EP1616630A2 - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has a reservoir, an applicator and a discharge opening. A finger rest, which can be manually subjected to force, and a pump, having two pump parts which are axially movable relative to each other. The applicator is fixedly connected to the reservoir and the finger rest is axially movable relative to the reservoir and the applicator between a first, non-pressed operating end position and a second, pressed operating end position. The pump is realized in such a way that a constant discharge stroke can be obtained independently of a manual user force.

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser for media with a media container, an applicator with at least one discharge opening, a manually kraftbeaufschlagbaren finger rest and a pump with at least two relatively axially movable pump parts.

Such dispensers are mainly used for liquids, suspensions, pastes and foams and serve for the metered discharge of these media. In the medical field, such dispensers are used, inter alia, for nasal applications in which the applicator is designed such that it can be introduced into the nose in order to introduce liquids or suspensions there.

In the prior art, for example in DE 19940234 A1, especially such generic donors are known in which the applicator and the finger rest are made in one piece, so that a relative movement of the finger rest relative to the media container also at the same time represents a relative movement of the applicator relative to the media container. These dispensers are usually operated with one hand, wherein the dispenser's media container is grasped by hand and held stationary relative to the body part in question - for example the nose - while the finger rest is operated with one or two fingers. It is considered disadvantageous that the applicator with the discharge opening is removed during the discharge process from its original position relative to the relevant body part or the discharge process is triggered after removal of the applicator from its original position. In the case of a nasal application, for example, this means that the nose applicator is pulled out of the nose, which worsens the introduction of the medium. Although this can be compensated by tracking the media container, this is motorically difficult and reduces the comfort of the application of the donor.

The problem underlying the invention is therefore to provide a dispenser for media of the type mentioned above, which allows a more convenient than the prior art applicability.

This object is achieved in that the applicator is firmly connected to the media container and the finger rest is axially movable to the media container and the applicator between a first unpressed Bedienungsendposition and a second depressed Bedienungsendposition.

In such a dispenser according to the invention, the applicator and the media container form a one-piece unit during use, thereby causing the discharge opening to be in a fixed and unchangeable position relative to the media container. The media container serves to receive at least one medium. A position of the media container that is stationary relative to the affected body part during use therefore also leads to a fixed position of the discharge. For example, in the case of a nose applicator for nasal applications, the dispensing orifice of the applicator remains at its position prior to commencement of the dispensing procedure by insertion of the applicator into the nose. The finger rest is translationally relatively movable to this one-piece unit of media container and applicator. The main axis of this translational mobility is preferably identical to a longitudinal axis of the applicator. The applicator and the media container may be provided as a one-piece component, but are preferably separate components that are releasably connected to each other, for example by a screw connection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a connecting element for connecting the applicator to the media container, in particular a screw cap, is provided. The pump is preferably disposed within the applicator and has a metering chamber which is at least partially delimited by the applicator. The volume of the metering chamber is determined by a pump piston, which is operatively connected to the finger rest, with both a direct connection between the piston and finger rest as well as an operative connection via intermediate elements may be appropriate. Depending on the embodiment, the filling of the metering chamber with medium originating from the media container can take place in the course of pressing the finger rest or when returning the finger rest to its starting position. The same applies to the discharge of the medium located in the metering chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pump is designed such that a constant discharge stroke can be achieved independently of a manual operating force.

In such a user-independent pump, the discharge of the medium located in the metering chamber is not by the Characteristic of the operation influenced. This is preferably achieved in that the finger rest and a pump piston of the pump are not integrally connected to each other and are kinematically separated from each other. An actuation of the finger rest does not directly result in a reduction of the volume of the metering chamber of the pump. Instead, the applied energy is stored and used at a later time to compress the medium in the dosing chamber, for example after reaching a certain operating position. Especially in applications where the amount of medium to be discharged and the nature of the discharge process, for example by spraying, must be strictly adhered to, this independence from the type of operation by the user is expedient.

In a subsequent development of the invention, a driver is provided, which is permanently connected to a pump piston, wherein the applicator, the driver and / or the finger rest coupling means, for establishing an axial coupling state between the driver and the finger rest in the region of a first , the pump stroke end position assigned to the first operating end position and for producing a decoupled state of driver and finger rest in the region of a second stroke end position associated with the second operating end position, and wherein the driver is subjected to a force of force in the direction of the first stroke end position by a spring force.

The driver, which is permanently connected to the pump piston, directly determines the volume of the metering chamber. It is relatively movable both to the applicator and the finger rest in the direction of the main axis. In the first stroke end position of its movement relative to the applicator, the metering chamber of the pump has a minimal volume. In its second stroke end position, the metering chamber has a maximum volume. By the application of force to the driver, the latter is pressed in the direction of its first stroke end position, that is to say the end position with a minimum metering chamber volume. The opposite direction of the driver in the direction of the second stroke end position is achieved by a coupling of the driver movement with the operating movement of the finger rest. The coupling means provided for this purpose are designed so that they cause a coupling between the finger rest and the driver in the region of the first stroke end position or the first operating end position, so that during the maintenance of this coupling state in the operation of the driver against the Federkraftbeaufschlagung is tightened, and that They solve this coupling when reaching the stroke end position, so that the thus biased driver is transferred by the spring force back into the first stroke end position. Due to the movement of the driver from the second stroke end position back into the first stroke end position, the volume of the metering chamber is reduced and a Austragsvorgang conditional. For this discharge process, it is not significant that the finger rest is meanwhile guided back to its first operating end position. This can also be done after completion of the discharge process. Once the finger rest has reached the first Bedienungsendposition again, the coupling between the driver and finger rest - preferably automatically - restored.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means to a delay means, by the decoupling of the driver of the finger rest in the region of the second stroke end position, a slowed return stroke movement is achieved.

