U.S. patent application number 13/814726 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-04 for dispensing module and method for filling a dispensing module.
This patent application is currently assigned to BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE AG. The applicant listed for this patent is Herve Bodet, Eric Gaillard, David Kaiser, Clemens Reizel, Thomas Walter. Invention is credited to Herve Bodet, Eric Gaillard, David Kaiser, Clemens Reizel, Thomas Walter.
Application Number | 20130168413 13/814726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43611326 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130168413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bodet; Herve ; et
al. |
July 4, 2013 |
DISPENSING MODULE AND METHOD FOR FILLING A DISPENSING MODULE
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispensing module (1) for two liquid
products, comprising: a first wall (3); a first piston (64) which
can slide along the first wall, and which is embodied as a first
chamber (30) having at least one outlet; a second piston (61) which
is designed such that it can slide along a second wall (21).
Coupling means (62) are provided in order to couple together both
pistons when the product is being dispensed and at least one of the
pistons comprises a piston head (7) which is separated initially by
the coupling means, and securing means (641, 722) are provided in
order to join the piston head to the coupling means.
Inventors: |
Bodet; Herve; (Verdun,
FR) ; Gaillard; Eric; (Dieue Sur Meuse, FR) ;
Walter; Thomas; (Langenau-Albeck, DE) ; Kaiser;
David; (Rottenacker, DE) ; Reizel; Clemens;
(Ulm, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bodet; Herve
Gaillard; Eric
Walter; Thomas
Kaiser; David
Reizel; Clemens |
Verdun
Dieue Sur Meuse
Langenau-Albeck
Rottenacker
Ulm |
|
FR
FR
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE AG
Leverkusen
DE
|
Family ID: |
43611326 |
Appl. No.: |
13/814726 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
August 12, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/063909 |
371 Date: |
March 22, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/137 ; 141/2;
141/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/00416 20180801;
B05B 11/3081 20130101; B05C 17/00559 20130101; B65D 83/64 20130101;
B65D 83/682 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/137 ; 141/2;
141/3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/68 20060101
B65D083/68 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 16, 2010 |
EP |
10172925.9 |
Claims
1. A dispensing module for two liquid products, said dispensing
module comprising: a first cylindrical wall; a first piston which
can slide along the first wall, wherein it forms a first chamber
which has at least one outlet opening, a second piston which is
dimensioned such that said second piston can slide along a second
wall, wherein coupling means are provided in order to couple the
two pistons together during product dispensing, and at least one of
the pistons has a piston head which is initially separated from the
coupling means and fastening means are provided in order to connect
the piston head to the coupling means, wherein said second wall is
formed by a housing into which the dispensing module can be
inserted, wherein the second piston and the second wall form a
second chamber which has at least one outlet opening.
2. The dispensing module as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least
one pressure-equalizing opening is provided in the coupling means
in order to connect the side of the piston head or piston heads,
which is facing away from its respective chamber in an operating
state of the outlet opening, to the side of the other piston which
lies opposite a respective chamber thereof in the operating state
of the outlet opening.
3. The dispensing module as claimed in claim 2, wherein removal
means which are connected to the outlet openings of the chambers
are provided.
4. The dispensing module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
removal means include a two-way valve or a two-way pump, wherein a
first way is connected to the outlet opening of the first chamber
and a second way is connected to the outlet opening of the second
chamber.
5. The dispensing module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the removal
means include a metering device.
6. The dispensing module as claimed in claim 4, wherein closing
means are provided in order to close said outlet openings of the
first chamber and of the second chamber, wherein said closing means
have an open and a closed position.
7. The dispensing module as claimed in the claim 1, wherein said
chamber provided with a piston head is dimensioned such that, with
said first piston inserted in a maximum manner into said first
chamber in a direction of said outlet opening, in a fill-ready
state there is sufficient space for said piston head which is not
connected to said coupling means.
