Oral dispensers for liquids, especially for liquids containing nicotine or cannabis

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to an oral dispenser for dispensing a liquid in atomized form, the invention particularly relating to such a dispenser for dispensing a liquid containing nicotine or cannabis.

[0002] Such dispensers are used in particular for quitting cigarettes or as an alternative to cigarette consumption. They usually have an elongated shape similar to a cigarette with a mouthpiece through which vaporized or atomized liquid can be inhaled by the user. In addition to liquids containing nicotine or cannabis, other liquids containing substances for quitting cigarettes can also be dispensed using a dispenser according to the invention. Furthermore, the dispenser according to the invention can also be used for the prevention or treatment of acute or chronic respiratory complaints or respiratory diseases.

[0003] A well-known type of cigarette-like dispenser is based on the electrical vaporization of liquid, particularly nicotine-containing liquid. Such dispensers contain a battery or accumulator that must be replaced or recharged.

[0004] Also known are dispensers in which the nicotine-containing liquid is atomized without electricity using a propellant gas. Document GB 2530980 A, for example, shows such a dispenser. A disadvantage of these dispensers is that the user also inhales the propellant gas when using the dispenser. Other dispensers are known from WO2019 / 016410A1, WO2013 / 089358A1, and EP1618803A1, the latter document describing a dispenser having the features in the preamble of the present claim 1. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative dispenser by means of which liquids, in particular liquids containing nicotine or cannabis, can be applied by a user in atomized form.

[0006] For this purpose, an oral dispenser of the type mentioned above is proposed, which has a liquid reservoir with a variable internal volume for holding the liquid before dispensing. An oral dispenser within the meaning of the invention is considered to be a dispenser whose atomized liquid is administered orally, whereby the target of the liquid can be, for example, the interior of the mouth itself, the pharynx, the larynx, the bronchi, or even the lungs. An oral dispenser according to the invention is preferably designed as an inhalation dispenser, in which the user inhales while the liquid is being dispensed, thereby drawing the atomized liquid into the respiratory tract.

[0007] Depending on the preferred application, the oral dispenser is preferably filled with a nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid, thus serving as a substitute for cigarettes. However, a dispenser according to the invention can also be used for other purposes, for example, as a dispenser for asthma or COPD medication, which is typically dispensed using so-called MDI dispensers.

[0008] The oral dispenser has a spring device by means of which, when the spring device is charged, the liquid in the liquid reservoir is permanently pressurized. This spring device can comprise a conventional spring, for example, a coil spring. However, a spring device within the meaning of the application also includes spring devices that are otherwise capable of storing energy by compressing a gas or deforming an elastically deformable material.

[0009] The liquid reservoir is preferably rather small to achieve a compact size of the dispenser. It preferably has a maximum volume of 10 ml, particularly preferably a maximum of 5 ml or 3 ml. This volume is understood to be the difference between its maximum liquid content and its remaining liquid content, which, due to its design, can no longer be dispensed.

[0010] The pressure of the liquid in the liquid reservoir caused by the spring device serves to atomize the liquid. For this purpose, an oral dispenser according to the invention has an atomizing nozzle unit. This has at least one very small nozzle opening, preferably several nozzle openings. The clear cross-section of the at least one nozzle opening is a maximum of 0.002 mm², particularly preferably a maximum of 0.001 mm² or a maximum of 0.0005 mm². The total area of ​​the clear cross-sections of all nozzle openings is preferably a maximum of 0.04 mm². The nozzle openings are preferably round.

[0011] The small nozzle size leads to a fine atomization of the liquid at sufficiently high pressure. Preferably, the spring device is designed such that, in the fully charged state with the liquid reservoir completely filled, it exerts a force that places the liquid in the liquid reservoir under a pressure of at least 4 bar, preferably at least 6 bar, and particularly preferably at least 8 bar. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the spring device generates a pressure of at least 2 bar, preferably at least 3 bar, in the liquid at all times, even as the liquid reservoir progressively empties and the spring device is therefore no longer fully charged.This can be achieved by constructively preventing a complete discharge of the spring device, so that, for example, the smallest possible volume of the liquid reservoir is achieved when the spring device was previously still able to generate a pressure of at least 2 bar, preferably of at least 3 bar, in the liquid.

