Dispenser for dispensing medicinal liquids

Abstract

An improved scheme for a dispenser (10) for discharging a medicinal liquid, especially in the form of individual drops, the dispenser (10) comprising a liquid reservoir (14), a pump mechanism (16) with a pump chamber (20) with a variable volume, and an outlet (28) for discharging the liquid, the dispenser (10) further comprising a diaphragm member (60) which is at least partially made of soft plastic and which delimits the pump chamber (20) on one side, and the diaphragm member changes the volume of the pump chamber (20) by movement and / or deformation. The dispenser (10) comprises a housing in which the pump mechanism is arranged, and an operating button (70) which can be moved relative to the housing between an unoperated initial position and an operated final position so that the diaphragm member (60) moves or deforms and shrinks the pump chamber (20) to discharge the liquid. A special design is proposed for fixing the diaphragm member (60) to the housing (30) and the operating button (70). In addition, a design scheme for achieving high compression of the pump chamber (20) and the use of a flip button (70) as the operating button (70) are proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a medicinal liquid, in particular for dispensing a medicinal liquid dropwise in the form of individual drops, for example, eye drops, ear drops or nose drops. Background Art

[0002] The type of dispenser has a liquid reservoir, a pump mechanism with a pump chamber that is variable in volume, and an outlet for discharging liquid. In order to change the volume of the pump chamber in order to draw liquid from the liquid reservoir and to load the liquid with pressure in order to discharge the liquid, the pump chamber is limited on one side by a diaphragm member, which is at least partially made of soft plastic and can therefore move while deforming. Such a type of dispenser also has a housing, inside which the pump mechanism is arranged. An operating button that can be moved between an unoperated initial position and an operated final position relative to the housing is provided to move / deform the diaphragm member in order to discharge the liquid.

[0003] A droplet dispenser with a pump mechanism is known from the design of DE 102006012898 A1 Fig. 2a and 3b, the pump chamber of which is limited on one side by a diaphragm. However, some aspects of the dispenser described there are disadvantageous. Therefore, the manipulation of the soft diaphragm before and during assembly and the coupling of the manipulation button and the diaphragm during assembly are problematic in the realization of automated assembly. In addition, the design known from the prior art has problems when starting to run, because the arrangement and design of the valve and the arrangement and design of the volume of the passage and the pump chamber make the initial discharge of air difficult. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve a dispenser of the type described above, which has a pump chamber defined by a membrane element, in such a way that the described disadvantages are overcome or at least reduced.

[0005] In order to solve this problem, a dispenser is proposed, which has a liquid reservoir for storing liquid before discharge, a housing with a pump mechanism integrated therein, the pump mechanism having a variable-volume pump chamber, and an outlet for discharging the liquid. The pump mechanism is used for the following purpose: sucking liquid from the liquid reservoir and discharging the liquid through the outlet when the dispenser is actuated.

[0006] The pump chamber is closed on one side by a diaphragm piece that can be deformed at least partially in sections, and the diaphragm piece is composed of soft and easily deformable plastic at least in the area of ​​the pump chamber wall. The other wall parts of the pump chamber are formed by a rigid housing section, and the housing section is connected to the diaphragm piece in a sealing manner. The diaphragm piece can be pressed into the direction of the pump chamber to reduce the volume of the pump chamber and squeeze the liquid in the direction of the output port. Usually the pump chamber is defined by two valves, that is, the inlet valve is defined on the input side and the outlet valve is defined on the output side, the inlet valve is opened when there is a negative pressure relative to the liquid reservoir in the pump chamber, and the outlet valve is opened when there is an overpressure relative to the output channel leading to the output port in the pump chamber. The inlet valve is closed when the pressure in the liquid reservoir and the pump chamber is the same and preferably opens from a negative pressure of about 0.1 to 0.2 bar in the pump chamber. The outlet valve is closed when the pressure in the pump chamber and the adjacent output channel is the same, and preferably opens from an overpressure exceeding about 0.5 bar in the pump chamber. Preferably, another valve is connected before the output port, which opens when there is an overpressure of the liquid in the output channel relative to the ambient pressure. This output valve is preferably configured to open when there is an overpressure of at least 0.3 bar, preferably at least 0.5. The overpressure for opening the valve should not be too small for preservative-free medicinal liquids, so as to prevent external pressure fluctuations from causing the opening as much as possible. For liquids with preservatives, the requirements are lower. Here, an opening pressure of the output valve downwards of up to 0.05 bar is also feasible and can be advantageous.

[0007] To actuate the pump mechanism, the dispenser has an actuation button which can be moved between an unactuated initial position and an actuated end position, wherein movement of the actuation button into the end position causes a displacement / deformation of the diaphragm element and thus a reduction in the pump chamber for the purpose of dispensing liquid.

[0008] Although it is not mandatory in principle for the aspect described below of the present invention, the realization of described measures is considered as advantageous especially for so-called side-driven distributor.For such side-driven distributor, the housing of this distributor has an elongated profile along the main extension direction, wherein, at the far end of this distributor, described outlet is provided.Described housing can have a substantially circular cross section, but can also be different therefrom and have a quite flat structural form.Described operating button is arranged at the housing of this distributor on the side and can be pressed into in the direction of the central axis, so that the diaphragm piece is deformed thus, for reducing the pump chamber for the purpose of liquid discharge.At this, the operation of described operating button is usually carried out by means of thumb.Preferably, described operating button is arranged in the perforation of housing, especially deep with respect to the housing section around, flush with the housing section around in static position or with only a few millimeters, especially less than 5 millimeters to extend outward beyond described housing.

