WO2012052503A2

WO2012052503A2 - Discharge device for media

Info

Publication number: WO2012052503A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/068313
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Wochele
Original assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-10-21
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2012-04-26
Also published as: DE102010042740A1; CN103269957A; WO2012052503A3; CN103269957B

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge device (10) for a medium (62, 62'), especially for a liquid medium, having a medium reservoir (60, 60') in which the medium (62, 62') is stored before discharge, having a discharge opening (26) through which the medium can be given off to an environment, and having an outlet channel (75, 76, 76') for the transport of the medium from the medium reservoir (60, 60') to the discharge opening (26). The invention furthermore relates to a process for production of this discharge device. It is proposed according to the invention that the discharge device (10) comprises a base (20); the medium reservoir (60) is provided as an cavity (70) open to a top side (22) of the base (20); the open side of the cavity (70) is closed by a deformable film (50); an actuation unit (40) movable in relation to the base (20) is provided with a punch section (44), and; the actuation unit (40) derart gefuhrt is movable in a controlled manner in relation to the base (20) such that by a displacement of the actuation unit (40) in relation to the base (20) the punch section (44) can insert into the cavity, in order thereby to force the medium (62) in the medium reservoir (60) to the discharge opening (26).

Description

Discharge device for media

Area of application and prior art

The invention relates to a discharge device for a medium, in particular for a liquid medium, having a medium reservoir, in which the medium is stored before discharge, having a discharge opening, through which the medium can be delivered to an environment, and having an outlet channel for the transport of the medium from the medium reservoir to the discharge opening. The invention furthermore also relates to a process for the production of such a discharge device.

Discharge devices are known, especially for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical field. They allow users to discharge medium in a targeted manner, for example by applying a skin cream to the skin or administering a medicament nasally or in another way.

A large number of known discharge devices are made such that the discharge processes can be brought about repeatedly by pump devices by a plurality of actuations. A particular type of discharge devices is designed differently, which provides for the medium to be discharged from the medium reservoir by a single actuation or by two actuations. Such discharge devices can be used, especially, for trials, for example cosmetic trials. In the case of discharge devices for nasal inoculations too, it can be provided for the medium reservoir to be emptied by a single actuation of the discharge device or possibly by two actuations following one another.

In connection with diseases spreading epidemically, it may be necessary very short-term to make available a large number of discharge devices for medicaments. Discharge devices known from the prior art for this purpose frequently have a rather unsuitable construction, since they are too complex to be able to be produced and to be filled in a large number in a short time. Furthermore, it is usually also necessary in the field of these mass inoculations to make available particularly low-cost discharge devices.

One aspect of the present invention therefore lies in a particularly simple construction of appropriate discharge devices, in which the main constituents are a largely rigid base and a deformable film on the other hand, which together delimit the medium reservoir.

The prior art shows this kind or the like in a few documents. Thus a multi-chamber packaging is known from WO 2006/029600 A1 , in which a bottom part with wells is closed by a covering film. From DE 29 22 754, a pack is known that is designed for spraying liquid and is constructed from films. From DE 201 02 282 U1 , an applicator is known that has a bottom film and a covering film, between which is provided a liquid reservoir. This applicator has a distribution opening defined by the bottom film and the covering film, which can be opened by breaking a closure section. From DE 69715476, a discharge device is known which has a carrier and a barrier film applied thereto, between which is provided a liquid reservoir. It is further provided here for a region of the carrier to be re-foldable in order to be able to exert pressure on the liquid container for the purpose of discharge. DE 602 04 176 T2, DE 699 02 476 T2, DE 602 02 776 T2 and DE 20 2005 000 931 U1 are further interesting documents of the prior art in connection with the present invention.

Object and solution

The object of the invention is to make available a discharge device that combines a favourable production price with a highly reproducible discharge behaviour. This is achieved according to the invention in that a generic discharge device additionally has the following features. The discharge device has a base and a deformable film, the medium reservoir being provided as a cavity in the base open to an upper side of the base and this open cavity being closed by the deformable film. Furthermore, and actuation unit movable in relation to the base is provided which has a punch section. The actuation unit is guided in relation to the base in such a way that, by means of a displacement of the actuation unit in relation to the base, the punch unit can engage in the cavity mentioned and preferably completely fill this medium reservoir to a large extent, in order thereby to force the medium in the medium reservoir to the discharge opening.

A discharge device according to the invention thus has three main constituents: The base is a largely rigid component, preferably made of plastic, in which is provided a cavity. This base is covered over on a top side at least in sections by the preferably plastically deformable film, which thereby at least in the finished state of the discharge device holds the medium provided in the cavity of the base in the cavity. Preferably, that part of the film that closes the open side of the cavity is at least largely flat in a extension direction and thus connects the edges of the top side of the base bordering the cavity directly to one another. In an extension direction orthogonal to this, the film does not have to be compulsorily flat. This is additionally explained in the following.