A slowed return stroke movement is understood to mean a return stroke movement which is slowed down with respect to a return stroke movement dependent only on the spring force and the pressure in the metering chamber with respect to its time course. Such a slowdown may be particularly useful when a certain characteristic of the discharge is to be achieved or a filling process of the metering chamber should not be prematurely interrupted by the return stroke of the piston in the direction of the first stroke end position. The delay means may be designed such that they develop a deceleration effect only in a partial region of the stroke, in particular in a subregion adjoining the second stroke end position. A possible realization of the delay means provides guide elements, which cause a superposition of the lifting movement with a rotational movement about a pump longitudinal axis during the return stroke of the driver.

In a further development of the invention, the coupling means on the driver at least one locking element, preferably at least one locking lug which is coupled to the finger rest such that movement of the finger rest from the first Bedienungsendposition to the second Bedienungsendposition a movement of the driver from the first pump stroke end position to the second pump stroke end position causes, and a decoupling, which decouples the locking means of the finger rest in the region of the stroke end position, preferably by radially deflecting the locking lug.

Embodiments of the dispenser according to this development are structurally very simple. The detent element provided on the catch preferably extends radially outward into the area of the finger rest, so that in the course of pressing the finger rest it engages with the latter in a manner which permits joint movement of the finger rest and the entrainment member in the direction of the second operating end position. Particularly preferred is the use of an elastically formed latching lug as a latching element. This is deflected radially enough when reaching the second Bedienungsendposition that it is no longer in engagement with the finger rest and As a result, the biased in this state by the spring force driver is pressed in the direction of its first stroke end position. Depending on the embodiment, the deflected latching nose slides on an inwardly facing contact surface of the finger rest. In this case, the finger rest and the latch are designed so that the spring force opposing frictional force is low by the contact of the latch with this area. After Austragsvorgang or during the discharge process, the finger pad, preferably spring assisted, can be returned to the first Bedienungsendposition in which the latch of the driver gets back into the undeflected engagement position with the finger rest. Alternatively, the elastic locking element may also be provided on the finger support side and be deflected radially outward in the region of a stroke end position by an applicator-side decoupling device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the applicator and the finger rest are rotationally fixed to each other with respect to a main axis and the driver is secured in a first, adjacent to the first stroke end guide portion at least in a rotational direction about the main axis against rotation relative to the applicator and in a second Triggering section adjacent to the second stroke end position is rotatable in this direction of rotation, wherein guide means are provided which, after reaching the state decoupled from the finger rest, guide the entrainment back into the first stroke end position in a superimposed rotational and translational movement.

In this development, it is thus provided that, in the course of the actuating movement of the finger rest, the finger rest and the driver are guided in a fixed rotational orientation relative to one another and to the applicator until the stroke end position is reached. While the finger rest rotatably connected after reaching the Hubendlage with the applicator remains, the driver is from the moment of reaching the Hubendlage relative to the applicator rotatably about the main axis. By the guide means is achieved that is caused by the high spring force caused in this state return stroke movement of the driver with a rotational movement is superimposed. As a result of this rotational movement, the driver is rotated about the main axis during the return stroke relative to the applicator and the finger rest. After returning the finger rest in the first operating end position of the driver then gets back in the first stroke end position in a rotation-secured and coupled to the finger rest state. A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the guide means are formed by sawtooth-shaped projections which extend on the applicator inner wall in a circle around the longitudinal axis of the applicator. The teeth are separated from one another by longitudinally aligned grooves on the inner wall of the applicator. The grooves are used in the guide portion of the hub to prevent rotation of the driver by means of Mitnehmerseitiger coupling sections. If necessary, they can also be used in the same way for rotation of finger support side coupling sections beyond. The coupling portions of the driver and the finger rest have mutually facing beveled coupling surfaces whose pitch preferably corresponds to that of the saw teeth. Upon actuation of the dispenser by pushing down the finger rest, the coupling surfaces lie flush against each other. Due to the oblique design of the coupling surfaces acts on a torque on the driver, which does not lead to a rotation of the driver due to the leadership of the coupling portions in the grooves between the saw teeth or because of the longitudinally aligned vertical edges of the saw teeth. After reaching the tip of the saw teeth but the Mitnehmerseit coupling section then slides on the finger support side coupling surface and the oblique edge of the saw teeth, so that it is a combined Translational and rotational movement of the driver comes. When the finger rest has again reached its first operation end position, the cam-side coupling portion again engages with the finger rest-side coupling portion. The advantage of this development according to the invention is on the one hand that it represents a delay means of the type described above, thus slowing the return stroke of the driver and the piston, which is particularly useful in a time-critical upstream filling of the dosing, and that on the other hand with respect to a variant of the coupling means Locking elements no elastic components needed and deformed in the course of operation. This avoids failure of the dispenser due to damage to elastically deflected components.

In a further development of the invention, the pump piston fixedly connected to the driver together with a cylindrical pump wall and an end-side end wall of the applicator delimits a dosing chamber of the pump.

This represents a very simple construction of the pump. For supplying medium into the metering chamber, a connecting line to the media container is provided, wherein this supply line can be opened and closed depending on the stroke position of the piston and / or the pressure in the metering chamber. The pump is also connected to the discharge opening by a connecting line and optionally further, the discharge process influencing elements.

In one embodiment of the invention, the driver is connected by an inlet valve with the media container, which opens at a lower compared to the pressure in the media container Dosierkammerdruck. Such a valve prevents the outflow of medium into the media container during actuation of the dispenser.

In one development of the invention, the driver and / or the applicator are designed such that the dosing chamber is separated from the media container in a first separating stroke section adjoining the first stroke end position and is connected to the media container in an adjoining connecting stroke section.

In the region of the separating stroke section, this results in an actuating movement from the first to the second operating end position in that the volume of the metering chamber is increased without, in the meantime, the medium entering the metering chamber. Instead, a negative pressure or a vacuum is built up in the metering chamber, and the metering chamber is filled with medium only when the Verbindungshubabschnitt is reached. This procedure is advantageous over a continuous filling of the metering chamber, since varying amounts of liquid are avoided in the course of different operating movements. Instead, an always identical negative pressure ratio is generated in the metering chamber, which has a very small amount of fluctuating medium in the metering chamber after reaching the Verbindungshubabschnittes result. During the movement of the piston from the second stroke end position into the first stroke end position, that is to say during the reduction of the volume of the metering chamber, the piston returns to the separating stroke section in which it is separated from the media container. From the time of separation no medium can get back into the medium tank. As a result, the amount of media present in the metering chamber at the time of transition from the connecting stroke portion to the separating stroke portion is used for the subsequent discharge operation.

