EP2767346B1 - Dispenser for discharging liquids comprising a perforated plate nozzle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing liquids with a liquid storage, a discharge head with a perforated plate member having in a discharge opening at least 25 discharge, a the discharge openings of the perforated plate member upstream antechamber from which the discharge openings are fed and a connecting channel, which communicates with the liquid storage the antechamber connects.

The use of perforated plates for discharging liquids is known, in particular, from the field of such dispensers, which have a vibrating device, by means of which the liquid is pulsed in a metering chamber and is pressurized thereby being forced through the discharge openings. The result of such a discharge is a fine mist. A dispenser with such a perforated plate is for example from the EP 0 923 957 A1 known. Although the measures according to the invention, which are proposed within the scope of this document, can in principle also be used in such a design of dispensers, the invention relates in particular to dispensers that are not equipped with electrical actuators such as vibration devices, but instead the fluid pressure for generating the dispensing either by the introduction of mechanical energy in the course of the operation relate or from the already existing upon delivery pressurization of the liquid in the liquid storage.

Task and solution

The object of the invention is, with regard to dispensers, in particular with regard to non-electrically operated dispensers, to create a possibility of advantageously influencing their discharge characteristics, wherein in particular it is intended to enable dispensers of different discharge characteristics with a comparatively high number of matching components.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved in that, in a dispenser of the type mentioned above, the discharge opening region is fastened in an edge region on the discharge head or a housing component of the discharge head and into a curved shape by means of a bulge body arranged in the prechamber and force-loading the discharge opening region is pressed.

In a dispenser according to the invention, a liquid reservoir is provided, in which the liquid is present before the discharge. In this case, the liquid, which is preferably a cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquid, be depressurized, in which case a pumping device is part of the dispenser, which allows pressurization to produce the desired discharge. Alternatively, liquid already pressurized may already be present in the liquid storage, which may be discharged to an environment by opening an exhaust valve. The liquid is dispensed through a discharge head which comprises said perforated plate member, which in turn provides the discharge openings. In particular, it is preferably a plastic component which may consist, for example, of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC). In this component, which is preferably produced by injection molding and which in particular preferably has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, in particular between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, are the least 25 discharge openings provided. In particular, it is preferably a higher number of discharge openings, in particular preferably more than 50 discharge openings. The perforated plate component is attached to the edge of a housing of the discharge head or can also be integrally formed therewith. The discharge opening region of the perforated plate component is preferably flat in the unassembled state of this component. In the installed state, however, it is curved, this being achieved in that it is pressed by means of a arranged in the antechamber or the antechamber delimiting curvature body in the curved shape.

It is thus provided in this design according to the invention that the perforated plate member and in particular the Austragöffnungsbereich is deformed in the mounted state relative to the unmounted state and that this is a force from the side of the pre-chamber.

The outward curvature makes it possible to create a divergent orientation of the single jet discharge jet. This is useful for a variety of applications, such as to be able to distribute the liquid over a large area, for example on the skin of a user. However, the divergent discharge characteristic can also be advantageous in special fields of application in which a plurality of areas are to be subjected to liquid in a targeted manner, as is the case, for example, in the case of a pharyngeal spray dispenser, where the patient's left and right ventricle on the left of the patient's palate is located to be able to reach with liquid.

The embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention with a discharge opening region which is deformed in the assembled state relative to the non-assembled state also makes it possible, in particular, to start from identical undeformed perforated plate components to make a case by case adaptation to special fields of application, among other things, the degree of curvature is affected.

This can be achieved for example by the use of different vault body. Alternatively, the relative arrangement of the curvature body and the perforated plate member may be configured variable in the mounted state. In a design that is particularly advantageous for this purpose, it is provided that the perforated plate component and the arched body are adapted to each other and optionally to a housing of the discharge head in such a way that they allow such a variable assembly relative position. Thus, for example, the arching body or the perforated plate component could be fastened in one of a plurality of discrete positions on the respective other component or on the housing of the discharge head. For this purpose, an infinitely variable possibility of the variable spacing are given, for example, by the perforated plate member or the curvature body are designed for frictional attachment to the other component or on the housing of the discharge head.

