EP0810164A1 - Apparatus for preparation of a mixture of an active substance and a diluent, as well as a method of filling a cartridge for such an apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for preparation of a mixture of active ingredient with a diluent stored in a vessel (45) is new. The active ingredient (41) is held within a chamber (40) enclosed by the cartridge (10) walls (12, 14). The cartridge (10) is inserted in the vessel (45). The cartridge (10) discharges the active ingredient (41) into the vessel (45) in which it is diluted. The cartridge (10) has a first removable wall section (34) which, to empty the cartridge, is partially lifted from the surrounding second wall section (14). The first wall section (34) is linked (21) to a third wall section (12), which is separated from the first wall section (34) by the second wall section (14). The the linkage (21) is directly joined to the third wall section (12), the third wall section (12) is flexible in the vicinity of the join.

Description

The invention relates to a device for preparing a mixture of an active substance and a diluent, with a container for holding the diluent and with a cartridge for holding the active substance in an interior of the cartridge enclosed by wall sections, the cartridge being insertable in the container and designed in this way is that the active substance can be emptied from the interior into the container and diluted there with the diluent, the cartridge also having a first, detachable wall section which can be at least partially lifted off from a surrounding, second wall section for emptying the cartridge and the first wall section is also connected via an actuating device to a third wall section which is separated from the first wall section by the second wall section.

The invention further relates to a method for filling a cartridge for a device for preparing a mixture of an active substance and a diluent, with a container for receiving the diluent and with the cartridge for receiving the active substance in an interior of the cartridge enclosed by wall sections, the Cartridge can be inserted into the container and is designed such that the active substance can be emptied from the interior into the container and diluted there with the diluent, the cartridge also having a first, detachable wall section which is used to empty the cartridge from a surrounding, second wall section is at least partially liftable and the first wall section is further connected via an actuating device to a third wall section which is separated from the first wall section by the second wall section.

A device and a method of the aforementioned type are known from DE-A1-35 35 986.

Devices of the type mentioned at the outset are used to dilute certain active substances, for example cleaning agents, insecticides, crop protection agents and the like with a suitable diluent, in particular water, and to distribute, in particular spray or spray, the mixture prepared in this way. The active substance can be a liquid, but also a powder or a granulate.

In certain types of such devices, bottle-like containers are used which have a bottle neck with an external thread. The bottle-like container is first filled with a predetermined amount of a diluent, for example with water. A cartridge of the type mentioned is then inserted into the bottle neck, and finally a head of a spray device is screwed on, which typically also contains a pump at the same time.

When the head is screwed on, the cartridge is automatically opened so that the active substance contained in the cartridge is emptied into the interior of the container. By shaking the container, the active substance is mixed with the diluent. The mixture prepared in this way can be sprayed after the pump has been operated.

It is understood that the exemplary embodiment and application example mentioned above is only to be understood as illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

In the device according to DE-A1-35 35 981 mentioned at the outset, a cartridge of approximately cylindrical design is used in accordance with an exemplary embodiment described there. The cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical pot which is open on one side downwards and whose upper cover plate is provided with a circular passage opening. A piston rod is tightly guided through this passage opening, at the free lower end of which there is a piston which at the same time forms a closure for the otherwise open end of the cylindrical pot.

In a retracted position of the piston rod, the piston closes the pot downward, so that it is enclosed on all sides The interior of the pot is created, which is filled with the active substance in a first use position of the cartridge.

In order to empty the cartridge, the piston rod is moved downwards, namely until the piston moves out of the lower open end of the cylindrical pot, so that an annular gap is created between the cylindrical outer surface of the pot and the piston rod. The active substance can empty out of the cartridge through this annular gap.

To fill the cartridge, it is positioned upside down so that the piston mentioned is directed upwards. By moving the piston rod, the aforementioned annular gap can now be produced and the cartridge can be filled using a suitable filling needle in accordance with the intended dose when using a liquid active substance.

The known cartridge has the disadvantage that a seal is required at two points, namely on the one hand on the passage of the piston rod and on the other hand on the outer circumference of the piston. This seal must be made reliably because the active substances may be aggressive media that should not leak outside before the intended use. In addition, the known cartridge requires complex production because the corresponding tight fits have to be manufactured and when assembling the cartridge it is necessary to join the piston with the piston rod relative to the pot.