In a further development of the invention, the metering chamber is separated from the media container in a second separating stroke section located upstream of the stroke end position.

By this separation in the second Trennhubabschnitt is achieved that the maximum volume of the medium flowed into the metering medium is not defined by the stroke end, but by the second Trennhubabschnitt. As a result, a higher accuracy is achieved, since depending on the mechanical design of the coupling means, the stroke end position can fluctuate to an undesirably high degree, which likewise has a fluctuation of the medium stored in the metering medium result.

In a further development of the invention, the dispenser has a discharge valve, which is mechanically operatively connected to the finger rest and designed such that it opens in a Hubzwischenlage before or when reaching the second Hubendlage.

Such a discharge valve allows a targeted discharge of the medium after reaching an optimum for discharging pressure. In contrast to a discharge valve, which is opened in dependence on a discharge pressure, a mechanically operatively connected to the finger support discharge valve is opened upon reaching a certain position of the finger rest. Thereby, a discharge valve can be opened even if a desired target pressure has not been reached. In addition, a discharge valve of this type allows for use with dispensers of various types or purposes having a different discharge pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pressure chamber is provided between the metering chamber and the discharge opening, which is separated from the metering chamber by a pressure-operated intermediate valve.

In a dispenser having such a structure, the path of the medium from the media container passes through the metering chamber into the pressure chamber. From the pressure chamber, the medium is then discharged. The metering chamber is preferably formed in such a structure that its minimum volume is very low relative to the maximum volume. As a result, very high pressures can be generated in the metering chamber, which cause a transport of the medium into the pressure chamber. From this, the medium can escape only discharge opening side. Without media discharge, the pressure in the pressure chamber thus continues to increase with each pump stroke until a desired discharge pressure is reached. Such a device eliminates the risk that air is compressed within a metering chamber with each pump stroke and relaxed again during the return stroke, without causing the discharge of the medium. In such a case, the commissioning of the dispenser is virtually impossible because the pressure conditions in the metering chamber are identical for each pump stroke, without that an increasing pressure - as in this development in the pressure chamber - builds up.

In a further development of the invention, the discharge valve is designed such that it maintains the open state in the opened state from a discharge pressure limit of the medium, this limit pressure is preferably lower than the opening limit pressure required for opening the valve at a discharge valve actuated by the pressure of the medium ,

The consequence is that the valve remains open even at a discharge pressure that is insufficient to open the valve. In particular, in a valve which can be opened mechanically and not by pressure, it is expedient to provide such a design. It achieves that the mechanical force by which the valve is opened need not be maintained for the period of discharge. When this mechanical force is applied directly by means of the finger rest of the dispenser, the use of a Such discharge valve to the fact that premature release of the finger rest does not result in a termination of the discharge.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve has an actuating surface, the pressurized portion is greater in the open state of the valve than in the closed state of the valve.

Depending on the embodiment, the pressurized portion in the closed state of the valve can also be so small that opening of the valve is not achieved on the basis of pressure, but instead can only be realized mechanically when the operating pressures are normal in the dispenser. However, when the valve is open, this pressurized portion is larger, so that maintaining the open state is achieved until the discharge pressure has dropped so far that, despite the increased actuation portion closing of the valve - for example by a spring force - is performed. This in turn is accompanied by a reduction of the actuating surface.

Fig. 1 bis 3

eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders in drei Stadien eines Betätigungsvorgangs,

Fig. 4

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders, der mit einem gegenüber den ersten beiden Ausführungsformen verändertem Dosierkammerbefüllungsprinzip arbeitet,

Fig. 5

eine dritte Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit einer von der Dosierkammer getrennten Druckkammer und

Fig. 6a bis 7b

eine vierte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders in zwei verschiedenen Stadien des Betätigungsvorgangs und jeweils in einer perspektivischen Ansicht sowie einer Schnittansicht.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the description taken in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 to 3

a first embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention in three stages of an actuating operation,

Fig. 4

a second embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention, which operates with a comparison with the first two embodiments modified Dosierkammerbefüllungsprinzip,

Fig. 5

A third embodiment of the invention with a separate from the metering chamber and

Fig. 6a to 7b

A fourth embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention in two different stages of the actuation process and in each case in a perspective view and a sectional view.

In the context of this description, "up" or "up" means a direction towards the discharge openings shown in the figures above and "down" or "down" means a direction towards those not shown in the drawings at the bottom of the respective dispensing devices shown subsequent media container.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a dispensing device of a dispenser according to the invention, wherein the media container belonging to the dispenser is not shown. The figures show various stages during an actuation process for conveying a medium contained in the media container.

The discharge device has substantially four assemblies 12, 14, 16, 18 which are formed axially displaceable against each other along a main axis 10. The assemblies are an applicator assembly 12, a finger rest assembly 14, a discharge valve assembly 16, and a piston assembly 18.

The finger rest assembly 14 is axially slidable between a first upper actuation end position and a second lower actuation end position relative to the applicator assembly 12. The Austragsventilbaugruppe 16 is formed axially slidable between an upper closed position and a lower opening position relative to the applicator 12. The piston assembly 18 is relatively between a first upper stroke end position and a second lower stroke end position formed to the applicator 12 axially displaceable. The applicator assembly 12 itself is firmly connected to the media container, not shown in the figures.

Applicator assembly 12 consists of a substantially cylindrical nose applicator 22 with discharge opening 22a located at the upper end, a screw cap 24 through which nose applicator 22 is connected to a media container, not shown, a media supply device 26 disposed axially within screw cap 24 and nose applicator 22 aligned media channel 26b and arranged in the media channel 26b blocking insert 28 and also arranged in the media channel 26 on the blocking insert 28 Entrittsventilstück 30a. Above the inlet valve piece 30a, a radial through-hole 26e is provided in the media supply device, through which medium supplied through the medium channel 26 can pass into a metering chamber 54. Above and below the blocking insert 28 radial through holes 26c, 26d are provided in the media supply, which allow bypassing the blocking insert 28 in the course of conveying the medium. In the through hole 26 e, a valve ball 30 b is arranged, which forms a ball seat valve 30 together with the inlet valve piece 30 a, which opens at a prevailing in the metering chamber 54 negative pressure.