8. A method for filling a dispensing module as claimed in claim 1,
comprising: a1) assembling said dispensing module such that said
first piston is situated in a position in which said first piston
is arranged closest to the outlet opening or openings of said first
chamber, wherein said piston head or piston heads are not connected
to said coupling means; b1) if necessary, said dispensing module is
inserted into a housing in order to form said second chamber
insofar as the dispensing module does not already have a second
cylindrical wall; c1) the first liquid is filled into said chamber
which is not provided with a piston head or selectively into either
of the two chambers if both chambers are provided with a piston
head; d1) the second liquid is filled into an empty chamber which
is provided with a piston head at sufficient pressure in order to
bring about connecting of said piston head to said coupling means
at end of a filling operation.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein prior to c1), in c0i),
removal means or closing means are applied to the outlet openings
of the two chambers.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein prior to c1), in
c0ii), the dispensing module is introduced into an interior of a
container, an inner wall of which does not serve as a wall for the
second chamber.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein prior to c1), in
c0iii) pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from b1) or
c0ii).
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein, after d1), in step
e1) pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from b1) or
c0ii).
13. The dispensing module as claimed in claim 5, wherein closing
means are provided in order to close said outlet openings of the
first chamber and of the second chamber, wherein said closing means
have an open and a closed position.
14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein in prior to c1), in
c0ii), the dispensing module is introduced into the interior of a
container, the inner wall of which does not serve as a wall for the
second chamber.
15. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein in prior to c1), in
c0iii), pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step
1)1).
16. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein in prior to c1), in
c0iii), pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step
1)1).
17. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, after d1), in e1),
pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step 1)1).
18. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, step d1), in e1),
pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step 1)1).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing module for two liquid
products, said dispensing module including: [0002] a first
cylindrical wall; [0003] a first piston which can slide along the
first wall, wherein it forms a first chamber which has at least one
outlet opening, [0004] a second piston which is dimensioned such
that it can slide along a second wall, [0005] wherein coupling
means are provided in order to couple the two pistons together
during product dispensing, [0006] and at least one of the pistons
has a piston head which is initially separated from the coupling
means and fastening means are provided in order to connect the
piston head to the coupling means.
[0007] The invention also relates to a method for filling a
dispensing module.
[0008] The term liquid products in the present application refers
to all products which can be output by means of a dispensing
module, that is to say also highly viscous or gaseous products as
well as solids dispersed in a gas.
[0009] It is frequently necessary to separate two products
contained in one container until the point of their use in order,
for example, to avoid unwanted chemical reactions between the
products. In such cases, the two products are kept in two chambers
of the container, which are separated apart from each other, and
are conveyed by means of two-way valves or two-way pumps to the
dispensing opening where they come into contact with each
other.
[0010] Two-piston systems are also known. DE 20 2007 004 662 U1
makes known a container with two pistons which are arranged one
above the other and slip along the wall of the container. A two-way
pump is arranged on the container. A first way of the pump opens
out at the top end of the container. The second way opens out in a
line which traverses the first piston and the latter can slip along
the same. The first product is situated in the space above the
first piston, whilst the second product is situated in the space
between the first and the second piston. The risk of conveying the
two products in an insufficiently precise mixing ratio is
relatively great also in the case of said device.
[0011] Said disadvantage is avoided in that the two pistons are
coupled together in a mechanical manner such that when the one
piston is displaced, the other piston is also displaced in a
corresponding manner. This solution proceeds from the documents
U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,345 A or DE 20 07 199 A. In both cases, there
is a central cylinder which is fastened to a two-way valve. Said
two-way valve is fastened on a housing which is also cylindrical. A
first piston slides along the inner wall of the central cylinder
and thus forms a first chamber, whilst a second circular
ring-shaped piston slides along the outer wall of the central
cylinder by way of its central edge and along the wall of the
housing by way of its outer edge and thus forms the second chamber.
The two pistons are connected together. In the case of document
U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,345 A, they are connected by a double wall
which surrounds the bottom edge of the central cylinder. In the
first exemplary embodiment of DE 20 07 199 A, the two pistons are
separated by a circular ring-shaped space and by way of their
bottom ends are connected by means of a base plate. The propellant
necessary for the common displacement of the two pistons is
situated under the base plate or under the piston.
