Abstract:
The invention relates to a dispenser ( 1 ) for fluid to paste-like matters (M), having a pump chamber ( 20 ) comprising at least one outlet valve ( 28 ), a storage chamber ( 2 ), and a flow path ( 2 ) connecting the storage chamber ( 2 ) to the outlet valve ( 28 ), wherein a transport safeguard device is provided in order to avoid a discharge of the matter during transport. In order to advantageously configure a dispenser of the type in question with respect to the transport safeguard device, the invention provides that the flow path (W) to the transit safeguard device can be locked.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage of PCT/EP2008/057003 filed on Jun. 5, 2008, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No. 10 2007 027 889.8 filed on Jun. 18, 2007. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a dispenser for fluid to pasty masses, having a pump chamber that has at least one outlet valve, a storage chamber, and a flow path that connects the storage chamber with the outlet valve, whereby a transport safeguard device is provided to avoid exit of mass during transport. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Dispensers of the type in question are known. In order to prevent exit of the mass being stored in them during transport, such dispensers are provided with a transport safeguard device that prevents movement of the pump head, for example, or blocks the dispensing channel of the pump head, as another example. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the state of the art described above, a technical problem of the invention is seen in configuring a dispenser of the type in question in particularly advantageous manner with regard to the transport safeguard device. 
     This problem is solved, first of all and essentially, by means of the object of claim  1 , whereby the main approach is that the flow path between the storage chamber and the outlet valve is blocked as a transport safeguard. As a result of this configuration, the pump head, i.e. dispensing head can remain freely mobile, in the manner of activation. However, such activation does not lead to dispensing of mass, at least not of mass contained in the storage chamber. By means of the block in the region of the flow path, no mass can be drawn in from the pump chamber as the result of activation of the pump. 
     In the following, characteristics are described that preferably have importance in combination with the characteristics of claim  1 , but can fundamentally have importance also with only a few characteristics of claim  1 , or alone. 
     For example, in a further development of the object of the invention, it is provided that the flow path is composed, in terms of components, of a part that is fixed relative to the storage chamber and a part that is movable relative to the storage chamber. These parts can be displaced relative to one another, in order to provide the transport safeguard and to cancel out the transport safeguard. The part of the flow path that is movable relative to the storage chamber is accessible from the outside for the user. Thus, in a further development of the object of the invention, the movable part is movable in a horizontal plane, furthermore preferably in a plane directed crosswise to the flow path expanse. Accordingly, the movable part can be displaceable in the manner of a slide, for example, in the horizontal plane, from the part that is fixed relative to the storage chamber, in order to interrupt the flow path. In this regard, an embodiment in which the movable part is rotationally movable, furthermore preferably rotationally movable about a flow path axis, is preferred. 
     The movable part is furthermore movable so as to be limited with a stop, thus furthermore particularly between two stops that define the transport safeguard, on the one hand, and the cancellation of the transport safeguard, on the other hand, and thus the free operating state of the dispenser. By means of the stops, the user is given an aid for finding the operating states of the dispenser, in each instance. The stops can furthermore also be visible to the user. Alternatively, the outer mantle of the dispenser, particularly the dispenser head and a handle that acts on the movable part of the flow path, can have orientation aids in the form of crosspieces or the like, for example. Thus, for example, crosspieces of the fixed dispenser head part and of the handle that are positioned on top of one another in projection can signal release of the dispenser. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the object of the invention, it is provided that a hole pattern is formed in the movable part and in the fixed part, in each instance, whereby the hole patterns can be moved into a position in which they are not aligned with one another, in order to achieve the transport safeguard. In the transport safeguard position, the hole patterns lie in coverage with a closed section of the opposite part, thereby interrupting the flow path. Only by the displacement of the movable part into a position in which the hole patterns of the movable part and of the fixed part lie in coverage, the flow path is opened and dispensing of mass from the storage chamber can be achieved. 
     In the simplest manner, the movable part and the fixed part can have separating bottoms directed towards one another and crosswise to the flow path axis, which are provided with perforations that can be brought into coverage with one another. In this connection, the regions that are adjacent to the perforations in the direction of rotation of the movable part are selected to be so large, in terms of area, that the openings of the fixed part are completely covered after corresponding rotation of the movable part, to interrupt the flow paths. In this regard, a configuration in which the hole pattern of the movable part is formed by one or more vertical grooves, and the hole pattern of the fixed part is formed by one of more bore-like openings is preferred. For this purpose, the fixed part can have a flow path section that surrounds the bore-like openings and accommodates the movable flow path part on its inside wall, particularly the end section provided with the vertical grooves. The vertical grooves can correspondingly be configured as grooves that are open radially to the outside. By means of rotational displacement of the movable part, the vertical grooves can be brought into coverage with the openings of the fixed part, in order to cancel out the transport safeguard, or can be brought into a position in which they do not align with one another, in order to provide the transport safeguard. 