[0009] The aspects of the invention described below are particularly advantageous when implementing a droplet dispenser, i.e. a dispenser with which a medicinal liquid is dispensed in the form of individual droplets in a defined manner. For this purpose, a droplet formation device, i.e. a region, is preferably provided on the side of the outlet opening, in which the dispensed liquid accumulates until its volume is sufficient for forming a droplet, which is detached from the droplet formation device due to gravity. In particular, the droplet formation device can be a droplet formation surface surrounding the outlet opening, which droplet formation surface is particularly flat or concavely shaped and / or is defined on the outer side by a sharp-edged separating edge with a radius of curvature of preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0010] If the dispenser according to the present invention is designed as a droplet dispenser, the pump chamber preferably has an available volume, which is formed by the volume difference between the maximum volume and the minimum volume of the pump chamber, and the volume is between 20 μl and 50 μl, preferably between 30 μl and 40 μl. Such a volume corresponds approximately to the volume of a droplet in the usual design of the droplet forming device. The user can therefore discharge just one droplet by operating the operating button. If the droplet forming device is constructed to form larger droplets, the available volume of the pump chamber is preferably correspondingly larger. When the dispenser is designed as a droplet dispenser, a larger pump chamber can also be suitable so that multiple droplets can be discharged using one operation.

[0011] In order to be able to press out the air present in the pump chamber during the start-up despite the small pump chamber volume, the outlet valve of the pump chamber is preferably designed to open even when there is only a slight overpressure. However, it is particularly advantageous for a problem-free start-up of the dispenser when the quotient between the smallest pump chamber volume and the largest pump chamber volume is at most 1:2, preferably at most 1:3. Such a quotient can be achieved in particular by means of the measures according to the invention explained below.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, the actuation button has a button component made of rigid plastic. In addition, the dispenser has a spring mechanism, by which the actuation button is loaded in the direction of its non-actuated initial position, so that after pressing the actuation button, the actuation button is pressed back into the initial position.

[0013] The diaphragm part delimiting the pump chamber is connected to the aforementioned key component of the actuating key so that the actuating key pulls the diaphragm part along with it during the movement into its initial position caused by the spring mechanism. The diaphragm part can thus be made of a plastic which itself does not have a strong inherent tendency to return, but is pulled back indirectly by a return spring. The connection between the soft and deformable plastic of the diaphragm part and the relatively harder and more rigid plastic of the key component is achieved in that a connecting section of the diaphragm part is clamped between at least two clamping surfaces of the key component.

[0014] It has been shown that the clamping technique is very suitable for transmitting tensile forces from the key component to the membrane component and can be easily implemented in automated assembly. For this purpose, the two clamping surfaces can be pressed apart from each other during assembly, for example by a spreader, so that a section of the membrane component can be introduced between at least two clamping surfaces and the spreader can then be pulled out. The clamping surfaces then abut on both sides against the pushed-in section of the membrane component, wherein a region remains between the clamping surfaces in relation to the periphery of the connecting section in which the key component does not come into contact with the connecting section. The connecting section is an integral part of the membrane component, which preferably forms a protruding section that can therefore be well connected to the clamping surfaces.

[0015] Although the number of the two clamping surfaces is considered to be generally sufficient, more clamping surfaces can also be used. For example, three or more clamping surfaces protruding toward each other in a star shape are also a suitable structural form.

[0016] These clamping surfaces can be designed to be flat. However, in order to still increase the tensile forces that can be transmitted, it can also be meaningful to provide the clamping surfaces with sharp edges with sharp-edged indentation geometries having a radius of curvature of less than 0.3 mm, which can accordingly indent deeper into the inserted section of the membrane element and thus increase the clamping effect.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the key component has a coupling through-hole configured as an elongated through-hole, at the edge of which two clamping surfaces are arranged opposite one another. Such an elongated through-hole along its elongated extension is preferably at least 2 or 3 times larger than the spacing between the clamping surfaces facing one another. The elongated extension facilitates expansion during assembly for the purpose of inserting the membrane element.

[0018] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if at least one mounting through-hole, which is designed as an elongated through-hole, is provided in the key component parallel to the coupling through-hole. Such mounting through-holes are preferably provided on both sides of the coupling through-hole. The at least one coupling through-hole enables a displacement of at least one clamping surface during assembly for the purpose of inserting the connecting section of the membrane part without the plastic of the key component having to be deformed significantly for this purpose and possibly damaged.

[0019] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the dispenser has a pairing wall on the side opposite to the diaphragm element of the pump chamber. The pairing wall is preferably formed by a rigid component. A valve member is placed in the pairing wall. The valve member has at least one valve face of an inlet valve or an outlet valve of a pump mechanism, wherein the valve face is preferably constructed to abut against the surface of a housing member of the pairing wall in the closed state of the valve. It is particularly advantageous that the valve member has not only the valve face of the inlet valve but also the valve face of the outlet valve, wherein the following structural mode is preferred, for which the inlet channel leading to the pump chamber and the outlet channel leading to the pump chamber are arranged concentrically with each other, so that the only valve member is arranged at the wall between the inlet channel and the outlet channel and has not only an inwardly directed valve lip but also an outwardly directed valve lip.

[0020] According to this aspect of the invention, during an actuation process the diaphragm element can be displaced such that in the actuated end position it at least partially abuts against the valve component, in particular at least partially against a valve surface in the form of a valve lip made of elastic plastic.

[0021] This mobility of the diaphragm part up to the opposite valve member enables a very small minimum volume of the pump chamber. The diaphragm part in its final position reduces the spacing between the diaphragm part and the valve member at least partially to zero. It is particularly advantageous that the surfaces of the diaphragm part and the valve member, which are easily deformable plastic, abut against each other, because these surfaces are particularly well adapted to each other and therefore further facilitate the reduction of the minimum volume. In a special design, it can also be provided that the diaphragm part in its final position is pressed onto the valve member so that the inlet valve or outlet valve is mechanically forced to open in order to allow the compressed air present in the pump chamber to escape.

[0022] The diaphragm element preferably has an intermediate piece that projects into the pump chamber and has a shape that is adapted to the shape of the valve member, wherein the intermediate piece preferably has a shape that tapers toward the valve member and the valve member has a complementary goblet-shaped shape caused by the inlet valve lip, into which the intermediate piece engages. This also contributes to reducing the minimum volume of the pump chamber.

