CN117500608A - Metering device, container, product dispenser and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a metering pump for integration into a container. The metering pump includes a pump housing having a pump chamber and further including a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump chamber is defined by a pump chamber base and an elastically deformable pump dome. The pump casing is formed by joining at least a first pump casing element and a second pump casing element. The pump dome is part of the first pump housing piece and the pump chamber base is part of the second pump housing piece. The present disclosure further relates to a container comprising the metering pump and to an associated product dispenser.

Description

Metering device, container, product dispenser and system

The present invention relates to a metering device for liquid and flowable products, a container with an integral metering device, and a product dispenser which can be equipped with a container of the type described above. The invention further relates to a system comprising a product dispenser and at least one corresponding container.

Liquid and flowable products or substances and substance mixtures include in particular low to high viscosity liquids or liquid mixtures and viscoelastic materials. In the context of a non-exhaustive list, emulsions, suspensions and dispersions should be mentioned together with solutions. The products mentioned may be, for example, liquids for personal care and/or cleaning, gels, creams, ointments or lotions, pharmaceuticals, industrial liquids, oils and fats, etc.

For storage, transportation, sale, and use, the liquid or flowable product is typically held in a container, sales package, or shipping package. Under such circumstances, a number of different types of containers and packages have been developed in the past. Bottles, cans, tubes, jars, containers, and composite cartons, etc. are just a few examples.

Such containers may typically be equipped with pipettes, screw-on pump caps with stroke pumps, or other metering devices if more accurate metering of liquid or flowable products is needed or desired.

Commercial bottles with metering devices are generally composed of a large number of parts which must be assembled in a complex process and which are difficult to recover, in particular cannot be completely recovered, due to the use of different materials (for example parts made of different plastics and parts made of metals, such as springs, etc.).

This results in higher material and energy consumption and higher CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle.

Film bags are today considered one of the most cost-effective and most environmentally friendly packaging options for liquids and flowable products. Film bags have been known for many years but are quite undesirable due to their mishandling and high susceptibility to mechanical damage.

At the same time, film bags have gained popularity again with the advent of, for example, stand-up bags, spouted bags, flat bags and gusseted bags.

However, one disadvantage of film bags, particularly those with tear edges, is their lack of resealability. In addition to the obvious disadvantage of such already opened film bags being difficult to transport, the contents of the opened film bags are also exposed to increased risks of e.g. hygiene hazard contamination and microbial infestation and faster oxidation.

A membrane pouch with a welded reclosable spout (also referred to as a spout) at least partially alleviates the above-mentioned problems. However, they lack reproducible metering capability, which severely limits the potential applications of the film pouch.

Although previously known metering pumps overcome this disadvantage, they are composed of a large number of components and therefore cannot be economically used for packaging inexpensive mass-produced products.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for liquids and flowable products which is improved in particular in the above-mentioned respects and which has low complexity, simple and effective manufacturability, low material consumption and good recyclability. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the object of providing a container, an associated product dispenser and a system comprising a container and a product dispenser.

This object is achieved by a metering pump having the features of claim 1, a container having the features of claim 13, a product dispenser having the features of claim 14 and a system having the features of claim 15.

It should be noted that the features listed in the claims individually may be combined with each other in any technically useful way and indicate further embodiments of the invention. The present invention is further characterized and described in detail in the specification and in particular with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the features described in the context of the metering pump may be advantageous embodiments of the container or system, and vice versa.

It should also be noted that any conjunctions "and/or" as used herein between and linking two features should always be interpreted such that in a first embodiment only a first feature is present, in a second embodiment only a second feature is present, and in a third embodiment both the first and second feature are present.

As mentioned, the present disclosure relates to a metering device for integration into a container, hereinafter also referred to as metering pump.

The metering pump includes a pump housing having a pump chamber. The pump housing further comprises a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump chamber is defined by a pump chamber base and an elastically deformable pump dome.

If the elastically deformable pump dome is depressed during operation of the metering pump while the fluid connection from the pump inlet to the pump chamber is closed, fluid is conveyed from the pump chamber to the pump outlet, or rather from the pump outlet, as a result of the reduced volume in the pump chamber. For example, the fluid connection may be closed by covering the pump inlet with a container wall (or membrane) that is in contact with the metering pump when the pump dome is depressed. Alternatively or additionally, a check valve (also commonly referred to as a one-way valve) may be provided in the fluid connection between the pump inlet and the pump chamber.

Once the pump dome resiliently returns to its original state, the pump chamber is refilled with fluid that flows in from the direction of the pump inlet or is drawn in from the pump inlet.

The pump chamber base may be rigid, i.e., inflexible, or in some embodiments, the pump chamber base may also be flexible. Advantageously, the pump housing is thin-walled. Herein, a pump housing is considered "thin-walled" if: the major part (> 50%) of the surface has a material thickness of less than 3mm, in particular less than 1.5mm, preferably less than 0.8mm, especially in the region of uniform wall thickness.

The pump housing may be formed by combining the first and second pump housing parts. The pump dome is then part of the first pump housing portion and the pump chamber base is part of the second pump housing portion.

Metering pumps as described above can be manufactured particularly easily and efficiently in several steps. The material consumption is very low. In addition to price, this reduces energy consumption, CO2 emissions and plastic waste compared to other packaging solutions with more complex metering devices.

The metering pump according to the invention allows for economical packaging of bulk fluid products. Thus, it expands the possible applications of thin-walled containers, in particular film bags. In this case, the film bag with integrated metering pump according to the invention can be a cheaper and more ecological alternative to the commercial bottles equipped with metering devices in various areas of the fluid-like product industry. Metering pumps integrated into the containers are also particularly advantageous from a hygienic point of view.

Further advantageous embodiments of the metering pump according to the invention can be derived from the features indicated in the dependent claims and from the features described below. In this connection it should be emphasized that the features described below may also be advantageous features of the container, product dispenser or resulting system according to the invention. To avoid repetition, the features in question will generally only be described in relation to a metering pump according to the invention.

