(en)A delivery head and a delivery device having a delivery head, wherein a pivotable actuating element is provided in order to open an outlet valve when the delivery head is actuated. The actuating element is provided with a valve element in order to forcibly open the outlet valve by pivoting the actuating element and/or to move the valve element on a circular path.

1.ApplicationNumber: US-200913058274-A
1.PublishNumber: US-8616416-B2
2.Date Publish: 20131231
3.Inventor: JORDAN RALF

4.Inventor Harmonized: JORDAN RALF(DE)

5.Country: US
6.Claims:
(en)A delivery head and a delivery device having a delivery head, wherein a pivotable actuating element is provided in order to open an outlet valve when the delivery head is actuated. The actuating element is provided with a valve element in order to forcibly open the outlet valve by pivoting the actuating element and/or to move the valve element on a circular path.

7.Description:
(en)CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/EP 2009/005806 having an international filing date of 11 Aug. 2009, which designated the United States, which PCT application claimed the benefit of German Application No. 10 2008 038 654.5 filed 12 Aug. 2008, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a dispensing head for a preferably cosmetic product according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a dispensing device with a dispensing head according to the preamble of claim 20 .
The present invention relates to a dispensing head that preferably is or can be mounted on a container or the dispensing valve thereof or on a manually actuated pump. The dispensing head is preferably used for the non-spraying delivery or dispensing of a preferably cosmetic product.
The term “product” is to be generally understood as including liquids and particularly suspensions and other fluids as well, optionally with gas phases. The product can be dispensed as a paste, stream or mist or in another manner, for example as a foam or gel.
Preferably, the dispensing head is used for a cosmetic product. The term “cosmetic product” is to be understood in a narrower sense as cosmetics, hairspray, hair lacquer, deodorant, shaving foam, color spray, sunscreen or skin care agent, and generally agents for beauty care or the like. Preferably, however, other body or hair care products are also included as well in a broader sense.
For example, the product can be cleaning agents or lubricants or other products, for example air fresheners, and particularly other technical liquids and fluids as well such as rust removers or the like. Nonetheless, for the sake of simplicity and due to the emphasized use, there is often only mention of cosmetic product in the following.
In today's dispensing heads for the dispensing of particularly foaming or foamed products such as shaving foam, or in dispenser pumps, there is often the problem that the product continues to subsequently come out, particularly continues to foam or drip, after completion of the actual dispensing. This problem is particularly glaring in the case of shaving foam or the like but also occurs in non-foamed and non-foaming products and can lead, particularly, to undesired soiling of the dispensing heads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,930 A discloses a dispensing head with an outlet channel that can be closed by an associated outlet valve. The outlet valve has a rod-shaped, linearly moveable valve element. Molded onto the valve element is an elastically deformable connecting section for coupling the valve element with an elastically deformable, bowl-like actuation element. The known dispensing head does not permit an optimally defined opening and closing of the outlet valve and is relatively expensive to manufacture.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a dispensing head and a dispensing device with a dispensing head, wherein a simple and cost-effective construction and/or an optimized, defined opening and closing of the outlet valve are made possible.
The above objective is achieved through a dispensing head according to claim 1 or through a dispensing device according to claim 20 . Advantageous modifications are the object of the subclaims.
One idea of the present invention consists in the actuation element being swivelable relative to the outlet channel in order to force the outlet valve open and/or to move the valve element on a circular path. This enables a simple and compact construction and/or a very defined and optimized opening and closing of the outlet valve.
An additional idea of the present invention, which can also be implemented independently, provides for a guiding of the valve element by the actuation element particularly in an exclusive manner. This again enables a very simple and cost-effective construction and/or a defined opening and closing of the outlet valve.
According to another idea of the present invention that can also be implemented independently, the valve element is pretensioned in the closed position at least substantially only in the direction toward a swivel axis of the actuation element against an outlet opening of the dispensing head or outlet channel. Given a simple and cost-effective construction, this particularly enables a very defined and for the most part effortless closing of the outlet valve.
It should be noted that, in the present invention, the term “valve element” is to be understood as an element that closes an outlet opening when the outlet valve is closed and opens an outlet opening when the outlet valve is open.
The term “actuation element” is preferably to be understood as an element that can be actuated manually in a direct manner and/or must be actuated in order to actuate the dispensing head. Particularly, the actuation is performed by depressing a part of the actuation element.



Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention follow from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments on the basis of the drawing.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic section of a proposed dispensing device with a dispensing head according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the dispensing head without actuation element;
FIG. 3 shows a schematic section of an actuation element of the dispensing head;
FIG. 4 shows a schematic section of a proposed dispensing head according to a second embodiment in the non-actuated state;
FIG. 5 shows a schematic section of the dispensing head according to FIG. 4 in the actuated state; and
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a part of the actuation element of the dispensing head according to FIG. 4 .



In the partially not true-to-scale, only schematic figures, the same reference symbols are used for same or similar parts, with corresponding or comparable characteristics and advantages being achieved even if a repeated description is omitted.
In a schematic section, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a proposed dispensing device 25 with a dispensing head 1 for dispensing a product 2 of the type mentioned at the outset.
The product 2 can be substantially more viscous than water or even pasty as desired. Particularly, it can form a foam or gel. The product 2 can also contain gas in liquid and/or another form.
In particular, the dispensing head 1 is designed for the non-spraying dispensing of the product 2 . Particularly, the product 2 is dispensed as a foam, preferably as shaving foam or the like. For this purpose, the product 2 is particularly designed to be self-foaming and/or it is foamed up during dispensing.
In principle, however, the product 2 can also be dispensed in the non-foamed state or even be designed to be non-foaming. Moreover, it is also possible that the product 2 foams up very little, so that the foaming merely increases the volume somewhat but a liquid or pasty consistency is essentially maintained during dispensing.
It should be noted that, in principle, instead of the dispensing of the product 2 as a foam described for the sake of example, any other dispensing of the product 2 —for example as a pasty mass, as a gel, as drops, as a stream or as a spray mist—is also worthy of consideration.
The dispensing head 1 is preferably provided or connected with a reservoir, particularly a container 3 of the dispensing device 25 , for the product 2 to be delivered. The reservoir can form a part of the dispensing head 1 or can be connected thereto or vice versa.
In the depicted example, the reservoir is embodied as a preferably rigid container 3 , particularly as a pressurized container. The container 3 is particularly oblong and/or cylindrical and/or rigid—especially preferably embodied as a metallic can—for the product 2 .
The product 2 in the reservoir is either pressurizable or under pressure. In particular, the container 3 or the product 2 contains a suitable propellant, preferably a volatile and/or flammable propellant, compressed gas and/or carbon dioxide.
Especially preferably, the container 3 has on its front side a dispensing valve 4 to which the dispensing head 1 is or can be connected.
In the depicted example, the dispensing head 1 preferably has a housing part 5 that is or can be connected with the reservoir or container 3 , especially preferably placed thereupon in a clamping or locking manner.
Moreover, the dispensing head 1 has a component 6 preferably placed into the housing part 5 and/or held or formed by same, which component 6 forms an outlet channel 7 and can be or is connected to the outlet valve 4 . In the depicted example, the component 6 is provided with a corresponding connecting section 8 for particularly pluggable connection with the outlet valve 4 or a connection element 9 of the outlet valve 4 .
In the depicted example, the housing part 5 and the component 6 are preferably embodied in a single piece, particularly with the housing part 5 maintaining the component 6 and hence the outlet channel 7 or connecting section 8 tiltable or depressable.
Preferably, the component 6 is tongue-like or arm-like and/or held on one side or on one end.
The connecting section 8 is preferably arranged in the area of the middle of the dispensing head 1 or of the free end of the component 6 .
The component 6 or housing part 5 preferably forms a, for example, tiltable and/or tongue-like area or section with spring-like flexibility, so that it can be moved with the connecting section 8 toward the outlet valve 4 and, as a result, the outlet valve 4 (on the container side) can be opened.
In the depicted example, the dispensing head 1 has an outlet valve 10 that is particularly associated with the outlet channel 7 and/or a dispensing end 11 of the dispensing head 1 .
Especially preferably, the outlet valve 10 has a valve element 12 for opening and closing the outlet valve 10 or the outlet channel 7 . Especially preferably, no can and no other channel or the like is connected to the outlet valve 10 or its valve element 12 or to the dispensing end 11 or an outlet opening 13 of the outlet channel 7 . Rather, they preferably open to the atmosphere. In this way, after leaving the outlet valve 10 , the product 2 can preferably be removed directly and used by a user (not shown). In the depicted example, the valve element 12 covers the outlet opening 13 of the outlet channel 7 in the illustrated closed position preferably only from the outside.
