Dosage pump and dosage system

Abstract

 A dosage system (30) comprising a dosage pump assembly (1) and a sleeve coupling (2), said sleeve coupling being arranged in a collapsible fluid container, wherein the dosage pump assembly (2) comprises
a dome part (3); an inner part (4); and a membrane part (5), wherein
said dosage pump assembly being designed such that the membrane part is at least partly insertable into the inner part (4) thereby forming a vent part (27); and that the vent part (27) is at least partly insertable into the dome part (3), thereby forming the dosage pump assembly (1), and in that
said dosage pump assembly (1) is insertable into the sleeve coupling (2) after the collapsible fluid container is filled with fluid, thereby forming the dosage system (30).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present document relates to a dosage system for a collapsible fluid container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dosage pump assembly for use in the dosage system.

Background

[0002] SE453454 discloses a dosage arrangement for a collapsible fluid container, where a flange or collar is provided, e.g. fastened by means of plastic welding to the container, at one end of the container. The flange comprises an arched dome section extending inwardly into the container, and an opening opposite the arched dome, in which a self-closing seal such as a membrane can be snapped into place. The container is filled with fluid through an opening in the dome section, which opening also acts as an opening for fluid to enter into from the container before being dispensed through the self-closing membrane.

[0003] This type of container and dosage arrangement is convenient in that the container is completely collapsed upon emptying it, and thus leaves very little waste, the container must further be made air-tight, which is advantageous from a hygienic point of view. By having an air-tight system there is also provided a bacteria tight system. This type of arrangement can therefore be used for various cosmetic and medicinal products. Further as the arrangement is self-closing there is provided a way of reducing fluids from being drawn back into the container once they have been dispensed. Through the construction of the dome section a more precise dispensing of a well-defined amount of fluid can be achieved. However, the bag must be filled trough the opening in the dome section and the membrane must be assembled with the flange immediately after filling the bag, as the membrane otherwise can be damaged and thus not be fitted properly into the flange.

Summary

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure, to provide an improved or dosage system, which eliminates or alleviates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0005] More specific objects include providing a dosage pump assembly for allowing the collapsible container to be filled in a more efficient manner, while still being air and bacteria tight.

[0006] The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims and in the following description and drawings.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a dosage system comprising a dosage pump assembly and a sleeve coupling, said sleeve coupling being arranged in a collapsible fluid container, wherein the dosage pump assembly comprises a dome part; an inner part; and a membrane part. The dosage pump assembly is designed such that the membrane part is at least partly insertable into the inner part thereby forming a vent part; and the vent part is at least partly insertable into the dome part, thereby forming the dosage pump assembly. The dosage pump assembly is insertable into the sleeve coupling after the collapsible fluid container is filled with fluid, thereby forming the dosage system.

[0008] By having a dosage pump assembly which is insertable or mountable into the sleeve coupling after the container has been filled it is possible to provide not only a fast and easy filling of the container, but also a way of testing the dosage pump before insertion into the bag. To be able and fill the container in a faster manner is a considerable advantage from a production point of view. This thus allows for a self-closing system, which is both hygienic, in that substantially no bacteria or other infectious agents can enter the container and ruin the contents, and easy to use, in that the dispensing can be made very precise and without leakage of fluid and which is easy to fill.

[0009] According to the first aspect the sleeve coupling may be made from a semi-flexible material.

[0010] By "semi-flexible material" is meant a material which allows for the dosage pump assembly or dosage pump to be inserted easily into the sleeve coupling, but still assures that the complete dosage system is both air and fluid tight.

[0011] The membrane part may according to one embodiment be arranged in the inner part, thereby forming the vent part, prior to the insertion of the vent part into the dome part.

[0012] Also, by the membrane being insertable into an inner part, this allows for these parts to be manufactured, fitted together and then transported in an easy manner, i.e. if the vent part is not to be inserted into the dome part immediately after assembly. However the vent part is preferably mounted or inserted into the dome before the dosage system is inserted into the sleeve coupling.

