CH713067A1 - Modular discharge device with separating element. - Google Patents

Abstract

A partition member (300) is adapted to prevent the passage of granules along an axial direction (L) but to allow the passage of liquid along the axial direction (L). The separating element (300) has an internal thread (310) which is open toward its proximal end and an external thread (320) which is open toward the distal end. At its proximal end, the separating element also has at least one spring-elastic locking arm (330) arranged on the outer circumference, which extends with its free end in the proximal direction. As a result, the separating element can be mounted on the discharge opening of a container (100) and fixed by means of a closure (400) on the container in such a way that the separating element remains on the container when the closure is removed.

Description

Description TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a partition member which is adapted to prevent the passage of granules, but to allow the passage of liquid, a discharge device which is specifically designed to be used with such a separating element, and a method for their handling.

STATE OF THE ART

In various medical fields such as dentistry, orthopedics or reconstructive surgery come bone replacement materials (bone graft materials) are used. The bone substitute material is usually composed of granules of natural or synthetic origin (e.g., a biphasic calcium phosphate / hydroxyapatite material) and a liquid (e.g., endogenous blood or a physiological sodium chloride solution).

Conventionally, the granules are provided in a dish, and the liquid phase is added, whereby the granules are wetted. To apply the finished bone graft material thus prepared to the patient, it is brought to the destination with a spatula. Depending on the location of the destination, this may be difficult if not impossible, and since the material is loose and piled on the spatula, there is a risk that the material may slip off the spatula as it is fed. In addition, such handling is time consuming.

The prior art has therefore been proposed to receive the granules in a syringe and to wet directly in the syringe with the liquid. In order to retain the granules in the syringe but to allow for the uptake of the liquid into the syringe, it is known to provide a filter or strainer on the syringe.

Thus, from EP 0 470 393 B1 a granular syringe is known, in which a cap with a disc of porous material plugged or screwed onto the outlet end of the syringe housing. To discharge the mixture, the cap is removed and a plunger is pushed forward.

EP 1 093 767 B1 discloses a syringe with a syringe barrel which is filled with granules. On the cylinder, a cannula tip is attached by means of a friction fit, which has a sieve in a recess. Through an opening, blood is sucked into the syringe barrel. If the blood is sufficiently mixed with the granules, the cannula tip is manually pushed down from the syringe barrel.

From EP 2 436 342 B1 a syringe for the application of bone substitute material is known, which has a cylinder, is received in the granules. The cylinder has at its distal end an external thread on which a removable attachment is held with an internal thread. The attachment has an injection opening and drainage openings. Liquid is injected through the injection port into the cylinder to wet and swell the granules, and excess fluid is then squeezed out through the drainage ports. If the bone substitute material is sufficiently wetted with liquid, the attachment is unscrewed and replaced by a curved discharge nozzle.

In such syringes, however, there is still room for improvement in terms of handling.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a separator. The separator defines a proximal end and a distal end. It has a filter portion adapted to prevent the passage of granules along an axial direction but to allow the passage of liquid along the axial direction. The separating element furthermore has an internal thread which is open towards the proximal end and which extends around the axial direction, and at least one spring-elastic latching arm, which is formed in the region of the proximal end of the separating element and projects in the proximal direction with its free end extending proximal end.

The term "thread" is to be understood here broadly. It comprises any connection structures by means of which two parts can be increasingly guided guided by a combined rotational and axial movement. These include, in particular, structures which are required for producing a bayonet connection. The direction of the thread is the direction of the rotational component of the engagement movement. The threads specified in this document may in particular be threads in the narrower, customary sense, ie single or multi-start threads with one or more helical threads.

The separating element can be screwed by means of its internal thread on a matching external thread in the region of a discharge opening of a container. On the separating element can also attach a closure. For this purpose, the separating element can also have at its distal end a suitable connection structure, e.g. an external thread open to the distal end (in the broad sense defined above), which also runs around the axial direction coaxially with the internal thread.

In order to prevent the closure entrains the separating element when the closure is removed from the separating element, the separating element has the at least one resilient latching arm. The at least one latching arm serves to engage the container with a latching engagement to secure the separator to the container when the closure is removed from the separator. Preferably, this locking engagement is only releasable after the closure has been at least partially removed from the separation element, i. the locking arm is preferably arranged such that the closure can block a radial deflection of the locking arm to the outside when it is attached to the separating element.