Preferably, the first pump housing part and the second pump housing part are formed together as an integral part and are connected by a membrane hinge. Advantageously, the one-piece component is free of undercuts in a defined demolding direction extending from the parting plane of the injection mold. On the one hand, this aspect greatly simplifies the manufacturing process and the tools required. It also simplifies the handling of the semi-finished product, since the whole part only needs to be folded at the film hinge. The relative positioning of the first and second pump housing parts is also simplified. At the same time, the number of parts to be processed is reduced.

The first pump housing portion and the second pump housing portion may comprise or be made of thermoplastic material and may be welded at the joining region. For example, laser transmission welding or ultrasonic welding are particularly suitable for this purpose. Thermoplastics are readily and inexpensively available, are very easy to recycle, and have material properties that are well suited for this application.

Thus, the metering pump may be made entirely of flexible plastic material using plastic injection molding, vacuum compression, thermoforming, or other suitable process.

In some embodiments, the first pump housing portion and the second pump housing portion have a consistent alignment geometry. For example, these geometries may include: a centering pin or cone and a corresponding hole; or a circumferential groove and a corresponding tongue. This facilitates accurate alignment of the pump housing parts.

According to an advantageous aspect, the metering pump comprises an outlet valve. The outlet valve is arranged in the fluid connection from the pump chamber to the pump outlet and is configured as a check valve. In one aspect, a check valve between the pump chamber and the pump outlet supports the efficiency of the pump. On the other hand, however, the check valve also prevents ambient air from being sucked into the fluid connection and/or the pump chamber. This is beneficial from a hygienic point of view and may extend the expiration time after opening of the product dispensed with the metering pump.

The outlet valve may include: a blocking portion having a convex sealing surface; and a seal seat corresponding to the blocking portion. Preferably, the blocking portion may be an integral part of the first pump housing portion or the second pump housing portion, and the seal seat may be an integral part of the respective other pump housing portion (i.e. the second pump housing portion or the first pump housing portion, respectively). Unexpectedly, it has been found that this type of valve is particularly suitable for the present application.

Preferably, the blocking portion of the outlet valve may comprise an annular sealing bellows (annular sealing corrugation) surrounding the convex sealing surface. Optionally, the sealing seat of the outlet valve may further comprise an annular ridge corresponding to the sealing bellows. The ridge abuts the sealing corrugation of the blocking portion at least on one side and preferably on both sides when the outlet valve is closed.

Furthermore, the outlet valve may have a bead which surrounds the outlet valve opening on the outside and an outlet ring channel which is arranged around the bead. When the pump dome returns to its original position after being pushed in to increase the chamber volume and create a vacuum, the vacuum can draw in the membrane of the membrane bag surrounding the metering pump, thereby closing the pump outlet.

The metering pump may include another check valve in the fluid connection from the pump chamber to the pump outlet. In particular, the additional check valve may be an additional check valve connected in series in fluid communication with the outlet valve. Multiple sequential seal levels increase the reliability of the seal. This reduces the risk of inadvertent leakage of fluid from the metering pump or container or inadvertent leakage of air into the container. The other check valve may be a second outlet valve. The second outlet valve may be similar in design to the first outlet valve.

In at least some embodiments, the pump dome may include a so-called reduced pressure crown. The relief crown includes a plurality of relief teeth annularly shaped and spaced about the pump inlet such that two adjacent relief teeth form respective relief passages therebetween. The relief teeth are protrusions/protuberances of the outer surface of the pump dome that are of such a height and of such a small radius that a gap is formed between the pump dome and the container wall/foil surrounding the metering pump. Pressure equalization can occur at any time via the relief channel even when the membrane/wall of the surrounding membrane bag/container is directly adjacent to the pump dome.

According to a further advantageous aspect, the pump dome may comprise at least one circumferential and preferably several concentrically arranged spring bellows. The spring bellows may have a thinner material thickness than the remainder of the pump dome. The spring bellows improve the tactile/haptic sinking characteristics of the pump dome.

In some embodiments, the pump dome may have a plurality of relief teeth. The relief teeth may be arranged at regular intervals on the pump dome. In other words, for example, the surface of the pump dome may be convex.

The pump inlet may be centrally located in the pump dome. In these variations, the pump inlet is covered by the container wall/foil when the pump dome is depressed. This eliminates the need for a separate inlet valve as a check valve.

Alternatively, the pump inlet may be located outside the pump chamber. In this case, the metering pump has an inlet valve which is located in the fluid connection from the pump inlet to the pump chamber and is designed as a return valve.

A check valve in the fluid connection between the pump inlet and the pump chamber ensures that the liquid or flowable product is delivered in the correct direction.

Additionally, the pump chamber base may have one or more stiffening curls to increase rigidity.

According to a further advantageous aspect, the pump housing may comprise one or more grooves arranged and configured to at least sectionally form a fluid connection between the pump inlet and the pump chamber and/or between the pump chamber and the pump outlet. In the region of the recess (on both sides), the container wall/foil may be bonded, in particular welded, to the pump housing. The container wall/foil then forms the remaining wall of the fluid channel.

In addition, the pump housing may have at least one fastening portion for engaging the snap connection. The fastening portion may comprise a latch tab, a latch lug and/or an edge for engagement from behind, and preferably comprises a further edge for positioning.

According to another advantageous aspect, the pump housing may comprise at least one bacteriostatic, bactericidal or antifungal element, preferably arranged in a fluid connection from the pump chamber to the pump outlet.

In some embodiments, the metering pump may include a leak-proof device. The leakage prevention means is adapted to seal the fluid connection between the pump chamber and the pump outlet. The leakage prevention device is configured to be removed, released, or mechanically broken by a user to unseal the fluid connection.

The metering pump described above is intended to be arranged in a thin-walled container and welded to the container.