Although it is advantageous for adapting the discharge characteristic of a discharge head according to the invention, when the buckle body is provided as a separate component of a housing of the discharge head, other embodiments of the invention are also encompassed in which a housing which at least partially forms outer surfaces of the discharge head, in one piece is connected to the buckle body or the inner body.
The said adjustability may, but need not, be limited to the time of manufacture, in particular of the assembly. Conceivable and depending on the application advantageous may also be a design in which the possibility of relative displacement of the perforated plate member, in particular its edge region, on the one hand and the arch body on the other hand the user or patient is possible. For example, a curvature body displaceable by means of a thread could allow the degree of curvature of the discharge opening area to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to the possibility of a design in which the perforated plate member is formed hinweisend plan in Austragöffnungsbereich for antechamber and is deformed by a in turn protruding or curved camber body, there is also the possibility in the Austragöffnungsbereich even on the inside to provide a pointing in the direction of the vault body survey, which causes in the mounted state, the curvature of the Austragöffnungsbereichs. Such a curvature pin can be designed in a simple manner with a different length manufacturing technology, so that with little effort perforated plate components are produced that do not differ from each other to the extent of the survey / the curvature pins.

According to a further aspect of the invention, which is preferably realized together with the already mentioned aspects of the invention, a cover body can be provided on the inside of the discharge opening region, ie in the region of the prechamber, which has at least one closing surface, whereby by abutment of the at least one closing surface at least one of the discharge openings is closable or closed on an inner side of the discharge opening region.

In view of its special function, said body is called a covering body in this context. However, it can be identical to the curvature body already described in realizing the aforementioned features of the invention.

The peculiarity according to this aspect of the invention is that at least some of the discharge openings are closed by the covering body, at least when no pressurized liquid is present in the prechamber.

In this case, this closing of at least one discharge opening can be a permanent state. This means that regardless of the liquid pressure in the antechamber, the discharge opening remains closed, and thus liquid is never flowed through under normal use of the dispenser. Other discharge openings, however, are not closed by closing openings and thus provided for the actual discharge of the liquid.

The permanent partial closing of discharge openings makes it possible to use identical perforated plate components for different occasionally adapted applications in which different spray patterns are provided. Thus, for example, a cover body could be designed such that it keeps the discharge openings free only in two spaced-apart areas of the discharge opening area, while the others are closed by it. It could thus be two separate beams or beams are generated, which are divergent discharged and therefore, for example, are well suited for the above-mentioned purpose of a Rachensprühspenders.

But above all, the permanent closing of discharge openings allows the occasional adjustment of the volume flow to be discharged. Thus, it can be achieved with otherwise unchanged components of a dispenser or at least the discharge head that arise depending on the liquid or intended application area different liquid streams.

In addition to the possibility of permanently closing discharge openings through the covering body, in that the covering body bears permanently on the inside of the perforated plate in the area of the discharge opening in question and independently of the liquid pressure during the discharge process, it is also possible to configure the covering body and to the perforated plate component as well as the intended purpose Adjust liquid pressures that when pressurizing the liquid, a separation of the closing surface takes place from the discharge, so that they then pass liquid as intended. With such a design, a kind of valve effect is achieved. The cover body prevents the ingress of contaminants with its closing surface, if the dispenser is not used. As soon as the dispenser is used, the closing body separates under the liquid pressure from the discharge opening area and allows the liquid to discharge. The separation of the closing body from the discharge opening area is preferably achieved by arching or displacing the discharge opening area under the impression of fluid pressure.

In the aforementioned variant, in which the covering body permanently closes the discharge openings, free areas such as grooves or depressions are preferably provided on the covering body at its side facing the discharge opening area, through which the liquid can reach the discharge openings which are not closed by the closing area. The cover body thus serves not only for the selective closing of discharge openings, but also for the formation of channels which serve to supply the non-closed discharge openings.

The inflow of liquid can take place from the outside into a gap region between the discharge opening region and the covering body / inner body. However, depending on the design of the dispenser, it has also proven to be structurally expedient if the cover body itself is penetrated by an inflow channel, which allows, for example, the direct supply of liquid to be discharged in a central region of the discharge opening.

In addition to the described valve action, which can be achieved in particular by the deformability of the discharge opening, is provided in a further aspect of the invention that a generic dispenser has an outlet valve which has two valve components, one of which a stationary to an outer housing of the discharge head Valve seat and the other is a contrast and movable together with the valve seat, the flow of liquid to the discharge openings controlling valve body, wherein one of the valve components is formed by the perforated plate member.

According to this variant for forming an outlet valve is thus provided that two as a whole against each other movable valve components are provided, one of which is the perforated plate member. These valve components are preferably pressed against each other by a spring means such as a helical spring, wherein they are matched to one another such that by fluid pressure a spacing of the valve components against the force of this spring means can be achieved. It can be provided that the liquid pressure required for the opening relative displacement is built up directly in the region in front of the discharge openings. However, it is also conceivable configurations in which a Druckbeschlaglagungsfläche is provided on the movable valve member locally in front of the discharge, so that liquid only in a gap between the valve components in the region of the discharge reaches as soon as the valve members are shifted from each other.

