EP0761314B1 - Dispensing device for fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical medium consists of a cylindrical body (3) which contains the liquid medium. The body is connected to a balloon (5) made from flexible material. When the balloon is compressed, air is driven into the body and causes an atomised stream of a mixture of air and medium to be ejected through the nozzle (20). The body (3) is initially provided with a cover (40) which is torn away before the device is used in order to expose the nozzle (20).

Description

The invention relates to a discharge device for media according to the preamble of claim 1. It should in particular for fine atomization of liquid, powder or similar media as well as for hand-held use and for one-handed operation.

The discharge device can be a fluid which promotes a driving fluid Have propellant with which the medium from one or several media chambers or stores towards one or more outlet openings is driven out in that changes the volume of one or more pressure chambers or is reduced. Although that is in the pressure chamber Medium the same or of the same physical state as that Medium in the media chamber can be differentiate these media are useful in terms of physical state, the propellant advantageously being a suitable one Gas, e.g. Air is, while the driven medium, namely e.g. a pharmaceutical or cosmetic active ingredient, is at least partially liquid and / or powder.

Instead of a chemical assignment of the propellant and Active medium so that they react chemically when mixed, the training is appropriately provided so that this Media do not react chemically with each other, only Can form mixtures. This is useful for each working stroke volume of the propellant to be applied by one to three Potencies greater than the volume of during this working stroke active ingredient to be applied, the respective Volume essentially the total storage volume of the Pressure chamber or the media chamber can correspond to the each working stroke are almost completely emptied. This training according to the invention is a very Discharge device to be handled advantageously.

FR-A-2 443 980 relates to a media dispenser made of foils, one of which is perforated to form the outlet opening and is provided with a closure. This is removable Tab to the edge of the outlet opening, which at Pulling off the fastener can be injured.

The same applies to the dispenser according to EP-A-0 431 240, in which the closure as a deep-drawn plug in the Outlet opening is inserted.

The invention has for its object a discharge device to create the type mentioned, at what disadvantages known discharge devices are avoided and it in particular enables the smallest with a very simple structure To discharge amounts of active ingredient very finely distributed.

According to the invention, the features according to claim 1 intended. At least one drive pump can act as a bellows pump be formed with the interposition at least a part of at least one media chamber to at least one Outlet port is connected, so that from the propellant pump promoted propellant not only to an effective Emptying the media chamber, but also leads to the Active ingredient of the media chamber in one before the discharge Propellant flow finely distributed and only then with this along an outlet channel and through an outlet opening, e.g. an atomizing nozzle that is conveyed to the outside.

Through the inventive design, amounts of active ingredient of, for example, less than a tenth or a thirtieth of a cubic centimeter can be applied in a finely divided manner with a propellant volume of more than 100 times greater, for example about 5 cm ³ .

It is conceivable to design the propellant pump so that their pressure chamber after a first emptying, e.g. about an inlet valve that can be refilled, however is advantageous at least one pressure chamber of the propellant pump or the entire discharge device only for single use or a single Discharge process trained. This allows the respective Pressure chamber completely closed in its initial state and if necessary filled under overpressure be, whereby a small size large and in its composition or its volume of propellant can be precisely determined is available.

The propellant volume can advantageously only be overcome the resistance of the outlet of the pressure chamber locking closure pressed out of the pressure chamber be so that it remains throughout the storage period the discharge device is securely enclosed and cannot escape gradually. That closure can essentially be formed by the active medium itself be when the media chamber is a section of the Outlet channel of the pressure chamber forms and the medium Media chamber is essentially sealed or as tight packing fully filled. This is not how also conceivable between the outlet of the pressure chamber and the inlet of the media chamber e.g. pressure dependent working or opening inlet valve required, but the inlet of the media chamber is to the pressure chamber the propellant pump is always open. The exhaust side, the Outlet opening associated end of the media chamber or a adjoining section of the outlet channel can however with a pressure-dependent or opening closure to be closed, which both the pressure chamber as well as the media chamber against accidental Emptying ensures and only when used as intended Use is open.

According to the invention, the outlet opening is also a and / or essentially having the media chamber dimensionally stable housing provided, which is useful with the Propellant pump or with the pressure handles turned away from each other to activate the discharge by at least one its central axis or the central axis of the outlet opening transverse and preferably this central axis right-angled joint axis articulated is. This allows the housing to simplify the Handling during discharge and / or to achieve a compact storage condition in different angular positions aligned with the components mentioned become. A pivoting movement is essentially preferred only possible around a single defined joint axis, which two freely projecting limb sections the discharge device connects and transversely to the direction of actuation the handle lies.

