Cartridge for containing and dispensing products in general

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1 for containing and dispensing products in general.

[0002] As is known, cartridges for containing products which are, generally, provided by a plurality of components which are contained separately in a bag arranged inside a rigid outer body, are currently commercially available.

[0003] The bag is closed by a clip or fastening ring, which must be removed when the product is to be dispensed in order to use it.

[0004] Known solutions, such as for example the one disclosed in EP 0754633, entail extracting the end provided with the ring from the mouth of the outer containment body and removing the ring by cutting the bag by means of scissors, cutters or the like, which are not always immediately available to the user.

[0005] This solution is scarcely practical, because in many cases it is very difficult to extract the end from the mouth of the cartridge and because the resins contained in the bag can dirty the tools that are used.

[0006] Other known solutions, such as for example the one disclosed in WO 2004/076078, entail providing the bag with a clip, arranged at the dispensing end, which is fastened less tightly than the clip at the other end, so that by applying adequate pressure to the bag the clip slides off without having to use tools to cut the bag.

[0007] This solution suffers the drawback that the clip, once expelled from the bag, remains in the cartridge dispensing port, and in some cases causes difficulties; moreover, the need to provide a relatively loose fastening in order to allow expulsion can lead in some cases to inappropriate opening of the bag.

[0008] Moreover, the bag can have a relatively short inlet portion, with the risk that the two components might mix within the cartridge, making it impossible to reuse the cartridge.

[0009] EP-A-1 849 529 discloses a cartridge arrangement comprising a frangible portion housed within a guide tube with an end of the frangible portion seated by a clip. A cap attached to an end of the guide tube by a screw thread, and unscrewing of the cap urges arms, having a portion seated behind the clip, away from the guided tube thereby opening the frangible portion. A cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1 is also known from the document WO 2007128996 A1.

[0010] The aim of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks noted above by providing a cartridge for containing and dispensing products in general which allows to open the bag without having to resort to external tools and without having difficulties in removing the dispensing end of the bag.

[0011] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a cartridge in which it is possible to remove the closure clip completely, so that it does not remain inside the cartridge and thus does not constitute a hindrance for correct dispensing of the products.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge which, thanks to its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge which can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and is also competitive from a merely economical standpoint.

[0014] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a cartridge for containing and dispensing products in general, as defined in the appended claims.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a cartridge for containing and dispensing products in general, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the cartridge in a closure position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the initial step of the extraction of the

clip;

Figure 3 illustrates the separation of the clip;

Figure 4 is a view of the application of a dispensing nozzle on the open bag;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the detail of the extractor and of the bag;

Figure 6 is a view of the extractor applied to the end of the bag.

[0016] With reference to the figures, the cartridge for containing and dispensing products in general according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises an outer body 2, which generally has a cylindrical shape and is made of substantially rigid plastic material and inside which there is a bag 3 which is advantageously of the type provided internally with two or more components which are accommodated in separate compartments formed by the bag.

[0017] The bag 3 has, at the dispensing end, a clip 10, which is typically formed by a flattened metallic ring, which clamps the end that is arranged at an inlet 11 provided at the axial end of the body 2.

[0018] A peculiarity of the invention consists in that at least one extractor 20 is provided which can engage the clip 10 and is accommodated in the inlet 11 with one of its portions, which arranges itself outside said inlet so as to allow to grip the extractor.

[0019] The extractor 20 is constituted by a fork-like portion 21, which defines a recessed seat 22, which arranges itself below the clip 10, with the end of the bag arranged outwardly.

[0020] The extractor 20 has upright portions 23 which end with a connecting portion 24, which constitutes the grip element for the extractor.

[0021] In order to stiffen the assembly, an upper crossmember 25 and a lower crossmember 26 are provided and join the uprights.

[0022] The uprights and the fork-like portion 21 in practice constitute a guiding element for the correct translational motion of the extractor 20 within the inlet, so as to allow extraction of the clip, which is arranged, as mentioned earlier, above the fork 21 and is coupled to containment notches 27 provided on the internal parts of the uprights 23.

[0023] With the cartridge according to the invention, the extractor 20 is arranged in the inlet so that the connecting portion 24 protrudes from the inlet and is arranged below a closure cap 30.

[0024] To proceed with use, it is necessary first of all to act on the extractor 20, gripping the grip part 24 and applying a pulling action which first of all allows to extract the end of the bag and, by continuing the pulling action, allows to extract the clip 10 from the end of the bag, which correctly arranges itself in the inlet.

[0025] Once the clip 10 has been extracted, a conventional dispensing nozzle 40 is applied and the cartridge is ready for use, and the arrangement of the end of the bag at the inlet avoids the formation of undue mixing of components, which would cause problems in subsequent reuses of the cartridge.

[0026] From what has been described above it is therefore evident that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a cartridge is provided which can be opened without having to resort to tools of any kind, further having a correct positioning of the end of the bag in the inlet, so as to achieve the correct dispensing flow of the products used and without causing undue mixing of such products.

[0027] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0028] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

[0029] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A cartridge (1) for containing and dispensing products in general, comprising:

an outer body (2) which contains a bag (3) of the product to be dispensed which is closed, at least at the dispensing end, by a closure clip (10);

at least one extractor (20) which can engage said clip (10) and is accessible from the outside of said outer body (2) for the removal of said clip (10) from said bag (3);

said outer body (2) forming an inlet (11) to which a closure cap (30) is removably screwed and inside which said extractor (20) is positioned characterized in that said extractor (20) is positioned so that at least one grip element portion (24) can be accessed from the outside of said inlet (11) when said closure cap (30) is removed from said inlet (11); and in that

said extractor comprises upright portions (23) which end with an arc-shaped connecting portion (24) which forms the grip element for said extractor (20) protruding outside said inlet (11) of said outer body (2) when said closure cap (30) is removed from said inlet (11).

