LIQUID DISPENSERS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquids, in particular pharmaceutical liquids, according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a liquid dispenser has a dispensing head with a dispensing opening and a cap with a cap body which, when in place, protects the dispensing opening.

[0002] The cap bodies of liquid dispensers according to the invention have a ventilation opening so that, after commissioning, an exchange of air between the interior of the cap body and a surrounding atmosphere is possible.

[0003] From DE 10 2013 226 250 A1 it is already known to close a ventilation opening in the cap body with an adhesive strip or an injection-molded pull tab, which is removed during commissioning. From EP 3 023 383 A2, a container, for example for chemicals for semiconductor manufacturing plants, is known. This has a cap with an integrated filter at a filling and pressure equalization opening. Problem and solution

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a manufacturing-friendly way to ensure that no contamination reaches the dispensing opening through the ventilation opening before the dispenser is put into operation.

[0005] According to the invention, a liquid dispenser is designed as described below. The liquid dispenser has a dispensing head with a dispensing opening, and a cap with a cap body that can be placed on and removed from the dispensing head and covers the dispensing opening when in place. This cap body has the aforementioned ventilation opening, which connects the surrounding atmosphere with the interior of the cap body, so that after the liquid dispenser is put into operation, the dispensing opening covered by the cap body can dry out through contact with the surrounding atmosphere.

[0006] The ventilation opening is equipped with a filter membrane for filtering the air flowing through it. The cap body has two sections that together form a receiving chamber for the filter membrane.

[0007] The special feature lies in the fact that the cap body is composed of two sub-bodies, between which the aforementioned filter membrane is arranged. It is also possible to additionally seal the ventilation opening containing the filter membrane before commissioning, for example, by a pull-off section of the type described above. However, such a seal is unnecessary when a filter membrane is present, as the ingress of contaminants is effectively prevented by the filter membrane. For this purpose, the filter membrane preferably has an average pore diameter between 0.1 µm and 0.3 µm. The two sub-bodies create a manufacturing advantage, allowing a comparatively large-area membrane to be incorporated into the cap body in an automated production process.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous if the first sub-body forms a cap-like main body with a lateral surface and an end face with a first opening. The second sub-body can then be designed as a ring-shaped body that can be attached circumferentially to the first sub-body and has a second opening aligned with the first opening.

[0009] One possible design option involves manufacturing the two sub-bodies separately and connecting them by means of a force-fit or, in particular, a form-fit coupling, with the membrane being inserted between them and preferably clamped there.

[0010] An alternative design involves the component parts being bonded together by a material connection. One variant is considered particularly advantageous in which, during manufacturing, the first component, forming the main cap body, is first produced via injection molding. Then, the membrane is inserted into the mold, and finally, the second component is injection-molded onto the first. During this injection molding process, a portion of the membrane surface must be kept free of plastic. Where the membrane is intentionally covered by plastic during injection molding, a close bond forms between the second component and the membrane. This effectively prevents any pathways around the membrane from remaining open, through which bacteria or other contaminants could penetrate.

[0011] The first perforation may have an internal structure that divides the perforation into several partial perforations, on which the filter membrane rests.

[0012] The internal structure can be, for example, grid-like or spoke-like. Particularly in the described configuration, where the membrane is inserted after the first part is injection-molded, it is advantageous for this internal structure to be present. This ensures that the filter membrane retains its position during injection molding and, in particular, prevents the filter membrane from being completely covered by a tool-side displacement body, which is pressed against the membrane for this purpose. The membrane itself is supported by the aforementioned internal structure. Furthermore, this internal structure is also advantageous during product use, as it prevents the filter membrane from being accidentally forced into the cap by force.

[0013] The two body sections have surfaces facing each other to form the receiving space, between which the filter membrane is arranged and is supported on both sides by the surfaces.

[0014] The surfaces facing each other on the two body parts preferably form a circumferential, one-sided open chamber into which the edge region of the membrane is inserted. As already mentioned, when the second body part is injection-molded, the surface provided on its side can form an intimate bond with the membrane, resulting in a particularly good seal.

[0015] One of the sub-bodies may have elastically deflectable sections which, by being joined with the filter membrane or the other sub-body, are elastically deflected and exert a holding force in the direction of the filter membrane.

[0016] The aforementioned elastically deflectable sections can be deflected and thus tensioned during the manufacturing of the cap by the inserted filter membrane, so that after the second part is added they exert force on the membrane against this second part and thus provide additional positional security for the filter membrane.

[0017] The caps according to both described variants are preferably made of plastic, for example polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0018] The design of the dispensers is fundamentally flexible. They can be dispensers with a pump or a switchable dispensing valve, which allows for the controlled dispensing of previously pressurized liquid. However, a design with a squeeze bottle as a liquid reservoir is particularly advantageous. In such a design, it is preferably also provided that a pressure-dependent dispensing valve is integrated into the dispensing head. This valve only opens when sufficient pressure is applied to the liquid, particularly in the squeeze bottle, thus allowing the liquid to be dispensed.

[0019] The cap according to the invention can also be used with dispensers of various dispensing characteristics, such as spray dispensers. However, its use is particularly intended for dropper dispensers, since such dispensers have a droplet-forming surface surrounding the dispensing opening, where the dispensed liquid collects before the droplet is released. With such dispensers, it is especially advantageous to allow drying after use by means of a cap with a ventilation opening.

[0020] A dispenser according to the invention can in particular be designed as a dropper for dispensing eye drops.