[0012] If multiple nozzle openings are provided, they are preferably provided as openings in a common nozzle plate, which can be fixed in a sleeve-shaped plastic carrier that is fixed in the oral dispenser, in particular in an internal component of the oral dispenser. The nozzle plate can be designed, for example, as a plastic plate, a metallic nozzle plate, or a silicon plate. It can be curved so that the nozzle openings are aligned in a diverging direction.

[0013] In order to prevent particles in the liquid from clogging the nozzle openings, a liquid filter, in particular a membrane filter, is preferably provided in the outlet channel upstream of the at least one nozzle opening.

[0014] The flow rate of the liquid discharged through the atomizing nozzle unit is preferably comparatively low. At a liquid pressure of 4 bar applied to the atomizing nozzle unit and a fully open outlet valve, it is preferably between 5 µl / second and 30 µl / second, particularly preferably between 10 µl / second and 20 µl / second. This low flow rate has proven particularly suitable for simulating a cigarette through the oral dispenser. The subjective perception of such flow rates is similar to that of a cigarette.

[0015] The liquid reservoir is connected to the atomizing nozzle unit via an outlet channel. An outlet valve is provided in this outlet channel, which can assume an open and a closed state, in particular by moving a valve orifice with a valve orifice opening between a position that interrupts the outlet channel and a position that releases it. The outlet valve is preferably designed such that it also allows intermediate positions that result in a reduced volume flow.

[0016] The liquid atomized by the atomizing nozzle unit enters a mouthpiece, which is intended to be closed by the user's mouth before opening the outlet valve.

[0017] Preferably, not only is the atomizing nozzle unit designed for discharge into the mouthpiece, but at least one air duct is also provided through which air can flow into the mouthpiece when the user pulls on the mouthpiece. The user thus draws in air and atomized liquid. Preferably, a plurality of air ducts are provided, in particular preferably two, three or four, which are distributed around the circumference on an inner side of the mouthpiece. The opening into the mouthpiece can be through a section of the air duct that is ring-shaped. This can ensure that the sucked-in air, in the manner of a circulating air curtain, prevents the atomized liquid from condensing on the inner side of the mouthpiece.

[0018] The at least one inlet into the air channel is preferably not provided directly on the outside of the mouthpiece, but rather on a wider portion of the housing, thus reducing the risk of the user covering the inlet with their lips. The inlet can, in particular, be oriented radially or axially against an inhalation direction.

[0019] Although it is preferred that an oral dispenser according to the invention be designed as a refillable dispenser and have a refill opening for this purpose, it may also be desirable to design an oral dispenser of the type mentioned as a disposable dispenser in which refilling of liquid into the liquid reservoir is not provided. A refill opening is not required in such a case. However, it is considered advantageous if the oral dispenser is designed for refilling. For this purpose, it has a refill opening separate from the atomizing nozzle unit, which is connected to the liquid reservoir, wherein the spring device can be charged by supplying liquid through the refill opening into the liquid reservoir.

[0020] The aforementioned refill opening is preferably provided with an inlet valve that can be opened by external overpressure and / or by mechanical pressure from a refill nozzle. As long as no refill nozzle of a refill dispenser is attached, the inlet valve is pushed into its closed position by internal pressure.

[0021] An oral dispenser according to the invention should preferably resemble a cigarette in terms of handling. It therefore preferably has an elongated shape aligned in a main direction of extension. In particular, its outer shape is preferably completely or largely rotationally symmetrical, although in the case of extensive rotational symmetry, the mouthpiece and / or an actuating element for controlling the outlet valve may deviate from the rotational symmetry. An outer housing of the oral dispenser preferably has a maximum diameter orthogonal to the main direction of extension of 16 mm, whereby a movable actuating element for the outlet valve projecting beyond the outer housing is not taken into account here. The length in the main direction of extension, including the mouthpiece, which is preferably provided at the proximal end, is preferably at least 80 mm.

[0022] In the case of the aforementioned elongated design, the atomizing nozzle unit and / or the mouthpiece are located at the proximal end of the oral dispenser, which supports its cigarette replacement function. The refill opening is preferably located opposite, at a distal end of the oral dispenser. This is the simplest design to implement.

[0023] The fluid reservoir has a variable volume. This means that the withdrawal of fluid does not lead to a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and does not need to be compensated for by incoming air. Instead, the volume enclosed by the walls of the fluid reservoir decreases as the fluid is discharged.