The dispensing opening 13 of the outlet channel 7 preferably ends in or on a side wall 14 of the dispensing head 1 or housing part 5 .
The dispensing head 1 has an actuation element 15 that is embodied as a separate part in the depicted example. However, other constructive solutions are possible, for example a one-piece design.
The opening of the outlet valve 4 is preferably done through the depression and/or tilting of the abovementioned area or component 6 with spring-like flexibility or of the connecting section 8 or of the actuation element 15 . For example, the actuation element 15 can act on the component 6 for this purpose via a projection or actuating section 16 .
The actuation element 15 is preferably swivelable or tiltable, particularly relative to the housing part 5 , component 6 and/or outlet channel 7 . In a perspective view, FIG. 2 shows the housing part 5 of the dispensing head 1 without actuation element 15 . In an enlarged, schematic section, FIG. 3 shows the actuation element 15 without further components of the dispensing head 1 .
In the depicted example, the actuation element 15 is embodied such that it can swivel about a swivel axis 17 and/or move in a rocker-like manner. For this purpose, the actuation element 15 is provided, for example, with mounting sections or bearing eyes 18 that can be supported, for example, by retention sections 19 of the housing part 5 , as indicated in FIG. 3 .
Preferably, the swivel axis lies essentially between the connecting section 8 on the one hand and the dispensing end 11 (outlet) or the outlet opening 13 on the other hand.
In principle, the swivel motion of the actuation element 15 can be superimposed onto another movement during actuation of the dispensing head 1 or direct manual actuation of the actuation element 15 . Alternatively or in addition, the actuation element 15 can also be moved or actuated in a translational and/or rotational manner, for example vertically about an axis or at an angle to the swivel axis 17 .
The valve element 12 is preferably guided or held exclusively by the actuation element 15 .
Preferably, the valve element 12 is solidly connected with the actuation element 15 .
In particular, the valve element 12 can only move together with the actuation element 15 .
The valve element 12 is preferably made of an elastic material or plastic.
Preferably, the valve element 12 is injected against the actuation element 15 or vice versa. This is done particularly by means of so-called “bi-injection.” By this method, a first component, such as the actuation element 15 , is first injected into a mold and subsequently or (almost) simultaneously the second component, such as the valve element 12 , is injected in the same injection mold directly against the first component. However, other manners of manufacture are also possible.
The actuation element 15 is preferably at least substantially rigid.
The actuation element 15 is preferably embodied in a single piece with the valve element 12 even if they are made of different materials and/or have different characteristics, such as being at least substantially rigid on the one hand and at least substantially elastic on the other hand.
Especially preferably, the valve element 12 is spherical and/or provided with a spherical closure section 20 as indicated in FIG. 1 .
The valve element 12 closes the outlet opening 13 of the outlet channel 7 preferably only from the outside, particularly with the aforementioned closure section 20 .
Especially preferably, the valve element 12 is arranged on a free end or edge 21 of the actuation element 15 .
FIG. 1 shows the dispensing device 25 and the dispensing head 1 in the non-actuated state, which is to say with closed dispensing valve 4 and closed outlet valve 10 .
The actuation element 15 is preferably designed for direct manual actuation and preferably has a grip or depression section 22 for this purpose. The grip section 22 is preferably arranged on the other side of the swivel axis 17 with respect to the valve element 12 or outlet valve 10 .
Especially preferably, the distance of the grip section 22 from the swivel axis is greater than the distance of the valve element 12 from the swivel axis 17 , preferably by a factor of 1.5 or more, particularly by a factor of about 2 in the depicted example. This leads to an advantageous transmission.
In the depicted closed state, the actuation element 15 is in the non-tilted or upper position (starting position), so that the valve element 12 holds the outlet valve 10 closed as shown in FIG. 1 .
The actuation element 15 can be swiveled or tilted about the swivel axis 17 running preferably horizontally or, in the illustration according to FIGS. 1 and 3 , perpendicular to the drawing plane. The swivel axis lies preferably between and/or approximately on a plane between the valve element 12 on the one hand and the actuating section 16 acting on the component 6 on the other hand. Accordingly, upon actuation or depression of the actuation element 15 from the position shown in FIG. 1 , the actuating section 16 is moved downward and the valve element 12 upward or vice versa.