The present disclosure also relates to such a container with an integral metering pump.

Preferably, the container and the metering pump are made of the same or at least similar thermoplastic materials.

The container may be a film bag. Alternatively, the container may be a thin-walled plastic container, wherein the material thickness of the wall is too stiff to be generally understood as a film (e.g. a wall thickness of about 0.3mm or more), but rather comprises an at least partially defined flexible region. The flexible region may be provided, for example, by a hinge bellows having a reduced wall thickness.

According to another advantageous aspect, the container is suitable for dispensing fluid-like products from the fields such as perfumery, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, hygiene, personal care, home care, food (in particular beverages and dairy products), nutritional supplements, technical fields and others.

If the container is a foil bag, the container may be a sealed edge bag, a stand-up bag (doypack), a flow pack, a flat bag, a tubular bag with european grooves, a bag chain, a profile bag, a gusset bag, a bag-in-box bag, a simple pack, a block bottom bag, and other types of film bags. Alternatively, the container may be made of thin-walled plastic, but is too strong to act as a membrane. Thus, containers of this type have an elastic region, for example by means of hinged bellows.

There is further proposed a product dispenser for receiving a container having a metering pump as described above, the product dispenser having: a holding member for fastening the container; and a flexibly mounted push pin for manually actuating the metering pump; and/or an actuator mount for receiving a motor-driven actuator for automatic actuation of the metering pump. By means of such a product dispenser, the disadvantageous properties of the film pouch, in particular the relatively low inherent stability, can be compensated for.

The corresponding system comprises a product dispenser and a container with a metering pump, as previously described. Optionally, the system may further comprise a motor-driven actuator for automatically actuating the metering pump in the container. The actuator can be integrated in a simple manner into the product dispenser.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which is to be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Schematically shown in these figures are:

fig. 1A, 1B, 1C are top views of a metering pump according to a first embodiment in an unassembled open state, in an assembled closed state, and in an assembled closed state;

fig. 2A, 2B are film bags according to a first embodiment with metering pumps of fig. 1A to 1C, shown from the front and from the rear;

fig. 3A, 3B, 3C are the metering pumps of fig. 1A to 1C in the film pouch of fig. 2A, 2B in an unactuated state, an actuated state, and a post-actuated state;

fig. 4A, 4B, 4C are top views of a metering pump according to a second embodiment in an unassembled open state, in an assembled closed state, and in an assembled closed state;

Fig. 5A, 5B, 5C are film bags according to a second embodiment, comprising the metering pump of fig. 4A to 4C, shown from the side, from the front and from the rear;

fig. 6 is a product dispenser according to the first embodiment with a foil pouch according to the third embodiment;

fig. 7A, 7B are cross-sectional views of the product dispenser of fig. 6, showing the mounting of an actuator for automatic actuation on one side and no actuator for manual actuation on the other side;

fig. 8A, 8B, 8C are top views of a metering pump according to a fourth embodiment in an unassembled open state, in an assembled closed state, and in an assembled closed state;

figures 9A, 9B are film bags according to a fourth embodiment with metering pumps of figures 8A to 8C shown from a front and rear view,

fig. 10A, 10B, 10C are fig. 8A in the film pouch of fig. 9A, 9B

A view of the metering pump of fig. 8C in an unactuated state, in an actuated state, and in a post-actuated state;

fig. 11A, 11B are product dispensers with the foil bags of fig. 9A to 10C according to a second embodiment;

fig. 12A, 12B, 12C are top and cross-sectional views of a dispensing pump according to a fifth embodiment in an unactuated state and an actuated state;

FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a metering pump;

fig. 14A, 14B are metering pumps with antibacterial inserts;

fig. 15A, 15B are metering pumps with leak-proof means;

fig. 16A, 16B are another metering pump with leak-proof means; and

fig. 17A, 17B, 17C are thin-walled containers with another metering pump.

To avoid unnecessary repetition, components of the same or similar functionality (even across different embodiments) are provided with the same reference numerals and are described only once unless their function and effect has become apparent from the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings. Therefore, differences between the embodiments will be emphasized in particular below.

Fig. 1 shows a metering pump 1, which is shown in fig. 1A in an open, unassembled state. Here, all elements of the metering pump 1 are designed and arranged without undercuts, so that the metering pump can be manufactured in one piece (as an integral part) in a two-part plastic injection mold. The metering pump 1 comprises a base part 2 (also referred to as the second part of the pump housing) and an upper part 3 (also referred to as the first part of the pump housing), which are connected to one another by a connecting element 4 (membrane hinge).

The base portion 2 includes: a pump chamber base 5 in which the first outlet channel 28 also opens into the outlet channel opening 6; and a valve chamber base 7 in which two through holes with associated seals or valve seats 8, 13 are arranged. The outer valve seat in the fluid connection may also be referred to as outlet valve seat 13. The inner (pump chamber side) valve seat is also referred to as an air valve seat 8. The recess 9 surrounds the pump chamber base 5 and the valve chamber base 7 so as to form two separate and closed profiles.

The foot 14 of the metering pump 1 is arranged in the front region of the base 2, which foot is to be welded to the inside of the container/foil pouch 100. The foot has on its outer surface a dispensing console 15, which is a kind of protrusion or beak, and a dispensing opening 16 from which the fluid product is dispensed.

The illustrated upper part 3 of the metering pump 1 comprises a pump diaphragm 17 (also referred to as pump dome hereinafter), wherein a filling opening 18 (also referred to as pump inlet) is arranged at the centre of the pump diaphragm. Further, the upper portion 3 includes a valve chamber cover 19, which is located at a position corresponding to the valve chamber base 7 in the base portion 2, in which an air valve 20 (or more precisely, a blocking portion 20 of the second outlet valve 35) supported in the air valve diaphragm 21 and an outlet valve 22 (or more precisely, a blocking portion 22 of the first outlet valve 34) supported in the outlet valve diaphragm are formed. Thus, the tongue 10 surrounds the pump diaphragm 17 and the valve chamber cover 19, so that two separate closed contours of the contour of the groove 9 of the base part 2 are again formed.

