DISPENSING DEVICE

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 of FIG. 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 the FIGS. 6 and 7 in an enlarged representation.

FIG. 1 shows a dispensing device 1 according to the invention, which consists of an outer container 2 and a flexible inner container 3 arranged in the outer container 2, which is filled with filling substance 4, for example an aromatic substance. The dispensing device 1 according to the invention is formed for example as a room fragrance dispenser.

The inner container 3 for example formed by a flexible foil bag is provided with a valve unit 5 on the upper region. The valve unit 5 can be formed by an aerosol valve, which is preferably welded to the flexible inner container 3.

For fastening the inner container 3 provided with the valve unit 5 in the outer container 2, the valve unit 5 extends through an opening 6 into a lid-side region of the outer container 2, wherein the valve unit 5 is fastened to the outer container 2 in the region of the opening 6 in a pressure-tight manner. Fastening can take place for example by means of a crimped connection.

On the bottom-side region of the outer container 2, a lid 7 is provided, which can be sealingly inserted in the cylindrical portion of the outer container 2 and fastened in a pressure-tight manner.

For generating an expulsion force, by means of which the filling substance 4 located in the inner container 3 can be discharged with opened valve unit 5, compressed gas as pressure gas, for example compressed air, is present in the intermediate space 8 between the filled inner container 3 and the outer container 2.

According to the invention, the intermediate space is connected to an external pressure source 10. The external pressure source 10 can for example be formed by a pressure gas container, in particular a gas bottle or a compressor.

Connecting the intermediate space 8 to the external pressure source 10 is effected by means of a sealed connection attachment 11 of the outer container 2. The connection attachment 11 in the present exemplary embodiment is formed by an opening DV as pressure connection opening in the outer container 2, preferably in the bottom-side lid 7, and a hollow needle 12 connected to the pressure source 10, which extends through the opening DV in the bottom-side lid 7 of the outer container 2, and a sealing device 13, for example a rubber seal. The opening DV in this case can be formed as pierced hole by piercing the outer container 2 with the hollow needle 12.

The hollow needle 12 is connected to the external pressure source 10 via a connecting line 14.

The dispensing device 1, which consists of the outer container 2 and the filled inner container 3 and forms a cartridge K, represents a dispensing system 15 with the external pressure source 10.

According to the invention, the pressure of the compressed pressure gas located in the intermediate space 8 is kept constant with the external pressure source 10 over the entire extraction duration of the filling substance 4 and thus independently of the filling level of the filling substance 4 in the flexible inner container 3.

For metering the discharge quantity, the valve unit 5 in the shown exemplary embodiment is connected to an electronic control unit 17, which likewise belongs to the dispensing system 15. With the electronic unit 17, the opening time of the valve unit 5 can be adjusted and controlled. In connection with the constant pressure in the intermediate space 8, an exactly meterable and continuous discharge quantity can thus be extracted through the control of the opening time of the valve unit 5 over the extraction duration of the filling substance 4.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, the manufacturing process of a dispensing device 1 according to the invention is explained. FIG. 2 shows the outer container 2, in which the inner container 3 provided with the valve unit 5 can be placed in the pressureless state in ambient conditions via the bottom-side opening ö and fastened to the lid-side opening 6, for example through a crimped connection between the valve unit 5 and the outer container 2 in the region of the opening 6.

Following this—as explained in FIG. 3 by the arrow—the flexible inner container 3 can be filled with the filling substance 4 via the valve device 5. The bottom-side opening ö of the outer container 2 makes pressure equalization possible, so that the filling of the inner container 3 in the intermediate space 8 does not generate any backpressure. The outer container 2 provided with the filled inner container 3 thus forms a cartridge K.

According to FIG. 4, the bottom-side lid 7, which is provided with the connection attachment 11 and is connected to the external pressure source 10, forms a separate holding device 20, in which the outer container (cartridge K according to FIG. 3) provided with the filled inner container 3 can be inserted. A sealing of the intermediate space 8 is additionally established in the process.