The components 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of the applicator assembly 12 are fixedly connected to each other and designed so that their position does not change to each other during the intended use of the dispenser.

The second assembly, the finger rest assembly 14, consists only of the finger rest 32. The finger rest 32 has a cylinder portion with a cylinder wall 32a and a radially extending therefrom extending operating portion 32b for supporting the fingers. The cylinder portion is double-walled in an upper region and has an inner wall 32d. The lower end of the cylinder wall 32a represents a functional section 32c whose function will be explained later. The finger rest 32 is slid onto the applicator assembly 12 from the outside and axially movable relative thereto between a first actuation end position shown in FIG. 1 and a second actuation end position shown in FIG.

The third assembly, the discharge valve assembly 16, includes a one-piece valve member 34 having a cylindrical main portion 34e. At the lower end of the main portion 34e, an actuating ring 34a is provided. At the upper end of the main section 34e, an upwardly closed inner cylinder 34c is integrally integrated into the valve element 34 via radial webs 34b. At the upper end of this inner cylinder 34c, an axially still upwardly extending locking pin 34d is integrally formed on the inner cylinder 34c. The valve member 34 is axially displaceable relative to the applicator assembly 12. The upper end position of the valve element 34, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, represents a closed state in which the closing pin 34d rests flush against an annular surface 22b of the nose applicator 22 in the region of the discharge opening 22a of the nose applicator 22 and thereby discharges media through the discharge opening 22a prevented. The lower end position of the valve element 34 relative to the Applikatorbaugruppe 12, shown in Fig. 3, illustrates the opening state in which the annular surface 22b of the nose applicator 22 and the lock pin 34d are spaced apart in the direction of the main axis 10, so that pressurized medium through the discharge opening 22a can escape.

The last assembly, the piston assembly 18, consists of a total of three components. These components are a driver 36, a sealing ring 38 and a piston sleeve 40. These components 36, 38, 40 are firmly connected and do not change their intended use of the donor their position to each other. The driver 36 has a cylinder portion 36a, which is followed at the lower end by an outwardly facing radial portion 36b. At this radial portion 36b locking lugs 36c are formed, which extend away from the main axis 10 to the outside. The locking lugs 36c are elastically and radially inwardly deflectable. In the region of the transition between the cylinder portion 36 a and the radial portion 36 b of the driver 36, this is firmly connected to the inner sealing ring 38. At the upper end of the driver 36, the piston sleeve 40 connects, which consists of an elastic material. The piston sleeve 40 has a substantially cylindrical basic shape, wherein it has the largest outer diameter at its upper end 40a and the smallest inner diameter at its lower end 40b. It is connected to the driver 36 so that its lower end 40 b is disposed in the interior of the cylinder portion 36 a and its upper end projects beyond the driver 36. The piston assembly 18 is disposed within the nose applicator 22 and the discharge valve assembly 16 in the discharge device and encloses the media supply device 26. The sealing ring 38 and the lower end 40b of the piston skirt 40 are formed to seal inwardly against the media supply device. The upper end 40 a of the piston cuff 40 is formed so as to seal outwardly against the inside of the main portion 34 e of the valve element 34. The piston assembly 18 is designed to be displaceable between a first upper stroke end position and a second lower stroke end position, the first upper stroke end position being determined by a stop position of the piston cuff 40 at the end of the cylinder portion 34e of the valve element 34 and the lower stroke end position by a decoupling web 24b of the screw cap 24 Applicator assembly 12 is defined at which the locking lugs 36 c radially inwardly of the operative connection be pressed with the functional portion 32c of the finger rest 32, so that a further movement of the piston assembly 18 down is no longer possible. This will be explained in more detail below.

The discharge device shown in Figures 1 to 3 has a total of three springs, with which the finger rest 32, the valve element 34 and the piston assembly 18 are subjected to force towards the applicator assembly 12 in the direction of their respective upper end position. The finger rest 32 is pushed upwards by the finger rest spring 46, which is supported on an annular shoulder 22c of the nose applicator 22. Valve element 34 is urged into its closed position by a valve spring 48, valve spring 48 being held in a downwardly closed cylindrical support section 26a at the upper end of media supply device 26 and in inner cylinder 34c of valve element 34. The piston assembly 18 is urged by an energy storage spring 50 in the direction of its first upper stroke end position.

The discharge device described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 operates as a user-independent discharge device. This means that the metered quantities and the discharge pressure are independent of the type of operation by the operator.

The mode of operation of the described dispenser will be clarified with reference to the sequence of FIGS. 1 to 3:

Fig. 1 shows the dispenser in a starting position. The finger rest 32, the valve member 34 and the piston assembly 18 are each - by the respective springs 46, 48, 50 subjected to force - in its upper end position. In this upper end position, the functional portion 32c of the finger rest 32 is above the locking lugs 36c of the driver 36 of the piston assembly 18 is arranged. The locking lugs 36c are in an undeflected state and extend through axially aligned recesses 22d of the nose applicator 22 to below the functional portions 32c of the finger rest 32. The dosing chamber 54 located between the piston cuff 40 and the dosing element 34 has a minimal volume at this stage.

