Discharging head for liquid medicine or cosmetic liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge head (20) for a medicinal or cosmetic liquid, comprising a base unit (40) for mounting on a liquid reservoir (12), and a discharge unit (60), which has an applicator housing (64), which is penetrated by a discharge opening (62). The discharge unit (60) can be moved relative to the base unit (40) against the force of a return spring (80), and wherein a pump device (50) of the discharge head (20) can be actuated by a movement of the discharge unit (60) relative to the base unit (40) and, in response to the actuation, delivers liquid from the liquid reservoir (12) to the discharge opening (62). The return spring (80) is designed as a plastic spring, preferably as a plastic bellows spring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid dispenser for a medicinal liquid or a cosmetic liquid and a dispensing head provided therefor. The dispensing head comprises a base unit for being placed on a liquid reservoir and a dispensing unit which is movable relative to the base unit. The dispensing unit comprises a dispensing opening through which liquid can be discharged. The dispensing head comprises a pump device which can be operated by pressing the dispensing unit downward in the direction of the base unit and by means of which liquid can be discharged which has been previously pumped from a liquid dispenser into a pump chamber of the pump device. Background Art

[0002] After the dispensing unit is pressed downwards to discharge the liquid, the dispensing unit returns to its starting position during the return movement, in which the dispensing unit is spaced apart from the base unit. As a result, liquid is sucked from the liquid reservoir into the pump chamber, and the liquid is at least partially discharged when the dispensing unit is pressed downwards the next time. The dispensing head has a return spring, which is tightened when the dispensing unit is pressed downwards and then causes the return movement.

[0003] Such liquid dispensers are usually constructed as disposable dispensers. Once the liquid in the liquid reservoir is used up, they will be discarded. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to design a liquid distributor of the above type or a discharging head thereof so as to achieve a high degree of recyclability.

[0005] To this end, the present invention provides a dispensing head for medicinal liquid or cosmetic liquid, and an unfilled or filled liquid dispenser, which comprises a liquid storage and the dispensing head of the above type.

[0006] The type of tapping head according to the invention comprises a base unit in the manner described above, which is connected to the liquid reservoir, in particular by means of a screw connection or a snap connection. The base unit and the liquid reservoir can also be connected in one piece.

[0007] The dispensing unit of the dispensing head is movable relative to the base unit, preferably linearly movable, in particular in a direction consistent with the central axis of the base unit and / or the liquid reservoir. The application of force of the dispensing unit relative to the base unit is performed manually. The user preferably holds the base unit or the liquid reservoir and presses the dispensing unit downward with the index finger and / or the middle finger.

[0008] The pump device is arranged between the base unit and the discharge unit so that the pump device is operated by relative movement of the base unit and the discharge unit. The pump device preferably has a pump chamber. An inlet channel provided with an inlet valve connects the pump chamber to the liquid reservoir. An outlet channel provided with an outlet valve connects the pump chamber to a discharge opening, which penetrates the applicator housing of the discharge unit. When the discharge unit is pressed downward, the inlet valve closes and the outlet valve opens, so that the liquid is discharged. In the subsequent return stroke, the outlet valve closes and the inlet valve opens, so that the pump chamber, which is enlarged in this case, sucks liquid from the liquid reservoir, preferably by means of a standpipe extending into the liquid reservoir, or sucks liquid from a collapsed bag in the liquid reservoir.

[0009] The discharge head according to the invention is preferably easily recyclable. In particular, it can consist completely or almost completely (more than 99%) of plastic, preferably of plastic that can be processed in a common recycling process. According to the invention, the return spring acting between the base unit and the discharge unit is also designed as a plastic spring.

[0010] In particular, the return spring can be a bellows spring, i.e. a circumferentially closed bellows, which rests with its two ends against the surface of the discharge unit and the base unit. When the discharge unit is pressed downwards, the bellows spring is axially compressed and elastically tensioned. If the downward pressure is removed, the bellows spring relaxes and presses the discharge unit away from the base unit again. A preferred material for the bellows spring is TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).

[0011] In principle, it is possible to arrange the return spring made of plastic in the interior space surrounded by the discharge unit and the base unit, so that the return spring is not visible from the outside. If this approach is chosen, a discharge head originally provided for accommodating a metal helical spring can be retrofitted with a plastic bellows spring, which is inserted into the same receiving chamber as the metal helical spring in the other variants. In this way, many or even all other parts can be designed between the two discharge head variants with metal springs and plastic springs.

[0012] However, the return spring is preferably mounted on the outside of the discharging unit and is therefore visible during normal operation. This eliminates the need to maintain a sufficiently large interior space defined by the base unit and the discharging unit for the bellows spring in the relaxed and compressed state.

[0013] In particular, the return spring made of plastic is arranged in such a way that it at least partially surrounds the outer surface of the base unit and the dispensing unit. In this case, it is also advantageous if the dispensing unit and the base unit have a spring receiving chamber in the interior space jointly enclosed by these elements, which is designed to receive the helical spring, so that a helical spring made of metal can be used instead of a return spring made of plastic.

