Dispensing module and method for filling a dispensing module

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing module ( 1 ) for two liquid products, comprising: a first wall ( 3 ); a first piston ( 64 ) which can slide along the first wall, and which is embodied as a first chamber ( 30 ) having at least one outlet; a second piston ( 61 ) which is designed such that it can slide along a second wall ( 21 ). Coupling means ( 62 ) are provided in order to couple together both pistons when the product is being dispensed and at least one of the pistons comprises a piston head ( 7 ) which is separated initially by the coupling means, and securing means ( 641, 722 ) are provided in order to join the piston head to the coupling means.

1 . A dispensing module for two liquid products, said dispensing module comprising:
 a first cylindrical wall;   a first piston which can slide along the first wall, wherein it forms a first chamber which has at least one outlet opening,   a second piston which is dimensioned such that said second piston can slide along a second wall,   wherein coupling means are provided in order to couple the two pistons together during product dispensing,   and at least one of the pistons has a piston head which is initially separated from the coupling means and fastening means are provided in order to connect the piston head to the coupling means, wherein said second wall is formed by a housing into which the dispensing module can be inserted, wherein the second piston and the second wall form a second chamber which has at least one outlet opening.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one pressure-equalizing opening is provided in the coupling means in order to connect the side of the piston head or piston heads, which is facing away from its respective chamber in an operating state of the outlet opening, to the side of the other piston which lies opposite a respective chamber thereof in the operating state of the outlet opening. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing module as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein removal means which are connected to the outlet openings of the chambers are provided. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing module as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said removal means include a two-way valve or a two-way pump, wherein a first way is connected to the outlet opening of the first chamber and a second way is connected to the outlet opening of the second chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the removal means include a metering device. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein closing means are provided in order to close said outlet openings of the first chamber and of the second chamber, wherein said closing means have an open and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing module as claimed in the  claim 1 , wherein said chamber provided with a piston head is dimensioned such that, with said first piston inserted in a maximum manner into said first chamber in a direction of said outlet opening, in a fill-ready state there is sufficient space for said piston head which is not connected to said coupling means. 
     
     
         8 . A method for filling a dispensing module as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising:
 a1) assembling said dispensing module such that said first piston is situated in a position in which said first piston is arranged closest to the outlet opening or openings of said first chamber, wherein said piston head or piston heads are not connected to said coupling means;   b1) if necessary, said dispensing module is inserted into a housing in order to form said second chamber insofar as the dispensing module does not already have a second cylindrical wall;   c1) the first liquid is filled into said chamber which is not provided with a piston head or selectively into either of the two chambers if both chambers are provided with a piston head;   d1) the second liquid is filled into an empty chamber which is provided with a piston head at sufficient pressure in order to bring about connecting of said piston head to said coupling means at end of a filling operation.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein prior to c1), in c0i), removal means or closing means are applied to the outlet openings of the two chambers. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein prior to c1), in c0ii), the dispensing module is introduced into an interior of a container, an inner wall of which does not serve as a wall for the second chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein prior to c1), in c0iii) pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from b1) or c0ii). 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein, after d1), in step e1) pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from b1) or c0ii). 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein closing means are provided in order to close said outlet openings of the first chamber and of the second chamber, wherein said closing means have an open and a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in prior to c1), in c0ii), the dispensing module is introduced into the interior of a container, the inner wall of which does not serve as a wall for the second chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein in prior to c1), in c0iii), pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step 1)1). 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in prior to c1), in c0iii), pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step 1)1). 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein, after d1), in e1), pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step 1)1). 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, step d1), in e1), pressurized gas is introduced into the housing from step 1)1).