The known method has the disadvantage that the cartridge has to be filled via an annular gap, which requires a complex guide for a filling needle. In this case, filling with a powder or a granulate is particularly problematic.

The invention has for its object to develop a device and a method of the type mentioned in such a way that the disadvantages mentioned above are avoided. In particular, a cartridge that is simple in construction and handling is to be provided, which is also reliable. Finally, the process for filling the cartridge is to be simplified so that cost-effective mass production is possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned at the outset in that the actuating device is fixedly connected to the third wall section at an attachment point and in that the third wall section is designed to be flexible in the region of the attachment point.

The object underlying the invention is completely achieved in this way. Because of the design mentioned, the sealing problem at the connection point between the actuating device and the third wall section is avoided. While there is the passage of the piston rod through the cover plate of the cartridge in the prior art, the relative movement of the actuating device with respect to the wall sections according to the present invention is achieved in that the third wall section is flexible in the area mentioned. The actuating device can then be firmly connected to the third wall section and no longer has to be arranged in a sliding manner therein.

In this way, the leakage problems mentioned can be drastically minimized. This applies in particular because the leakage problem in the area of the passage of a piston rod cannot be eliminated by masking with a film or the like. On the other hand, an elaborate Seal, for example an O-ring seal lead to significantly increased manufacturing costs.

In a method of the type mentioned, the underlying object is achieved according to the invention in that the first wall section is detachably connected to the fastening device and in that the interior, which is freely accessible in the absence of the first wall section, is filled with the active substance and then closed by means of the first wall section.

The underlying task is also achieved in this way because the interior is now freely accessible while the cartridge is being filled, so that different types of filling devices can be used. In contrast to the prior art, it is no longer necessary to fill the interior through a narrow annular gap. Rather, the active substance can be poured into the freely accessible interior in a very simple manner, for example cast in. This enables filling with powdered or granular active substances under industrial conditions.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the third wall section is designed as a bellows in the area of the attachment point.

This measure has the advantage that a large relative movement of the actuating device is possible in comparison to the wall sections of the cartridge, without the seal suffering in the area of the fastening point.

Alternatively, it is also possible according to the invention to design the third wall section in the region of the fastening point as an expandable membrane.

This measure has the advantage that the third wall section can be manufactured in a simpler manner.

It is particularly preferred if the third wall section is designed as a snap mechanism, which assumes a stable end position when the first wall section is lifted off the second wall section.

This measure has the advantage that after the “pressure point” of the snap mechanism has been overcome, the first wall section automatically changes into an end position which enables the first wall section to be in a far-raised position. Then the active substance can be rinsed out particularly well because a particularly large annular gap is available. This applies in particular when active substances in powder or granule form are used.

In further exemplary embodiments of the invention, the third wall section and the actuating device are formed in one piece. Furthermore, the third wall section and the second wall section can also be formed in one piece.

These measures have the advantage that simple plastic injection molding techniques can be used to produce some of the wall sections or all wall sections of the cartridge in one piece. In this way, the manufacturing costs are reduced.

In further exemplary embodiments of the invention, the actuating device is designed as a tube which penetrates the first wall section.

This measure has the advantage that further media can be passed through the actuating device, for example compressed air from the outside of the container into its interior or the diluted mixture in the opposite way.

A particularly good effect is achieved if the first wall section is detachably connected to the fastening device.

This measure has the advantage that a simpler filling of the interior is possible in the manner already mentioned, in that the interior is filled in the absence of the first wall section and then the first wall section is fastened to the fastening device and to the second wall section.

This applies in particular if, according to a development of this variant, the first wall section is fitted onto the actuating device in a snug fit.

This measure has the advantage that the necessary sealing effect between the actuating device and the first wall section can be produced in a simple manner.

Furthermore, it is preferred according to the invention if, in a manner known per se, the first wall section is guided in the manner of a piston in the second wall section.

In further exemplary embodiments of the invention, a film is provided which completely covers the first wall section and is firmly connected at its peripheral edge to the second wall section. For this purpose, the second wall section can be of elongated design.

This measure has the advantage that, in the case of particularly aggressive active substances, complete sealing of the interior is possible, for example by welding or gluing an aluminum-clad film on its peripheral edge to the second wall section. The film can then be torn open by the advancing piston when the actuating device is activated.