[0014] However, in the case of designs with plastic springs, preferably no coil spring is arranged in the spring receiving chamber and the spring receiving chamber remains empty. Therefore, only in another variant, when the essentially identical discharge unit and the essentially identical base unit are not provided with plastic springs, the spring receiving chamber is used to receive the metal coil spring. Preferably, an annular contact surface is provided for the coil spring on the base unit and the discharge unit, respectively, wherein the annular contact surface is preferably delimited on the inside and / or on the outside by guide surfaces.

[0015] A variant is also conceivable in which an inner metal helical spring and an outer plastic spring, in particular a bellows spring, are provided simultaneously, so that an increased combined spring force is achieved.

[0016] If the plastic spring is arranged on the outer side of the tapping head, preferably the upper side of the base unit provides the force coupling surface.

[0017] The opposing force coupling surface on one side of the dispensing unit is preferably formed by a finger rest. The purpose of providing the finger rest on the dispensing unit is to manually apply force to the dispensing unit in the direction of the base unit. In particular, the finger rest preferably has an annular shape, which surrounds the applicator housing of the dispensing unit.

[0018] In particular, the finger rest may have a constant width in the circumferential direction, or may have two opposite operating wings for supporting the index finger and the middle finger.

[0019] Therefore, in this design with an operating wing, the finger rest has a non-circular shape on the outside. In particular, the finger rest can have two support areas on opposite sides of the applicator housing, one for each finger. Such a design can prevent the dispenser from rolling during recycling, in particular on a conveyor belt.

[0020] The restoring spring preferably acts on the finger rest and, for this purpose, in particular bears against the underside of the finger rest or is fastened there.

[0021] The finger rest can be integrally formed on the applicator housing. Of course, in contrast, the finger rest is preferably a separate component, which is fastened to the applicator housing, in particular by means of a snap connection. This allows different finger rests to be used for dispensing heads with and without an external plastic spring.

[0022] The finger rest can also be constructed in one piece with the plastic spring. One possible design is that the part forming the finger rest and the part forming the plastic spring are made of the same uniform material, such as TPE plastic. The design of the material is mainly based on the required deformation characteristics of the plastic spring. The part forming the finger rest is preferably reinforced with a larger wall thickness than the spring part and / or with additional ribs to increase its hardness so that it can only deform within an acceptable range.

[0023] However, it is also possible to form a finger rest of one-piece design with a plastic spring by means of a material-locking connection of two different plastic materials. The more rigid part forms at least a part of the upper side of the finger rest, while the more elastic part forms the spring part of the one-piece component. The rigid part can also be constructed in one piece with the applicator housing, but can also be constructed as a separate part. The material-locking connection is preferably produced by multi-component injection molding, wherein first a first plastic is introduced into an expandable injection mold cavity and then a second plastic is introduced after the cavity has been expanded. These plastics form a tight and airtight connection in the boundary area. For an one-piece design made of multiple plastics, it is very advantageous if the shape of the boundary surface enables the parts made of different plastics to be connected to each other in a form-locking manner by means of undercuts (Hinterschneidungen) in addition to the material lock.

[0024] The one-piece design of the finger rest and the plastic spring simplifies assembly, since by attaching the finger rest to the applicator housing the spring is simultaneously brought into its target position. However, the same effect can also be achieved with a two-piece design, in which the finger rest and the plastic spring are separately manufactured parts which are connected to one another in a force-locking or form-locking manner, for example by means of a clamp, before being attached to the applicator housing.

[0025] If the finger rest and the return spring are designed as separate components, a centering geometry is preferably provided on the finger rest and in particular on the underside of the finger rest, which can guide the force coupling surface of the return spring from the inside and / or outside and preferably also serves to couple the return spring and the finger rest in a force-locking or form-locking manner. If the finger rest and the return spring are designed as separate parts and the return spring is designed as a bellows spring, the side of the bellows spring that abuts the finger rest has an outwardly or preferably inwardly acting ring, which protrudes outwardly or inwardly beyond the bellows section and increases the diameter by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10%. Such a ring facilitates demoulding during the production of the bellows spring.

[0026] The carrier of the restoring spring is preferably the finger rest mentioned, but can also be another part of the discharge unit or the base unit, depending on the design. This means that the restoring spring is fixedly connected to the component serving as the carrier. Both a clamp connection and an integral connection are possible here, in particular a material-locked connection, in which the component serving as the carrier and the restoring spring are made of different materials but are tightly connected to each other in an undetachable manner by multi-component injection molding.

[0027] When the carrier is assembled, the return spring is also brought into its target position. This facilitates the assembly of the return spring. The return spring is not fixedly assembled to other components than the carrier component, but only comes into contact with these components during assembly or operation.

[0028] Compared to metal return springs, the use of plastic springs, in particular bellows springs, often results in lower return forces. As a result, the dispensing unit cannot return to the unactuated starting position as reliably as a metal return spring. In order to ensure the reproducibility of the dispensing quantity, despite the fact that the stroke path may be shortened as a result, the pump device can be designed and / or coupled to the dispensing unit in such a way that, starting from the starting position, a movement of the dispensing unit over a partial stroke path in the direction of the actuated end position does not result in a discharge of liquid. Starting from the end position, the initial actuation therefore initially does not result in a discharge of liquid, preferably in such a way that liquid initially still has the possibility of flowing back from the pump chamber into the liquid reservoir. During operation, the return flow is only closed after a shorter partial stroke path, preferably after at least 3% of the total stroke path, in particular after at least 6% of the total stroke path. Only after this partial stroke path has been passed is the pump chamber isolated and dispensing begins.

