US20140252029A1 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing device comprising a flexible inner container having a valve unit for dispensing a filling substance present in the inner container and an outer container sealingly engaged with the inner container. Pressurized gas present in an intermediate space between the outer and inner containers is used to generate an expulsion force for discharging the filling substance. To simplify manufacturing and make lower quantities economically feasible to manufacture, while also increasing the metering accuracy of the discharge of the filling substance the intermediate space is connected to an external pressurized gas source.

Description

• The invention relates to a dispensing device with a flexible inner container, which is provided with a valve unit for dispensing a filling substance located in the inner container, and an outer container, wherein the inner container provided with the valve unit is sealingly arranged in the outer container, wherein for generating an expulsion force for discharging the filling substance pressurized gas is present in the intermediate space between the outer container and the inner container.
• Generic dispensing devices, which are also called aerosol containers, are used for dispensing or outputting free-flowing filling substances. Aromatic substances or cosmetic products or body care and cleaning products can be used as filling substance. Room fragrance, perfume, cosmetics, air spray, hair lacquer, deodorant, foam, for example shaving foam, a gel, spray paint, sun or skin care agents are mentioned as non-conclusive listing of such filling substances.
• Direct contact of a propellant with the filling substance, for example an aromatic substance or a cosmetic substance is often undesirable, since chemical reactions, for example oxidations, could develop. In order to avoid this, the filling substance in generic dispensing devices is located in a flexible inner container provided with the valve unit, which is fastened in an outer container, wherein the propellant, for example compressed gas or compressed air as pressure gas is located in the intermediate space between the inner container and the outer container. With such two-chamber systems, the direct contact of the filling substance with the propellant can be avoided.
• A generic dispensing device is known from EP 1 622 818 B1.
• In known dispensing devices it is disadvantageous that when using pressure gas or compressed gas as propellant the internal pressure of the propellant and thus the pressure of the propellant continuously decrease in the intermediate space when removing the filling substance. The reasons for this consist in that because of the decreasing quantity of the filling substance in the inner container with increasing extraction duration the propellant located in the intermediate space expands. In addition, propellant can escape through leaks in the region of the fastening of the inner container to the outer container, as a result of which the pressure of the propellant decreases. Through the decreasing pressure of the propellant it becomes more difficult to control the discharge quantity of the filling substance when actuating the valve unit. In addition to this, a very high pressure has to be employed for the propellant in order to guarantee that the filling substance is emptied completely.
• In addition, known two-chamber dispensing devices designed as aerosol containers require elaborate manufacture and filling with the filling substance. During manufacture and filling, the outer container first has to be sealed with the valve unit, to which the empty flexible inner container is fastened, for example welded. A special machine is required for this purpose, since the outer container before being closed with the valve unit of the inner container, first has to be filled with a pressure gas or compressed gas to a certain pre-pressure. Following this, the actual filling substance is pressed through the valve unit into the flexible inner container, as a result of which the final positive pressure in the intermediate space is achieved. Because of introducing the compressed propellant into the outer container during the fastening of the empty inner container in the outer container, as a result of which the outer container is sealed, and subsequent introducing of the filling substance into the inner container, generic two-chamber dispensing devices with a compressed gas or pressure gas as propellant can only be produced economically from large quantities of dispensing devices to be produced. In addition, the special machine required for producing generic two-chamber dispensing devices with a compressed gas as propellant, with which during the fastening of the inner container provided with the valve unit in the outer container the compressed gas can be introduced into the outer container at a pre-pressure requires a major investment effort.
• The present invention is based on the object of making available a generic dispensing device, which is simplified in manufacture and economically makes possible individual manufacture or manufacture of low quantities and which is improved with respect to the metering accuracy of the discharge quantity of the filling substance.