In a further aspect of the invention, it is provided that in a generic dispenser in the antechamber, an inflow control body is provided which, at least in the region of a discharge opening together with the perforated plate body defines an intermediate gap whose clear width does not exceed 0.3 mm, in particular preferably 0.1 mm. With such a design, it is thus provided that an extremely narrow gap is provided between the inflow control body and the at least one discharge opening, preferably all the discharge openings. The small width of less than 0.3 mm, particularly preferably less than 0.1 mm, has been found to be advantageous, since it allows to vary by varying the roughness of the surface of the inflow control body targeted the discharge characteristic.
The clear width may be as small as 0 mm when using a rough-surface flow control body, so that the inflow control body is directly adjacent to the discharge port area. For this purpose, it is proposed to design the end face of the inflow body in such a case with a roughness R _t between 10 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m. This allows an inflow of liquid to the discharge openings without requiring relative movement of the inflow control body and the discharge opening area against each other. The surface roughness alone is sufficient to allow the flow of liquid to the discharge openings. Also, a precise adjustment of the volume flow is possible by the targeted choice of the surface roughness R _t .

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 a-1 d

ein Lochplattenbauteil für einen erfindungsgemäßen Spender in verschiedenen Perspektiven,

Fig. 2a und 2b

eine Variante des Lochplattenbauteils der Fig. 1a bis 1d,

Fig. 3a und 3b

eine erste Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders mit dem Lochplattenbauteil der Fig. 2a und 2b,

Fig. 4

ein Ausschnitt des Austragkopfes eines alternativ zur Ausgestaltung der Fig. 3 ausgestalteten Spenders,

Fig. 5a bis 5c

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders,

Fig. 6a

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders,

Fig. 6b und 6c

verschiedene Innenbauteile zur Verwendung bei einem erfindungsgemäßen Spender und am Beispiel eines derer die Wechselwirkung mit dem Lochplattenbauteil,

Fig. 7a bis 7c

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders und

Fig. 8a bis 8b

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to FIGS. Showing:

Fig. 1 a-1 d

a perforated plate component for a dispenser according to the invention in different perspectives,

Fig. 2a and 2b

a variant of the perforated plate component of Fig. 1a to 1d .

Fig. 3a and 3b

a first variant of a dispenser according to the invention with the perforated plate component of Fig. 2a and 2b .

Fig. 4

a section of the discharge head of an alternative to the embodiment of Fig. 3 designed donor,

Fig. 5a to 5c

a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention,

Fig. 6a

a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention,

Fig. 6b and 6c

various internal components for use in a dispenser according to the invention and the example of one of which the interaction with the perforated plate component,

Fig. 7a to 7c

a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention and

Fig. 8a to 8b

a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

The Fig. 1a to 1d show in various perspectives an apertured plate component 10 for use in dispensers according to the invention. This perforated plate component 10 represents in the embodiments shown below in the design according to Fig. 1a to 1d or similar designs according to Fig. 2a and 2b an insert which is mounted in the dispensing head of a dispenser. In principle, embodiments are conceivable in which the perforated plate component is integrally formed with an outer housing of the discharge head.

Referring to Fig. 1 a, such a perforated plate member 10 has a peripheral edge region 12 with latching means 12a, which are provided for latching in a latching groove of the discharge head housing. The circumferential edge region 12 carries an inner region 14 of the perforated plate component spanning plate-like discharge opening 16, which is penetrated by a plurality of discharge openings 18. Overall, the perforated plate member 10 of the Fig. 1a to 1d via more than 300 discharge openings 18 which are arranged in a matrix-like manner. The thickness of the plate-like discharge opening area penetrated by the discharge openings is about 0.3 mm in the present case. The Fig. 1b and 1c which show the perforated plate component 10 from inside and outside, the matrix-like arrangement of the discharge openings 18 can be easily seen. Referring to the Fig. 1d showing the discharge openings 18 from the inside, it can be seen that the discharge openings each have the shape of a negative truncated pyramid and thus taper from an inner side 16a to an outer side 16b of the discharge opening area 16.

As can be seen on the basis of the further exemplary embodiments, provision is made, at least in some embodiments of inventive dispensers, for the discharge opening region 16 to be arched in the mounted state of the dispenser. Thus, in the mounted state, a deformation of the plastic discharge opening region takes place, which thereby starts from the unassembled state of the Fig. 1 a is arched outwards.