[0029] An incomplete return stroke is therefore sufficient to reproducibly deliver a liquid quantity defined by the construction of the pump device during the next pump operation.

[0030] The discharge head preferably has an inlet valve designed as a slide valve. Such a slide valve has a valve channel preferably arranged in a fixed position on the base unit and a valve slide preferably arranged in a fixed position on the discharge unit, which slides into the valve channel as required during discharge and seals circumferentially with the inner side of the valve channel. The above-mentioned delayed discharge and uniform metering can be achieved particularly well with such a valve. During operation, the pump chamber is isolated from the liquid reservoir in a central position, in which the valve slide rests circumferentially in the valve channel.

[0031] The outlet valve of the discharge head is preferably opened under pressure control, so that the outlet valve will open when there is an overpressure in the pump chamber. The outlet valve is preferably designed as a "tip seal" valve, which seals directly at the discharge opening, thereby effectively preventing bacteria from entering the discharge head. This "tip seal" valve is preferably the only outlet valve. However, such a design is also included, that the discharge head has a first outlet valve directly connected to the pump chamber, and a second outlet valve located downstream of the first outlet valve, the second outlet valve being constructed as a "tip seal" valve in the described manner and arranged directly at the discharge opening.

[0032] Preferably, only one outlet valve has a valve body as a valve that opens in a pressure-dependent manner, which is pressed into the closed position by a valve spring. The valve spring is preferably designed as a plastic spring in order to achieve uniform retraction of the discharge head. The valve spring can also be designed as a bellows spring. However, since the valve spring of the outlet valve does not require a large spring travel, other designs are also considered to be advantageous, in particular designs in which the valve spring is formed by a spring tube that can be elastically shortened axially by means of a perforation that penetrates the tube. The perforation is preferably designed in the form of a slot inserted transversely to the compression direction.

[0033] The outlet valve is preferably constructed so that it requires a maximum pressure to open at the beginning of the opening movement, wherein after opening the outlet valve can be kept open by means of a fluid pressure that is reduced relative to the maximum pressure. Therefore, the outlet valve is preferably designed structurally so that it does not open at first when the pressure increases. At this stage, the pressure level that can keep the valve open after opening is not sufficient to open the valve. To achieve this behavior, preferably in the closed state of the outlet valve, the abutment surfaces of the valve body and the discharge unit abut against each other and inhibit the opening by the static friction generated between them. Only when a sufficiently high pressure is reached will the static friction be overcome and the outlet valve will open suddenly. This opening characteristic prevents the valve from initially opening only the narrow outlet slot when opening, which deteriorates the discharge characteristics.

[0034] The valve spring and the valve body of the outlet valve are preferably formed by an integral plastic part to realize the assembly of the discharging head. Particularly, they are preferably made of polyolefin plastics, particularly polyethylene.

[0035] As the liquid is continuously discharged from the liquid storage, in order not to generate a negative pressure in the liquid storage, the discharge head preferably provides a vent path along which equalizing air from the surrounding atmosphere can flow into the liquid storage. In particular, the vent path can be guided by a vent chamber, which is surrounded on the outside by a return spring in the form of a bellows spring. In order to allow air to flow in from the outside, a vent hole is preferably provided in the bellows spring, which has a diameter of at least 1 mm. 2 , preferably at least 5 mm 2 In particular, the vent opening can be a notch in the end face of the bellows body. However, it is also possible to make it more difficult for air to enter the vent chamber, or to completely block the air from entering the vent chamber in the case of another orientation of the vent path, so that the return spring surrounds the air spring chamber, which contains air that is compressed when the discharge unit moves toward the base unit. This air can then act as an additional return spring.

[0036] In order to reduce the tendency of the liquid in the liquid reservoir to escape outward through the vent path, the vent path can be formed at least in sections by a capillary channel, which can be arranged upstream or downstream of the vent chamber. If the capillary channel is arranged upstream of the vent chamber with respect to the inflow direction, the capillary channel is preferably at least partially limited by a bellows spring.

[0037] The ventilation channel may further include a filter unit, which is preferably disposed downstream of the ventilation chamber with respect to the air inflow direction and prevents or reduces the intrusion of germs.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing head is designed as a dispensing head for nasal application. For this purpose, the applicator housing has an elongated shape that tapers toward the distal end at least in the distal region. For operation, a finger rest, in particular a circumferential finger rest or a finger rest with two wings, is preferably provided on the side of the applicator housing for supporting the index finger and the middle finger, as described above. In such a nasal applicator, the dispensing direction of the dispensing opening is preferably parallel to the direction of movement of the dispensing unit relative to the base unit.

