DE102020103417B4 - Liquid container for an inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid container (1) for an inhaler (20) with an interior (5) which has an evaporation liquid, the interior (5) having an outlet opening (4), the outlet opening (4) having an evaporator assembly or a Line section is connected or connectable, wherein the outlet opening in the connection with the evaporator assembly or the line section provides a fluidic connection between the interior (5) and the evaporator assembly or the line section, characterized in that the liquid container (1) at least one of the interior ( 5) has an opening (3) that connects fluidically with the environment, the interior (5) having a barrier fluid (6) which completely closes the opening from the environment.

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid container for an inhaler with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and an inhaler with the features of the preamble of claim 15.

Liquid containers of the generic type are used in inhalers such as, for example, in electronic cigarette products or medical inhalers to vaporize pharmacological active ingredients and can be provided as replaceable or refillable liquid containers. A liquid container of the type mentioned is from the US 2019/0 387 793 A1 known.

Inhalers in the prior art comprise a vaporizer device with at least one electric vaporizer for vaporizing an evaporation liquid supplied from an exchangeable liquid container. The exchangeable liquid container has an outlet opening and is held or arranged in a receptacle from which it can be exchanged for a filled new liquid container after emptying.

The liquid container can comprise the evaporator as an integrated component. In this case, the evaporator closes the outlet opening of the liquid container. Alternatively, the vaporizer can be part of the inhaler and can therefore be used several times independently of a cartridge. In this embodiment, the outlet opening of the liquid container is closed by a releasable closure, which must be opened or removed before or when the liquid container is inserted into the evaporator device so that the evaporation liquid contained in the liquid container can flow out of the opening through the evaporator.

When using the inhaler, the consumer pulls on a mouthpiece of the inhaler and thereby applies a negative pressure to an air duct of the inhaler connected to the mouthpiece. As a result, ambient air, which can enter the air channel through an air supply from the surroundings of the inhaler, flows through the inhaler in the direction of the mouthpiece and thus in the direction of the consumer's mouth. The evaporator device or the evaporator is arranged and designed in such a way that when the evaporation liquid is evaporated, the resulting steam enters the air channel and the ambient air flowing through it also transports the steam in the direction of the mouthpiece. The inhaler typically has a negative pressure sensor which measures the negative pressure caused by the consumer. If this negative pressure exceeds a certain threshold value, control electronics activate the vaporizer device or the vaporizer therein. The vaporizer device often has a capillary element which is arranged in particular adjacent to the vaporizer. The capillary element, which is also called a wick, is fluidically coupled to the evaporator and the part of the liquid container in which the evaporation liquid is arranged. At least initially, the capillary element transports evaporation liquid from the liquid container to the evaporation device or the evaporator with the aid of capillary forces. As a result of the negative pressure created by the evaporation of the evaporation liquid in the evaporator, new evaporation liquid flows in and the evaporator can evaporate evaporation liquid again.

In the prior art, apart from the opening to the evaporator device, closed liquid containers with an unchangeable volume are known. Both evaporation liquid and air can be present in the liquid container, and the evaporation liquid can flow freely to and fro in the liquid container. To supply the evaporator with evaporation liquid from the liquid container, a capillary element, e.g. as a wick, is used as described above. The wick transports evaporation liquid from the liquid container to the evaporator at least initially, i.e. before or during the first use of the evaporator or in the case of a dried out evaporator, due to its capillary properties and / or pressure differences between its two ends. Alternatively, a sponge can also be arranged adjacent to the evaporator. In this case, the wick transports the evaporation liquid to the sponge, from which the evaporator is in turn supplied with evaporation liquid.

One problem with a closed liquid container is that when evaporation liquid is removed from the liquid container, ie when evaporation liquid is transported out of the liquid container, a negative pressure arises in the liquid container. This makes it more difficult to remove the evaporation liquid from the liquid container, and it can be problematic to completely empty the liquid container. Furthermore, the evaporation liquid present in the liquid container is subject to the force of gravity, which means that in an unfavorable position of the liquid container, despite the wick, the supply of evaporation liquid can be interrupted or torn off if an air bubble is present between the evaporation liquid and the wick for a long period of time. In addition, the evaporation liquid can with pressure and temperature fluctuations, such as with a Transport in an airplane from which the liquid container accidentally escapes. On the one hand, this can result from the fact that air bubbles, which often cannot be avoided when filling the liquid container with evaporation liquid, expand when the ambient pressure drops or the ambient temperature of the inhaler increases, thereby pushing the evaporation liquid through the evaporator into the air channel ". However, this can also be done by increasing the temperature of the evaporation liquid itself and the associated increase in volume of the evaporation liquid.

If the liquid container is not designed to be closed, i.e. the pressure in the liquid container can be equalized with the environment, for example by providing it with a small micro-opening in addition to the opening to the evaporator device, the liquid container can be emptied more easily. At the same time, however, there is the disadvantage that the liquid container can empty itself through the micro-opening even when the inhaler is not in use. The evaporation liquid lost during this emptying can no longer be consumed by the consumer in the form of vapor through the inhaler, which is disadvantageous for him, since this significantly reduces the period of use of the liquid container. In order to still achieve the maximum duration of use compared to the case of a liquid container without a loss due to emptying through micro-openings, the consumer must use an additional liquid container. This is associated with additional costs for the consumer, which is undesirable. There is also the possibility that the undesired evaporation liquid may contaminate the inhaler and, in the worst case, damage it. In the first case, if the inhaler is carried in the trouser or jacket pocket, the trousers or jacket can become soiled. In the second case, the consumer has to exchange the inhaler for a new inhaler well before the end of the inhaler's life as defined by the internal components of the inhaler. The old inhaler is then waste, which is a waste of resources. In addition, the consumer has to invest unnecessarily money again to buy a new inhaler.

In order to avoid these problems, the invention is based on the object of providing a liquid container which can be used for as long as possible while at the same time being better emptying while avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantages. The invention is based, in particular, on the object of providing a liquid container which, when the ambient conditions change, prevents unintentional escape of evaporation liquid through the evaporator. The invention is also based on the object of providing a liquid container which prevents an unfavorable negative pressure in the liquid container, which occurs as a result of the deliberate removal of evaporation liquid from the liquid container and hinders the further removal of evaporation liquid.

The invention achieves the present object in a first aspect by a liquid container with the features of claim 1 and in a second aspect by an inhaler with the features of claim 15. Further embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the figures and the associated description.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid container for an inhaler with an interior space that has an evaporation liquid, the interior space having an outlet opening, the outlet opening being connected or connectable to an evaporator assembly or a line section, the outlet opening being connected to the evaporator assembly or the line section provides a fluidic connection between the interior and the evaporator assembly or the line section, wherein the liquid container has at least one opening that fluidly connects the interior with the environment, the interior having a barrier fluid which completely closes the opening from the environment.

The liquid container is preferably an exchangeable liquid container. In this context, exchangeable means that the liquid container can usually be exchanged for a new, filled liquid container by the consumer after its intended use and emptying. The change of the liquid container takes place preferably without the use of tools. For this purpose, the inhaler particularly preferably has a receptacle in which the liquid container can be received and used as intended, and a safety device which fixes the liquid container in the receptacle when the inhaler is moved. An example of such a securing device can be a latching lug which engages with a section of the liquid container and thereby secures it in position, or magnets which interact with a corresponding magnetic section of the liquid container and thereby hold the liquid container in its position in the receptacle. The aforementioned features enable the inhaler to function reliably.