For the application of the medium that is stored in the medium reservoir after completion of the discharge device, it is provided for the punch section mentioned to penetrate into the cavity. By this means, the volume of the medium reservoir is reduced and the medium is forced into the outlet channel in the direction of the discharge opening. It is provided here for the film to be adequately extensible in order not to tear on insertion of the punch section up to its end position or otherwise to become untight to liquid. The punch section is provided on an actuation unit, which is guided movably in relation to the base and which is preferably provided for the immediate application of force by the user. It is thus not an actuation section to be freely handled by the user, which has to be specifically aligned for the insertion of the punch section, but a punch section that is movable jointly with the actuation section along a movement path and that can thus be dipped into the cavity without particular skill. The medium which is forced out of the medium reservoir is forced into the outlet channel, which leads to the discharge opening. This outlet channel is preferably extensively restricted mutually by the base and the film at least sectionwise, just like the medium reservoir. It is possible by this means to provide a breakpoint in the outlet channel, at which the film is connected to the base such that initially a break in the outlet channel exists, which separates the medium reservoir from the discharge opening. By means of the pressure increase in the medium reservoir, during activation there is a pressure level achieved which suffices in order to separate the film and the base from one another in the area of this breakpoint such that the access for the medium to the discharge opening or to a further breakpoint is open. For this purpose, it is furthermore advantageous if immediately before said breakpoint a function chamber is provided in the form of a cavity in the base part. This function chamber is likewise delimited by the base and the film, the width of the function chamber being significantly greater than its height, which is defined by the distance of the base from the film. Preferably, the width is greater by at least the factor 2, especially preferably at least by the factor 3, than the height of the function chamber. In the area of the function chamber, the film is not connected to the base, so that the medium originating from the medium reservoir can flow in here without problem and on account of the comparatively large area of the film as a result of the high width is able in the area of the function chamber to supply this with a comparatively great force, which suffices in order to open the breakpoint.

The breakpoint guarantees on the one hand that contamination cannot reach the medium during a storage period. It furthermore guarantees that the medium cannot escape from this on account of the orientation of the discharge device. Moreover, the breakpoint can take on a pressure point function, since it needs a largely defined pressure in the function chamber in order to open the breakpoint. The force necessary for building up this pressure during the movement of the actuation section with the punch section guarantees that after opening the breakpoint a complete medium discharge is achieved. The base part, as already mentioned above, is preferably designed as a plastic part and is largely stiff per se. It can especially be designed as a polyolefin component, especially as a PP or as a PE component, with an average wall thickness of at least 0.5 mm.

The film, on the other hand, is essentially of thinner design and has a thickness of at most 200 μιτι, preferably at most 100 μιτι. Depending on the construction of the film, a thickness of less than 30 μιτι is also possible. The film can be designed as a plastic film or as a metal foil, especially aluminium foil. It is preferred if the film is designed as a composite film and has at least one plastic film layer as well as at least one metal foil layer. In this case, the metal foil layer especially guarantees that no medium at all can diffuse out of the medium reservoir. By means of the plastic film layer, it is especially guaranteed that on penetration of the punch section the necessary flexibility of the film remains guaranteed, which is necessary in order to avoid an escape of the medium in the area of a tear in the film. Independently of the materials, it is advantageous in the case of a film having several film layers if at least one film layer has a flexibility which is sufficiently high in order to allow a complete penetration of the punch section into the cavity, yet no ripping of this film layer. Preferably, a second film layer is specifically designed such that its elongation at rupture is sufficiently low that it tears on penetration of the punch section into the cavity as intended. For this purpose, the more extensible film layer preferably has an elongation at break of at least 30%, while the less extensible film has an elongation at break of at most 25%. In particular, the above-mentioned plastic layer can form the first of the two film layers and the metal layer, especially the aluminium layer, can form the second film layer. The design of these film layers such that one of the two films tears in the cavity on penetration of the punch section likewise leads to a pressure point function, as the resistance of the film to the penetration of the punch section up to the tearing of the less extensible film layer is significantly greater and undergoes a sudden decrease with the tearing of the film layer.

Adhesive technology can be used for the bonding of the film to the base. It is preferred, however, if a welded joint is created, for example by heat sealing or by ultrasonic welding. For the production of such a bond, it is advantageous if the film is designed as a plastic film or has at least one film layer of plastic which points in the direction of the base, the bondability being particularly good if the same types of plastic, for example PP, are used for this film layer and for the base. As a result of the penetration of the punch section into the cavity, the medium contained beforehand in the medium reservoir which is formed by the cavity can be discharged in a very reproducible manner. The shaping of the punch section and the movability of the actuation unit are for this purpose preferably adapted to the shape of the cavity such that by the insertion of the guided movable punch section into the cavity at least 90% of the contents of the medium reservoir can be forced out of the medium reservoir. For this purpose, the punch section and the cavity have largely corresponding shapings. Furthermore, the cavity is preferably designed as a largely edge-free vault, under which it is to be understood that on the inside of the cavity that serves as the medium reservoir, no wall surface with radii of curvature of less than 2 mm is provided. By this means, dead spaces are avoided, which could result from the fact that the punch section remains tilted or hanging on penetration.