Starting from this state, the finger rest 32 is pressed down relative to the applicator assembly 12 and against the spring force of the finger rest spring 46 by an operator. Since the latching lugs 36c are arranged below the functional sections 32c, the piston assembly 18 is likewise pushed down together with the finger rest 32. The resulting negative pressure opens the ball seat valve 30 and draws medium into the metering chamber 54. This medium takes, starting from the media container, not shown in the figures, a path through the media channel 26b of the media supply device 26, through the lower through-holes 26c below the blocking insert 28 out of the media supply device 26 and through the upper through-holes 26d above the blocking insert 28 back into the media supply device 26 inside. With progressive displacement of the finger rest 32 down and the parallel displacement of the piston assembly 18 down the metering chamber 54 is therefore increasingly filled. Meanwhile, the energy storage spring 50, which acts on the piston assembly 18 with an upward force, increasingly compressed and thereby stretched. Unintentional leakage of the medium to the outside in the portion between the first through holes 26c and the second through holes 26d is prevented by the sealing ring 38 and the lower end 40b of the piston cup 40, which is internally closed by the media supply device and externally by the valve element Close annular passage chamber at the bottom or top. Leakage of the medium through the discharge opening is not possible during this phase of actuation, since the closing pin 34d bears flush against the annular surface 22b of the nose applicator 22 and thus closes off the discharge opening 22a.

Fig. 2 shows a state of the dispenser in the first embodiment just before the start of the discharging operation. The finger rest 32 has been pressed down so far that the lower end 40b of the piston sleeve 40, the upper through holes 26d covered and thus prevents further inflow of medium into the metering chamber 54. The piston assembly 18 is moved so far down together with the finger rest 32 that the locking lugs 36 c are in the region of the screw on the stopper 24 integrally formed cylindrical Entkoppelungssteges 24 b and are deflected by this with progressive depression of the finger rest 32 and the piston assembly 18 radially inwardly , The contact surface between the functional portion 32c of the finger rest 32 and the locking lugs 36c of the driver 36 is therefore always starting from the time of the first contact between the locking lugs 36c and the decoupling web 24b lower.

As the finger rest 32 presses down further, this causes the functional section 32c to lose contact with the latching lugs 36c and jump onto the inner surface of the cylinder wall 32a of the finger rest 32. From this point, the piston assembly 18 can be freely pushed by the energy storage spring 50 upwards. The locking lugs 36c slide on the inside of the cylinder wall 32a of the finger rest 32 with up. By the application of force by the spring force of the energy storage spring 50, the medium is pressurized in the metering chamber 54, wherein a Dodge of the medium back into the media container due to the ball seat valve 30 is not possible.
The movement of the finger rest 32 up to an operating end position, in which the functional portion 32c of the finger rest 32 rests on the decoupling web 24b of the screw cap 24, in addition to the decoupling of the locking lugs 36c of the functional portions 32c has the effect that the downwardly facing end face of the cylindrical inner wall 32d of the finger rest 32 presses the actuating ring 34a of the valve element 34 and thus the entire valve element 34 down. As a result, the locking pin 34d is lifted from the annular surface 22b of the nose applicator 22 down and thereby made the discharge opening 22a for the medium located in the metering chamber 54 accessible.

Fig. 3 shows a state towards the end of Medienaustrags. The medium contained in the metering chamber 54 is pushed out of the discharge opening 22a by the pressure generated by the energy storage spring 50 and thus exits in a precisely defined amount. The discharge process ends when the piston sleeve 40 abuts against the end of the cylinder portion 34e of the valve member 34 and the metering chamber 54 can not be further reduced as a result. After the discharge process is completed, the finger rest 32 is again brought up or released by the operator and consequently pressed upwards by the tensioned finger rest spring 46. When the finger rest 32 has reached the upper operating end position, the functional portion 32c is in turn above the locking lugs 36c of the driver 36 of the piston assembly 18. The locking lugs 36c are therefore pressed back into an undeflected position to the outside and thus come back into engagement with the finger rest 32nd The initial state for a further actuation is thus achieved.

Particularly noteworthy in this first embodiment is that the amount of media in the metering chamber 54 is not determined by the lower stroke end position, in which the detents 36c come out of engagement of the functional portions 32c of the finger rest 32, but instead is defined by the position from which the lower end 40 b of the piston sleeve 40, the upper through holes 26 d of the media supply 26 close. As a result, a particularly high dosing accuracy is achieved, since the dosing accuracy does not depend on the somewhat fluctuating position in which the locking lugs 36c come out of engagement of the functional portions 32c. The second peculiarity of this embodiment is that the discharge valve, which is formed by the closing pin 34d and the annular surface 22b of the nose applicator 22, is not opened in a pressure-dependent manner. Instead, an opening of the discharge valve is forced by the actuating ring 34a of the valve element 34 being pressed down directly by the finger rest 32. An advantage of this solution is that the discharge valve for dispensers of different types and different maximum pressure in the dosing chamber need not be specially adapted.

4 shows a second embodiment of a dispensing device of a dispenser according to the invention.

As well as the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this second embodiment has four mutually displaceable assemblies, an applicator assembly 112 with a nose applicator 122, a finger rest assembly 114, a Austragsventilbaugruppe 116 and a piston assembly 118 with a valve element 134. With respect to the interaction of the finger rest assembly 114 and the piston assembly 118 in coupling and uncoupling the assemblies, the operation of this second embodiment is consistent with the operation of the embodiment of Figs. 1-3 Pushing down a finger rest 132, a cylindrical guide section 133 fixedly connected to the finger rest 132 is pressed down with a functional section 133c. This functional portion 133c pushes down on the piston assembly 118, which is operatively connected to the finger rest group 114 via a latching nose 136c. In this case - similar to the first embodiment - an energy storage spring 150 is compressed. When a cylindrical decoupling web 122b is reached in the course of depressing the finger rest assembly 114 from the detent 136c, the detent 136c is pressed radially inward and thus enters a state decoupled from the functional section 133c. The piston assembly 118 can then be pushed upwardly by the energy storage spring 150, reducing the volume of a metering chamber 154 or pressurizing the medium therein.

This illustrated second embodiment differs in particular with respect to two aspects of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3:

On the one hand, the displacement of the valve element 134 with the closing pin 134d is pressure-dependent and the discharge valve is therefore pressure-actuated, so that the discharge takes place automatically when a required limit pressure in the metering chamber has been reached. On the other hand, the actuation process differs in terms of the sequence of filling the dosing 154 with the medium.

