Abstract:
The subject matter of the invention is a pump device for a container for liquid, pasty or foamable skin care preparations, e.g. for liquid soaps, disinfectants, skin protection pastes or creams, wherein the pump device comprises a conically tapering bellows, wherein the bellows exhibits several bellows elements each having a different diameter, wherein at least one smaller bellows element can be pushed into an adjacent larger bellows element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of German Patent Applications DE 10 2011 014 169.3-16 filed Mar. 16, 2011; DE 20 2011 100 895.2 filed May 19, 2011; and DE 20 2011 105 790.2 filed Sep. 16, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a pump device for a container for liquid, pasty or foamable skin care preparations, e.g. for liquid soaps, disinfectants, skin protection pastes or creams, wherein the pump device comprises a conically tapering bellows, wherein the bellows exhibits several bellows elements each having a different diameter. The skin cleansing preparations can in this connection also contain abrasive bodies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pump devices of the type initially mentioned are sufficiently well known from the prior art. These pump devices are also referred to as suction pumps and in particular as bellows pumps. They are arranged on a container, wherein the container for example holds a liquid soap and is used in a dispensing device which for example can be mounted on a wall next to a washbasin. By compressing the pump device, for example a bellows pump, the quantity of liquid present in the bellows pump is delivered; wherein then during the return movement of the bellows of the pump device liquid from the container is drawn into the bellows chamber formed by the bellows. Such a pump device is for example known from DE 20 2009 006 603.7 U1. 
         [0004]    A pump device arranged on a container is also described in WO 2009/103583, said pump device being accommodated in a dispenser housing. The pump device comprises a laterally projecting protrusion arranged on the outlet-side which, as is known in principle, is held by a so-called “catcher clamp”. The “catcher clamp” of the dispensing device provides for the pump movement of the bellows in the event of the actuation of a lever pivotably connected to it. The introduction of the protrusion of the bellows chamber into the “catcher clamp” takes place against a lateral resistance, since the “catcher clamps” are somewhat pressed apart in the insertion operation, as a result of which the bellows laterally yield. Then the protrusion must be manually placed into the “catcher clamp”. 
         [0005]    The pump device in accordance with WO 2009/103583 A1 comprises a cylindrical bellows for formation of the bellows chamber, wherein guide means are provided laterally to the bellows in order to ensure that in the case of the insertion of the container including the pump device into the dispenser housing the bellows cannot give way laterally. The proposed construction is very elaborate and thus also expensive, which in particular is justified by the fact that the bellows exhibits the lateral guide means in the form of rods which must be fastened to both ends of the bellows. 
         [0006]    The bellows according to the prior art is constructed in the manner of a pair of bellows, wherein the folds of the pair of bellows run twisted in the manner of a spiral. Such bellows are elaborate in production. 
         [0007]    In addition, the following is to be pointed out: Dispensing devices of different manufacturers are in use. However, these dispensing devices possess a holder for the container, wherein the so-called “catcher clamp” is provided spaced in axial position to the holder. The distance from the catcher clamp to the holder for the container varies. That is, in order to insert a container with a fixed pump device into the dispensing device it can be necessary that at least during the insertion operation the bellows of the pump device where applicable must be held squeezed together. This is extremely inconvenient, in particular when additionally the lateral yielding is supposed to be prevented. In addition, consider the fact that the bellows chamber formed by the bellows can be filled with liquid. 
         [0008]    Thus the problem addressed by the invention consists in providing a pump device of the type initially mentioned which can be produced by simple and reasonably priced injection molds, thus in particular does not exhibit any undercuts, which in addition exhibits an increased stability transversely to the longitudinal axis in order to prevent an outward swiveling of the bellows in the case of the insertion into the dispensing device. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    To solve this problem in accordance with the invention it is proposed that the bellows as a conical structure exhibits several bellows elements of differing diameter, wherein at least one smaller bellows element can be pushed into an adjacent larger bellows element. The bellows, which forms a bellows chamber, is constructed to be conically tapering on the basis of the bellows elements adjoining one another of differing diameters. Through the conicity the bellows receives an increased rigidity transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bellows. From the conicity of the bellows and the feature that the individual bellows elements can be pushed into one another, it follows that the bellows does not exhibit any undercuts, so that such a bellows can be economically produced using simple tools. In addition, due to the fact that according to a special feature of the invention the individual bellows elements can be locked into position with one another in compressed state, it becomes possible to compress the bellows of the pump device to a length which corresponds approximately to the distance from the holding fixture for the container to the “catcher clamp.” That means that for the insertion of the container with the pump device the bellows of the pump device remains in pushed in or at least partially pushed in state at least until the container is inserted into the dispensing device. 
