Mixing and dosing container

The present invention relates to a mixing and metering for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or comparable Products.

In particular, the invention relates to such a container, both for preparing and mixing the following substance to be delivered by means of a suitable mixing or is stirring tool provided, and then prepared itself as dosing and dispensing vessel for so can serve mix.

A mixing and dosing of the prior art is shown in DE 42 16 252 C2.

This known device comprises a cylindrical iw Plastic casing, which at one end by a removable Lid can be closed, the centric with a Breakthrough same time as a guide for the drive shaft a reaching into the tank mixing tool serves. At the other end the housing is used by a closed ground, the - during a subsequent metering operation - By manually pressing the metered removal of the mix is ​​used.

However, such a known device is particularly Suitable for fully automatic filling only conditionally and moreover has only a limited ease of handling on: It is known in this Apparatus necessary, after completion of the mixing process remove the screw from the remaining containers to to remove the mixing tool from the container. This then, with an appropriate, by a user as needed provided openable closure, again sealed. Not only is such a handling cumbersome, In addition, the automation of these processes difficult.

The necessary according to the prior art opening leads the container by removing the screw cap after Completion of the mixing operation, to a further disadvantage the particularly pharmaceutical when used on Field effect: In addition to possible contamination by Impurities leads in any case, the removal of the lid to the fact that a comparatively large surface area of ​​the mixed is exposed to air, with the associated, potential adverse consequences for oxidation and quality of the mixed product.

Even the used for metering, displaced in the housing arranged ground in this respect is not without problems. So it is in fact necessary, against the force of a partially make the move highly viscous mixing product, which - particularly in low skilled people - to an uncontrollable discharge quantity and thus to can cause extremely poor dispensing result.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide such Apparatus of the prior art to the effect to improve that both the dosing during removal of a mixed material out of the container is improved, as well as the upstream handling steps during mixing and removing the mixing tool to be simplified and thus are amenable to automation.

The object is achieved by the mixing and dosing with the features of claim 1.

Advantageously, this is for the container body movable pistons arranged both as a guide for a drive shaft of the mixing tool and as a means of Driving means movable metering.

Thus, then the mixing operation against - closed carried container wall in the region of the outlet, and the - Change from mixed to dosing requires only thereof by removal of the mixing tool and replacing by the drive device, which then be metered in sensitive Way allows the removal of the mixed product.

Advantageous further developments of the invention are in the dependent claims described.

Thus, it is possible on the one hand, and more preferably, the Driving the piston by means of an externally by the operator perform rotatable threaded spindle which either even in a correspondingly configured in breakthrough Thread engages and thereby drives the piston, or but with an adapted to the breakthrough coupling adapter cooperates.

A rotating operation of this threaded spindle is both of the outlet opposite (open) side of the container possible as well as the outlet. Particular preference ensures Moreover, a latching and / or snap-in connection for a movement in the direction the piston rigid connection between actuator button and Behalterkörper while characterized the pivot bearing takes place.

Alternatively, it is within the scope of the invention, an episodic Dosing graded by means of a - for example by pressure actuation make operable push rod -.

All embodiments have in common that by solving the drive shaft for a mixing tool - for example a suitable shaped mixing disk - the shaft easily by the breakthrough and removed by the drive means can be replaced, while the mixing disk during the subsequent dosing remains in the reservoir. There by the insertion of the drive device or of an organ thereof a completely into the opening of the piston forms enclosed pushing surface, is in this way an optimum transport and metering are available, the drive means furthermore used on the sensitively and independently of a mix a precisely metered Removal permits.

Advantageously is achieved by this configuration that when moving from mixed to dosing by removing remains only the drive shaft of the piston in the container and so a - potentially adverse - external Air and / or dirt access to the mixed product up to a Minimum reduced.