Preferably, two or more such locking arms are provided, which are arranged distributed over the circumference of the partition member to ensure the most uniform possible securing of the separating element to the container. It should be noted that statements which are made below for a single latching arm, apply equally to each further latching arm in the case of a plurality of latching arms, and that statements that relate to a plurality of latching arms, also apply if only one single latching arm is present.

The filter portion of the separator serves to retain a granulate (e.g., a component of a bone substitute material) in the container, but to allow the intake of liquid into the container. The filter area may e.g. be formed as a mesh plate with a plurality of axial passage openings. Alternatively, the filter area may also be e.g. be formed of a porous material forming a network of interconnected channels. In this way, the separator allows a liquid, e.g. Aspirate or inject blood or saline solution into the container without any granules received in the container, in particular for a bone substitute material, being able to escape from the container. It is advantageous if the filter area extends to the distal end of the separating element, ie if the distal end of the filter area also forms the distal end of the separating element as a whole.

Preferably, the filter area, the internal thread and the spring arms and, if necessary, the external thread are integrally formed with each other. The external thread, if present, can surround the filter region, that is to say be formed on the radial outer side of the filter region.

Preferably, the separating element of rotationally symmetrical basic shape with respect to rotations about a central longitudinal axis which extends along the axial direction.

The at least one latching arm preferably has in the region of its free end on the inside a rear engagement element. This serves to engage behind a complementary structure on the container so as to secure the separator to the container. The rear engagement element may in particular have the form of a radially inwardly extending latching lug.

In order to facilitate that the closure can block radial deflections of the latching arm to the outside, it is advantageous if the at least one latching arm is formed in such a region of the outer periphery of the separating element on the partition that an outer surface of the at least one latching arm a distal of the locking arm located outside surface of the separating element is arranged offset flush or radially outward. In particular, it is advantageous if the at least one latching arm defines the maximum radius of the separating element transversely to the axial direction. As a result, the jacket wall of a closure can easily come to rest on the outer surface of the latching arm in order to block the latching arm and optionally to press it radially inwards.

The latching arms advantageously extend into a region located proximally of the internal thread of the separating element in the axial direction. You can connect proximally to the internal thread. The internal thread can also be formed at least partially on the inside of the latching arms.

On the separating element may be formed on the outside one or more driving elements to allow in the circumferential direction a positive engagement of the separating element with a driver. This allows the separator easily unscrew from the container. The entrainment elements may e.g. have the shape of radially projecting, distributed over the circumference, axially extending longitudinal ribs. In particular, the driving elements can form a toothing along the circumferential direction.

Preferably, the driving elements are arranged proximally from the external thread and distally from the locking arms on the separating element.

By combining a separator of the aforementioned type with a container creates a discharge. The container serves to receive a product and can be configured as follows: with a circumferential container wall, a proximal end of the container, a distal end of the container and a discharge opening at the distal end of the container, wherein on the container wall in the region of the distal end of the container, an external thread is formed which the axial direction extends, and wherein the external thread of the container with the internal thread of the separating element is engageable to attach the separating element at the distal end of the container. The container may be prefilled with the already mentioned granules, in particular a component of a bone substitute material.

The discharge device may also have a feed element with piston and piston rod to discharge the product received in the container after removal of the separating element through the discharge opening from the container. The piston may sealingly abut the inside of the container wall to additionally allow liquid to be drawn through the separator into the container.

Proximally from the external thread of the container, an axial securing structure can be formed on the outside of the container wall, wherein the at least one latching arm of the separating element can be brought into engagement with the axial securing structure such that it hinders or even completely blocks proximal movement of the separating element relative to the container ( in particular by an axial positive connection), and wherein the latching arm can be brought out of engagement with the axial securing structure by a radial deflection of the latching arm to the outside. In particular, the latching arm can engage behind the axial securing structure axially with its already mentioned rear engagement element, so as to produce an axial positive engagement.

The axial securing structure may be e.g. comprise a torus, with which the at least one latching arm is resiliently engageable engageable. Instead, however, e.g. Also, a sloping in the proximal direction step or an annular groove may be formed in the container wall.

Alternatively or in addition to the Axialsicherungsstruktur may be formed on the outside of the container wall, an anti-rotation structure proximal to the outer thread of the container. On at least one latching arm of the separating element then a complementary engagement structure is formed, which is engageable with the anti-rotation structure in such a way that it prevents rotation of the separating element relative to the container, and which can be brought out of engagement by an outwardly directed radial deflection of the latching arm.