[0024] A preferred implementation of this provides that the liquid reservoir is delimited at least in sections by a flexible wall. The spring device is designed to exert a force on the flexible wall directed towards a reduction in the size of the liquid reservoir. Designs are conceivable in which the flexible wall itself represents the spring device, as well as those in which the spring device is provided separately from the wall and exerts a force on it. Combinations are also possible. A design with a separate spring device can be formed by a gas pressure chamber that is separated from the liquid reservoir by the flexible or a movable wall. With a minimal liquid storage volume, a pressure of 3 bar, for example, can prevail in this gas pressure chamber, which increases to 4 bar when the liquid reservoir is filled.

[0025] Preferably, the flexible wall is elastically deformable. For this purpose, it can be made, in particular, of an elastomer. Such an elastic wall, when expanded by deformation, exerts pressure on the fluid in the fluid reservoir and thus forms the spring device itself or part of the spring device.

[0026] A preferred embodiment provides that the flexible wall is designed as an elastically expandable tube surrounding the fluid reservoir. When the fluid reservoir is filled, the tube is tangentially expanded.

[0027] It is particularly preferred if a central mandrel surrounded by the elastic tube is provided. With such a design, the fluid reservoir is provided, at least in sections, in a ring shape between an outer surface of the central mandrel and an inner surface of the tube. The central mandrel can, in particular, ensure that a sufficiently high fluid pressure is maintained even as the fluid reservoir becomes increasingly empty by limiting the volume reduction of the fluid reservoir. As soon as the tube is in direct contact with the central mandrel on the outside, a further volume reduction is not possible, even if the tube is still under tangential tension.

[0028] Specifically to enable the hose to be mounted in such a configuration, the central mandrel is conically shaped at least in sections, preferably over most of its length. This allows the hose to be pushed onto the larger circumference of the central mandrel, causing or increasing the tangential tension during the pushing-on process.

[0029] The central mandrel can further be provided with a central fluid channel, which extends in particular in the main extension direction of the oral dispenser. This fluid channel can form part of an outlet channel that connects the fluid reservoir to the atomization valve unit. Alternatively or additionally, the fluid channel can form a refill channel or part thereof that connects the refill opening to the fluid reservoir. The central mandrel can have a radial opening to connect the outlet channel and / or the refill channel to the annular region of the fluid reservoir outside the central mandrel.

[0030] A particularly advantageous design of the central mandrel provides for it to be constructed in two parts, in particular with an inner mandrel component and an outer mandrel component. The two mandrel components, preferably the inner and outer mandrel components, are designed to enlarge their common outer circumference by axially displacing them relative to one another during assembly. Such a design permits advantageous assembly in which one mandrel component, in particular the outer one, is first inserted into the hose, and in which the other mandrel component, in particular the inner one, is subsequently pushed onto or into the previously inserted mandrel component, so that the common circumference is enlarged and the hose is thereby tangentially expanded.

[0031] When designing the dispenser with an inlet valve at the refill opening, it can advantageously be provided that at least one valve surface of the inlet valve is formed by the component which also integrally forms the elastic hose of the liquid reservoir.

[0032] An alternative variant of an oral dispenser according to the invention has, instead of a flexible wall, a movable wall that delimits the liquid reservoir at least in sections. This movable wall is preferably inserted into a cylindrical body in the manner of a piston and seals against the latter in the edge region. The spring device is designed to exert a force on the movable wall directed toward a reduction in the size of the liquid reservoir. The movable wall is movable in the direction of the main extension direction and is particularly preferably subjected to force by the spring device toward a proximal end of the oral dispenser. The spring device is preferably formed by a gas pressure chamber or a helical spring.

[0033] The oral dispenser can have a guide pin, similar to the central pin mentioned above. The liquid reservoir is provided, at least in sections, in a ring shape between an outer surface of this guide pin and an inner side of an outer wall. The guide pin ensures reproducible, tilt-free displacement of the movable wall. Furthermore, it allows a central liquid channel to be provided within the guide pin, which thereby extends through the liquid reservoir. This can represent the outlet channel and / or the refill channel. Particularly preferably, the liquid channel in the guide pin extends as a refill channel from a distal end to an end of the liquid reservoir pointing towards the proximal end, where it is connected to the liquid reservoir by means of a radial opening.