         [0010]    In order to prevent the bellows elements of the bellows from getting out of control, i.e. to prevent a pushing in of the individual bellows elements beyond their dead center position, provision is made that the base element and/or the wall element are constructed diamond-shaped, square or rectangular in cross-section. In particular in this connection the film hinge in extended state of the bellows connects the base and wall element via the shortest distance between base and wall element. It is additionally advantageous in this connection if the cross-section of the annular base element corresponds approximately to the radial distance between two wall elements, thus in particular the cross-section is not smaller, but rather larger; this measure likewise prevents the “bellows elements of the bellows from getting out of control.” During compression the following then happens: The respective annular base element swivels by circa 90° and abuts with one of its surfaces the upper and lower wall element. The individual bellows element remains in this position, but it can be transferred back to the extended position with a minimum expenditure of force. In this connection there is no risk that the bellows elements will be compressed beyond their dead center position with normal expenditure of force, because this could result in damage to the film hinges. 
         [0011]    Advantageous embodiments and features of the invention arise from the subsidiary claims. 
         [0012]    For example, in particular provision is made that the bellows elements exhibit a cascading course in section. In particular from this it is clear that the bellows produced in such manner does not exhibit any undercuts. In particular provision is further made in this connection that each bellows element exhibits an annular base element as well as an annular wall element connected by an annular film hinge, wherein in particular the width of the annular base element is greater than the total of the thickness of the annular base element and of the annular wall element. From this it is clear that in the compressing of the bellows, in which case the bellows elements that are smaller in diameter lock into place into the larger annular wall element above swiveling around the respective film hinge, the individual bellows elements remain in this position until the bellows chamber is pulled apart again. This locking operation in the case of the pushing in of the smaller bellows element into the larger bellows element located above becomes especially clear when the annular base element is at an angle of &gt;90° but &lt;180° to the annular wall element in the initial state of the bellows, wherein then, when in the event of pushing in the annular base element is pushed beyond a dead center, wherein after passing the dead center the annular base element comes to rest about parallel to the annular wall element located above, wherein at least partially the smaller annular wall element, or in other words the annular wall element located beneath is likewise parallel to the annular wall element located above. 
         [0013]    In this respect the bellows can for example be completely compressed, which in addition to the actual pumping operation if applicable also offers advantages in the case of transportation, to be precise insofar as then the pump device only takes up relatively little space, or it is compressed in the state in which it is placed on the container by precisely the amount which is necessary to facilitate the insertion of the container together with the pump device into the dispensing device in simple fashion, as has already been described. 
         [0014]    The pump device comprises an inlet and outlet valve. The inlet valve is located on the pump device in the region of the transition to the container, while the outlet valve is arranged on the lower, conically tapering end of the pump device or of the bellows. 
         [0015]    In this connection provision is made that according to a first embodiment the outlet valve is arranged on the bellows as a pivoting valve flap, to be precise in the region of a cylindrical outlet connector. In particular the valve flap is fastened by a web in the region of the valve seat on the outlet support of the bellows. 
         [0016]    According to an additional feature of the invention in particular an overrun of liquid from the outlet valve in the bellows chamber of the bellows in the case of non-usage should be prevented. According to a feature of the invention this is prevented by having the valve disk of the outlet valve held pressed against the valve seat under the load of a spring element. In this connection according to an especially advantageous embodiment provision is made that an outlet spout can be plugged onto the outlet connector, wherein the outlet spout exhibits the spring element, in particular constructed in the manner of a spiral spring, wherein the spring element in plugged state of the outlet spout abuts on the valve disk and the valve disk is held pressed against the valve seat. From this it is clear that the valve disk in the case of the compression of the bellows for the purpose of delivery of the preparation in the bellows chamber of the bellows, e.g. a liquid soap is deflected downward against the force of the spring element and with this is opened. 
         [0017]    The spring element constructed as a spiral spring located in the outlet spout is characterized by the fact that the spiral spring only possesses a single gear, so that the spring element does not exhibit an undercut. 