The volume of the medium reservoir before the beginning of the discharge process can be of different size, depending on the intended use. Preferably, it is in the range between 2 μΙ and 2 ml, especially preferably in the range between 50 μΙ and 250 μΙ. A particularly good discharge characteristic can be achieved in that the lowest extension of the medium reservoir at the level of the top side to the maximum depth is in a ratio of between 1 :1 and 3: 1. The larger this ratio is, the wider the cavity is in relation to its depth. If it is very wide, a uniform penetration of the punch section and a reproducible medium discharge are no longer guaranteed . If the ratio is too small, the film is extended all the more up to the end position of the punch section, whereby the danger of a failure of the film results. Preferably, the base on the top side has a largely flat upper closing surface, which at least partially surrounds the cavity, the film being fixed to the closing surface parallel to this closing surface at least to the most part before the insertion of the punch section into the cavity. Thus the film or at least a predominant part of it can be used as a largely flat film, without having to be able to reproduce a complex shaping of the top side. By means of this, assembly is kept simple. A largely flat upper closing surface is understood as meaning a flatness of at most 1 mm. The closing surface is thus arranged between two planes arranged at a distance of at most 1 mm from one another. Slight deviations from flatness in the area of the upper closing surface can on the one hand thereby indicate that preferably a sealing bead is provided on the upper closing surface of the base, which surrounds all liquid-conducting channels and chambers open on the top side and which guarantees in the application of the film that a rigid connection between the film and the base is achieved at least in the area of this sealing bead. On the other hand, an intentional deviation from the flatness of the upper closing surface can be indicated if the closing surface has a slight curvature, so that after application of the film to the closing surface this also is slightly curved in the nature of a surface section of a cylinder. This curvature leads to a stability of the film against deformation before the final and complete application of the film to the base, the advantage of which will be additionally explained in the following.

The transition edge, which separates the cavity from the sections of the top side of the base surrounding the cavity, is likewise completely arranged in the plane of this closing surface in a discharge device in which the upper closing surface surrounds the cavity completely. It can be advantageous, however, if the transition edge extends only to the part, especially to the predominant part, parallel to the largely flat closing surface, but a part of the transition edge is provided on an additional surface of the top side slightly at an angle in relation to the closing surface. This additional surface, which is slightly at an angle in the centre in relation to the closing surface, preferably at an average angle of less than 30°, can be completely flat or else slightly curved. In the case of such an arrangement with an additional surface at an angle, the cavity extends into the area of this additional surface, so that a part of the transition edge of the cavity is arranged on this additional surface. In the case of such an arrangement, the film that closes off the medium reservoir formed by the cavity on the top is not completely designed to be flat, but is curved or kinked at least in the transition area between the upper closing surface and the additional surface, preferably with a radius of less than 3 mm. Such an arrangement is a particular advantage in the filling of a discharge device according to the invention, since the film film can firstly be fixed to the base exclusively in the area of the closing surface, so that in the area of the closing surface it's still firstly remains at a distance in relation to this in the area of the additional surface. Thus the cavity is firstly still partly open, so that in spite of the already partly or even extensive application of the film to the base a filling of the cavity with the medium remains possible. Only when this has taken place is the remaining still free part of the film subsequently connected with the additional surface in order to isolate the medium reservoir in relation to an environment. Furthermore, in use this kink in the film in the area of the open side of the cavity can be advantageous, since with a corresponding movability of the actuation unit and thus of the punch section, it can be provided for the punch section to come into contact with the film sealing off the cavity firstly in the transition region between the closing surface and the additional surface during an actuation. In this case, on account of the existing convex shaping of the film existing there, the beginning of the deformation of the film in the course of the discharge process becomes easier, since firstly only a uniaxial and no biaxial state of stress arises in the film. However, besides the method described above, in which the film is partially already fixed to the base when the medium reservoir is filled with medium, alternative methods are also used. Thus the film, for example, can be applied only when the cavity is already filled with medium. A separate filling opening and optionally an additional deaeration opening can also be provided in the base, which is closed, for example sealed, after filling is completed.

The controlled movability of the actuation unit in relation to the base can be arranged such that the actuation unit is movable linearly in a straight line in relation to the base. However, an arrangement is advantageous in which the actuation unit is articulated pivotably on the base. This is particularly cost-saving and easy to produce. An appropriate hinge that this pivotable articulation makes available can preferably be provided as a bistable hinge having two pivot axes at a distance from one another, such as is known, for example, from shower gel bottles. In the case of a bistable hinge two opposite end positions are stable, i.e. remaining without maintenance of an external force, while intermediate positions are unstable and bring about a displacement of the actuation unit in relation to the base in the direction of one of the two end positions. The bistability on the one hand counteracts an inadvertent actuation of the discharge device, especially when filling the cavity with medium. On the other hand, it leads to the actuation unit not having to be forced into the cavity against the opposing force of a hinge in the case of an intentional actuation. It is particularly advantageous if the actuation unit is designed as one piece with the base. By this means, particularly convenient production can be achieved . It is especially advantageous here if the connection between the actuation unit and the base is realised by means of a film hinge. Such a film hinge represents a very favourable possibility for the realisation of the controlled movability of the actuation unit in relation to the base. In the case of such an arrangement with a pivotable articulation of the actuation unit, it is regarded as advantageous if the pivot axis of the actuation unit is extended parallel to that transition region or that transition line which arises in the film closing the cavity between the upper closing surface and the additional surface.

If the discharge of the medium is desired as a spray jet, it requires a vortexing of the emerging medium. This can be achieved in various ways. Thus, especially, a vortexing geometry can be provided on the base or on a separate nozzle component inserted in the base. Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange the breakpoint, which is provided in the area of the outlet channel and which is opened in the course of the discharge process by application of pressure to the medium, only immediately before the discharge opening, so that after opening this breakpoint a narrower passage suitable for the production of vortexing forms.