The propellant pump is expediently provided by an exposed, pillow-shaped bellows made of superimposed and tightly connected at the periphery of the pressure chamber in edge areas Foils formed, adjacent to each other at a distance the housing at least to the outside of the pressure chamber can be partially enclosed so that the film parts the only connection between the case and the Establish pressure room. The two domed and im essentially ending in a common connection level, equally large walls of the pressure chamber can with their Outsides directly as well as with their entire area Form to operate the discharge device and advantageously have an area of approximately the order of magnitude a ball of thumb, making it an ergonomically very affordable one Handling for almost complete emptying of the pressure chamber is guaranteed under high pressure.

Multiple single discharge devices can be non-destructive or destroying the connection with a common one Carrier be connected to the individual discharge devices expediently in a single row or in a multi-row Grids are arranged one behind the other or next to each other expediently stand in this connection so that handling neighboring discharge devices are not facing each other are, but like the joint axes in the same orientation about a common level. The carrier or a separate component can also be a closure at the same time form the outlet opening so that it is only released, if the closure is removed by manual gripping and opening is.

Fig. 1

eine als Set ausgebildete Austragvorrichtung in Ansicht,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt einer einzelnen Austragvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in wesentlich vergrößerter und geschnittener Darstellung sowie

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch die Ausbildung gemäß Fig. 1 in wesentlich vergrößerter Darstellung.

These and further features emerge from the claims and also from the description and the drawings, the individual features being realized individually or in groups in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields and can represent advantageous embodiments. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a discharge device designed as a set in view,

Fig. 2

a section of an individual discharge device according to FIG. 1 in a substantially enlarged and sectional view and

Fig. 3

a cross section through the design of FIG. 1 in a substantially enlarged view.

The discharge set 1 according to FIG. 1 has a large number of the same or unequal discharge devices 2, which are independent removed from each other and only then operated can be that a media discharge takes place. The discharge devices 2 can be the same or different size or Fill volume or fillers, depending on the type set 1 is provided by the application. The discharge devices 2 lie in a straight row, but could also in a ring or wreath or the like be provided. At least parts of neighboring discharge devices 2 are also in set 1, especially across their Straight connecting line their common level against each other freely movable, with adjacent discharge devices 2 do not touch each other, but completely through gap gaps spaced from each other and just on a single side or face with a common one Carriers are connected, from which they protrude freely.

The respective discharge device 2 has a dimensionally stable, elongated housing 3, the outer circumference essentially continuous over its entire length continuously smooth or cylindrical is. The housing 3 is at the end of one in relation to it the width, the thickness and the length of the larger handle 4, essentially made of flexible, flexible material exists, essentially on all sides over the envelope surface of the housing 3 protrudes and with this over a connected at least partially flexible connection is. The handle 4 is used for holding and actuating the discharge device 2 during use, wherein then the housing 3 with respect to the handle not in its Longitudinal direction but is freely movable transversely to it. In set 1, the housings 3 are not movable relative to one another, however, the handles 4 of the discharge devices 2, so that they grip easily for separation and into the cheapest Have a position.

The discharge device 2 essentially has one formed by the handle 4 or within it lying gas pump 5 in the form of a bellows pump, the has no bellows. The pillow-shaped or in all Cross sections approximately flat oval pressure chamber 6 of Gas pump 5 is of two opposite, convex walls 7, 8 made of flexible slack or essentially elastic film formed, e.g. among those occurring due to use Loads no more than two, five or ten Percent can be stretched. The two foil areas, which are formed in one piece by folding or formed by separate, superimposed film parts can be located after the outer circumference of the pressure chamber 6 in the region of an edge 9 and are fully adherent in this area, e.g. by welding, connected to each other so that the Pressure chamber 6 is sealed off from the outside. The Pressure chamber 6 lies, like essentially all the others Components of the discharge device, symmetrical to a central axis 10 and with one opposite the width of the housing 3 much smaller distance from the associated one End of this housing 3.

The pressure chamber 6 or the associated foil balloon closes substantially in width and thickness narrowed neck 11 to the associated end of housing 3 on. This neck 11 has elongated, transverse to the central axis 10, essentially constant over its length Flat cross sections, its length being less than that larger cross-sectional extent and larger than that is smaller cross-sectional extent. The neck 11 limits an outlet duct corresponding to its dimensions 12 and is also through the film sections 13, 14 formed, which also the walls 7, 8 of the pressure chamber 6 form.