         [0018]    According to a second embodiment the outlet valve is constructed as a disk valve and arranged liquid-tight in the outlet connector of the bellows. This disk valve in particular features a valve body, wherein the valve body receives a valve disk through a neck at a distance from the valve body, said valve disk abutting on the outlet connector in radially moveable fashion. From this it is clear that when the bellows is compressed the valve disk forms a radial distance to the outlet connector for the passage for example of the liquid soap. In this connection in addition in particular provision is made that the valve disk exhibits a circumferential rotating sealing lip which is arranged on the neck running in the direction of the neck. That means that the sealing lip of the valve disk runs obliquely, in particular at an angle of circa 45° cm to the connection nozzle. Through the selection of the inclination of the sealing lip consequently the selection of the work angle of the sealing lip to the wall of the connection nozzle support, the force necessary so that in the compression of the bellows the sealing lip swivels radially inward, thus to the neck can be influenced, and hence offers a passage for the medium located in the bellows chamber. It also turns out that in the oblique alignment of the sealing lip to the inside wall of the connection nozzle in the initial state of the bellows the sealing lip abuts with a sufficiently high pressure on the inside wall of the connection nozzle in order to prevent an unintended overrun of the medium located in the bellows chamber of the bellows, for example a liquid soap. 
         [0019]    In this connection it turns out to be advantageous if in the transition from the neck to the valve disk a tangential circumferential groove is provided in order to facilitate the swiveling of the sealing lips for release of the passage for e.g. a hand wash paste. 
         [0020]    In addition the neck of the valve body exhibits an opening which is connected to an outlet spout of the valve body so that in the case of the compression of the bellows the medium in the bellows chamber that is displaced in this connection can enter through the radially circumferential gap between the inside wall of the connection nozzle and the sealing lip into the opening of the valve body, from where it reaches the outside through the outlet spout. 
         [0021]    According to another feature of the invention provision is made that the valve body can be received by means of clipping by connection nozzle, wherein as a result the assembly is facilitated. In addition the valve body exhibits a protrusion which is can be held by the catcher clamp of the dispensing device, which has already been described. 
         [0022]    The pump device comprises in addition a cover on the inlet side which can be received by the bellows, wherein the cover bears the inlet valve. The inlet and outlet valves work in reverse. That means that when the inlet valve is closed during the compressing of the bellows, in contrast to this the outlet valve is opened, since the valve disk is transferred against the force of the spring element in open position by the pressure of the preparation due to the decrease of the volume of the bellows chamber. The inlet valve further comprises a valve disk which is held pressed against the valve seat in the cover by a spring element in order to relieve the bellows and with it also the outlet valve from the pressure of the liquid column of the preparation in the container. 
         [0023]    It has already been pointed out elsewhere that the container holds liquid, pasty or also foamable cleansing and skin care preparations. In particular in the case of the pasty masses in the container, that e.g. skin protection pastes or creams a decomposition of the solid from the liquid portion of the pasty mass was detected in the pumping. In the course of such investigations it turns out that the reason for this lies in too low of vacuum in the pumping operation. To increase the vacuum according to a special feature of the invention it is in this respect proposed that the valve cover exhibit a valve ceiling which receives the inlet valve and which in the direction of the bellows is discharged in cascading manner into the bellows chamber formed by the bellows. Through the minimization of the dead space the vacuum is increased in the pumping operation. 
         [0024]    A further measure also serves the objective of the lessening of the dead space, said measure consisting in providing an annular circumferential nose as packing on the underside of the valve ceiling, thus on the side facing the bellows. This nose is constructed in such a way that it does not collide with the individual bellows elements in the pumping operation. This is achieved in particular by constructing the nose approximately triangle-shaped in cross-section, wherein the lateral surface of the triangular-shaped nose facing the wall of the bellows is aligned at an angle to the center of the bellows, that is, the triangle-shaped nose points with the tip to the direction of the bellows. The nose additionally exhibits a radial distance to the valve disk of the inlet valve, which means that through this circumferential annular nose, the e.g. pasty mass is directly adjusted during the pumping to the center of the bellows chamber, said chamber being formed by the bellows. 
         [0025]    The pump device or the individual parts of the pump device such as in particular the bellows, outlet connector and cover can be manufactured out of plastic, e.g. PE in the injection molding method. 
         [0026]    The invention will be explained more closely in the following by way of example with the help of the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows the pump device in section in a lateral view; 
           [0028]      FIG. 1   a  shows the detail “x” from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 1   b  shows the detail “x” from  FIG. 1  in the extended position of the bellows, wherein however the design of the base and wall elements has been changed in comparison to the representation according to  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 1   c  shows the bellows according to  FIG. 1   b  in compressed state; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a view according to the line II-II from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a view according to  FIG. 1 , wherein however the bellows is compressed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the pump device with an outlet valve as a disk valve; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the pump device according to  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Taken as a whole the pump device exhibits the reference number  1 . The pump device  1  comprises the bellows labeled  10 , wherein the bellows has the outlet connector  20  on the outlet side end. The outlet connector  20 , which is cylindrical in design, receives the outlet spout labeled  30 . The outlet connector  20  shows the outlet valve marked  25 , wherein the outlet valve  25  comprises a valve disk  26 , which is connected by a web  27  to the outlet connector  20 . The outlet spout  30  comprises a protrusion  31  running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pump device, wherein the protrusion  31  can be held by the previously described “catcher clamp”. The outlet spout  30  in addition shows the spring element  35  constructed as a spiral spring, said spring element pressing from below, that is against the direction of the outlet against the valve disk  26 , and hence presses the valve disk against the valve seat  28 . 