[0023] Furthermore, it is considered preferred that the diaphragm element has an annular surface that surrounds the middle part of the diaphragm element. This annular surface is turned over to a certain extent during the reduction of the pump chamber when the diaphragm element is deformed. The annular area of ​​this annular surface that points outward in the initial state thus points inward in the final position of the diaphragm element caused by the manipulation. This turning over or unfolding can make it possible to keep the minimum pump chamber volume very small, because the pump chamber wall formed by the diaphragm element can be flush with the rigid shell wall of the pump chamber in the unfolded state.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the invention, the diaphragm element is circumferentially fixed in an outer edge region to a housing section of the housing. In order to fix the edge region of the diaphragm element to the housing section, a fixing ring made of a rigid plastic is provided, wherein "rigid plastic" in this context means a plastic whose modulus of elasticity is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the diaphragm element in the region of the pump chamber wall which deforms when the pump chamber is reduced in size.

[0025] The securing ring can be designed as a component separate from the diaphragm part, which comes into contact with the diaphragm part only during assembly and presses the diaphragm part sealingly against the mentioned housing section or is itself pressed and rests sealingly against the housing section.

[0026] However, a one-piece design is preferred, in which the diaphragm part is made of different plastics which are directly joined together by multi-component injection molding. The softer plastic mentioned here forms the component for the intended deformation during actuation, in particular the already mentioned annular region of the diaphragm part. The more rigid component forms a surrounding region molded thereon, which thus forms the mentioned securing ring.

[0027] In the installed state, the fixing ring ensures that the edge of the diaphragm part is securely fixed to the housing section. This is particularly advantageous when a particularly soft plastic is selected for the section of the diaphragm part that is to be deformed during operation, since such a material is not well suited for fixing to the housing without an additional fixing ring.

[0028] If the fastening ring is an integral part of the membrane part, handling of the component during assembly is significantly simplified. The rigid part of the membrane part formed by the fastening ring facilitates sorting and orientation for subsequent assembly, starting from the membrane part being transported in an unoriented manner.

[0029] The housing section to which the diaphragm element is fastened by means of a fastening ring is preferably an annular housing section, wherein the fastening ring is clamped on the outer side of this annular housing section and wherein the inner side of the housing section forms a circumferential wall of the pump chamber.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the operating button is configured as a flip button, which is configured to be flip-movable relative to the housing about a tilt axis. Here, the flip button has a rigid button component, which is pressed against the diaphragm member during the pivoting movement of the operating button and thereby reduces the pump chamber. Preferably, there is direct contact and thus active contact between the button component that can pivot about the tilt axis and the deformable diaphragm member.

[0031] The use of a flip button allows for very precise metering. This is primarily related to the fact that the flip button is not easily tilted or the like due to its pivotable articulation and that the user can control well the speed at which the flip button is pressed in by manually applying force at a distance from the tilt axis. This can be advantageous in particular when dispensing drops, since the moment of droplet break-off can thus be precisely influenced by the droplet forming device.

[0032] The use of a tilt button is particularly advantageous in the context of the diaphragm element provided according to the invention, since the diaphragm element is well suited due to its deformability to convert the tilting movement of the tilt button into a substantially linear movement of the movable pump chamber wall. It is also very simple in terms of production technology to design the diaphragm element with an elastically deformable compensation section, which is arranged between the pump chamber wall and the tilt button.

[0033] The tilting axis of the flip button is preferably arranged at the end of the flip button pointing away from the outlet relative to the main extension direction. The tilting axis is preferably oriented orthogonally to the main extension axis of the dispenser. In principle, such a pivotable movability can be achieved with the aid of a simple film hinge. However, it is preferred to provide an axis section at the flip button or at the surrounding housing section, which axis section engages in a bearing on the respective other side and thus enables the flipping movability.

[0034] As already mentioned above, the dispenser preferably has a spring mechanism, which acts on the operating button and through which the operating button is loaded with force in the direction of its initial position which is not operated. This spring mechanism can in principle be constructed as an elastically deformable spring section which is integrally formed with the operating button and / or with the housing. However, a separate spring mechanism, in particular a spring mechanism in the form of a helical spring made of plastic or metal, is preferred. The spring mechanism squeezes the operating button into its initial position which is not operated, wherein the pump chamber becomes larger again and draws liquid from the liquid reservoir.

[0035] In principle, a design is possible in which the spring means on the one hand and the connection of the tilt button to the diaphragm part on the other hand are equally spaced from the tilt axis. This can occur, for example, if the spring means is designed as a helical spring which is arranged concentrically around the diaphragm part in order to attach the diaphragm part to the tilt button.

[0036] However, it is considered advantageous if the connection region, with which the tilt button is pressed onto the diaphragm element, and the force coupling region, in which the spring mechanism couples the restoring force into the tilt button, are arranged at different distances from the tilt axis on the tilt button. It is therefore considered particularly advantageous here that the force coupling region is further away from the tilt axis than the connection region. It is also considered advantageous if the spacings relative to the tilt axis differ from each other by at least 20% and are thus significantly different. The different spacings of the connection region and the force coupling region relative to the tilt axis have various advantages, in particular, assembly is also simpler, because the restoring spring and the connection to the movable pump chamber wall are separated from each other in terms of position.

[0037] Preferably, the dispenser of the present invention has a detachable dispenser cover, which can be placed on the housing of the dispenser and removed from the housing for using the dispenser. This dispenser cover protects the outlet in the state of being placed. Particularly preferably, such a dispenser cover is designed as a ventilated dispenser cover and has at least one vent opening for this purpose, through which the outlet is connected to the surrounding atmosphere even when the dispenser cover is placed. This is conducive to the rapid drying of the residual droplets left there. In the delivery state, the vent opening is preferably closed and opened by the user during the first use. The dispenser cover preferably has a sterilizing filter, which covers the vent opening to prevent bacteria from entering. In addition, the dispenser cover preferably has an integrated liner, which is positioned on or at the outlet when the dispenser cover is placed so that the liquid residue left in the downstream of the outlet is absorbed and / or sterilized.