[0034] To use the oral dispenser, the user closes their lips around the mouthpiece and opens the outlet valve while inhaling, allowing the liquid to be atomized by the atomizing nozzle unit. Various preferred designs for the outlet valve are available.

[0035] In a particularly simple design, the outlet valve is designed as a manually operable outlet valve, meaning it is operated by hand by the user. A particularly useful configuration is one with an actuating button on an outer side of the oral dispenser, especially on a peripheral surface of the oral dispenser, by means of which the outlet valve can be closed and opened. Manually pressing the actuating button, particularly against the force of a return spring, causes the outlet valve to open. The actuating button is preferably linearly movable.

[0036] A design with a manually operable outlet valve is also possible, which has a rotatable actuating element by means of which the outlet valve can be brought into a closed and an open state. The actuating element is preferably rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the main extension direction. For example, a front and a rear section of the elongated dispenser could be rotated relative to each other about this axis of rotation to open the outlet valve, which is designed as a rotary valve.

[0037] An alternative design for the outlet valve provides for the outlet valve to be designed as a lip-operated outlet valve. The user can open it by pressing their lips together. For this purpose, it has an actuating surface on the mouthpiece or in the mouthpiece area, which, when force is applied by the user's lip, causes the outlet valve to move from a closed to an open state.

[0038] This can be realized, for example, in that the outlet valve has a pivotable actuating lever which can be pivoted by applying force to the actuating surface and on which a valve orifice is provided which can be transferred from a closed position to an open position by the pivoting movement of the actuating lever.

[0039] Another alternative design for the outlet valve is a breath-controlled outlet valve. It has a vacuum chamber communicating with the mouthpiece. When the user sucks on the mouthpiece, this creates a vacuum in this chamber. The vacuum chamber is provided with a movable chamber wall, which is either deformable in itself or movable as a whole, particularly preferably against the force of a return spring. The displacement of the chamber wall acts on a valve element, for example, a valve orifice in the outlet channel, so that the vacuum in the vacuum chamber moves the outlet valve from a closed state to an open state.

[0040] The outlet valve is preferably designed such that the aforementioned types of valve switching—i.e., manual switching, switching via the lips, and switching via sucking on the mouthpiece—also allow the valve to be partially opened. Thus, only light manual actuation, only light pressing of the lips, and only light sucking on the mouthpiece preferably result in a correspondingly reduced discharge of atomized liquid. The user can thus control the desired flow rate of atomized liquid. This can be achieved, in particular, by a valve orifice that is moved out of the outlet channel by varying distances depending on the actuation and thus acts as a limiting throttle to a variable extent.

[0041] The design of the oral dispenser preferably provides for it to have an outer housing, which also forms the mouthpiece, and within which at least one inner component is preferably arranged. In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing can be formed by two half-shells, between which the at least one inner component is provided. A preferred embodiment includes an inner component which has a valve recess in which the valve aperture of the outlet valve is movably mounted, and / or which partially forms the outlet channel, and / or which forms the guide pin or the central pin.

[0042] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure further relates to an oral dispenser for dispensing a liquid containing nicotine or cannabis, which may comprise some or all of the above-mentioned features individually or in combination or partial combination.

[0043] The oral dispenser according to the second aspect of the invention has a liquid reservoir for holding the nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid prior to dispensing. Upon delivery, the liquid reservoir is preferably already filled with the corresponding liquid.

[0044] The liquid reservoir is designed as a pressure reservoir. This means that the liquid in the reservoir is stored under pressure. The pressurization can be achieved, for example, by a propellant gas or, as described above, by a spring device. The oral dispenser has an atomization nozzle unit. This can be designed in various ways. In the simplest case, it has a swirl chamber by means of which atomization is achieved. However, it can also be provided with one or more very fine nozzle openings, as described above. The individual nozzle openings preferably have a maximum clear cross-section of 0.002 mm². The total of the nozzles preferably has a maximum clear cross-section of 0.04 mm².

[0045] The oral dispenser has an outlet channel that connects the liquid reservoir to the atomization nozzle unit. An outlet valve is provided in this outlet channel, which can be open or closed. When the outlet valve is open, the liquid flows from the pressure reservoir towards the nozzle unit and is dispensed in atomized form through a nozzle of the dispenser. The outlet valve can, for example, be provided in the form of a movable valve orifice provided with an opening. If the valve orifice, and thus the opening, is moved upstream or downstream of the outlet channel, the flow can be stopped. If the opening is moved by moving the valve orifice so that it is aligned with the outlet channel, the liquid can flow through.