In the context of the present invention, an embodiment is particularly preferred in which the cartridge has an essentially cylindrical shape, the first wall section being designed as a base plate, the second wall section as a cylinder jacket and the third wall section as a cover plate.

The cover plate can be provided on its circumference with a flange for attachment to the container.

Further advantages result from the description and the attached drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht, im Schnitt, eines Teils einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, und zwar in einer ersten Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 2

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 1, jedoch in einer zweiten Gebrauchsstellung.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view, in section, of part of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, in a first position of use;

Fig. 2

the arrangement of FIG. 1, but in a second position of use.

In the figures, 10 denotes a cartridge as used in connection with a container for preparing a mixture of an active substance and a diluent.

The cartridge 10 is of a substantially cylindrical shape. It comprises an upper, essentially circular cover plate 11. The cover plate 11 comprises a central, flat section 12 and an annular flange 13 which runs around the outside.

The flat section 12 merges in one piece on its outer edge into a downwardly facing cylinder jacket 14, which ends freely at a lower end 15.

A tube 21 extends along a central axis 20 of the cartridge 10. The tube 21 comprises an upper end 22 which projects upward above the cover plate 11. An upper section 23 adjoins the upper end 22 and passes through the flat section 12 in a manner to be described. A middle section 24 of the tube 21 extends axially parallel to the cylinder jacket 14. A lower end 25 of the tube 21 ends approximately flush with the lower end 15 of the cylinder jacket 14. The lower end 25 can be connected to an external recess 26.

As can be clearly seen from the figures, the upper section 23 of the tube 21 is connected via a bellows 30 to the central, flat section 12 of the cover plate 11, preferably in one piece. This means that the cover plate 11, the cylinder jacket 14 and the entire tube 21 are preferably formed in one piece, in particular as a jointly injection-molded plastic part.

A bottom plate 34 is slipped onto the lower end 25 of the tube 21. For this purpose, the already-mentioned recess 26 is preferably used, which is dimensioned such that the base plate 34 can be pushed onto the lower end 25 of the tube 21 and there is a tight connection.

An outer circumference 35 of the essentially circular base plate 34 also runs tightly in an inner circumference 36 of the cylinder jacket 14.

The arrangement described achieves an all-round arrangement in the first position of use according to FIG. 1, in which the cartridge 10 has an interior 40 which can be filled with the active substance 41. The cartridge 10 is penetrated by a channel 42 running in the axis 20 due to the presence of the tube 21. A riser pipe 43 is guided through the channel 42.

The cartridge 10 can now be placed on a container 45, which is indicated in sections in FIG. 1 in the manner of a bottle neck. For this purpose, the cartridge 10 can be screwed or inserted on the cylinder jacket 14 by means of an external thread (not shown) or locked in place by means of a bayonet catch, etc. The ring flange 13 serves for the exact positioning of the cartridge 10 on the container 45.

A spray gun, for example, which is indicated at 46 in FIG. 1, can then be placed on the overall arrangement. The spray gun 46 is designed such that when it is placed or screwed onto the container 45, the tube 21 is displaced in the axial direction. The spray gun 46 is connected to the riser pipe 43 in a manner known per se.

The second position of use produced in this way is shown in FIG. 2. The same elements are provided with the same reference symbols, with different positions being identified by adding an apostrophe.

It can be clearly seen from FIG. 2 that lowering the spray gun 46 into the position 46 'simultaneously causes the tube 21 to be axially displaced into a position 21'.

During this movement of the tube 21 to 21 ', the bellows 30 is deformed to 30'. The seal in the transition between the tube 21 and the cover plate 11 remains unchanged.

The downwardly moving pipe 21 'also serves as an actuating device for the base plate 34, which is moved to 34' in FIG. 2. The base plate 34 acts as a piston in a cylinder formed by the cylinder jacket 14. If the base plate 34 is now moved to 34 ', it comes out of engagement with the cylinder jacket 14 on its circumference, because it extends under its lower end 15. In this way, an annular gap 48 is created, through which the active substance 41 can flow downward, as indicated by an arrow 49.