• According to the invention, this object is solved in that the intermediate space between the outer container and the inner container for pressure generation with pressurized gas is connected to an external pressure source. The connection to an external pressure source of the intermediate space between the flexible inner container filled with the filling substance and the outer container makes it possible throughout the extraction duration and thus during the entire extraction period of the filling substance, wherein the flexible inner container collapses, to make available an unchanging constant pressure of the pressure gas in the intermediate space, as a result of which the metering accuracy of the discharge quantity over the entire extraction duration and the entire extraction period of the filling substance is improved and a high metering accuracy is ensured. In addition, the manufacture of a dispensing device according to the invention can be simplified, since through the pressure generation in the intermediate space by means of the connection of the intermediate space to an external pressure source during the manufacture of the dispensing device no pressure gas or compressed gas has to be introduced into the intermediate space and the fastening of the empty inner container in the outer container as well as the filling if applicable of the inner container fastened in the outer container can take place with the pressureless outer container. Pressureless state in this case is to mean a state in ambient conditions, in which no pre-pressure is present in the intermediate space. The dispensing device according to the invention thus makes it possible through the simplified manufacture without required special machines produce minor series with low quantities of the dispensing devices in an economically favorable manner and with low investment effort.
• According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source is effected via a sealed connection attachment to the outer container. On the outer container, a sealed connection attachment can be established in a simple manner, which makes it possible to connect the intermediate space between the inner container and the outer container to the external pressure source after the filling of the inner container.
• For connecting the intermediate space to the external pressure source the outer container according to an embodiment of the invention is provided with at least one opening at any location, in particular in the region of a bottom or a bottom-side lid. Such an opening can be produced on the outer container in a simple manner in order to make possible the attachment to the external pressure source. Here, the opening can be established on the outer container before or after the filling of the inner container. If the opening is established on the outer container before the filling of the inner container, pressure equalization is made possible through the opening in order to be able to fill the inner container in the pressureless state and without a backpressure developing in the intermediate space.
• Such an opening in the outer container for the pressure connection to the pressure source and/or as pressure equalization opening for the pressureless filling of the inner container can be produced with minor manufacturing effort of at least one pierced hole, at least one perforation, in particular at least one gill-like cheek, for at least one slit, which can be indented gill-like, in particular a plurality of slits which can be arranged in any way and can be indented gill-like or web-like. Here, for example two slits can be provided in the outer container, which delimit an indentable web delimited by two substantially parallel slits or which are arranged gill-like or star-like. A hole or a plurality of holes can be produced in a simple manner by piercing the outer container with a suitable tool, for example a needle or a specially shaped hole punch. Damaging of the unfilled or filled inner container while producing the opening or during the subsequent use can be avoided when instead of a simple hole in the outer container a narrow, short and gas-permeable slit is made. Alternatively, a plurality of slits made closely together can be arranged on the selected location of the outer container according to any pattern, for example web-like or star-like. The slit or slits can be indented gill-like or web-like using a suitable punch in order to protect the inner bag with the pressure connection so created to the external pressure source from deliberate or unintentional injuries through a needle or a pin. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, for example two parallel, preferably 3 mm short slits can be produced in the bottom of the outer container at a close spacing of for example 2 mm, after which the bridge-like web so created is slightly indented thus forming the pressure connection opening and/or pressure equalization opening.
• According to an advantageous further development of the invention, a sealing flange, in particular a circular groove is formed on the outer container for abutting a sealing device of the connecting flange. With such a sealing flange for a sealing device, for example an O-ring of the connection attachment, the sealing of the external pressure source to the surroundings can be improved in a simple manner. Here, the sealing flange can for example be produced with a suitable punch tool.
• Preferably, the connection attachment is formed by means of a hollow needle. With a hollow needle, the intermediate space can be connected to the external pressure source in a simple manner. In addition it is made possible in a simple manner to pierce the outer container with the hollow needle in order to produce the opening for connecting the intermediate space to the external pressure source.
• With particular advantage, the intermediate space is subjected to an unchangingly constant pressure over the extraction duration of the filling substance of the inner container by means of the external pressure source according to a preferred further development of the invention. By keeping the pressure of the compressed gas or the pressure gas in the intermediate space constant and thus of an isobaric state in the intermediate space throughout the extraction duration of the filling substance it is made possible to exactly meter the discharge quantity over the entire extraction duration of the filling substance.
