EP1714706A2 - Dosing pump and method for manufacturing such a filled dosing pump - Google Patents

Abstract

Dosing pump arrangement comprises a container (2) sealed using a lid (10) having a concave recess (15) facing the container and a pump (3) with a suction opening (13) for suctioning gas in the container through the pump. The opening protrudes into the container via the lid. Preferred Features: The container is formed as a bag made from a collapsible film. A rigid sleeve (11) is assigned to the container to encase the container and join with the lid and/or pump. The sleeve has a ventilation opening (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a metering pump assembly comprising a container sealed to a manually operable pump which, in the unloaded condition, shuts off fluid communication between an outlet communicating outlet of the pump and the interior of the container through at least one check valve. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a filled Dosierpumpenanordnung and the use of such a Dosierpumpenanordnung.

From the DE 100 49 898 C2 is a delivery device for fluids known, with which, for example, liquid pharmaceuticals or cosmetics metered out of a container can be applied. The metering pump used for this purpose operates without air compensation, the liquid being accommodated inside the container in an environmentally sealed inner bag which collapses during emptying.

The filling of such inner bags with liquids, such as pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, usually takes place in such a way that residual air remains in the inner bag. This is undesirable for several reasons. Thus, the atmospheric oxygen is always in contact with the liquid during storage, which leads to a reduction in the storage time or the sterility of the liquid. However, filling the fluid container in germ-free atmosphere or under protective gas is very complicated and expensive.

In addition, complete emptying of the bag is only possible if no residual air remains in the inner bag after filling. The residual air in the Inner container also has a disturbing effect if the dispenser is not held straight during actuation. Thus, residual air can be sucked in by the pump when the orientation of the dosing pump arrangement is not completely vertical, which residual air is expelled from the inner bag instead of the liquid. This is particularly undesirable in the administration of drugs, such as nose, eye or ear sprays, in which an application with exactly vertical held dispenser is difficult.

In the DE 100 49 898 C2 Therefore, it is proposed to form between the outer wall of the piston and the inner wall of the pressure cylinder of the metering pump a passage for the residual air to be sucked, which is connected on the one hand via an opening provided on the pump housing opening with the inner bag and a valve-like flap within the pump with the environment , Through this channel within the pump, any residual air present may be sucked after filling the inner bag to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. However, the formation of this channel for the residual air in the inner bag requires a high precision in the preparation of the pump. In addition, the production of this known dispensing device becomes more expensive due to the complicated construction of the pump. The metering pump protrudes in this known dispensing device with its pressure cylinder and the inner bag-side check valve associated with the intake into the inner bag.

In the DE 101 08 486 A1 a similar metering pump is proposed in which between the outer wall of the piston and the inner wall of the pressure cylinder of the metering pump a passage for the residual air to be sucked is formed, on the one hand via an opening provided on the pump housing opening with the inner bag and on the other hand via a valve-like flap within the pump communicating with the environment. Through this channel Within the pump, any residual air that may be present after the inner bag has been filled can be sucked off in order to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. However, the formation of this channel for the residual air in the inner bag requires a high precision in the preparation of the pump. In addition, the production of this known dispensing device becomes more expensive due to the complicated construction of the pump. The metering pump protrudes in this known dispensing device with its pressure cylinder and the inner bag-side check valve associated with the intake into the inner bag.

Since the valve in the discharge head of this known dispensing device is designed so that this indeed opens when the auszubringende product flows under pressure from the pump in the discharge head, but is held by a spring in its closed position, as long as the product is not a sealing body against shifts the spring pressure, no residual air can be sucked through this discharge head to the outside. The extraction of the residual air is therefore only possible if the delivery head has not yet been placed on the pump. However, this entails the disadvantage that residual air always remains in the discharge head, which must be removed by a user from the discharge head before the first use by actuating the pump before the product can be removed. Since air is compressible and, for example, for the application of drugs with a pump stroke only small amounts of the product, e.g. about 28 mg, are often required this many pump strokes, which is perceived by users as unsatisfactory.

Next is from the US 5,144,788 a method for filling a provided with a pump foil bag, in which the foil bag is open on its side facing away from the pump and is filled through this opening. The opening is then partially closed by welding, with a channel to remain free, through which residual air from the foil bag is sucked off. Thereafter, the still open channel should be closed by a weld. In this case, it has proven to be difficult to seal the channel so close to the suction tightly that no air as possible through the not yet closed channel can flow back into the foil bag.

