WO2008086959A1

WO2008086959A1 - Metering device

Info

Publication number: WO2008086959A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/000083
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kai Tiesberger
Original assignee: Friedrich Sanner Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2007-01-15
Filing date: 2008-01-08
Publication date: 2008-07-24
Also published as: DE102007002983A1; DE102007002983B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metering device for a substance, particularly a fluid, for placement on a receptacle (3) having a receptacle opening (2). The device according to the invention comprises a first part (7), which can be fixed to the receptacle (3) via fastening means, and a second part (8), which can be connected to the first part (7) and has a metering chamber (11) for receiving a defined metered amount of the substance, wherein the first part (7) has an outlet (13) in order to fill the metering chamber (11) with the substance from the receptacle (3).

Description

metering

The present invention relates to a metering device for a substance, in particular a liquid, for placement on a container having a container opening, with a first part, which can be fixed via fastening means to the container. The invention further relates to a container with such a metering device. Such a metering device can be used in particular for the dosage of medicaments.

It is known to dose drugs drop by drop. For this purpose, essays have been proposed for bottles, which are also referred to as a so-called dropper and make it possible to deliver from a bottle or other container successively a plurality of individual drops. The dosage is carried out by the fact that the drops counted by the user and the delivery of the liquid is interrupted upon reaching the desired dosage.

Such a metering device is known from DE 101 47 799 Cl. Herein is a dropper insert is described, the one to achieve a high dosing accuracy at the dropper tip Has Abrisskantenbereich. Further dropper inserts are known from DE 25 10 257 C2 and EP 0 367 980 A1.

However, the dosing accuracy of such devices is not yet optimal. The size of the dispensed drops may vary, which can lead to a significantly different dosage. Thus, the drop size depends not only on the geometry of the metering device but also on other parameters, such as the air pressure, the temperature and the surface tension of the substance to be dispensed. The drip rate changes with the level in the container such that when the container is full, the delivery is slow and with increasing speed emptying container. Smaller particles, such as those commonly found in herbal medicines, can alter the diameter of the orifice defining the size of the drop and prevent accurate dosing. In addition, drying residues of the substance to be dispensed can influence the dosage at the metering device. Furthermore, the counting of drops, especially for children and the elderly, for the sick or patients with poor eyesight is not always easy. As a result, errors in counting the drops can lead to incorrect dosages.

The invention therefore has the task of specifying a metering device, which is easy to use and allows high dosing accuracy.

This object is achieved in a metering device mentioned above by a second part, which is connectable to the first part and having a metering space for receiving a defined metered amount of the substance, wherein the first part has an outlet to the metering chamber with the substance from the container to fill. Due to the provision of the metering chamber, which has the respectively desired volume, the substance to be metered can be metered without cumbersome drop counting with high accuracy. It is sufficient to connect the second part with the first part and to fill the dosing with the substance, such as a liquid drug from the container. The measured amount of the substance can then simply be taken by emptying the second part. This can be done particularly easily after removal of the second part of the first part. Additional aids, such as a spoon, on which the metered amount is initially dispensed, can be omitted.

The metering of the substance is particularly simple if at the outlet a valve is arranged, which is movable between an open position and a closed position. This design also makes it possible to largely avoid the accidental release of the substance or the ingress of contaminants in the containers.

According to a development of this inventive concept, it is provided that a valve seat is formed on a housing portion of the first part, that the valve has a movable valve member with a sealing portion and that the sealing portion of the valve member in the closed position bears resiliently on the valve seat. Due to the elastically yielding design, the valve can be automatically held in the closed position and yet be easily opened for dispensing the substance.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the valve member at least partially elastic is formed and has at least one spring portion which biases the sealing portion for engagement with the valve seat.

Furthermore, it has proven useful if the valve member is plate-shaped and / or consists of plastic or elastomer.

A particularly simple construction results from the fact that the valve member has at least one passage for the substance.

The valve member is then easily in the desired

Fixed position when a connecting portion of the valve member is held by a formed on the first part of pressure surface sealingly on the container, in particular a container edge of the container opening. The valve member can be clamped in this way, in particular at its outer region and held in position, being provided at the same time and without additional components for a seal between the container and the first part.

The actuation of the valve in the delivery of the substance is particularly simple when the valve member by a on the second

Part provided actuator from the closed position in the

Open position is movable. In this way, the operation of the

Valve made by the second part is moved to the first part.

In this case, a further improvement of the delivery is achieved in that the valve member has a contact portion for the

Has actuating element. The abutment portion may be a thickened and / or stiffened portion of the valve member. Preferably, the abutment portion is arranged centrally, for example radially within the space bounded by the sealing portion. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating element is designed as a in the dosing preferably arranged centrally pin or projection.