The second variant 110 of the perforated plate component, which in the Fig. 2a and 2b has a change from the embodiment of the Fig. 1a to 1d , which is intended with regard to such a buckle. Thus, at the discharge opening region 116, a pin 117 pointing towards the inside 116a is formed in one piece on the discharge opening region 116.

Fig. 3a shows a dispenser 200 according to the invention using the perforated plate member 110 of Fig. 2a and 2b ,

The illustrated dispenser 200 has a discharge head 202 which is connected in a manner not shown with a pumping device 203 or a supply valve 203 such that in response to a depression of the discharge head 202 in the direction 2a, a supply of liquid from the liquid storage by the connecting channel 204 passes through to the perforated plate member 110.

Connected upstream of the perforated plate component 110 is an antechamber 220, in which an inner body 230 is arranged or which is bounded by this inner body 230. This inner body 230 largely fills the prechamber 220. In addition, it has a discharge opening region 116 indicative end face 232, which has a curvature. At this end face 232, the pin 117 of the perforated plate member 110 is supported, so the Austragöffnungsbereich 116 is deformed and between the inside 116a of the Austragöffnungsbereich 116 and the end face 232 in the region of the Austragöffnungsbereichs 116 results in a gap approximately constant width. This has in the present case a width of about 0.2 mm.

As a result of the inner component 230, the discharge opening region 116 is curved so that a divergent orientation of the discharge openings 118 results. This leads to a spray, as in the enlarged view of the Fig. 3b is indicated. This spray consists of a variety of individual beams.

Due to its composition of individual jets, such a spray jet is suitable for the targeted application of liquid to a surface, for example on the skin of a user. The spray is perceived as very soft and pleasant due to the individual rays.

The design of the Fig. 4 shows a very simple use of the perforated plate member 10 of Fig. 1a to 1d in a donor who is beyond the in Fig. 4 shown region may have the same structure as that of Figure 3a. The perforated plate member 10 is not deformed in this embodiment. However, an inner component 330 is provided, which in an unspecified manner in an edge region 305 allows an inflow of liquid from the connecting channel 304 to the discharge opening region 16. In the edge region additional grooves may be provided for this purpose. The end surface 332 of the inner member 330 is positioned very close to the inner side 16 a of the discharge port portion 16. A clear gap between the inner side 16a and the end face 332 is only 0.1 mm.

It has been found that such a very narrow gap is advantageous, in particular since it allows alone to influence the flow resistance of the liquid up to the discharge openings 18 by the choice of a specific surface roughness on the end face 332. Thus, different discharge characteristics can be achieved solely by the surface roughness on the end face 332 and the same perforated plate member 10.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 5a to 5c again finds the perforated plate component of Fig. 1a to 1d Use. This works together with an inner component 430, which has a similar configuration to that of the inner component 230 of FIG Fig. 3a having. The inner component 430 also has an arched end face 432 which points in the direction of the discharge opening region 16 of the perforated plate component 10. In the resting state of the donor, there is an interaction, as shown in the lower left in Fig. 5b is shown. The inner side 16a of the discharge opening region 16 lies flat against the end face 432 and therefore closes the discharge openings 18 in this idle state, in particular also against the ingress of contaminants. If liquid under pressure is now supplied to the pre-chamber 420 through the feed channel 404, then a liquid pressure is formed which, due to the very narrow discharge openings, is suitable for lifting the discharge opening region 16 in its entirety from the end face 432. The previously closed discharge openings 18 are thereby released and it forms a divergent spray, which coincides with the Fig. 3b is comparable. As soon as the liquid pressure is eliminated, the discharge opening area 16 returns to the position of FIG. 3a back and thus closes the discharge openings 18 again.

The Fig. 6a shows a variant of the dispenser or its discharge head, in which such a deformation of the Austragöffnungsbereichs 16 is not provided. Instead, in the inner component 530 532 recessed open areas 534 are provided on the end face through which the liquid can selectively reach some of the discharge openings 18, while others are permanently blocked by the end face 532. This makes it possible to set a spray pattern on a case by case basis, which does not require different perforated plate components 10, but can be realized solely by means of different internal components.

The Fig. 6b shows a variety of possible interior components.

The inner component 630 a coincides with the inner component, which in the embodiments of FIGS Fig. 3 and 5 Use finds. The other internal components 630b to 630i lead to special spray patterns, since each of them covers some of the discharge openings 18 or otherwise influences the inflow of liquid.