The outlet opening is or can be connected to the evaporator assembly or the line section. In other words, the outlet opening can be mechanically coupled to the evaporator assembly or the line section, preferably mechanically coupled in a liquid-tight manner. The mechanical coupling creates a fluidic connection. An example of a mechanical coupling is a form-fitting connection of the outlet opening with a correspondingly configured section of the line section or the evaporator assembly that engages with a section of the outlet opening in a form-fitting manner.

The evaporator assembly can have an evaporator. The evaporator can, for example, have a known wick and coil structure. Alternatively, the evaporator can also denote a plate-like evaporator which has microchannels which extend from an underside to an upper side. The underside can be fluidically connected to the section of the liquid container which has the evaporation liquid. The upper side is set up to evaporate evaporation liquid in or on the plate-like evaporator. The upper side can be fluidically connected to the air duct.

In addition, the evaporator assembly can also have a capillary element which is fluidically connected to the evaporator. The capillary element can also be referred to as a wick or wick element. For example, the capillary element can be arranged adjacent to a region or section of the evaporator. Alternatively or additionally, the capillary element can bear against at least one area or section of the evaporator. The capillary element can, for example, completely or partially cover or cover the underside of the plate-like evaporator.

The line section provides a fluidic connection between the liquid container and an evaporator assembly, which forms part of the inhaler and is thus arranged outside the liquid container. This can be implemented, for example, with the aid of lines, pipes or tubes or hoses and optionally liquid-tight coupling devices between sections of lines, pipes or tubes, or hoses.

Completely closing the opening from the environment means that the evaporation liquid, which is arranged in the interior of the liquid container, is prevented from flowing out through the opening by the barrier fluid. In other words, the barrier fluid, together with the walls of the interior space, forms a volume or space that is closed off from the environment around the inhaler. The walls of the interior and the barrier fluid thus limit the space in which the evaporation liquid can move freely. In other words, the barrier fluid completely encloses the evaporation liquid in the interior of the liquid container and, with respect to the opening, is liquid-tight. The barrier fluid therefore forms a type of plug that closes the interior.

The barrier fluid can be any suitable material that closes the opening and retains the evaporation liquid in the interior of the liquid container. At the same time, the barrier fluid should be designed in such a way that it forms a liquid-tight contact when it is in contact with a wall, for example the wall of the interior space. The barrier fluid is therefore preferably designed to be elastic and can thereby adapt to the wall contour and cling to it in a liquid-tight manner. The barrier fluid can, for example, be completely liquid, gel-like, pasty or have partial components that are liquid, gel-like or pasty. Suitable materials are, for example, fats or highly viscous oils. The barrier fluid can have at least two or more components with different viscosities and / or strengths. Components with different strengths can, for example, be one or more solid bodies. It is also conceivable that the component is a gelatinous core.

The barrier fluid preferably forms a plug, ie an inherently stable volume, the internal forces of which hold the volume together are greater than external forces which tear the volume, in particular when it moves relative to its surroundings, with which it at least partially engages or destroy. An example of external forces are shear forces which occur when the barrier fluid moves relative to a wall surrounding the barrier fluid and which act to a greater extent on the outer edge region of the volume. These shear forces are due to friction between the barrier fluid and the wall, e.g. the wall of the interior.

The barrier fluid is not arranged in a stationary manner in the liquid container, but can preferably move as a whole. When evaporation liquid is withdrawn from the area enclosed by the interior space and the barrier fluid, this area is subjected to a negative pressure. The ambient pressure, which is higher than the negative pressure, acts on the barrier fluid with a force directed towards the enclosed volume. The barrier fluid therefore moves essentially in the direction of the force, thereby reduced in size the volume enclosed by the interior space and the barrier fluid and thereby achieves a pressure equalization between the enclosed volume and the surroundings of the inhaler, comparable to the movement of a piston in a cylinder. In this case, the barrier fluid encloses the evaporation liquid in the interior in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the opening all the time.

In the event of a change in the ambient conditions, such as a decrease in the ambient pressure of the inhaler or a rise in temperature in the area surrounding the inhaler and thus also the liquid container, the volume enclosed by the barrier fluid and the interior space can be subjected to an overpressure in comparison with the ambient pressure. This overpressure can result, for example, from an increase in volume of the evaporation liquid as a result of an increase in temperature. The overpressure can alternatively or additionally also result from an increase in the volume of air or gas bubbles in the evaporation liquid or in the volume enclosed by the barrier fluid and the interior space. In this case, analogous to the removal of evaporation liquid described above, the barrier fluid moves, which in this case, however, increases the enclosed volume and thereby adapts the pressure in the enclosed volume to the ambient pressure. The case of a decrease in temperature or an increase in ambient pressure and the direction of movement of the barrier fluid and the resulting pressure equalization is analogous to the case of the removal of evaporation liquid described above.

The mobility of the barrier fluid creates a communication between the enclosed volume in the liquid container and the environment. In the event of an internal pressure change, ie a pressure change in the enclosed volume, the pressure change describing a pressure difference between the pressure in the enclosed volume and the pressure in the environment, the enclosed volume can expand or decrease by a movement of the barrier fluid until none Pressure difference exists more. As a result, the enclosed volume can be reduced accordingly if the pressure therein is reduced by the removal of evaporation liquid during normal use of the liquid container or the inhaler. As a result, the evaporator in the evaporator assembly can be constantly supplied with evaporation liquid. As a result, the amount of evaporation liquid that can be evaporated by the evaporator is constant both during an entire inhalation of the user on the inhaler and between different inhalations. The evaporator assembly or the evaporator can thus provide a constant amount of generated steam. This results in a consistent quality with regard to the release of active substances into the air and to the consumer. In addition, the consumer experience has a consistent quality and is not subject to fluctuations.

Furthermore, the communication between the enclosed volume and the surroundings of the liquid container or the inhaler using the liquid container created by the barrier fluid as a closure of the interior space also creates the possibility of reacting to an external pressure change, ie when the ambient pressure changes in relation to the pressure in the enclosed volume, or in the event of a change in the temperature of the environment and the resulting change in pressure in the enclosed volume, as described above, to dynamically compensate for the pressure difference by moving the barrier fluid. This completely eliminates the problem of evaporation liquid escaping, for example through the heater, since, due to the constant adjustment of the pressure in the enclosed volume to the ambient pressure through movement of the barrier fluid, there is or cannot be overpressure in the enclosed volume, which the evaporation liquid from the presses out the enclosed volume through the evaporator or the evaporator assembly. With the present invention, it is for the first time easily possible to transport a liquid container in an aircraft in which the ambient pressure is a few hundred mbar below the ambient pressure at sea level, without evaporation liquid escaping from the liquid container and causing the problems described above. The present invention also makes it possible for the first time to have the liquid container with you when crossing a mountain pass or when driving into the mountains without evaporation liquid escaping from the liquid container.

Alternatively, the barrier fluid can also consist of a liquid or have a liquid. As a result of this configuration, the barrier fluid can adapt to a contour of the liquid container in the best possible way and separate the evaporation liquid from the surroundings of the liquid container.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid is insoluble in the evaporation liquid and / or the barrier fluid does not mix with the evaporation liquid. This embodiment combines the ability of the barrier fluid to optimally adapt to the contour of the wall of the interior space due to its fluidic properties, with a long durability or usability of the liquid container with regard to the optimal tightness of the opening of the interior space closed by the barrier fluid. This can further ensure that the barrier fluid does not dissolve in the evaporation liquid and thereby change the taste of the vapor to be inhaled. This is particularly important when inhaling the constituents of the barrier fluid could cause the consumer a bad taste or even health problems. Furthermore, this can prevent the barrier fluid from dissolving itself in the evaporation liquid after a long period of time, so that it could no longer fulfill its purpose, namely the sealing of the interior. The same applies analogously to the lack of miscibility of barrier fluid and evaporation liquid.