2. The cartridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said extractor (20) is accommodated at least partially in said outer body (2).

3. The cartridge (1) according to one or more of the preceding clams, characterized in that said closure cap (30) is removably screwed to said inlet (11) independently of said extractor (20) whereby removing said closure cap (30) from said inlet (11) does not remove said extractor (20) from inside said inlet (11).

4. The cartridge according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said extractor comprises a fork-like portion (21) which defines a recessed seat (22) which can be arranged below said clip (10).

5. The cartridge according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an upper crossmember and a lower crossmember which join said uprights (23).

6. The cartridge according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said uprights (23) define, above said fork (21), containment notches (27) for the placement of said clip (10).

Ansprüche

1. Kartusche (1) zum Aufnehmen und Ausgeben von Produkten im Allgemeinen, umfassend:

einen äußeren Körper (2), der eine Tasche (3) des auszugebenden Produkts enthält, die zumindest am Ausgabeende durch einen Verschlussclip (10) verschlossen ist;

zumindest einen Ausziehmechanismus (20), der in diesen Clip (10) eingreifen kann und auf den von außerhalb des äußeren Körpers (2) zum Entfernen des Clips (10) von der Tasche (3) zugegriffen werden kann;

wobei der äußere Körper (2) einen Einlass (11) bildet, auf den eine Verschlusskappe (30) entfernbar aufgeschraubt ist und in dessen Innerem der Ausziehmechanismus (20) positioniert ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ausziehmechanismus (20) so positioniert ist, dass zumindest auf einen Griffelementabschnitt (24) ein Zugriff von außerhalb des Einlasses (11) möglich ist, wenn die Verschlusskappe (30) von .dem Einlass (11) entfernt ist; und dass

der Ausziehmechanismus aufrechtstehende Abschnitte (23) umfasst, die in einem bogenförmigen, das Griffelement für den Ausziehmechanismus (20) bildenden Verbindungsabschnitt (24) enden, der aus dem Einlass (11) des äußeren Körpers (2) hervorragt, wenn die Verschlusskappe (30) von dem Einlass (11) entfernt ist.

2. Kartusche (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ausziehmechanismus (20) zumindest teilweise in dem äußeren Körper (2) untergebracht ist.

3. Kartusche (1) nach einem oder mehreren der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verschlusskappe (30) unabhängig von dem Ausziehmechanismus (20) entfernbar auf den Einlass (11) aufgeschraubt ist, wobei der Ausziehmechanismus (20) durch das Entfernen der Verschlusskappe (30) von dem Einlass (11) nicht aus dem Inneren des Einlasses (11) entfernt wird.

4. Kartusche nach einem oder mehreren der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ausziehmechanismus einen gabelförmigen Abschnitt (21) umfasst, der eine unterhalb des Clips (10) anordenbare Sitzaussparung (22) definiert.

5. Kartusche nach einem oder mehreren der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein oberes Querstück und ein unteres Querstück umfasst, die an die aufrechtstehenden Abschnitte (23) angefügt sind.

6. Kartusche nach einem oder mehreren der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die aufrechtstehenden Abschnitte (23) Einkerbungen (27) oberhalb der Gabel (21) zur Platzierung des Clips (10) definieren.

Revendications

1. Cartouche (1) pour contenir et distribuer des produits en général, comprenant :

un corps extérieur (2) qui contient un sac (3) du produit à distribuer, lequel sac est fermé, au moins à l'extrémité de distribution, par une attache de fermeture (10) ;

au moins un extracteur (20) apte à venir contre ladite attache (10) et accessible de l'extérieur dudit corps extérieur (2) pour retirer ladite attache (10) dudit sac (3) ;

ledit corps extérieur (2) formant une entrée (11) sur laquelle est vissée de manière amovible une capsule de fermeture (30) et à l'intérieur de laquelle est placé ledit extracteur (20), caractérisée en ce que ledit extracteur (20) est placé de façon qu'au moins une partie (24) d'un élément de saisie soit accessible de l'extérieur de ladite entrée (11) quand ladite capsule de fermeture (30) est retirée de ladite entrée (11) ; et en ce que

ledit extracteur comporte des parties formant montants (23) qui se terminent par une partie de liaison arquée (24) qui forme ledit élément de saisie pour ledit extracteur (20) dépassant hors de ladite entrée (11) dudit corps extérieur (2) quand ladite capsule de fermeture (30) est retirée de ladite entrée (11).

2. Cartouche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit extracteur (20) est au moins partiellement logé dans ledit corps extérieur (2).

3. Cartouche (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ladite capsule de fermeture (30) est vissée d'une manière amovible sur ladite entrée (11) indépendamment dudit extracteur (20), grâce à quoi le fait de retirer ladite capsule de fermeture (30) de ladite entrée (11) ne fait pas sortir ledit extracteur (20) de l'intérieur de ladite entrée (11).

4. Cartouche selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit extracteur comporte une partie fourchue (21) qui définit un logement creux (22) pouvant être ménagé sous ladite attache (10).

5. Cartouche selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend un élément transversal supérieur et un élément transversal inférieur qui réunissent lesdits montants (23).

6. Cartouche selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que lesdits montants (23) définissent, au-dessus de ladite fourche (21), des encoches de maintien (27) pour la mise en place de ladite attache (10).

Drawing