Abstract:
A dispenser, which is in particular suitable for pasty media, comprises an elastic receiving container for receiving the medium. The receiving container comprises a dispensing chamber and a storage chamber. Further, a dosing member is provided which acts upon the dispensing chamber. In particular with a view to cost reduction, the receiving container is of one-piece configuration and comprises both the dispensing chamber and the storage chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The disclosure relates to a dispenser for media, in particular skin cleansers, skin protection products and skin care products. In particular, the dispenser is suitable for pasty media, wherein the media may preferably comprise cleansing particles. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Background Art 
         [0004]    Known dispensers for media and the like comprise a manually operable pump for conveying media out of a receiving container. The receiving container is refillable, for example. However, this has the drawback that the receiving container must be cleaned at regular intervals for preventing germ formation. Further, it is known to provide an exchangeable receiving container which is connected with the pump of a dispenser. This type of dispenser is also disadvantageous in that germ formation may occur in the pump region. Further, both types of dispenser have the drawback that clumped-together dry media may clog up the pump. It is thus necessary to clean or exchange the pump at regular intervals. This is a laborious procedure. Further, an exchange of the pump or a pump valve is cost-intensive since this component is comparably expensive. 
         [0005]    In particular, pasty media additionally containing cleansing particles may lead to frequent clogging of the pump or a pump valve. Such a clogging occurs in particular when pasty media with a viscosity of 80,000 mPa and containing cleansing particles, for example, are used. 
         [0006]    From DE 690 01 302 T2 a medium container comprising a rigid receiving container is known. The receiving container is screwed onto a valve, wherein a dispensing chamber is arranged adjacent to the valve. The medium is dispensed by pressing a dosing member configured as a lever onto the dispensing chamber. Said dispenser is said to be also suitable for soaps containing abrasive particles. Here, an opening comprising another valve is provided in the valve bottom. Air enters into the receiving container through said opening for preventing generation of a negative pressure. In this manner, the medium is adapted to more easily flow into the dispensing chamber in order to allow for constant dosing of the same amount of medium. Although provision of a vent reduces the generation of a negative pressure after a dosing process and improves the medium flow, this is however an inadequate measure when pasty media in particular with a viscosity of more than 80,000 mPa are involved. Further, the dispenser described in DE 690 01 302 T2 has the drawback that in particular media containing particles, such as abrasive particles, tend to clog up the valve region. Consequently, the valve region must frequently be cleaned or exchanged, wherein in this case an exchange involves considerable costs due to the complexly configured valve bottom comprising an additional air inlet. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the disclosure to provide a dispenser comprising an inexpensive exchangeable receiving container, and to reduce the risk of clogging of a pump or a valve. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0008]    The dispenser according to the disclosure, which is suitable for media, in particular pasty media, skin cleansers, skin protection products, skin care products and the like preferably containing particles, such as abrasive particles, comprises an elastic receiving container for receiving the medium. The elastic receiving container is preferably arranged in a housing and is adapted to be exchanged. The receiving container comprises a dispensing chamber upon which a dosing member acts. The dosing member is a lever, ram or the like, for example, which presses onto the dispensing chamber for urging out media, such as cleansers, skin protection products, skin care products and the like, through an outlet opening of the receiving container. Further, a storage chamber for storing media is provided, said storing chamber being connected with the dispensing chamber. According to the disclosure, the receiving container is preferably of one-piece configuration thus comprising both the dispensing chamber and the storage chamber. In a particularly preferred aspect, the receiving container comprises the dispensing chamber and the storage chamber in such a way that the two chambers can be exchanged as a unit. Even if the receiving container is composed of a plurality of parts, said parts are preferably assembled prior to being inserted into the dispenser, in particular prior to being filled with the medium. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receiving container is a bag, in particular a plastic-sheet bag, manufactured in one piece. In particular, it is a bag produced by welding and comprising the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber. The dosing member acting upon the dispensing chamber, in particular pressing on the dispensing chamber, thus acts immediately upon the receiving container according to the disclosure. Since this is a simple mechanism, a considerable cost reduction is achieved. In particular, in the dispenser according to the disclosure a separate valve or a pump member adapted to be connected with the exchangeable receiving container can be omitted. This offers the important advantage that cost-intensive cleaning or exchanging of a pump member or valve is not required. Further, the risk of clogging in this region is substantially reduced. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the elastic receiving container is a bag made of an elastic plastic material. Preferably, the receiving container is manufactured by welding in such a way that the welds partially define the dispensing chamber. This offers the advantage that the dispensing chamber is not a chamber extending over the overall width of the bag, but that the dispensing chamber has a smaller volume. This allows for exacter and better rated dispensing of media since there is a reduced risk that the medium disperses in the chamber when a pressure is exerted on the dispensing chamber, and that the medium does not leave the dispensing chamber, or that only too small an amount of medium leaves the dispensing chamber. Further, provision of welds partially defining the dispensing chamber advantageously simplifies the manufacture of the receiving container. For example, the receiving container may be an essentially rectangular bag, wherein the dispensing chamber is defined by respective welds. Here, the dispensing chamber may almost completely be defined by welds, wherein a weld which may be arranged between the dispensing chamber and the storage chamber comprises at least one recess for ensuring supply of media from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, a self-closing outlet member, such as a valve comprising plastic lamellae, is provided. Preferably, the outlet member is integrally connected with the receiving container, and is preferably made from the same material. This allows for an inexpensive manufacture of the receiving container. 
         [0011]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, a retaining member is arranged between the dispensing chamber and the storage chamber. The retaining member prevents the medium from being urged back into the storage chamber while the medium is being urged out of the dispensing chamber. Thus it is ensured that a predefined and adequately large amount of medium is urged out of the dispensing chamber. Further, provision of the retaining member offers the advantage that the volume of the dispensing chamber is limited and may thus be relatively small. This is of advantage in that even when an elastic receiving container is provided, the medium is urged out of the dispensing chamber, and the receiving container is not just stretched, or the medium is not merely compressed. 
         [0012]    In a particularly preferred aspect, the retaining member is mechanically coupled with the dosing member. Here, the mechanical coupling is preferably configured such that, when dispensing media from the dispensing chamber, the medium is prevented from being urged back into the storage chamber. Preferably, the retaining member squeezes together the receiving container at the boundary between the dispensing chamber and the storage chamber while the dosing member is being actuated. When the medium has been urged out of the dispensing chamber, the retaining member is preferably mechanically retracted such that the dispensing chamber is connected again with the storage chamber. 
         [0013]    A valve member, such as a flap adapted to be opened in one direction only, may be used as a retaining member, said flap also preventing media from being urged back into the storage chamber. This concept involves however an additional component or a relatively complicated configuration of the receiving container. It is therefore preferred to provide a retaining member which presses from outside onto the receiving container. 
         [0014]    In another particularly preferred embodiment, a conveying member is provided for conveying the medium from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber. Thus, even when pasty media with a viscosity of preferably 80,000 mPa±20% are involved, it is ensured that after a relatively short period an adequate amount of medium is available in the dispensing chamber. In particular, the device according to the disclosure is adapted to convey media with a viscosity of more than 120,000 mPa. In a particularly preferred aspect, a mechanical conveying member is provided such that no electrical connection is required for the dispenser. Preferably, the conveying member is actuated simultaneously with the dosing member, wherein, for this purpose, the dosing member is in particular mechanically connected with the conveying member. This mechanism can be realized by providing a cable pull in conjunction with corresponding toothed wheels or the like. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the conveying member comprises at least one press roll for pressing the receiving container against a stable contact surface. Further, two press rolls may be provided which are arranged at a small distance to each other, and whose mutual distance is invariable such that a medium is conveyed into the dispensing chamber by moving the two press rolls towards the dispensing chamber. 