While the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 provides that the metering chamber 54 is filled directly as a result of the resulting negative pressure in the course of the operation, in this second embodiment it is provided that a strong negative pressure or a vacuum in the metering chamber 154 by the operation is generated, which then used in the course of the operation for sucking the medium becomes. For this purpose, a media supply device 126 is designed in this second embodiment so that in the initial position shown in Fig. 4 no connection between the metering chamber 154 and a media channel 126b is made. This is achieved by a configuration of a piston sleeve 140 belonging to the piston assembly, which, in this starting position, rests flush against a sealing ridge 126f adjoining the media supply device at the top, with an inwardly directed sealing ridge 140d which delimits the dosing chamber 154 downwards. In the course of depressing the finger rest 132 and the displacement of the piston cuff 140 to the same extent, the metering chamber 154 is enlarged in its volume, wherein the sealing bar 140d closes off over a first partial section of the movement with the sealing cylinder 126f. Only when the piston cuff 140 or the sealing web 140d of the piston cuff 140 reaches the region of a through-bore 126e of the media supply device 126, there is a direct and uninterrupted connection between the media container and the metering chamber 154. Due to the negative pressure built up in the metering chamber 154 this moment the medium from the media container through the media channel 126b in the metering chamber 154. After in the course of further pushing down of the finger rest 132, the locking lug 136c on the decoupling web 122b is pressed inward and released from the engagement of the functional portion 132c, the piston assembly 118 and so fast the piston sleeve 140 under the application of force to the energy storage spring 150 upwards. At the moment in which the sealing portion 140d again comes into the region of the sealing cylinder 126f, the metering chamber 154 is separated from the media container. From this point on, the pressure in the metering chamber 154 is increased as a result of the volume reduction or the force applied to the cylinder assembly. As soon as the pressure in the metering chamber has exceeded a discharge limit value, the valve element 134 and the closing pin 134d molded onto it become pressed down against the spring force of a valve spring 148 and the discharge process begins by a discharge opening 122a. The discharge process is continued until the metering chamber 154 is completely reduced and the pressure in the metering chamber 154 has dropped below this limit and the closing pin 134d of the valve element 134 closes the discharge opening again.

The peculiarity of this second embodiment lies in the way in which the medium is conveyed into the metering chamber. Unlike the first embodiment, in which the promotion begins simultaneously with the displacement of the piston sleeve 40, in this second embodiment, first a vacuum or a strong negative pressure in the metering chamber 154 is constructed, which in the further course of the operation for conveying a defined amount of Medium leads.

5 shows a third embodiment of a dispensing device of a dispenser according to the invention. This has - as well as the first two embodiments - four separate modules. An applicator assembly 212 with a nose applicator 222 is connected in a manner not shown firmly with a media container. A finger rest assembly 214 is disposed relative to the applicator assembly 212 axially displaceable in the direction of a major axis 210. Within the applicator assembly 212, a discharge valve assembly 216 and a piston assembly 218 are slidably disposed axially relative to the applicator assembly 212.

The finger rest assembly includes a finger rest 232 and a cylindrical guide portion 233 with an inwardly projecting operative portion 233c. The piston assembly 218 consists of a driver 236 and a piston sleeve 240. The driver 236 has at the lower end locking lugs 236c, which in an undeflected state, as shown in Fig. 5, into the region of Function section 233c extending radially outward. Above the piston cuff 240, a metering chamber 254 is arranged which is closed at the top by a wall insert 260 belonging to the applicator assembly 212. Through a passage 240e in the piston sleeve 240, the metering chamber 254 is connected via a media channel 226b with the media container, not shown in FIG. Above the passageway 240e, there is provided a ball seat valve 240f which is formed to close when the pressure in the metering chamber 254 is higher than that of the medium container. The wall insert 260 terminating the metering chamber 254 separates the metering chamber 254 from a pressure chamber 262. Medium can pass from the metering chamber 254 via a second ball seat valve 260a into this pressure chamber 262. The second ball seat valve 260 a is designed so that it opens when the pressure in the metering chamber 254 is greater than the pressure in the pressure chamber 262. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 262 has exceeded a discharge limit pressure, a valve element 234 of the discharge valve assembly 216 is axially displaced axially against an upward spring force of a valve spring 248 so that the media may be sprayed through the discharge port 222a.

The operation of this embodiment is largely comparable to the first embodiment shown in Figs. Again, the finger rest 232 is manually pushed down, with the piston assembly 218 also being forced downwardly due to the coupling of the detents 236c with the functional portions 233c. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 thereby medium flows into the metering chamber 254, since the ball seat valve 240f opens due to the prevailing by the increase in volume in the metering chamber 254 negative pressure. Notwithstanding the second embodiment described, however, the discharge valve does not become dependent opened in the metering chamber 254 pressure, but instead depending on a pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber 262 pressure. If, after the decoupling of the detents 236c from the functional sections 233c by means of decoupling sections 224b, a reduction in the volume of the metering chamber and a concomitant pressure increase within the metering chamber 254 takes place, medium is delivered from the metering chamber 254 into the pressure chamber 262. If the pressure which is thereby established in the pressure chamber 262 does not yet extend to the opening of the discharge valve, the medium remaining in the pressure chamber 262 remains in the pressure chamber 262 until a subsequent next actuation of the dispenser since the valve 260a will return the medium to the metering chamber 254 or in the media container prevented. Accordingly, as long as the discharge valve does not open, the pressure within the pressure chamber 262 can only rise during subsequent actuations of the discharge device. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 262 is high enough, any further actuation of the dispenser and any other amount of media dispensed through the metering chamber 254 always results in a dispensing process. When the dispenser is put into operation with such a discharge device, therefore, an operation must be performed a few times until the pressure in the pressure chamber 262 is sufficiently large to effect a discharge operation.

An advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the volume of the metering chamber 254 in the unactuated state by the separation of the pressure chamber 262 and metering chamber 254 is relatively low. This has the consequence that the pressure in the metering chamber in the course of the operation increases very much. The pressure in the pressure chamber 262 increases gradually until the limit pressure required to open the discharge valve is reached gradually with each actuation of the discharge device. In this way, very high discharge pressures and a corresponding discharge behavior of the dispenser can be achieved.