Also is achieved by the invention that such an automatic Filling and mixing of the container by means of suitable Machine can be supported. By separating between the drive shaft and mixing tool according to one carried out mixing process, it is namely the present invention unnecessarily, the piston or some other covering element of the remove the container; only the disconnected agitator is pulled out.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred Embodiments and with reference to the drawings; these show in<dl tsize="8"><dt>Fig. 1:</dt><dd>an exploded view of essential elements, for the mixing operation of required components the mixing of the invention and Metering in the lateral Sectional view;</dd><dt>Fig. 2:</dt><dd>a sectional side view of the Using the piston of Fig. 1 to vervendende drive unit from the threaded spindle and coupling adapter in exploded view;</dd><dt>Fig. 3:</dt><dd>a container according to the insertion into the FIG. 1 sized agitator disc with accreting Direction agitator;</dd><dt>Fig. 4:</dt><dd>a sectional side view of the container according to FIG. 1 with screwed Cap on the outlet;</dd><dt>Fig. 5:</dt><dd>a sectional view of the arrangement according Fig. 4 with the inserted mixing tool and additional, hinted second Mixer position;</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>a sectional side view of the assembly FIG. 4 with an attached metering FIG. 2 (instead of Agitator shaft); </dd><dt>Fig. 7:</dt><dd>a sectional side view of an inventive Mixing and metering according to a second embodiment, in dosing and delivery, and</dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>a side sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention Mixing and metering in mixed and filled, ready for dispensing Delivery status, the means Operating pressure can be metered.</dd></dl>

An example by means of a plastic injection molding process, eg. B. PP, manufactured, cylindrical vessel part 10 of a Outer diameter of about 47 mm and an outer wall length of about 65 mm (all the drawings of the present application documents in this regard are in their dimensions proportional), as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom side up to a centrally arranged outlet pipe 12 by means an integrally formed bottom of the vessel 14 closed. The also integrally formed outlet 12 has an external thread 16 on to which a corresponding one Internal thread 18 having Direction, a lateral knurling 20 for better actuation having closure in cover 22 to Closing of the outlet 12 can be screwed.

On a bottom of the vessel 14 opposite, open end the cylindrical vessel part 10 is at the edge an inboard Annular groove 24 in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder vessel 10 formed.

Also in this open portion of the receptacle member 10 in the FIG. 1, shown also as a plastic -Spritzgießteil Unrealized piston 26 inserted whose outer diameter to the internal width of the cylindrical vessel part 10 is adapted. More specifically has the piston 26 at the edge of its downwardly facing piston surface 28 circumferential, be cross-sectionally tapered sealing lips 30, the for a secure yet easy mobile guide of Piston care in the vascular cylinder 10th The piston 26 has, in addition a central hollow cylindrical piston guide 32 integrally formed on, opposite to which the piston face 28 End provided a pair of transverse slots 34 is.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is, for alternative Interaction with the in Fig. 3 as a combination of agitator 36 and agitator disc 38 trained and stirring the metering unit shown in Fig. 2 in cross section formed, the latter consisting of the threaded spindle 40 and it rotatably attached, knurled edge metering or Operating wheel 42 and the threaded spindle 40 associated Driver piece 44 with internal thread 46th

According to the invention, as described below with reference to the is described in Figs. 4 to 6, with the stirring in otherwise known manner formed, for example, Breakthroughs PROVIDED agitator disc 38 after completion of the Stirring operation against the dosing unit shown in FIG. 2 exchange, said in erfindunsgemäß advantageously only the agitator shaft 36 is removed from the assembly, while the stirring disc 38, separated from the stirring shaft 36, remains in after the dosage containers provided.

. Figure 4 shows - --den with downwardly inclined outlet Einfüllzustand the mixing and metering invention for to be mixed and to be dosed below Agents. The outlet 12 is defined by the screwed cap 22 sealingly closed.

As shown in FIG. 5, then the stirring is composed from agitator shaft 36 and agitator disc 38, through the open End of the cylindrical vessel part 10 is inserted. The Agitator shaft is assisted by the hollow cylindrical piston guide 32 in the end used piston 26 - axially rotatable - Out. The FIG. 5 shows an example of a raised, upper stirring or mixing position of the agitator disc 38 and a bottom, lowered mixing position thereof (Indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5). Stirring is carried out against the vessel bottom 14th

After the mixing was stopped and the mixture in the desired manner is homogenized, is the - for Mixing purpose in an otherwise known manner to a drive assembly isolated agitator of the mixing disc - related and by the piston guide 32 out of the vessel removed while the agitator disc remains in the vessel interior. Specifically, the dissolution of the shaft 36 and Disk 38 by an opposite driving the in Embodiment by right hand thread shown end in a corresponding thread of the agitator disc 38 engaging agitator shaft in the left direction, at which Losdreh- or dissolution process, the agitator disc 38 in an example raised or lowered position at a held (., not shown in the Figure) against rotation protrusion is.