If latching means are provided which fix the first part to the container after the first part has been placed on the container, unwanted removal of the first part is impeded or prevented. At the same time, the safety can be increased because a decrease in the first part can be made recognizable.

The joining of the first and second part is facilitated by the fact that the first part has at least one abutment section for abutment with an inner surface of the metering chamber. The abutment section may e.g. be cylindrical. Additionally, in the area of the abutment portion, a seal, e.g. be provided in the form of a bead, which ensures that the substance can not escape unintentionally between the first and second part.

According to the invention, provision can furthermore be made for the adjoining section to be adjoined by an outlet section having an opening. Preferably, the valve seat is formed by an edge of the opening.

A simple function of the metering device is also promoted by the fact that the outlet section has a guide surface running obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the device. By the guide surface is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, the actuating element can also be guided to the valve when the second part is placed obliquely. The guide surface may preferably have the shape of a conical section. The ingestion of the substance, for example a drug, is particularly simple if the second part of the first part can be removed after filling the dosing with the dosage.

This is especially true when the second part is cup-shaped and forms the metering chamber in its interior.

The handling of the device is further simplified in that a displacement portion is formed on the first part, which protrudes into the interior of the cup-shaped second part, when the second part is placed on the first part. In this way it is achieved that the dosing space is slightly smaller than the total volume of the cup-shaped second part. If the dosing space is completely filled with the substance, the cup-shaped second part is still not filled to its upper edge after removal from the first part. Spilling of the substance can be avoided.

To meter different dosing, several second parts may be provided with different sized dosing. For example, the dosing device may comprise three second parts of 0.5 ml, 1 ml and 2 ml. Of these, the second part required for the desired dosage is in each case connected to the first part and filled. In this way, different amounts of the substance can be measured in a simple manner but still precise. For better distinction, the second parts of different sizes can each be marked by using a different color. The handling and in particular the stability at small doses is improved by the fact that the second part has an extended foot.

A further improvement of the handling is achieved in that the releasable connection of the first and second part of these interlocking projections and / or recesses are provided. In this way, in the manner of a key-lock principle, the use of an unintended second part, from which a wrong dosage could result, can be avoided. Preferably, the projections and / or recesses are formed in the manner of a rotary closure and / or a bayonet closure.

The joining of the first and second part is further simplified in that the first part has at least one guide section for engagement with the outside of the second part.

The projections and / or recesses of the first and second parts can be connected particularly easily if a guide track for the projections or recesses of the second part is formed on the guide section.

The present invention further relates to a container with a prescribed metering device. Preferably, the container is made of plastic or glass.

Other objects, features, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In this case, all described and / or illustrated

Characteristics in themselves or in any combination the object of Invention, also independent of the summary in individual claims or their dependency.

Show it:

Fig. Ia: a side view of an inventive

Dosing device according to a first design;

Fig. Ib: the metering device of Fig. Ia in section;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the metering device from FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the metering device of FIG. 1; FIG.

4a shows a partial view of the metering device of Figure 1 in section with removed second part ..;

4b: a partial view of the metering device of FIG. 1 in section with attached second part, in the

Open position of the valve;

4c: a partial view of the metering device from FIG.

1 in section with attached second part, in the closed position of the valve;

Fig. 5a and 5b: a sectional view and a spatial

Representation of the second part in one embodiment with a dosage of 0.5 ml; Fig. 6a and 6b: a sectional view and a spatial

Representation of the second part in one embodiment with a dosage of 1 ml;

Fig. 7a and 7b: a sectional view and a spatial

Representation of the second part in one embodiment with a dosage of 2 ml;

8a shows a side view of a metering device according to the invention according to a second design;

FIG. 8b shows the dosing device from FIG. 8a in section; FIG.

9 shows a perspective partial view of the metering device from FIG. 8 a with the second part removed.

Figures 1 to 7b show a metering device 1, which is suitable for a liquid, in particular a liquid medicament.

The metering device 1 is placed on a container opening 2 having a container 3. The container 3 may be, for example, a vial with a body of plastic or glass. The illustrated container 3 has a substantially cylindrical basic shape with a constricted neck 4. On the outside of the neck 4, an external thread 5 and a latching projection 6 is provided.

The metering device 1 has a first part 7 and a second part 8. The first part 7 has a hollow, the neck 4 of the container 3 enclosing mounting portion 9. This can be seen particularly clearly in the sectional view of FIG. On the inside of the mounting portion 9 locking lugs 10 are provided which engage behind the locking projection 6 provided on the container 3 when the metering device 1 is placed on a container 3. The latching projection 6 and the latching lugs 10 thus form fastening means which fix the first part 7 on the container 3.

The second part 8 can be connected to the first part 7 in a manner described in more detail below and separated therefrom. The second part 8 has the basic shape of a wall bounded by a cup and forms in its interior a metering chamber 11 with a predetermined volume, which can be filled with the substance contained in the container 3. The foot 12 of the second part 8 is, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 7b, expanded. In this way, results in an enlarged footprint.