The discharge device shown in Fig. 5, because of their construction with two valves 240f, 260a therefore be superior to a discharge device in which the pressure chamber and the metering chamber are formed as a unitary and not interrupted by a valve chamber. With such a discharge device is to be feared in poor design that the increased pressure in the course of the operation in a uniform metering and pressure chamber only compression of the residual air contained in the uniform metering and pressure chamber result, the pressure but not to open the discharge valve is sufficient. On the next actuation, this compressed air would be decompressed again and then compressed again without any change in the pressure ratios in the unitary metering and pressure chamber compared to the previous actuation. However, since the air can not escape, it would not be possible to actually put the dispenser into operation.

FIGS. 6a and 6b and FIGS. 7a and 7b show a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. The basic structure of this fourth embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention is consistent with the structure of the dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 insofar as also four separate and axially mutually displaceable modules are provided, which is a permanently connected to a media container Applicator assembly 312 with a nose applicator 322, a finger rest assembly 314, a Austragsventilbaugruppe 316 and a piston assembly 318 acts. The interaction of the finger rest assembly 314, the applicator assembly 312 and the piston assembly 318 as well as the manner of conveying the medium from the media container into a metering chamber 354 largely corresponds to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The main difference to this and all other embodiments described above lies in the manner of coupling and decoupling the finger rest assembly 314 with the piston assembly 318 in the course of the operation of the dispenser and in the movement of the piston assembly 318 after decoupling from the finger rest assembly 314 in the second lower stroke end position.

FIGS. 6a and 6b, on the one hand, and FIGS. 7a and 7b, on the other hand, each show a state of the discharge device once in a sectioned side view and once in a likewise sectioned view obliquely from above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the finger rest assembly 314 having a finger rest 332, the applicator assembly 312, and the piston assembly 318 are configured such that the movement of the piston assembly 318 from a second lower stroke end position to a first upper stroke end position translates toward a major axis 310 simultaneously Rotational movement about the major axis 310 takes place. While the finger rest assembly 314 is rotationally connected to the applicator assembly 312 such that the finger rest assembly 312 has only one translational degree of freedom relative to the applicator assembly in the axial direction, the piston assembly 318 is constrainedly rotatably guided on a cylindrical outer surface of a media delivery device 326.

The specific embodiment and the advantages of the coupling and decoupling device of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a to 7b are described below:

The applicator assembly 312 has a guide portion 324c formed on a screw cap 324 and cylindrically shaped, on the inside of which a sawtooth profile 366 is provided. The sawtooth profiling 366 consists of individual sawteeth 368, which are separated from each other by extending in the direction of the major axis 310 grooves 370. The saw teeth 368 each have a vertical flank 368a extending in the direction of the main axis 310 and a screw-shaped cam flank 368b designed as a control curve and lying opposite the vertical flank 368a. The saw teeth are each aligned identically, so that the control cam edges 368b are aligned in a view of the control cylinder portion in the direction of the main axis 310 either all clockwise or all counterclockwise.

The piston assembly 318 has a piston collar 340 and a driver 336. At the driver 336 a total of six radially outwardly extending wings 372 are formed, which are spaced from each other by 60 ° and have a radial length which allows them to protrude into the grooves 370. The wings 372 have a quadrangular cross-sectional area, wherein two parallel, opposing support surfaces 372a corresponding to the grooves 370 of the sawtooth profiling 366 are executed perpendicular and parallel to the main axis 310. A third, obliquely upwardly facing contact surface 372b is angled relative to the main axis 310 by an angle of about 60 °, the orientation of this contact surface 372b with the opposite cam edges 368b of the saw teeth 368 corresponds.

The finger rest 332 has a total of twelve thrust arms 332e arranged in a circle and spaced apart from one another by 30 °, each of which extends identically from the main axis 310, spaced in the direction of the main axis 310, from above into the guide cylinder section 324c of the applicator subassembly 312. At their end, the push arms 332e each have a contact surface 332f which is opposite to the main axis 310 to the same extent as the contact surfaces 372b of the wings 372 of the driver 336 is inclined. Their inclination direction corresponds to the skewing direction of the cam flanks 368b of the saw teeth 368th
As already stated above, the finger rest 332 and the applicator assembly 312 are non-rotatably connected to each other. For this purpose, a groove 324d, into which a securing section 332g of the finger rest 332 engages, is provided on the screw closure 324 belonging to the applicator assembly 312. The rotational position of the finger rest relative to the guide portion 324c is set so that each push arm 332e is associated with and facing a groove 370.

The driver 336 is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b in its first upper stroke end position. The six wings 372 of the follower 336 extend radially outwardly into the grooves 370 of the sawtooth profiling 366. Since the wings 372 are each spaced 60 ° apart and the grooves 370 are spaced from each other by 30 °, in each case only each second groove 370 is a wing 372 of the follower 336. The finger rest 332 is in its upper operating end position. The push arms 332e extend in this upper actuating end position down into the guide cylinder section 324c and lie there with their contact surfaces 332f flush to the contact surfaces 372b of the wings 372 of the driver 336 at.

Starting from this starting position, pushing down of the finger rest 332 causes the catch 336 to be pressed down, since six of the contact surfaces 332f of the push arms 332e press against the contact surfaces 372b of the wings 372 of the follower 336. In addition to the force acting on the driver 336 in the direction of the main axis 310 downward, the application of force via the finger rest 332 and the push arms 332e also leads to the generation of a torque, since the driver 336 according to the alignment of the contact surfaces 372b, 332f and due to the Federkraftbeaufschlagung upward by an energy storage spring 350 tries to slide off the push arms 332d. However, this sliding is prevented by the vertical tooth flanks 368a of the saw teeth 368 of the sawtooth profile 366. The piston assembly 318 is therefore depressed by the depression of the finger rest 332 to the same extent, without the rotational position of the piston assembly 318 can change it.

During depression of the finger rest and the piston assembly 318, in the same manner as explained in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a negative pressure or vacuum is created in the metering chamber 354 and subsequently, after reaching a through-bore 326b by a sealing web 340d closing off the metering chamber 354 for the purpose of flowing medium into the metering chamber 354.