After in this way the stirring shaft of the stirring disc 38 was dissolved and removed from the container, which is in . Fig 2 dosing shown seated and snapped; This state is shown the Fig. 6.

More specifically attacks the peripheral side knurled dosing or Operating wheel 42 of the dosing unit by means of a circumferential suitably shaped annular extension 48 snap in the marginal annular groove 24 of the vascular cylinder 10 and is in this locking position around the axis of symmetry. shown in Figures 50 rotatably supported.

The coupling adapter 44, screwed onto the threaded spindle 40 with a corresponding external thread 52, passes through at the in Fig. 6 metering state, the piston guide 32 of the Piston 26 with a suitably shaped, double Flanged 54 of Mitnehmerstücks 44 in the transverse slots 34 engaged at the upper end of the piston guide 32 and thus the driving piece 44 rotationally fixes the piston 26th

The mounting state shown in Fig. 6 with overhead Piston, an engaged and metering coupling adapter in connected position with the piston 26 is at the same time Delivered condition of the filled and ready-mixed Vessel to a customer, ready for removal. By manually Turn the metering or control wheel 42 in the direction of arrow 56 rotates the rotation on the wheel 42 seated spindle 40 and thereby drives the seated driver piece 44 and consequently the piston 26 downwards in the direction of arrow 58th The piston area 28 (the stirring or mixing disk 38 is in the interior 60 remaining) thus expresses the content of the interior 60 through the outlet 12, when the closure lid 22 unscrewed. In particular, enables Rotational movement of the dosing in accordance feingängigem Feed screw from spindle 40 and a driver 44 highly accurate and sensitive dosage of the interior 60 mixed substance contained, so that in particular also less Practiced and / or disabled in their motor function and user Patients the mix evenly, accurately and practically refer any waste and dosing.

Advantageously, moreover, by the device shown a Mixing and dosing disclosed through simple structural design - therefore extremely suitable for inexpensive mass production by injection --auszeichnet, particularly automated to filling is and advantageously for the filling process way not the removal of the full stirring tool from the mixing chamber after completion of the stirring required. Rather remains a correspondingly advantageously suitable as a one-time mixing tool, disk-shaped Mixing unit, for example as a plastic injection molding, in Housing without obstructing the subsequent dosing.

In addition, designed the change from mixed to Dosing and delivery status to be extremely easy to handle. According to the invention is in fact only the --From Unlocking the agitator disc dissolved - end of Agitator shaft to pull out of the guide in the piston, and it is then then the already completely assembled dosing set up of control wheel, threaded spindle and coupling adapter; the latter intervenes directly in its sealing Locking position in the piston, while the control wheel rotatably connected to the edge of the cylindrical vessel part 10 latched. So then, the device is immediately in the described manner with high accuracy and withdrawable DISPENSING.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the Dosierkonfiguration as shown in FIG 6. While in FIG. 6, the manual driven threaded spindle 40 on the open end of the cylindrical Vessel part 10 is fitted with detent, carried the manual drive of the threaded spindle to dosing purposes in the embodiment of FIG. 4 from the side of the outlet. Specifically attacks - after removal the dissolved agitator 36 - turn the driving piece 44 the threaded spindle 40 in the piston guide 32 of the piston 26 a. In the embodiment of FIG. 7 extends However, the threaded spindle 40 to the opening of the outlet 10 (the representations of FIGS. 7 and 8 are reversed aligned as the previous figures), where then a rotatable in the manner of a litter on Outlet 12 attached drive piece 62 a rotary actuator 40 allows the threaded spindle. specifically is by manual turning operation of the drive piece 62 to the axis of symmetry of FIG. 7, the coupling adapter 44 with ansitzendem Piston 26 toward the outlet 40 pulled, and the contents in the dosing interior 60 ', by suitable exhaust ports provided in the drive 62 and stucco a ansitz end spout 66 emerge. As in Case of Fig. 6 is sensitive by rotating the drive piece 62, an exact dosage of the removal of the mix from the interior 60 'possible.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the present Invention, wherein - according to Fig. 7 - the removal also the outlet by means of a provided there Operating piece is done.