In FIGS. 4 a to c, it can be clearly seen that the first part 7 has an outlet 13 through which it is contained in the container 3

Liquid can get into the dosing chamber 11. For this purpose, a valve 14 is arranged at the outlet 13, which is movable between an open position and a closed position.

The valve 14 has a movable valve member 15. On a housing portion 16 of the first part 7, a valve seat 17 is provided. In the closed position of the valve 14, the valve member 15 rests with its annular sealing portion on the valve seat 17.

The valve member 15 is plate-shaped and consists of an elastically deformable material, such as plastic or elastomer. Of the The outer edge of the valve member 15 forms a connecting portion 18. By a formed on the housing portion 16 of the first part 7 pressure surface 19 of the connecting portion 18 is pressed in the mounted state against the edge of the container opening 2. In this way, not only the valve member 15 is held in position, but at the same time a seal between the first part 7 and the container 3 is achieved.

Furthermore, the valve member 15 spring portions 20 which bias the sealing portion of the valve member 15 to rest against the valve seat 17. In the illustrated embodiment, four spring portions 20 arranged at right angles to one another are provided, as can be seen from FIG. Cutouts are provided between the spring sections 20, which form a passage 21. When the valve 14 is open, the substance contained in the container 3 can pass through it to an opening 22 formed in the first part 7 and be dispensed when the valve 14 is open.

The valve member 15 can be moved by an opening provided on the second part 8 actuator 23 from the closed position shown in Figure 4a and 4c in the open position shown in Figure 4b. The actuator 23 is formed as a arranged in the metering chamber 11 pin or mandrel. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element 23 is arranged centrally in the metering chamber 11 and extends almost over the entire height of the second part eighth

The valve member 15 has in its central region a contact surface 24 for the actuating element 23. The valve member 15 is formed thickened in the region of the contact portion 24, whereby a stiffening in this area arises. For detachable connection of the first and second part of this interlocking projections and recesses 25, 26 are formed. FIGS. 5b, 6b and 7b clearly show that the second part has two oppositely disposed projections 25 on its side facing the container 3. These can be inserted after fitting the second part 8 on the first part 7 in corresponding recesses 26 on the first part 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 26 are inclined and allow it to move by a rotation of the second part 8 of this on the first part 7 to and from this. When the removed second part 8 (see Figure 4a) is placed on the first part 7, it first assumes the position shown in Figure 4c. The projections 25 are then located at the beginning of the thread-shaped recesses 26, and the valve member 15 is still in its closed position. Now, if the second part 8 is rotated, this is moved to the first part 7 under the action of the projections and recesses 25, 26. In this case, the actuating element 23 presses the valve 14 in its open position. A decrease of the second part 8 of the first part 7 is not possible in the open position, since the projections and recesses 25, 26 intermesh. In the open position shown in Figure 4b, the dosing chamber 11 is filled. Air contained in the metering chamber 11 can escape through the opening 22 into the container 3. When the metering chamber 11 is completely filled, the second part 8 is brought back into the position shown in Figure 4c. The valve 14 is now closed again and the second part 8 can be removed from the first part 7 (see Figure 4a).

The insertion of the second part 8 is facilitated by the fact that two guide sections 27 are provided on the first part 7 for engagement with the outside of the second part 8. The guide portions 27 at the same time form guideways 28 for the Projections 25 of the second part 2 and thus facilitate the insertion of the second part 8. This can be seen particularly well in Figure 2.

FIGS. 4a to 4c further clearly show that the first part 7 has a contact section 29 for engagement with an inner surface of the metering chamber 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the abutment portion 29 is cylindrical. An outlet section 30, which has the opening 22, adjoins the contact section 29 in the radial direction inwards. In this case, the outlet section 29 has an obliquely to the longitudinal axis L of the device 1 extending guide surface. In the illustrated embodiment, this is formed cone-shaped. The guide surface allows the actuator 23 to slide to the valve 14 even if the second part 8 should be placed once obliquely.

The illustrated design with the slightly extending into the cup-shaped cavity formed by the second part 8 abutment portion 29 which forms a displacement portion together with the outlet portion 30, has the further advantage that even if the metering chamber 11 is completely filled with liquid , the level after reaching the second part 8 does not reach to the upper edge. This is achieved by a displacement of the substance. In this way, the volume of the metering chamber 11 is smaller than the total volume of the formed in the cup-shaped second part 8 cavity. Accidental spillage of liquid contained in the dosing 1 1 1 is avoided. Nevertheless, a precisely metered quantity of liquid can be received in the dosing chamber 11. To give the user a slight check on the correct capacity allow, on the inside of the second part of a corresponding mark or a calibration mark can be attached.