[0046] According to this second aspect of the invention, the special feature is that the outlet valve is designed as a mechanically lip-operated outlet valve. For this purpose, an actuating surface is provided on the mouthpiece or in the area of ​​the mouthpiece, which, when force is applied by the user's lip, mechanically causes the outlet valve to move from a closed to an open state.

[0047] This type of actuation is very intuitive and is therefore particularly suitable for a nicotine or cannabis dispenser that is used quite frequently and where dispensing should not be difficult but rather as intuitive as possible. It has been shown that lip actuation is particularly advantageous for the user to time their inhalation with the dispensing of the liquid in atomized form via the lips. It is advantageous if the oral dispenser has an air inlet channel, particularly on the mouthpiece, through which the user can suck in air before dispensing begins. In order to then start dispensing during this sucking in, the force applied by the lips can be used to initiate dispensing.

[0048] The said actuating surface is preferably less than 20 mm away from a distal end of the mouthpiece, particularly preferably less than 15 mm. When the user puts the mouthpiece in their mouth and encloses it with their lips, one of their lips, preferably the upper lip, rests against this actuating surface. The actuating surface can be pressed down, in particular radially, i.e. in the direction of the mouthpiece through which flow is passing. The user can thus open the valve by pressing their lips together. The return to the closed initial state preferably occurs under spring force. In particular, the valve is preferably designed to also permit partial opening. This allows the user to regulate the flow rate by applying force using their lips and thereby determine the amount of nicotine or cannabis, similar to sucking on a cigarette with varying intensity.

[0049] In the manner already described above, the liquid reservoir can be designed with a variable internal volume. It decreases in size as liquid is dispensed. If the dispenser is designed as a disposable dispenser, it is disposed of after the liquid reservoir is empty. However, it can also be designed as a refill dispenser, as already described above. In this case, it is also preferably provided that the dispenser has a refill opening separate from the atomizing nozzle unit, which is connected to the liquid reservoir. The spring device is charged by supplying liquid through the refill opening into the liquid reservoir.

[0050] The disclosure relates not only to the oral dispenser itself, but also to an inhalation system with such an oral dispenser, which additionally comprises a refill dispenser in which pressurized liquid or pressurizable liquid is stored and which is designed for coupling to the refill opening of the oral dispenser. Preferably, the refill dispenser is filled with propellant-free, pressurized liquid, which can be withdrawn through a switchable dispensing valve. This valve is preferably provided with a refill nozzle that is adapted to the refill opening of the oral dispenser and can be inserted into it. By inserting the valve, the dispensing valve of the refill dispenser and the inlet valve of the oral dispenser are opened, so that the liquid can flow into the liquid reservoir of the oral dispenser and recharge the spring device there. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. An embodiment in accordance with claim 1 is shown, for example, in Figure 6 shown Fig. 1 shows an oral dispenser according to a first proposed design in perspective view. Fig. 1A to 1C show the oral dispenser of the Fig. 1 in other perspectives. Fig. 2A and 2B show the oral dispenser of the Fig. 1 in two sectioned views. Fig. 2C shows an enlarged view of the atomizing nozzle unit of the oral dispenser. Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate the charging of the oral dispenser. Fig. 3C and 3D illustrate the use of the oral dispenser. Fig. 4 shows an oral dispenser according to a second proposed design in perspective view. Fig. 5A and 5B show the oral dispenser of the Fig. 4in two sectioned views. Figures 6 and 7 show two alternative concepts for the realization of an outlet valve, which are used in both designs of an oral dispenser according to Fig. 1 and 4 can be used. Fig. 8A to 8C show an alternative form of a central mandrel for the oral dispenser according to Fig. 1 to 3D . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The Fig. 1 to 3D show a first embodiment of an oral dispenser according to the invention.

[0053] In Fig. 1 The oral dispenser 10 is shown in a perspective overall view. The oral dispenser 10 has an elongated housing oriented in the direction of a main extension direction 2, at the proximal end 10A of which a mouthpiece 12 is provided. In this embodiment, an actuating pushbutton 52 is provided on its outer surface, by means of which a further outlet valve 50, which will be explained later, can be opened.