         [0036]    The bellows  10 , which forms the bellows chamber  10   a,  possesses on the upper end a threaded cover labeled  40 . The threaded cover  40  receives the threaded connector  51  of the schematically represented container  50 . The threaded cover  40  exhibits a circular circumferential recess  42  which receives a valve cover labeled  60 . The inlet valve labeled  70  as a whole is arranged on the valve cover  60  on the valve ceiling  61  on the underside of the valve ceiling, wherein the inlet valve comprises a valve disk  71 , wherein the valve disk  71  possesses a knob  72  facing the direction of the container  50 , said knob being positively gripped by a spring clip  63 . The spring clip  63  ensures through the connection to the knob  72  that the valve disk  71  of the inlet valve  70  is pressed against the valve seat  65  on the underside of the valve ceiling  61 . The valve cover  60  additionally exhibits a wall  66  as well as a circumferential base  67  which stands on the base  41  of the threaded cover. That is, when the threaded cover  40  is screwed onto the threaded connector  51  of the container  50 , then the cover  60  is held in the recess  42  of the threaded cover  40 . 
         [0037]    The design of the bellows  10  will be described more closely in the following with the help of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1   a,  and  FIG. 3 . The bellows  10  as a conical structure exhibits several bellows elements  11  which proceed in cascading manner, wherein such a bellows element  11  comprises an annular wall element  12  and an annular base element  14  connected to said annular wall element via a film hinge  13 . The wall element  12  and the base element  14  are at an overextended angle a of roughly 110° to one another. The length of the annular base element  14  is selected in such a way that the sum of the thickness of the annular base element and the thickness of the annular wall element  12  corresponds to the width of the annular base element, so that in the compression of the bellows  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , a lower annular wall element  12  as well as an annular floor element come to rest at the interior of the annular wall element  12  located above. That is, the individual bellows elements  11  interlock in this connection when the bellows  10  of the pump device  1  is compressed, as is the case e.g. in a pump operation. An at least partial compression of the bellows can however also be necessary in the insertion of the container with the pump device into the dispensing device when the lateral protrusion is supposed to be held by the “catcher clamp”. 
         [0038]    In the design of the bellows according to  FIG. 3  it is possible to compress this bellows  10  beyond its dead center position, that is, to compress it even more than is the case in  FIG. 3 . This can result in damage to the bellows and in particular here to the film hinge  13 . In addition the bellows  10  can only be transferred back to the extended position with increased expenditure of force. In order to prevent the individual bellows elements of the bellows from “getting out of control”  10  provision is made in accordance with the representations in  FIG. 1   b  and  FIG. 1   c,  to construct at least the base element  14 , preferably however also the wall element  12  as a ring in cross-section diamond-shaped, square or rectangular, to connect the base and wall elements via the shortest distance through the annular film hinge and to select the cross-section of the base element  14  in such a way that said cross-section corresponds roughly to the radial distance of two wall elements  12  to one another in compressed state of the bellows elements. Thus in compressed state the wall elements support themselves via base elements, which has the result that the individual bellows elements  11  can not be compressed beyond their dead center position as shown in  FIG. 1   c.    
         [0039]    The operation of the pump device  1  with an outlet valve according to a first variant presents itself in the following manner: 
         [0040]    The container  50  is filled with a liquid, e.g. soap. The liquid column of the soap in the container presses on the upper side of the valve disk  71 . The spring clip  63  is dimensioned such that the valve disk does not release the valve seat  65  solely through the liquid column on the valve disk. If the bellows  10  is now compressed, then the soap located in the bellows chamber  10   a  is conducted outward through the outlet spout  30 . In this connection, due to the pressure in the interior of the bellows chamber  1 - a  the valve disk  26  is swiveled against the force of the spring element  35  around the web  27  in the direction of the outlet spout  30 . If the extension of the bellows  10  takes place on the other hand, then as a result of to the vacuum arising in the bellows chamber  10  the valve disk  71  is withdrawn from the valve seat  65 , with the consequence that liquid influxes from the container  50  into the bellows chamber  10 . In this connection the valve disk  26  abuts the valve seat  28 . 