[0013] The dome part may be provided with insertion stopper means arranged to engage corresponding insertion stopper means of the sleeve coupling.

[0014] These insertion stopper means may allow for the correct positioning of the dosage pump in the sleeve coupling, in that the dosage pump is prevented from being pushed too far into the sleeve coupling. Further the engaging stopper means provides a further tightening zone between the dosage pump and the sleeve coupling. The stopper means may also provide for a locking of the dosage pump assembly such that it does not accidentally fall out of the sleeve coupling for instance when a user handles the dosage system roughly.

[0015] According to one embodiment the inner part may be provided with a circumferential wall which, before insertion into the dome part, may be designed such that the inner part substantially takes the form of a frustum of a right circular cone. Said wall may further be arranged to be able to be radially compressible when inserted into the dome part.

[0016] This means that the wall provides an outwardly directed biasing force, which provides for a tight seal between the dome part and the vent part and ensures that the inner part is locked in place with regards to the dome part.

[0017] According to an alternative of the first aspect the dome part may provided with at least one vent part mounting stopper arranged to extend at least partially along the inside of the side wall of the dome part substantially from the base of the dome portion.

[0018] The vent part mounting stopper allows for a correct insertion of the vent part into the dome part.

[0019] The vent part mounting stopper may be in the form of ridges.

[0020] According to a second aspect there is provided a dosage pump assembly for insertion into a sleeve coupling of a collapsible fluid container, and for forming a dosage system with said sleeve coupling, the dosage pump assembly comprising a membrane part, an inner part and a dome part.

[0021] The dosage pump assembly is designed such that the membrane part is at least partly insertable into the inner part thereby forming a vent part. The vent part is at least partly insertable into the dome part, thereby forming the dosage pump. The dosage pump assembly is insertable into the sleeve coupling after the collapsible fluid container is filled with fluid thereby forming said dosage system.

[0022] According to a third aspect there is provided a method for assembling a dosage system according to the first aspect, comprising the steps of:

providing a collapsible fluid container with a sleeve coupling,

providing a membrane part, an inner part and a dome part,

inserting, at least partially, said membrane part into said inner part, thereby forming a vent part,

inserting said vent part, at least partially, into said dome part, thereby forming a dosage pump assembly; and

inserting said dosage pump assembly into said sleeve coupling, thereby forming said dosage system.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the third aspect the dosage pump assembly may be inserted into the sleeve coupling after said fluid container has been filled with a fluid.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect there is provided the use of a dosage system according to the first aspect, or a dosage pump assembly according to the second aspect for dispensing a viscous or non-viscous fluid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Embodiments of the present solution will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a dosage system.

Figs. 2-5 is a schematic cross sectional views along the line C-C of Fig.1, where:

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of the parts of the dosage system completely separate.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the assembled vent part.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the assembled dosage pump.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of the assembled dosage system.

Description of Embodiments

[0026] Fig 1 illustrate a dosage system 30 as seen from above, and without a collapsible fluid container (not shown in the figures) attached thereto. The system is attached to the container by a fastening portion 6 of a sleeve coupling 2, which is arranged in the container. An example of such a container or bag can be seen in SE453454B and the construction and functioning thereof will thus not be described in more detail here. The sleeve coupling may be fastened by welding the fastening portion 6 to the container.

[0027] The dosage system 30 comprises the sleeve coupling, and a dosage pump assembly 1 (see Fig. 5). The dosage pump assembly, in turn, comprises a dome part 3, and an inner part 4 and membrane part 5, which two parts together form a vent part 27 (see Figs 3 and 4).

[0028] The dosage system further comprises, as seen in Fig. 1 from above, a dome part 3 having a through hole or opening 7, through which fluid from the container may flow into the dosage system. The dome part may also be provided with knobs or protrusions 8, arranged to prevent the wall of the container from clinging on to the dome part and thereby covering the opening 7, which could seriously impede the flow of fluid into the dosage system. These protrusions can also be seen from the side in Figs 2-5. Figs 2-5 also illustrate one alternative method for assembling the complete dosage system 30, i.e. the dosage pump assembly 1 and the sleeve coupling 2, which will be described in more detail below.