[0054] Referring also to the Fig. 1A to 1C It can be seen that an atomizing nozzle unit 40 is directed into the mouthpiece 10 at the proximal end. The atomizing nozzle unit has a nozzle plate 42 with a plurality of nozzle openings 44. An annular channel 82 is also provided on an outer edge of the approximately cylindrical mouthpiece 12, through which air can be drawn through the mouthpiece 12. For this purpose, this air is drawn in through inlets 84.

[0055] A refill opening 60 is provided at the opposite distal end 10B of the oral dispenser 10.

[0056] As in the Fig. 1A As can be seen, an outer housing 70 of the oral dispenser 10 has two half-shells 70A, 70B. Within these half-shells, a plurality of components, described below, are provided, which serve for the storage and targeted atomization of liquid.

[0057] The Fig. 2A and 2Bshow the oral dispenser 10 in a sectioned view, with the section planes offset by 90° from each other.

[0058] The figures show that a total of three internal components 72, 73, 74 are provided within the outer casing 70. The internal component 72 forms Fig. 2A The right end has a central mandrel 76 that extends almost to the distal end 10B of the oral dispenser 10. A tubular component 32 made of an elastomer is mounted on this central mandrel 76. A fluid reservoir 20 forms an intermediate space between an outer side of the central mandrel 76 and an inner side of this tube 32. In illustrations 2A and 2B, this fluid reservoir is not filled. The fluid reservoir is connected by radial recesses 77 to a fluid channel 90, 92 that extends through the central mandrel 76 along the main extension direction 2.

[0059] The Fig. 2A and 2Bleft part 92 of this liquid channel forms part of an outlet channel 92. Starting from the liquid reservoir 20, this outlet channel 92 leads to the outlet valve 50. The outlet valve 50 has, when designed according to the Fig. 1 to 3D In addition to the actuating push button 52, a valve orifice 54 is attached thereto, having an orifice opening 54A, which is movable within a valve recess 72A. The actuating push button 52 is returned to the position of the Fig. 2Apressed. If it is pressed down against the force of the return spring, the orifice 54A can be brought into a position aligned with the outlet channel 92, so that the liquid passes through the valve orifice 54 to the right side. On the right side and thus downstream of the outlet valve 50, a liquid filter 46 designed as a membrane filter is provided, which is inserted into the inner component 73 and preferably overmolded by it. The liquid flowing through the outlet valve 50 is freed here of any impurities that might otherwise interfere with the function of the atomizing nozzle unit 40.

[0060] Downstream of the membrane filter 46 is the aforementioned atomizing nozzle unit 40. Its main component is a thin nozzle plate, made of silicon, for example, which is penetrated by a plurality of nozzle openings 44. The nozzle plate 42 is secured in a sleeve-shaped plastic carrier 43, which in turn is inserted into a corresponding recess in the inner component 74.

[0061] Upstream of the described liquid reservoir 20, the channel provided in the central mandrel 76 is a refill channel 90, which extends to the refill opening 60. However, the liquid reservoir 20 is normally isolated from the external environment, since an inlet valve 62 is provided as a pressure relief valve, which is pressed into its closed position at the overpressure usually prevailing in the oral dispenser 10. For this purpose, a valve body of the inlet valve 62 is pressed against an elastically deformable annular area, which is formed by the component of the hose 32. This will be explained below with reference to the Fig. 3B explained.

[0062] As shown by the Fig. 2B and also the Fig. 1C and in whose context has already been mentioned, the oral dispenser 10 has two air channels 80, each of which opens into the already mentioned annular channel 82, which in turn opens into the mouthpiece 12.

[0063] In Fig. 2C The atomizing nozzle unit 40 is shown enlarged. It shows the sleeve component 41, which surrounds a passage in which the nozzle plate 42 with nozzle openings 44 is provided. The nozzle openings each have a clear cross-section of 100 µm². In the present embodiment, a total of 25 such nozzle openings 44 are provided.

[0064] The Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate the process of filling the oral dispenser 10. A refill dispenser 110 is provided for filling the oral dispenser 10, which together with the oral dispenser 10 forms an inhalation system 100.

[0065] The refill dispenser 110 has a pressure reservoir, at the upper end of which an outlet valve 114 is provided, which can be opened by means of a valve nozzle. The valve nozzle forms a refill nozzle 112 for insertion into the refill opening 60 of the oral dispenser 10. Fig. 3BAs illustrated, if the oral dispenser 10 is pressed down after the refill nozzle 112 has been attached to the refill opening 60, the outlet valve 114 of the refill dispenser 110 is opened and, by applying force via the refill nozzle 112, the inlet valve 62 of the oral dispenser 10 is also opened.