From the DE 693 32 089 T2 and the WO 93/22200 A1 It is known to suck from a container with a pump residual air through the pump.

Object of the present invention is in contrast to provide a metering pump arrangement of the type mentioned and method for producing a filled Dosierpumpenanordnung, in which a complete suction of residual air from the container is facilitated.

This object is achieved essentially by the fact that the container is sealed via a lid with a container facing, in particular concave recess relative to the pump, wherein the suction port of the pump for sucking gas in the container by the pump not or not at least protrudes substantially over the lid in the container. In this way, the gas in the container can be sucked by the pump, which open during suction by the negative pressure of the suction or the check valve (s) of the pump and thereby establish a fluid connection between the outlet port and the interior of the container. By sucking the residual air through the pump itself can completely eliminate a complicated air flow past the pump. The construction of the pump can be kept very simple. Thus, the check valves can be formed either by balls which are pressed, for example by compression springs against corresponding valve seats, or the check valves can also be formed by rubber lips or the like. Elastic elements in their unloaded Condition close a valve seat and, for example, can be lifted by fluid pressure of this.

The suction of the residual air from the container can be carried out either in a state of Dosierpumpenanordnung in which only the pump with eg. A check valve, but without an application head, which usually has a further check valve is provided on the container or the suction is carried out by the pump and the delivery head, ie through both check valves that open during aspiration. In the former alternative, the discharge head or the like can be retrofitted to the pump. The outlet opening can therefore be formed in the sense of the present invention either by a nozzle or the like on the discharge head or by any opening through which the pump can be connected to an application head.

By the example, concave recess in the lid, the suction port of the pump according to the invention does not or not materially into the container. The residual air remaining in the container after filling of the container accumulates in its upper region formed by the recess, in which the pump is arranged. To avoid that the pump projects with its suction into the liquid, which is indeed desired for discharging the liquid in the pumping operation, however, is unsuitable for sucking the residual air from the container, the suction must be as flush as possible with the inner wall of the container or at most only a few millimeters protrude into the interior of the container. A residual air bubble formed above the liquid can thus be sucked out of the container through the pump by the suction process described above, until the liquid taken up in the container is sucked through the suction opening. Since no air flows back into the container through the at least one check valve, the liquid received in the container can after suction the residual air in any position, ie directed upwards with the pump, upside down or laterally discharged by the pump from the container, the suction of the pump can always suck only liquid.

As used herein, the term "liquid" is intended to encompass all flowable substances that can be dispensed with such a pump. These may be viscous, pasty or gelatinous substances in addition to low viscosity.

When sucking the gas out of the container, a suction cup can be placed on the metering pump arrangement such that at least the outlet opening of the pump is surrounded by the suction cup. Preferably, the suction cup is placed on the Dosierpumpenanordnung that the suction cup is mounted on a wall of the container or an optionally associated with this lid and this sealingly surrounds the outside of the container or lid protruding part of the pump. It is then only necessary for sucking the residual air from the container, previously remove a possibly provided protective cap from the pump or the outlet opening. By the negative pressure applied in the suction bell, the residual air is then sucked out of the container, whereby the two check valves open by the suction pressure. Here, the balls, sealing lips or the like. Against the elastic closing forces are lifted from its valve seat. After suction, the check valves close automatically, so that a re-entry of air into the container is avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container has a particular flange-like lid, via which the container is sealed against the pump, wherein the suction port of the pump does not protrude or at least not substantially over the lid into the container. The lid can be formed of a stiffer material, so that it can be connected to a, for example. Stiffer enclosure or enclosure of the container with variable volume.

Since the metering pump arrangement according to the invention operates without air compensation, the container must have a variable volume. This is possible in a particularly simple manner in that the container is formed from a collapsible foil or the like, for example as a foil bag. During the emptying of the container, it therefore contracts or folds up.

For ease of handling the Dosierpumpenanordnung, in particular for gripping the assembly during actuation of the pump, it is preferred that the container is substantially associated with a rigid shell, which surrounds the container and with the pump, for example, via the lid is connectable. Here, a vent opening is provided in the rigid shell, so that the collapse of the container in the shell is not hindered.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid is provided with a peripheral edge, to which, for example, the film bag-like container is attached. The peripheral edge may be formed, for example, flange or stepped, wherein the film bag or the like container is preferably attached to the lower in use position edge region of the lid and sealingly applied. The use position is defined as a position in which the pump is located on the vertically upper side of the lid and the container, for example, designed as a foil bag is vertically below the lid and the pump.