In one embodiment, the evaporation liquid has a first viscosity and the barrier fluid has a second viscosity, the second viscosity being greater or higher than the first viscosity. The greater or higher viscosity can, for example, prevent the barrier fluid from passing through microchannels in an evaporator in the evaporator assembly, while the lower-viscosity evaporation liquid can pass through these for evaporation. Furthermore, this can prevent the barrier fluid from being unintentionally pushed outwards by the evaporation liquid or from slipping out of the opening due to the higher adhesion to the inner wall of the opening due to the higher viscosity.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid has a thickness in a direction of movement which is less than or equal to a maximum width of the opening filled by the barrier fluid. In the case of a cylindrical interior, the width of the opening describes the diameter, ie twice the radius, of the circular area of the cylinder. In the above example, the thickness of the barrier fluid is the height of the cylinder. As a result of the proposed size ratio of the barrier fluid, it has a geometry which favors the mobility of the barrier fluid required for pressure equalization or the change in volume. Advantageous proportions of the width of the opening to the thickness of the barrier fluid are 1 to 1, 2 to 1, 4 to 1, 8th to 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening is formed by a channel which, at least in a section closed by the barrier fluid, has an essentially constant or constantly changing cross-sectional geometry in its longitudinal extension in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The channel is thus part of the interior of the liquid container. Alternatively, the channel is connected to the interior of the liquid container. The section of the channel closed by the barrier fluid, and thus also the interior space, thus describes both the section of the channel when the liquid container is filled and the section of the channel when the liquid container is not completely filled, and the barrier fluid at the Emptying has moved and now closes a reduced section of the channel or a reduced volume of the interior. In other words, the section closed by the barrier fluid is the section of the interior space in which the barrier fluid can move, wherein it closes the opening of the interior space at all times. As a result of the proposed solution, the cross-sectional geometry of the barrier fluid is not or only continuously changed during the movement. The opening in the form of the channel can, for example, have a circular cross-section, rectangular, square, elliptical, triangular, or generally a polygonal cross-section. The channel itself can, for example, have an oval, circular, rectangular, square or any other cross section. In particular, the channel can have the same or a different cross-sectional shape compared to the cross-section of the opening. The channel can also in particular be a cylindrical channel. The longitudinal extension of the channel generally describes an axis which is directed in the direction of the direction of movement of the barrier fluid. If the channel has a cylindrical shape, for example, and the barrier fluid moves parallel to the outer surface of the cylinder and thus perpendicular to the circular surface of the cylinder, the longitudinal extension is determined by a normal on the circular surface.

In one embodiment, the interior is capillary at least in sections. For this purpose, one or more capillaries connected to one another to form a block can be provided, which can partially or completely fill the interior space and support the liquid transport in the interior space or ensure that the evaporation liquid is independent of the orientation of the inhaler on the vaporizer or on the The outlet opening.

In one embodiment, the opening in the section closed by the barrier fluid has a smaller cross-sectional area than the interior space filled with the evaporation liquid. The volume of the barrier fluid required to close the opening or the interior can thus be reduced. The section of the liquid container that has the opening and is closed by the barrier fluid can also be referred to as the closing section and is only used to close the interior with a possibility of volume change and its geometry can be designed completely independently of the interior of the liquid container. In this case, the closure section can be designed to be optimized in particular with regard to the closure function of the barrier fluid and with regard to the possibility of movement of the barrier fluid.

In one embodiment, the opening is segmented into at least two partial openings at least in the area of the barrier fluid by at least one partition wall, and the barrier fluid is divided by the partial openings into at least two independently acting partial barrier fluids. By subdividing the barrier fluid into two or more partial barrier fluids or the subdivision of the opening into two or more partial openings, the maximum width of the opening to be sealed can be reduced, since the maximum width of the opening to be sealed corresponds to the maximum width of the partial openings due to the partition walls. The maximum available cross-section for the volume change then corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the entire opening minus the cross-sectional area of the partition walls or the sum of the areas of the partial openings and is thus only reduced by the area of the partition walls. Since the partition walls are only used for separation and are otherwise not stressed, they can be reduced to a minimum thickness due to the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the partial barrier fluids can move independently of one another, so that there are practically several columns of liquid that act independently of one another.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid has a dimensionally stable core. In addition to the core, the barrier fluid preferably has a further component. The component can be a liquid, pasty or gel-like material. The core is partially or fully incorporated into the component. If the core is partially received in the component, ie is enclosed or sheathed by the component only in a section, there is at least one gap, which is for example along the shortest connecting route between the core, more precisely between one arranged closest to the wall of the interior outer surface of the core, and the closest portion of the wall of the interior extending, the component on. In other words, at least this gap, which extends between the core and a wall section closest to the core, is filled with the component. The barrier fluid having the core and the component arranged at least in the gap completely closes the opening of the interior space. If the barrier fluid has the component not only in the region of the gap between the wall of the interior space and the core, but the core is completely enclosed by the component, the core is completely accommodated in the component.

In one embodiment, the liquid container has a surface quality that is optimized with regard to the sliding friction of the barrier fluid in the area of the inner wall of the opening. In other words, the interior space in the liquid container has a section on which the barrier fluid rests in a sealing manner and the wall is optimized for movement of the barrier fluid. The optimized friction allows the barrier fluid to move along the wall without destroying or severely unfavorable deformation of the barrier fluid as a whole. A destruction of the barrier fluid as a whole or a strong unwanted deformation of the barrier fluid occurs when the function of the barrier fluid to enclose the evaporation liquid in the interior of the liquid container in relation to the opening from the surroundings in a liquid-tight manner no longer exists. Optimized friction can be minimal friction, for example, which allows the barrier fluid to move as described above. The optimized friction can be provided, for example, by the provision of a surface coating on the wall of the interior space and / or the adaptation of the surface properties of the wall of the interior space. In this case, a certain surface roughness can be achieved, by means of which the interfacial tension between the barrier fluid and the inner wall of the opening to be sealed can be advantageously influenced. The desired surface quality can be achieved by a coating, a surface treatment such as plasma treatment, mechanical polishing or roughening or by a targeted change in the material composition.

The barrier fluid can furthermore preferably be designed as a gel, in which case, for example, aqueous gels, gelled vegetable oils or synthetic gelled oils or hydrocarbons are preferred as gels.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid has a pseudoplastic gel or is formed from it. The use of a structurally viscous gel has the advantage that the barrier fluid securely closes the opening when the inhaler or the liquid container is not in use, i.e. also before the liquid container is inserted into the inhaler due to the lack of load and the resulting high viscosity of the gel. The property of pseudoplastic gels is that the viscosity decreases with increasing shear stress. Exactly this effect is used positively here, in that the increased shear force acting on the barrier fluid when the negative pressure is exerted is used to reduce the viscosity of the gel, whereby the barrier fluid can carry out the movement required for the change in volume in a simplified manner while opening the opening at securely closes a non-existent negative pressure.

In one embodiment, the pseudoplastic gel preferably has a flow limit of 50 to 70 Pa, particularly preferably 55 to 65 Pa. Surprisingly, this flow limit has proven to be particularly advantageous in connection with vaporizer liquids based on glycerine and polyglycol, which are customary in the prior art, with regard to the ability of the barrier fluid to close off the interior in a liquid-tight manner with regard to the opening.

In one embodiment, the pseudoplastic gel has a viscosity from 1000 to 5000 mPa * s, preferably from 3000 to 3500 mPa * s, particularly preferably from 3200 mPa * s at 1000 * 1 / s. In connection with evaporator liquids based on glycerine and polyglycol, which are customary in the prior art, this viscosity has surprisingly proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the ability of the barrier fluid to close off the interior in a liquid-tight manner with regard to the opening.