[0039] Another preferred design is particularly designed for local application of liquids. Such a discharge head can have a laterally arranged discharge opening. In this case, the discharge direction of the discharge opening forms an angle greater than 0° with the movement direction of the discharge unit relative to the base unit, preferably an angle between 5° and 100°, in particular an angle between 30° and 60° or between 80° and 100°. In such a discharge head, the discharge unit is preferably pressed downward by an operating surface arranged on the upper side of the discharge head. In such a discharge head, the discharge opening is preferably arranged on a laterally protruding joint, which protrudes outwardly beyond the outer contour of the bellows spring.

[0040] The discharge head, in particular its discharge opening, can be configured according to different application forms. In particular, the discharge head is preferably configured to discharge a spray jet. For this purpose, the discharge head can have a vortex chamber, through which the discharged liquid has a vortex before the discharge, and the vortex will lead to a conical spray jet during the discharge. Alternatively, the discharge head can also have a plurality of fine nozzle openings for generating a spray jet, in particular a nozzle plate, in which these nozzle openings are arranged.

[0041] It can also be designed as a droplet distributor with a droplet forming surface downstream of the discharge opening for outputting discrete individual droplets, or it can be designed as a distributor for outputting a non-atomized jet.

[0042] As mentioned above, the tap and the entire dispenser are preferably constructed to facilitate recycling.

[0043] The discharge head or liquid distributor is preferably composed of at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, and particularly preferably 99% of polyolefin plastic. In particular, the liquid distributor can be composed mainly or almost entirely of polyethylene.

[0044] The liquid dispenser according to the present invention has a dispensing head of the above type and a liquid reservoir, which is connected to the base unit in a detachable or fixed manner, or even in an integral manner. The liquid reservoir is preferably made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0045] Liquid dispensers are usually provided by manufacturers together with empty liquid storage containers to filling companies, which fill the liquids, particularly liquid medicines or cosmetic liquids. If the liquid medicines are used, they are preferably used for nasal, oral or topical applications.

[0046] The liquid is preferably injected into a liquid dispenser, which also includes physiological saline, especially for application to the patient's respiratory tract. In addition, it also includes aqueous solutions in the form of Ringer's solution, buffered solutions or aqueous solutions containing at least one additive (carbohydrates, essential oils, menthol and plant extracts), as well as aqueous solutions containing vitamins, trace elements, manganese or zinc, or cinnamon oil, tea tree oil, sage oil, thyme oil, lemon balm oil.

[0047] In particular, the liquid may be a nasal solution having a decongestant effect, in particular a liquid containing an imidazoline component, such as oxymetazoline.

[0048] In addition to the tapping head and the entire liquid distributor, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the two types of tapping heads. The purpose of the method is to manufacture the two types of tapping heads at particularly low cost by using many identical parts.

[0049] A first type of tapping head has an external bellows spring as a return spring. A tapping head of the type described above is preferred.

[0050] The second type of tapping head does not have an external bellows spring made of plastic, but an internal helical spring, in particular a metal helical spring. The first type does not have such a helical spring.

[0051] Both types of dispensing heads have a structurally identical base unit for mounting on a liquid reservoir and a structurally identical applicator housing, which, as part of the dispensing unit, can be moved relative to the base unit and is penetrated by a dispensing opening. The dispensing unit and the base unit of the two types of dispensing heads preferably differ not only in the spring used but also at most in the finger rest, while all other components are of identical construction.

[0052] The base unit and the applicator housing together surround a spring receiving chamber, i.e., a chamber which receives a metal helical spring having a preferably cylindrical basic shape in the case of a second type of dispensing head. The spring receiving chamber is preferably delimited at the end by an annular contact surface on the base unit and the dispensing unit, respectively, wherein the contact surface is preferably delimited on the inside and / or on the outside by guide surfaces in order to hold the helical spring in place.

[0053] In the first type of tapping head, a spring receiving chamber is also provided. However, since the return is caused by the bellows spring outside, the spring receiving chamber remains empty. Metal helical springs are only used in the second type of tapping head.

[0054] In contrast, in the case of the first type of tapping head, the plastic spring is installed externally, preferably by installing a finger rest, to which the bellows spring has already been fastened beforehand, or the bellows spring is installed integrally on the finger rest. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

[0056] Figures 1 to 5 and Fig. 6A A first embodiment of a liquid dispenser or a dispensing head thereof according to the invention is shown.

[0057] Figures 6B to 6D Shows Figures 1 to 6A Structural alternatives for design.

[0058] Figures 7 to 9B A second embodiment of a liquid dispenser or a dispensing head thereof according to the invention is shown.

[0059] Fig.10 It is described how different types of tap heads can be produced based on essentially structurally identical components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A first exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser 10 according to the invention is shown in sectional and non-sectional views. Figures 3A to 5 The discharge head 20 of the liquid distributor 10 is shown, wherein Figure 3A and Figure 3B It shows the status before and after operation.

[0061] The liquid dispenser 10 has a liquid storage 12 in the form of a plastic bottle made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and a discharge head 20 fastened to the bottleneck of the liquid dispenser. The discharge head 20 has two main parts that can move relative to each other in the pumping direction 2, namely a base unit 40 installed on the bottleneck of the liquid storage 12 and a discharge unit 60 connected to the base unit 40 in the pumping direction 2.

[0062] A discharge opening 62 is provided at the distal end of the discharge unit 60 , through which liquid can be discharged from the liquid storage 12 .