Fig. 1B shows the metering pump 1 in an assembled state, the upper part 3 being fixed to the base part 2 by the connection of the tongue 10 and the groove 9. Thereby, the air valve 20 is arranged in the air valve seat 8, and the outlet valve 22 is arranged in the outlet valve seat 13. The material connection of the groove 9 with the tongue 10 is achieved by means of an ultrasonic, laser or thermal welding process or by another type of engagement, such as form locking. As a result of the engagement of the groove 9 to the tongue 10, two volumes, namely, a pump chamber 11 and a valve chamber 12 (for example, as shown in fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C) are formed. The exterior of the pump diaphragm 17 also includes a relief crown 39 surrounding the fill opening 18 (also referred to hereinafter as the pump inlet). The relief crown has flow gaps 25 spaced apart from each other between each relief tooth 24. In addition, the weld area 26 is provided at the edge of the pump diaphragm 17 where the pump diaphragm 17 is welded to the top film 160 of the film bag 100. At the rear end of the metering pump 1, at least one additional flow gap 25 is further provided to allow an unobstructed flow of fluid from the main bag volume 162 towards the filling opening 18.

Fig. 1C shows the bottom side of the metering pump 1, which comprises: the first outlet passage 28 is a fluid connection portion connecting the outlet passage opening 6 of the pump chamber 11 to the air valve seat 8; and a second outlet channel 29 connected at one end to the outlet valve seat 13 and at the other end to the dispensing opening 16 (see fig. 3).

Although the dispensing opening is shown as a simple drip opening, a sponge or brush attachment may be provided in its place. This may be used to apply a liquid or flowable product to a surface for cleaning or coating purposes.

Alternatively, the dispensing opening 16 may be configured as a nozzle 32. This may be used, for example, to apply a liquid-like product as a spray to a large surface, such as a disinfectant solution or a solution for medical or technical applications.

Fig. 2 shows that the metering pump 1 is welded into the film pouch 100. Welded area 126 of film bag 100 is shown in phantom. The welding area 126 of the film pouch corresponds to the welding area of the metering pump 1.

Fig. 2A shows the front side of the film pouch 100. The metering pump 1 is welded inside the film pouch 100, i.e. between the upper film 160 and the lower film 161. Thus, the upper and lower films 160, 161 are bonded to the foot 14 of the metering pump at the weld area 126. The dispensing console 15 is disposed outside of the film bag 100. Island weld regions 126 are disposed along the periphery of the pump diaphragm 17, the island weld regions spot welding the upper membrane 160 to the upper portion 3 of the metering pump 1. A pressure relief channel is formed in the region between the welds.

In fig. 2B, the back side of the film pouch 100 is shown. It can be seen that a weld zone 126 is formed along the perimeter of the base 2, along the perimeter of the first outlet passage 28 and the perimeter of the second outlet passage 29, and is connected to the weld zone 26 of the foot 14 and to the weld zone 126 at the edge of the membrane bag 100. Thereby, the first outlet channel 28 and the second outlet channel 29 are separated from the bag main volume 62. Thus, the bottom film 61 serves as a wall for the first outlet channel 28 and the second outlet channel 29.

Alternatively, the film pouch 100 may form a mounting portion 170 in the weld region 26, as shown. For this purpose, tear lines or perforations are implemented in the weld area, dividing the weld area into (meandering) mounting strips 172. To use the mount 170, the mounting strap 172 is (manually) detached along the tear line 171, thereby forming a loop. This allows the film pouch 100 to be attached to, for example, clothing or other items. The length of the loop depends on the number of turns of the mounting strap.

Further, film bag 100 may also include holes 131 in weld area 126 for hanging film bag 100 in product dispenser 200 (see FIG. 6) or other mechanical or automated equipment.

Fig. 3 shows a simplified sectional view with a vertical sectional plane through the metering pump 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 3A shows the metering pump in an unactuated state, fig. 3B shows the metering pump 1 during actuation, and fig. 3C shows the state after actuation.

In fig. 3A, it can be seen that the pump chamber 11 is connected to the bag main volume 162 by means of a filling opening 18 (fluid-like communication). The air valve 20 is pressed against the air valve seat 8 by means of the restoring force of the air valve diaphragm 21 (or rather a spring/hinge bellows formed in the air valve diaphragm). This isolates the valve chamber 12 from the first outlet passage 28, which is connected to the pump chamber 11 via the outlet passage opening 6. Likewise, the outlet valve 22 is pressed against the outlet valve seat 13 by means of the restoring force of the outlet valve diaphragm 23, thereby isolating the valve chamber 12 from the second outlet channel 29.

In case of a non-directional pressure exerted on the foil pouch 100 from the outside, the pressurized fluid-like product from the pouch main volume 162 can enter the valve housing 12 through the now open air valve 35, after which the pressure in the valve housing 12 and the pressure in the pouch main volume 162 are equalized. Thereby, the blocking portion 22 of the outlet valve 34 is pressed into the outlet valve seat 13 under the restoring force of the outlet valve diaphragm 23 and under the pressure in the bag main volume 162, which reliably prevents the fluid-like product from leaking out of the diaphragm bag 100.

To apply the fluid-like product, the user now pushes the center of the reduced pressure crown 39 with his or her finger, a process shown in FIG. 3B. The upper membrane 160 is elastically deformed by the finger, thereby closing the filling opening 18 and separating the pump chamber 11 from the bag main volume 162.

As a result of the pressure increase in the pump chamber 11, fluid-like product is pumped out of the pump chamber 11, through the first outlet passage 28 and into the valve chamber 12 through the air valve 35, as a result of further pushing of the pump diaphragm 17. This creates a greater pressure in the valve housing 12 than in the bag main volume 162, which now also lifts the outlet valve diaphragm 23 upward, opening the outlet valve 34.