[0038] The liquid reservoir of the dispenser of the present invention is preferably arranged at the end of the dispenser opposite to the outlet. It can be formed by a separate bottle, which is coupled, for example, screwed to a housing that surrounds the pump mechanism. In a different design, the peripheral wall of the liquid reservoir is integrally connected to the housing, wherein the bottom of the bottle is preferably formed by a separate component fixed to the peripheral wall. If the liquid reservoir has an unchangeable volume, the dispenser preferably has a ventilation channel, especially with a sterilizing filter, through which the liquid reservoir is connected to the surrounding atmosphere. However, as an alternative, the liquid reservoir can also have a variable internal volume, in particular by providing a bag in which liquid is stored and the bag is surrounded by a rigid bottle. A drag piston system also allows a variable internal volume to be achieved.

[0039] Dispenser according to the present invention is provided for discharging a medicinal liquid. Therefore, in the delivery state, the liquid reservoir is preferably filled with such a medicinal liquid.

[0040] The pharmaceutical liquids are in particular pharmaceutical liquids for the treatment of increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma treatment), for the treatment of dry eyes and for the treatment of allergies and inflammation. In particular, the molecular group includes alpha-2 agonists, such as brimonidin, prostaglandin analogs (tafluprost, latanoprost, bimatoprost, travoprost), beta-blockers, such as timolol and carboanhydrase hemmer, such as dorzolamide or hyaluronic acid compounds. Film formers, such as methylcellulose compounds and cyclosporin, or antihistamines, such as olopatadine and levocabastine nasal spray, steroids, such as loteprednol and dexamethasone, and NSAIDs, such as ketorolac, play a role.

[0041] Furthermore, the dispenser according to the invention can advantageously be used for liquids containing one or more of the following types of molecules: trichloroacetic acid, trioxysalen, urea, zinc oxide, tacrolimus, clobetasol propionate, mometasone furoate, betamethasone dipropionate, fluocinonid, desoximetasone, triamcinolone acetonid, fluticasone propionate, hydrocortisone, clotrimazol, ketoconazol, miconazol, undecylenic acid Terbinafine, Cyclopirox, Tolnaftate, Akziklovir, Imiquimod, Docosanol, Finasterid, Minoxidil, Dexamethasone, Tramazolin, Naphazolin, Nostrilla, Oxymethazolin, Phenylephrin, Phenylpropanolamin, Pseudoephedrin, Tetryzolin, Tramazolin hydrochlorid, Tuaminoheptane, and Xylometazolin.

[0042] The components of the dispenser according to the invention are preferably made of plastic. Only for the described springs and the springs which are optionally present at the inlet valve and / or outlet valve, a metallic design is an alternative. The components which are deformable in operation, in particular the main part of the diaphragm element, the valve lip and the outlet valve body, are preferably made of a plastic with a strength of <200 N / mm 2 The elastic modulus of the elastomeric plastic is >500 N / mm. For example, LDPE (Low Density Polyethylen) is considered. Parts that cannot move during operation are preferably made of an elastomeric plastic with a modulus of elasticity >500 N / mm. 2 The elastic modulus of the plastic may be HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) or PP (Polypropylen (Polypropylene)), for example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Further advantages and aspects of the invention are apparent from the claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1A and 1B A dispenser according to the invention is shown in a non-cutaway illustration, the dispenser comprising a main unit and a dispenser cover;

[0045] Figure 2A and 2B The dispenser is shown in a sectional view with the pump chamber located therein, which is delimited by a diaphragm element and a valve member;

[0046] Figure 3 and 4 The dispenser is shown in a perspective cutaway view;

[0047] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The operation process of the dispenser is shown;

[0048] With the help of Figure 7 To illustrate the assembly sequence of the various components of the dispenser;

[0049] Figure 8 The coupling between the operating button of the dispenser and the membrane member is shown;

[0050] Fig. 9 and 10 The valve member and the diaphragm member are shown in detail;

[0051] Fig.11 An alternative design of a dispenser is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1A and 1B The uncut illustration shows a first embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention together with its dispenser cover. Figure 1A The main unit shown in the figure has an elongated housing which consists of various housing components 30, 12, 52, 44 which are oriented along the main extension direction 2. As will be described further, a pump mechanism 16 is arranged inside the housing, by means of which liquid can be conveyed from a liquid reservoir 14 at the proximal end of the dispenser 10 to an outlet opening 28 at the distal end of the dispenser 10. An operating button 70 is provided for operating the pump mechanism 16.

[0053] exist Figure 1B The dispenser cap 100 shown in FIG. 1 can be placed on the housing of the dispenser 10 by means of a thread.

[0054] Figure 2A and 2B The main unit of the dispenser 10 and the dispenser cover 100 are shown in cross-section.

[0055] Based on this diagram, the main elements are first described.

[0056] As in Figure 2AAs can be seen in the figure, the main unit of the dispenser 10 is composed of a plurality of housing components, wherein the first housing component 30 is the largest housing component and can be said to be the central carrier for other components of the dispenser. This housing component 30 provides the shell wall of the liquid reservoir 14 at its proximal end. It is a carrier of different components of the pump mechanism, especially a diaphragm component 60 and a valve component 90 arranged on the opposite side of the pump chamber 20. The operating button 70 is hinged at the first housing component 30 in a manner that can swing around the tilt axis 6. The operating button 70 itself is composed of two button components 76, 80, wherein the button component 80 in the inside is connected with the diaphragm component 60 in a manner and method that is further described, so that the diaphragm component 60 can be pressed into the pump chamber 20 by means of the operating button 70. A return spring 72 is provided between the button component 80 and the first housing component. The diaphragm component 60 can have an intermediate component 61 that extends into the pump chamber.