[0063] In order to convey the liquid from the liquid reservoir 12 to the discharge opening 62, the discharge head 20 has a pump device 50. The pump device 50 has a pump chamber 51, which is connected via an inlet channel to an inlet valve 52 and a standpipe 19, which extends into the liquid reservoir 12. The pump chamber 51 extends to an outlet valve 55, which is located directly upstream of the discharge opening 62.

[0064] The inlet valve 52 is constructed as a slide valve. It has a stepped valve channel 53 on the side of the base unit 40 and a valve slide 54 that enters the side of the discharge unit 60. If the discharge unit 60 is pressed downward, as shown in FIG. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B As can be seen from the transition of the valve slide 54, the valve slide 54 moves into the valve channel 53, and once the valve slide 54 reaches the conical part of the valve channel 53, the pump chamber 51 is isolated from the liquid reservoir 12. From this point in time, the liquid in the pump chamber 51 can no longer return to the liquid reservoir 12, so continuing to press the discharge unit 60 downward will cause the pressure in the isolated pump chamber 51 to increase.

[0065] The outlet valve 55 is designed as a pointed sealing valve. This means that the outlet valve closes directly before the discharge opening 62. The outlet valve has a valve body 57 and a valve spring 56, wherein the valve body 57 and the valve spring 56 are designed as an integral component and are inserted together with the end of the valve spring 56 into a notch of the inner component 61 of the discharge unit 60. The valve spring 56 is formed by a spring tube body, in which a horizontal slot is provided to achieve axial compression. The valve body 57 extends through the vortex chamber to the discharge opening 62 and closes the discharge opening in the idle state.

[0066] The increased pressure in the pump chamber 51 exerts a downward force on the valve body 57, which is suitable for displacing the valve body 57, thereby opening the outlet valve 55 and allowing the liquid to flow out through the discharge opening 62. The liquid flows out through the vortex chamber upstream of the discharge opening 62 in the form of a jet.

[0067] The one-piece component forming the valve body 57 and the valve spring 56 is guided on its outer side by the sliding edge 61A of the inner component 61. When the outlet valve is closed, the sliding edge 61A generates static friction, which makes the outlet valve 55 not open immediately when the pressure increases, but suddenly opens after a slight delay. This ensures that during the discharge process, the valve body 57 will immediately be spaced far enough from the discharge port 62 to achieve the prescribed discharge effect.

[0068] The discharging unit 60 is pressed downward by the finger support 68. Figures 1 to 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the finger rest is mounted on the outside of the applicator housing 64 by means of a latch connection mechanism. The user usually places his index finger and middle finger on the finger rest 68 so as to press the dispensing unit 60 down onto the base unit 40 using the finger rest.

[0069] If the operating force is canceled, the discharging unit 60 will return to Figure 3A The starting position shown is achieved under the action of a plastic return spring 80, which is designed in the form of a bellows. The plastic return spring 80 is arranged on the outside of the discharge head 20 and covers the upper end of the base unit 40 and the lower end of the discharge unit 60.

[0070] The design of the tapping head with a plastic return spring 80 allows the entire tapping head 20 to be made of plastic. Since the plastic return spring 80 and the valve spring 56 are both made of plastic, the use of a metal helical spring can be omitted. All components of the tapping head 20 or at least 90% of the components by weight are preferably made of polyolefin plastic, in particular of different types of polyethylene.

[0071] from Figure 3A As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the discharge head 20 has a spring accommodation chamber 90, which is configured to accommodate a metal coil spring, but in Figures 1 to 5 In the dispenser construction shown, the spring receiving chamber does not have such a metal return spring. However, due to such a spring receiving chamber 90, many of the same parts can be used to provide a tap head 20 similar to the tap head described herein, which does not have a plastic return spring 80 on the outside, but instead has a metal coil spring on the inside. This will also be shown below.

[0072] Although the use of a plastic return spring 80 has considerable advantages in terms of recovery, it is generally not possible to ensure that a metal helical spring has the same strong and non-relaxing return effect. The design of the pump device 50 takes this into account. Since the valve slide 54 must first move downwards by a few millimeters before it closes the inlet valve 52, it is not clear whether the plastic return spring 80 can compress the discharge unit 60 to Figure 3AThe uppermost position in the dispenser is not very important in the illustrated type. Even if a partially relaxed plastic return spring 80 is used, for example due to a long storage period, it is usually sufficient to press the valve slide 54 upwards together with the discharge unit 60 so that the valve slide 54 is pulled out of the conical part of the valve channel 53. This is sufficient for the pump device 50 to operate normally.

[0073] Figure 3B It is shown that when the discharge unit 60 is pressed downward, the valve slide 54 leaves the conical part of the valve channel 53 again in its end position, the overpressure in the pump chamber 51 suddenly decreases, and the discharge ends. The discharge volume of the pump device 50 is completely determined by the length of the conical part of the valve channel 53.