The rigid shell may be formed as a, at least on one end face open, in particular cylindrical container, said at least one open end side is closed by the lid. The metering pump arrangement Consequently, it is particularly easy to produce by placing the lid with the container attached thereto onto the stiffer shell. Optionally, a seal may be provided between the stiffer shell and the lid.

It is preferred if the concave recess in the cover, for example, extends like a spherical cap, starting from a peripheral edge connected to the container to the suction opening. Thus, the depth of the recess of the attachable to the bag designed as a container edge of the lid to the suction port of the pump continuously, in particular curved, increase. The configuration of the recess is not limited to a spherical cap-like shape, but the recess may also be conical, frusto-conical, pyramidal, truncated pyramid, stepped and / or designed with curved or straight faces. It is essential that the recess is designed such that in use position of the preferably defined by the peripheral edge lowest point as possible adjacent to the container and in the use position vertically highest point in the region of the suction port of the pump. This makes it possible that any residual air accumulates in the container close to the suction port of the pump and thus can be easily sucked by the pump.

It is preferred if the pump is a pressure chamber with a guided in this piston chamber, a first check valve which connects the pressure chamber to the container, and with a possibly a delivery head associated second check valve. The first check valve allows a flow from the container into the pressure chamber, if there is a lower pressure in this than in the container, while a flow in the opposite direction is basically blocked. Accordingly, the second check valve allows a flow from the pressure chamber into the environment, when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a defined value, while a return flow, for example. Of ambient air in the pressure chamber through the second check valve is not possible. The check valves may be formed as balls, which, for example, are pressed elastically against a valve seat by a spring. Alternatively, it is also possible that the check valves are formed only by a sealing lip, which rests in the unloaded state on a valve seat and can be lifted by fluid pressure elastically from the valve seat. Basically, all non-return valves can be used for the metering pump according to the invention, which prevent backflow of air or the like. In the container and allow the discharge of the liquid from the container when the pressure in the container or the pressure chamber is greater than in the pressure chamber or the environment is. As an alternative to the described embodiment of the pump with a piston and a pressure chamber, it is also possible to provide a bellows-type pump or another suitable pumping device. The second check valve may be provided in a possibly removable from the pressure or piston chamber discharge head, the suction of the residual air can be done with or without the discharge head, since this only a check valve is required.

Depending on the intended use of the metering pump arrangement, the outlet opening may, for example, be formed by a nozzle for atomising the liquid contents of the container. However, it is also possible to design the outlet opening in another way, for example, to deliver individual larger drops of a liquid through the metering pump arrangement. The dosing pump arrangement according to the invention is particularly suitable for dosing, dispensing, application or the like of liquid cosmetics and / or pharmaceuticals.

A method according to the invention for producing a filled metering pump arrangement comprises the following steps: filling a flowable product in a foil pouch, then closing the foil pouch by a manually operable pump which, in the unloaded state, shuts off fluid communication between an outlet port communicating with the environment and the interior of the foil pouch by at least one check valve and at least approximately complete removal of the pouch located in the foil pouch gases. In this case, the film bag in particular by means of a punch or the like. Compressed and thereby the gases contained in the foil bag are ejected from this through the pump and / or by a bypass channel bypassing them.

By the inventive ejection of the residual air by the pump itself or by a bypass channel can be achieved even with pumps or applicator heads, which do not allow extraction of the residual air, a complete venting of the film bag. The dosing pump arrangement is thus ready for operation and it can already be taken with the first pump stroke by a user, the flowable product. As a result, the ease of use of the metering pump assembly increases considerably. In addition, the inventive application of the residual air from the foil bag can be achieved particularly easily and quickly automated if the compression by means of a punch or alternatively by a pressure difference between the interior of the foil bag and the environment as a result of residual air suction by vacuum. As a result, the production cost of a filled metering pump arrangement according to the invention is reduced.

The construction of the pump can be kept very simple. Thus, the check valves can be formed either by balls which are pressed, for example, by compression springs against corresponding valve seats, or the check valves can also be formed by rubber lips or the like. Elastic elements which in their unloaded state a valve seat close and, for example, can be lifted by fluid pressure of this.