These film sections 13, 14 form in the area of Walls 7, 8 also face away from and after crowned domed handles 15, 16 for starting or execution of the discharge operation between two or three fingers of one hand towards each other are that the pressure chamber 6 is flattened and emptied into the housing 3 via the outlet channel 12 becomes. The pressure chamber 6 thus has a manufacturer original filling tightly enclosed under overpressure, which the limp handles 15, 16 and the neck 11 in its tense starting position, e.g. pneumatic, resiliently secures, the gas pump 5 only one only emptying of the pressure chamber 6 without subsequent Refilling allowed.

The housing 3 is only made up of two one-piece components, namely an outer housing body 17 and one in essentially or completely lying in this housing core 18 formed, the housing 3 without use separate links directly with the handle 4 or the walls 7, 8 of the pressure chamber 6 is. The outer housing body 17 is at one end an end wall 19 substantially closed and on other end essentially at its full, remaining Inside width open. In the center is the end wall 19 of an outlet opening 20 on its outside an atomizer nozzle 21 passes through. The outlet opening 20 lies in the area of the deepest part of a deepened one Nozzle cavity 22, which in the outside of the end wall 19 is provided, opposite the outlet opening 20 has a much larger width and approximately one flat annular surface of the end wall 19 is surrounded.

The relative to the inner width of the housing body 17th narrower housing core 18 is from the open side of the Housing body 17 inserted into a centering 23 forth which only in the area of the end wall 19 associated End of the housing core 18 or at a distance of the other end of which is larger than the one or is twice its outer diameter. The centering 23 can e.g. by in one piece with the housing body 17 and / or the housing core 18 formed radial or Longitudinal ribs are formed, which over the inner circumference of the housing body 17 and the outer circumference of the housing core 10 protrude and these two components Press fit axially and / or stuck in the direction of rotation connect with each other. The associated end face 24 of the spine-shaped essentially over its entire length constant outer width housing core 18 is Expediently limited on the inside of the end wall 19 on. In the area of these end faces is one of the Nozzle 21 associated swirl device 25 is provided, which the media mix faces when entering one the outlet opening 20 extended portion of the Nozzle channel in rotation about the central axis 10 thereby offset that transverse channels are formed between the end faces are, which open approximately tangentially into the nozzle 21.

Between the outer circumference of the housing core 18 and the The inner circumference of the housing body 17 is a gap Envelope with an essentially continuous Gap width of less than two or one millimeter, limited in particular by about half a millimeter, and this envelope is through a pressure relief valve 26 divided, the annular sealing lip 27 closer to front than at the rear end of the envelope. The outer circumference and / or the inner circumference of the sealing lip 27 is approximately frustoconical to the front end of the envelope expanded at a cone angle of about 90 ° and lies with a partially circular cross section convex rounded, the closing surface of this valve body forming ring edge on a counter surface.

The sealing lip 27 is in one piece with the cross section massive or closed over its entire length Housing core 18 formed over the otherwise continuous cylindrical outer circumference it protrudes, being their closing surface a short distance behind the Centering 23 on the inner circumference 29 of the housing shell 28 of the housing body 17 resiliently. This one too Inner circumference 29 has essentially the entire Length of the housing shell 28 or the envelope constant cylindrical cross sections, the thickness of the housing shell 28 in the order of the gap width of the Envelope or below.

The valve 26 can only be used for conveying in the direction of Open outlet opening 20 and closes resiliently or in the opposite direction of flow inevitably self-reinforcing. The sealing lip 27 is axially opposite the housing body 17 and the housing core 18 to their deformation movement stuck. In the open state it releases an annular passage gap that compared to the gap width of the envelope much narrower is and forms an atomizing gap.

Between the closing surface of the valve 26 and the rear end of the housing 3 forms the associated Longitudinal section of the envelope one of its cross sections corresponding media chamber 30, the front end through the outer, frustoconical flank of the sealing lip 27 is limited, which is thus open Valve an inclined guide surface leading to the valve gap forms. The end faces 31 of the housing body 17 and the Housing core 18 are essentially at the other end in a common plane, the end face of the Housing core 18 is closed here in one piece, so that in it neither medium nor air from the pressure chamber 6 can occur. Both end faces 24, 31 are continuous just.

The associated end of the media chamber 30 forms approximately in the plane of the end faces 31 an annular opening, which approximately is as far as the rest of the media chamber 30 and with two inlet openings spaced apart from each other or forms an inlet 32, via which the pressure chamber 6 valve and lock-free to the Media chamber 30 is connected. The outlet duct 12 For this purpose it extends to the end faces 31.