While in the design of the discharge device with only one medium reservoir this is preferably filled with a liquid, a powder or a pasty medium, further design possibilities results, especially also with respect to the production of a spray jet, if in the base at least two hollows are provided, which form a first and a second medium reservoir, where preferably at least two punch sections are provided on the actuation section, which in the case of a movement of the actuation section insert into the at least two hollows. The design having two medium reservoirs allows, for example, for a first of these medium reservoirs to be filled with a gas, preferably with air, which in the course of the application, especially after opening a breakpoint, flows into the second medium reservoir, in order to carry along pulverulent medium provided there to the discharge opening. In such an arrangement it is not necessary that a punch section is also provided for the second medium reservoir. A structurally similar design having two punch sections in a common or two different actuation sections can be such that by means of the first punch section liquid is transported from a first medium reservoir to the second medium reservoir, which together with powder originally provided in the second medium reservoir is subsequently discharged in dissolved form by insertion of the second punch section into the second medium reservoir. By the arrangement of the cavities, when using several punch sections, influence can also be brought to bear on in which sequence or with what temporal displacement the volumes of the medium reservoir cavities are decreased, for example if a thorough mixing of a medium from the first medium reservoir with the medium from the second medium reservoir is desired before the mixture is forced out of the second medium reservoir.

With respect to the production of the spray jet already mentioned above, it can especially be advantageous if the first medium reservoir is connected to the outlet opening by means of the outlet channel and the second medium reservoir is connected to the outlet channel by means of a supply channel. In such an arrangement, the medium of the second medium reservoir, preferably a liquid, is thus forced out on the actuation of the discharge device into the outlet channel and mixes there with the medium that has emerged from the first medium reservoir, preferably with air. By this means, the reliable production of a spray jet is possible. With respect to the production of a pressure point, the appropriate arrangement of the film as a multilayer film as well as the pressure point action of the breakpoint are already mentioned above. A particularly reproducible pressure point action is achievable if contact surfaces are provided on the base and on the actuation unit, which in the case of an actuation of the discharge device come into tangential contact with one another before the medium is discharged through the outlet opening. Here, the contact surfaces are arranged and designed such they make necessary an increased actuation force for the continued actuation movement of the actuation unit. The pressure point action is achieved by this means. With this arrangement, it is accordingly provided that in the course of the actuation firstly a collision takes place between the contact surfaces, which must be overcome by the operator in that the contact surfaces are either adequately deflected by an increased actuation force in order to make possible a continued actuation, or else fail in the area of a theoretical breakage site provided for this purpose, in order to make possible the continued actuation. A pressure point action achievable by this means differs from the previously described pressure point actions especially in that it does not make it necessary that at the time of the pressure point action during the actuation a pressure application of the medium already takes place in the medium reservoir. The invention furthermore relates to a set of a plurality of discharge devices of the previously described type, the individual discharge devices of this set is being designed as a one-piece strip of discharge devices connected to one another. This strip is produced in that the base of each discharge device of this strip is connected in one piece with its immediate neighbour or to its immediate neighbour. By this means, simple manufacturability and especially simple manageability are achieved. The discharge devices, which are preferably already present with an applied film, can be handled in a defined oriented manner by the connection to one another, which is especially advantageous with respect to a subsequent filling process compared to handling as bulk goods. It is especially advantageous if the respective film of the discharge devices forming the strip is fixed to the respective base such that a filling region is still open between the base and the film. The discharge devices are thus in a preassembled state, in which, except for the medium still to be filled, they already contain all constituents. However, the film at this point in time is still not in its final and completely to the top side attached position, so that it still allows that by means of the open area, in which the film is at a distance from the base, a filling process of the medium takes place. Only subsequently is the complete closing of the medium reservoir, especially by sealing the film to the base, provided. In the still not completely closed state, it is particularly advantageous if the discharge devices form a spirally rolled up strip, as such a strip causes these still freely projecting film sections to be protected and not to deform, which could oppose a later filling process.

The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of a discharge device of the type described, in which starting from a separate presence of the base and the film with unfilled medium reservoir the film is fixed to the cavity-surrounding sections on the top side of the base, no fixing of the film to the base taking place over a subsection of the edge of the cavity and the medium reservoir being subsequently filled, by means of an intermediate space between the film and the subsection of the edge to which the film is still not fixed, with liquid, pasty, or pulverulent medium. Finally, the film is also fixed to this subsection of the edge. This process makes it possible to nearly finish the discharge device with all its components, in order to take them in this nearly finished state from the manufacturer of the discharge device to the filler, generally situated in another location. This filler fills the medium reservoir through the open area between the film and the base and subsequently finishes the fixing process, especially the sealing process.

It is particularly advantageous if the fixing of the film takes place before the filling at the closing surface of the top side and after the filling at the additional surface of the top side. By this means, the film can remain in a largely flat state up to filling.

Brief description of the drawings

Further aspects and advantages of the invention in follow, apart from the claims, from the subsequent description of preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which are explained below with the aid of the figures, which show:

Figures 1 a and 1 b a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Figure 1c a film of the discharge device of Figs. 1a and 1 b,

Figures 1 d to 1g the functioning of the embodiment of

Figures 1a to 1 b,

Figures 1 h to 1 k the production process and handling process for a discharge device according to Figures 1a to 1 g, Figures 2a and 2b a second embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Figures 3a to 3c a third embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Figures 4a and 4b a fourth embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Figures 5a to 5c a fifth embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Figure 6 a sixth embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Figure 7 a seventh embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention and

Figure 8 an eighth embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

The discharge devices according to the invention have a number of consistent features. Referring to Figure 1a, these consistent or largely consistent features of all embodiments are firstly illustrated.

