DE202020102706U1 - Universal adapter for non-contact liquid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

Universal adapter (2) for a non-contact liquid dispenser, with a dosing attachment (4) and an outlet plunger (6), the dosing attachment (4) having a first round tube (8) with an upper tube (8) on its upper end facing an adaptable fluid reservoir (42) Has attached conical lamellar seal (10), and wherein the outlet plunger (6) consists of a cup-shaped component (18) with a bottom (20), in the center of which a second round tube (22) is arranged, which is directed upwards in the direction of the metering attachment ( 4) is closed and forms an outlet opening (24) on its side facing away from the dosing attachment (4) at the bottom (20) of the pot-shaped component (18).

Description

The present invention relates to a universal adapter for liquid dispensers. In particular, the invention relates to such an adapter for non-contact liquid dispensers.

Liquid dispensers of the usual design are used for the removal of soap and disinfectants as well as other liquid media. A distinction can be made between actuation and non-contact liquid dispensers. The liquid dispensers are increasingly used in the public, but also in the private sector and hospitals. As a rule, hand hygiene is carried out with their help.

The structure of the liquid dispenser differs depending on the design of the corresponding manufacturer. Generally speaking, the structure consists of a holder for attachment to a wall, a container for storing liquid, a housing for receiving the liquid dispenser, an outlet valve and a mechanism for metering the amount of liquid or media. The output is controlled either by operating a lever or without contact using a sensor.

The selected medium is adapted to the corresponding areas of application and introduced into the liquid dispenser. For example, liquid dispensers are increasingly used for hand disinfection in hospitals. As a result, the medium "disinfectant" is used. In both public and private areas, the liquid store can be equipped with liquid soap, for example, and used accordingly for hand cleaning.

As already described above, the type of withdrawal of the liquid media can be differentiated depending on the design. The classic application can be found in mechanics via lever actuation. In this case, by pressing down a lever by means of an appropriate mechanism, a valve position is brought about which allows the medium to flow out. If you hold the palm of your hand under the liquid dispenser, the respective liquid is dispensed for use.

Another variant is the so-called contactless liquid dispenser. The built-in mechanism is controlled and supplemented by a touch sensor on the underside of the liquid dispenser. The touch sensor, coupled with an electronic motor component and a control system, replaces the function of the lever. The valve position, which allows the medium to flow out, is achieved by an electronic pulse from the touch sensor and by means of the electronically supported mechanism. Here, too, the respective liquid is dispensed for use by maintaining the palm of the hand.

For use in these liquid dispensers, suitable liquid inserts of the same type must generally be purchased. The size, content and purpose of use are linked to the corresponding model. Repeated use of the liquid media or refilling is usually not possible. The application is therefore limited to the existing filling quantity of the medium. The liquid storage must then be completely replaced to ensure functionality again.

Due to their design, the liquid dispensers each have a corresponding exchange system for media storage. The bottle to be used must be disposed of and emptied again after emptying. The liquid dispenser is usually dependent on the replacement of the same media container for storing the liquids. The liquid storage devices are also usually equipped with valves which can only be used once.

The US 8,807,398 describes such a liquid container and a combination of a dispenser with an exchangeable liquid container. The liquid container comprises a liquid reservoir and a foam pump, a certain amount of the liquid being dispensed in the form of a foam - either by lever mechanism or without contact by means of a sensor - by activating the foam pump in a first direction. A nozzle cap is arranged above the foam pump to at least partially enclose the foam pump during storage, transport and use of the liquid container, the nozzle cap being integral with the exchangeable liquid container. When replacing the liquid container, the nozzle cap must also be replaced.

A disadvantage of these liquid dispensers is that this exchange system causes a correspondingly high consumption of raw materials, coupled with a very high disposal effort. The effort that must be made by the owner to make the liquid dispenser functional again after the medium has been emptied for the first time is correspondingly high. The availability of the appropriate exchange media must also be guaranteed at all times, which can pose additional challenges for the owner in times of high demand or, for example, a pandemic. The one-time exchange concept Media storage for liquid dispensers is therefore classified as unfriendly to consumers.

For example, in the case of the corona pandemic in 2020, there was an enormous bottleneck or delivery stop for single-use media storage for liquid dispensers. The necessary liquid dispenser could not be operated for a very long period of time because the appropriate medium was not available. The background for this was the preferred filling into other containers with which the exchange system of the liquid dispenser could not be operated.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a novel universal adapter for liquid dispensers, in particular for non-contact liquid dispensers, which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art systems mentioned.