[0012] In both cases, the filling of the two chambers causes
problems. As, on account of the dimensions of the input openings,
it is not possible to fill the two chambers at the same time, it is
necessary to fill first one chamber and then the other. As,
however, the two pistons are connected together in a mechanical
manner, when the one chamber is being filled, the piston arranged
therein is pressed down and entrains the other piston. The second
chamber is formed and is filled with air. Consequently, the air
that has entered into the second chamber has to be removed before
the second chamber is filled with product.
[0013] The object of the invention, consequently, is to create a
dispensing module as claimed in the preamble which is easier to
fill and to create a method for filling said dispensing module.
[0014] Said object is achieved in that the second wall is formed by
a housing into which the dispensing module can be inserted, wherein
the second piston and the second wall form a second chamber which
has at least one outlet opening.
[0015] The first and the second wall are preferably cylindrical,
other developments also being conceivable however, for example
walls with an oval cross section.
[0016] The problem of filling such types of dispensing modules for
two liquids is solved by initially decoupling the two pistons which
are not coupled together until during the filling operation. The
descending of the piston of the chamber filled first of all does
not result in the piston head which is not yet coupled also
descending. As soon as the second liquid is filled in, the second
piston head, in turn, descends and is coupled to the coupling
means.
[0017] It is claimed in the invention that the second wall is an
integral component of the dispensing module, the second piston and
the second wall forming a second chamber which has at least one
outlet opening. The second chamber is consequently an integral
component of the dispensing module.
[0018] As an alternative to this, it is also possible that the
second wall is formed by a housing into which the dispensing module
can be inserted, wherein the second piston and the second wall form
a second chamber which has at least one outlet opening.
[0019] Associated with the invention is that at least one
pressure-equalizing opening is provided in the coupling means in
order to connect the side of the piston head or piston heads, which
is facing away from its respective chamber in the operating state
of the outlet opening(s)), to the side of the other piston which
lies opposite its respective chamber in the operating state of the
outlet opening(s).
[0020] Said pressure-equalizing opening avoids the forming of a
vacuum when the first liquid is being filled into the dispensing
module.
[0021] Within the framework of the invention, it is provided that
removal means which are connected to the outlet openings of the
chambers are provided.
[0022] In this context, it is advantageous that the removal means
include a two-way valve or a two-way pump, wherein the first way is
connected to the outlet opening of the first chamber and the second
way is connected to the outlet opening of the second chamber.
[0023] One development of the invention consists in that the
removal means include a metering device.
[0024] It is also expedient that closing means are provided in
order to close the outlet openings of the first chamber and of the
second chamber, wherein the closing means have an open and a closed
position.
[0025] In the case of a further development of the invention, it is
provided that the chamber(s) provided with a piston head is/are
dimensioned such that with the first piston inserted in a maximum
manner into the first chamber in the direction of the outlet
opening, in the fill-ready state there is still sufficient space
for the piston head which is not connected to the coupling
means.
[0026] Within the framework of the invention there is also a method
for filling a dispensing module as claimed in the invention having
the following method steps:
[0027] a1) the dispensing module is assembled such that the first
piston is situated in the position in which it is arranged closest
to the outlet opening or openings of the first chamber, wherein the
piston head or piston heads is/are not connected to the coupling
means;
[0028] b1) if necessary, the dispensing module is inserted into a
housing in order to form the second chamber insofar as the
dispensing module does not already have a second cylindrical
wall;
[0029] c1) the first liquid is filled into the chamber which is not
provided with a piston head or selectively into either of the two
chambers if both chambers are provided with a piston head;
[0030] d1) the second liquid is filled into the still empty chamber
which is provided with a piston head at sufficient pressure in
order to bring about the connecting of the piston head to the
coupling means at the end of the filling operation.
[0031] One development of the invention consists in that prior to
step c1), in a step c0i) removal means or closing means are applied
to the outlet openings of the two chambers.
[0032] Another development of the invention consists in that, prior
to step c1), in a step c0ii) the dispensing module is introduced
into the interior of the container, the inner wall of which does
not serve as a wall for the second chamber.