The proposed parameters for the flow limit or the viscosity can ensure that the barrier fluid on the one hand securely closes the opening under all circumstances, but moves automatically into the opening to equalize the volume in the event of a load while pulling on the inhaler.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid and the evaporation liquid have different chemical components. For example, the barrier fluid and the evaporation liquid can have different flavors. This enables a sensory differentiation between the barrier fluid and the evaporation liquid. A sensory differentiation can, for example, help the consumer when using the inhaler with the liquid container to determine that the liquid container is completely or largely empty. For this purpose, the consumer can use his sense of taste to determine a change in taste between the evaporated evaporation liquid intended for regular use and the barrier fluid evaporated when the liquid container is emptied. This can alert the consumer to the need to change the liquid container. Alternatively or additionally, the change from evaporation from evaporation liquid to barrier fluid can also be detected by a suitable electrical sensor, which is arranged, for example, in the mouthpiece of the inhaler.

In one embodiment, the liquid container is transparent in at least one section in the area of the interior, and the barrier fluid and the evaporation liquid have different optical properties. Examples of different optical characteristics can be one or more properties from the following list: different colors, different brightness values, different transparencies, different reflectivities. Because of the transparency of the liquid container in the area of the interior and the different optical appearance, the consumer can thus optically recognize the liquid level in the interior, the evaporation liquid and the barrier fluid. However, it is also conceivable that the different optical properties can be detected by suitable sensors, e.g. photodiode or CCD sensors or cameras.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid has a substance that can be measured by means of a sensor device. The sensor device is designed and arranged so that the position of the barrier fluid and thus the liquid level of the evaporation liquid in the interior can be detected by means of the sensor device. The measurable substance can, for example, comprise electrically conductive, opaque, or magnetic particles that color in the optical light spectrum, or chemical substances or any combination thereof. The sensor device is set up accordingly to detect the electrically conductive, opaque, magnetic particles or chemical substances that color in the optical light spectrum, or any combination thereof.

For example, the inhaler with the exchangeable liquid container can have a sensor device which is positioned in such a way that it generates a signal that is dependent on the movement of the barrier fluid. A detailed description in this context can be found below. The exchangeable liquid container can, for example, be inserted into a receptacle of the inhaler which is located in a fixed spatial association with the sensor device provided on the inhaler. The liquid container inserted into the receptacle is thus always in a defined arrangement and alignment with respect to the sensor device. The sensor device can then be positioned in such a way that it generates a signal when part of the barrier fluid passes a predefined position, for example a sensor area that is included and measuring in the sensor device. The signal generated as a result of the measurement can then be converted into an optical or acoustic signal to signal to the consumer that the liquid container must be replaced immediately or after a few puffs. In addition, the function of the evaporator assembly and / or the evaporator can be adapted as a reaction to the measurement. For example, the electrical power or heating power of the evaporator assembly or of the evaporator changed or lowered, or the vaporizer assembly or vaporizer turned off.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to an inhaler with a liquid container according to one of Claims 1 to 14.

The inhaler comprises at least one liquid container with an interior which has an evaporation liquid, the interior having an outlet opening, the outlet opening being connected or connectable to an evaporator assembly or a line section, the outlet opening in connection with the evaporator assembly or the line section being a provides fluidic connection between the interior and the evaporator assembly or the line section, the liquid container having at least one opening fluidically connecting the interior to the environment, the interior having a barrier fluid which completely closes the opening from the environment.

The properties of the liquid reservoir have already been described above and also apply to the liquid reservoir that is included in the inhaler.

In one embodiment, the inhaler has a sensor device which is configured to generate a signal dependent on the position of at least part of the barrier fluid, the sensor device being positioned such that it generates a signal dependent on the movement of the barrier fluid. In this case, the liquid container is a liquid container according to claim 14. In other words, the barrier fluid has a substance that can be measured by means of a sensor device. A description of the measurable substance can be found above. The sensor device can for example have a sensor area which measures the position of a part of the barrier fluid. The sensor device can convert the measurement result into a digital or an analog signal, for example. The sensor area can be, for example, a small, almost punctiform area that allows the barrier fluid to be measured at this point in space, a flat area that allows two-dimensional spatial measurement of the barrier fluid, or a strip-like area that allows one-dimensional spatial measurement of the barrier fluid. However, a sequence of several punctiform areas spaced apart from one another is also conceivable. Any combination of the aforementioned sensor areas or with differently configured sensor areas is also conceivable. Other sensor areas, in particular irregular sensor areas or sensor areas that are adapted to the contour of the interior of the liquid container, are also conceivable. The generation of a signal as a function of the position of the barrier fluid is to be understood as meaning, for example, that the sensor device or the sensor area generates a signal when at least part of the barrier fluid can be measured and is being measured by the sensor area. The signal can thus be the result of a sudden change in the measurability of part of the barrier fluid (dynamic case). The signal can also be the result of a measurement of a continuous state in which part of the barrier fluid can be measured and is measured over a longer period of time (static case). Examples of suitable sensor devices can be optical sensors such as photodiodes, CCD chips, or the like. However, suitable sensor devices can also be ultrasonic sensors which measure the density in the interior of the liquid container in their measuring range. However, other sensor devices are also conceivable, provided they are suitable for the above-mentioned purpose of measuring part of the barrier fluid and generating signals.

In one embodiment, an evaporator assembly is provided which can be actuated, i.e. activated and / or deactivated, as a function of a signal from the sensor device described above. The evaporator can then be automatically deactivated, e.g. if the liquid level falls below a predetermined level, which is represented by the position of the barrier fluid, so that the barrier fluid of the barrier fluid can be prevented from evaporating instead of the evaporation liquid. On the one hand, this has the advantage that it prevents undesired substances from being generated when the barrier fluid evaporates. Such substances could be harmful to health, for example. The automatic switch-off therefore significantly improves the safety for the consumer of the vaporizing liquid with the help of the inhaler. Furthermore, the automatic shutdown can prevent a possible malfunction of the evaporator assembly or of the evaporator that may be included therein. A malfunction could result, for example, from unfavorable evaporation properties of the barrier fluid, which leads to overheating of the evaporator and can have uncontrollable consequences. The safety of the inhaler is therefore also improved by the automatic switch-off. Finally, it can be indicated to the consumer, for example by an LED or other suitable lighting means or information means, that the evaporator assembly or the evaporator is deactivated and the liquid container must be replaced.

The aforementioned embodiments can also be present in combination of two or more embodiments at the same time and can therefore be combined as desired.

• 1a,1b einen erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälter mit einer verschlossenen Austrittsöffnung und einer während des Entleerens geöffneten Austrittsöffnung in einer ersten Ausführungsform, und
• 2 einen erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälter in einer zweiten Ausführungsform, und
• 3 einen erfindungsgemäßen Inhalator mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälter, und
• 4 eine erfindungsgemäße Herstellanlage zur Befüllung von erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehältern, und
• 5. einen erfindungsgemäßen Flüssigkeitsbehälter mit einem durch Trennwände unterteilten Innenraum.

The invention is explained below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. It shows

• 1a , 1b a liquid container according to the invention with a closed outlet opening and an outlet opening opened during emptying in a first embodiment, and
• 2 a liquid container according to the invention in a second embodiment, and
• 3 an inhaler according to the invention with a liquid container according to the invention, and
• 4th a manufacturing plant according to the invention for filling liquid containers according to the invention, and
• 5 . a liquid container according to the invention with an interior divided by partitions.

