WO2001023010A1

WO2001023010A1 - Dispenser for substances containing additives

Info

Publication number: WO2001023010A1
Application number: PCT/DE2000/003367
Authority: WO
Inventors: Helmut Prahl
Original assignee: Aerome Gmbh Scent System Engineering
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2001-04-05
Also published as: AU1018101A; DE19946875A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser for substances containing additives. The inventive dispenser comprises a housing in which the substance containing additives is accommodated, a discharge opening out of which the substance containing additives is discharged, and comprises a pump system with which the substance containing additives is transported to the discharge opening. The dispenser is characterized in that the substance containing additives is provided in the form of a solid material storage medium, and the pump system delivers, with a stroke, a quantity of air over the solid material storage medium which generates an airflow ranging from 1 to 10 l/m at the discharge opening.

Description

Dispenser for active substances

The invention relates to a dispenser for active substance-containing substances, with a housing in which the active substance-containing substance is accommodated, an outlet opening from which the active substance-containing substance is let out, and a pump system with which the active substance-containing substance is transported to the outlet opening.

In order to promote sales, it is customary, particularly in the perfumery sector, to present the customer the scents he has selected, whereby perfume bottles are generally used with which the customer can apply the desired fragrance.

In the meantime, the use of fragrances for advertising purposes and for sales promotion has been expanded and does not only concern complicated designer fragrances. This has created a need to have a fragrance or active ingredient dispenser available as a built-in component for use in sales displays, hard posters, sales boxes and promotional items. Solid storage media are known which can be loaded with active substance and release it over a long period of time. Such storage media are perfectly suitable as fragrance carriers. Examples are mentioned in EP 0 701 600 B1, DE 44 17 739 Cl and DE 197 53 956 AI.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for active substance-containing substances which can be operated in a simple manner and at the same time emits shocks of active substance-containing substance in a uniform and reproducible manner. In particular, such a dispenser should be usable for fragrances and should therefore produce a sufficient fragrance at a certain distance from the dispenser.

This object is achieved by a dispenser according to claim 1. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

The dispenser is characterized in that the substance containing the active substance is present in a solid storage medium and that the pump system drives an amount of air over the solid storage medium with one stroke, which air flow at the outlet opening in the loading generated from 1 - 10 1 / min. The invention is based on the knowledge that it is sufficient for most applications to dispense an active substance held in a solid storage medium and gradually released with a relatively small amount of air, so that the effect can be perceived by the operator of the dispenser or a third person. Such an air flow can easily be generated by a mechanical pump system.

In order to ensure a simple construction, according to a preferred embodiment the solid storage medium is accommodated in a tube, one end of which is connected to the pump system via a first line and the opposite end of which is connected to the outlet opening via a second line. If fragrances are used as active ingredients, both lines must be made of a sufficiently odorless material. It is expedient if the lines have sufficient elasticity so that they can simply be pushed over the pipe or the line connections. It is also conceivable that the first line is part of the pump system. In principle, the lines should be made as short as possible in order to keep pressure losses low.

A check valve is further preferably arranged in the first line and in the second line close to the pipe. This is to prevent, for example, the backflow of fragrance into the pump system or the penetration of outside air into the outlet side of the pipe. Especially with fragrances there is a risk that they oxidize, which makes the effect of the dispenser unpredictable and carries the risk of a change in fragrance. Therefore, efforts will be made to prevent the oxidation of the scents as much as possible, especially in the tube with the solid storage medium.

The pump system particularly preferably comprises a bellows, which expediently consists of plastic. It must be ensured that a sufficient amount of compressed air is generated safely. It has been shown that at least one 150 cm ^{3 of} air have to be compressed in the case of an active substance surge of one second. Around 2,000 operations without material fatigue and cracking should be safely achieved and no foreign substances, such as plasticizers, should enter the active substance flow.

It has been found that a sufficient amount of compressed air for a burst of fragrance can be generated by a bellows which is actuated by a long-stroke pressed together. It may be appropriate to provide a return spring that forces the bellows into its starting position. The mechanical force to be applied can also be defined by this return spring.