[0033] It is claimed in the invention that, prior to step c1), in a
step c0iii) pressurized gas is introduced into the housing.
[0034] As an alternative to this, it is also possible that, after
step d1), in a step e1) pressurized gas is introduced into the
housing.
[0035] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below
by way of drawings, in which:
[0036] FIG. 1: shows an exploded drawing of the dispensing module
as claimed in the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2: shows a sectioned side view of a container during
assembly;
[0038] FIG. 3: shows a sectioned side view of the container
according to FIG. 2, which can be filled;
[0039] FIG. 4: shows a sectioned side view of the container
according to FIG. 2 where the first product has been filled into
the second chamber;
[0040] FIG. 5: shows a sectioned side view of the container
according to FIG. 2 after the second product has been filled into
the first chamber;
[0041] FIG. 6: shows a sectioned side view of the container
according to FIG. 2 after emptying;
[0042] FIG. 7: shows a sectioned perspective representation of the
outer casing;
[0043] FIG. 8: shows a sectioned perspective representation of the
inner casing;
[0044] FIG. 9: shows a sectioned perspective representation of the
piston unit;
[0045] FIG. 10: shows a sectioned perspective representation of the
head of the first piston;
[0046] FIG. 11: shows a sectioned perspective representation of the
stop for the second piston;
[0047] FIG. 12: shows an enlarged representation of the valve
housing.
[0048] The dispensing module (1) shown is provided with two
chambers (20, 30), said dispensing module being fastened to a valve
(4) of a container (5), preferably a pressure container. Each
chamber (20, 30) is provided with a piston (61, 64 and 7). Coupling
means (62) are provided in order to couple the two pistons (61, 64
and 7) together once the chambers have been filled such that they
are moved simultaneously. The valve (4) is preferably a two-way
valve such that the product contained in the first chamber (30)
does not come into contact with the product from the second chamber
(20) until exiting from the valve (4) or possibly until exiting
from the outlet opening fastened to the valve (4).
[0049] The dispensing module (1) consists substantially of an inner
casing (3) in which the first piston (64) slides and forms the
first chamber (30), of an outer casing (2) in the bottom region
(21) of which the second piston (61) slides and forms the second
chamber (20), of coupling means (62) in order to couple the two
pistons (61, 64 and 7) together and retaining means (8) in order to
serve as a stop for the second piston (61).
[0050] The outer casing (2) consists of a first, bottom cylindrical
part (21) and a second, top cylindrical part (22) with a smaller
diameter. The two cylindrical parts are connected together by means
of a radial connecting wall (23). In the exemplary embodiment
shown, the wall of the top cylindrical part (22) penetrates
slightly into the top part of the first cylindrical part (21) by
penetrating the radial wall (23). Said projection (25) serves as a
top stop for the second piston (61). However, it would also be
possible to dispense with said projection and to use the radial
wall as a stop. The top cylindrical part (22) has in its top region
a ring-shaped radial shoulder (26) which is penetrated by one or
several openings (261). It is achieved in this way that the outer
casing is realized in a tubular manner with openings at both ends.
Channels (24) are arranged on the inside surface of the top
cylindrical part (22). They extend over the entire height of said
top part (22). The top surface of the second cylindrical part (22)
is provided with fastening means (27), by way of which the
two-chambered dispensing module (1) is fastened to the two-way
valve (4). Said fastening means (27) include a crown which is
provided with latching means which can interact with complementary
latching means on the two-way valve (4).
[0051] The inner casing (3) consists substantially of a cylindrical
main part (31), the outside diameter of which corresponds
substantially to the inside diameter of the top cylindrical part
(22) of the outer casing (2). The cylindrical main part (31) is
tapered in its top region, preferably by forming a truncated
cone-shaped wall (32) and is closed off with a cylindrical part
which forms a sleeve (33). Just as the outer casing (2), the inner
casing also has a tubular form with openings at both ends. The
sleeve (33) has a ring-shaped radial groove (331) which is open to
the outside and the bottom diameter and height of which correspond
to the inside diameter and the height of the ring-shaped shoulder
(26) of the top cylindrical part (22) of the outer casing (2).