In the 1a is a replaceable liquid container according to the invention 1 with a cylindrical housing, for example 2 to recognize with a circular cross-section in the form of a tube, which at one end through a barrier fluid 6th closed opening 3 and at the other end one over a lock 7th closed outlet opening 4th having. This is between the barrier fluid 6th and the closed outlet opening 4th a closed interior 5 formed, which is filled with an evaporation liquid. The evaporation liquid is one in one in the 3 to be recognized inhaler 20th , liquid to be evaporated and can, for example, contain one or more substances from the following list: glycerine, polyglycol, water, flavoring and aromatic substances, active substances, nicotine.

The replaceable liquid container 1 will be in one in the 3 recording to be recognized 21 of the inhaler 1 used, which then has a lid 22nd is closed to the outside. The recording 21 is positioned and shaped so that the liquid container 1 in the inserted position via the outlet opening 4th in fluid communication with one in the inhaler 20th held evaporator 27 stands. Alternatively, the vaporizer 27 but also part of the replaceable liquid container 1 and firmly attached to the outlet opening 4th of the liquid container 1 be held.

The closure 7th the outlet opening 4th is designed here as a flap, but it can also be formed by a membrane, a protective film or a cover, which is placed before or during insertion into the inhaler 20th must be loosened or destroyed so that the outlet opening 4th is then released. In one embodiment, the interior 5 capillary at least in sections. For this purpose, one or more capillaries connected to one another to form a block can be provided which form the interior 5 Can partially or completely fill, and the liquid transport in the interior 5 support or ensure that the evaporation liquid is independent of the orientation of the inhaler 20th on the evaporator 27 or at the outlet opening 4th is present.

The liquid container according to the invention 1 is for use in the in the 3 illustrated inhaler 20th provided and has an interior 5 on, which has an evaporation liquid, the interior 5 an outlet opening 4th having, the outlet opening 4th is connected or connectable to an evaporator assembly or a line section, wherein the outlet opening 4th in connection with the evaporator assembly or the line section, a fluidic connection between the interior space 5 and the evaporator assembly or the line section provides, and the liquid container 1 at least one the interior 5 with the environment fluidically connecting opening 3 having, the interior 5 a barrier fluid 6th having which the opening 3 completely closed off from the environment. The fluidic connection or the line section between the interior 5 of the liquid container 1 and the vaporizer 27 or the evaporator assembly is not shown in detail but can be added. It can be through separate line sections or only through freely permeable intermediate sections between the assemblies or the inner walls of the inhaler 20th be educated.

The liquid container 1 is preferably a replaceable liquid container. In this context, interchangeable means that the liquid container 1 after its intended use and emptying, usually by the consumer against a new, filled liquid container 1 can be changed. The change of the liquid container 1 preferably takes place without the use of tools. The inhaler particularly preferably has 20th for this purpose, a receptacle in which the liquid container can be received and used as intended, and a safety device which fixes the liquid container in the receptacle when the inhaler is moved. An example of such a securing device can be a latching lug which is inserted into a section of the liquid container 1 engages or this engages behind and thereby secures in position, or magnets, which with a corresponding magnetic section of the liquid container 1 cooperate and thereby the liquid container 1 in its position in the recording keep. The aforementioned features ensure that the inhaler will function reliably 20th enables.

The outlet opening 4th is connected or connectable to the evaporator assembly or the line section. In other words, the outlet opening 4th is mechanically, preferably in a liquid-tight manner, mechanically coupled to the evaporator assembly or the line section. The mechanical coupling creates a fluidic connection. An example of a mechanical coupling is a form-fitting connection of the outlet opening with a correspondingly configured section of the line section or the evaporator assembly that engages with a section of the outlet opening in a form-fitting manner.

The evaporator 27 can for example have a known wick-coil structure. Alternatively, the vaporizer 27 also a plate-like vaporizer 27 denote having microchannels extending from a bottom to a top. The bottom can match the section of the liquid container 1 , which has the evaporation liquid, be fluidically connected. The top is set up to evaporate liquid in or on the plate-like evaporator 27 to evaporate. The upper side can be fluidically connected to the air duct.

In addition, the evaporator assembly can also have a capillary element which is connected to the evaporator 27 is fluidically connected. The capillary element can also be referred to as a wick or wick element. For example, the capillary element can be adjacent to a region or section of the evaporator 27 be arranged. Alternatively or additionally, the capillary element can bear against at least one area or section of the evaporator. The capillary element can, for example, be the underside of the plate-like evaporator 27 Cover or cover completely or partially.

The line section provides a fluidic connection between the liquid container 1 and a vaporizer assembly forming part of the inhaler 20th forms and thus outside the liquid container 1 is arranged, ready. This can be implemented, for example, with the aid of lines, pipes or tubes or hoses and optionally liquid-tight coupling devices between sections of lines, pipes or tubes, or hoses.

Under the complete closure of the opening 3 to the environment is to be understood that the evaporation liquid, which in the interior 5 of the liquid container 1 is arranged by the barrier fluid 6th from flowing out through the opening 3 is prevented. In other words, the barrier fluid forms 6th with the walls of the interior 5 together one of the surroundings around the inhaler 20th closed volume or space around it. The walls of the interior 5 and the barrier fluid 6th thus limit the space in which the evaporation liquid can move freely. In other words, the barrier fluid closes 6th the evaporation liquid in the interior of the liquid container completely and in relation to the opening 3 , liquid-tight. The barrier fluid 6th therefore forms a kind of stopper, that of the interior 5 locks.

The barrier fluid 6th can be any suitable material that closes the opening and the evaporation liquid in the interior 5 of the liquid container 1 holding back. At the same time, the barrier fluid should 6th be designed such that it is in the plant on a wall, for example the wall of the interior 5 , forms a liquid-tight contact. Preferably the barrier fluid is 6th therefore designed to be elastic and can thus adapt to the wall contour and cling to it in a liquid-tight manner. The barrier fluid 6th can for example be completely liquid, gel-like, pasty or have partial components that are liquid, gel-like or pasty. Suitable materials are, for example, fats or highly viscous oils. The barrier fluid 6th can have at least two or more components with different viscosities and / or strengths. Components with different strengths can, for example, be one or more solid bodies. It is also conceivable that the component is a gelatinous core.

Preferably the barrier fluid forms 6th a plug, ie an inherently stable volume whose internal forces that hold the volume together are greater than external forces that tear or destroy the volume, especially when it is moving relative to its surroundings, with which it is at least partially engaged. An example of external forces are shear forces that occur when the barrier fluid moves relative to a barrier fluid 6th surrounding wall occur and have an increased effect on the outer edge area of the volume. These shear forces are due to friction between the barrier fluid 6th and the wall, for example the wall of the interior 5 , attributed.

The barrier fluid 6th is not stationary in the liquid container 1 arranged, but can preferably move as a whole. When removing evaporation liquid from the interior 5 and the barrier fluid 6th enclosed area, this area is subjected to a negative pressure. The ambient pressure, which is higher than the negative pressure, acts on the barrier fluid 6th with one towards the enclosed volume directed force. The barrier fluid 6th therefore moves essentially in the direction of the force, thereby reducing that caused by the barrier fluid 6th in the interior 5 enclosed volume and thereby achieves a pressure equalization between the enclosed volume and the environment of the inhaler 20th , comparable to the movement of a piston in a cylinder. The barrier fluid closes 6th all the time the evaporation liquid in the interior 5 in terms of opening 3 liquid-tight.