The fluid-like product now passes through the second outlet channel 29 and the dispensing opening 16 (also called pump outlet) to the outside, whereby it is applied. At the end of the dispensing operation, once the pressure in the valve housing 12 is equal to the pressure of the bag main volume 162, the air valve 35 and the outlet valve 34 are hermetically closed due to the restoring force of the air valve diaphragm 21 and the outlet valve diaphragm 23. The fluid-like product can no longer escape from the metering pump 1 and air can also not enter the metering pump 1. This is shown by fig. 3C. At the same time, the pump diaphragm 17 returns to its original shape due to its restoring force, thereby creating a negative pressure in the pump chamber 11, which draws in the next dose of fluid-like product from the bag main volume 62 through the filling opening 18. In this process, the relief crown 39 prevents the upper membrane 160 from adhering to the filling opening 18 during the filling process of the pump chamber 11 through the flow gap 25.

Furthermore, the pressure-reducing crown 39 serves to protect the metering pump 1 from unintentional actuation, for example in the case of its being located in a pocket. In the case of squeezing the pump diaphragm 17, the relief crown 39 prevents excessive pressure from building up in the pump chamber 11, since the filling opening 18 can only be sealed with a finger or the like.

Fill opening 18 is closed by simply purposefully pushing with a finger or pressure pin 201 of product dispenser 200 over the center of reduced pressure crown 39. In this case, the relief crown 39 also contributes to the tactile positioning of the correct point for starting the metering pump 1 with the fingers.

Fig. 4 and 5 show a second variant of a foil pouch 100 with a metering pump 1, in particular for metering smaller amounts, in particular for pharmaceutical or perfumery applications. Preferably, the single dose may comprise 10ml to 80ml, further preferably 20ml to 60ml.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the metering pump 1 essentially comprises the same components, has the same mode of operation and the same method of manufacture.

The second variation differs mainly in the arrangement, shape and size of the individual components. Further, the second modification has additional components such as a reinforcing frame 90 and an upstanding base 91.

The second embodiment of the metering pump 1 further comprises a base part 2 and a top part 3, which are connected to each other by means of a connecting element 4. On the base part 2, the pump chamber base 5 is formed with an opening 6 of a first outlet channel 28, wherein the recess 9 surrounds the pump chamber base 5.

At the rear end of the base portion 2, a reinforcing frame 90 having an upstanding base 91 is arranged. This allows the container 100 to be easily stored in an upright position.

A valve chamber base 7 is formed in the front of the base portion 2. Here, the valve chamber base 7 is configured as two rings which are arranged in the left and right corners of the base portion 2 and are connected by a valve chamber base passage 7 a. All chambers and fluid connections are profiled at their edges by grooves 9. The interior of one ring comprises the opening of the air valve seat 9 and the interior of the other ring comprises the opening of the outlet valve seat 13. This arrangement of the components allows the length of the metering pump 1 to be shortened.

Fig. 4A illustrates the assembly process. The two housing halves, which are injection molded as an integral part, are folded together and subsequently welded.

The front part of the base part 2 has a dispensing console 15 on which a nozzle 32 with a dispensing opening 16 is formed. The upper part 3 comprises a pump membrane 17 in which a filling opening 18 is centrally located. Furthermore, the upper part 3 comprises a valve chamber cover 19 with an air valve diaphragm 21, an outlet valve diaphragm, and a blocking part 20 of an air valve 35 and a blocking part 22 of an outlet valve 34. The tongue 10 surrounds all compartments, i.e. in particular all chambers and fluid connections. The shape of the tongue 10 is the same as the shape of the groove 9.

Fig. 4C shows a metering pump 1 of a foil pouch 100 with a bacteriostatic, bactericidal or antifungal element 92, in particular for a pharmaceutical fluid for which sterile storage is desired before and after opening the supply contained in the foil pouch 100.

The element (insert) comprises a surface that may have an alloy of silver, copper and zinc, for example having a copper content of between about 1% and 9% and a zinc content of about 1%. The element 92 exhibits good antimicrobial activity.

Fig. 5A shows a side view of the metering pump 1 of fig. 4 in a film pouch 100. The bag main volume 162 surrounded by the reinforcing frame 90 is formed by welding the upper film 160 to the upper edge of the metering pump 1 and welding the lower film 161 to the lower edge of the metering pump 1. The upstanding base 91 allows the film bag 100 to stand upright. For example, upright containers are commonly used in the perfume industry and in the personal cleaning and care product industry.

Fig. 5B shows the same foil pouch 100 with the metering pump 1 seen from the front, and thus fig. 5C correspondingly shows the same foil pouch 100 with the metering pump 1 seen from the rear. The weld areas 26, 126 are again indicated as dashed areas. On the rear side (in fig. 5C), the opening 6 of the first outlet channel 28 can be regarded as a through-hole. Thus, the first outlet passage 28 connects the air valve 35 to the pump chamber 11. The first outlet channel 28 is designed as a groove in the pump housing and is welded circumferentially to the membrane of the membrane bag on the open side. The second outlet channel 29 connecting the outlet valve 34 with the dispensing opening 16 is also surrounded by the weld zone 26 and is thus covered or sealed by a foil. The placement (and/or length) of the dispensing console 15 and the dispensing direction of the dispensing opening 16 may be adapted to the application.

In fig. 6 another film pouch 100 with a metering pump 1 and an associated product dispenser 200 are shown.

In addition to the features already described, the metering pump 1 has at least one mounting region 30 for mounting in a corresponding mount 214 of the product dispenser 200 for a snap-fit or latching connection. The mounting area 30 comprises two snap tabs, but snap lugs, protrusions and/or edges for engagement from behind may also be provided. The arrangement and number of fasteners will be chosen according to the application. Thereby, the metering pump is positioned and held in the product dispenser.