[0066] Since the pressure reservoir of the refill dispenser 110 is at 8 bar, fluid can flow through the refill nozzle 112 into the refill channel 90 and into the fluid reservoir 20 of the oral dispenser. Fluid path 4 illustrates this.

[0067] There, under the applied pressure of the refill dispenser 110, the hose 32 is expanded and elastically deformed in such a way that, after the oral dispenser 10 is separated from the refill dispenser 110 and the resulting closing of the inlet valve 62, it exerts a pressure of approximately 4 bar on the liquid in the liquid reservoir 20.

[0068] Fig. 3C shows the now loaded oral dispenser 10 with expanded tube 32.

[0069] Will now be in the Fig. 3D As can be seen, the outlet valve 50 is opened by pressing down the actuating button 52, the liquid flows from the liquid reservoir 20 along the liquid path 6 through the aperture 54A of the valve aperture 54 to the atomizing nozzle unit 40, through which the Fig. 3D Atomization occurs, as indicated by the dotted arrows. At the same time, the user sucks on the mouthpiece 12, creating an external air jacket in the mouthpiece 12 through the air channels 80, which is inhaled by the user together with the atomized liquid.

[0070] The Fig. 4and 5A and 5B illustrate an alternative design of an oral dispenser 10. The essential difference between the design of the previous figures and this design is that in this design, the liquid reservoir 20 is delimited by a movable wall in the manner of a piston 36. This is guided by a central guide pin 78 and is permanently subjected to force in the direction of the mouthpiece 12 by a spring device 30 designed as a helical spring. When the liquid reservoir 20 is filled, the liquid is under a pressure due to the spring device 30 that is sufficiently high for atomization to take place at the atomization nozzle unit 40 in the manner already described. As the liquid is discharged from the liquid reservoir 20, the piston 36 is displaced further in the direction of the mouthpiece.

[0071] If the refill dispenser 110 is applied in this configuration, the fluid reservoir 20 is also refilled, while simultaneously the piston 36 is further deflected against the force of the spring device 30. For this purpose, the fluid flows from the refill opening 60 through the inlet valve 62, designed here as a pressure relief valve, into the refill channel 90 and through radial openings 79 in the guide pin 78 into the fluid reservoir 20.

[0072] The Figs. 6 and 7 show alternative designs of the outlet valve, which can be implemented equally in both previous designs of the liquid reservoir.

[0073] When designing according to Fig. 6Lip actuation of the outlet valve 50 is provided. For this purpose, an actuating lever 56 is provided, which can be pivoted about the pivot axis 57 and whose proximal end has an actuating surface 55, which is depressed by pressing the user's lips together. The valve orifice 54 with its orifice opening 54A is provided on the opposite leg of the actuating lever 56. If the actuating surface 55 is pressed downward, the orifice opening 54A is raised so that it is aligned with the adjacent parts of the outlet channel 92, thus allowing liquid from the liquid reservoir 20 to reach the atomizing nozzle unit 40.

[0074] An air inlet aperture 13 is provided on the mouthpiece 12. This allows the user to enclose the mouthpiece, including the actuating surface 55, with their lips and then to draw air through the air inlet aperture 13 before actuating the actuating surface 55. Meanwhile, by pressing the lips together and thus depressing the actuating surface 55, the dispensing of the nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid can begin. By applying a carefully measured amount of force, the user can also have the aperture 54A only partially aligned with the outlet channel 92, thereby ensuring only a small amount of liquid is dispensed. Similar to a cigarette, the user can thus control the dispensing in a controlled manner according to their wishes.

[0075] The design according to Fig. 7represents a design with a breath-actuated outlet valve 50. Suction on the mouthpiece 12 not only results in the intake of air through the previously described air channels 80, but also in air being drawn out of a vacuum chamber 58 of the outlet valve 50 through an additional air channel 86, causing the flexible chamber wall 59 of the vacuum chamber 58 to press the valve orifice 54 downward. This, in turn, brings the orifice opening 54A in the valve orifice 54 into communication with adjacent parts of the outlet channel 92, and fluid flows to the atomizing nozzle unit 40.