Through depression of the actuation element 15 or grip section 22 (on the right side in FIGS. 1 and 3 ), a swiveling of the actuation element 15 occurs and, consequently, the outlet valve 10 opens (here as a result of the lifting of the valve element 12 and release of the outlet opening 13 ) and, simultaneously or subsequently, the dispensing valve 4 opens. In particular, the component 6 is moved with the connecting section 8 downward or toward the dispensing valve 4 in order to open the latter through actuation of the connection element 9 or in another manner.
Upon actuation of the actuation element 15 , the outlet valve 10 is forced open, particularly in a self-acting manner independently of the product pressure, since the valve element 12 is pushed down from the outlet opening 13 , particularly at least substantially crossways or perpendicular to the main outlet direction. The valve element 12 is preferably guided exclusively by the actuation element 15 . The valve element 12 is preferably moved only on one circular path as indicated in FIG. 1 by the double arrow.
When the dispensing valve 4 is open, the preferably pressurized product 2 in the reservoir or container 3 is then able to flow into the outlet channel 7 , for example via ascending tube 23 ( FIG. 1 ) and the opened dispensing valve 4 . As needed, an initial foaming of the product 2 can then already occur in the outlet channel 7 . As needed, a foaming device—not shown here—can also be provided (alternatively or in addition). For example, the product 2 or the foam can be foamed by a screen (not shown) and/or through the feeding of gas or air (alternatively or in addition).
The product 2 is able to escape to the outside or to the atmosphere through the opened outlet valve 10 and, especially preferably, foam up or foam up further or form a gel or another product or be delivered in liquid, pasty or another form.
Upon release of the actuation element 15 , the dispensing valve 4 closes again, preferably in a self-acting manner. In the depicted example, the return to position of the component 6 or connecting section 8 preferably occurs exclusively as a result of spring forces of the elastic section and/or as a result of the dispensing valve 4 .
In addition or alternatively, however, a return or closing spring or another constructive solution not shown can also be used.
As needed, the dispensing valve 4 can also be a dosing valve or other valve device, for example.
The dispensing of product or generation of foam definitively ends when the outlet valve 10 closes. The closed or closing outlet valve 10 prevents product 2 or foam or the like present in the outlet channel 7 from subsequently exiting or foaming out in an undesired manner.
Especially preferably, the actuation element 15 is pretensioned into its starting position or into the closing position closing the outlet valve 10 . In the depicted example, a spring section 24 is provided for this purpose which is particularly molded on the component 6 in one piece or is formed by same. However, other constructive solutions are also possible.
The restorative force exerted on the actuation element 15 by the spring section 24 or another device is preferably smaller than the force required for the depression of the component 6 or connecting section 8 and, particularly, that required to open the dispensing valve 4 . In this way, an arrangement can be achieved in which, upon actuation or depression of the actuation element 15 or grip section 22 , the valve element 12 is first moved away, i.e., the outlet valve is opened, before the dispensing valve 4 opens.
One particular advantage of the outlet valve 10 is that, besides preventing the subsequent exiting of product 2 , cleaning is made very simple for the user, since the outlet valve 10 preferably forms a clean or easy-to-clean dispensing end 11 .
In the depicted example, the dispensing of product preferably occurs substantially crossways, particularly perpendicular, to the direction of depression or opening of the dispensing valve 4 and/or at least substantially horizontal or crossways to the longitudinal direction of the container 3 .
It should be mentioned that, preferably, no other device shaping the product output such as a nozzle, a channel or the like is connected to the dispensing end 11 . However, this does not rule out the possible provision of a bowl-like extension or recess in the housing or the like that leads to the dispensing end 11 , for example.
In the depicted example, the actuation element 15 is preferably embodied as a separate part that is particularly placed, mounted, clamped or snapped on and is particularly mounted or held in a swiveling manner on the retention sections 19 ( FIG. 2 ).
Preferably, the actuation element 15 is mounted or supported with its mounting sections or bearing eyes 18 or in another manner on both sides of the outlet valve 10 or valve element 12 and/or can be or is snapped onto the retention sections 19 .
Other constructive solutions are also possible, however. In particular, the actuation element 15 can, in principle, also be mounted in a different way, be elastically deformable, and/or be molded onto the housing part 5 or component 6 .
In the following, a second embodiment of the proposed dispensing head 1 is explained on the basis of the other figures, with the following description being limited to substantial differences or novel aspects. In particular, the foregoing remarks and explanations are applicable accordingly or in a supplemental manner.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic section of the second embodiment of the proposed dispensing head 1 in the non-actuated state. FIG. 5 shows the dispensing head 1 in the actuated state, i.e., with opened outlet valve 10 . In each of FIGS. 4 and 5 , an upper part of the dispensing head 1 is shown. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a part of the actuation element 15 from below.