Preferably, the film bag is brought to remove the gases therein in a position in which the pump is arranged substantially vertically above the film bag. In other words, the emptying of the residual air from the example. Collapsible foil bag is simplified when the residual air from one of the pump facing air bubble can escape through a suction, which is provided, for example, in the pump at its vertical lower end. In this case, it is preferred that the suction opening for ejecting the gases present in the film bag is provided on the pump in such a way that the suction opening does not project, or at least does not substantially protrude into the film bag.

In a further development of the inventive concept, it is provided that the foil bag is introduced before or after filling in a container which is stiffer in comparison to the foil bag and which is closed by the pump with the foil bag. In this case remains in the container at least one opening through which a stamp or the like. Introduced into the container in such a way that compresses the film bag in the container and thereby the gases contained in the foil bag from this by the pump and / or by one of these Bypass channel are ejected through.

In this case, it is preferred if the film bag and / or the container are closed by a lid which is connected to the pump. the construction of the metering pump arrangement is therefore particularly compact and simple.

During discharge of the residual gas, at least one check valve of the pump may open and thereby establish a fluid connection between the outlet opening and the interior of the film bag. Here are the balls, sealing lips or the like. Against the elastic closing forces lifted from its valve seat. After discharging the residual air, the check valves close automatically, so that a re-entry of air into the container is avoided. The discharge of the residual air from the container can be carried out either in a state of Dosierpumpenanordnung in which only the pump with, for example. A check valve without an application head, which usually has a further check valve is provided on the container or the ejection is carried out by the pump and the delivery head, ie through both check valves which are opened. In the former alternative, the discharge head or the like can be retrofitted to the pump. The outlet opening can therefore be formed in the sense of the present invention either by a nozzle or the like on the discharge head or by any opening through which the pump can be connected to an application head.

Further developments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawings. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims or their dependency.

Figur 1

in Schnittansicht eine Dosierpumpenanordnung nach einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung und

Figur 2

in Schnittansicht eine Dosierpumpenanordnung nach einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

They show schematically:

FIG. 1

in sectional view a Dosierpumpenanordnung according to a first embodiment of the invention and

FIG. 2

in sectional view a Dosierpumpenanordnung according to a second embodiment of the invention.

1 has a collapsible foil bag 2 as a container which is filled with a fluid, for example a liquid, pharmaceutical or cosmetic product. The film bag 2 is, as will be explained in more detail below, sealed to a pump 3, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a pressure chamber 4 with a piston 5 sliding therein and two check valves 6 and 7, respectively.

In the pressure chamber 4, a spring 8 is provided such that the piston 5 is acted upon in the figure upwards. The piston 5 has a central passage opening 9, through which a fluid can be pumped from the foil bag 2 into the environment.

For this purpose, the first check valve 6 is connected such that this check valve 6 allows a flow from the foil bag 2 into the pressure chamber 4, when the spherical valve element 6a is lifted against the force of the valve spring 6b by a negative pressure in the pressure chamber 4 of its valve seat 6c. In the opposite direction, however, a flow from the pressure chamber 4 into the foil bag 2 through the first check valve 6 is blocked.

Further, the second check valve 7 is arranged so that at an overpressure in the pressure chamber 4 fluid can escape through the check valve 7 into the environment by the valve body 7a is lifted against the force of the valve spring 7b of its valve seat 7c. By contrast, a backflow of, for example, ambient air into the pressure chamber 4 is prevented by the check valve 7. The second check valve 7 is shown in the figure as part of the pump 3. Deviating from this, the second check valve may also be associated with a delivery head which can be fastened to the pump 3. In this case, the second valve does not have to be formed as shown in the figure but can also be like in the DE 101 08 486 A1 be designed described.

The foil bag 2 is provided in the illustrated embodiment with an example. Stiffened cover 10, which seals the pump 3 against the foil bag 2. For this purpose, the cover 10 may be cast on the pump 3 or welded thereto. In the same way, a peripheral edge of the collapsible foil bag 2 may be welded, glued or otherwise sealingly connected to an edge region of the rigid lid 10. The foil bag 2 is accommodated in, for example, a likewise rigid container (casing) 11, which is firmly or detachably connected to the lid 10. In the container 11, a bottom opening 12 is provided, so that the film bag 2 can freely expand or contract within the container 11, without this being hindered by an overpressure or underpressure in the container 11.