[0076] In the example of Fig. 7The vacuum chamber is connected to the environment via an opening 53. The flow resistance through the opening is greater than the flow resistance through the channel 86. This creates the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber 58. An additional air channel similar to the air channels 80 described above is not necessarily required with this design, as air can enter the mouthpiece through the opening 53 and the air channel 86.

[0077] In alternative designs, the opening 53 could be omitted and the described air channels 80 could be provided instead. With appropriate design of the respective throttling effects of the openings, a negative pressure in the vacuum chamber 59 could also be achieved.

[0078] The Fig. 8A to 8Cshow a special design of the central mandrel 76 and the associated assembly. The central mandrel 76 is divided into two mandrel components 76A, 76B. The inner mandrel component 76A has a slightly conical shape. The outer mandrel component 76B has a plurality of ribs that are distributed around the circumference and connected to one another by thin connecting webs. The ribs themselves are conical on the inside, corresponding to the conicity of the inner mandrel component 76A.

[0079] To assemble the two-part central mandrel in a hose 32, the Figure 8B It is provided that the outer mandrel component 76B is first inserted into the tube 32. This does not pose any problems, since in the initial state the Fig. 8A the outer diameter of the outer mandrel member 76B is smaller than the inner diameter of the hose 32.

[0080] The assembly of the hose 32 and the outer mandrel component 76B is then pushed onto the conical inner mandrel component 76A. This causes the outer mandrel component 76B to expand, and with it the hose 32, so that the hose is subjected to the desired preload.

[0081] This design of the fluid reservoir represented an improved version with regard to assembly compared to the design of the central mandrel 76 of the Fig. 1 to 3D represents.

Claims

1. Oral dispenser (10) for discharging a nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid in atomized form, with the following features: a. the oral dispenser (10) has a liquid reservoir (20) for receiving the nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid prior to the discharge, and b. the liquid reservoir (20) is designed as a pressure reservoir in which the liquid is stored under positive pressure, c. the oral dispenser (10) has an atomization nozzle unit (40), and d. the oral dispenser (10) has an outlet channel (92) which connects the liquid reservoir (20) to the atomization nozzle unit (40), and e. an outlet valve (50) which can be in an open state and a closed state is provided in the outlet channel (92), and f. the oral dispenser (10) has a mouthpiece (12) for inhalation of the liquid atomized by the atomization nozzle unit (40), characterized in that g. the outlet valve (50) is configured as a mechanically lip-actuatable outlet valve (50) and has on the mouthpiece (12) or in the region of the mouthpiece (12) an actuating surface (55) which, when force is applied by the lip of a user, causes the outlet valve (50) to transfer from a closed state to an open state.

2. Oral dispenser (10) according to Claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the outlet valve (50) has a pivotingly movable actuating lever (56) which is pivotable by force being applied to the actuating surface (55) and provided on which is a valve orifice element (54) which can be transferred from a closed position to an open position by the pivoting movement of the actuating lever (56).

3. Oral dispenser (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, with the following further feature: a. the oral dispenser (10) has an air inlet channel (13) through which ambient air can be drawn in, in particular with one of the following additional features: b. the air inlet channel (13) is provided downstream of the atomization nozzle unit (40), and / or c. the air inlet channel (13) is provided as an opening on the mouthpiece (12).

4. Oral dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 3, with the following further feature: a. the liquid reservoir (20) has a variable inner volume.

5. Oral dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 4, with the following further feature: a. the oral dispenser (10) has a spring mechanism (30) by means of which, in a loaded state of the spring mechanism (30), the liquid in the liquid reservoir (20) is permanently under positive pressure.

6. Oral dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 5, with the following further feature: a. the atomization nozzle unit (40) has at least one nozzle opening (44) with a clear cross section of a maximum of 0.002 mm2, wherein preferably a plurality of nozzle openings (44) are provided, the clear cross sections of which in total amount to a maximum of 0.04 mm2.

7. Oral dispenser according to either of Claims 5 and 6, with the following further feature: a. the oral dispenser (10) has a refill opening (60) which is separate from the atomization nozzle unit (40) and is connected to the liquid reservoir (20), wherein the spring mechanism (30) can be loaded by liquid being fed through the refill opening (60) into the liquid reservoir (20).

8. Oral dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 7, with the following further feature: a. the liquid reservoir (20) is filled with a nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid.