded part.

[0025] The invention further relates to a dispensing system for dispensing liquid from a container.

[0026] A key advantage of the invention is that the hose, as a detachably attached disposable component on the dispensing head, easily prevents contamination during multiple uses of the dispensing head. The hose attached to the dispensing head is used only once to empty a bottle and then remains in that bottle after the actuating mechanism on the dispensing head is activated. This prevents the liquid in the next bottle to be emptied from being contaminated by this hose, as a new hose is attached to the dispensing head for that bottle. This provides a contamination-free method for emptying bottles. The replaceable hoses are extremely cost-effective, primarily due to their use of plastic components. Generally, the hoses can also be made of other materials, such as stainless steel.The use of separate hoses for emptying the bottles therefore does not lead to any significant increase in the manufacturing costs of the dispensing system.

[0027] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the dispensing head has locking means which, in a locked position, fix the hose in the dispensing head. By means of the actuating mechanism, the locking means can be moved into a release position in which they release the hose.

[0028] The locking means are mechanical units that can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position or vice versa by actuating the actuating mechanism.

[0029] The actuation mechanism is particularly advantageous as it is a purely mechanical unit that generates actuation movements which can be directly transferred to the locking means.

[0030] This creates a structurally simple locking and unlocking mechanism for the hose.

[0031] According to a structurally advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking means are formed by balls that are slidably mounted in bores of a guide channel. The hose can be guided in the guide channel. In the locked position, the balls are pressed against the hose with a clamping force, thereby fixing the hose in position. In the released position, the balls are released from the hose.

[0032] These locking devices are of simple design and ensure secure locking and unlocking of the hose.

[0033] Particularly advantageous is the provision of radially extending bores arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction within the guide channel, with a ball guided in each bore. The bores and balls are identical in design and oriented in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide channel.

[0034] Since the balls used to lock the hose are moved radially in the bores and thus directly towards the hose, this results in good force transmission from the balls to the hose and therefore a secure locking mechanism.

[0035] The identical design of the bores, the balls and their rotationally symmetrical arrangement in the guide channel and thus relative to the hose results in an even force transmission to the hose on all sides, thereby achieving a particularly efficient, secure locking mechanism.

[0036] Furthermore, it is advantageous that each bore narrows at its opening into the guide channel to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the balls guided in the guide channel.

[0037] This easily prevents the balls from falling out of the bores when the hose has been removed from the guide channel and the guide channel is therefore empty.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide channel is movable relative to the closing means.

[0039] In general, the guide channel can be part of a head section that is movable relative to the closure device.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the closure device is in a locked position relative to the guide channel, actuating means on the closure device press the locking means in the bores against the hose and fix it in the guide channel. When the closure device is in a release position relative to the guide channel, the actuating means are disengaged from the locking means, so that the hose is released from the guide channel.

[0041] The actuating means are preferably arranged on the locking means. For example, projections, locking shoulders, or locking lugs can be provided as actuating means, which can be integral parts of the locking means and formed integrally with it. Such actuating means have a particularly simple design. Furthermore, they enable a particularly simple and direct coupling of the actuating mechanism to the locking means.

[0042] Generally, the actuating devices are controlled by the operating mechanism. This is achieved in a particularly simple way: when the operating mechanism is not actuated by a user, the actuating devices are in the locked position of the locking device, thus securing the hose. Actuating the mechanism disengages the actuating devices from the locking devices.

[0043] The actuating mechanism is advantageously a spring mechanism. In this case, the head is held in the locked position relative to the locking element by the spring force. Moving it to the release position is achieved by pressing the head onto the locking element against the spring force.

[0044] The operating principle is such that the spring force secures the hose to the dispensing head. To release the hose, the user must activate the mechanism by pressing the head against the locking mechanism. A new hose can also be attached to the dispensing head in the same way.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the locking means has two parts that can be moved relative to each other into a locking position in which the hose is fixed to the extraction head and that can be moved relative to each other into a release position in which the hose is detached from the extraction head.

[0046] A key advantage of this design is that no separate actuation is required to detach the hose from the dispensing head. Instead, when the closure is opened to release the dispensing head from the container, the hose is simultaneously detached from the dispensing head, allowing it to fall into the emptied container.

[0047] This represents a more efficient design for the dispensing system, as it eliminates the need for separate confirmation devices. Furthermore, it improves the functionality and operational reliability of the system. An operator no longer needs to remember to operate a mechanism and detach the hose from the dispensing head. Instead, this happens automatically when the closure is opened.