To close the ring opening between the inlets 32 form the film sections 13, 14 following the Neck 11 transversely angled film parts 33, the adhering to both ends 31, e.g. by welding, are attached and in this area the ring opening cover sealed. The film parts 33 lie transversely to the parting plane 37 between the film sections 13, 14, in which their edges 9 are located and with one another are connected, whereby the film parts 33 transverse to longer cross section of the outlet channel 12 are provided.

The attachment of the film parts 33 can be provided in this way be under the operating pressures that occur, namely when actuating the gas pump 5, stops or it can be provided so that the film parts 33rd under this pressure from the end faces 31 detach and thus also the previously closed zones the ring opening to form a correspondingly larger one Inlets are opened; in this case the Foil parts 33 also the ring opening in the initial state close completely so that a kind of tear-open inlet valve is formed, which opens depending on the pressure. is at least one inlet 32 also in the initial state Pressure chamber 6 or to the outlet channel 12 open, so a Transfer of the medium filled in the media chamber 30 thereby into the outlet channel 12 or the pressure chamber 6 be prevented that the medium is relatively dense is arranged packed in the media chamber 30 or their capillary-like narrow gap width and that at the inlets 32 pending overpressure of the pressure chamber 6 for contribute to the permanent securing of the position of this medium.

The film parts 33 are around the associated end edge of the Housing 3 or the housing body 17 on its outer circumference struck by the extent and / or its Length essentially continuous, with Envelope film parts 34 so that the housing 3 axially secured against tension with handle 4 or gas pump 5 connected is. By the way the foil sections are connected 13, 14 and the cross-sectional shape of the Neck 11 and the stiffening effect of the manner of a Edge rib connected edges 9 is between the housing 3 and the handle 4 or the gas pump 5 a joint 35 created it in the manner of a fluid pressure stiffened, resilient flexible joint made of slack Components allowed these two areas against each other 3 to both sides from the central position at least 90 ° or more, in total by at least 180 ° to swivel. There is also little pivotability given parallel to the division plane 37, however, the pivotal movement is primarily one Joint axis 36 possible, which is approximately parallel to or in the division plane 37 and transversely or at right angles to Center axis 10 and this is intersecting.

The respective outlet opening 20 is in the initial state or nozzle cavity 22 on the outside of the discharge device 2 or the housing 3 pressure-tight with a dimensionally stable Closure 39 closed, part of a common, rod-shaped carrier 40 for the majority of discharge devices 2 is the only connection of the respective discharge device 2 for this carrier 40 manufactures and integrally formed with the carrier 40 is. To form the respective closure, the flexible support 40 one over a profile side flat protruding projection on that with its end face over the entire surface of the outlet opening 20 or Nozzle cavity 22 surrounding the annular surface of the housing 3 adhesive, e.g. is fixed by welding this attachment forms a predetermined breaking connection 41, the without destroying the housing 3 or its associated face can be solved.

In the area of the locking projection, the carrier 40 is on its side facing away from the connection 41 with a Cup-shaped recess provided so that the closure serving front wall of the closure 39 relatively thin-walled is flexible and therefore easier Detach slightly from the housing 3 Type of a hollow profile can be deformed. The connection the discharge devices 2 with the carrier 40 is so provided that the discharge devices 2 hanging freely can be stored with the carrier 40.

To use the discharge device, this is first torn off the closure 39 or the carrier 40, whereby the discharge opening 20 is opened. Then it will be the housing 3, manually held on the handle 4, with the Discharge opening 20 to the desired application point introduced or e.g. inserted into an opening, after which the handles 15, 16 are compressed. As a result, the propellant flows out of the pressure chamber 6 the inlets 32 into the filled media chamber 30 until the Opening pressure of the valve 26 is reached. Then rips the propellant pre-atomizes the medium into an intermediate chamber 38 between the swirl device 25 or the nozzle 21 and the valve 26 in the region of the centering 23 formed by the front end of the envelope is, due to their structuring because of the centering ribs or the like. Serve as a mixing or swirl chamber can, in the initial state, is empty or only gas-filled, extends to the cross channels and between these and the Media chamber 30 a section of a discharge channel forms.

The mixture emerges from this intermediate chamber 38 Active medium and propellant via the swirl device 25 into the nozzle 21 and from there through the outlet opening 20th into the open. After this single use, in which the Medium essentially free of residues from the media chamber 30 is discharged, the entire discharge device 2 thrown away or the recycling of their material parts be fed. All of their individual components are made of such materials or plastics, together for recycling for the purpose the production of a plastic raw material are suitable.