For example, only two left-side and right-side partial regions of the discharge opening region of the perforated plate component 10 are not closed by the inner component 630g. Based on Fig. 6c It can be seen that the majority of the discharge openings 18 can not serve to discharge liquid. The liquid emerges only in the two subregions 16c, 16d of the discharge opening region 16 and thus causes a two-part divergent spray jet.

Also a special mention is required with regard to the interior component 630h. In this, the inner component 630h penetrating channels 636h are provided, which supply the wells on a front side 632h and thus the discharge openings of the perforated plate member with liquid to be discharged. It is therefore not necessary to ensure that the liquid can pass laterally past the inner component to the discharge opening region 16.

The representation of the inner component 630b is representative of the clarification of a particular surface roughness in the region of the end face. The surface on this end face of the component has a mean surface roughness R _t between 10 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m, preferably between 20 .mu.m and 50 .mu.m. When such an inner member 630b at the discharge head of Fig. 6a The liquid which has flowed past at the side of the inner component 630b can reach the discharge openings 18 at the end face due to the aforementioned roughness without the need for any displacement or deformation of the discharge opening region 16 or of the inner component. By variations in the Roughness depth can be influenced by how large the corresponding volume flow is.

The design of the Fig. 7a to 7c is similar in terms of its intended effect with the design of the Fig. 5a to 5c , Again, a valve is provided which can close the discharge openings 18 of the perforated plate unit 10. However, this valve comprises an inner body 730 displaceable in its entirety, which is subjected to a force of force in the direction of a closed position by means of a spring 738, which is supported on the housing of the discharge head. This is especially in Fig. 7c seen.

This application of force leads to the fact that, in the absence of liquid supply, an end face 732 of the inner body 730 acting as a valve body bears against an inner side 16a of the discharge opening region 16 perforated plate component 10 and thus closes the discharge openings 18. As soon as liquid flows in, it enters a narrow gap between the end face 732 and the perforated plate component 10 and then presses the valve body 730 against the force of the valve spring 738 in its open position, which in Fig. 7b is shown. In this open position a discharge of the liquid is possible. After completion of the discharge and with the elimination of the fluid pressure, the valve again assumes its closed position Fig. 7a one.

The design of the Fig. 8a and 8b shows an alternative embodiment in which the perforated plate member and the valve body 830 adapted to each other have a gradation, through which a circumferential valve pressure chamber 834 is formed. The inflowing liquid initially collects in a discharge in this valve pressure chamber 834, but can not yet reach the discharge openings 18. Only when the valve body 830 has been displaced sufficiently far to the rear by the fluid pressure of the fluid in the valve pressure chamber 834, The liquid enters an intermediate region between the valve body and the discharge opening region of the perforated plate member 10 and is discharged therefrom. By this design with the circumferential grading is thus achieved that the unimpeded flow to all discharge openings 18 is created simultaneously.

Claims (4)

1. Dispenser (200) for dispensing liquids, said dispenser having

   - a liquid storage unit (206),

   - a dispensing head (202) with a perforated plate component (10; 110) which has at least 25 dispensing openings (18; 118) in a dispensing opening region (16; 116),

   - a pre-chamber (120) which is connected upstream of the dispensing openings (18; 118) of the perforated plate component (10; 110) and from which the dispensing openings (18; 118) are supplied, and

   - a connecting channel (204; 304; 404) which connects the liquid storage unit (206) to the pre-chamber (120),
   characterized in that

   - the dispensing opening region (16; 116) is fastened on the dispensing head (202) in an edge region (112) and

   - the dispensing opening region (16; 116) is pressed into a curved form by means of a curvature body (230; 330; 430; 530; 630a-i) which is arranged in the pre-chamber and acts with force upon the dispensing opening region, in which curved form liquid can be dispensed from the pre-chamber (120) through the dispensing openings (18; 118) of the dispensing opening region (16; 116) curved in such a manner.
2. Dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that the edge region and the curvature body are displaceable towards one another during assembly and/or in the mounted state of the dispenser in such a manner that the curvature of the perforated plate component can be influenced as a result.
3. Dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dispensing opening region (116) surrounds a central region, wherein the perforated plate component (110) has on an inside surface of the central region an inwardly pointing elevation (117) which abuts against the curvature body (230) of the dispensing head (20).
4. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

   - the perforated plate component (10; 110) is realized as plastics material parts and/or

   - the dispensing openings (18) are arranged in a density of at least 5 dispensing openings/mm².

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