The engagement structure may be identical to the rear engagement element, i. The rear engagement element can bring about both an axial securing and a rotational securing of the separating element on the container.

The anti-rotation structure is preferably arranged proximally of the axial securing structure on the container wall. But it can also be formed together with the Axialsicherungsstruktur in the same area of the container wall. If e.g. the Axialsicherungsstruktur is an annular bead, this may be interrupted in some places to allow the axially secured and rotationally secured engagement of a correspondingly shaped engagement structure on the latching arm.

The anti-rotation structure may be formed in particular as external toothing, which extends over at least part of the circumference of the container wall. The complementary engagement structure may be formed as an internal toothing on the inside of the latching arms.

To close the partition in the distal direction, the discharge can be provided with the aforementioned closure. This then preferably has a circumferential jacket wall, a proximal closure end, a distal closure end and a top wall. The top wall of the closure covers in a closed position axially the distal end of the separating element. In order to secure the separating element better on the container, the jacket wall of the closure in the closing position preferably covers the at least one locking arm radially such that the jacket wall obstructs a radial deflection of the locking arm or even deflects the locking arm from its unloaded position inwardly toward the container wall.

In the jacket wall of the closure, an internal thread can be formed in a region located between the proximal closure end and the top wall, which extends around the axial direction, and the already mentioned external thread can be formed on the separating element. In the closing position, the external thread of the separating element then engages with the internal thread of the closure.

Preferably, the jacket wall of the closure extends in the closing position in the proximal direction at least to the proximal end of the separating element, so that the closure completely covers the separating element in the closed position. In this way it is ensured that the separating element can not be accidentally touched and thereby contaminated, or conversely that a user can not be contaminated by material adhering to the separating element.

In order to wet the granules received in the container with liquid, it is first necessary to remove the closure. The locking arms on the separating element together with the jacket wall of the closure ensure that the separating element remains on the container and is not accidentally removed together with the closure. The addition of the liquid then takes place through the filter area of the separating element through absorption or injection.

After the liquid has been taken into the container and mixed with the granules present in the container, the separating element is removed from the container to discharge the finished product through the discharge opening. In order to simplify this procedure, the jacket wall of the closure in the region of the distal closure end distal from the top wall may have one or more entrainment on the inside. The drivers are then engageable with the driving elements of the separating element by the closure in a relation to the closing position opposite direction along the axial direction connected to the separating element, in particular pushed onto this, so that the separating element with the aid of the closure from the container unscrewed is. The drivers and driving elements are in this case engageable with each other so that they form a positive connection with each other with respect to the circumferential direction. The drivers can be used for this purpose e.g. Longitudinal ribs or cams comprise, and the driving elements may comprise complementary longitudinal grooves, or vice versa. In addition, drivers and entrainment members can also make an axially secured connection, e.g. by frictional engagement, by a snap connection, by a bayonet connection, etc. In the case of entrainment elements in the form of longitudinal grooves, e.g. each connect a short transverse groove to the proximal end of these longitudinal grooves to allow a bayonet connection with cam-shaped drivers. Thus, it can be ensured that the closure and the separating element form a unit when removed from the container and the separating element does not escape from the container after removal

Lock falls out. At the same time it prevents the user from ever having to touch the separating element. Contamination between the user and the separator is thus avoided in both directions.

Thus, there is also disclosed a method of making and dispensing a product having a dispensing device of the aforementioned type, the method comprising:

Providing the discharge device in a state in which the container is filled with granules, the separating element is mounted above the discharge opening of the container, and the closure is mounted in the closing position on the separating element,

Removing the closure from the separator while the separator remains on the container;

Receiving a liquid through the separator into the container to wet the granules with the liquid to produce a finished product;

Connecting the closure with the separating element in a direction opposite to the Verschliessposition reverse orientation, in particular by sliding the closure on the separating element;

Unscrewing the separator from the container by means of the closure; and discharging the finished product through the discharge opening of the container.

However, depending on the application, it may also be desirable to pre-fill the container with a ready-to-discharge product, in particular a bone substitute material, right from the start. The separating element can then be omitted altogether. In order to ensure that the closure can optionally also be screwed directly onto the container, the external thread of the separating element and the external thread of the container are preferably dimensioned the same, so that the closure with its internal thread can optionally be screwed onto the separating element or directly onto the container. In other words, the internal thread of the closure can optionally be brought into engagement with the external thread of the separating element or the external thread of the container.