• According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the metering of the discharge quantity of the filling substance is effected through a time control, in particular an electronic time control of the valve unit. Because of the constant pressure of the pressure gas or of the compressed gas in the intermediate space over the extraction duration of the filling substance and thus of the isobaric state in the intermediate space independently of the filling quantity of the flexible inner container it is made possible to exactly meter the discharge quantity of the filling substance over the opening duration of the valve unit. Through a suitable adjustment of the opening time of the valve unit, the extraction quantity of the filling substance can thus be exactly metered. Because of this it is made possible to extract the filling substance completely and in exactly identical portions over the extraction duration.
• If the valve unit can be activated by means of an electronic control unit, it is made possible in a simple manner to adjust the metered quantity of the dispensed filling substance by adjusting the opening duration of the valve unit.
• According to an advantageous further development of the invention, a holding device is provided, wherein with the dispensing device inserted in the holding device and filled with filling substance the connection attachment can be produced. The sealed connection attachment for connecting the intermediate space to the external pressure source can be produced in a simple manner after the inserting of the filled dispensing device and thus with a dispensing device that is inserted in a holding device and filled.
• If the sealed connection attachment can be produced by inserting the dispensing device in a holding device, the manufacturing effort for the sealed connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source can be further simplified. Together with a hollow needle for example arranged on the holding device, the outer container can be pierced in a simple manner when inserting the filled dispensing device in the holding device, in order to establish the connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source. In addition, when inserting the filled dispensing device in the holding device, the outer container can be pressed against the sealing device in a simple manner in order to establish the sealed connection attachment.
• According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device can be formed by an additional holder which can be provided with the connection attachment, in which an outer container that is closed or provided with the at least one opening, which is provided with the filled inner container, can be inserted.
• According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the holding device is formed as a lid, in particular a bottom-side lid of the outer container. The outer container provided with the filled inner container is thus sealed when being placed on the holding device designed as lid, wherein preferably the connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source is established at the same time.
• In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer container is designed as an aerosol container with a lid-side opening and a bottom, wherein through the lid-side opening the inner container provided with the valve unit can be inserted in the outer container and the inner container fastened to the lid-side opening on the outer container in a sealing manner, wherein the outer container is provided with at least one pressure equalization opening for the intermediate space for the pressureless filling of the inner container. Such an outer container, which is designed as so-called standard aerosol container, in which via the lid-side opening the empty inner container with the valve unit is inserted and on the lid-side opening the inner container is fastened in a sealing manner prior to the filling, requires minor construction expenditure and can be provided with a pressure equalization opening in a simple manner, with which the inner container can be filled in the pressureless state, i.e. in ambient conditions, wherein in the intermediate space during the filling of the inner container, no pre-pressure is generated. Because of the pressure equalization opening, filling the inner container can be effected for example with a simple hand pump via the valve unit of the inner container. Such an aerosol container can be designed as a one-piece for example deep-drawn container with a unitarily molded-on bottom. In addition, such an aerosol container can be assembled from a casing part and a lid part as well as a bottom part. Producing a dispensing device according to the invention is further simplified when using such an aerosol container.
• Preferably, the pressure equalization opening is arranged in the bottom of the outer container. In the bottom of an aerosol container, a pressure equalization opening or a plurality of pressure equalization openings for filling the inner container in ambient conditions can be produced in a simple manner.
• If according to a practical further development the at least one pressure equalization opening is formed by the at least one opening, by means of which the connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source of the outer container can be established the construction effort is further simplified since on the aerosol container, no separate openings, for example holes, perforations or slits have to be established in order to achieve the function of the pressure equalization opening on the one hand and the function of the opening for connection to the external pressure source on the other hand.