If the bellows 30 is designed as a snap mechanism, the opening movement of the tube 21 serving as an actuating device with the base plate 34 can be increased. In the case of commercially available spray guns for the application of interest here, the axial path when the spray gun is screwed on, for example, is only 2 mm. If this path is transferred directly to the movement of the base plate 34, this means that the base plate 34 can only have a path of 2 mm in the direction of the axis 20. At the same time, this limits the width of the annular gap 48 for a certain thickness of the base plate 34 trained as a snap mechanism, the relatively small axial movement of the spray gun can be used when screwing it on, just to overcome the "pressure point" of the snap mechanism, ie the neutral point between the two snap end positions.

If the pressure point is overcome in this way, the tube 21 snaps further downward with the base plate 34, while at the same time its upper end 22 lifts it off the spray gun 46. The working path of the tube 21 with the base plate 34 is then increased by this snap movement from the pressure point to the second, lower and stable end position of the bellows 30.

In Fig. 1 it is also shown in broken lines that in a variant of the embodiment shown there, the lower end 15 of the cylinder jacket 14 can be extended beyond the position of the base plate 34, as indicated by 50. The lower end 25 of the tube 21 is also extended accordingly.

A protective film 51 can be placed on the preferably extended ends 50 of the cylinder jacket 14 and the tube 21 and welded there circumferentially in each case. This causes the base plate 34 to be completely sealed, so that leakage between the base plate 34 and the cylinder wall 14 or tube 21 is avoided even with very aggressive active substances 41. The protective film 51 is provided in the axis 20 with an opening through which the riser pipe 43 projects.

During the transition from the first position of use according to FIG. 1 to the second position of use according to FIG. 2, the protective film 51 is torn open automatically by the leading base plate 34.

In order to improve the sealing effect on the outer circumference 35 of the base plate 34, an additional ring seal 55 can be provided there, which is indicated in FIG. 2.

Claims (14)

Device for preparing a mixture of an active substance and a diluent, with a container (45) for holding the diluent and with a cartridge (10) for holding the active substance (41) in an interior (wall sections (12, 14, 34)) 40) of the cartridge (10), the cartridge (10) being insertable into the container (45) and being designed such that the active substance (41) can be emptied from the interior (40) into the container (45) and there with the diluent The cartridge (10) has a first, detachable wall section which can be at least partially lifted off from a surrounding, second wall section for emptying the cartridge (10) and the first wall section is also connected to a third wall section via an actuating device , which is separated by the second wall section from the first wall section, characterized in that the actuating device on a fastening ungspunkt is firmly connected to the third wall section and that the third wall section is flexible in the area of the attachment point. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third wall section is designed as a bellows (30) in the area of the fastening point. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third wall section is designed as an expandable membrane in the area of the fastening point. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the third wall section is designed as a snap mechanism which assumes a stable end position when the first wall section is lifted off the second wall section. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the third wall section and the actuating device are formed in one piece. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third wall section and the second wall section are formed in one piece. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuating device is designed as a tube (21) which penetrates the first wall section. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first wall section is detachably connected to the actuating device. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first wall section is fitted onto the actuating device in a snug fit (25, 26). Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first wall section is guided in the manner of a piston in the second wall section. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a film (51) completely covering the first wall section is provided, which is firmly connected at its peripheral edge to the second wall section. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cartridge (10) has a substantially cylindrical shape, the first wall section as a base plate (34), the second wall section as a cylinder jacket (14) and the third wall section as Cover plate (11) are formed. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the cover plate (11) is provided on its periphery with a flange (13) for attachment to the container (45). Method for filling a cartridge (10) for a device for preparing a mixture of an active substance and a diluent, with a container (45) for holding the diluent and with the cartridge (10) for holding the active substance (41) in one of wall sections (12, 14, 34) enclosed interior (40) of the cartridge, the cartridge (10) can be inserted into the container (45) and is designed such that the active substance (41) from the interior (40) into the container (45 ) can be emptied and diluted there with the diluent, the cartridge (10) also having a first, detachable wall section which can be at least partially lifted off from the surrounding second wall section for emptying the cartridge (10) and the first wall section furthermore via an actuating device communicates with a third wall section through the second wall section is separated from the first wall section, characterized in that the first wall section is detachably connected to the actuating device, and in that the interior (40) which is freely accessible in the absence of the first wall section is filled with the active substance (41) and then closed by means of the first wall section becomes.

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