The film pouch 100 also has two hanging eyes 131 by which the film pouch can also be hung/secured on corresponding hooks 205 in the product dispenser 200. Also, the location and number are selected according to the application.

The latching tab of the fastening region 30 is part of the base part 2 of the metering pump 1. When the metering pump 1 is welded between the upper and lower films 160, 161, a through-cut is formed in the region of the latching tabs of both films. In the process, the weld area 126 surrounds the latch tab from both sides, which ensures sealing of the film pouch 100.

Due to this additional possibility of mechanical attachment, a properly equipped film bag 100 may not only be used manually, but may also be used in dispenser housings (e.g., hygienic dispensers, soap dispensers) and/or automatic machines and mechanisms that apply dosing to fluid-like products from primary packages. Embodiments include automatic cleaning devices (washing machines or dishwashers), automatic food dispensers, and/or automatic beverage preparation machines.

Fig. 6 further illustrates the process of securing the film bag 100 with the metering pump 1 in the product dispenser 200.

The product dispenser 200 is provided for holding the film pouch 100 and allows manual actuation of the metering pump 1 from the outside by means of a finger and automatic non-contact actuation of the metering pump 1 by means of an automatic actuator 300.

The product dispenser includes: a dispenser housing base 207 and a dispenser housing cover 206, which are connected to each other by a film hinge. This allows the complete product dispenser to be manufactured in one piece in an open state with a (only two-piece) plastic injection mold.

Inside the dispenser housing base 207 is arranged: hooks 205 for hanging the film bag 100; and a lower portion of the mounting 214 into which the metering pump 1 engages. In this regard, the mount 214 includes a metering pump mount 208 and an associated metering pump fixture 209. The dispenser housing cover 206 includes: a wedge 210 corresponding to the metering pump clamp 209; and a diaphragm mounted button 211 with a push pin 201.

The metering pump housing includes at least one mounting area 30 for engaging the snap-fit connection. In this regard, the fastening region 30 includes at least one rear engagement edge, snap tab, and/or snap tab.

The film bag 100 is secured in the dispenser housing 204 by hanging the hanging lugs 131 on the hooks 205 of the product dispenser 200 and the metering pump 1 is placed on the metering pump fixture 209 with the latching lugs of the fastening region 30 up to the stop in the metering pump seat 208.

Fig. 7A shows the attachment of the metering pump 1 in detail in a sectional view. When the dispenser housing cover 206 is closed, the wedge 210 enters the latching tabs of the mounting area 30 and flexes the metering pump clamp 209 so that the metering pump 1 is securely fixed in the mount 214 and substantially free of play. For manual operation of the metering pump 1 installed in the product dispenser, a button 211 is provided. By pressing the button 211, the push pin 201 depresses the pump dome 17, thereby actuating the metering pump 1.

Alternatively, the product dispenser 200 may be equipped with an actuator 300 for non-contact activation of the metering pump 1.

The actuator 300 includes a battery and a servo drive that can move the plunger 301 back and forth. In addition, the actuator 300 includes a sensor 302 for detecting a hand. The sensor 302 may be, for example, a brightness sensor, a light barrier sensor, a distance sensor, or the like. Actuator 300 is mounted in mount 208 of product dispenser 200. This is accomplished by securely fastening the actuator 300 in the pawl 212 of the dispenser housing base 207.

In order for the plunger 301 of the actuator 300 to actuate the metering pump 1, the film pouch 100 is secured in the product dispenser 200 in an inverted position with the pump dome 17 on the side of the actuator 300. Thus, the button 211 for manual operation is not active.

In the context of fig. 8 to 17, the foregoing will be restated in other words. However, the basic idea and method of operation are the same and need not be laboriously applied to all embodiments.

Fig. 8A shows the metering pump according to the fourth embodiment in an unassembled open state. In fig. 8B, a top view of the metering pump in an assembled closed state.

The metering pump comprises a pump housing having a pump chamber 11, a pump inlet 18 and a pump outlet 16. The pump chamber 11 is defined by a pump chamber base 5 and an elastically deformable pump dome 17. The pump housing is joined by a first pump housing part 3 and a second pump housing part 2. The pump dome 17 is a component of the first pump housing part 3 and the pump chamber base 5 is a component of the second pump housing part 2.

All elements of the metering pump 1 are arranged and constructed such that the metering pump 1 can be manufactured in one piece by plastic injection moulding, thermoforming or other processes. When the first and second pump housing parts are folded together, the blocking portion 22 of the outlet valve 34 is positioned in the sealing seat 13 of the outlet valve and the blocking portion 43 of the inlet valve 33 is positioned in the sealing seat 44 of the inlet valve 33. The tongue 10 and groove 9 ensure the correct placement of the upper section 3 and the lower section 2. The entire structure is very thin-walled and thus saves material.

The first pump housing part 3 and the second pump housing part 2 together form an integral part and are connected by a membrane hinge 4. The integral part is free of undercuts in a defined demolding direction, so that the integral part can be manufactured using a two-part injection mold.

To assemble the metering pump 1, the two parts are folded together and welded together in the joining region using ultrasound or heat treatment. Alternatively, the connection may be made by a secure lock.

The first pump housing part 3 and the second pump housing part 2 have a uniform alignment geometry 9, 10. In addition to proper positioning, the groove 9 and tongue 10 can also be used to hermetically seal the working and valve chambers. If desired, the gap may be sealed with a sealant without the housing components being welded.

Fig. 8C shows a bottom view of the metering pump in an assembled closed state.

The blocking portion 43 of the inlet valve 33 is resiliently supported on the second pump housing part 2 by ribs 46 (optionally by a plurality of ribs). The production-induced opening below the blocking portion 43 is closed by a circumferentially welded lower foil 161 of the foil pouch 100.

The pump housing further comprises at least one groove 28 constructed and arranged to at least sectionally form a fluid connection between the pump chamber 11 and the pump outlet 16.