In the second embodiment, the valve element 12 is preferably arranged on an inner side of the edge 21 of the actuation element 15 .
In the second embodiment, the closing section 20 of the valve element 12 is preferably arched or spherical and/or adapted such that it is able to extend at least partly into the dispensing opening 13 or the adjacent outlet channel 7 from the outlet side in the closed position.
Especially preferably, the actuation element 15 or outlet valve 10 is held in a locking manner in the closed position or non-actuated position. This can be achieved particularly by means of the aforementioned engaging of the valve element 12 or the connecting section 20 thereof into the outlet opening 13 or the outlet channel 7 . However, other constructive solutions are also possible here.
In the second embodiment, the valve element 12 is preferably pretensioned in the closed position against the outlet opening 13 at least substantially axially or only toward the swivel axis 17 . This enables a quasi effortless and/or defined closing of the outlet valve 10 . In particular, the actuation of the actuation element 15 is decoupled from the closing force at least for the most part. This enables actuation that is as easy as possible with a good sealing effect and high closing force.
Especially preferably, the swivel axis 17 and the last section of the outlet channel 7 that extends toward the outlet opening 13 lie at least substantially on one plane. Alternatively or in addition, the swivel axis 17 preferably crosses a midperpendicular of the outlet opening 13 or passes close by it.
The following embodiments refer particularly to all embodiments as well as to the invention in general.
The housing part 5 , component 6 , valve element 12 are preferably injection-molded and/or made from plastic.
The actuation element 15 is made of a first material, particularly a relatively rigid plastic material. Preferably, a polyolefin, particularly PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene) is used.
The valve element 12 is made of a second material. In particular, the second material is an elastomer and/or a thermoplast. Preferably, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or TPV or the like is used. Particularly, it is a flexible material. The second material is particularly flexible or softer than the first material. This is particularly desirable in the depicted embodiments, since the valve element 12 formed from it is to have a certain elastic deformability and/or flexibility in contrast to the actuation element 15 .
Accordingly, the first material and the second material are preferably different, differing particularly with respect to their composition and/or characteristics. In principle, however, other constructions are also possible in which the same material can be used for the first material and the second material.
Preferably, a combination of materials is selected for the first material and the second material that is such that the two materials can preferably be joined solidly together directly through injection. Especially preferably, such a solid joining of the two materials can be achieved without pretreatment, adhesion promoters, processing or the like.
Especially preferably, the injection is performed by means of so-called “bi-injection,” by which one material (the first material) is first injected into an injection mold and then the other material (the second material) is injected into the same injection mold against the previously injected material. In principle, however, it is also possible for the two materials to be injected almost simultaneously into the same injection mold.
By injecting the two materials against each other, the desired solid connection is achieved.
Preferably, no other measures are necessary for the joining of the two materials or components (here the actuation element 15 and the valve element 12 ) in order to achieve the desired strength, chemical bond, chemical resistance and/or seal. In principle, however, other measures such as pressing, clamping, welding or the like can also be used alternatively or in addition.
Especially preferably, the actuation element 15 forms an upper covering of the dispensing head 1 and/or it covers the component 6 and, optionally, the housing part 12 completely as well, at least to a substantial extent. Especially preferably, the actuation element 15 is embodied at least substantially in the manner of a cover or cap.
Especially preferably, the actuation element 15 extends with its edge 21 into the area of the side wall of the preferably at least substantially cylindrical housing part 5 . However, other constructive solutions are also possible.
The proposed embodiments permit an optimal opening of the outlet valve 10 particularly over the full cross section of the outlet opening 13 . In this way, an optimal outflow behavior and an optimal residual discharge can be achieved.
The various embodiments as well as individual features and constructive solutions of the embodiments can also be combined with each other as desired, or can also be used independently of each other and/or in other dispensing heads and dispensing devices.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS


1 Dispensing head
2 Product
3 Container
4 Dispensing valve
5 Housing part
6 Component
7 Outlet channel
8 Connecting section
9 Connection element
10 Outlet valve
11 Dispensing end
12 Valve element
13 Outlet opening
14 Wall
15 Actuation element
16 Actuating section
17 Swivel axis
18 Bearing eye
19 Retention section
20 Closing section
21 Edge
22 Grip section
23 Ascending tube
24 Spring section
25 Dispensing device