         [0041]    Essential in this connection is the fact that the effective area of the valve disk  71  on the upper side (arrow  71   a ) is smaller than on the underside (arrow  71   b ). This has the consequence that in the filling of the bellows chamber  10   a  a relatively large area is available for the vacuum arising in the bellows chamber  10   a,  in order to bring the valve disk to the open position. The area of the valve disk  71  on the upper side (arrow  71   a ) is dimensioned such that in the case of a pending liquid column the spring clip  63  is able to hold the valve disk in the closed position so that no additional pressure is exerted on the liquid column located in the bellows chamber, with the consequence that the outlet valve  25  securely remains in the closed position, with the additional consequence that no liquid drips. That means that both the embodiment of the valve disk  71  of the inlet valve as well as also the design of the outlet valve, in particular with respect to the spring element  35 , which presses against the valve disk from below, it is ensured that no liquid drips after a discharge operation. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows the second embodiment of a pump device with an outlet valve as a disk valve.  FIG. 5  shows an additional embodiment of the pump device according to  FIG. 4 . In this connection in the following the reference numbers from  FIG. 5 , when they relate to the same objects, will be included. The outlet valve  125 ,  225  possesses a valve body  126 ,  226 , wherein the valve body can be clipped and arranged in the outlet spout  20  of the bellows  10 . To this end the output spout  20  exhibits a circumferential collar  21  on the interior, which engages in a corresponding circumferential groove  126   a,    226   a  of the valve body  126 ,  226 . The valve body possesses an outlet spout  132 ,  232  wherein in the region of the outlet connector  20  the spout shows a neck  130 ,  230 , upon whose end the valve disk labeled  128 ,  228  as a whole is arranged. The valve disk  128 ,  228  exhibits a base  128   a,    228   a  roughly at a right angle to the central longitudinal axis of the valve body, at which the circumferential sealing lip  129 ,  229  aligns itself, said sealing lip being in contact with the inside wall of the outlet connector  20 , as arises in view of  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . The valve disk is thus constructed somewhat mushroom shaped in section. In the region of the neck  130 ,  230  there is a radially oriented opening  131 ,  231  which is connected to the outlet spout  132 ,  232 . 
         [0043]    The valve body  126 ,  226  in addition shows the protrusion  135 ,  235  which can be held by the catcher clamp of the dispensing device. 
         [0044]    In contrast to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a pump device in which the valve ceiling  61  of the valve cover  60  is discharged in cascading manner in the direction of the bellows. This measure lessens the dead space in the bellows chamber  10   a,  said bellows chamber being formed by the bellows  10 . Through a lessening of the dead space the vacuum increases in the case of other wise equal geometrical dimensions. The arrangement of the annular nose  61  on the underside serves the same objective, that is, the side of the valve ceiling  61  facing the bellows  10 . This annular circumferential nose  62  is constructed roughly triangular in cross-section and exhibits a radial distance to the valve disk  71 . The arrangement of the annular circumferential nose  62  is such that it does not come into contact with the bellows  10  in case of the compression of the bellows. The triangular construction of the nose  62  in cross-section serves the same purpose. 
         [0045]    In addition the annular, circumferential nose has the task of conducting the product delivered in the bellows chamber  10   a,  e.g. a liquid soap, to the region of the center of the bellows chamber  10   a.    
         [0046]    A further difference lies in the construction of the outlet valve  225 . The outlet valve  225  shows a tangential circumferential groove  236  directly in transition from the valve body  226  to the valve disk  228  which causes the circular sealing lip  229  to swivel in the direction of the arrow  240  with relatively little resistance in the case of the compression of the bellows  10 , and thus release the preparation through the opening  231  in the neck  230 . 
         [0047]    The outlet valve  125 ,  225  constructed as a disk valve functions in the following manner: 
         [0048]    If the bellows  10  is compressed, that is, if the volume in the bellows chamber  10   a  is decreased, then the medium located in the bellows chamber  10   a  swivels the circumferential sealing lip in the direction of the arrow  140 ,  240  and thus releases a gap through which the medium, e.g. the liquid soap, reaches the outlet spout  132  through the opening  132 ,  232  in order to be removed at the end of the outlet spout. In the relaxed state of the bellows, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the circumferential sealing lip  129 ,  229  abuts on the inside wall of the outlet connector  20 . The sealing lip  129 ,  229  in this connection abuts at an angle to the inside wall of the outlet connector on the wall of the outlet connector, to be precise in particular at an angle of 45°.