Fig. 9A, 9B show a film pouch according to a fourth embodiment with the metering pump of fig. 8A to 8C, seen from the front and from the rear. The metering pump 1 has its base 14 welded between the foils 160, 161. The foil may have visual or tactile indicia to inform the user of the position of the pump dome 17 to facilitate handling.

Thus, the metering pump 1 is arranged in the film pouch 100 and welded thereto. It is particularly advantageous if the container 100 and the metering pump 1 are made of the same or similar thermoplastic materials.

Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C show the metering pump of fig. 8A to 8C in the foil pouch of fig. 9A, 9B in an unactuated state, an actuated state, and a post-actuated state.

The metering pump 1 comprises an outlet valve 34 which is arranged in the fluid connection from the pump chamber 11 to the pump outlet 16 and is configured as a check valve. The outlet valve 34 has a blocking portion 22 with a convex sealing surface and a sealing seat 13 corresponding to the blocking portion 22. In this respect the blocking portion 22 is an integral part of the first pump housing part 3, but it may also be a part of the second pump housing part 2. The corresponding seal seat 13 is an integral part of the other pump housing part 3, 2.

The pump inlet 18 is arranged outside the pump chamber 11. The metering pump 1 comprises an inlet valve 33 which is arranged in the fluid connection from the pump inlet 18 to the pump chamber 11 and which is formed as a check valve.

In fig. 10A, an unactuated state is shown. The outlet valve 34 is kept closed by the biasing force of the valve diaphragm and/or the spring/seal bellows 23 and the pressure in the container/bag 100, in any case the pressurized area on the side of the bag/bag main volume 162 is larger than the pressurized area on the side of the valve/valve housing 12. It is reasonable to assume that the pressure in the pump chamber 11 in the unactuated state is equal to or lower than the pressure in the bag main volume 162. It is further reasonable to assume that the pressure in the valve chamber 12 is equal to or lower than the pressure in the pump chamber 11. The inlet valve 33 balances the pressure in the direction of the pump chamber 11, and the pressure in the valve housing 12 becomes greater than the pressure in the bag main volume 162.

It can be readily seen that the blocking portion 22 of the outlet valve 34 has a spring and/or sealing bellows 23 extending around the convex sealing surface. The sealing seat 13 of the outlet valve 34 also has an annular rib 45 corresponding to the sealing bellows 23. When the outlet valve 34 is closed, the rib abuts the blocking portion 22 in the seal bellows 23.

The outlet valve 34 also has an outlet valve opening 36 having a circumferential bead 37 and an annular channel 38 disposed outside the bead 37. These components in combination with the base plate 161 form another check valve 35 in the fluid connection from the pump chamber 11 to the pump outlet 16.

Fig. 10B shows an actuated state, i.e. the pump dome 17 is depressed. Due to the inlet valve 33, the pressure cannot escape in the direction of the main volume of the bag, but only in the direction of the pump outlet 16. When actuated, liquid enters the outlet valve chamber. The pressure of the outlet valve chamber becomes greater than the pressure in the main chamber volume 162 above it, causing the outlet valve 33 to open and fluid to drain into the outlet passage.

Fig. 10C shows a state after the pump dome 17 is depressed.

The pump dome 17 returns to its original shape due to the restoring force/elasticity, thereby creating a (slight) negative pressure in the pump chamber 17. The outlet valve bead 37 keeps the system free of air because the lower membrane is sucked towards the outlet valve bead during fluid withdrawal, blocking the air path. At the same time, the outlet valve 34 is closed. The inlet valve 33 opens releasing new fluid into the pump chamber 17. The relief crown 39 serves to prevent the upper membrane from closing the inlet port 18 when it is pulled toward the inlet port 18 by flow/vacuum.

The relief crown 39 includes a plurality of relief teeth 24.

Fig. 11A, 11B illustrate a product dispenser 200 according to a second embodiment having an exemplary foil pouch as shown in fig. 9A-10C. Product dispenser 200 includes hanging eye 215 at the rear. In addition, an adhesive tape 216 suitable for adhesive connection may be provided on the rear side.

The product dispenser 200 further includes: mounts 205, 209 for securing the container 100 with the metering pump 1; and a flexibly supported push pin 201 for manually actuating the metering pump 1.

In addition, the product dispenser 200 has an actuator seat 212 for receiving a motor-driven actuator 300 for automatic actuation of the metering pump 1.

The housing of the product dispenser 200 is injection molded as one piece. The front and rear sides are connected by a membrane hinge.

The complete system includes product dispenser 200 and container 100. Optionally, the system further comprises a motor driven actuator 300 in the container 100 for automatically actuating the metering pump 1.

Fig. 12A, 12B, 12C show the metering pump 1 according to the fifth embodiment in an unactuated and actuated state in a top view as well as in a cross-sectional view.

The pump inlet 18 is arranged centrally in the pump dome 17. The metering pump 1 is actuated by purposeful finger presses or flexible objects pressing onto the centre of the decompression crown. The fingertip or flexible object pushes the upper membrane 160 down into the inlet opening 18 and closes it.

This embodiment is used in situations where accidental actuation is particularly undesirable, such as in a handbag. In addition, the metering pump may also act as a child lock. The restoring force of the pump dome 17 may be adjusted so that the child's finger cannot push it down.

The pump dome 17 has a plurality of concentrically arranged spring bellows 40. Further, a plurality of relief teeth 24 are provided on the pump dome 17. The relief teeth 24 are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals.

The pump inlet 18 has a relief crown 39. The relief crown 39 includes a plurality of relief teeth 24 configured to be spaced apart from one another in an annular fashion about the pump inlet 18 such that two adjacent relief teeth 24 form respective relief passages 25. After actuation, the pressure-reducing crown 39 and the pressure-reducing channel 25 formed by it ensure that the upper film 160 does not adhere to the metering pump 1, which would interrupt the volumetric flow in the direction of the pump inlet 18. In the variant described here, the pump inlet 18 is centrally located on the pump dome 17. In this regard, the relief teeth 24 on the pump dome 17 may also be understood as part of the relief crown 39.

Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of a metering pump 1 in a foil pouch 100. The inlet valve 33 is located on both sides of the outlet valve 34. The inlet valve may be positioned as desired. The larger amount enables easier filling of the pump chamber 11, which is particularly advantageous for higher viscosity products. The reinforcing frame 90 is manufactured integrally with the metering pump 1. Furthermore, the metering pump 1 features an integral upstanding base 91. Although lacking primarily in the stability of the film pouch 100, the film pouch shown herein may be stored in an upright position.

Fig. 14A, 14B show a metering pump 1 with an antimicrobial insert. In other words, the pump housing of the metering pump has bacteriostatic, bactericidal and/or antifungal elements 92 arranged in the fluid connection from the pump chamber 11 to the pump outlet 16.

The metering pump has a further non-return valve 35 in the fluid connection from the pump chamber 11 to the pump outlet 16. The other check valve 35 is an additional check valve in series fluid communication with the outlet valve 34. The other check valve 35 has substantially the same construction as the outlet valve 34.

In fig. 15A, 15B, a metering pump with a leakage prevention device 41 is shown. The leakage prevention means is arranged to seal the fluid connection between the pump chamber 11 and the pump outlet 16. In this regard, the leakage prevention device 41 is configured and positioned such that it can be removed, loosened, or mechanically broken by a user to release the fluid connection. In the illustrative embodiment, the plug exits from the outlet port 28 and remains in a position to allow fluid flow.

Fig. 16A, 16B show a further metering pump 1 with a leakage protection device 41, wherein a part of the welding film is used to cover the pump outlet 16.

Fig. 17A, 17B, 17C show a thin-walled container with a further metering pump 1. This variation should no longer be referred to as a film pouch due to the greater material thickness and resulting material stiffness of the container 100.

Due to the higher rigidity, a resilient region is provided in the container in order to enable airless emptying of the container 100 with a concomitant reduction in volume. Thus, in one region of the container 100, a plurality of circumferential hinge corrugations are incorporated into the wall to provide sufficient displacement. The hinge corrugations may be distinguished from the spring corrugations by a reduced cross section of material in the bending region and/or may be bistable. The pump chamber base 5 may optionally have one or more stiffening curls.

Claims (15)

1. A metering pump for integration into a container, the metering pump comprising a pump housing defining a pump chamber and having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, wherein the pump chamber is defined by a pump chamber base and an elastically deformable pump dome, and wherein the pump housing is formed of at least a first pump housing portion and a second pump housing portion, wherein the pump dome is a component of the first pump housing portion and the pump chamber base is a component of the second pump housing portion.

2. Metering pump according to claim 1, wherein the first pump housing part and the second pump housing part together form a one-piece component and are connected by a film hinge, in particular wherein the one-piece component has no undercut in a defined direction for demolding.

3. Metering pump according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an outlet valve having a blocking portion and a sealing seat corresponding to the blocking portion, wherein the outlet valve is arranged in a fluid connection from the pump chamber to the pump outlet and is formed as a check valve, in particular wherein the blocking portion has a convex sealing surface, preferably wherein the blocking portion is an integral part of the first pump housing portion or the second pump housing portion, and the sealing seat is an integral part of the respective other pump housing portion.

4. A metering pump according to claim 3, wherein the blocking portion of the outlet valve comprises a circumferential spring corrugation and/or a sealing corrugation, in particular wherein the sealing seat of the outlet valve comprises an annular ridge corresponding to the sealing corrugation, and wherein the ridge abuts the blocking portion in the sealing corrugation when the outlet valve is closed.

5. A metering pump according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the outlet valve comprises an outlet valve opening having a circumferential outlet valve bead and an annular channel arranged outside the outlet valve bead.

6. Metering pump according to any of claims 3 to 5, comprising a further check valve in the fluid connection from the pump chamber to the pump outlet, in particular wherein the further check valve is an additional check valve arranged in series with the outlet valve.

7. A metering pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the pump inlet comprises a pressure relief crown having a plurality of pressure relief teeth annularly shaped around the pump inlet and spaced apart such that a pressure relief channel is formed between two adjacent pressure relief teeth.

8. Metering pump according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump dome comprises at least one circumferential spring corrugation, in particular wherein the pump dome comprises a plurality of concentrically arranged spring corrugations, and/or wherein the pump dome comprises a plurality of relief teeth, in particular wherein the relief teeth are arranged on the pump dome at regular intervals from each other.

9. A metering pump according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump housing comprises at least one groove constructed and arranged to form, at least in sections, a fluid connection between the pump inlet and the pump chamber and/or between the pump chamber and the pump outlet.

10. A metering pump according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump housing comprises at least one fastening portion for engaging a snap connection, in particular wherein the fastening portion comprises a latching tab, a latching lug and/or an edge for engagement.

11. A dosing pump according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump housing comprises at least a bacteriostatic, bactericidal and/or antifungal element arranged in a fluid connection from the pump chamber to the pump outlet.

12. A metering pump according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a leakage prevention device, wherein the leakage prevention device is adapted to seal a fluid connection between the pump chamber and the pump outlet, further wherein the leakage prevention device is constructed and arranged to be removed, released or mechanically broken by a user to unseal the fluid connection.

13. Container comprising a metering pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular wherein the metering pump is arranged within and welded to the container, preferably wherein the container and the metering pump are composed of the same or similar thermoplastic material.

14. A product dispenser for receiving a container having a metering pump according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the product dispenser comprises: a holding member for fixing the container; a flexibly mounted push pin for manually actuating the metering pump; and/or an actuator seat for receiving a motor-driven actuator for automatically actuating the metering pump.

15. A system comprising the product dispenser of claim 14 and the container of claim 13, optionally wherein the system comprises a motor-driven actuator for automatically actuating the metering pump of the container.