The passage cross sections of the outlet channel 12 can about in the order of the passage cross sections of the Media chamber 30 are or be larger. The passage cross sections of the intermediate chamber 38 are compared to those of the media chamber 30 about the same size or rather smaller, the passage cross sections of the In contrast, valves 26 in the open state are essential are smaller. The passage cross sections of the Cross channels or the swirl device 25, the nozzle 21 and the outlet opening 20 are opposite to the aforementioned Passage cross sections much smaller. The discharge device is also suitable for the pressure chamber 6 and fill the media chamber 30 with the same medium or the media chamber unfilled in the initial state leave and medium to be discharged only in the pressure chamber to save, which then only when the discharge is activated in the chamber 30 arrives.

Claims (13)

1. Discharge apparatus for media having at least one medium reservoir forming a medium chamber (30) and at least one outlet opening (20), which is surrounded by an annular surface and is secured with a closure (39) against an outflow of medium, said closure being fixed to the annular surface by an adhesive connection (41), such as a welded connection, characterized in that the outlet opening (20) is contact-free with respect to the closure (39).
2. Discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (39) secures the filling of the discharge apparatus (1, 2) against outflow into the open and can be manually mechanically opened from the outside, and that the connection (41) forms a predetermined separating point, that in particular the closure (39) covers the outlet opening (20) and that preferably the annular surface is formed by an end face.
3. Discharge apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet opening (20) is located in the vicinity of a recessed nozzle pool (22), that in particular the outlet opening (20) is located on the outside of an end wall (19) and that preferably the nozzle pool (22) is surrounded by the annular surface.
4. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (39) is dimensionally stable, that in particular the closure (39) is formed by a projection and that preferably the closure (39) is slightly deformable for release purposes.
5. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (39) is provided on a carrier (40), that in particular for forming the closure (39) a flat, projecting projection is provided and that preferably the carrier (40) in the vicinity of the projection and on the side remote from the connection (41) is provided with a cup-shaped depression.
6. Discharge apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that in the vicinity of the closure (39), the carrier (40) is made thinner than adjacent thereto, that in particular the closure (39) is formed by a bottom wall of the depression covering the outlet opening (20) and that preferably the connection (41) is in a thickened area of the bottom wall.
7. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (20) is provided on an elongated casing (3), that in particular the casing (3) during use is located at the end of a grip (4) which is larger than the same for holding or operating the discharge apparatus (1, 2) with mutually remote handles (15, 16) and that preferably the casing (3) is formed from two one-part components, namely an outer casing body (17) and a casing core (18) substantially located therein.
8. Discharge apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that in the vicinity of the end face (24) of the casing core (18) is provided a whirling device (25) for the medium, that in particular the casing core (18) engages in stop-limited manner on the inside of the end wall (19) of the casing body (17) or forms with said inside transverse channels, from where the medium passes into the nozzle (21), and that preferably the outlet opening (20) is formed by an atomizing nozzle (21).
9. Discharge apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the casing core (18) is mandrel-shaped or substantially over its entire length has a constant outside width, that in particular the casing body (17) and the casing core (18) completely located therein are connected in firmly seated manner to one another in the rotation direction or axially by press fit and that preferably there is a sealing lip (27) bounding the medium chamber (30) and projecting over the outer circumference of the casing core (18).
10. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a valve (26) opening in the direction of the outlet opening (20) is provided, that in particular the valve (26) is a resiliently closing overpressure valve and that preferably the closing surface of the valve (26) is formed by the sealing lip (27) which, with the exception of its opening movement, is firmly seated with respect to the casing body (17) or casing core (18).
11. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the rear end the medium chamber (30) forms an inlet opening (32), that in particular the inlet opening (32) is so closed with a fastening that the latter still holds under the operating pressures which occur, and that preferably the inlet opening (32) is closed by adhesion.
12. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for medium delivery purposes a volume-variable pressure chamber (6) is provided, that in particular the pressure chamber (6) is connected in valve-and closure-free manner to the medium chamber (30) and that preferably the discharge apparatus (1, 2) is constructed solely for a single use.
13. Discharge apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a plurality of identical and/or different discharge apparatuses (2), particularly separable as a whole in each case, on a common, elongated carrier (40), which preferably forms the closure (39) and/or to which the particular discharge apparatus (2) is only connected in freely projecting manner in the vicinity of a predetermined breaking point (41) separable by tearing off.

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