A discharge device 10 according to the invention has a base unit 20 made of plastic, an actuation unit 40 movable in relation to the base unit as well as a film 50 attached to a top side 22 of the base unit 20. The base unit 20 has a discharge opening 26, which can be provided directly in the one-piece component of the base unit 20 or else, as in the first embodiment of Figures 1a and 1 b, can be formed by a separate nozzle component 27, which is assigned to the base unit 20 and is fixed immovably to this. In the already mentioned top side 22 of the base unit is provided a cavity 70, which forms the predominant part of the outer wall of a medium reservoir 60. This cavity 70 is a connected by means of a connection channel 76, which is provided in sections as a groove on the top side 22 of the base unit 20, to the outlet opening 26. On the open side of the cavity 70 the medium reservoir 60 is closed in the manner identifiable in Figure 1 b by the film 50, which for better understanding is additionally shown in Fig. 1a at a distance from the base unit 20. This film 50 closes all liquid-conducting channels and chambers pointing to the top side 22 of the base unit 20, so that here, as intended, no medium can escape before and during actuation.

For discharging the medium from the medium reservoir 60, the actuation unit 40 is provided. This is pivotably movable in relation to the base unit 20 around the pivot axis 4 in the direction of the arrow 2 by means of the hinge 42. On the actuation unit 40, relative to the perspective of Figures 1 a and 1 b, is provided a ridge which forms a punch section 44. This punch section 44 has an outer shape, which at least essentially corresponds to the shape of the cavity 70. The punch section 44 is arranged on the actuation unit 40 such that it inserts positively into the cavity 70 by a pivoting of the actuation unit 40 in the direction of the arrow 2 in relation to the base unit 20. The features mentioned up to here correspond in all embodiments shown here. Some additional features, however, are not identical in all embodiments or in some cases only realised in individual embodiments.

With respect to the embodiment of Figures 1 a and 1 b, the functioning of which is explained in Figures 1 d to 1f, the following further distinctive features are to be mentioned. The top side 22 of the base unit 20 has a largely flat upper closing surface 23a, which changes in the direction of the actuation unit 40 pointing to a bent edge 24 in an additional surface 23b at an angle in relation to the closing surface 23a. The cavity 70 extends beyond this edge 24, so that a transition edge 25 between the closing surface 23a or the additional surface 23b on the one hand and the cavity 70 on the other hand only runs parallel in a part to the plane of the closing surface 23a. As Figure 1 b illustrates, the film 50 is also subdivided by this angling of the surfaces 23a, 23b to one another into a main section 52a and an additional section 52b, which in each case are level and are separated from one another by a bent edge 54. A further distinctive feature of the embodiments of Figures 1 a and 1 b lies in the fact that between the medium reservoir 70 and the connection channel 76 is arranged a function chamber 72. This function chamber 72 has a bottom that is slightly lower than the surface 23a, so that on sealing the film 50 to the top side 22 no connection to the film 50 is created here. An interrupting bridge 74 is attached to the flat and broad function chamber 72. This narrow bridge 74 forms a breakpoint and extends between the upstream function chamber 72 and the following connection channel liquid- conducting sections, that is the cavity 70, the function chamber 72 and the outlet channel 76 are isolated by a sealing bead 78 against the surrounding surface of the upper closing surface 23a and the additional surface 23b. After application of the film 50, that is the conversion from the state of Fig. 1 a to the state of Fig. 1 b, and a thermal sealing process it is guaranteed that a reliable connection between the top side 22 of the base unit 20 and a bottom side of the film 50 is achieved at least in the area of this sealing bead 78.

A further distinctive feature of the embodiment of Figures 1a and 1 b follows from Figure 1c, which shows a section through the film 50. It follows from this figure that the film 50 is designed as a laminated film and has an upper film layer 50a and a lower film layer 50b, which are both made of plastic, in this case of polyethylene. Between this upper film layer 50a and the lower film layer 50b an intermediate layer 50c is provided, which is designed as an aluminium foil layer.