[0029] Fig. 2 illustrates the different parts of the dosage system 30 before assembly, i.e. when the parts of the system are separated from each other. The sleeve coupling 2 may be attached as described above to a fluid container (not shown). In Fig. 2 the inner side, i.e. the portion of the sleeve coupling which is arranged on the inside of said container is indicated with an arrow 28 and the outer side of the sleeve coupling, i.e. the portion protruding from the bag is indicated with an arrow 29. The sleeve coupling is provided with a fastening portion 6. The sleeve coupling is further provided with a mounting stop 24a arranged as a circumferential ridge along the outer edge 24b of the sleeve coupling. This mounting stop allows for a correct insertion of the dosage pump assembly 2, in that the dome part 3 is provided with a circumferential groove 15 acting as a corresponding mounting stop, and arranged to engage the mounting stop 24a. By snapping these parts together a tight seal between the pump assembly (i.e. the dome part) and the sleeve coupling may be achieved. This seal is required to be both air and fluid tight and therefore the flexibility or resilience capacity of the sleeve coupling is important. If the material is too hard, i.e. too inflexible, it may not correctly provide the right sealing capacity, and if it is too soft, i.e. too flexible it may not provide the desired stability for the dosage system to function properly.

[0030] The bottom part 15a of the circumferential groove may be designed such that when the pump assembly is inserted into the sleeve coupling the outside wall 29a of the sleeve coupling and the outer part 15b of the mounting stop 15 are flush, which can be seen in Fig. 5.

[0031] The dome part 3 is as described above provided with a through hole 7 at the top part of the dome portion 26. At the top part, and on the surface 26a which faces the inside of the container the dome portion 26 is provided with one or more protrusions 8. At the inner surface 26b of the dome portion a reinforcing structure 9 may be arranged. This structure 9 may be in the shape of a triangle, which can be seen in Figs 2-5. The reinforcement structure 9 may aid in creating a correct resilience of the dome part 3 and thus ensure that the dome is brought back into a resting position after it has been activated at a correct and proper rate. The resting position of the dome part is thus as shown in e.g. Fig. 5, where the dome is fully expanded.

[0032] The dome part 3 may further be provided with stopper means 10 arranged to extend from the lower portion of the dome portion 26 along the inside 11a of the side wall 11 thereby defining the maximum insertion length of an inner portion 4 and thus the vent means 27 into the dome part 3.

[0033] This also defines a chamber 12, and the size of said chamber 12, which may be filled with fluid from the container from the trough hole or opening 7 (see Fig. 5). This chamber may have a fluid capacity of about 2 ml and is filled, with fluid from the container, when the dome part 4 returns to a resting position from being activated.

[0034] As an alternative embodiment the dome part is provided with a stopper ring (not shown) inserted into the dome part. The stopper ring provides for a way of altering the volume of the chamber 12 such that it is possible to dispense a smaller amount of fluid, e.g. 1 ml instead of 2 ml.

[0035] The inside 11a of the side wall 11 is further provided with a groove or indent 13 which is arranged to engage the inner part 4. The groove 13 thus function as a mounting stopper for the inner part 4. The groove 13 may therefore substantially have a width corresponding to the height of the inner part, such that the inner part may be snapped into the groove 13. The lower part the groove 12 forms a lip 14 which also acts as a locking means for the inner part and prevents the inner part from for instance being inadvertently snapped out of the dome part. The groove 13 is thus substantially formed by the stopper means 10 and the lip 14.