In this case, a radial gap will usually arise between the container wall and the jacket wall of the closure when the closure is screwed directly onto the container. This gap arises in particular in a proximal of the threaded area. In order to prevent dirt from entering this interspace, a bridging structure, preferably in the form of an annular bead, may be formed on the container wall on the outside proximally of the external thread, which protrudes radially so far that it bridges the radial interspace. This bridging structure is in particular preferably arranged proximally of the axial securing structure and / or anti-rotation structure.

The same container and the same closure can thus be used without any structural change either with or without a separating element. This contributes to significant cost savings since, in the manufacture of the container and closure, the same injection molds can be used regardless of whether a separator is provided. Container and closure are designed in this case almost for use with a separating element even if this is not needed.

Accordingly, there is also disclosed a dispensing device comprising a container for receiving a product having a circumferential container wall, a proximal container end, a distal container end and a discharge opening at the distal container end; and a closure having a circumferential jacket wall, a proximal closure end, a distal closure end and a cover wall, wherein on the container wall in the region of the distal container end an external thread is formed which extends around an axial direction, wherein in the jacket wall in a between the proximal closure end and the top wall portion is formed an internal thread which extends around the axial direction, wherein the external thread of the container is in engagement with the internal thread of the closure, wherein the top wall of the closure covers the discharge opening of the container, wherein a radial gap between the container wall and the shell wall of the closure consists, and wherein on the container wall on the outside proximally of the external thread a bridging structure, preferably in the form of an annular bead, is formed, which radially protrudes so far that it bridges the radial gap to the Eintri To prevent dirt from entering the radial gap.

In particular, the already mentioned axial securing structure and / or anti-rotation structure can be formed on the outside of the casing wall, and the bridging structure is then preferably arranged proximally of the axial securing structure and / or anti-rotation structure on the container wall, as already described above.

Preferably, the bridging structure directly adjoins the proximal end of the closure or is completely covered by the shell wall of the closure, and the shell wall of the closure may abut the bridging structure. This can be done in a sealing or non-sealing manner.

In the usual way, the container may have a first finger rest on the outside at the proximal end of the container. This serves as a proximal pad for the index finger and middle finger when the user grasps the container between the index finger and the middle finger and with the thumb advances the feed element in the distal direction out of the container. The advancing member may have a thumb ring to not only allow such distal advancement, but also to allow the advancing member to retract with the thumb. To prevent it from slipping off

To prevent the index finger and middle finger, the container distal to the first finger rest outside a second finger rest may have to hinder slippage of fingers of a user along the distal direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are merely illustrative and not restrictive interpreted. In the drawings shows:

1 shows an exploded view of a discharge device according to a first embodiment, with container, separating element and closure;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the discharge device of Fig. 1;

3 shows a central longitudinal section through the discharge device of FIG. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the area A of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the distal end of the container of the discharge device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the separating element of the discharge device of Fig. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a central longitudinal section through the separating element of FIG. 6; FIG.

8 shows a perspective view of the closure of the discharge device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a central longitudinal section through the closure of FIG. 8; FIG.

10 shows a central longitudinal section through the distal end region of the discharge device of FIG. 1, wherein the closure is placed in the reverse orientation;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view in the plane B-B of Fig. 10;

Figure 12 is a central longitudinal section through the distal end portion of the discharge device of Figure 1, with the separator omitted and the cap screwed directly onto the container.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the distal end of the container of a discharge device according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the partition member of the discharge device of the second embodiment;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the discharge device according to the second embodiment; and FIG. 16 is a sectional view in the plane C-C of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 to 12, a first embodiment of a discharge device is illustrated in different views. The discharge device comprises a container 100, a feed element 200 for discharging a product received in the container along a distal direction D, a separating element 300 and a closure 400.

The distal direction D is defined as the direction along which the advancing element 2 moves into the container 100 to discharge the product from the container 100. The opposite direction is called the proximal direction.

The container 100, which is particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 1 to 5, has a peripheral container wall 110 which delimits a container interior 120, an open proximal container end 101 and an open distal container end 102. The container interior is at least approximately of circular cylindrical shape, wherein the cylinder axis defines a central longitudinal axis L. The clear cross-section of the container 100 is thereby at least approximately constant along the entire distance from the proximal end of the container 101 to the distal end of the container 102, it being possible for the proximal end of the container to be slightly widened in order to facilitate the insertion of the advancing element 200, and in this region Retraction device may be formed to prevent the complete extraction of the feed element 200 from the container 100. The advancing element 200 can be inserted into the container 100 at the proximal end of the container 101 through an insertion opening 103. The central longitudinal axis L of the container 100 initially extends straight from the proximal end 101 to the distal end 102, but then curves increasingly in a curved region 105, so that the proximal end region and the distal end region of the container relative to each other at a bend angle α of about 30 ° run.