Figures 1 d to 1f illustrate the functioning of the discharge device 10. Figure 1d shows a starting state in a cut side view. In this starting state, which corresponds to the view of Figure 1 b, the medium reservoir 60, which is delimited by the wall of the cavity 70 on the one hand and the underside of the film 50 on the other hand in relation to the surroundings, is filled with a liquid medium 62, in this case with a vaccine 62 to be administered nasally. For the discharge of this medium, the discharge device 10 is held so that the outlet opening 26 is located within a nostril of the user. The actuation unit 40 is then pivoted in the manner shown in Figure 1 e around the pivot axis 4 defined by the the film hinge 42 in the direction of the arrow 2. During this process, shortly after going beyond the state of Figure 1 e a tangential contact between the punch section 44 and the film 50 is produced, this first tangential contact taking place in the area of the bent edge 54 of the film 50. In the case of a continued pivot movement of the actuation unit 40, the punch section 44 is pressed into the cavity 70 in the area of the edge 54 with simultaneous deformation of the film 50. A state of tension occurs in the film 50, where referring to Figure 1 b a tension is produced only in the transverse direction 6, as the film is stretched in this direction. Stretching in the orthogonal direction 8 to this initially does not take place, so that only a uniaxial state of tension occurs that initially does not increase the force necessary for actuation to a disturbing extent. With increasing pivoting of the actuation unit 40, however, the pressure in the medium reservoir 60 and the function chamber 72 following thereon increases. As the function chamber 72 is of very flat design, but has a comparatively large area, the film 50 in the area of the function chamber 72 is already pressed upwards by a small amount of the medium, whereby a detaching force on the film 50 with respect to the interupting bridge 74 is achieved. The pressure in the medium reservoir 60 leads to an increasing resistance to a continued movement of the actuation unit 40. This increased resistance is additionally supported in that the foil layer 50c of aluminium is increasingly stretched in direction 6 up to the limits of its elongation at break. At about the same time a tearing of the foil layer 50c occurs, by which the other film layers 50a, 50b are not affected, and a separation of the film 50 from the narrow bridge 74. The path for the medium 62 to the outlet opening 26 is now free. Under the high liquid pressure in the medium reservoir 60 and the comparatively high force that is present at this instant on the actuation unit 40, the medium is forced out of the medium reservoir 60 through the connection channel 76 to the outlet opening 26 and applied there in the form of a spray 64. Since, as is identifiable especially in Figure 1f, the shaping of the punch section 44 is designed to be complementary to the shaping of the cavity 70, almost the entire medium is discharged from the medium reservoir 60. This is also favoured in that the outlet from the medium reservoir 60 is arranged on the side facing away from the pivot axis 4 of the actuation unit 40, so that the path of movement of the punch section 44 on entering into the cavity 70 favours an avoidance of the medium in the direction of the connection channel 76. Fig. 1g again shows the discharge device 10 after completion of the discharge process.

Figures 1 h and 1 i clarify the production of a discharge device 10. As is shown in these figures, the film 50 is sealed onto the top side 22 of the base unit 20 firstly only in the area of the upper closing surface 23a, but not in the area of the additional surface 23b at an angle to this purpose. By this means, the state shown in the figures mentioned results, in which the film 50 is still largely arranged level. In the area of the additional surface 23b, it results from this that an access 66 to the medium reservoir 60 initially remains open. The discharge device 10 can therefore be supplied by the manufacturer of the discharge device in the state of Figure 1 h and 1 i to the filler. The latter can fill the medium reservoir 60 through the opening 66 mentioned and subsequently seal the free end 52b of the film 50 to the additional surface 23b, in order thereby to complete the discharge device.

Figures 1j and 1 k here clarify a particularly advantageous procedure. In this, the discharge devices 10 are produced as a continuous strip 100 containing a plurality of discharge devices 10, where for this purpose the base units 22 are connected to one another along side edges 28. The discharge devices 10 can be rolled up in the still unfilled state corresponding to Figures 1 h and 1 i to give a spiral, as Figure 1j clarifies. By this means, the still free ends 52b of the films 50 are protected against mechanical effects, so that closing of the opening 66, which is still needed subsequently to the filling of the discharge devices 10, does not unintentionally occur. After the discharge devices 10 have been filled through these openings 66, they can again be brought into the state of a spirally rolled strip 100, as Figure 1 k clarifies. Thus they can be stored and transported in a space-saving manner. The discharge device according to the invention thus allows the achievement of a very favourable production price with a simple manageability and a high-grade reproducible amount of discharged medium.

The embodiment of Figures 2a and 2b differs only with respect to one essential aspect of the discharge device of the previous presentations. Thus the upper closing surface 23a on the top side 22 of the base unit 20 in this second embodiment is designed to be slightly curved, as can be inferred especially from Figure 2b. This slight curvature leads to the fact that the film 50 is also attached in slightly curved form, virtually in the form of a surface section of a cylinder surface, to the closing surface 23a. By means of this slight curvature, which can barely be discerned in Figure 2a, a considerable stability increase with respect to the free end 52b of the film 50 is achieved. Thus in the transfer of the partly finished discharge device 10 for filling it is guaranteed even better than in the previous embodiment that the film 50 does not unintentionally close the access opening 66 even before filling.

In the embodiment of Figures 3a to 3c, two distinctive features are especially present. On the one hand, the top side 22 of the base unit 20 in this embodiment is largely designed to be flat. An additional surface at an angle in relation to the closing surface 23, which extends into the area of which the cavity 70 extends, is not provided here. Thus in this embodiment, for which the corresponding film 50 is faded out in Figures 3a and 3b, it is provided that firstly the medium reservoir 60 formed by the cavity 70 and the film 50 is completely filled, before the film 50, which is shown in Figure 3c, is applied. A further distinctive feature of this embodiment of Figures 3a to 3c is that the hinge 42 is designed as a bistable hinge having several pivot axes 4a to 4c formed by film hinges at a distance from one another. It is achieved by means of this that the actuation section 40 is always acted upon in terms of torque either in the one end position, shown in Figures 3a to 3c, or in the opposite end position, in which the punch section 44 is plunged into the cavity 70. Thus it is guaranteed during the handling and the filling of the medium reservoir 60 that the actuation unit 40 does not unintentionally disturb the filling process. Furthermore, it is guaranteed that the application of force of the actuation section 40 for achieving a discharge process does not take place against a restoring force produced by the hinge 42.