These and other tasks are solved by the universal adapter according to claim 1. Further advantageous refinements are set out in the subclaims.

Figure list

• 1 eine Explosionsdarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Adapters;
• 2 den erfindungsgemäßen Adapter in zusammengebautem Zustand;
• 3 den Dosieraufsatz des erfindungsgemäßen Adapters im Schnitt;
• 4 den Auslassstößel des erfindungsgemäßen Adapters im Schnitt;
• 5 den erfindungsgemäßen Adapter in geschlossenem Zustand im Schnitt; und
• 6 den erfindungsgemäßen Adapter in geöffnetem Zustand im Schnitt.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings. It shows

• 1 an exploded view of the adapter according to the invention;
• 2nd the adapter according to the invention in the assembled state;
• 3rd the dosing of the adapter according to the invention in section;
• 4th the outlet tappet of the adapter according to the invention in section;
• 5 the adapter according to the invention in the closed state in section; and
• 6 the adapter according to the invention in the open state on average.

Detailed description of the invention

In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above, the universal adapter according to the invention for liquid dispensers, in particular a non-contact liquid dispenser, was developed. In the following, the invention is described exclusively in relation to a contactless liquid dispenser. In principle, the universal adapter can also be used with a liquid dispenser with lever mechanism.

The universal adapter according to the invention is inserted into an existing contactless liquid dispenser. Due to the design, the user can choose any storage media within the scope of the size of the dispenser in which the adapter is to be used. For example, the liquid dispenser can be operated with the universal adapter in conjunction with any PET bottle with a suitable opening dimension, with common opening dimensions in the range of approximately 15-23 mm.

The universal adapter can be inserted into the existing lifting mechanism of the non-contact liquid dispenser. Thus, the user can freely choose the storage medium to be used. As a result, it can be freely decided on the replenishment.

The invention is designed in such a way that any liquid media can be removed accordingly in connection with an automated lifting mechanism. The withdrawal quantity per operation is determined by volume. The outlet on the underside of the universal adapter is through a suitably guided and sealed valve.

The structure of the universal adapter for non-contact liquid dispenser according to the invention is described below with reference to the figures.

1 shows an exploded view of the universal adapter according to the invention 2nd , while 2nd the adapter according to the invention 2nd shows in assembled condition.

The adapter according to the invention 2nd consists of two main components, namely the dosing attachment 4th and the exhaust plunger 6 .

How out 3rd can be seen, is located on the top of the dosing attachment 4th , that is, on the side facing a liquid reservoir to be adapted, a first round tube 8th with a conical lamellar seal attached to it 10th on the one hand the round tube 8th protects against leakage of liquid and, on the other hand, allows different liquid containers with different opening dimensions to be installed. At the opposite end, ie on the side facing away from the liquid storage to be adapted, there is a dosing chamber 12th , the dosing chamber 12th an integral part of the dosing attachment 4th is. The dosing chamber 12th is fixed with a certain volume of the discharge quantity, usually about 1500 mm ³ . The inner 14 of the first round tube 8th forms the guide of the exhaust plunger 6 . An elevation 16 at the bottom of the dosing attachment 4th enables the movable fixation of the two components when assembled 4th , 6 . The outer diameter 50 of the dosing attachment 4th serves to accommodate the assembled adapter in a non-contact liquid dispenser, which will not be explained further here.

4th shows a section through the exhaust plunger 6 . This consists of a cup-shaped component 18th with a bottom 20 . In the center of the pot-shaped component 18th is a second round tube 22 arranged upwards in the direction of the dosing attachment 4th is closed and at its the metering attachment 4th side facing an outlet opening 24th forms. Around the outlet opening 24th there is a drip nose around 26 arranged, which improves the drainage and dripping of the liquid. In the upper part of the second round tube 22 are two circumferential chamfers 28 , 30th arranged, each in an O-ring seal 32 , 34 is inserted. These seals are used to seal between the guide of the outlet tappet 4th and the second round tube 22 . Between the 0-ring seals 32 , 34 are four holes perpendicular to each other 48 in the form of elongated holes (of which in the 4th only two are visible), which ensures the media flow. Outside the second round tube 22 is a compression spring around it 40 inserted. This returns the universal adapter to its basic position, ie the closed state, after actuation by spring force. The cup-shaped component 18th offers through its shape and its upper edge, in the form of a stop 36 is designed, the receptacle for the lifting mechanism of a non-contact liquid dispenser. When opening the exhaust plunger 6 (see. 6 ) the stop moves 36 up to a corresponding counter stop 38 of the dosing attachment 4th (see. 3rd ).