         [0016]    Instead of press rolls, other members may be provided which are in particular unrotatably supported. By displacing the at least one press member, the medium is urged out or conveyed towards the dispensing chamber in accordance with the operation of the at least one press roll. The at least one press roll and/or the at least one press member are adapted to be displaced through the weight force of the member. Further, displacement may be effected by providing an elastic member, in particular a spring member, which exerts a force on the at least one press roll and/or the at least one press member in the direction of the dispensing chamber. The preferably spring-loaded press member may in particular be of wedge-type configuration for ensuring reliable conveyance of the medium towards the dispensing chamber. Preferably, one edge or side of the press member faces a contact surface. Here, the distance to the contact surface is selected such that the medium is urged out of the storage chamber to as complete an extent as possible. In particular, the distance amounts to approximately twice the material thickness of the receiving container. 
         [0017]    For preventing the receiving container from being damaged e.g. by sharp edges upon movement of the at least one press roll and/or the at least one press member, the press roll and/or the press member are preferably made of elastic material or comprise an elastic lip, such as an elastic envelope, in the critical region. 
         [0018]    Further, the medium can be conveyed from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber by rolling up the receiving container. In particular when the receiving container is configured as a bag, in particular a plastic-sheet bag, the medium can be conveyed or urged out by simply rolling up the container. Preferably, a roll shaft is provided for this purpose, which is connected with the receiving container, in particular with the end of the receiving container facing away from the dispensing chamber. By rotating the roll shaft, the receiving container is wrapped up onto the shaft. Thereby, the medium is urged from the storage chamber towards the dispensing chamber. Preferably, a contact surface may additionally be provided for ensuring that upon wrapping up of the receiving container onto the roll shaft the medium is in particular completely urged out. 
         [0019]    Further, it is possible to convey the medium from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber by twisting the receiving container. 
         [0020]    Further, a pressure plate can be used as a conveying member, said pressure plate pressing onto the receiving container. In particular, a backpressure plate is provided for exerting a corresponding pressure force on the medium in the storage chamber. In particular, at least one press plate is pivotable, wherein the pivot axis is preferably arranged above the receiving container on the side facing the dispensing chamber. The preferably two press plates are thus arranged in a V-form, wherein the angle between the two press plates is reduced for the purpose of urging out the medium and/or conveying the medium towards the dispensing chamber. In accordance with the embodiments described above, pivoting of at least one press plate may be effected by the weight force itself and/or by providing elastic members, such as springs. 
         [0021]    Further, it is possible to combine the variants of the conveying members described above. 
         [0022]    Movement of the conveying members may be effected by their own weight and/or by providing an elastic member, such as a spring. Further, the conveying member can be moved with the aid of toothed racks, belt drives and the like. Here, the toothed rack and/or the belt are preferably moved manually, in particular in combination with the movement of the dosing member. Stepwise movement of the conveying member is preferred such that a corresponding amount of medium is constantly conveyed from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber. Here, the amount in particular corresponds to the amount dispensed from the dispensing chamber to the user. 
         [0023]    Further, the disclosure relates to a medium receiving container for use in a dispenser, in particular the dispenser described above. According to the disclosure, the receiving container, which is preferably made of plastic material, comprises a storage chamber and a dispensing chamber. Further, according to the disclosure, the receiving container comprises an outlet member preferably made of the same material as the receiving container such that the receiving container is preferably is configured in one piece including the outlet member. 
         [0024]    The receiving container according to the disclosure is advantageously configured as described above with reference to the dispenser. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    A preferred embodiment of the disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a dispenser, and 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    The dispenser arranged in a housing not shown comprises an elastic receiving container  10 , in particular configured as a plastic bag, which is adapted to be suspended or fixed in the housing preferably via holding fixtures. The receiving container comprises a storage chamber  12  filled with media. Further, the receiving container  10  comprises a dispensing chamber  14  connected with the storage chamber  12 . At an end of the dispensing chamber  14 , which is the lower end in  FIG. 2 , an outlet  16  is provided through which the medium can be urged out. In the region of the outlet  16  an outlet member  18 , serving as a valve, for example, may be arranged, said outlet member being made of the same material as the receiving container  10 . 