When the ambient conditions change, such as a decrease in the ambient pressure of the inhaler 20th or a rise in temperature in the vicinity of the inhaler 20th and thus in each case also of the liquid container 1 , can do that from the barrier fluid 6th and the interior 5 enclosed volumes are subjected to an overpressure in comparison with the ambient pressure. This overpressure can result, for example, from an increase in volume of the evaporation liquid as a result of an increase in temperature. As an alternative or in addition, the overpressure can also result from an increase in the volume of air or gas bubbles in the evaporation liquid or in that of the barrier fluid 6th and the interior 5 enclosed volume result. In this case, the barrier fluid moves in a manner analogous to the withdrawal of evaporation liquid described above 6th which in this case, however, increases the enclosed volume and thereby adapts the pressure in the enclosed volume to the ambient pressure. The case of a decrease in temperature or an increase in ambient pressure and the direction of movement of the barrier fluid 6th and the resulting pressure equalization is analogous to the case of removing evaporation liquid described above.

The mobility of the barrier fluid 6th creates communication between the trapped volume in the liquid container 1 and the environment. The enclosed volume can change in the event of an internal pressure change, ie a pressure change in the enclosed volume, the pressure change describing a pressure difference between the pressure in the enclosed volume and the pressure in the surroundings, by a movement of the barrier fluid 6th Expand or shrink until there is no longer any pressure difference. As a result, the enclosed volume can be reduced accordingly if the pressure therein is caused by the removal of evaporation liquid during normal use of the liquid container or the inhaler 20th is decreased. This allows the vaporizer 27 are constantly supplied with evaporation liquid in the evaporator assembly. As a result, the amount of evaporation liquid that can be evaporated by the evaporator is constant both during an entire inhalation of the user on the inhaler and between different inhalations. The evaporator assembly or evaporator 27 can thus provide a constant amount of generated steam. This results in a consistent quality with regard to the release of active substances into the air and to the consumer. In addition, the consumer experience has a consistent quality and is not subject to fluctuations.

Furthermore, through the through the barrier fluid 6th as a closure of the interior 5 created communication between the enclosed volume and the environment of the liquid container 1 or the liquid container 1 using inhaler 20th also created the possibility of an external pressure change, ie when the ambient pressure changes in relation to the pressure in the enclosed volume, or when there is a change in the temperature of the environment and the resulting change in the pressure in the enclosed volume as described above dynamically the movement of the barrier fluid 6th to compensate for the pressure difference. This completely eliminates the problem of evaporation liquid escaping, for example through the heater, because of the constant adaptation of the pressure in the enclosed volume to the ambient pressure through movement of the barrier fluid 6th there is or cannot be overpressure in the enclosed volume, which presses the evaporation liquid out of the enclosed volume through the evaporator or the evaporator assembly. With the present invention it is thus possible for the first time without any problems to use a liquid container 1 can also be transported in an aircraft in which the ambient pressure is a few hundred mbar below the ambient pressure at sea level, without evaporation liquid from the liquid container 1 leaks and causes the problems described above. The present invention also makes it possible for the first time to use the liquid container 1 to have with you when crossing a mountain pass or driving into the mountains without evaporation liquid escaping from the liquid container.

In the 1b is the liquid container 1 with the outlet opening open 4th recognizable after use. The volume of the evaporation liquid or the interior 5 is due to use in the inhaler 20th decreased, and the barrier fluid 6th is to reduce the volume of the interior 5 in the direction of the outlet opening 4th “Hiked” or “slipped”.

The barrier fluid 6th is dimensioned so that its thickness C is in the direction of the application of pressure when emptying the evaporation liquid from the interior 5 is smaller than the largest width B of the opening to be closed 3 . With a cylindrical interior 5 describes the width B of the opening 3 the Diameter, ie twice the radius, of the circular area of the cylinder. The thickness C of the barrier fluid 6th is the height of the cylinder in the above example. By the proposed size ratio of the barrier fluid 6th if this has a geometry which promotes the mobility of the barrier fluid required for the pressure equalization or the change in volume. Advantageous proportions of the width B of the opening 3 to the thickness C of the barrier fluid 6th are 1 to 1, 2 to 1, 4 to 1, 8th to 1.

The barrier fluid 6th is in the evaporation liquid of the interior 5 insoluble and has a higher viscosity and a different taste than the evaporation liquid in the interior 5 on. The barrier fluid 6th is preferably insoluble in the evaporation liquid, whereby the preferred ability of the barrier fluid 6th to follow the contour of the wall of the interior 5 optimally adapt, with a long shelf life or usability of the liquid container in relation to the optimal tightness of the barrier fluid 6th closed opening 3 of the interior 5 is combined. Furthermore, undesired mixing of the evaporation liquid with the barrier fluid and thus a change in the taste of the evaporated liquid can be avoided.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid 6th and the evaporation liquid has different chemical components. For example, the barrier fluid 6th and the evaporation liquid have different flavors. This makes a sensory distinction between the barrier fluid 6th and the evaporation liquid possible. A sensory differentiation can, for example, help the consumer to determine that the liquid container 1 is completely or largely emptied. For this purpose, the consumer can use his sense of taste to change his taste between the evaporated evaporation liquid intended for regular use and the barrier fluid evaporated when the liquid container is emptied 6th determine. This can relieve the consumer of the need to change the fluid container 1 Clues. Alternatively or additionally, the change from evaporation from the evaporation liquid to the barrier fluid can be used 6th also by a suitable electrical sensor, for example in the mouthpiece of the inhaler 20th is arranged to be detectable.

The barrier fluid 6th can comprise a gel or consist of a gel. Examples of gels are aqueous gels, gelled vegetable oils or synthetic gelled oils or hydrocarbons. The gel is preferably pseudoplastic with a viscosity of 1000 to 5000 mPa * s, preferably from 3000 to 3500 mPa * s, particularly preferably of 3200 mPa * s at 1000 * 1 / s. Furthermore, the gel preferably has a flow limit of 50 to 70 Pa, particularly preferably 55 to 65 Pa. The gel is also preferably inert to the evaporation liquid, ie there are no chemical reactions between the gel and the evaporation liquid. Since the gel neither dissolves in the evaporation liquid nor reacts with it, it can be ensured that in the evaporator 27 only the evaporation liquid is evaporated in its unchanged composition. Furthermore, due to the higher viscosity of the barrier fluid 6th ensure that the barrier fluid 6th the opening 3 due to the higher interfacial tension on the inner wall of the opening 3 of the housing 2 securely closes, so is not pushed out by the evaporation liquid. Another advantage of the higher viscosity of the barrier fluid 6th can be seen in the fact that the gel does not pass through the microchannels of the evaporator 27 can pass through and is not evaporated as a result. Since the barrier fluid 6th not through the evaporator due to the higher viscosity 27 can pass through, the system of the barrier fluid leads 6th on the evaporator 27 , that is, the complete emptying of the evaporation liquid to a stop of the evaporation process, which in turn leads to a change, for example in the temperature, which is then switched off by a corresponding control unit of the evaporator 27 can be used. If a wick, such as a ceramic wick with a microstructure of capillaries, is provided to convey the evaporation liquid, the higher viscosity of the gel can prevent gel from being transported through the wick to the evaporator instead of the evaporation liquid after the evaporation liquid has been used up. The gel itself clogs the wick in such a way that further conveyance of the evaporation liquid to the evaporator is prevented.

The barrier fluid 6th is inherently elastic, in particular the barrier fluid 6th elastic and / or compressible in its spatial shape, and can thereby pressure changes between the interior 5 and the environment. Unless the liquid container 1 with a vaporizer 27 is provided and thereby via the microchannels of the evaporator 27 is open to the environment, can through the elastic barrier fluid 6th prevent evaporation liquid from the liquid container via the microchannels of the evaporator in the event of a drop in ambient pressure 27 exits to the outside. Furthermore, the barrier fluid prevents slipping 6th that when pulling on the inhaler 20th due to the volume change made possible in the interior 5 a negative pressure is created.