[0048] According to a structurally advantageous embodiment, the locking means has two parts that can be moved relative to each other into a locking position in which the hose is fixed to the extraction head, and that can be moved relative to each other into a release position in which the hose is detached from the extraction head.

[0049] When the closure is opened to detach the dispensing head from the container, the parts of the closure are automatically moved into the release position.

[0050] This provides a structurally simple way to detach the hose to the extraction head, whereby the hose is automatically detached from the extraction head, especially when the closure device is opened.

[0051] According to a particularly simple and robust design, the first part of the locking mechanism has engagement segments projecting from one of its end faces, each with a primary guide surface. The second part of the locking mechanism has recesses opening onto one of its end faces, each with a secondary guide surface. When moving between the unlocked and locked positions, the first part is moved against the second part, with the primary guide surfaces engaging the secondary guide surfaces.

[0052] In the locked position, the end faces of the parts lie close together. In the unlocked position, the parts are separated.

[0053] The guide surfaces of the engagement segments and the recesses ensure low-friction, controlled movement of the parts of the closure devices relative to each other.

[0054] The sealing agent in the screw cap is particularly advantageous.

[0055] In this case, when the screw cap is unscrewed, the parts of the sealing device are moved into the release position.

[0056] The screw cap is characterized by its particularly easy handling.

[0057] The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Figure 1: Schematic representation of a dispensing system. Figure 1a: Detailed view of the hose according to the invention for the dispensing system. Figure 1 Figure 2: First example of a dispensing head of the dispensing system according to Figure 1 with hose locked inside. Figure 3: Sampling head of the dispensing system according to Figure 2 with the unlocked hose arranged therein. Figure 4: Sampling head of the dispensing system according to Figure 2 with the hose falling out of the dispensing head. Figure 5: Second example of a dispensing head of the dispensing system according to Figure 1Figure 6: Detailed view of the components of the sealing element of the dispensing head according to Figure 5 .

[0058] Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a withdrawal system 1.

[0059] The dispensing system 1 comprises a dispensing head 2, which can be attached to an opening of a bottle 3 containing a liquid 4. A hose 5 is attached to the dispensing head 2 and extends from the dispensing head 2 into the interior of the bottle 3.

[0060] The sampling head 2 remains connected to a pump 7 via a line 6. The pump 7 pumps liquid 4 from bottle 3. The liquid 4 is then discharged from bottle 3 via hose 5 and fed into line 6.

[0061] Figure 1a shows hose 5 according to Figure 1At one longitudinal end of the hose 5, an interface 5a is provided for connection 11 to the dispensing head 2. The interface 5a is designed as a plastic part and has a longitudinally extending bore 20, through which the interface 5a is attached to the hose 5. The plastic part forming the interface 5a has suitable features 5b on its outer surface, thereby enabling adaptation to the geometry of the dispensing head 2. The interface 5a is designed for connection 11 to different dispensing heads, i.e., dispensing systems 1.

[0062] The Figure 2 - 4Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the dispensing head 2 according to the invention. The dispensing head 2 has a closure means 8 in the form of a screw cap, with which the dispensing head 2 can be fixed onto the opening of a bottle 3. The screw cap has an internal thread 9, which can be screwed onto a thread 9a on the opening of the bottle 3. The screw cap of the dispensing head 2 provides a tight seal on the opening of the bottle 3.

[0063] The dispensing head 2 also has a head section 10. A connection 11 is provided at the upper end of the head section 10, to which the line 6 leading to the pump 7 can be connected. The connection 11 is secured by a check valve 12. The check valve 12 prevents liquid 4 from escaping from the line 6. Furthermore, a ball valve 13 is provided in the head section 10, by means of which air and pressure equalization is effected in the bottle 3.

[0064] A guide channel 14 opens onto the underside of the head section 10 and projects into a central recess 27 in the locking element 8, the lower end of the guide channel 14 being secured in the locking element 8 by fastening elements 15. The guide channel 14 is hollow and cylindrical.

[0065] The head part 10 is movable relative to the screw cap forming the closure means 8, thereby forming an actuating mechanism.

[0066] A spring 16 is arranged between the head 10 and the screw cap. The spring force of the spring 16 holds the head 10 at a distance from the top of the closure element 8 ( Figure 2 If a user confirms the actuating mechanism thus formed, he presses on the upper end of the head part 10 and pushes it downwards until the underside of the head part 10 rests on the upper side of the locking means 8 ( Figure 3 and 4 ).