         [0029]    For defining the dispensing chamber  14 , the corners of the receiving container  10 , which are the lower corners is  FIG. 1 , are respectively separated by a weld  15  shown in dashed lines such that the volume of the dispensing chamber  14  is reduced. Further, the welds  15  extend from the side edges of the receiving container  10  towards the outlet opening  16  such that conveyance of the medium towards the outlet opening  16  is ensured and no larger amounts of medium remain in the corners. 
         [0030]    For urging medium out of the dispensing chamber through the outlet opening  16 , a dosing member  20 , which is configured as a lever, for example, is actuated. In the illustrated embodiment, the dosing member  20  is first pulled in the direction indicated by arrow  22 . Thereby a ram or the like configured as a projection  24  of the dosing member  20  presses on the dispensing chamber  14 , wherein the lever  20  is connected with the projection  24  at a pivot point  23 . Thereby the medium is urged out of the dispensing chamber  14  through the outlet opening  16 . While the medium is urged out of the dispensing chamber  14 , the dispensing chamber  14  is separated from the storage chamber  12  by a retaining member  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member  26  is a rod-shaped member extending over the overall width of the receiving container  10 , for example. For actuating the retaining member  26 , said retaining member is connected with the dosing member  20  via an actuating member  28 , which may also be of rod-shaped configuration, and a dog  30 . For example, a kind of toothed pawl or the like is arranged between the dog  30  and the actuating member  28  such that the actuating member  28  is moved in the direction indicated by arrow  32  when the dosing member is released via the dog  30 , for example. Thereby the connection between the dispensing chamber  14  and the storage chamber  12  is opened by retracting the retaining member  26 . 
         [0031]    For ensuring conveyance of media from the storage chamber  12  into the dispensing chamber  14 , a conveying member  34  is provided. The conveying member  34  comprises two parallel press rolls  36  arranged opposite each other. The press rolls  36  are connected with each other via a connecting member  38  which keeps said rolls at a constant mutual distance. The distance between the two press rolls  36  is so small that the entire medium is urged towards the dispensing chamber  14  when the two rolls move in the direction indicated by arrow  40 . Displacement of the conveying member  34  is also effected by actuation of the dosing member  20 , wherein the dosing member  20  is preferably mechanically connected with the conveying member  34 . For example, said connection is realized via a toothed rack  42  connected with the projection  24 , said toothed rack meshing with a toothed wheel  44 . Here, for example, the toothed rack  42  is of elastic configuration, and the toothed wheel  44  is supported such that rotation is only allowed in the direction indicated by arrow  46 . Upon rotation of the toothed wheel  44 , a rope  48  is wound up. The rope  48  is connected with the conveying member  34  and/or the connecting member  38  such that the conveying member  34  is pulled downwards upon actuation of the lever  20 . 
         [0032]    Further, it is possible to provide a spring which constantly exerts a force on the conveying member  34  in the direction indicated by arrow  40 . 
         [0033]    At the respective outer ends of the press rolls  36  toothed wheels  50  are provided which mesh with toothed racks  52 . 
         [0034]    Depending on the configuration of the mechanical connection with the dosing member  20 , the retaining member  26  may also be spring-loaded and possibly biased in one of the two directions of movement. 
         [0035]    The outlet member  18 , which may be configured as a valve, for example, may further be configured as a closing member for squeezing together the outlet  16 . Here, the closing member, which is designed as a lever, for example, is preferably mechanically coupled with the dosing member  20  such that the closing member is retracted and thus the outlet  16  is opened upon actuation of the dosing member  20 . 
         [0036]    When the receiving container  10  is empty, the conveying member  34  shown in  FIG. 2  is pushed upwards for the purpose of exchanging the receiving container  10 . For this purpose, a pawl provided at the toothed wheel  44  is released, for example. Further, the retaining member  26  is retracted and fixed in the retracted position during the exchanging process, if necessary. Now the receiving container  10 , which is fixed in a housing, can be exchanged.