In contrast to the embodiments of Figs. 6 and 7 is However, here no rotating spindle as the drive means for the Piston provided in the vessel part 10; rather, it is in the spindle shown in Fig. 8 with a smooth iw Coat surface or by means of two bow-shaped tensioning Clamping elements 68 against the inner wall of the vessel part 10 is clamped below the piston.

An operating piece 70 sits snapped above the outlet 12 and acting against the restoring force of a compression spring 72; analogously to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is also in another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the smooth Spindle 74 rotatable and kippfest with the operating piece 70 connected.

The metered removal operates as follows: A pressure leads to the operating piece in the direction of arrow 76 downwards the spindle 74 down and causes a small relative movement If between the clamping elements 68 and 74. Spindle then releasing the operating piece, the spindle 74 by the restoring force of the compression spring 72 back into the raised initial position taken in this direction of movement However, clamp the clamping elements on the piston the spindle (while in the previously made downward movement let the piston in the same position).

In this way, thus by a sequence of individual Printing operations of the piston in fine hochbewegbar, and it may correspondingly accurately removed and dosed the mix will.

The present invention is not limited to the forms of implementation shown and limited embodiments, so are in principle further means for manual actuation the piston possible in dosing.

Also, while it is particularly preferred essential constituents the mixing and metering as inventive to realize plastic injection molded parts, generally but could also be other materials such as metals, Offer dependent on an intended application.

It is also possible within the scope of the invention, before performing the stirring, the stirring disc - detached from the agitator shaft 36 - to be arranged already in the tank, so that to be mixed after filling of the container with the Materials for preparing the mixing operation, the agitator shaft introduced by the document provided in the piston and breakthrough with the (deemed appropriate, for example on the piston) Agitator disc, is connected by screwing around before then the stirring may be performed.

According to another. Not shown in the Fig embodiment It is also particularly suitable for the in Figs. shown as a simple screw cap 22 be equipped with a child safety lock, so that the mix Secured against unauthorized removal, in particular children can be.

While in the illustrated embodiments always separate coupling adapter, the connection between rotary or Screw and piston made for the dosing has, it is possible and encompassed by the invention, this Mitnehmergewinde directly in the guide of the piston (Being guided by the stirring shaft also) be provided.

While in the alternative embodiments of Fig. 7 and 8, where made the Dosierbetätigung at the outlet end was a corresponding operating piece on or fastened or snapped around the outlet 12 around is, it is also possible here as a mount, a Snapping or the like. Mounting on the cylindrical vessel part 10, For example, around the outer periphery thereof to make.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided the outlet through a suitable to close the cover, either - - removable before a first withdrawal of the mixture by a user is destroyed or removed, or the - in the form a flap or a plug - in addition is reusable. Specifically, such a Further realized by means of an approximately during To injection mold the container produced or skin membranous cover as closure for the outlet, the then by a suitable pointed object through a Users can be opened. Alternatively, it is conceivable, using prefabricated punched or a And a predetermined breaking point appropriately provided Handling tab to provide the user the opportunity to by tearing out the outlet to Mischgutentnahme expose.

Alternatively to the above embodiments, it is also includes using of the invention, the solution according to, tapered outlet of the container body (10 in Fig. 1) as form opening or hole in the vessel bottom 14 (Ie without externally seated outlet), in which case particularly preferably a said outlet occlusive Cap to engage over the entire bottom 14, and more preferably for knifes, snapping and / or releasably connecting with the cylindrical outer wall of the is the container body 10 is formed. According to a particularly favorable development of this embodiment would also the entire surface-set-up with a cap the bore aligned or engaging in these have protrusion ausgebilet particularly advantageous as is that in an attached cap a iw planning, continuous inner surface of the vessel bottom to Interaction with the stirring disc 38 is produced.