• Particular advantages are obtained when using a dispensing device according to the invention as room fragrance dispenser. Through the isobaric states in the intermediate space during the extraction duration of the filling substance designed as aromatic substance it is made possible to dispense exact and continuous quantities of the aromatic substance to the room air over the entire extraction duration through a time control of the opening duration of the valve unit.
• The invention, furthermore, relates to a dispensing system with a dispensing device, which is formed by a flexible inner container, which is provided with a valve unit for dispensing a filling substance located in the inner container, and an outer container, wherein the inner container provided with the valve unit is sealingly fastened in the outer container and can be connected to an external pressure source, which for generating an expulsion force of the filling substance located in the flexible inner container by means of a sealed connection attachment on the outer container to the intermediate space between the outer container and the inner container for pressure generation with pressurized gas. The cartridge consisting of the outer container with the filled inner container can be produced in a simple manner through the simplified assembly of the inner container provided with the valve device in the outer container in the pressureless state and the filling of the inner container in the pressureless state. Here, in particular storage or refill cartridges of the dispensing system according to the invention, in which the pressure in the intermediate space for expelling the filling substance of the cartridge is generated by an external pressure source and over the entire extraction period a constant pressure in the intermediate space is generated, can be produced in small quantities in an economically favorable manner.
• Preferably, the dispensing system comprises a holding device, by means of which the sealed connection attachment between the external pressure source and the intermediate space can be established. In such a holding device, the outer container provided with the filled inner container can be inserted in a simple manner and pressed against the connection attachment in order to establish the sealed connection attachment.
• The invention, furthermore, relates to a method for producing a dispensing device with a flexible inner container, which is provided with a valve unit for dispensing a filling substance located in the inner container, and an outer container, wherein for generating an expulsion force of the filling substance, pressurized gas in the intermediate space between the outer container and the inner container is used. The above-mentioned object of making available a dispensing device which is simplified in the manufacture is solved according to the method in that the flexible inner container provided with the valve unit is inserted in the outer container via an opening and with pressureless intermediate space, fastened to the outer container between inner container and outer container, in particular fastened in a pressure-tight manner, subsequently the inner container via the valve unit being filled with the filling substance and subsequently a sealed connection attachment to the outer container for attaching the outer container to an external pressure source is established, with which the intermediate space is put under a constant pressure. Through the connection of the intermediate space between the filled inner container and the closed outer container to an external pressure source for generating the expulsion force for the filling substance located in the inner container according to the invention, the manufacture of a dispensing device according to the invention is simplified, since inserting and fastening of the inner container provided with the valve unit in the outer container can take place without prior introducing of pressure gas in the intermediate space and thus with pressureless intermediate space under ambient conditions. Because of this, the manufacture of a dispensing device according to the invention is possible without elaborate special devices and special machines, as a result of which preferably small series of dispensing devices can be produced with low investment expenditure.
• According to a preferred further development of the method, the filling of the inner container with filling substance is carried out with the pressureless intermediate space. The filling of the inner container thus takes place by connecting the intermediate space to the surroundings at ambient conditions and thus in the pressureless state without establishing a backpressure in the intermediate space. Through this type of filling of the inner container, the production of a dispensing device according to the invention is further simplified since the filling of the inner container can take place without elaborate special devices and special machines with a filling device designed for example as a hand pump.
• The pressureless filling of the inner container without backpressure can be achieved when on the outer container before or during the filling of the inner container at least one pressure equalization opening is established, with which the intermediate space between inner container and outer container is connected to the surroundings.