In the embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, two medium reservoirs are provided. Besides the medium reservoir 60, which is designed in the same manner as in the case of the embodiment of Figures 1 a to 1c, a second medium reservoir 60' exists, which is likewise formed by a cavity 70' in the base unit 20. The two medium reservoirs 60, 60' are connected to one another by a connection channel 76. The outlet channel 76' as a continuation of the connection channels 76 starts from the second medium reservoir 60'. Both the connection channel 76 and the outlet channel 76' have an interrupting bridge 74, 74', which functions in the same manner as the interrupting bridge 74 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 a to 1 c and opens only in the case of a prespecified minimum pressure in the upstream medium reservoir 60, 60' and the upstream function chamber 72, 72'. The corresponding film is designed as in the embodiment of Fig. 1 a and 1 b, but faded out in this example.

The discharge device of Figures 4a and 4b shown is provided for the mixing of two media in advance of the discharge process. Thus, especially in the medium reservoir 60 a liquid can be provided, while in the medium reservoir 60' a pulverulent medium is present. When the discharge device 10 of Figures 4a and 4b is actuated in the same manner as was described for Figures 1 d to 1f, firstly a pressure is generated in the medium reservoir 60, by means of which the liquid contained therein is transported to the second medium reservoir 60' after overcoming the interrupting bridge 74. An excess pressure is likewise formed there in reaction hereto, which in the course of the penetration of the second punch section 44' into the second cavity 70' is sufficiently high in order to also bring about a separation of the film and of the base part in the area of the interrupting bridge 74'. Thus the mixed medium is subsequently discharged through the outlet opening 26.

In the discharge device of Figures 5a to 5c, the distinctive feature lies in that a particularly precise pressure point action is achieved in that on the actuation section 40 pin-like stops 48 are provided, which in the course of the pivot movement of the actuation section 40 in relation to the base 20 insert into openings 30 of the base 20, in which transversely extended securing webs 32 are provided. Thus the actuation process is interrupted in the position shown in Figures 5a and 5b until a force acting on the actuation unit 40 is sufficiently great in order to bring about a ruptural failure of the securing webs 32. Only when these are broken can the movement of the actuation unit 40 in relation to the base 20 be continued, whereby the discharge process occurs in the manner already described for Figures 1d to 1f.

The discharge device 10 of Fig. 6 has, like the embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, two medium reservoirs 60, 60', which in each case are formed by cavities in a base unit 20. Of these cavities, only the cavity 70 of the medium reservoir 60 can be recognised immediately in the representations of Figure 6. The cavity 70' is indicated in dashed form. Differing from the embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, the medium reservoirs 60, 60' are not connected directly by means of a connecting channel. Instead of this, the medium reservoir 60 is connected by means of an outlet channel 76 to an outlet opening 26, while the smaller medium reservoir 60' opens into a supply channel 75, which shortly before the outlet opening 26 opens into the outlet channel 75. The discharge device of Figure 7 is provided for generating an atomisation. For this purpose, only air is contained in the medium reservoir 60, while a medicament in liquid form is present in the medium reservoir 60'. When the actuation section 40 with its punch sections 44, 44' fitted to the cavities 70, 70' is pivoted around the pivot axis 4 in the direction of the arrow 2, an overpressure occurs in both medium reservoirs 60, 60' simultaneously, by means of which the interrupting bridges 74, 74' in the outlet channel 76 and the supply channel 75 are opened, so that approximately simultaneously the air from the medium reservoir 60 and the liquid from the medium reservoir 60' flow in the direction of the outlet opening 26. Shortly before the outlet opening 26, the liquid and the air mix, so that the discharge takes place in the form of a spray jet.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, again two medium reservoirs 60, 60' are provided, which are in each case formed by cavities 70, 70' in the base 20. The distinctive feature here, however, is that the actuation section 40 only has one punch section 44, which is arranged so that it penetrates into the larger medium reservoir 60 of the two medium reservoirs on pivoting of the actuation section 40 around the pivot axis 4. By means of this, an overpressure is generated in the medium reservoir 60, which firstly leads to the detaching of the film 50 from the interrupting bridge 74. As soon as this has taken place, the air flows from the medium reservoir 60 into the medium reservoir 60' and then also brings about under action of the pressure a detachment of the film 50 from the second interrupting bridge 74'. As soon as this has happened, the air can flow in the direction of the outlet opening 26, where it carries along a pulverulent medicament 62', which was stored in the second medium reservoir 60', to the discharge opening 26.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, again two medium reservoirs 60, 60' are provided in the base 20, which are connected to one another by a connection channel 76. Before and behind the medium reservoir 60 in turn interrupting bridges 74, 74' are provided, which are sealed in a starting state with the film 50. A first actuation section 40 and a second actuation section 40' pivotable around a second pivot axis 4' in relation to the first actuation section 40 exist in this embodiment. In the medium reservoir 60 is contained a liquid medium 62, while in the medium reservoir 60' is kept a pulverulent medium 62'. For the actuation of the discharge device 10 of Figure 8, firstly the two actuation sections 40, 40' are together pivoted around the pivot axis 4, until the pressure generated by the punch section 44 on the film 50 in the area of the first medium reservoir 60 suffices in order to separate the film 50 from the base 20 in the area of the interrupting bridge 74. This leads to an extraction of the liquid 60 into the second medium reservoir 60'. Since the application of force of the actuation sections 40, 40' initially only takes place in the actuation section, during its penetration into the cavity 70 of the first medium reservoir 60 still no penetration of the second punch section 44' into the second cavity 70' is brought about, since the actuation sections 40, 40' are mutually pivotable on account of the joint 42'. The pressure generated in the medium reservoir 60 after opening of the interrupting bridge 74 also still does not suffice in order also to detach the film 50 from the base 20 in the area of the second interrupting bridge 74', so that initially the two media 62, 62' remain together in the medium reservoir 60'. Only when subsequently the second punch section 40' is also inserted into the cavity 60' does the film 50 detach from the interrupting bridge 74, so that the path to the discharge opening 26 is opened. As soon as this happens, the mixture of the two media flows out.