The pump 3 has a lower in the figure suction port 13, which opens into the foil bag 2, and an upper outlet opening 14 in the figure, which communicates with the environment. The pump 3 and the suction opening 13 are arranged on the foil bag 2 or the cover 10 in such a way that the suction opening 13 in the embodiment shown does not or at most projects minimally beyond the lid 10 into the foil bag 2. In this case, a recess 15 is formed in the lid 10, in which an optionally existing in the foil bag 2 air bubble can accumulate with residual air. For this purpose, the depth of the recess 15 increases continuously from the edge of the lid 10 to the center of the lid 10, in which the suction port 13 of the pump 3 is arranged. In order to further complicate the whereabouts of residual air in the foil bag 2, the edge of the lid 10 protruding into the foil bag 2 is applied to the foil bag 2 and optionally connected to it. In the illustrated in the figure upright position of the metering pump assembly so collects the entire residual air inevitably in the vicinity of the suction port 13 of the pump 3 and can be discharged through this.

For this purpose, a negative pressure is applied to the outlet opening 14, so that the valve bodies 6a and 6b rise against the force of the valve springs 6b and 7b from their valve seats 6c and 7c and the air through the suction opening 13 through the pump 3 to the outlet opening 14th can be sucked off. Alternatively or additionally, through the opening 12, a punch 16 or the like. Be introduced into the container 11, which compresses the film bag 2. Due to the overpressure in the container 11, the residual air is also expelled by the pump 3, whereby the valve body 6a and 7a stand against the force of the valve springs 6b and 7b of their valve seats 6c and 7c. As soon as fluid is sucked through the suction opening 13 and exits through the outlet opening 14, there is no residual air in the foil bag 2 and the pump 3 or the dispensing head.

After the end of the suction, the two check valves 6 and 7 close again by the force of the valve springs 6b and 7b, so that no ambient air in the container 2 can flow back. The extraction of the residual air can, for example, take place in that a suction bell, not shown in the figure, at least the outlet opening 14 sealingly surrounds. Alternatively, the suction bell can also be placed on the lid 10, that the entire pump 3 is accommodated in the suction bell.

If the second check valve is provided in a discharge head (not shown in the figure), the residual air can be sucked out of the container 2 either before or after the placement of the delivery head. In the former case, only the first check valve 6 opens in the suction and prevents after the suction backflow of air into the container 2. On the other hand open with attached delivery head during the suction as described above, both check valves 6, 7th

Also, the central passage opening 9 of the pump 3 and the discharge head are filled after complete expulsion of the residual air from the metering pump assembly 1 with the product when the pressure in the container 11 remains established. In this way, a user can already remove the flowable product with the first pump stroke and does not have to first fill the pump 3 by several pump strokes before the first use of the dosing pump arrangement 1.

FIG. 2 shows a further preferred embodiment of a metering pump arrangement 1 according to the invention, which is constructed similarly to the embodiment according to FIG. The function of this metering pump arrangement 1 also takes place in the manner described above with reference to FIG. Identical components are identified in this embodiment by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the container (sleeve) accommodating the film bag 2 is formed in two parts with a partially double-walled container lower part 11a and a container upper part 11b fastened thereto by a latching connection, wherein the container upper part 11b receives the pump 3 and guides the piston 5. This construction allows a particularly easily produced by injection molding geometry of the container.

The lower opening 12 in FIG. 2 for a piston or the like can be closed off after removal of the residual air from the foil bag 2 by a cover 17, in which a vent opening is again provided. The pump itself can by a protective cap 18, which on the container top 11 b can be plugged, are releasably closed after the residual air has been removed from the foil bag 2.

Between the cover 10 and the container base 11a may be arranged a possibly integral with the film bag 2 seal. The pressure chamber 4 forming body and the lid 10 are formed and adapted to each other, that these components are also connected by the engagement of the container upper part 11 b on the container base 11 a sealingly.

To actuate the pump 3, a head 19 connected to the piston 5 is provided in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, which head is attached to the container top part 11 b. The stroke of the piston 5 is limited in this way. In the head 19, the second check valve 7 is provided, which has a nozzle for dispensing drops in the embodiment of Figure 2.