In order to enable the metering of different metered quantities, the first part 7 can be combined with second parts 8, which each have a different sized metering chamber 11. 5a to 7b show three correspondingly designed second elements 8, 8 ', 8 ". In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the dosing space extends to the underside of the second part 8 and may, for example, comprise 2 ml In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the filling amount is 0.5 ml. However, in the case of the embodiments shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b 11, the connection dimensions of the second part 8 are identical to those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, so that all the illustrated second parts 8, 8 ', 8 "can be used with one and the same first part 7.

The first and the second part exist in the illustrated

Embodiment of plastic and can be produced inexpensively, for example, as an injection molded part. Optionally, a plastic with antibacterial properties may be used for the first and / or the second part 7, 8.

In order to make a once opened opening of the metering device, this can be provided with a warranty. For this purpose, for example, a welded-on film or a cap may be provided which gets broken points when opening or must be completely destroyed. The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b and 9 has broad similarities with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7b. For this reason, the same reference numerals are used for parts having the same function. As far as matches are concerned, the description of Figures 1 to 7b can also be applied to the embodiment shown in Figures 8a to 9.

Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7b, the second part 8 does not have an extended foot. In addition, the first part 7 has only a shorter trained guide portion 27 for engagement with the outside of the second part eighth

The function of the dosing device shown in FIGS. 8a to 9, however, corresponds to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7b.

The metering devices described can be used with differently shaped containers. It is suitable both for containers made of glass, as well as those made of plastic.

The metering devices are particularly suitable for the dosage of medicaments, but are not limited thereto. They can be used wherever it comes to the dosage of substances, preferably of liquid substances. Under certain circumstances, pourable substances can also be metered by the metering devices.

Claims

claims

1. Metering device for a substance, in particular a liquid, for placing on a container opening (2) having a container (3), with a first part (7) which can be fixed via fastening means on the container (3), and a second Part (8) which is connectable to the first part (7) and has a metering chamber (11) for receiving a defined metered amount of the substance, wherein the first part (7) has an outlet (13) to the metering chamber (11) with the substance from the container (3) to fill.

2. Metering device according to claim 1, characterized in that at the outlet (1 1) a valve (14) is arranged, which is movable between an open position and a closed position.

3. Metering device according to claim 2, characterized in that on a housing portion (16) of the first part (7) a valve seat (17) is formed, that the valve (14) has a movable valve member (15) with a sealing portion and that of Sealing portion of the valve member (15) in the closed position elastically yielding to the valve seat (17).

4. Metering device according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve member (15) is at least partially elastic and at least one spring portion (20), which biases the sealing portion for engagement with the valve seat (17).

5. Metering device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the valve member (15) is plate-shaped and / or consists of plastic or elastomer.

6. Metering device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the valve member (15) has at least one passage (21) for the substance.

7. Dosing device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a connecting portion (18) of the valve member (15) by a on the first part (7) formed pressure surface (19) sealingly on the container (3), in particular a container edge the container opening (2) is held.

8. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the valve (14), in particular the valve member (15), by an on the second part (8) provided actuating element (23) from the closed position to the open position is movable ,

9. Metering device according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve member (15) has a contact portion (24) for the actuating element (23).

10. Metering device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the actuating element (23) is designed as a in the metering chamber (11) arranged pin or projection.

11. Dosing device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that latching means (6, 10) are provided, which after placing the first part (7) on the container (3), the first part (7) on the container ( 3) fix.

12. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first part (7) at least one Having abutment portion (29) for abutment against an inner surface of the metering chamber (11).

13. Metering device according to claim 12, characterized in that adjoining the abutment section (29) has an opening (22) exhibiting outlet section (30) and in particular that the valve seat (17) is formed by an edge of the opening (22).

14. Metering device according to claim 13, characterized in that the outlet section (30) has an oblique to a longitudinal axis (L) of

Device running guide surface has.

15. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the second part (8) of the first part (7) after filling the metering chamber (11) can be removed with the metering.

16. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the second part (8) is cup-shaped and forms in its interior the metering chamber (11).

17. Dosing device according to claim 16, characterized in that on the first part (7) a displacement section is formed, which projects into the interior of the cup-shaped second part (8) when the second part (8) on the first part (7). is attached.

18. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a plurality of second parts (8, 8 ', 8 ") are provided with different sized metering chamber (11), of which one each with the first part (7) are connected can.

19. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the second part (8) has an extended foot (12).

20. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that for the releasable connection of the first and second part (7, 8) of these interlocking forward and / or recesses GE (25, 26) are provided.

21. Metering device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the first part (7) has at least one guide section (27) for engagement with the outside of the second part (8).

22. Dosing device according to claim 21, characterized in that on the guide portion (27) has a guide track (28) for the projections and recesses (25, 26) of the second part (8) is formed.

23. Container with a metering device according to one of the preceding claims.