The distal container end 102 forms a discharge opening 104, through which the product can be discharged from the container 100. In the region of the distal container end 102, an external thread 160 is formed on the outside of the container wall 110, which allows a connection of the container 100 with the separating element 300 or with the closure 400. Proximally from the external thread is on the outside of the container wall 110 integrally formed an axial securing structure 170 in the form of a torus, whose function will be explained in more detail below. Proximally spaced from the Axialsicherungsstruktur 170 is integrally formed on the outside of the container wall 110 a bridging structure 180 in the form of a further radially outwardly projecting annular bead, whose function will also be explained in more detail below.

At the proximal end of the container 101, a first finger rest 130 is formed in the form of a circumferential flange. Instead, for example, two retaining wings may be provided. In order to prevent slippage of the user's fingers when the user grasps the container between the index finger and the middle finger and pulls the feed element 200 out of the container in the proximal direction with his thumb, a second finger rest 140 is formed on the container wall 110 on the outside. The second finger rest 140 is spaced distally from the first finger rest, which distance is approximately equal to the thickness of a finger, typically about 1.5-3 cm. In the present example, the second finger rest 140 is formed as an annular bead, which protrudes radially outward from the container wall by about 1-2 mm. Between the first and the second finger rest, a groove structure 150 is formed in the container wall, which additionally counteracts slippage of the fingers. The finger pads 130, 140 and the groove structure 150 are integrally formed with the container wall 110.

The feed element 200 can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3. It has a piston rod 210, at the distal end of which a piston 220 for advancing a product received in the container 100 is formed. The piston 220 is circumferentially sealing against the inside of the container wall 110.

In order to reduce the friction between the container wall 110 and the piston rod 210, the piston rod 210 has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the container 100. In order nevertheless to ensure a good guidance of the piston rod 210 in the container interior 120, the piston rod 210 radially outwardly projecting, circumferential, annular guide beads 211 whose outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the container 100, so that the guide beads 211 which on the inside of the container wall 110th issue. In order for the piston rod 210 to be able to follow the curvature of the container 100 well, the outside diameter of the piston rod 210 is additionally reduced in a distal region 212, and the guide beads 211 are arranged more densely in this region. This gives additional flexibility to the piston rod 210 in the distal region 212 without affecting the lateral guidance of the piston rod 210.

At the proximal end of the piston rod 210, a thumb ring 230 is formed, which is large enough so that a user's thumb can be inserted. By forming the thumb rest as a ring, it becomes possible to insert the advancing member 200 by means of the thumb not only in the distal direction D into the container 100, but also to pull it out in the proximal direction from the container 100 while holding the container between index finger and middle finger same hand is held. In this way, in particular a liquid can be sucked into the container.

The separating element 300 is particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 6 and 7. It has a filter region 350 which is designed to prevent the passage of granules along the distal direction D, but to allow the passage of liquid along the proximal direction. For this purpose, the filter region 350 has a multiplicity of axial passage openings 351 which run parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The distal end surface of the filter region 350 forms the distal end 302 of the separating element 300.

On the circumferential surface of the filter region 350, an external thread 320 is formed, which extends around the central longitudinal axis and which is open towards the distal end 302 so that the closure 400 can be screwed onto the separating element from this end.

In the proximal direction, a circumferential jacket wall region 311 adjoins the filter region 350, on the inside of which an internal thread 310 is formed, which is coaxial with the external thread 320 and is open towards the proximal end, around the separating element 300 on the distal container end 102 to be able to unscrew.

Starting from the shell wall region 311, a plurality of similar, resilient latching arms 330 extend in the proximal direction. The function of the latching arms will be explained in more detail below. The free ends of the latching arms 330 form the proximal end 301 of the separating element 300. At their free ends, the latching arms 330 each have an inwardly extending rear engagement element 332 in the form of a latching lug. The latching arms 330 have at their respective free end an outer surface 331. These outer surfaces 331 define the maximum radius Rmax of the separating element. They are arranged radially further outside than the lateral surface 312 of the jacket wall region 311 which adjoins distally on the latching arms.