[0057] The second housing component 44 is adjacent to the distal end of the first housing component 30. This second housing component 44 is fixedly arranged at the first housing component 30 and seals an inner space together with the first housing component, in which a deformable output valve body 96 is arranged, and an output valve spring 98 is assigned to the output valve body itself. Another housing component, i.e., the outer housing component 52 surrounds the housing components 30, 44 mentioned, wherein the housing component 44 passes through the perforation 58 of the outer housing component 52 with an applicator tip 46, and wherein the outer housing component 52 has a perforation 56 in the outer peripheral surface 54, and the operating button 70 can be pressed into the manner and method indicated by the arrow 8 through the perforation, so as to move the diaphragm member 60 along the direction indicated by the arrow 4. The dispenser cover 100 can be designed as a ventilated dispenser cover and has a vent opening 102. The dispenser cover 100 can have a gasket 106. A sterilizing filter 104 can be assigned to the vent opening 102.

[0058] With the help of Figure 3 and 4 Perspective drawings and references Figures 8 to 10 The dispenser is further explained with reference to a detailed diagram of the dispenser.

[0059] Before the liquid is discharged, the liquid is stored in the liquid reservoir 14. Figures 1A to 10In the embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface 15 is defined, the outer peripheral surface is a part of the first housing component 30, and the liquid reservoir is closed by the bottom 12 of the meshing at the proximal end of the dispenser. The dispenser 10 is usually used in the following orientation, and the output port 28 points downward along the orientation so that the liquid in the liquid reservoir 14 directly abuts against the valve member 90, that is, against the inlet valve lip 92 of the inlet valve 18 during the operation of the operating button 70. Therefore, when there is a negative pressure in the pump chamber 20 adjacent to the inlet valve lip, the liquid can flow into the pump chamber 20. The pump chamber 20 itself is defined by the annular housing section 36 of the valve member 90, the first housing component 30, and the diaphragm member 60 that has been mentioned and can be deformed itself.

[0060] When the diaphragm moves in the direction of the arrow 4 and in the direction of the valve member 90, an overpressure occurs in the pump chamber, which opens the outlet valve 22 by the deflection of the outlet valve lip 94 of the outlet valve. Liquid can thus flow into the channel section 24, which is oriented along the main extension direction 2 and leads to the distal end of the housing member 30. Two annular webs 32, 34 are provided at this distal end of the housing member 30. The external web 32 has an inner diameter that is adapted to the annular web 48 of the second housing member 44 so that the intermediate space defined by the two housing members 30, 44 is isolated from the surrounding environment. A spear-shaped protrusion is provided at the annular web 48 of the second housing member 44, which forms an insert 50, which extends into the channel section 24 and fills its volume to a large extent. The liquid flowing through the channel section 24, which is thus minimized in terms of its volume, to the second housing component 44 cannot flow out directly through the outlet opening 28 here, because the outlet valve 26 is connected in front of the outlet opening 28, and the outlet valve includes the outlet valve body 96 mentioned above, which is pressed toward the outlet opening 28 in a sealing manner by means of the outlet valve spring 98 and thus closes the outlet opening. However, as the pressure of the liquid at the outlet valve 26 increases, the outlet valve body 96 is deformed against the force of the outlet valve spring 98 and thus opens the liquid path, so that the liquid can flow out through the outlet opening 28 at a lower pressure and form a droplet at the droplet formation device in the form of a droplet formation surface 120 arranged on the other side of the outlet opening 28. Only when the droplet has a volume defined by the geometry of the droplet formation device will it break away and thus be able to be applied, for example, to the eyes, nostrils or ears of the user.

[0061] If the operating button 70 is released by the user after the operation is completed, the operating button is pressed back to its initial position by the spring mechanism 72 designed in the form of a metal spiral spring. In this case, the diaphragm element 60 is pulled together and the volume of the pump chamber 20 is expanded again, so that liquid is sucked from the liquid reservoir 14 into the pump chamber 20. In order to prevent the generation of negative pressure in the liquid reservoir 14, the dispenser 10 has a ventilation channel 110, which is provided with a sterilizing filter 112 and allows air to flow from the surrounding environment into the liquid reservoir 14 again.

[0062] Both the valve component 90 and the diaphragm component 60 are designed as components produced by two-component injection molding. The two components each have a rigid component section, namely a fixing ring 91, 62, on which a component made of soft plastic is respectively injected. Fig. 9 In the case of the valve member shown enlarged in FIG. 1 , the soft plastic in particular forms the inlet valve lip 92 and due to Fig. 9 The already mentioned components of the outlet valve lip 94 cannot be seen from the perspective in FIG. In the case of the diaphragm element 60, the component made of soft plastic forms the pump chamber wall 64, which points in the direction of the pump chamber 20, and the thicker middle part, which transforms into the compensation section 66 and the connecting section 68 on the side facing away from the pump chamber.

[0063] Reference again Figure 4 Illustration of the cross section of Figure 4 The outer key component 76 is hidden in the figure - it can be seen that the connecting section 68 mentioned extends into the key component 80 in the connecting area 70A. Here, the connecting section is fixed by a clamping connection. This clamping connection is to be fixed by means of Figure 8 To explain in detail, Figure 8 The cut-out of the dispenser is shown when the key member 76 is removed. As can be seen here, three perforations 82, 86 are provided in the key member 80. The perforation 82 is a real coupling perforation. It is formed in the form of an elongated perforation, the longitudinal sides of which, facing each other, form a clamping surface 84 for fixing the connecting section. The clamping surface is provided with a sharp-edged profile, which is pressed into the connecting section 68 from both sides and thus provides a desired firm clamping connection. The perforations 86 oriented parallel to this constitute assembly perforations, which are used for the following purpose: during assembly, the tabs can be offset between the coupling perforations and the assembly through-holes without damaging the tabs or other parts of the key member 80.