     In a further development of the object of the invention, a pump chamber inlet valve is provided between pump chamber and storage chamber, whereby furthermore, the movable part forms a valve seat for the inlet valve on the pump chamber side. In this connection, the movable part can preferably be rotated relative to the inlet valve, in order to cancel out or create the transport safeguard. Alternatively, however, the inlet valve can also be disposed so as to rotate with it. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the pump chamber is formed by a pump chamber bellows and that the movable part is movable relative to the pump chamber bellows. The pump chamber bellows can integrally form the inlet valve, as is furthermore preferred, for example furthermore particularly in the region of a bellows bottom that is assigned to the movable part of the flow path. 
     For activation of the movable part, the latter has a sleeve section on the outside of the dispenser head, in a further development, for activation or re-activation of the transport safeguard. This ring-shaped sleeve section, which is accessible from the outside, is accordingly connected with the movable part so as to rotate with it, and is rotationally movable relative to the dispenser head and furthermore also relative to the storage chamber, so as to be limited by a stop. In this regard, it can furthermore be provided that the sleeve section can also be grasped in a cap-covered position of the dispenser head and rotated accordingly. Thus, the transport safeguard can even be activated if a cover cap is set over the dispenser head. 
     The stop-limited end rotation positions of the movable part, i.e. of the sleeve section on the outside of the dispenser head, can furthermore also be provided with a catch that can easily be overcome, which catch can only be intentionally cancelled out. Furthermore, in the region of the rotationally movable parts, furthermore, for example, in the region between sleeve section and dispenser head, a tear-off safeguard can be provided, which must be intentionally removed before first-time activation of the dispenser, in order to cancel out the transport safeguard. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The storage chamber can be part of a separate tube that is connected with the fixed part with a catch connection or screw connection. Such a tube generally consists of a soft plastic with a hard plastic section that faces the fixed part of the dispenser, for fixing it in place with a catch connection or screw connection. Alternatively, the storage chamber can also be part of a shape-stable container. 
       In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail using the attached drawing, which shows only an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: 
         FIG. 1  a longitudinal cross-sectional representation through a dispenser of the type in question, in the cap closure position, and with the transport safeguard activated; 
         FIG. 2  the section along the line II-II in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  the enlargement of the region III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  a representation that corresponds to  FIG. 1 , but after cancellation of the transport safeguard; 
         FIG. 5  the section along the line V-V in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  the enlargement of the region VI in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  the dispenser in a longitudinal cross-sectional exploded representation; 
         FIG. 8  the parts of the dispenser that form the transport safeguard in a perspective, partly sectional individual representation; 
         FIG. 9  an alternative embodiment of the connection region of the dispenser to a container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , first of all, a dispenser  1  is shown and described, which is provided for dispensing a fluid to pasty mass M, for example a cream or the like. 
     The dispenser  1 , which is shaped approximately in cylinder shape and has a circular cross-section, possesses a storage container  3  that forms a storage chamber  2 , which container is configured as a separate tube  4  in the exemplary embodiment shown. 
     At the same time, the dispenser  1  has a dispenser head  5  configured as a pump head, which in turn is disposed on the dispenser  1  in telescoping manner, for removal of the mass M to be dispensed. 
     Thus, it is provided that the dispenser head  5  interacts in telescoping manner with a part  6  that is immovable in the direction of expanse of the dispenser axis x. For this purpose, it is furthermore provided that the dispenser head  5 , in its lower region, has a wall section  7  that is enlarged in diameter in the circumference direction and configured in step shape in cross-section, which section in turn is guided by the inside wall of a cavity  8  of the part  6  during pump activation of the dispenser head  5 . In order to axially secure the dispenser head  5  in the cavity  8  of the part  6 , it is provided that the opening edge  9  of the cavity  8  becomes narrower inward toward the cavity, and interacts with a step  10  of the wall section  7 , to form a block. 
     As is furthermore evident, the dispenser head  5  surrounds a transition part  11  that is firmly positioned in the dispenser head  5  and disposed centered around the dispenser axis x, whereby the attachment between the dispenser head  5  and the transition part  11  is undertaken by means of a catch connection, not shown in any detail. The neck  12  of the transition part  11 , which neck is configured in step shape, projects into an accommodation opening  13  disposed in the upper region of the dispenser head  5  and configured in circular shape, which opening in turn interacts with the outer wall of the neck  12  with its inner wall, forming a seal. The edge face surface of the accommodation opening  13  supports itself in planar manner on a correspondingly adapted step  14 , against which the neck  12  is rooted. Because of this and because of the catch connection, the transition part  11  is captured within the dispenser head  5 , about the dispenser axis x, so that accordingly, the transition part  11  follows and accompanies the axial displacement of the dispenser head  5  that results from pump activation of the dispenser head  5 . 