The closure 400 is particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 8 and 9. It has a proximal end 401, a distal end 402, a circumferential jacket wall 410 and a top wall 420. The closure is of tubular basic shape, being divided by the top wall 420 into a proximal portion 403 and a distal portion 404. Both proximal portion 403 and distal portion 404 are hollow, and the occlusion is open at both proximal end 401 and distal end 402. In the proximal portion 403, an internal thread 430 is formed on the inside in the jacket wall 410. The jacket wall 410 extends proximally well beyond the internal thread 430. In the distal section 404, a plurality of drivers 440 in the form of axially extending ribs are formed on the inside in the casing wall 410. On the outside, the closure has a plurality of longitudinal ribs 450 to prevent a user from slipping when handling the closure.

In the manufacture of the container 100 with a granulate (not shown) is filled. 4, at the distal end of the container 102 above the distal discharge opening 104, the separating element 300 is mounted, wherein the internal thread 310 of the separating element engages with the external thread 160 of the container. On the separating element 300, the closure 400 is mounted, wherein the internal thread 430 of the closure with the external thread 320 of the separating element 300 is engaged. In this case, the top wall 420 of the closure lies axially on the distal end face of the filter area 350 with the passage openings 351. The jacket wall 410 of the closure completely radially covers the filter element 300, so that the user can not touch the filter element 300 in this state. The jacket wall 410 extends in particular beyond the latching arms 330. It rests on the outer surfaces 331 of the latching arms 330 and thereby presses the latching arms 330 radially inwardly. As a result, the rear engagement elements 332 (here latching lugs) come into axial positive engagement with the axial securing element 170 (in this case an annular bead), so that the separation element 300 can no longer be removed in the distal direction from the container 100.

The result is the state of Fig. 2 to 4. In this form, the discharge is delivered.

To use the discharge device, the user now unscrews the closure 400. The engagement of the rear engagement elements 332 with the axial securing element 170 prevents the separating element 300 from being entrained at the same time. The separating element 300 therefore remains on the distal discharge opening of the container 100 and prevents the granules from escaping from the container 100. For this purpose, the passage openings 351 have a diameter which is smaller than the average particle size of the granules, determined by a sieve analysis according to DIN EN 933-1: 2012-03.

Now, a liquid, e.g. Blood or physiological saline solution is introduced through the separator 300 into the container 100. There are various options available. Thus, the liquid may be e.g. can be injected with a syringe cannula through the ports, or the liquid can be sucked into the container by retracting the advancing element 200.

In order to discharge the resulting product, the separating element 300 is removed from the container 100. For this purpose, the closure 400 is rotated by 180 degrees about the transverse direction and pushed in the reverse orientation to the separating element 300. This condition is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this case, the drivers 440 on the inside of the casing wall 410 of the closure come into engagement with the driving elements 340 on the outside of the separating element 300, so that a positive connection between the separating element 300 and closure 400 is produced in the circumferential direction. As a result, the separating element 300 can now be unscrewed from the container 100 by means of the closure 400, without the user having to touch the separating element 300. The axial engagement between the rear engagement elements 332 and the Axialsicherungsstruktur 170 is achieved because the locking arms 330 can now rebound to the outside.

If the container is already pre-filled with a ready-to-use product, the separating element 300 may also be omitted, and the closure 400 may be mounted directly above the discharge opening of the container 100. Nevertheless, the same container 100 and the same closure 400 can be used, i. no structural changes are necessary. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 12. The jacket wall 410 of the closure 400 now extends at a radial distance from the outside of the container wall 110, so that an annular radial space 460 is formed between the container wall 110 and the jacket wall 410 of the closure 400. In this case, the jacket wall 410 of the closure also covers in particular also radially the axial securing structure 170. In order to prevent dirt from penetrating into the intermediate space 460, the already mentioned bridging structure 180 is provided on the outside of the container wall 110. This extends radially outwardly far enough to bridge the gap 460 and close in the proximal direction. In this case, the proximal end of the jacket wall 410 rests on the radial outer side of the bridging structure 180. Optionally, a seal may be formed here.

A second embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 13-16. Identical or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only by the configuration of the distal end portion of the container 100 and the locking elements 330 on the separating element 300th

The distal end portion of the container 100 is illustrated in FIG. 13. Between the axial securing structure 170 (in this case an annular bead) and the bridging structure 180 (here also an annular bead), an anti-rotation structure 190 in the form of an external toothing is formed on the container wall 110 on the outside. For reasons of better demolding during injection molding, this external toothing is not formed continuously over the outer circumference, but partially interrupted.