[0067] Figure 2 Figure 2 shows the extraction head 2 with the actuating mechanism not engaged. The hose 5 is stored inside the guide channel 14 and secured there by locking means.

[0068] As from the Figure 2 - 4 As can be seen, the upper end of the hose 5, which can be inserted into the guide channel 14, is provided with a cuff 17 forming the interface 5a, which has a shape 5b in the form of a circumferential groove 18.

[0069] The locking means are formed by balls 19, which are guided in bores 20 in the guide channel 14. In this case, three identical bores 20 are provided in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide channel 14, each arranged circumferentially offset from the others by 120°. The bores 20 extend radially in the guide channel 14. A ball 19 is guided in each bore 20, with all balls 19 being identical. The balls 19 are guided in their respective bores 20 with minimal play.

[0070] The diameters of the bores 20 are slightly reduced in the area of ​​the opening into the guide channel 14, i.e. slightly smaller than the ball diameter, so that the balls 19 are prevented from falling out into the empty guide channel 14.

[0071] As from the Figure 2 - 4As can be seen, a projection 21 is provided at the uppermost edge of the wall element of the closure means 8 that delimits the recess 27. This projection extends circumferentially and forms a narrowing of the recess 27 into which the guide channel 14 projects. This projection 21 forms an adjusting means, wherein Figure 2 The locking element 8 and the actuating element are shown in a locked position. This locked position is assumed when the actuating mechanism is not actuated and the spring 16 holds the head part 10 at a distance from the locking element 8. The projection 21 forming the actuating element is then positioned as shown. Figure 2 shows, in the area of ​​the bores 20. The projection thus presses the balls in the bores towards the interior of the guide channel 14, so that the balls 19 are in a locking position with a contact force against the groove 18 in the sleeve 17 of the hose 5, thereby fixing the hose 5 in the guide channel 14.

[0072] Is the actuation mechanism, as in Figure 3 When actuated as shown, the head 10 is pressed against the screw cap forming the sealing element 8, and the guide channel 14 is pushed further into the recess 27 of the screw cap. This moves the sealing element 8, and with it the projection 21, from the locked position to a release position. In this release position, the projection 21 lies above the bores 20. The balls 19 are thus in the release position and are therefore no longer pressed against the hose 5 by the projection 21; that is, the hose 5 is no longer held in the guide channel 14. Due to gravity, the hose 5 falls out of the guide channel 14. Figure 4 ) and falls into bottle 3.

[0073] To empty bottle 3, the dispensing head 2 is attached to bottle 3. The actuation mechanism is not engaged and the hose 5 is held firmly in the guide channel 14 ( Figure 2 The bottle 3 is then emptied by means of the pump 7. As soon as the bottle 3 is empty, the actuating mechanism is activated and the hose 5 is released in the guide channel 14 ( Figure 3 ), so that the hose 5 falls into the empty bottle 3 and can be disposed of.

[0074] If the dispensing head 2 is to be used to extract liquid 4 from another bottle 3, a new tube 5 is first attached to the guide channel 14 of the dispensing head 2. To do this, a user activates the actuating mechanism and then pushes the tube 5 into the guide channel 14. The user then releases the head part 10, so that the head part 10 is lifted from the locking element 8 by the spring force of the spring 16. This moves the locking element 8, with its projection 21, into the locking position, thereby securing the tube 5 in the guide channel 14.

[0075] The resulting assembly can then be placed on top of the other bottle 3 for the purpose of extracting liquid 4.

[0076] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows a second embodiment of the extraction head 2 of the extraction system 1. In this case, too, the hose 5 with the cuff 17 is used as a disposable part, i.e., as a throwaway part, for the extraction of liquid 4.

[0077] In this case, hose 5 is connected to the screw cap forming the sealing element 8, so that hose 5 can be detachably attached to the dispensing head 2. In particular, hose 5 is automatically detached from the dispensing head 2 when the screw cap is unscrewed.

[0078] How Figure 5 and in particular the individual representation of the sealing device 8 in Figure 6 As shown, this has two parts 22, 23 which are movable relative to each other.

[0079] Both parts essentially have rotationally symmetrical basic bodies.

[0080] The first part 22 is essentially hollow cylindrical. Several identically shaped engagement elements 24 protrude from the edge on an end face, each having a first guide surface 25 forming a curve.

[0081] The second part 23 has projections 26 extending from its outer surface, which serve for manual operation of the screw cap. Within the base body of the first part 22, recesses 27 extending from an end face are provided, each recess 27 having a second guide surface 28 that corresponds to, i.e., is complementary to, the first guide surface 25 of an engagement element 24.