According to FIG. 5, in which a further embodiment of a dispensing device 1 according to the invention is shown, the outer container 2 which is open towards the bottom can be alternatively sealed in a pressure-tight manner with the bottom-side lid 7 prior to the filling of the inner container 3. On filling the flexible inner container 3 with the filling substance 4, a certain positive pressure is created in the intermediate space 8, which however is not sufficient in order to extract, in particular completely extract the filling substance 4. According to FIG. 5, the cartridge K formed by the outer container 2 and the filled inner container 3 is sealed by the bottom-side lid 7.

The holding device 20 according to FIG. 5 is formed as additional external or separate holder 25, in which the outer container 2 provided with the filled inner container 3 can be inserted. Here, the connection attachment 11 can be established when inserting the outer container 2 in the holder 25 in that the outer container is pierced by the hollow needle 12 arranged on the holder 25 for example on the bottom-side lid 7. Alternatively, the hollow needle 12 can be pierced through the wall of the outer container 2 in order to establish a sealed connection attachment 11 alternatively arranged laterally.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 it is alternatively possible to establish a pressure equalization opening DA for example in the bottom-side lid 7 prior to the filling of the inner container 3 in order to achieve filling the inner container 3 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 to FIG. 1 in order to establish the sealed connection attachment 11 to the external pressure source 10 when inserting the outer container 2 provided with the filled inner container 3.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a preferred embodiment of the invention, according to which the outer container 2 is formed by a closed standard aerosol container, which is provided with a deep-drawn and/or molded-on bottom-side lid 7 and an opening 6 in a lid-side region. The bottom-side lid 7 can be produced in one piece in one operation with the outer container 2. Alternatively, the lid 7 is connected to the outer container 2 in a fixed manner prior to the filling and closing off. By way of the opening 6, the empty inner container 3 provided with the valve unit 5 can be inserted in the outer container 2. The pressure-tight fastening between inner container 3 and outer container 2, likewise takes place in the region of the opening 6, for example by means of a crimped connection.

As shown in the FIGS. 7 and 8, the outer container 2 formed as aerosol container comprises a slit preferably in the region of the bottom-side lid 7, whose one limitation side in the shown exemplary embodiment is molded into a gill-like cheek 40. The pressure equalization opening DA so formed thus makes possible filling the inner container 3 via the valve unit 5 without the intermediate space 8 receiving any positive pressure in the process. The cheek 40 continues to fulfill the function of the pressure connection opening DA for connecting the intermediate space 8 to the external pressure source 10.

Instead of one or a plurality of gill-cheeks 40 or corresponding perforations, which form one or a plurality of openings DA, at least one hole can likewise be established on the outer container 2 in order to achieve the function of the pressure equalization opening DA for the pressureless filling of the inner container 3 and the function of the opening DV for attachment to the external pressure source 10.

In addition, one or a plurality of slits can be introduced in the outer container 2 in order to form at least one opening, which combines the function of the pressure equalization opening DA for the pressureless filling of the inner container 3 and the function of the opening DV for attachment of the intermediate space 8 to the external pressure source 10. 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 the intermediate space 8 to the external pressure source and as pressure equalization opening DA for the pressureless filling of the inner container 3.

On the outer container 2, a sealing flange 45 is formed furthermore, which for example surrounds a convex annular groove which surrounds the cheek 40 and thus the pressure connection opening DV. The sealing flange 45 serves as abutment for the sealing device 13, for example an O-ring 17, of the connection attachment 11 in order to achieve an optimal seal in the region of the connection attachment 11.

Alternatively, the sealing flange 45 can be of concave design and receive a corresponding sealing ring in order to optimize the seal.

The sealing flange 45 can already be created when producing the bottom lid 7 or when producing the outer container 2 provided the bottom lid 7 is already connected to the outer container 2 in a fixed manner. Alternatively it is possible to subsequently form the sealing flange 45 on the bottom 7 of the outer container 2 formed as standard aerosol container through a suitable punching tool which for example is introduced via the opening 6. 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 the outer container 2, according to FIG. 6 with the valve unit 5 and the flexible and rolled-in inner container 3 welded thereon, the latter can be filled with the filling substance 4 via the valve unit 5—as is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7. The standard cartridge SK so completed can now be inserted in the holding device 20 in order to establish the sealed connection attachment 11.

The holding device 20 of FIG. 7 is formed as additional external or separate holder 25 similar to FIG. 5, in which the standard cartridge SK can be inserted. When inserting the standard cartridge SK in the holder 25, the sealing device 13, for example the O-ring 17, is pressed against the sealing flange 45 so that via the opening DV and the attachment 12 the sealed connection attachment 11 between the pressure source 10 and the intermediate space 8 is established.

FIG. 7 furthermore shows the electronic control unit 17 the time control of the valve unit 5 which in addition to the holding device 20 and the standard cartridge SK belongs to the dispensing system 15.

With the dispensing device 1 according to the invention and its manufacture, a number of advantages are achieved.

With the dispensing device 1 according to the invention, cost-effective storage/refill cartridges K for filling substances can be produced, which make it possible with gas pressure in the intermediate space 8 to extract exactly meterable quantities of the filling substance 4 through a valve unit 5. The accuracy of the metering of the discharge quantity of the filling substance 4 is guaranteed through the electronic control unit 17 in the microgram or microliter ranges and below.

Through the constant pressure of the external pressure source 10 of the dispensing system 15 is achieved that the intermediate space 8 of the cartridge K is always under exactly the same pressure throughout the entire extraction duration of the filling substance 4. Because of the pressure in the intermediate space 8 which is constant over the extraction duration, the discharge quantity can be exactly controlled through the opening time of the valve unit 5.

The dispensing device 1 according to the invention can be produced in a simple manner in that an empty inner container 3 with the valve unit 5 fastened thereon is initially assembled in the outer container 2 in a pressureless manner and thus under ambient conditions, for example through a crimped closure. Following this, filling of the flexible inner container 3 with the filling substance 4 through the valve unit 5 takes place. According to FIG. 5, a certain positive pressure is created in the intermediate space 8 through the cartridge K closed with the lid 7 when filling the inner container 3, but which is not sufficient in order to remove the entire content of the filling substance 4 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 lid 7 (FIG. 7), filling of the inner container 3 can even take place without backpressure in the intermediate space 8, for example by means of a hand pump as filling device. On a standard aerosol container as outer container 2, the opening DV, which serves as pressure equalization opening DA when filling the inner container 3, 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 the intermediate space 8 of the cartridge K, the cartridge K is placed in a holding device 20. When inserting the cartridge K in the holding device 20 or following the inserting of the cartridge K in the holding device 20, the intermediate space 8 is connected to the external pressure source 10 by means of the sealed connection attachment 11. In the event that the bottom lid 7 does not yet have any opening DV, it can be pierced through the hollow needle 12 and sealed off by means of the sealing device 13.

Through the at least one opening DV, the intermediate space 8 is connected to the external pressure source and supplied with the required pressure which is constant over the entire extraction period as soon as the pressure source 10 is opened.

Through the constant pressure that remains the same in the intermediate space 8 the filling substance can be extracted from the flexible inner container 2 completely in exactly the same portions in that the opening time of the valve unit 5 is exactly adjusted and controlled, for example by means of the electronic control 17.

The outer container 2 provided with the filled inner container 3, which forms the cartridge K, can be removed from the holding device 20 at any time, wherein the established pressure in the intermediate space 8 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 the inner container 3 provided with the valve unit 5 in the outer container 2 and filling the flexible inner container 3 with the filling substance 4 with pressureless intermediate space, i.e. in ambient conditions without positive pressure or pre-pressure makes possible a simplified manufacture of the dispensing device 1 according to the invention without special machines. Because of this it is made possible to produce low quantities of the dispensing device 1 according to the invention in a cost-effective manner and with low investment requirement.

Claims

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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 to claim 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 to claim 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 to claim 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 to claim 27, wherein the opening is at least one pierced hole, at least one perforation, or at least one slit.

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

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

34. The dispensing device according to claim 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 to claim 25, further comprising a metering device associated with the valve unit.

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

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

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

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

40. The dispensing device according to claims 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 to claim 40, wherein the pressure equalization opening is in the bottom of the outer container.

42. The dispensing device according to claim 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 to claim 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 to claims 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.