• According to a preferred further development of the invention, the connection attachment is formed on a holding device for the outer container, wherein the connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source is established by inserting the outer container in the holding device. Because of this, establishing the connection of the intermediate space to the external pressure source is made possible by means of the sealed connection attachment with little effort and in a simple manner when inserting the filled outer container in the holding device.
• Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail in the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic Figures. Here it shows
• FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention in a longitudinal section,
• FIG. 2 the outer container of a dispensing device according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 the outer container with fastened and filled inner container,
• FIG. 4 a holding device of a dispensing device according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 a second embodiment of the invention being inserted in a holding device,
• FIG. 6 a third embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 7 the outer container ofFIG. 6 with fastened and filled inner container being inserted in a holding device and
• FIG. 8 a top view of the bottom of an outer container of theFIGS. 6 and 7 in an enlarged representation.
• FIG. 1 shows a dispensing device1 according to the invention, which consists of anouter container2 and a flexibleinner container3 arranged in theouter container2, which is filled with fillingsubstance4, for example an aromatic substance. The dispensing device1 according to the invention is formed for example as a room fragrance dispenser.
• Theinner container3 for example formed by a flexible foil bag is provided with avalve unit5 on the upper region. Thevalve unit5 can be formed by an aerosol valve, which is preferably welded to the flexibleinner container3.
• For fastening theinner container3 provided with thevalve unit5 in theouter container2, thevalve unit5 extends through an opening6 into a lid-side region of theouter container2, wherein thevalve unit5 is fastened to theouter container2 in the region of the opening6 in a pressure-tight manner. Fastening can take place for example by means of a crimped connection.
• On the bottom-side region of theouter container2, alid7 is provided, which can be sealingly inserted in the cylindrical portion of theouter container2 and fastened in a pressure-tight manner.
• For generating an expulsion force, by means of which the fillingsubstance4 located in theinner container3 can be discharged with openedvalve unit5, compressed gas as pressure gas, for example compressed air, is present in theintermediate space8 between the filledinner container3 and theouter container2.
• According to the invention, the intermediate space is connected to anexternal pressure source10. Theexternal pressure source10 can for example be formed by a pressure gas container, in particular a gas bottle or a compressor.
• Connecting theintermediate space8 to theexternal pressure source10 is effected by means of a sealed connection attachment11 of theouter container2. The connection attachment11 in the present exemplary embodiment is formed by an opening DV as pressure connection opening in theouter container2, preferably in the bottom-side lid7, and ahollow needle12 connected to thepressure source10, which extends through the opening DV in the bottom-side lid7 of theouter container2, and asealing device13, for example a rubber seal. The opening DV in this case can be formed as pierced hole by piercing theouter container2 with thehollow needle12.
• Thehollow needle12 is connected to theexternal pressure source10 via a connectingline14.
• The dispensing device1, which consists of theouter container2 and the filledinner container3 and forms a cartridge K, represents a dispensingsystem15 with theexternal pressure source10.
• According to the invention, the pressure of the compressed pressure gas located in theintermediate space8 is kept constant with theexternal pressure source10 over the entire extraction duration of the fillingsubstance4 and thus independently of the filling level of the fillingsubstance4 in the flexibleinner container3.
• For metering the discharge quantity, thevalve unit5 in the shown exemplary embodiment is connected to anelectronic control unit17, which likewise belongs to thedispensing system15. With theelectronic unit17, the opening time of thevalve unit5 can be adjusted and controlled. In connection with the constant pressure in theintermediate space8, an exactly meterable and continuous discharge quantity can thus be extracted through the control of the opening time of thevalve unit5 over the extraction duration of the fillingsubstance4.
• InFIGS. 2 to 4, the manufacturing process of a dispensing device1 according to the invention is explained.FIG. 2 shows theouter container2, in which theinner container3 provided with thevalve unit5 can be placed in the pressureless state in ambient conditions via the bottom-side opening ö and fastened to the lid-side opening6, for example through a crimped connection between thevalve unit5 and theouter container2 in the region of the opening6.
• Following this—as explained inFIG. 3 by the arrow—the flexibleinner container3 can be filled with the fillingsubstance4 via thevalve device5. The bottom-side opening ö of theouter container2 makes pressure equalization possible, so that the filling of theinner container3 in theintermediate space8 does not generate any backpressure. Theouter container2 provided with the filledinner container3 thus forms a cartridge K.
• According toFIG. 4, the bottom-side lid7, which is provided with the connection attachment11 and is connected to theexternal pressure source10, forms a separate holding device20, in which the outer container (cartridge K according toFIG. 3) provided with the filledinner container3 can be inserted. A sealing of theintermediate space8 is additionally established in the process.