The basis for using the universal adapter is the installation in a non-contact liquid dispenser. The universal adapter can be inserted and equipped with any liquid reservoir with a suitable opening dimension (approx. 15-23 mm). The user can select the liquid reservoir accordingly, fill it up (again) and put it on the universal adapter.

5 shows a liquid storage 42 when installed and not used, ie closed. The liquid medium 44 is into the dosing chamber by gravity 12th guided. When the desired level is reached, the two O-ring seals prevent it 32 , 34 the uncontrolled drainage of the liquid. Due to the spring action of the compression spring 40 on the exhaust plunger 6 then the closed state is reached. In this state the liquid dispenser is for a removal of the liquid medium 44 prepared.

Starting from the in 5 shown closed state is in 6 dispensing the liquid medium 44 described. The exhaust plunger 6 is lifted vertically upwards by a mechanical stroke of the contactless liquid dispenser (see arrow 46 ). This occurs between the O-ring seals 32 , 34 drilled holes 48 into the dosing chamber 12th and allow the controlled outflow of the liquid medium 46 in the chamber. The dropwise discharge of the liquid medium follows 44 by gravity through the outlet opening 24th on the underside of the exhaust plunger 6 . Through the O-ring seals 32 , 34 the outflow quantity increases up to the volume of the dosing chamber 12th limited and additionally achieved a seal at the bottom. After the mechanical stroke has been carried out, the exhaust plunger moves 6 in the basic position, the closed state (cf. 5 ), back. The compression spring supports this 40 . Another removal of the liquid medium 44 is thus prepared.

• - freie Auswahl des zu befüllenden Mediums
• - Wiederverwertbarkeit des Flüssigkeitsspeichers
• - geringere Störungen/Ausfälle wegen Lieferengpässen des Flüssigkeitsspeichers
• - Verwendung der Bestandsgeräte
• - Plug-and-Play Einbau

The universal adapter is a supplement for non-contact liquid dispensers. The advantages for the user are as follows:

• - Free selection of the medium to be filled
• - Recyclability of the liquid storage
• - less malfunctions / failures due to delivery bottlenecks of the liquid storage
• - Use of existing equipment
• - Plug and play installation

Reference list

2nd

Universal adapter

4th

Dosing attachment

6

Exhaust plunger

8th

first round tube

10th

Lamellar seal

12th

Dosing chamber

14

Inside of the first round tube

16

Survey

18th

cup-shaped component

20

ground

22

second round tube

24th

Outlet opening

26

Drip nose

28

chamfer

30th

chamfer

32

O-ring seal

34

O-ring seal

36

attack

38

Counterstop

40

Compression spring

42

Liquid storage

44

liquid medium

46

Lift direction

48

Holes

50

outer diameter dosing attachment

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 8807398 [0009]

Claims (10)

Universal adapter (2) for a non-contact liquid dispenser, with a dosing attachment (4) and an outlet plunger (6), the dosing attachment (4) having a first round tube (8) with an upper tube (8) on its upper end facing an adaptable fluid reservoir (42) Has attached conical lamellar seal (10), and wherein the outlet plunger (6) consists of a cup-shaped component (18) with a bottom (20), in the center of which a second round tube (22) is arranged, which is directed upwards in the direction of the metering attachment ( 4) is closed and forms an outlet opening (24) on its side facing away from the dosing attachment (4) at the bottom (20) of the pot-shaped component (18). Universal adapter after Claim 1 , characterized in that the dosing attachment (4) has a dosing chamber (12) on its lower side facing away from the conical lamellar seal (10). Universal adapter after Claim 2 , characterized in that the metering chamber (12) is an integral part of the metering attachment (4). Universal adapter according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the dosing attachment (4) has at its lower end an elevation (16) for movably fixing the dosing attachment (4) and the outlet plunger (6). Universal adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drip nose (26) is arranged around the outlet opening (24). Universal adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two circumferential chamfers (28, 30) for receiving O-ring seals (32, 34) are arranged in the upper region of the second round tube (22). Universal adapter after Claim 6 characterized in that the second round tube (22) has four bores (48) arranged perpendicular to one another between the O-ring seals (32, 34). Universal adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a compression spring (40) is placed around the second round tube (22). Universal adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be inserted into an existing lifting mechanism of a non-contact liquid dispenser. Non-contact liquid dispenser with a universal adapter according to one of the preceding claims.

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