Other modifications are possible for the skilled person without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. Discharge device (10) for a medium (62, 62') having

a medium reservoir (60, 60'), in which the medium (62, 62') is stored before discharge,

a discharge opening (26), through which the medium can be dispensed to an environment, and

an outlet channel (75, 76, 76') for the transport of the medium from the medium reservoir (60, 60') to the discharge opening (26),

characterised in that

the discharge device (10) comprises a base (20), the medium reservoir (60) is provided as a cavity (70, 70') in the base (20) open to a top side (22) of the base (20), the open side of the cavity (70, 70') is closed by a deformable film (50),

an actuation unit (40) movable in relation to the base (20) is provided,

the actuation unit (40) has a punch section (44, 44'), and the actuation unit (40) is movably guided in relation to the base (20) such that by means of a displacement of the actuation unit (40) in relation to the base (20) the punch section (44, 44') and can insert into the cavity, in order thereby to force the medium (62, 62') in the medium reservoir (60, 60') to the discharge opening (26).

2. Discharge device according to claim 1 , wherein the shaping of the punch section (44, 44') and the movability of the actuation unit (40) are adapted to the shape of the cavity (70) such that by means of the insertion of the guidably movable punch section (44, 44') into the cavity (70, 70') at least 90% of the contents of the medium reservoir (60, 60') can be forced out of the medium reservoir.

3. Discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (20) on the top side (22) has a substantially flat upper closing surface (23, 23a), which at least partially surrounds the cavity (70), with the film (50), at least to the predominant part (56a) before the insertion of the punch section (44, 44') into the cavity (70, 70'), is fixed to the closing surface (23, 23a) parallel to this closing surface (23, 23a).

4. Discharge device according to claim 3, wherein a transition edge (25) between the cavity (70, 70') on the one hand and the sections of the top side (22) of the base surrounding the cavity on the other hand only partly extends parallel to the largely flat closing surface (23a) and a part of the transition edge (25) is provided on an additional surface (23b) of the top side (22) at an angle in relation to the closing surface (23a).

5. Discharge device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film (50) has at least one first film layer (50a, 50b) having an elongation at rupture of at least 30% and at least one second film layer (50c) having an elongation at rupture of at most 25%.

6. Discharge device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation unit (40) is hinged pivotably on the base (20), the actuation unit (40) preferably being provided integrally with the base (20) and the actuation unit (40) preferably being connected to the base (20) by means of a film hinge (42).

7. Discharge device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channel (75, 76, 76'), at least in a subsection with respect to its cross-section, is delimited from the base (20) and from the film (50), the film (50) being connected to the base (20) before actuation of the discharge device in said subsection at a breakpoint (74, 74') such that the medium reservoir (60, 60') is isolated in a liquid-tight manner in relation to the discharge opening (26).

8. Discharge device according to claim 7, wherein between the breakpoint (74, 74') and the cavity (70, 70') forming the medium reservoir a function chamber (72, 72') is provided, which has an enlarged width in relation to the width of the connecting channel (75, 76, 76') and into which the punch section (44, 44') can preferably not insert.

9. Discharge device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the base (20) are provided at least two cavities (70, 70'), which form a first and a second medium reservoir (60, 60') for a respective medium (62, 62'), preferably on the actuation section (40, 40') at least two punch sections (44, 44') being provided, which in case of movement of the actuation section (40, 40'), insert into the at least two cavities (70, 70').

10. Discharge device according to claim 9, wherein the first medium reservoir (60) is connected to the outlet opening (26) by means of of the outlet channel (76) and the second medium reservoir (60') is connected to the outlet channel (76) by means of a supply channel (75).

11. Discharge device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the base (20) and on the actuation section (40) are provided contact surfaces (48, 32), which come into tangential contact in the case of an actuation of the discharge device, before the medium is discharged through the outlet opening (26), these contact surfaces (48, 32) being arranged and designed such that they require an increased actuation force for the continued actuation movement of the actuation unit (40) and thereby achieve a pressure point action.

12. Set of a plurality of discharge devices (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge devices (10) are designed as a strip (100) of discharge devices (10) connected to one another as one piece.

13. Set according to claim 12, wherein

the respective film (50) of the discharge devices (10) forming the strip (100) is fixed to the respective base (20) such that a filling region (66) is still open between the base (20) and the film (50), and

the strip (100) is rolled up spirally.

14. Process for the production of a discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein starting from a separate presence of the base (20) and the film (50) with unfilled medium reservoir (60)

a. the film (50) is fixed to the sections (23a) of the base (20) surrounding the cavity (70), initially no fixing of the film to the base taking place over a subregion of the edge of the cavity, b. the medium reservoir (60) is filled through an intermediate space (66), between the film (50) and the subregion of the edge to which the film (50) is still not fixed, with liquid, pasty or pulverulent medium (62, 62') and

c. subsequently the film (50) is also fixed to the base (20) in this subregion of the edge.

15. Process according to claim 14, wherein the fixing of the film (50) takes place to the closing surface (23a) of the top side (22) in step a and to the additional surface (23b) of the top side (22) in step c.

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