• According toFIG. 5, in which a further embodiment of a dispensing device1 according to the invention is shown, theouter container2 which is open towards the bottom can be alternatively sealed in a pressure-tight manner with the bottom-side lid7 prior to the filling of theinner container3. On filling the flexibleinner container3 with the fillingsubstance4, a certain positive pressure is created in theintermediate space8, which however is not sufficient in order to extract, in particular completely extract the fillingsubstance4. According toFIG. 5, the cartridge K formed by theouter container2 and the filledinner container3 is sealed by the bottom-side lid7.
• The holding device20 according toFIG. 5 is formed as additional external or separate holder25, in which theouter container2 provided with the filledinner container3 can be inserted. Here, the connection attachment11 can be established when inserting theouter container2 in the holder25 in that the outer container is pierced by thehollow needle12 arranged on the holder25 for example on the bottom-side lid7. Alternatively, thehollow needle12 can be pierced through the wall of theouter container2 in order to establish a sealed connection attachment11 alternatively arranged laterally.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 5 it is alternatively possible to establish a pressure equalization opening DA for example in the bottom-side lid7 prior to the filling of theinner container3 in order to achieve filling theinner container3 in the pressureless state without generating a backpressure. The pressure equalization opening DA in this case can continue to have the function of the opening DV according toFIG. 1 in order to establish the sealed connection attachment11 to theexternal pressure source10 when inserting theouter container2 provided with the filledinner container3.
• FIGS. 6 to 8 show a preferred embodiment of the invention, according to which theouter container2 is formed by a closed standard aerosol container, which is provided with a deep-drawn and/or molded-on bottom-side lid7 and an opening6 in a lid-side region. The bottom-side lid7 can be produced in one piece in one operation with theouter container2. Alternatively, thelid7 is connected to theouter container2 in a fixed manner prior to the filling and closing off. By way of the opening6, the emptyinner container3 provided with thevalve unit5 can be inserted in theouter container2. The pressure-tight fastening betweeninner container3 andouter container2, likewise takes place in the region of the opening6, for example by means of a crimped connection.
• As shown in theFIGS. 7 and 8, theouter container2 formed as aerosol container comprises a slit preferably in the region of the bottom-side lid7, whose one limitation side in the shown exemplary embodiment is molded into a gill-like cheek40. The pressure equalization opening DA so formed thus makes possible filling theinner container3 via thevalve unit5 without theintermediate space8 receiving any positive pressure in the process. Thecheek40 continues to fulfill the function of the pressure connection opening DA for connecting theintermediate space8 to theexternal pressure source10.
• Instead of one or a plurality of gill-cheeks40 or corresponding perforations, which form one or a plurality of openings DA, at least one hole can likewise be established on theouter container2 in order to achieve the function of the pressure equalization opening DA for the pressureless filling of theinner container3 and the function of the opening DV for attachment to theexternal pressure source10.
• In addition, one or a plurality of slits can be introduced in theouter container2 in order to form at least one opening, which combines the function of the pressure equalization opening DA for the pressureless filling of theinner container3 and the function of the opening DV for attachment of theintermediate space8 to theexternal pressure source10. As such slits, for example two short cuts for example arranged parallel and spaced from one another can be introduced in the outer container, which delimit a web or a plurality of such webs that can be indented in a bridge-like manner. In addition, a plurality of slits according to any pattern, for example star-like can be provided in the outer container in order to achieve through indentation one or a plurality of openings as pressure connection opening DV for connecting theintermediate space8 to the external pressure source and as pressure equalization opening DA for the pressureless filling of theinner container3.
• On theouter container2, a sealingflange45 is formed furthermore, which for example surrounds a convex annular groove which surrounds thecheek40 and thus the pressure connection opening DV. The sealingflange45 serves as abutment for the sealingdevice13, for example an O-ring17, of the connection attachment11 in order to achieve an optimal seal in the region of the connection attachment11.
• Alternatively, the sealingflange45 can be of concave design and receive a corresponding sealing ring in order to optimize the seal.
• The sealingflange45 can already be created when producing thebottom lid7 or when producing theouter container2 provided thebottom lid7 is already connected to theouter container2 in a fixed manner. Alternatively it is possible to subsequently form the sealingflange45 on thebottom7 of theouter container2 formed as standard aerosol container through a suitable punching tool which for example is introduced via the opening6. During this operation, the opening DV and/or the pressure equalization opening DA can also be practically produced at the same time in one operation with a suitable punching/stamping tool, which serves for connecting to the external pressure source.