The opening 3 is formed by a channel, which in at least one of the barrier fluid 6th closed section in its longitudinal extension in the direction of its longitudinal axis L an im Has substantially constant or constantly changing cross-sectional geometry. The channel is part of the interior 5 of the liquid container 1 . Alternatively, the channel is with the interior 5 of the liquid container connected. The one from the barrier fluid 6th closed section of the channel, and thus also of the interior 5 , thus describes both the section of the channel when the liquid container 1 is filled, as well as the section of the channel when the liquid container 1 is not completely filled, and the barrier fluid 6th has moved during emptying and now a reduced section of the channel or a reduced volume of the interior 5 concludes. In other words, that of the barrier fluid 6th closed section of the section of the interior 5 , in which the barrier fluid 6th can move, opening it at any time 3 of the interior 5 locks. The proposed solution is the barrier fluid 6th not or only continuously changed in its cross-sectional geometry during the movement. The opening 3 in the form of the channel, for example, can have a circular cross-section, rectangular, square, elliptical, triangular, or generally a polygonal cross-section. The channel itself can, for example, have an oval, circular, rectangular, square or any other cross section. In particular, the channel can have the same or a different cross-sectional shape compared to the cross-section of the opening. The channel can also in particular be a cylindrical channel. The longitudinal extent of the channel is generally defined by the longitudinal axis L in which the barrier fluid extends 6th when emptying the interior 5 emotional. For example, if the channel has a cylindrical shape and the barrier fluid moves 6th parallel to the lateral surface of the cylinder and thus perpendicular to the circular surface of the cylinder, the longitudinal extension is determined by a normal on the circular surface.

In the 2 is an alternative embodiment of the liquid container 1 with a housing 2 to recognize which is a basic body 2a with an interior 5 with a large diameter D1 and one to the main body 2a subsequent, tubular approach 2 B with the opening 3 with a smaller diameter D2 having. The barrier fluid 6th is here in the tubular neck 2 B arranged and can due to the smaller diameter D2 be dimensioned much smaller. For a volume equalization of a volume defined by the consumption of the evaporation liquid, a smaller diameter is required D2 inevitably a greater length L2 of the tubular extension 2 B necessary. That smaller diameter D2 but allows the use of alternative barrier fluids 6th with lower surface tension, which in turn occurs with even small pressure differences and forces against the inner wall of the interior 5 perform a movement and thereby enable volume compensation. This is advantageous here because the barrier fluid 6th a comparatively long distance on the inner wall of the interior space for volume compensation 5 must cover. The same effect can also be advantageously used in reverse when the diameter D2 of the approach 2 B larger than the diameter D1 of the interior and thus the length L2 of the approach 2 B smaller than the length L1 of the interior 5 is, provided the use of barrier fluids with an increased surface tension is provided. Due to the larger diameter D2 is here on the barrier fluid 6th and the boundary surface of the barrier fluid in contact with the inner wall 6th exerted a higher shear force, so that an increased surface tension can be overcome, and the barrier fluid 6th is driven to the movement required for volume compensation. Because the diameter D2 is larger here, is also that of the barrier fluid 6th the distance to be covered for the volume compensation is smaller. The movement of the barrier fluid 6th this takes place considerably more slowly.

In the 3 is the inhaler 20th to recognize which one is a housing 25th with a mouthpiece 26th having. It is also on the housing 25th a sensor device 23 provided, which with its sensor field on the liquid container 1 is directed. The sensor device 23 is also with a control and / or display device 24 signal-technically connected, which in turn signal-technically with the evaporator 27 connected is. Unless it is a pure display device 24 can connect to the vaporizer 27 but also omitted. The barrier fluid 6th here has one of the sensor device 23 detectable substance which can be added to the gel. If it is an optical sensor device 23 acts, it is sufficient if the barrier fluid 6th visually differs from the evaporation liquid. The sensor device 23 is so about the inclusion 21 positioned that the liquid container received therein 1 with a defined section of the interior 5 in front of the sensor field of the sensor device 23 comes to rest. When the consumer is at the mouthpiece 26th pulls, an air flow is generated through flow channels, not shown, which are on the evaporator 27 is passed. This will affect the evaporator 27 a negative pressure is generated by which the evaporator 27 generated steam is sucked in. Due to the sucked in steam, the evaporation liquid is removed from the interior by capillary forces 5 sucked in and the barrier fluid 6th slips in the representation of the 3 to the left in the direction of the sensor device 23 after. When the barrier fluid 6th the sensor field of the sensor device 23 has reached, it sends a signal to the display device 24 , which then emits an acoustic and / or emits an optical signal that informs the consumer about the consumption of the liquid container 1 signals. If the display device 24 additionally has the function of a control device or is connected to such a device, which in turn is connected to the evaporator 27 connected, the vaporizer can also 27 can be deactivated. If the display device 24 has only a control function, the signal display can also be omitted and only the evaporator 27 deactivated. Both measures can result in evaporation of the barrier fluid 6th prevented and the consumer is given an active sign that the liquid container 1 needs to be replaced. The sensor device 23 is designed and arranged so that the position of the barrier fluid 6th and thus the liquid level of the evaporation liquid in the interior 5 by means of the sensor device 23 is detectable. The measurable substance in the barrier fluid 6th can for example have electrically conductive, opaque, color in the optical light spectrum or magnetic particles or chemical substances or any combination thereof. The sensor device 23 is set up accordingly to detect the electrically conductive, opaque, or magnetic particles or chemical substances that color in the optical light spectrum, or any combination thereof.

The replaceable liquid container 1 can for example in a receptacle of the inhaler 20th are used, which are in a fixed spatial assignment to the one on the inhaler 20th provided sensor device 23 is located. The liquid container inserted into the receptacle is thus located 1 also always in a defined arrangement and alignment to the sensor device 23 . The sensor device 23 can then be positioned to generate a signal when part of the barrier fluid 6th a predefined position, for example one in the sensor device 23 encompassed and measuring sensor area, happens. The signal generated as a result of the measurement can then be converted into an optical or acoustic signal to signal to the consumer that the liquid container 1 must be replaced immediately or after a few moves. In addition, the function of the evaporator assembly and / or the evaporator can be used as a reaction to the measurement 27 be adjusted. For example, the electrical power or heating power of the evaporator assembly or of the evaporator 27 changed or lowered or the evaporator assembly or the evaporator 27 turned off.

Furthermore, the housing 2 of the liquid container 1 at least in the area of the interior 5 transparent and the barrier fluid 6th be designed to be visually distinguishable from the evaporation liquid. The lid 22nd can also have a transparent viewing window or be completely transparent, so that the in the receptacle 21 held liquid container 1 can be seen from the outside. Since the barrier fluid 6th optically, for example, differs from the evaporation liquid in terms of color or contrast, and the position of the barrier fluid 6th representative of the level of the evaporation liquid in the liquid container 1 is, forms the barrier fluid 6th thus an externally recognizable level indicator of the liquid container 1 so that the consumer even without a sensor device 23 can recognize when the evaporation liquid is used up and the liquid container 1 must be changed.