[0036] The inner part 4, in turn, is provided with a circumferential wall 16, which is designed such that the inner part substantially takes the form of a frustum of a right circular cone (see Fig. 2) before being inserted into the dome part. The circumferential wall 16 of the inner part is radially resilient or biased, which means that as the inner part has been inserted into, or snapped into the dome part, the wall 16 is radially compressed (see Fig. 4) by the engagement with the inner wall 11a and the groove 13, and thus provides a radial expansion force or outwardly directed biasing force, both locking the inner part in the groove 13 and ensuring that a tight zone or seal between the inner part and the dome part may be achieved. The lower part 17 of the wall 16 is arranged to engage the lip 14 of the dome part, in order to lock the vent means 27 in place inside the dome part.

[0037] The inner part is further provided with a circumferential inner wall 18 arranged to abut an circumferential outer wall 21 of a membrane part 5. At the upper end of the inner 18 wall there is arranged a circumferential groove 19 arranged to be able to engage with a locking lip 20 of the membrane part. The locking lip 20 may thus be snapped into the groove 19 to lock the membrane inside the inner part. When the inner part 4 has been inserted into the dome part the inner wall 18 will abut the outer wall 21 of the membrane part.

[0038] The inner part 4 is further provided with a cone portion 32, arranged to fit into a dispensing opening 31 of the membrane (see Figs 2 and 3). In order for fluid to be able to flow from the chamber 12 and out through the dispensing opening 31 the upper portion 33 of the inner part may be provided with ribs, e.g. in a stellate configuration (not shown in the figures), extending between the cone portion and the wall 16, leaving through holes for the fluid.

[0039] The membrane part 5 (see Fig, 2) is further designed such that a biased wall 22 of the membrane part 5 is resiliently biased towards the cone member 32 of the inner part 4, and thus closes tightly against this cone member when the membrane is in a closed state. This resilience provides for a tight seal, which is tight for at least a pressure of a 300 mm water column. This sealing function of the membrane is provided by well-defined angles (not shown in the figures) and a well-defined material thickness of the biased portion 22.

[0040] When the membrane part has been inserted into, or snapped into the inner part, they form a vent part 27. The vent part 27 may then be inserted or snapped into the dome part 3, thereby forming a dosage pump assembly 1. By the interlocking and snap-fit of the different parts tight zones may be achieved between the dome part and the inner part, as well as between the inner part and the membrane part. Also as the entire dosage pump assembly will have an inherent resilience due to the design of the different parts as described above, a tight seal between the dosage pump assembly and the sleeve coupling may be achieved.

[0041] The vent part is preferably mounted in a separate clean room and then mounted or inserted into the dome part, thus forming the dosage pump assembly just before this assembly in inserted into the sleeve coupling, thereby also acting as a transportation and storage seal.

[0042] A dosage system is thus formed by the dosage pump assembly being inserted into the sleeve coupling as described above.

[0043] Further with regards to the function and action of the dosage system this will be briefly described below, and also with reference to SE453454, however, the activation and deactivation of the dome part 3, and the subsequent activation and deactivation (i.e. opening and closing) of the membrane, is not shown in the figures. The activation of the dome part may be achieved by a user pressing downwardly and thus compressing the dome part, towards the vent part 27, with his finger or some type of mechanical pressing device on the top side 26a. When the user for the first time presses the dome portion 26 downwardly (i.e. activates the dome) there is no fluid in the chamber, and thus no fluid may be dispensed from the pump. When the user releases the pressure, i.e. deactivates the dome, and thus allows for the dome part to rise or be decompressed fluid flows into the chamber 12. When the user once again presses the dome downwardly the membrane 5 will be caused to open, i.e. change its shape from a concave state to a convex state, such that fluid may be dispensed from the chamber 12 through the dispensing opening 31, the users finger or the mechanical compressing means thus forms a temporary non-return valve when dispensing fluid from the dosage system. The compression and simultaneous closing of the through hole 7, thus creates an over-pressure in the closed chamber 12, which, when it reaches a certain level causes the membrane to open. The dispensing of fluid will last as long as the pressure is higher than the closing force of the membrane or until the compression has reached an end or resting position and the chamber is emptied. An exact predetermined dosage may be provided due to the volume of the closed chamber.