As is apparent from FIG. 14, a complementary internal toothing 360 is formed at the proximal end of each latching arm 330. At the same time, this also forms the rear engagement elements for an axial securing to the axial securing structure 170.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, in this way, the partition member 300 is secured not only in the axial direction but also with respect to rotations on the container 100 when the shutter 400 is screwed onto the partition member 300. In this case, the jacket wall 410 of the closure pushes the latching arms 330 in turn so that the internal teeth 360 engage in positive engagement both with the anti-rotation structure 190 with respect to the circumferential direction and with the axial securing structure 170 with respect to the distal direction. When unscrewing the closure, this additionally ensures that the separating element 300 remains on the container.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 container 101 proximal container end 102 distal container end 103 insertion opening 104 discharge opening 110 container wall 120 container interior 130 first finger rest 140 second finger rest 150 groove structure 160 external thread 170 axial securing structure 180 bridging structure 190 anti-rotation structure 200 feed element 210 piston rod 211 guide bead 212 distal region 220 piston 230 thumb ring 300 separating element 301 proximal end 302 distal end 310 internal thread 311 shell wall region 312 outer surface 320 external thread 330 latching arm

Claims (21)

331 outer surface 332 rear engagement element 340 entrainment element 350 filter area 351 passage opening 360 engagement structure 400 closure 401 proximal end 402 distal end 403 proximal section 404 distal section 410 lateral wall 420 top wall 430 internal thread 440 driver 450 longitudinal rib 460 intermediate space L central longitudinal axis D distal direction Rmax maximum radius α angle of curvature Claims A separator (300) having a proximal end (301) and a distal end (302), comprising: a filter region (350) adapted to allow granules to pass along an axial direction (L) between the proximal end (350); 301) and the distal end (302), but to allow the passage of liquid along the axial direction (L); and an internal thread (310) open towards the proximal end (301) and extending around the axial direction (L); characterized by at least one externally circumferentially arranged, resilient latching arm (330) which is formed in the region of the proximal end (301) and extends with its free end to the proximal end (301). 2. separating element (300) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching arm (330) in the region of its free end on the inside a rear engagement element (332), in particular in the form of a radially inwardly extending locking lug. 3. separating element (300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one latching arm (330) is formed on the outer circumference on the separating element (300) such that an outer surface (331) of the at least one latching arm to an outer surface located distally of the latching arm (311). the separating element (300) is arranged offset flush or radially outwards. 4. separating element (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one latching arm (330) extends in a proximal of the internal thread (310) located region in the axial direction (L). 5. separating element (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more driving elements (340) which are externally formed on the separating element (300) to allow in the circumferential direction a positive engagement of the separating element (300) with a driver. 6. separating element (300) according to claim 5, wherein the driving elements (340) form a toothing along the circumferential direction. 7. separating element (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, which has a to the distal end (302) towards open external thread (320) which extends around the axial direction (L). 8. A dispenser, comprising: a divider (300) according to any one of the preceding claims; and a container (100) for receiving a product having a peripheral container wall (110), a proximal container end (101), a distal container end (102) and a discharge port (104) at the distal container end (102), 110) is formed in the region of the distal container end (102) has an external thread (160) which extends around the axial direction (L), and wherein the external thread (160) of the container (100) with the internal thread (310) of the separating element (300 ) is engageable to attach the separator (300) to the distal container end (102). 9. Discharge device according to claim 8, wherein an axial securing structure (170) is formed on the outside of the container wall (110) proximally from the external thread (160) of the container (100), the at least one latching arm (330) of the separating element (300) having the axial securing structure (170) is engageable such that a proximal movement of the separating element (300) relative to the container (100) is hindered, and by a radial deflection of the latching arm (330) outwardly engageable. 10. Discharge device according to claim 9, wherein the Axialsicherungsstruktur (170) comprises an annular bead, with which the at least one latching arm (330) is resiliently engageable engageable. 11. Discharge device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein proximal to the external thread (160) of the container (100) on the outside of the container wall (110) an anti-rotation structure (190) is formed, wherein on the inside at least one locking arm (330) of the separating element ( 300) a complementary engagement structure (360) is formed, which is engageable with the anti-rotation structure (190) in such a way that it prevents rotation of the separating element (300) relative to the container (100), and by a radial deflection of the latching arm ( 330) can be disengaged externally. 