Another way of producing a bellows system is to have the push button seated on a cylinder so that the former is guided through the latter. In this case it is possible to provide the system with a hysteresis, for example by connecting the push button to a first tube, which is provided with an opening over part of its length, and which fits over a second tube in a suitable but movable manner, which is also provided with an opening over part of its length, air then flowing from the bellows into the first line when the two openings at least partially overlap. The pressure builds up until both openings in the tubes are one above the other and the air can escape. According to a preferred embodiment, the second tube is closed at its end projecting into the first tube and connected to the first line at the opposite end.

There are at most structural restrictions for the arrangement of the outlet opening, which is expediently designed as a nozzle. In the case of a cuboid housing, for example, the push button will be arranged on a first narrow side on the surface of the housing, the outlet opening on the opposite side on the second narrow side. However, the outlet opening can also be formed directly in the pushbutton, in particular when the pushbutton is designed as a housing cover. Then as many components as possible, especially the solid storage medium, should be integrated into the housing cover so that the cable routes remain short.

Finally, it should be ensured that the push button is kept captive. For this purpose, it can be attached to the return spring or to the plastic bellows, or it can have an edge strip that comes into contact with the housing from the inside.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows the detail A from Figure 3; and

5 shows detail B from FIG. 3.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view through a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The housing 10 is essentially cuboid. The housing dimensions are kept as small as possible. This also applies in particular to the overall depth, since this means that the possible uses can be expanded considerably. A cylindrical housing is also possible, but this would create dead spaces in a packing box. An interior 14 is formed in the housing 10, in which the pressure required for generating the air flow is built up. For this purpose, the interior 14 is at least partially lined with a sleeve 12 which protrudes through an opening formed in the housing 10 in the region of the interior 14 and is biased there into a starting position by a return spring 20. In this area, which thus protrudes from the housing 10, there is a pushbutton 16 which the operator presses in order to build up the pressure by means of a relatively long stroke by compressing the return spring 20. An intake valve 18 is provided for drawing in room air. Adjacent to the interior 14 is a first valve body 32 in which a bore 34 is formed. In this bore 34, a spring is housed, which preloads a ball 36. In this state, the ball 36 closes a first line 30, which communicates with the interior 14. As soon as sufficient pressure is built up in the interior 14, the air entering the first line 30 can lift the ball 36 and thus open the way to a tube 40 in which a solid storage medium for the active substance to be used is accommodated. The arrangement just described represents a first check valve which prevents the active substance from flowing back into the bellows. A second check valve is constructed on the outlet side of tube 40. It also consists of a ball 56 and a spring 58 loading the ball 56, which are accommodated in a bore 54 in a second valve body 52. As long as no pressure is built up in the tube 40, the ball 56 closes the tube to the outside air, so that the risk of oxidation of the active substances within the tube is reduced. In the second valve body 52, a second line 50 is also formed, which opens into the outlet opening 60.

The consumer should not be able to open the housing without tools. This means that after the components have been inserted into the housing, two housing halves will be welded together, for example by means of ultrasound. In order to hold the spring 38 of the first check valve in place beforehand, a cover 39 is provided which effects this. As soon as the housing halves are welded, the cover 39 practically loses its function.

A dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. The bellows is formed here by a hollow cylinder 80 and a specially designed push button 16. The hollow cylinder 80 sits on the bottom of the housing 10 and has an outer diameter which essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the likewise hollow cylindrical, hood-like push button 16. Hollow cylinder 80 and push button 16 are thus movable with respect to each other, the push button 16 being forced into its starting position by a return spring 20, as in the embodiment according to FIG. Furthermore, a first tube 70 is provided in the interior of the pushbutton 16, approximately along its central axis, which is provided with an opening 72 in the region of its lower end. This first tube 70 sits over a second tube 74 which is connected to the first line 30, the air line. This second tube 74 has an opening 76 in the region of its upper end. The upper end of the tube 74, which projects into the first tube 70, is closed. If the pushbutton 16 is now pressed, a pressure builds up until the two openings 72, 76 coincide. Then air flows into the first line 30 and, as in the embodiment described above, opens a check valve 300, which can flow the air into the tube 40 and there transports the active ingredient through the check valve 500 into the second line 50 and finally to the outlet opening 60 , The stroke of the pushbutton 16 is defined by the strength of the return spring 20 and by the housing dimensions. He can be depressed until the lower edge of the push button 16 rests on the bottom of the housing 10. A recess 17 is provided in the lower edge area, which comes to rest on the first line 30. At a suitable point, an intake valve is again provided in the pushbutton 16, but this is not shown in the drawing. A funnel-shaped depression 62 is formed on the top of the housing 10, in which the second line 50 lies. The second line 50 can also be shortened in such a way that the outlet opening 60 itself would open into the funnel-shaped depression 62.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a dispenser in a third embodiment, in which the housing cover 102 forms the push button. Although not shown, a return spring is also provided here, which forces the housing cover in its initial position. The outlet opening, here designated "A" and shown in more detail in FIG. 4, the lines with check valves 300 and 500 and in particular the pipe 40 for solid storage medium are accommodated in the housing cover 102. In the arrangement as shown in FIG. 4, The second line 50 opens into a metal or plastic cap 64 which can be aligned by rotation and which can be used to steer the exit direction of the active substance. It can also be provided to provide a distributor ball in the exit opening 60.

The housing cover 102 can slide over the lower housing part 101 or within the same. However, an anti-loss device should always be provided, for example one such as that shown in FIG. 5, which roughly reproduces the detail "3" from FIG. 3. The lower housing part 101 is provided with a nose 103 that extends outwards from the lower housing part

101 projects. The housing cover 102 seated above the lower housing part has an edge strip 104 which engages under the nose 103 when the return spring rests the housing cover

102 forces into its starting position.

The housing is provided with mounting options, which are not shown in the drawing figures. Screwing eyelets and surfaces for adhesive fastening come into consideration as fastening options. The housing can be arranged on a display or in an outer packaging. The dispenser described above can be designed so that the tube containing the active ingredient is exchangeable, so that it is suitable as a reusable system. In this case, the housing halves would not be welded, but held together, for example by screwing or by a clamping mechanism.

When using as a one-way system, the disposal question should be considered when choosing the material.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential for realizing the invention both individually and in any combination.

Claims

claims

1. Dispenser for active substance-containing substances, with

a housing (10) in which the substance containing the active substance is accommodated,

an outlet opening (60) from which the substance-containing substance is released, and

a pump system with which the substance containing the active substance is transported to the outlet opening,

characterized in that

the active substance-containing substance is in a solid storage medium, and

the pump system drives a quantity of air over the solid storage medium with one stroke, which generates an air flow in the range of 1-10 1 / min at the outlet opening (60).

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the solid storage medium is accommodated in a tube (40), one end of which is connected to the pump system via a first line (30) and the opposite end of which is connected via a second line (50) is connected to the outlet opening (60).

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the first line (30) and in the second line (50) in each case a check valve (300, 500) is arranged close to the tube (40).

4. Dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first or the second line (30, 50) consist of elastic material.

5. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pump system comprises a bellows (12, 14, 16, 80).

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the bellows can be actuated by means of a push button (16) protruding from the housing (10).

7. Dispenser according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the bellows is forced into its starting position by a return spring (20).

8. Dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the push button (16) is connected to a first tube (70) which is provided over part of its length with an opening (72) and which fits but is movable over one sits second tube (74), which is also provided over part of its length with an opening (76), air then flowing from the bellows into the first line (30) when the two openings (72, 76) at least partially cover.

9. Dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the second tube (74) is closed at its end projecting into the first tube (70) and is connected at the opposite end to the first line (30).

10. Dispenser according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the outlet opening (60) is formed in the push button.

11. Dispenser according to claim 10, characterized in that the push button is designed as a housing cover (102).

12. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outlet opening (60) opens into a funnel-shaped depression (62) of the housing (10) or push button.

13. Dispenser according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least the tube (40) for the solid storage medium is integrated in the housing cover (102).

14. Dispenser according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the push button (16, 102) is held captive.