Due to the design of the nozzle and the second check valve 7, a residual air extraction through the pump 3 and the second check valve 7 is not possible in this embodiment. However, the film bag 2 for removing the residual air, for example, by means of a piston or the like. Compress, so as to expel the residual air from the foil bag and the pump 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

metering pump

2

Foil bag / container

3

pump

4

pressure chamber

5

piston

6

first check valve

6a

valve body

6b

valve spring

6c

valve seat

7

second check valve

7a

valve body

7b

valve spring

7c

valve seat

8th

feather

9

central passage opening

10

cover

11

Container / case

12

Vent / feed channel

13

suction

14

outlet

15

deepening

16

stamp

17

cover

18

protective cap

19

head

Claims (14)

Dosing pump arrangement for dosing, dispensing and applying liquid cosmetics and / or pharmaceuticals, in particular for ear, throat, eye and / or nose drops or sprays with a container (2) with variable volume for receiving a liquid and sealed with the container connected, manually operable pump (3) having an associated with the environment outlet opening (14) and a standing with the interior of the container (2) in communication suction port (13) for the liquid and at least one against a spring force (6b, 7b) has an openable check valve (6, 7) which, in the unloaded state, blocks fluid flow from the outlet opening (14) into the container (2), characterized in that the container (2) has a lid (10) with a container (2) facing, in particular concave recess (15) relative to the pump (3) is sealed, wherein the suction port (13) of the pump (3) for sucking in de m gas in the container (2) by the pump (3) or at least not substantially over the lid (10) protrudes into the container (2). Dosing pump arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (2) is designed as a bag made of a collapsible film. Dosing pump arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the container (2) is associated with a substantially rigid shell (11) which surrounds the container (2) and with the lid (10) and / or the pump (3 ) is connectable, wherein in the shell a vent opening (12) is provided. Dosing pump arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (10) has a peripheral edge to which the container (2) is attached. Dosing pump arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rigid shell (11) is designed as an open at least on one end side, in particular cylindrical container, wherein the at least one open end side by the lid (10) is closable. Metering pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concave recess (15) in the cover (10) extends, for example, like a spherical cap, starting from a peripheral edge connected to the container (2) to the suction opening (13). Dosing pump arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the depth of the recess (15) of the at the foil bag (2) formed as an edge of the lid (10) to the suction port (13) of the pump (3) continuously, in particular curved, increases. Dosing pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (3) has a pressure chamber (4) with a piston (5) guided therein, a first check valve (6) which connects the pressure chamber (4) to the container (2). and a flow from the container (2) in the pressure chamber (4) permits and blocks in the opposite flow direction, and one of the outlet opening (14) associated, optionally provided on a discharge head second check valve (7), which is a flow from the Pressure chamber (4) allowed in the environment and locks in the opposite flow direction. Dosing pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (2) surrounding the rigid shell (11) sleeve-like with a on the lid (10) facing away from the opening (12) for inserting a punch (16) or the like. is trained. Use of a metering pump arrangement produced according to one of claims 1 to 9 for metering, dispensing, application or the like of, in particular, liquid cosmetics and / or pharmaceuticals. Method for producing a filled metering pump arrangement with the following steps: - filling a flowable product in a foil bag (2) or the like., - Then closing the film bag (2) by a manually operable pump (3), in the unloaded state by at least one check valve (6, 7) fluid communication between an associated with the environment outlet port (14) of the pump (3) and the interior of the foil bag (2) shuts off, at least approximately complete removal of the gases in the foil bag (2), characterized in that the foil bag (2) in particular by means of a punch (16) or the like. Compressed and thereby the in the foil bag (2) located gases are ejected from this through the pump (3) and / or by a bypass channel bypassing them , A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the film bag (2) is brought to remove the gases present therein in a position in which the pump (3) is arranged substantially vertically above the film bag (2). A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the foil bag (2) before or after filling into a compared to the foil bag (2) stiffer container (11) is introduced, with the foil bag (2) by the pump ( 3), wherein in the container (11) at least one opening (12) remains, through which a punch (16) or the like. Introduced into the container (11) that the foil bag (2) in the container ( 11) are compressed and thereby the in the foil bag (2) located gases from this through the pump (3) and / or through a bypass channel bypassing these are ejected. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the film bag (2) and / or the container (11) by a lid (10) are closed, which is connected to the pump (3).

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