12. Discharge device according to claim 11, wherein the anti-rotation structure (190) is formed as external toothing, which extends over at least part of the circumference of the container wall (110), and / or wherein the complementary engagement structure (360) is formed as internal toothing. The dispenser of any of claims 8 to 12, comprising a closure (400) having a circumferential skirt wall (410), a proximal closure end (401), a distal closure end (402) and a top wall (420), the top wall (420 ) of the closure (400) in a closing position axially covers the distal end (302) of the separating element (300), and wherein the lateral wall (410) radially covers the at least one locking arm (330) in the closing position such that the lateral wall (410) a radial deflection of the latching arm (330) impeded. 14. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the casing wall (410) of the closure (400) extends in the closing position in the proximal direction at least to the proximal end (301) of the separating element (300), so that the closure (400) forms the separating element (400). 300) completely covered in the closing position. 15. Dispensing device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the jacket wall (410) of the closure (400) in the region of the distal closure end (402) distally of the top wall (420) inside one or more drivers (440), and wherein the drivers ( 440) can be brought into engagement with the carrier elements (340) of the separating element (300) by the closure (400) being connected to the separating element (300) in a direction opposite to the closing position along the axial direction (L), in particular pushed onto the latter , Is, so that the separating element (300) by means of the closure (400) from the container (100) can be unscrewed. 16. Discharge device according to claim 13, wherein an internal thread (430) is formed in the jacket wall (410) of the closure (400) in a region located between the proximal closure end (401) and the top wall (420) the axial direction (L) runs, wherein the separating element (300) has an outer thread (320) which is open toward the distal end (302) and which extends around the axial direction (L), and in which the outer thread (320) of the Separator (300) with the internal thread (430) of the closure (400) is engaged. 17. Discharge device according to claim 16, wherein the external thread (320) of the separating element (300) and the external thread (160) of the container (100) are dimensioned identically, so that the closure (400) with its internal thread (430) optionally onto the separating element (300) or directly on the container (100) can be screwed. 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein there is a radial gap (460) between the container wall (110) and the shell wall (410) of the closure (400) when the closure (400) is screwed directly onto the container (100), and wherein on the container wall (110) on the outside proximally of the external thread (160) is formed a bridging structure (180), preferably in the form of an annular bead, which radially protrudes so far that it bridges the radial gap (460) to the entry of dirt in the radial gap (460) to prevent. 19. A dispenser comprising a container (100) for receiving a product having a circumferential container wall (110), a proximal container end (101), a distal container end (102) and a discharge opening (104) at the distal container end (102) an external thread (160) is formed on the container wall (110) in the region of the distal container end (102), which extends around an axial lease (L), a closure (400) with a circumferential jacket wall (410), a proximal closure end (401 ), a distal closure end (402) and a top wall (420), wherein in the jacket wall (410) in an area between the proximal closure end (401) and the top wall (420) an internal thread (430) is formed, which around the axial direction (L), wherein the external thread (160) of the container (100) with the internal thread (430) of the closure (400) is engaged, and wherein the top wall (420) of the closure (400) the discharge opening (104) of the container (100), characterized in that a radial gap (460) between the container wall (110) and the shell wall (410) of the closure (400), and in that the container wall (110) on the outside proximally a bridging structure (180), preferably in the form of an annular bead, is formed from the external thread (160) which projects radially enough to bridge the radial gap (460) to prevent the entry of dirt into the radial clearance (460) , 20. Discharge device according to one of claims 8 to 19, wherein the container (100) on the outside at the proximal end of the container (102) has a first finger rest (130), and wherein the container (100) distally of the first finger rest (130) on the outside a second Finger rest (140) to hinder slippage of fingers of a user along a distal direction. 21. A method of manufacturing and discharging a product with a discharge device according to claim 15, comprising: providing the discharge device in a state in which the container (100) is filled with granules, the separation element (300) above the discharge opening (104) the container (100) is mounted, and the closure (400) is mounted in the closing position on the separating element (300), removing the closure (400) from the separating element (300) while the separating element (300) remains on the container (100); Receiving a liquid through the separator (300) into the container (100) to wet the granules with the liquid to produce a finished product; Connecting the closure (400) to the separating element (300) in a direction opposite to the closing position, in particular by pushing the closure (400) onto the separating element (300); Unscrewing the separating element (300) from the container (100) by means of the closure (400); and discharging the product ready for discharge through the discharge opening (104) of the container (100).