     In non-use position, the dispenser head  5  is covered by a protective cap  15  in accordance with the representation in  FIG. 1 . This cap is provided on its foot side, i.e. in the region of its opening edge, with a catch ring  16  that runs circumferentially on the inside, for catch interaction with a corresponding ring-shaped catch accommodation  17  of the dispenser part  6 , i.e. of a sleeve section  18  fixed in place on the outer wall of the part  6 , so as to rotate with it. 
     Furthermore, a pump chamber bellows  19  that interacts with the transition part  11  and is positioned centered about the dispenser axis x is disposed within the dispenser head  5 . This bellows forms a pump chamber  20  in the interior. When the dispenser head  5  is activated in the pump direction r (after removal of the protective cap  15 ), the pump chamber bellows  19  is compressed in usual manner, storing energy, and thus also makes the required reset force for the dispenser head  5  available. 
     In vertical section, the pump chamber bellows  19  is configured to run in a zigzag, but as a horizontal cross-section would show, it is structured to be fundamentally circular. This is preferably a plastic injection-molded part made of a corresponding soft elastic plastic. Within the pump chamber  20 , on the foot side, the pump chamber bellows  19  possesses an integral inlet valve  21 , disposed in centered manner, whose axially subordinate interaction part, which forms an inlet opening  22 , is formed by a bottom  23  of the dispenser part  6 . 
     In a further detail, the dispenser part  6  forms a support base  24  that projects from the bottom  23 , in which the foot region F of the pump chamber bellows  19  sits on the underside, specifically in interaction with the inner wall of the support base  24 , which is configured in circular shape. In this region, the pump chamber bellows  19  is not configured in the manner of a bellows, but rather with a solid wall that has a reinforced cross-section in the overlap region with the support base  24 . 
     Surrounded by the support base  24 , the pump chamber bellows  19 , i.e. its foot region F, sits on the floor  23 . In this connection, both the foot region F and the inlet valve  21  of the pump chamber bellows  19  are disposed concentrically about the inlet opening  22  of the bottom  23 . On the outlet side, the inlet opening  22  makes a transition into two concentric rings  25  and  26 . The outer surface of the inner ring  26  interacts with a concentric lip  27  of the inlet valve  21 , forming a seal. 
     At the top in the dispenser head  5 , there is an outlet valve  28  disposed concentrically about the dispenser axis x, which is configured as a soft elastic plastic part. The outlet valve  28  sits in a channel  29  of the transition part  11 , which channel is configured in funnel shape and runs axially. By way of the cylindrical outer wall of the channel  29 , the transition part  11  sits firmly in a holder section  30  of a second adapter part  31 , which section is concentrically disposed and configured to be circular. The adapter part  31  interacts with the transition part  11  by way of a collar  32  that surrounds the holder section  30  and is enlarged in diameter, in such a manner that the pump chamber bellows  19  is fixed in place between the collar  32  and a corresponding support surface of the transition part  11 , by way of an upper collar  33 , by means of being clamped in, for which purpose clamping crosspieces  34  are furthermore provided on the inside wall of a transition part section that concentrically surrounds the collar  32  of the adapter part  31  and the collar  33  of the pump chamber bellows  19 . 
     The outlet valve  28  interacts with an opening section  35  of the channel  29 , which section widens in funnel shape, forming a seal. 
     The outlet opening formed in this way stands in connection with a dispensing channel  36  that is oriented crosswise to the dispenser axis x. 
     The connection of the dispenser head  5  with the storage container  3  takes place by way of another dispenser part  37 , by means of a screw connection provided between the storage container  3  and the dispenser part  37 , in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 to 6 . For this purpose, the neck of the storage container  3  is provided with an outside thread  38 . This interacts with an inside thread  39  of a section of the dispenser part  37  that is placed in pot-like manner over the neck of the storage container  3 . The pot section is open toward the bottom, whereby in the screwed-on position according to  FIG. 1 , the opening edge of the pot section  40  acts against a twist-open safeguard  41  that is provided on the container side. 
     The neck  42  of the storage container  3  is provided with a closure cover  43  that is oriented crosswise to the dispenser axis x, which cover has a passage opening  44  centrally, coaxially to the axis x. This cover  43  is covered by a bottom section  45  of the second dispenser part  37 , which lies on it in planar manner, which bottom  45  makes a transition, outside the pot section  40 , into a collar  46  that surrounds the first dispenser part  6 , guiding it. Approximately in the transition region of the bottom  45  into the collar  46 , a step  47  is formed on, radially on the outside, followed by a cuff section  48  that surrounds the pot section  40  and widens in funnel shape toward the bottom. 