Consequently, the inner casing (3) can be inserted into the
interior of the top cylindrical wall (22) of the outer casing (2)
until the sleeve (33) engages into the opening in the center of the
ring-shaped shoulder (26) and said shoulder (26) engages into the
groove (331). In this way, the inner casing (3) is fastened in a
fixed manner in the interior of the outer casing (2). The length of
the inner casing (3) is selected such that the bottom end, in the
position locked into the outer casing (2), is aligned with the
bottom end of the top cylindrical part (22) of the outer casing
(2). The inner casing (3) serves, with the channels (24), for the
purpose of defining the outlet lines for the product contained in
the second chamber (20). For this purpose, the channels (24) are
dimensioned such that they open out in the space, which is arranged
above the truncated cone-shaped wall (32), but below the
ring-shaped shoulder (26).
[0052] The two pistons are combined in one piston unit (6). The
second piston (61) has a radial ring-shaped part which is fastened
to the bottom end of a cylindrical part (62). At its edge, the
radial ring-shaped part has an axial rim (63) which extends
proceeding from the side of the ring-shaped part which faces away
from the cylindrical part (62). The outside diameter of said rim
(63) corresponds to the inside diameter of the bottom part (21) of
the outer casing. The rim (63) is provided with sealing means in
order to seal off the piston (61) to the inside surface of the
bottom part (21) of the outer casing (2). Said sealing means are
realized, for example, as free-flowing, highly-viscous sealing
means in the form of sliding gels or of sealing lips (631) which
consist, for example, of elastomer materials. The outside diameter
of the cylindrical part (62) of the piston unit (6) corresponds
substantially to the inside diameter of the inner casing (3).
[0053] In this way, the second chamber (20) is formed by a
ring-shaped space between, on the one hand, the cylindrical bottom
part (21) of the outer casing and the cylindrical part of the
piston unit (6) and, on the other hand, between the second piston
(61) and the radial wall (23) of the outer casing which connects
the bottom part (21) and the top part (22) together.
[0054] The second piston (61) can slide in the interior of the
bottom cylindrical part (21) of the outer casing (2). In order to
prevent it escaping from the same, it is provided, that once all
the parts of the dispensing module (1) have been inserted into the
outer casing (2), to fasten retaining means (8) of the same to the
bottom end. Said retaining means (8) are realized as an axial rim
(81), the inside diameter of which corresponds substantially to the
outside diameter of the bottom cylindrical part (21) of the outer
casing. Said axial rim (81) extends in its bottom region beyond a
ring-shaped radial wall (82) toward the center. The retaining means
(8) are fastened to the bottom end of the bottom part (21) of the
outer casing (2), for example by way of latching means. The piston
(61) can consequently be displaced between a first position, in
which it strikes against the radial wall (23) of the outer casing
(2) (see FIG. 3) and a second position in which its bottom rim (63)
strikes against the ring-shaped wall (82) of the retaining means
(8) (see FIG. 4).
[0055] The first piston (64) is formed by the top surface (64) of
the cylindrical part (62) of the piston unit (6). Said cylindrical
part (62) consequently serves as coupling means which make it
possible to displace the two pistons (61, 64) simultaneously.
[0056] A separate piston head (7) is fastened to the top surface of
the first piston (64). Said piston head (7) consists substantially
of a radial circular wall (71) which is lengthened downward by a
rim (72). Sealing means are provided on the outer surface of the
rim in the form of sealing lips (721). The outside diameter of the
rim (72) corresponds to the inside diameter of the cylindrical main
part (31) of the inner casing (3).
[0057] Consequently, the first chamber (30) is defined by the space
between, on the one hand, the inner surface of the inner casing (3)
and, on the other hand, the top surface (32) of the same and the
piston head (7). The piston head (7) also serves as a sealing ring
for the top part of the second chamber (20).