[0074] When the discharge head 20 is Figure 3B After the operation, the status returns to Figure 3A In the non-operating state, the liquid is sucked into the pump chamber 51 through the standpipe 19. As a result, a negative pressure is generated in the liquid storage 12, which is balanced by the ventilation channel. The corresponding ventilation path 18 is as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The ventilation path extends from the outside to the inside, first through the gap formed by the plastic return spring 80 configured as a bellows spring and the housing of the base unit 40. The ventilation path 18 further extends through the exhaust device 60 and the guide device of the base unit 40 to the capillary channel 16 formed by the base body of the base unit 40 and the sleeve pushed onto it, to the filter device 15, in which the inflowing air can be cleaned of bacteria.

[0075] It is particularly important that the ventilation path 18 extends through the ventilation chamber 14, which is delimited on the outside by the plastic return spring 80 designed as a bellows spring. As mentioned at the beginning, the air flows in through the gap at the lower end of the plastic return spring 80. This is a very narrow gap, so that the air in the ventilation chamber 14, which is moistened by the liquid in the liquid reservoir 12, can only escape to a very small extent into the environment.

[0076] Figure 5 The tapping head 20 is shown again, wherein it is explained here that when the final plastic return spring 80 and the finger rest 68 are assembled, the tapping head 20 as a whole is ready for assembly.

[0077] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D Various designs of finger rest 68 and plastic return spring 80 are shown.

[0078] Fig. 6AThe version shown is the one already shown in the previous figures. Here, the finger rest 68 and the plastic return spring 80 are realized as a one-piece component produced by a two-component injection molding process. This means that during assembly, the bellows spring can be indirectly manipulated via the finger rest 68 and mounted on the base unit 40 and the discharge unit 60.

[0079] In accordance with Figure 6B In the design of the plastic return spring 80 and the finger rest 68 form separate components. The plastic return spring 80 has an inwardly directed, circumferential ring 80A at its upper end, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the folds of the bellows. Such a ring 80A facilitates demoulding of the folded bellows during the manufacturing process. Figure 6B In the case of the illustration of , the finger rest 68 is provided with a surrounding centering wheel 68A, which ensures the positional stability of the plastic return spring 80. However, since the ring 80A points inwardly toward the applicator housing 64 and can therefore independently cause centering, this additional centering is not absolutely necessary.

[0080] Figure 6C Shows the Fig. 6A The design of the folding bellows and the finger rest 68 is an integral structure. The characteristic here is that the finger rest 68 is an integral structure with the applicator housing 64. This means that when the discharging unit 60 is mounted on the base unit 40, the finger rest 68 and the plastic return spring 80 are also assembled on the base unit 40.

[0081] Fig.6D Design and Figure 6B Similarly, the folding bellows is also designed as a separate component. The finger rest 68 also has a centering ring 68A here, but in this case, it centers the plastic return spring 80 from the inside.

[0082] Figures 7 to 9B Another type of liquid dispenser 10 is shown, which has the same basic shape as Figure 1 The design in Figure 6 is different. Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cutaway view and a non-cutaway view of the liquid dispenser 10 are shown. Figure 3A and 3B The tapping head 20 of the liquid dispenser 10 is shown in an unoperated state and in an operated state.

[0083] The liquid dispenser 10 shown here is arranged for topical use.Its function is to apply liquid to the patient's skin.

[0084] For this reason, in the present design, a discharge opening 62 is also provided on the side of the discharge head 20. The discharge direction forms a 90° angle with the operating direction 2, and the dispensing device 60 can move relative to the base unit 40 in the operating direction. Figure 16, but in this design, the outlet valve 55 and the discharge opening 62 are both arranged laterally. In addition, the seal between the valve body 57 and the discharge unit 60 is realized by a sealing lip 58, which is arranged on the valve body 57. The valve body 57 and the valve spring 56 are arranged in a receiving chamber, which is closed by a closing member 64A of the applicator housing 64.

[0085] The operation is performed by means of an operating surface 70 on the upper side of the discharge unit 60 .

[0086] Fig.10 The discharge head 20 shown in the figure, in particular Figures 1 to 5 How the taps in the form the basis for a product range with different taps. Fig.10 The upper part of the drawing shows two key subunits of the discharging head 20 , namely the base unit 40 and the discharging unit 60 , wherein the discharging unit 60 is not yet equipped with the finger rest 68 .

[0087] The two subunits 40, 60 are identical in both designs of the tapping head 20, namely the variant with an internal metal helical spring as return spring 180 shown on the left in the figure and the variant with an internal metal helical spring as return spring 180 shown on the left in the figure. Fig.10 The right side shows Figures 1 to 5 The corresponding variants.

[0088] Fig.10 The reusability of the components shown above reduces costs. In addition, this simplifies logistics because Fig.11 The upper components can be stored prefabricated and can be used to order for the tapping head with metal helical spring and the advantageously recyclable tapping head with external bellows spring.

[0089] Fig.11 and Fig.12 Two designs of liquid distributors are shown, with their internal structure and Figure 1 6. The special feature here is the shape of the finger rest 68. The finger rest 68 does not have a circular outer contour, but has an approximately elliptical outer contour 68B. The two support surfaces on both sides of the applicator 64 69A points outward and extends radially out of the liquid reservoir 12. They are used to support two fingers, in particular the index finger and the middle finger. A radially smaller connecting piece 69B is provided between the operating surfaces 69A, wherein Fig.12 In the case of a design such as this, these connectors 69B are optional.