[0082] The first and second parts 22, 23 are rotated together to form the locking element 8, so that the first guide surfaces 25 of the engagement elements 24 are in contact with the second guide surfaces 28 of the recess 27. In this way, the parts of the locking element 8 can be moved between a locked position and a unlocked position.

[0083] In the locked position, the first guide surfaces 25 of the engagement elements 24 lie fully on the second guide surfaces 28 of the recesses 27, so that the end faces of the first and second parts 22, 23 lie close together, as in Figure 5 depicted.

[0084] In this locked position, the hose 5, which lies against the inside of the thread 9a, is fixed to the extraction head 2 with a cuff 17.

[0085] When the screw cap is unscrewed, parts 22 and 23 are lifted apart as the first guide surfaces 25 slide along the second guide surface 28. Once the screw cap is unscrewed far enough that parts 22 and 23 are in their release position, the hose 5 is released and falls into the bottle 3. Reference symbol list

[0086] (1) Dispensing system (2) Dispensing head (3) Bottle (4) Liquid (5) Hose (5a) Interface (5b) Shape (6) Line (7) Pump (8) Sealing device (9) Internal thread (9a) Thread (10) Head part (11) Connection (12) Check valve (13) Ball valve (14) Guide channel (15) Fastening device (16) Spring (17) Sleeve (18) Groove (19) Ball (20) Bore (21) Projection (22) First part (23) Second part (24) Engagement element (25) First guide surface (26) Projection (27) Recess (28) Second guide surface

Claims

1. Hose (5) for a removal system (1) comprising a removal head (2) which can be secured to a container by means of a closure means (8), characterised in that the tube (5) has an interface (5a) for detachable connection to a removal head (2), in that the interface (5a) is designed such that, when the closure means (8) is opened to detach the removal head (2) from the container, the tube (5) is released from the removal head (2) and falls into the container, thereby forming a disposable part, wherein the closure means (8) comprises two parts which can be moved relative to one another into a locking position in which the hose (5) is fixed to the removal head (2), and which can be moved relative to one another into a release position in which the hose (5) is released from the removal head (2), or that the removal head (2) comprises locking means which, in a locking position, secure the tube (5) within the removal head (2), wherein the locking means are moved by means of an actuating mechanism into a release position in which they release the tube (5).

2. Hose (5) according to claim 1, characterised in that the interface (5a) is designed for connection (11) to different removal heads (2).

3. Hose (5) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the interface (5a) is formed by a plastic part secured to the hose (5).

4. Removal system (1) for removal liquid (4) from a container, characterised in that a removal head (2) is secured to the container by means of a closure means (8), wherein a hose (5) is provided by means of an interface (5a), by means of which the hose (5) is detachably secured to the removal head (2), wherein the interface (5a) is designed such that, upon opening the closure means (8) to detach the removal head (2) from the container, the hose (5) is detached from the removal head (2) and falls into the container, thereby forming a disposable part, wherein the closure means (8) comprises two parts which can be moved relative to one another into a locking position, in which the tube (5) is fixed to the removal head (2), and which can be moved relative to one another into a release position, in which the tube (5) is detached from the removal head (2), or that the removal head (2) comprises locking means which, in a locking position, secure the tube (5) in the removal head (2), wherein the locking means are moved by means of an actuating mechanism into a release position in which they release the tube (5).

5. Removal system (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking means are formed by balls (19) which are slidably mounted in bores (20) of a guide channel (14), wherein the hose (5) is guided in the guide channel (14).

6. Removal system (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that, in the locking position, the balls (19) are pressed against the tube (5) with a contact force, thereby fixing the position of the tube (5), and that, in the release position, the balls (19) are released from the tube (5).

7. Removal system (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that, upon opening the closure means (8) to detach the removal head (2) from the container, the parts of the closure means (8) are automatically moved into the release position.

8. Removal system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the closure means (8) is a screw cap.

9. Removal system (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that, when the screw cap is unscrewed, the parts of the closure means (8) are moved into the release position.

10. Removal system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the first part (22) of the closure means (8) has engagement elements projecting from one of its end faces, each with first guide surfaces (25), and in that the second part (23) of the closure means (8) comprises recesses (27) opening at one of its end faces, each with second guide surfaces (28), wherein, during transitions between the release position and the locking position, the first part (22) is moved against the second part (23) by the first guide surfaces (25) being moved against the second guide surfaces (28).

11. Removal system (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that, in the locked position, the end faces of the parts lie closely against one another and, in the released position, the parts are separated from one another.

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