• Following the sealing of theouter container2, according toFIG. 6 with thevalve unit5 and the flexible and rolled-ininner container3 welded thereon, the latter can be filled with the fillingsubstance4 via thevalve unit5—as is indicated by the arrow inFIG. 7. The standard cartridge SK so completed can now be inserted in the holding device20 in order to establish the sealed connection attachment11.
• The holding device20 ofFIG. 7 is formed as additional external or separate holder25 similar toFIG. 5, in which the standard cartridge SK can be inserted. When inserting the standard cartridge SK in the holder25, the sealingdevice13, for example the O-ring17, is pressed against the sealingflange45 so that via the opening DV and theattachment12 the sealed connection attachment11 between thepressure source10 and theintermediate space8 is established.
• FIG. 7 furthermore shows theelectronic control unit17 the time control of thevalve unit5 which in addition to the holding device20 and the standard cartridge SK belongs to thedispensing system15.
• With the dispensing device1 according to the invention and its manufacture, a number of advantages are achieved.
• With the dispensing device1 according to the invention, cost-effective storage/refill cartridges K for filling substances can be produced, which make it possible with gas pressure in theintermediate space8 to extract exactly meterable quantities of the fillingsubstance4 through avalve unit5. The accuracy of the metering of the discharge quantity of the fillingsubstance4 is guaranteed through theelectronic control unit17 in the microgram or microliter ranges and below.
• Through the constant pressure of theexternal pressure source10 of the dispensingsystem15 is achieved that theintermediate space8 of the cartridge K is always under exactly the same pressure throughout the entire extraction duration of the fillingsubstance4. Because of the pressure in theintermediate space8 which is constant over the extraction duration, the discharge quantity can be exactly controlled through the opening time of thevalve unit5.
• The dispensing device1 according to the invention can be produced in a simple manner in that an emptyinner container3 with thevalve unit5 fastened thereon is initially assembled in theouter container2 in a pressureless manner and thus under ambient conditions, for example through a crimped closure. Following this, filling of the flexibleinner container3 with the fillingsubstance4 through thevalve unit5 takes place. According toFIG. 5, a certain positive pressure is created in theintermediate space8 through the cartridge K closed with thelid7 when filling theinner container3, but which is not sufficient in order to remove the entire content of the fillingsubstance4 again, in particular with exactly the same discharge quantities. If in this case at least one pressure equalization opening DA has already been formed in the bottom lid7 (FIG. 7), filling of theinner container3 can even take place without backpressure in theintermediate space8, for example by means of a hand pump as filling device. On a standard aerosol container asouter container2, the opening DV, which serves as pressure equalization opening DA when filling theinner container3, can be produced through one or a plurality of perforations or slits in a simple manner.
• In order to establish the necessary constant pressure in theintermediate space8 of the cartridge K, the cartridge K is placed in a holding device20. When inserting the cartridge K in the holding device20 or following the inserting of the cartridge K in the holding device20, theintermediate space8 is connected to theexternal pressure source10 by means of the sealed connection attachment11. In the event that thebottom lid7 does not yet have any opening DV, it can be pierced through thehollow needle12 and sealed off by means of the sealingdevice13.
• Through the at least one opening DV, theintermediate space8 is connected to the external pressure source and supplied with the required pressure which is constant over the entire extraction period as soon as thepressure source10 is opened.
• Through the constant pressure that remains the same in theintermediate space8 the filling substance can be extracted from the flexibleinner container2 completely in exactly the same portions in that the opening time of thevalve unit5 is exactly adjusted and controlled, for example by means of theelectronic control17.
• Theouter container2 provided with the filledinner container3, which forms the cartridge K, can be removed from the holding device20 at any time, wherein the established pressure in theintermediate space8 can escape via the opening DV or the pressure equalization opening DA.
• Both an original cartridge provided with a pressure equalization opening DA as well as a removed cartridge K are not pressurized and because of this are safer in storage. Because of this, refill cartridges can be transported in an aeroplane without being classified as dangerous goods.
• Fastening theinner container3 provided with thevalve unit5 in theouter container2 and filling the flexibleinner container3 with the fillingsubstance4 with pressureless intermediate space, i.e. in ambient conditions without positive pressure or pre-pressure makes possible a simplified manufacture of the dispensing device1 according to the invention without special machines. Because of this it is made possible to produce low quantities of the dispensing device1 according to the invention in a cost-effective manner and with low investment requirement.