[0064] Also refer to Figure 8The fastening of the key component 80 is explained below. The key component 80 has two molded shaft sections 74, which define the tilting axis 6. These shaft sections 74 are supported laterally in a support ring 40, which is part of the first housing component 30. At the opposite ends of the operating button 70, the operating button has two similarly designed guide rings 88, into which the cams 42 of the first housing component 30 extend. This prevents the spring mechanism 72 from pressing the key component 80 and the flip button 70 as a whole out of the housing.

[0065] If with the help of Figure 3 and 4 As can be clearly seen, the connection region 70A, in which the key component 80 is connected to the connection section 68 of the membrane element 60, and the force coupling region 70B, in which the spring means 72 acts on the key component 76, are spaced at different distances from the tilting axis 6. This facilitates the installation of the individual components in a limited installation space. On the other hand, the design of the dispenser and the restoring force acting on the actuating key 70 can thereby be adapted in an advantageous manner.

[0066] If it can be Figure 8 As can be seen, the inner key component 80 shown there is designed primarily in terms of its technical function in terms of its shape. However, in order to also achieve an aesthetically appealing design of the operating key 70, a second outer key component 76 is provided, which is connected to the inner key component 80 by means of a latching connection. A pressure surface 78 is provided on this outer key component 76, on which the user places his thumb for the purpose of operation.

[0067] As already explained, the dispenser shown is designed as a drop dispenser. It is designed in such a way that actuation of the actuation button from its initial position, which is not actuated, to its final position, which is actuated, should lead to the discharge of exactly one drop. Accordingly, the pump chamber 20 is designed to be relatively small and has a difference of 40 μl between the utilizable pump chamber volume, i.e. the maximum volume and the minimum volume of the pump chamber 20.

[0068] This very small pump volume leads to the need to take special precautions in order to operate the dispenser. In the delivery state of the dispenser, the pump chamber 20 is filled with air. Likewise, the liquid path from the pump chamber 20 to the outlet 28 is filled with air.

[0069] In order to be able to displace air from the pump chamber 20 at all starting from this initial state, the pump mechanism 16 has a very small quotient between the minimum volume of the pump chamber 20 in the actuated state and the maximum volume of the pump chamber 20 in the non-actuated state. Figure 5 and 6 To show. Figure 5 The unmanipulated state is shown. Figure 6 The manipulated state is shown.

[0070] It can be seen that in the actuated state, the diaphragm element 60 moves to such an extent in the direction of the valve member 90 mounted on the annular counterpart wall 38 that the diaphragm element comes into contact with the valve member. In the position where the diaphragm element 60 comes into contact with the valve member 90, no residual volume remains between them. It can further be seen that the pump chamber wall 64 formed by the diaphragm element 60 partially flips over or unfolds when it is transformed into the actuated state, so that the pump chamber wall abuts against the annular housing section 36 at the end of the actuation or only leaves a very narrow gap therebetween. The pump chamber is Figure 6 The minimum volume that can be achieved in this way, shown in , is less than 2 μl. The quotient of the minimum volume and the maximum volume of the pump chamber 20 is therefore less than 1:20.

[0071] With the help of Figure 5 and 6 It can also be seen that the tilting mobility of the actuating button leads to the connection section 68 of the diaphragm element 60 also being tilted accordingly. In order to nevertheless be able to achieve the mentioned very small minimum volume of the pump chamber 20, the compensation section 66 is provided at Figure 6 The method shown in the figure is deformed.

[0072] Similar problems exist as in the pump chamber 20 in terms of the liquid path to the outlet 28. Here too, it is advantageous if the volume is as small as possible, so that only a small amount of air is present in the delivery state, which must be discharged before the discharge.

[0073] This is in particular the already described design of the insert 50 , which reduces the volume so much that the air expelled from the pump chamber 20 in the direction of the channel section 24 reaches a sufficient pressure after two or three actuation operations of the actuation button 70 in order to open the outlet valve 26 .

[0074] The following uses Figure 7 To explain the assembly sequence.

[0075] exist Figure 5 and 6An optional latching element 37 is also provided in dashed lines, which forces a minimum force when actuated. This is particularly useful if the dispenser is designed for a pump volume that is smaller than the pump volume required for the droplet to be detached purely due to gravity. For such a small volume, the pressure shock generated by the sudden compression of the pump chamber can still cause the droplet to be detached from the droplet formation surface 120.

[0076] Starting from the first housing component 30, the valve component 90 is first inserted and fixed by means of its fixing ring 91 on the annular counter wall 38 of the first housing component 30. Subsequently, the restoring spring 72 and the diaphragm part 60 are inserted, wherein the diaphragm part 60 is clamped on the outer side of the annular housing section 36 by means of the fixing ring 62 and a liquid-tight connection is provided in this process.

[0077] The inner key component 80 is then inserted, whereby it is pressed into the bearing ring 40 in the region of the shaft section 74 and onto the cam 42 provided on the first housing component 30 in the region of the guide ring 88. During the insertion of the key component 80, the coupling aperture 82 is expanded by the expander so that the connecting section 68 of the diaphragm part can enter the coupling aperture without deformation. The expander is then removed and the described clamping connection is then provided.

[0078] Thereafter, the preassembled assembly consisting of the deformable outlet valve body 96 and the second housing component 44 is pushed onto the first housing component 30 at the end side, wherein the outlet valve spring 98 has previously been placed on this end side and wherein the insert 50 is also inserted into the channel section 24 of the first housing component 30 .

[0079] As the last manufacturing step, the outer housing component 52 is first pushed onto the previously assembled component assembly, thereby also achieving the fixing of the first housing component 30 and the second housing component 44 to each other. The second key component 76 is then pressed onto the first key component 80 and locked there.

[0080] The two last mentioned components 52, 76 do not have any contact with the liquid and therefore do not affect the discharge characteristics of the dispenser. These two components 52, 76 are those components that can be adapted in shape and color according to regulations so that the dispenser 10 can be adapted to the personalized expectations of the manufacturer of the medicinal liquid.