     The first dispenser part  6  sits on the free face surface of the collar  46 , which faces upward, with a radial collar  49 , and can be rotated relative to the fixed second dispenser part  37 , about the dispenser axis x. For handling the rotation, the first dispenser part  6  is provided with the sleeve section  18  on the outside of the dispenser head. This section is connected with the part  6  so as to rotate with it, in the region of the section of the part  6  that extends above the radial collar  49 , by way of a gear mechanism, not shown, and extends, surrounding the radial collar  49 , in mantle-like manner, surrounding the collar  46  of the fixed dispenser part  37 , all the way to the step  47  on the dispenser side. By way of a circumferential bead  50  provided on the inside of the wall, which bead engages into a correspondingly positioned ring accommodation  51  of the collar  46 , a pull-off safeguard is achieved, while allowing free rotational mobility of the movable part  6  relative to the dispenser part  37 . 
     The step-like section of the sleeve section  18  that covers the step  47  represents the support surface for the related edge of the protective cap  15 . 
     The bottom  23  of the first dispenser part  6  is spaced apart from the bottom  45  of the fixed dispenser part  37 . For this purpose, a hollow journal  52  is provided facing the bottom  23  of the first movable part  6 , on the bottom  45  of the second, fixed part  37 , which journal has an inside diameter that is adapted to the diameter of the passage opening  44  of the storage container  3 . Toward the top, the hollow journal  52  is reduced in outside diameter, while the inside diameter remains the same. This reduced section  53  engages into a correspondingly positioned ring groove  54  of the bottom  23 . The interior of the hollow journal  52  as well as the inlet opening  22  configured ahead of the inlet valve  21  in the bottom  23 , in the flow direction of the mass M, form a common flow path W oriented coaxial to the dispenser axis x. 
     In the movable part  6 , in concrete terms in a continuation  55  that projects downward into the hollow journal  52  on the bottom side, as well as on the fixed part  37 , in concrete terms in the region of the region of the bottom  45  assigned to the hollow journal  52 , hole patterns L, L′ are provided, in order to achieve a transport safeguard. Particularly in the representation in  FIG. 6 , the hole patterns L and L′ can be clearly seen, in each instance. 
     Thus, the hole pattern L of the movable part  6  is formed by vertical grooves  56  formed on the continuation  55 , on the outside wall. These grooves extend over an axial height that approximately corresponds to the distance between the bottoms  23  and  45  of the two parts  37  relative to one another. The two vertical grooves  56  lie diametrically opposite and are configured to be open radially toward the outside and on the bottom side, i.e. in the region of the free end of the continuation  55 . Above the continuation bottom  57 , the vertical grooves  56  stand in connection with the channel-like flow path W, i.e. with the inlet opening  22 , by way of crosswise openings  65 . 
     The hole pattern L′ of the fixed part  37  is formed by two diametrically opposite, axially oriented bore-like openings  58 , in the bottom region surrounded by the hollow journal  52 . 
     By means of rotational displacement of the parts  6  and  37  relative to one another, about the dispenser axis x, the hole patterns L and L′, i.e. the vertical grooves  56  and openings  58 , can be brought into coverage, so that the flow path W is opened to allow the mass M to pass through. This mass M enters into the pump chamber  20 , when the dispenser head is activated, through the bores  58  of the fixed part  37  and the vertical grooves  56  that are oriented with them, through the inlet opening  22 , when the inlet valve  21  is opened. 
     In order to achieve a transport safeguard, the rotationally movable part  6  is rotated by way of the sleeve section  18  connected so as to rotate with it, for example further by 90°, so that afterwards, the hole patterns L and L′ no longer align with one another. Instead, the bores  58  of the fixed part  37  are covered by the continuation bottom  57  of the rotated continuation  55 , forming a seal. The flow path W is accordingly interrupted and blocked. 
     Rotation of the movable part  6  by way of the sleeve section  18  is possible even when the protective cap  15  is set on, whereby furthermore, rotation of the movable part  6  is limited by a stop. For this purpose, this part  6  has slats  59  formed onto the underside, on the bottom  23 , that project into the free space between bottom  23  and bottom  45  of the fixed part  37 , are circular in cross-section and extend over 90°, which slats act, on the inside of the wall, lying on the collar  46  of the fixed part  37 , against stop shoulders  60  that project radially inward from this collar  46  (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment of the fixation of the dispenser  1  on the storage container  3 . Here, the connection takes place by way of a catch seat, for which purpose the pot section  40  of the fixed part  37  has a circumferential catch projection  61  that projects radially inward, in the region of its free end, which projection engages into a correspondingly positioned ring groove  62  of the container neck  42 . 
     All the characteristics disclosed are essential to the invention (in and of themselves). The disclosure content of the related/attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is also incorporated into the disclosure of this application, with its full content, also for the purpose of incorporating characteristics of these documents into claims of the present application.