[0058] The piston head (7) is provided with latching means (722)
which make it possible to lock it into place in an irreversible
manner on complementary latching means (641) which are arranged on
the top surface of the piston unit (6). Said latching means (641,
722) are dimensioned such that a sufficiently strong pressure has
to be exerted onto the piston head (7) so that it locks into place
on the top surface of the piston (64), and in a preferred manner is
provided with one or several grid elements which are able to
balance out possible fill tolerances. In this way, unwanted
engagement is avoided, in particular during storage or when
handling the empty dispensing modules. In addition, the height of
the cylindrical main part (31) of the inner casing (and
consequently the height of the top part (22) of the outer casing)
is selected such that when the piston unit (6) is situated in the
top position, in which the second piston (61) strikes against the
radial connecting wall (23), there is sufficient space in the
interior of the inner casing for the cylindrical part (62) and the
released, non-engaged piston head (7).
[0059] When assembling, the inner casing is first of all fastened
in the outer casing, the piston head (7) is inserted into the
interior of the inner casing (3), the piston unit (6) is then
inserted, it being inserted as far as possible, i.e. until the
second piston (61) strikes against the connecting wall (23). In
this position, the piston head (7) is situated above the top part
of the piston unit (6) without being locked in place therein. The
sealing means (631, 721) of the two pistons (61, 64) exert
sufficient pressure onto the inner wall of the respective chamber
in order to hold the piston unit (6) and the piston head (7) in
their position for as long as no product is filled in.
[0060] Such a unit with two chambers is intended for the purpose of
being fastened on dispensing means, such as a two-way valve (4) or
a two-way pump. It is also possible to provide only closing means
which are opened during the dispensing operation. The dispensing
means can include metering means such that when the dispensing
means are actuated, a predetermined amount of each of the products
is output. Two-way valves are known, for example from documents
U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,345 or WO 2007/132 107 A1. In the example shown
here, this is a two-way valve of the type described in the
last-mentioned document. The method of operation of said valve is
consequently not described in any more detail.
[0061] As in the case of the two-way valve of document WO 2007/132
017 A1, it is possible to provide one or several openings in the
body of the valve (41) such that the gas can escape from the second
chamber (20) along the same path as the product when the valve is
actuated. There is nothing against providing the propellant with a
third product to which it does not react. The container then
contains three products which are separated spatially during
storage.
[0062] The unit consisting of the two-chambered dispensing module
(1) and the dispensing means (4) can then be fastened in a housing
(5). If the dimensions of the dispensing unit (1) and in particular
of the outside diameter of the outer casing (2) and/or of the
diameter of the valve disk (44) of the dispensing means allow, the
dispensing module (1) can be inserted into the inner region of a
prefabricated housing. Otherwise, it is necessary to realize the
housing (5) around the dispensing module (1). This is the case with
the example shown in the figures.
[0063] The ratio between the initial volume of the first and of the
second product is determined by the ratio between the area of the
first piston (64) and of the second piston (61). The dispensing
module consequently makes possible a very high level of precision,
which is what is required for the ratio between the initial volumes
of the two products. As a result of the area ratio between the area
of the first piston (61) and of the second piston (64), it is also
possible to fill the second chamber (30) at a higher pressure than
the external pressure.
[0064] It is obvious that the second piston (61) can also be
realized with a separate piston head. The piston head is then
ring-shaped. The height of the bottom cylindrical part (21) of the
outer casing and/or of the cylindrical part (62) of the piston unit
has to be sufficiently large in order to make it possible for the
piston unit to be able to penetrate completely into the inner
casing, said piston unit striking by way of its top part without
the ring-shaped piston head locking into place in the piston unit
(6). If the second piston (61) has a separate piston head, it is
not necessary for the first piston (64) also to be provided with a
separate piston head (7).
[0065] If the dispensing module (1) is used on a pressure
container, as is the case in the example shown here, it can then be
sensible to arrange the unit comprising the dispensing unit (1) and
the dispensing means (4) in a sturdy position in the housing (5),
the valve disk (44) not yet being connected to the housing (85).
This makes it possible to fill in the propellant during the filling
before the valve disk (44) is fastened on the housing (5). In order
to secure the unit comprising dispensing module/dispensing means in
said position (as shown in FIG. 2), there is provided a fork (9)
which blocks the unit such that the tip of the second cylindrical
part (22) of the outer casing strikes against the inner surface of
the top surface of the housing (5). Said removable fork (9)
penetrates into a groove (28) which is provided for this purpose at
the tip of the outer casing (2) below the fastening means (27).