[0081] Fig.11A second exemplary embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention is shown which has the sole difference with respect to the above-mentioned dispenser that the first housing component 30 and the outer housing component 52 are designed in such a way that they allow the coupling of a separate bottle 130 .

Claims

1. A dispenser (10) for discharging a medicinal liquid, the dispenser having the following characteristics: a. The dispenser (10) has a liquid reservoir (14), a pump mechanism (16) with a variable volume pump chamber (20), and an outlet (28) for discharging the liquid, and b. the dispenser (10) has a diaphragm member (60) defining the pump chamber (20) on one side, the diaphragm member being at least partially made of soft plastic, and the diaphragm member changing the volume of the pump chamber (20) by movement and / or deformation, and c. the dispenser (10) comprises a housing, the pump mechanism being arranged inside the housing; and an operating button (70) movable between an initial position which is not operated and an end position which is operated relative to the housing, so as to move or deform the diaphragm member (60) and reduce the pump chamber (20) for the purpose of discharging liquid, and Features The following further features: d. The operating button (70) has a button component (80) made of rigid plastic, and e. The dispenser (10) has a spring mechanism (72), by which the operating button (70) is loaded with a force in the direction of its initial position in which it is not operated, and f. The diaphragm member (60) is connected to the key member (80) of the operating key (70) so that the operating key (70) pulls the diaphragm member (60) together when moving toward its initial position, and g. The key member (80) is connected to the membrane member (60) in the following manner: a connecting section (68) of the membrane member (60) made of soft plastic is clamped between at least two clamping surfaces (84) of the key member (80); h. The button component (80) has a coupling through-hole (82) which is configured as an elongated through-hole, and the two clamping surfaces (84) are arranged opposite to each other at the edge of the coupling through-hole.

2. The dispenser (10) according to claim 1, further characterized by: a. At least one mounting through-hole (86) configured as an elongated through-hole is arranged parallel to the coupling through-hole (82), and the mounting through-hole enables an offset of at least one clamping surface (84) for the purpose of inserting a connecting section (68) of the diaphragm element (60).

3. The dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The dispenser is used to discharge the medicinal liquid dropwise in the form of individual drops.

4. A dispenser (10) for discharging a medicinal liquid, the dispenser having the following characteristics: a. the dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (14), a pump mechanism (16) with a variable volume pump chamber (20) and an outlet (28) for discharging the liquid, and b. the dispenser (10) has a diaphragm member (60) defining the pump chamber (20) on one side, the diaphragm member being at least partially made of soft plastic, and the diaphragm member changing the volume of the pump chamber (20) by movement and / or deformation, and c. The dispenser (10) comprises a housing, the pump mechanism is arranged inside the housing; and an operating button (70) movable between an initial position not operated and an end position operated relative to the housing, so as to move or deform the diaphragm member (60) and reduce the pump chamber (20) for the purpose of discharging liquid, and characterized in that The following further features: d. the dispenser (10) has a counter wall (38) on the side of the pump chamber (20) opposite to the diaphragm element (60), the valve component (90) of the pump mechanism (16) being inserted into the counter wall, wherein the valve component (90) has at least one valve face of an inlet valve (18) and / or an outlet valve (22) of the pump mechanism (16), and e. the diaphragm element (60) can be moved into the pump chamber (20) during an operation so that the diaphragm element (60) at least partially abuts against the valve component (90) in an operated final position, and f. The valve member (90) has at least one valve lip (92, 94) of the inlet valve (18) or outlet valve (22) made of elastically deformable plastic, and g. During an actuation operation, the diaphragm element (60) can be displaced into the pump chamber (20) in such a way that in its end position the diaphragm element (60) at least partially rests against the valve lips (92, 94).

5. The dispenser (10) according to claim 4, having at least one of the following further features: a. The diaphragm member (60) has an intermediate member (61) extending into the pump chamber, the intermediate member having a shape adapted to the shape of the valve member (90), and / or b. The diaphragm part (60) has an annular surface surrounding the middle part (61) of the diaphragm part, and the annular surface changes its orientation at least in sections when the diaphragm part (60) is deformed so that the annular area pointing outward in the non-actuated initial position points inward in the actuated final position.

6. A dispenser (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The dispenser is used to discharge the medicinal liquid dropwise in the form of individual drops.

7. The dispenser (10) according to claim 5, wherein: The intermediate piece (61) has a shape which tapers toward the valve component (90), and the valve component (90) has a complementary goblet-shaped shape caused by the inlet valve lip (92).

8. A dispenser (10) for discharging a medicinal liquid, the dispenser having the following characteristics: a. the dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (14), a pump mechanism (16) with a variable volume pump chamber (20) and an outlet (28) for discharging the liquid, and b. the dispenser (10) has a diaphragm member (60) defining the pump chamber (20) on one side, the diaphragm member being at least partially made of soft plastic, and the diaphragm member changing the volume of the pump chamber (20) by movement and / or deformation, and c. The dispenser (10) comprises a housing, the pump mechanism is arranged inside the housing; and an operating button (70) movable between an initial position not operated and an end position operated relative to the housing, so as to move or deform the diaphragm member (60) and reduce the pump chamber (20) for the purpose of discharging liquid, and characterized in that The following further features: d. In the outer edge region, the diaphragm element (60) is circumferentially fixed to the housing section (36) of the housing, and e. The edge region of the diaphragm part (60) is fixed to the housing section (36) by means of a fixing ring (62) made of a rigid plastic, wherein the fixing ring (62) is integrally formed together with the section of the diaphragm part (60) from a soft plastic or is constructed as a separate component, by means of which the edge of the diaphragm part is pressed circumferentially toward the housing component.

9. The dispenser (10) according to claim 8, having the following further features: a. The housing section (36) is constructed in an annular shape, wherein: The fastening ring (62) is clamped onto the outer side of the housing section (36), wherein the inner side of the housing section (36) forms a circumferential wall of the pump chamber (20).