When the finger rest 332 together with the piston assembly 318 is pressed down so far that the upwardly facing edges 372 c of the wings 372 of the driver 336 have reached the level of the downwardly pointing tips 368 c of the saw teeth 368, the obstacle against twisting for the Driver 336 no longer available. In a helical motion, the wings 372 of the driver 336 then slide out of engagement of the push arms 332e and on the cams 372b of the saw teeth 368. On the cams 372b slide the wings 372 of the driver 336 with simultaneous rotation of the driver 336 then continue to the in Figs. 7a and 7b shown position. This results in a reduction of the volume of the metering chamber 354 and an increase in pressure of the medium therein, so that it comes in the same manner as in the other embodiments, to a discharge. When the finger rest 332 then returns to its upper Betätigungsendposition has returned, the wings 372 slip back to their original position in the grooves 370.

Compared to the first to third embodiment, this fourth embodiment has two major advantages: The illustrated movement of the driver 336 and thus the piston sleeve 340 leads to a slower loading stroke in the course of the return stroke, in which it is ensured that the filling of the metering chamber 354 is completed before the metering chamber 354 is separated by the sealing ridge 340d of the piston cuff 340 with respect to the media container. This slowed movement ensures that in the dosing chamber 354 not a negative pressure is maintained while not reaching the desired dosage. The second major advantage is that, unlike Embodiments 1 to 3, no elastic deformation of components for coupling / decoupling the piston assembly 318 to and from the finger rest 332 is required. The risk of failure of the discharge by wear or breakage of a locking lug or other elastic member is thereby reduced.

Claims (14)

Dispensers for media, in particular for nasal application, with a media container, an applicator (12; 112; 212; 312) and at least one discharge opening (22a; 122a; 222a; 322a), - A manually kraftbeaufschlagbaren finger rest (32, 132, 232, 332) and a pump having at least two pump parts which are axially movable relative to each other,
characterized in that
the applicator (12; 112; 212; 312) is fixedly connected to the media container and the finger rest (32; 132; 232; 332) faces the media container and the applicator (12; 112; 212; 312) between a first unpressed operator end position and an applicator second pressed Bedienungsendposition is axially movable. Dispenser according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the pump is designed such that a constant discharge stroke can be achieved independently of a manual user force. Dispenser according to claim 2,
marked by
a driver (36, 136, 236, 336) non-detachably connected to a pump piston (18; 118; 218; 318), the applicator (12; 112; 212; 312), the driver (36, 136, 236) , 336) and / or the finger rest (32; 132; 232; 332) have coupling means adapted to establish an axial coupling condition between the driver (36, 136, 236, 336) and the finger rest (32; 132; 232; 332). in the area of a first, the first operating end position associated pump stroke end and a decoupled state of driver (36, 136, 236, 336) and finger rest (32; 132; 232; 332) in the region of a second, the second Bedienungsendposition associated Hubendlage are formed, and wherein the driver (36, 136, 236, 336) is acted upon by a spring force in the direction of the first stroke end position. Dispenser according to claim 3,
characterized in that
the coupling means comprise delay means (370, 366), by which a decelerated return stroke movement is achieved after decoupling of the driver (336) from the finger rest (332) in the region of the second stroke end position. Dispenser according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that
the coupling means on the driver (36, 136, 236) have at least one latching element, preferably a latching lug (36c, 136c, 236c), which can be coupled to the finger support (32, 132, 232) such that a movement of the finger support (32 132, 232) from the first operating end position to the second operating end position causes movement of the driver (36, 136, 236) from the first pump stroke end position to the second stroke end position, and
the coupling means on the applicator (12; 112; 212) have a decoupling section (24b, 122b, 224b) which, in the region of the stroke end position, decouples the latching means (36c; 136c; 236c) from the finger rest (32; 132; 232) radial deflection of the latching lug (36c, 136c, 236c). Dispenser according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that
the applicator (312) and the finger rest (332) with respect to a main axis (310) are rotationally fixed to each other and the driver (336) in a first, adjacent to the first stroke end stroke at least in a rotational direction about the main axis (310) against rotation is secured relative to the applicator (312) and is rotatable in this direction of rotation in a second stroke section adjoining the second stroke end position,
wherein guide means (368b) are provided which guide the driver (336) after reaching the decoupled from the finger rest (332) state in a superimposed rotational and translational movement back into the first stroke end position. Dispenser according to one of claims 3 to 6,
characterized in that
the pump piston (18; 118; 218; 318) fixedly connected to the driver (36; 136; 236; 336) together with a cylindrical pump wall and an end wall (260) of the applicator (12; 112; 212; 312) form a metering chamber (12; 54, 154, 254, 354) of the pump. Dispenser according to one of claims 3 to 7,
characterized in that
the driver (36; 236) is connected to the media container through an inlet valve (30; 240f) which opens at a lower metering chamber pressure (54; 254) than the pressure in the media container. Dispenser according to one of claims 3 to 7,
characterized in that
the driver (136, 336) and / or the applicator (112, 312) are formed so that the metering chamber (154, 354) in a the first stroke end position adjacent first Trennhubabschnitt is separated from the media container and is connected in an adjoining Verbindungshubabschnitt with the media container. Dispenser according to one of claims 3 to 9,
characterized in that the metering chamber (54) is separated from the media container in a second separation stroke section upstream of the stroke end position. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
a discharge valve (34, 22b) which is mechanically operatively connected to the finger rest (32) and designed such that it opens in a Hubzwischenlage before reaching the second Hubendlage. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
between the metering chamber (254) and the discharge opening (222a) a pressure chamber (262) is provided, which is separated from the metering chamber (254) by a pressure-operated intermediate valve (260a). Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the discharge valve is designed such that, in the opened state, it maintains the open state in the area of the discharge valve from a maintenance limit pressure of the medium, this limit pressure being preferably less than the required opening limit pressure at a discharge valve actuated by the pressure of the medium. Dispenser according to claim 13,
characterized in that
the discharge valve has an actuating surface whose pressurized portion is larger in the open state of the discharge valve than in the closed state of the discharge valve.

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