In the 5 is another preferred further development of the liquid container 1 to recognize at the opening 3 and the interior 5 at least in sections by one or two partition walls 10 and 13th is divided into two or four partial openings or partial spaces. By segmenting the opening 3 of the interior 5 also becomes the barrier fluid 6th in two or four partial barrier fluids 8th , 9 , 11 and 12th subdivided, which can slide after the evaporation liquid in the sub-spaces independently of one another and thereby enable a volume change individually. The through the partitions 10 and 13th Partial spaces formed have, in comparison to the non-subdivided opening 3 a much smaller maximum width, so that the thickness of the partial barrier fluids 8th , 9 , 11 and 12th can be made smaller. The partitions 10 and 13th extend up to near or not completely up to the outlet opening 4th so that between the ends of the partitions 10 and 13th and the bottom of the interior 5 an undivided section of the interior 5 is formed over which the subspaces of the interior 5 are fluidically connected to one another to form a liquid exchange.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid 6th a dimensionally stable core. In addition to the core, the barrier fluid preferably has a further component. The component can be a liquid, pasty or gel-like material. The core is partially or fully incorporated into the component. If the core is partially accommodated in the component, ie is enclosed or sheathed by the component only in a section, there is at least one gap, which is for example along the shortest connecting route between the core, more precisely between one arranged closest to the wall of the interior outer surface of the core, and the closest portion of the wall of the interior 5 extends the component on. In other words, at least this gap, which extends between the core and a wall section closest to the core, is filled with the component. The barrier fluid 6th having the core and the component arranged at least in the gap closes the opening 3 of the interior 5 Completely. Know the barrier fluid 6th not only in the area of the gap between the wall of the interior 5 and the core is the component, but if the core is completely enclosed by the component, the core is completely incorporated into the component.

In one embodiment, the liquid container 1 in the area of the inner wall of the opening 3 one with regard to the sliding friction of the barrier fluid 6th optimized surface quality. In other words, the interior has 5 in the liquid container 1 a section where the barrier fluid 6th fits tightly. This section of the wall of the interior 5 at which the barrier fluid 6th is applied, is designed and set up in such a way that the friction, in particular the sliding friction, between the barrier fluid 6th and the wall upon movement of the barrier fluid 6th is optimized. The optimized friction allows the barrier fluid 6th movement along the wall without destruction or severe unfavorable deformation of the barrier fluid 6th as a whole. Destruction of the barrier fluid 6th as a whole or a strong unwanted deformation of the barrier fluid 6th occurs when the function of the barrier fluid 6th to enclose the evaporation liquid in the interior of the liquid container in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the opening from the environment, is no longer fulfilled by the changed shape. Optimized friction can be, for example, minimal friction to the barrier fluid 6th a movement as described above is allowed. The optimized friction can be achieved, for example, by providing a surface coating on the wall of the interior space 5 and / or the adaptation of the surface quality of the wall of the interior space 5 be provided. A certain surface roughness can be achieved, through which the interfacial tension between the barrier fluid 6th and the inner wall of the opening to be sealed 3 can be influenced advantageously. The desired surface quality can be achieved by a coating, a surface treatment such as plasma treatment, mechanical polishing or roughening or by a targeted change in the material composition.

In one embodiment, the barrier fluid 6th a structurally viscous gel or is formed from it. The use of a structurally viscous gel has the advantage that the barrier fluid 6th the opening 3 when the inhaler is not in use 20th or the liquid container 1 also before inserting the liquid container 1 into the inhaler 20th due to the lack of load and the resulting high viscosity of the gel. The property of pseudoplastic gels is that the viscosity decreases with increasing shear stress. Exactly this effect is used positively here, in that when the negative pressure is exerted on the barrier fluid 6th acting increased shear force is used to reduce the viscosity of the gel, thereby reducing the barrier fluid 6th the movement required for the change in volume can be carried out in a simplified manner while the opening 3 while avoiding a negative pressure in the interior 5 securely locks.

In the 4th is a preferred manufacturing facility 40 for filling exchangeable liquid containers according to the invention 1 to recognize. The liquid containers 1 are in recordings 45 Magazined in large numbers by a transport device 46 transported from a drop point to a drop point in direction of movement A. In doing so, the liquid containers pass 1 at least one first workstation 41 with a first pipette filling device 43 and a second workstation 42 with a second pipette filling device 44 . The first and second pipette filling devices 43 and 44 each comprises a plurality of individual pipettes, which in the number and arrangement of the number and arrangement of the liquid containers 1 in the recordings 45 correspond. The liquid container 1 will be in the first workstation first 41 via the first pipette filling device 43 filled with the liquid to be evaporated before entering the second work station 42 by means of the second pipette filling device 44 the gel plugs 6th into the liquid container 1 are introduced and thus the openings 3 the liquid container 1 be locked. The proposed manufacturing facility 40 enables a large number of exchangeable liquid containers to be produced very inexpensively 1 in a very short time since the closure of the liquid container 1 about the introduced gel plugs 6th can be implemented very simply and inexpensively by always placing a very small drop of the gel into a liquid container via one of the individual pipettes 1 is dripped. Further measures to close the liquid container 1 are not required.

Claims (16)

Liquid container (1) for an inhaler (20) with - an interior (5) which has an evaporation liquid, the interior (5) having an outlet opening (4), wherein - the outlet opening (4) is connected to an evaporator assembly or a line section or is connectable, wherein the outlet opening in connection with the evaporator assembly or the line section provides a fluidic connection between the interior space (5) and the evaporator assembly or the line section, characterized in that - the liquid container (1) has at least one opening (3) fluidically connecting the interior (5) to the environment, the interior (5) having a barrier fluid (6) which completely closes the opening (3) from the environment. Liquid container (1) Claim 1 , characterized in that - the barrier fluid (6) is insoluble in the evaporation liquid and / or the barrier fluid does not mix with the evaporation liquid. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that - the evaporation liquid has a first viscosity and the barrier fluid has a second viscosity, the second viscosity being higher than the first viscosity. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that - the barrier fluid (6) has a thickness (C) in a direction of movement of the barrier fluid which is less than or equal to a maximum width (B) of the opening (3) filled by the barrier fluid (6). Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that - the opening (3) is formed by a channel which, at least in a section closed by the barrier fluid (6), has an essentially constant or constantly changing cross-sectional geometry in its longitudinal extension in the direction of its longitudinal axis (L). Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that - the interior (5) is capillary at least in sections. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that - the opening (3) in the section closed by the barrier fluid (6) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the interior space (5) filled with the evaporation liquid. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that - the opening (3) is segmented at least in the area of the barrier fluid (6) by at least one partition (10, 13) into at least two partial openings, and the barrier fluid (6) through the partial openings into at least two independently acting Partial barrier fluids (8,9,11,12) is divided. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that - the barrier fluid (6) has a dimensionally stable core. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that - the liquid container (1) in the area of the inner wall of the opening (3) has a surface quality that is optimized with regard to the sliding friction of the barrier fluid (6). Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that - the barrier fluid (6) has a structurally viscous gel or is formed from it. Liquid container (1) Claim 11 , characterized in that - the structurally viscous gel has a flow limit of 50 to 70 Pa, particularly preferably from 55 to 65 Pa, - more preferably the structurally viscous gel has a viscosity of 1000 to 5000 mPa * s, preferably from 3000 to 3500 mPa * s, particularly preferably of 3200 mPa * s at 1000 * 1 / s. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 12th , characterized in that - the liquid container (1) is transparent in at least one section in the area of the interior (5), and - the barrier fluid (6) and the evaporation liquid have different optical properties. Liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 13th , characterized in that - the barrier fluid (6) has a substance that can be measured by means of a sensor device (23). Inhaler (20) with a liquid container (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 14th . Inhaler (20) Claim 15 with a liquid container (1) Claim 14 characterized in that - the inhaler (20) has a sensor device (23) which is set up to generate a signal dependent on the position of at least part of the barrier fluid (6), wherein - the sensor device (23) is positioned in this way that it generates a signal that is dependent on the movement of the barrier fluid (6), an evaporator assembly also preferably being provided which can be actuated as a function of the signal from the sensor device.

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