[0066] The principle of a removable piston head can also in the
case of apparatuses such as those described in DE 20 07 199 A or
U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,345 A. In this case, the dispensing module (1)
consists only of one first chamber (30) in which the first piston
(64 and 7) slides, one second piston (61) and coupling means (62).
The wall which the second chamber forms is not associated with the
dispensing module. It consists, for example, of the inner wall of
the housing (5). In this case too, the piston head can be used
selectively for the first chamber or for the second chamber that is
not yet realized.
[0067] The filling of the dispensing module as claimed in the
invention is described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6.
[0068] FIG. 3 shows a container provided with a dispensing module
(1) fastened to a two-way valve (4), the two-way valve (4) being
fastened on the neck of the housing (5). The gas has already been
brought into the housing and exerts a pressure onto both the piston
head (7) of the first piston (64) and onto the second piston (61).
The container can now be filled with the two products. In this
connection, first of all, by means of the second way of the
dispensing means (4), then by means of the channels (24) the first
product is filled into the second chamber (20) which does not have
a separate piston head. The piston unit (6) is pushed back by the
incoming product which presses onto the second piston (61). The
separate piston head (7) remains in its initial position, i.e. in
the top region of the first chamber (30), whilst the top part of
the piston unit (6) is pushed downward by the second piston (61). A
pressure-equalizing opening (642) in the top part (64) of the
piston unit prevents a vacuum forming between the fixed piston head
(7) and the top part which is moving downward. At the end of the
fill operation of the second chamber (20), the rim (63) of the
second piston (61) strikes against the ring-shaped radial wall (82)
of the retaining means (8), as shown in FIG. 4.
[0069] The second product can then be filled into the first chamber
(30) by means of the first way of the valve (4), the faucet (43)
and the sleeve (33). The incoming product presses the piston head
(7) downward. The gas in the space between the interior of the
cylindrical part (62) of the piston unit is pressed out in the top
part of the piston unit by means of the pressure-equalizing opening
(642). The pressure exerted onto the piston head (7) by the second
product is sufficient in order to overcome the resistance of the
latching means (641, 722) and to lock the piston head (7) in place
in the piston unit (6). The two pistons (61, 64) then are coupled
together and can just be moved simultaneously. This corresponds to
the situation shown in FIG. 5. A spray head still has to be placed
in position on the rod (45) of the valve and possibly a protective
cap mounted thereon. The container is ready for use. Thanks to the
separate piston head (7), it is possible to fill the container at
two separate fill units without it being necessary to suck out the
air prior to filling the first chamber, as is necessary in the case
of two-chamber devices as claimed in the prior art.
[0070] The method can consequently be summarized in the following
steps: [0071] a1) preparation of the dispensing module, the piston
unit being positioned as close as possible to the outlet opening or
openings of the first chamber (30). This ensures that the piston
head (7) is detached from the coupling means (62). The dispensing
module (1) is situated in the state shown in FIG. 3, the removal
means (4) and the housing (5) have been omitted. [0072] b1) If the
dispensing module (1), as in the abovementioned case, does not have
a second chamber, it has to be inserted into a cylindrical wall
which serves as an outer wall for the second chamber. The
cylindrical wall can be formed as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,345 A or
DE 20 07 199 A by the housing of the container. [0073] c0i) If the
liquids are to be removed by removal means, such as a two-way valve
(4) or a two-way pump or the outlet openings of the chambers are
simply to be closed by way of plugs, it is sensible to install said
removal means or closing means prior to filling in the liquids.