Claims (45)

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25. A dispensing device comprising:

a flexible inner container having a valve unit for dispensing a filling substance present in the inner container;

an outer container sealingly arranged with the inner container;

a pressurized gas in an intermediate space between the outer container and the inner container for generating an expulsion force to discharge the filling substance; and

an external pressurized gas source connected to the intermediate space.

26. The dispensing device according toclaim 25, wherein the intermediate space is connected to the external pressurized gas source through a sealed connection attachment on the outer container.

27. The dispensing device according toclaim 25, wherein the intermediate space is connected to the external pressurized gas source through at least one opening formed in the outer container.

28. The dispensing device according toclaim 27, wherein the opening formed in the outer container is formed through the bottom or side of the outer container.

29. The dispensing device according toclaim 27, wherein the opening is at least one pierced hole, at least one perforation, or at least one slit.

30. The dispensing device according toclaim 29, wherein the opening comprises a plurality of slits that are indented in a gill-like or web-like pattern.

31. The dispensing device according toclaim 27, further comprising a holding device configured to hold the outer container in a sealed arrangement, the holding device including a connection attachment configured to engage with the opening in the outer container; and

further comprising a sealing flange formed on the outer container, the sealing flange configured to engage the connection attachment.

32. The dispensing device according toclaim 31, wherein the sealing flange comprises a circular groove surrounding the opening in the outer container.

33. The dispensing device according toclaim 31, wherein the connection attachment is a hollow needle.

34. The dispensing device according toclaim 25, wherein the external pressure source provides constant pressure to the intermediate space during extraction duration of the filling substance.

35. The dispensing device according toclaim 25, further comprising a metering device associated with the valve unit.

36. The dispensing device according toclaim 35, wherein the metering device is a time control device.

37. The dispensing device according toclaims 25, further comprising an electronic control unit associated with the valve unit.

38. The dispensing device according toclaim 27, wherein the holding device is a lid of the outer container.

39. The dispensing device according toclaim 28, wherein the lid is a bottom-side lid.

40. The dispensing device according toclaims 25, wherein the outer container is an aerosol container including a lid-side opening and a bottom;

wherein the inner container is sealingly fastened to the lid-side opening; and

wherein the outer container includes at least one pressure opening.

41. The dispensing device according toclaim 40, wherein the pressure equalization opening is in the bottom of the outer container.

42. The dispensing device according toclaim 27 wherein the filling substance is a room fragrance.

43. A method for manufacturing a dispensing device:

the dispensing device comprising:

a flexible inner container having a valve unit;

an outer container having a lid-side opening and at least one pressure equalization opening;

wherein the inner container is sealingly fastened within the outer container such that the valve unit extends through the lid-side opening; and

wherein an intermediate space is created between the inner container and the outer container, the intermediate space communicating with the pressure equalization opening; and

a holding device configured to sealingly engage the outer container, the holding device including a connection attachment configured to sealingly engage the pressure equalization opening when the outer container is engaged in the holding device, and the holding device including connection means for connecting the holding device to an external pressurized gas source;

the method comprising:

providing the dispensing device;

filling the inner container with a filling substance by injecting the filling substance through the valve unit;

connecting the outer container with the holding device to form a sealed unit, wherein the connection attachment sealingly engages the pressure equalization opening;

injecting pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source through the connecting attachment of the holding device into the intermediate space to create a pressurized dispensing device.

44. The method according toclaim 43, wherein the filling of the inner container with the filling substance is carried out in a pressureless condition by virtue of the pressure equalization opening of the outer container.

45. The method according toclaims 43, further comprising establishing a connection between the intermediate space and the external pressurized gas source by inserting the outer container in the holding device.

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