[0090] Fig.11 and Fig.12The design with two wing-shaped operating surfaces 69A causes the liquid dispenser as a whole to lose its rolling ability. This can simplify the recycling process, because the liquid dispenser cannot fall off the conveyor belt and can be removed from the conveyor belt in a reproducible manner, especially by targeted air jets. In contrast, this type of manipulation is more difficult with a liquid dispenser that can be rolled.

[0091] Fig.11 and Fig.12 The difference in design is that Fig.11 In the case of the design of the finger rest 68 is formed by a component separate from the applicator 68, preferably a component formed integrally with the spring 80. In contrast, in Fig.12 In the design of, the applicator 68 and the finger rest 68 are integrally connected, similar to Figure 6C .

Claims

1. A discharge head (20) for liquid medicine or cosmetic liquid, having the following characteristics: a. The discharge head (20) has a base unit (40) for mounting on a liquid storage device (12), and b. The discharge head (20) has a discharge unit (60), the discharge unit having an applicator housing (64), the applicator housing being penetrated by a discharge opening (62), and c. The discharging unit (60) can move relative to the base unit (40) by overcoming the force of the return spring (80), wherein: The pump device (50) of the discharge head (20) is operable by movement of the discharge unit (60) relative to the base unit (40) and delivers liquid from the liquid reservoir (12) to the discharge opening (62) in response to the manipulation, It is characterized by the following features: d. The return spring (80) is designed as a plastic spring, preferably as a plastic bellows spring.

2. The discharge head (20) according to claim 1 has the following additional features: a. The return spring (80) is mounted on the outer side of the discharging unit (60), Preferably has the following additional features: b. The return spring at least partially covers the outer surfaces of the base unit (40) and the discharge unit (60).

3. The discharge head (20) according to claim 1 or 2 has the following additional features: a. the discharging unit (60) has a finger support (68) for applying force to the discharging unit (60) in the direction of the base unit (40), and b. The return spring (80) acts on the finger rest (68) at the side of the discharging unit (60), in particular, on the lower side of the finger rest (68).

4. The discharge head (20) according to claim 3 has the following additional features: c. The finger rest (68) has an annular shape and surrounds the applicator housing (64) on the outside.

5. The discharge head (20) according to claim 3 or 4 has the following additional features: a. The return spring (80) and the finger rest (68) are fixedly connected to each other so that they can be operated together when assembling the dispenser, wherein: The return spring (80) and the finger rest (68) are preferably designed as a one-piece component, in particular as a one-piece plastic component consisting of at least two materials which are integrally connected to one another.

6. The discharge head (20) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, having the following additional features: a. The finger rest (68) and the return spring (80) are constructed as separate components, wherein: A centering geometry (68A) is preferably provided on the finger rest (68), particularly preferably on the underside of the finger rest (68), which guides a force coupling surface of the return spring (80) from the inside and / or the outside.

7. The discharge head (20) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, having the following additional features: a. The finger rest (68) is constructed as a component separate from the applicator housing (64) and is fastened to the outer side of the applicator housing (64), in particular by means of a latching mechanism.

8. The discharge head (20) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, having the following additional features: a. The finger rest (68) is integrally constructed with the applicator housing (64).

9. The discharge head (20) according to any one of claims 3 or 5 to 7, having the following additional features: c. the finger rest (68) has a non-circular shape on the outside, In particular, it has the following additional features: d. The finger rest (68) has two support areas (69A) on opposite sides of the applicator housing (64) for two fingers.

10. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. the discharge head (20) has a rigid member (68) fixedly mounted on the discharge unit (60) or the base unit (40), and b. The return spring (80) is fixedly mounted only on the rigid component (68), in particular by means of an integral connection mechanism.

11. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. the discharge unit (60) can move relative to the base unit (40) over a total travel path between an unoperated starting position and an operated terminal position, and b. The pump device (50) is designed and / or coupled to the discharge unit (60) in such a way that, starting from the starting position, a movement of the discharge unit (60) over a partial stroke path in the direction of the actuated end position does not result in a discharge of liquid, wherein: The partial stroke path is at least 3% of the total stroke path.

12. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. The pump device (50) has an inlet valve (52) which is configured as a slide valve, and b. The inlet valve (52) configured as a slide valve has a valve passage (53) and a valve slider (54), and the valve slider is configured to seal circumferentially with the inner side of the valve passage (53).

13. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. the pump device (50) has an outlet valve (55) which opens or closes according to the liquid pressure in the pump chamber of the pump device (50), and b. The outlet valve (55) has a valve body (57) which is pressed into a closed position by a valve spring (56), and c. The valve spring (56) is constructed as a plastic spring, Preferably, it has at least one of the following additional features: d. The outlet valve (55) has valve faces, which are in contact with each other when the outlet valve (55) is closed and are spaced apart from each other when the outlet valve (55) is opened, wherein: The valve face is arranged on the valve body (57) and the applicator housing (64), in particular directly on a perforation in the applicator housing (64) provided for forming the discharge opening (62), and / or e. The valve spring is constructed as a bellows spring, or f. The valve spring (56) is composed of a spring tube body, the spring tube body is elastically shortened axially by means of a perforation penetrating the tube body, and / or g. The outlet valve (55) is constructed to require a maximum pressure to open at the beginning of the opening movement, wherein after opening, the outlet valve (55) can be kept open using a fluid pressure that is reduced relative to the maximum pressure.