10. The dispenser (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The dispenser is used to discharge the medicinal liquid dropwise in the form of individual drops.

11. A dispenser (10) for dispensing a medicinal liquid, the dispenser having the following characteristics: a. the dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (14), a pump mechanism (16) with a variable volume pump chamber (20) and an outlet (28) for discharging the liquid, and b. the dispenser (10) has a diaphragm member (60) defining the pump chamber (20) on one side, the diaphragm member being at least partially made of soft plastic and the diaphragm member changing the volume of the pump chamber (20) by movement and / or deformation, and c. the dispenser (10) has a housing, the pump mechanism being arranged inside the housing; and an operating button (70) movable relative to the housing between an unoperated initial position and an operated final position for moving or deforming the diaphragm element (60) and shrinking the pump chamber (20) for the purpose of discharging liquid, and characterized by the following additional features: d. The operating button (70) is configured as a tilt button, which is configured to be capable of tilting movement around a tilt axis (6) relative to the housing, and e. The flip button has a rigid button component (80), which is pressed against the diaphragm member (60) during the swinging movement of the operating button (70) and thereby reduces the size of the pump chamber (20); and f. The tilt axis (6) is arranged at the end of the flip button pointing away from the output port (28) relative to the main extension direction (2); Wherein, the dispenser has at least one of the following additional features: g. A locking member (37) is provided on the side of the flip button facing away from the tilt axis (6), the locking member making it difficult to press the flip button, and / or h. An elastically deformable compensation section (66) is provided between the flip button and the movable and / or deformable pump chamber wall (64), and / or i. At least one shaft section (74) is arranged on the tilt button and is received in a bearing on the housing side.

12. The dispenser (10) according to claim 11, having the following further features: a. The flip button has a connecting area (70A), and the flip button is pressed onto the membrane member (60) by the connecting area when actuated, and b. the dispenser (10) has a spring mechanism (72) which acts on the operating button (70) in the force coupling region (70B) and through which the operating button (70) is loaded with a force in the direction of its non-operated initial position, and c. The force coupling region (70B) and the connection region (70A) are arranged at the flip button in a manner such that they are not at the same distance from the tilt axis (6).

13. The dispenser (10) according to claim 11 or 12, having the following characteristics: a. The housing of the dispenser (10) has an elongated shape relative to the main extension direction (2), wherein: The output port (28) is provided at the distal end of the dispenser (10), and b. The dispenser (10) has an operating button (70), which is arranged on the side of the dispenser (10) in the area of ​​the outer circumference (54) of the housing and can be pressed in the direction of the center axis to deform the membrane part of the housing.

14. The dispenser (10) according to claim 11 or 12, having the following further features: a. The dispenser (10) is configured as a droplet dispenser (10) and has a droplet forming device downstream of the output opening (28).

15. The dispenser (10) according to claim 11 or 12, having the following further features: a. The dispenser (10) has a dispenser cover (100), which can be placed on the housing and protects the outlet in the placed state.

16. The dispenser (10) according to claim 11 or 12, having at least one of the following features: a. The difference between the maximum pump chamber volume and the minimum pump chamber volume is between 20 μl and 50 μl, and / or b. the quotient between the smallest pump chamber volume and the largest pump chamber volume is at most 1:2, and / or c. The dispenser (10) has an output valve (26) upstream of the output port (28), and / or d. The liquid reservoir (14) of the dispenser has an outer peripheral surface (15) which is integrally formed with a housing surrounding a pump mechanism (16), and / or e. The liquid reservoir is connected to the surrounding atmosphere by means of a ventilation channel, or the liquid reservoir has a variable inner volume and is delimited for this purpose by a flexible or movable wall.

17. The dispenser (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The dispenser is used to discharge the medicinal liquid dropwise in the form of individual drops.

18. The dispenser (10) according to claim 12, having at least one of the following additional features: d. the force coupling region (70B) is further away from the tilting axis (6) than the connecting region (70A), and / or e. the distance between the tilting axis (6) and the force coupling region (70B) and the distance between the tilting axis (6) and the connecting region (70A) differ from each other by at least 20% relative to the smaller of the two distances.

19. The dispenser (10) according to claim 14, having at least one of the following additional features: b. The droplet forming device comprises a droplet forming surface surrounding the output port, and / or c. The dispenser has a coordination mechanism between the pump mechanism (16) and the droplet forming device, through which the complete actuation of the actuation button generates exactly one falling droplet.

20. The dispenser (10) according to claim 19, wherein: The droplet formation surface is flat or concave in shape and / or is surrounded by a sharp-edged separation edge.

21. The dispenser (10) according to claim 15, having at least one of the following additional features: b. the dispenser cover (100) is designed as a ventilated dispenser cover and has a vent opening (102), through which the outlet (28) is or can be connected to the surrounding atmosphere even when the dispenser cover (100) is placed, and / or c. The dispenser cap (100) has a liner (106) which, when the dispenser cap (100) is placed, is positioned above or at the outlet (28) so that residual liquid remaining downstream of the outlet (28) is absorbed and / or sterilized by it.

22. The dispenser (10) according to claim 21, wherein: A sterilizing filter (104) is assigned to the ventilation opening (102).

23. The dispenser (10) according to claim 16, having at least one of the following features: a. The difference between the largest pump chamber volume and the smallest pump chamber volume is between 30 μl and 40 μl, and / or b. the quotient between the smallest pump chamber volume and the largest pump chamber volume is at most 1:3, and / or c. wherein the outlet valve is designed to open at an overpressure of 0.3 bar and / or d. Among them, A bottom portion (12) which is constructed as a separate component at the end opposite the outlet (28) is fixed to the outer circumferential surface (15), and / or e. The liquid reservoir is connected to the surrounding atmosphere by means of a ventilation channel, or the liquid reservoir has a variable inner volume and is delimited for this purpose by a flexible or movable wall.

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