[0044] The membrane part 5 is further constructed such that when the overpressure is decreased the membrane "flexes" back, i.e. moves from the open convex shape to a closed concave shape. The membrane is further designed such that it closes the dispensing opening completely before the dome part has been completely deactivated. The membrane is further constructed such that it biased towards a cone member 32 of the inner part 4, and thus closes tightly against this cone member when in the concave and closed state. This thus allows for a self-closing system, which is both hygienic, in that substantially no bacteria or other infectious agents can enter the container and ruin the contents, and easy to use, in that the dispensing can be made very precise and without leakage of fluid.

[0045] Once the pressure is released from the dome part and the membrane is in a closed state the dome will start to return to the resting position. A vacuum is thereby created which will lead to fluid flowing into the chamber. It is therefore important that the membrane is closed before the dome rises since otherwise outside air may leak into the chamber, and further into the container.

[0046] The above described system and dosage pump may be used for many different types of fluids, from unthickened products to emulsions, i.e. both viscous and non-viscous fluids without impairing the function of the system.

Claims

1. A dosage system (30) comprising a dosage pump assembly (1) and a sleeve coupling (2), said sleeve coupling being arranged in a collapsible fluid container, wherein the dosage pump assembly (2) comprises
a dome part (3); an inner part (4); and a membrane part (5), characterized in that
said dosage pump assembly being designed such that the membrane part is at least partly insertable into the inner part (4) thereby forming a vent part (27); and that the vent part (27) is at least partly insertable into the dome part (3), thereby forming the dosage pump assembly (1), and in that
said dosage pump assembly (1) is insertable into the sleeve coupling (2) after the collapsible fluid container is filled with fluid, thereby forming the dosage system (30).

2. The dosage system (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve coupling (2) is made from a semi-flexible material.

3. The dosage system (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane part is arranged in the inner part, thereby forming the vent part, prior to the insertion of the vent part into the dome part.

4. The dosage system (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome part is provided with insertion stopper means (15) arranged to engage corresponding insertion stopper means (24) of the sleeve coupling.

5. The dosage system (30) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner part (4) is provided with a circumferential wall (16) which, before insertion into the dome part, is designed such that the inner part substantially takes the form of a frustum of a right circular cone.

6. The dosage system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said wall (16) is further arranged to be able to be radially compressible when inserted into the dome part.

7. The dosage system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dome part is provided with at least one vent part mounting stopper (10) arranged to extend at least partially along the inside of the side wall (11) of the dome part substantially from the base of the dome portion (26).

8. A dosage pump assembly (1) for insertion into a sleeve coupling (2) of a collapsible fluid container, and for forming a dosage system (30) with said sleeve coupling (2), the dosage pump assembly (1) comprising:

a membrane part (5), an inner part (4) and a dome part (3)
characterized in that

said dosage pump assembly is designed such that the membrane part is at least partly insertable into the inner part (4) thereby forming a vent part (27); and that the vent part (27) is at least partly insertable into the dome part (3), thereby forming the dosage pump (1), and in that

said dosage pump assembly (1) is insertable into the sleeve coupling (2) after the collapsible fluid container is filled with fluid thereby forming said dosage system (30).

9. A method for assembling a dosage system (30) according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising the steps of:

providing a collapsible fluid container with a sleeve coupling (2),

providing a membrane part (5), an inner part (4) and a dome part (3), inserting, at least partially, said membrane part (5) into said inner part (4), thereby forming a vent part (26),

inserting said vent part, at least partially, into said dome part (3), thereby forming a dosage pump assembly (1); and

inserting said dosage pump assembly into said sleeve coupling, thereby forming said dosage system (30).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dosage pump assembly (1) is inserted into the sleeve coupling after said fluid container has been filled with a fluid.

11. Use of a dosage system as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 or a dosage pump assembly as claimed in claim 8 for dispensing a viscous or non-viscous fluid.

Drawing