14. The discharge head (20) according to claim 13 has the following additional features: a. The valve spring (56) and the valve body (57) are part of a one-piece component.

15. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. the discharging direction of the discharging opening (62) is parallel to the moving direction of the discharging unit (60) relative to the base unit (40), or b. The discharge direction of the discharge opening (62) and the moving direction of the discharge unit (60) relative to the base unit (40) enclose an angle greater than 0°, preferably an angle between 5° and 100°, in particular an angle between 30° and 60° or between 80° and 100°.

16. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. the discharge head (20) has a vent path (18), along which balanced air from the surrounding atmosphere can flow into the liquid reservoir (12), and b. the ventilation path (18) extends through the ventilation chamber (14), which is surrounded on the outside by the return spring (80), Preferably, it has at least one of the following features: c. a filter unit (15) is provided in the ventilation path (18), preferably a filter unit is provided with respect to the air inflow direction downstream of the ventilation chamber (14), and / or d. The ventilation path is at least partially formed by a capillary channel (16), which can be arranged upstream or downstream of the ventilation chamber (14), and / or e. The return spring (80) is constructed as a bellows spring, wherein: The bellows spring defines a vent having a clear cross-section of at least 1 mm 2 , especially preferably at least 5 mm 2 .

17. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. The return spring surrounds an air spring chamber (14), wherein the air spring chamber contains air, and the air is compressed when the discharge unit (60) moves toward the base unit (40).

18. A discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. The discharging head (20) is configured as a discharging head (20) for nasal application, and the applicator housing (64) has a narrow and long shape that tapers toward the distal end, and the discharging opening (62) is provided at its distal end, wherein, A finger rest (68) is preferably provided around the applicator housing, or b. The discharging head (20) is configured as a discharging head (20) for topical application and has a laterally arranged discharging opening (62), wherein an operating surface (70) is preferably arranged on the upper side of the discharging head.

19. The discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having at least one of the following additional features: a. The discharge head (20) is configured as an injection head, and / or b. the return spring (80) is separated from the liquid path from the liquid reservoir (12) to the discharge opening (62) and does not come into contact with the liquid, and / or c. The discharge head (20) is at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably 99% composed of polyolefin plastic, and / or d. The return spring (80) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and / or e. The return spring (80) is constructed as a plastic bellows spring, wherein: The last bellows section (81) located at the side of the base unit (40) is constructed as a bellows section that tapers gradually toward the distal end.

20. The discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. A spring receiving chamber (90) is provided between the base unit (40) and the discharging unit (60), wherein the spring receiving chamber is configured to receive a coil spring, wherein: Preferably, no coil spring is arranged in the spring receiving chamber (90), and b. An annular abutment surface (91, 92) is provided for the helical spring on the base unit (40) and the discharge unit (60), wherein the annular abutment surface is preferably delimited on the inside and / or on the outside by a guide surface (93, 94).

21. A liquid dispenser (10) having the following characteristics: a. The liquid dispenser (10) has a liquid reservoir (12), and b. The liquid distributor (10) has a discharge head (20) according to any one of the preceding claims.

22. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 21, having the following additional features: a. The liquid storage device (12) has a cylindrical cover wall, and b. The finger rest (68) has a non-circular shape, wherein: The outer contour (68B) projects radially beyond the cylindrical outer wall of the liquid reservoir (12) at least in sections.

23. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 21 or 22, having the following additional features: a. The liquid reservoir (12) contains a liquid medicine, particularly for nasal or topical application, and / or b. The internal volume of the liquid storage (12) is less than 100 ml, in particular less than 50 ml.

24. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 21, 22 or 23, having the following additional features: a. The liquid distributor (10) is at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably 99% composed of polyolefin plastic, Preferably, it has at least one of the following additional features: b. The liquid distributor (10) is at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, preferably 99% composed of polyethylene plastic, and / or c. The liquid storage (12) is composed of hard polyethylene (HDPE).

25. A method for manufacturing two types of tapping heads, the method having the following characteristics: a. Manufacturing a first type of discharge head (20, 120) having an external bellows spring as a return spring (80), wherein: The discharge head is preferably constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and b. manufacturing a second type of discharge head having an inner coil spring as a return spring (180), and c. the first type of dispensing head and the second type of dispensing head have a base unit (40) of the same structure for mounting on the liquid reservoir (12) and an applicator housing (64) of the same structure, the applicator housing being movable relative to the base unit (40) and being penetrated by the dispensing opening (62), and d. In the first type of dispensing head, the return spring (80) is mounted on the outside so as to at least partially enclose the applicator housing (64) and the base unit (40), and e. In the second type of dispensing head, the return spring (180) is installed in a spring receiving chamber (90), which is surrounded by the base unit (40) and the applicator housing (64) on the outside and is limited on the end side by the inner annular abutment surfaces (91, 92) of the base unit (40) and the applicator housing (64).

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