[0074] c0ii) Should the dispensing module be arranged in the
interior of a container, the inner wall of which is not to serve as
a wall for the second chamber, this should preferably be undertaken
prior to filling in the liquids. [0075] c0iii) If the container is
to be pressurized, it is possible to fill the gas in the container
before the dispensing module or the removal means are connected to
the container from step b0) or c0ii). [0076] c1) The first liquid
is filled into the second chamber (20). If the piston head is not
to be arranged in the first chamber but rather in the second
chamber, the first chamber is filled first of all. If a piston head
is to be provided in both chambers, it is possible to begin with
either the first or the second chamber. [0077] d1) The second
liquid is brought into the first chamber (30) at a sufficient
pressure in order to connect the piston head (7) to the coupling
means (62) at the end of the fill operation. If the second chamber
is provided with the piston head (7), the second liquid is then
brought into said second chamber. If both chambers are provided
with a piston head, the chamber which is still empty is filled.
[0078] e1) If the container is to be pressurized and the gas has
not yet been introduced in step c0iii), it is possible to bring in
the gas after the liquids have been filled in, by means of an
opening on the bottom of the container which is closed by way of a
plug.
[0079] It is understandable for the chambers (20, 30) not to be
formed until the product has been filled in. The chamber with the
separate piston head, in this case the first chamber (30), is not
realized at the same time as the other chamber, in this case the
second chamber (20). On the contrary, it is not formed until the
second product is filled. It is consequently not necessary to
provide a suction device for withdrawing the air from the chamber
filled with the second product, in this case the first chamber
(30), before the second product is filled in.
[0080] Compressed gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen and compressed
air as well as liquefied gases such as hydrocarbons, for example
butane and isopentane, dimethyl ether and fluoro-hydrocarbons can
be considered in particular as propellant to discharge the product.
However, it is also possible to discharge the product by means of
mechanical systems such as springs or elastic materials with a
restoring force such as elastomers.
[0081] As an alternative to this, it is also possible to fasten the
valve disk (44) to the housing (5) of the pressure container, then
to fill the dispensing module (1) and to fill in the gas by means
of an opening in the bottom of the pressure container which is
subsequently closed. If the gas is filled in from above, provision
must be made for the gas to be able to flow as far as the bottom
for example by means of channels provided for this purpose.
[0082] Fields of application for the dispensing module as claimed
in the invention can be found, for example, in the technical or
pharmaceutical sector, in the sector of medical products,
foodstuffs, cosmetics, personal hygiene, biocides, disinfectants or
bleaching agents. In addition, the most varied product concepts can
be realized: reactive systems can provide, for example,
gas-generating systems (e.g. CO.sub.2), hardening systems (e.g.
chemical reactions such as chain lengthening, cross linking,
coagulation, polymerization, in particular in the area of
polyurethane chemistry), gelling systems with, where applicable,
modification of viscosity, generation of active substances (e.g.
chlorine, hypochlorite, H.sub.2O.sub.2, sulfur, iodine), enzymatic
systems, acid-base systems, temperature-modifying systems (e.g.
exothermic or endothermic mixtures) or adhesive systems. Further
product concepts provide mixtures and the generating of specific
material properties such as emulsions, dispersions, water-in-oil,
oil-in-water, water-in-oil-in-water, odors, additive mixtures (AM),
mixtures of active substances (e.g. vitamins), colors (e.g.
coloring of objects and body parts), active disinfecting mixtures
as well as certain flow or sliding properties.
TABLE-US-00001 List of references: 1 Dispensing module 2 Outer
casing 21 First cylindrical part (bottom part) 22 Second
cylindrical part (top part) 23 Radial connecting wall 24 Channels
25 Projection 26 Radial ring-shaped shoulder 261 Openings 27
Fastening means 28 Groove for the removable fork 3 Inner casing 31
Cylindrical main part 32 Truncated cone-shaped part 33 Part forming
a sleeve 331 Radial ring-shaped groove 4 Two-way valve 41 Valve
body 42 Collar-shaped part 43 Faucet-shaped part 44 Valve disk 45
Rod 5 Housing 6 Piston unit 61 Second piston 611 Ring-shaped groove
62 Cylindrical part 63 Sealing rim 631 Sealing lips 64 First piston
641 Latching means for the piston head 642 Pressure-equalizing
opening 7 Head of the first piston 71 Radial wall 72 Sealing rim
721 Sealing lips 722 Latching means 8 Holding means 81 Axial rim 82
Radial ring-shaped groove 9 Removable fork
* * * * *