[0021] The term "liquid dispenser" as used in this invention includes both dispensers for low-viscosity liquids similar to water and dispensers for high-viscosity, more pasty liquids. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. Fig. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a dispenser in its delivered state. Fig. 2A and 2B show the dispenser cap according to the Figures 1A and 1B during the process of converting the donor into a usable state. Fig. 3A and 3B show the donor of Fig. 1A and 1B in working order. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. Figs. 5A to 5C Figures 6A and 6B illustrate the structure of the dispenser cap. Fig. 4 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0023] The Figs. 1A to 3B show a first embodiment of a liquid dispenser not according to the invention.

[0024] The following show Fig. 1A and 1BThe liquid dispenser 10 in its delivered state. The liquid dispenser 10 has a liquid reservoir 12 designed as a squeeze bottle and a dispensing head 20 attached to it with a nozzle in the Fig. 1A and 1B The dispensing opening 22 (not shown) is protected by a cap body 40. This cap body 40 is part of a cap 30, which, in its delivered state, additionally comprises a detachable segment 60. This segment 60 must first be separated from the cap body 40 for the purpose of commissioning the liquid dispenser 10. This detachable segment 60 comprises a circumferential tamper-evident section 64 in the form of a ring, which is connected at connection areas 64A and 64B on one side to the cap body 40 and on the other side to an annular retaining section 24 attached to the dispensing head 20. In its delivered state, this tamper-evident section 64 initially prevents the cap body 40 from being removed from the dispensing head 20.

[0025] The detachable segment 60 also has a pull-off section 62, which closes a ventilation opening 42 and is integrally connected to the outer surface of the cap body 40 along a circumferential dividing line 43 for this purpose. In the area of ​​this dividing line, the plastic material of the cap 30 is very thin, so that a predetermined dividing line is formed here.

[0026] The pull-off section 62 and the tamper-evident section 64 are connected to each other via a connecting section 66, in the area of ​​which the separable segment 60 is not connected to the outer surface 40A of the cap body 40. The connecting section 66, like a gripping section 68, is designed with relatively thick walls, so that no significant deformations occur here during the intended handling of the separable segment 60.

[0027] To put the dispenser into operation, the separable segment 60 is grasped in the area of ​​the gripping section 68 and tilted in the direction of arrow 2.

[0028] Referring to the Fig. 2A and 2B This initially causes the puller section 62 to release the ventilation opening 42. This is facilitated by a rigidly designed spacer section 70, which creates a comparatively high leverage force that strengthens the connection between the puller section and the outer surface in the tapered section relative to Fig. 2BThe left side of the ventilation opening is separated. Subsequently, the pull-off section 62 can be completely removed from the ventilation opening with minimal effort. As the separable segment 60 continues to move, the tamper-evident section 64 separates from the retaining section 24 and the cap body 40, allowing the cap body 40 to be removed and replaced after use of the dispenser. The dispensing head 20 and the cap body 40 are designed to ensure a secure, frictional fit of the cap to the dispensing head.

[0029] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, which differs from the first embodiment only in the design of the cap 30. The liquid reservoir 12 and the discharge head 20, however, are identical to the embodiment described above.

[0030] As in Fig. 4As already indicated, the cap 30 here consists of two sub-bodies 46, 48, between which a filter membrane 80 is arranged.

[0031] In the Fig. 6A and 6B The structure is shown in cross-section. The sub-body 46 forms the main cap body with a lateral surface 46A and an end face 46B, over which an internal structure 46D extends, in which openings 46C are provided for ventilation. The filter membrane 80 is positioned on this end face and the internal structure 46D, preferably the second sub-body 48, which is ring-shaped and has an opening 48C, is placed on top. The filter membrane 80 is effectively fixed in position by elastically deflectable claw-like elements 46F. In addition, its edge is made of Fig. 6B evidently clamped in a circumferential receiving space 82 formed by the two partial bodies 46, 48. The various stages during the manufacture of the cap 30 are shown by the Figs. 5A to 5C clarifies.

[0032] The ring-shaped sub-body 48 can be formed by a force-fit connection using an interference fit between the inside of sub-body 48 and the outside of sub-body 46. Alternatively, a snap-fit ​​connection can be used.

[0033] A particularly advantageous design provides that in the injection molding process the partial body 46 is first produced and after it has solidified the filter membrane 80 is placed on the end face.

[0034] The second sub-body 48 can then be produced by injection molding onto the first sub-body. This creates a particularly strong bond between the sub-bodies through material contact. Furthermore, the downward-facing surface 48E of the second sub-body 48 forms a particularly close bond with the edge regions of the filter membrane 80, so that bacterial penetration is not a concern. No such close bond is formed on the underside of the filter membrane 80, which rests on the end face 46B and specifically on surface 46E.

[0035] While it would theoretically be possible to injection mold the two sub-bodies 46 and 48 together, this would require a very complex tool to hold the filter membrane 80 in position and overmold it. Therefore, the inventive method of placing the membrane onto the first sub-body 46 is advantageous.

Claims

1. Liquid dispenser (10) for discharging pharmaceutical liquids, with the following features: a. the liquid dispenser (10) possesses a discharge head (20) on which a discharge opening (22) is provided, and b. the liquid dispenser (10) possesses a cap (30) with a cap body (40), which can be attached to the discharge head (20) and is removable from the latter and which, in the attached state, covers the discharge opening (22), and c. the cap body (40) possesses a ventilation opening (42) which connects a surrounding atmosphere to an interior space (44) of the cap body (40) in such a way that upon putting the liquid dispenser into operation with the cap body (40) attached, the discharge opening (22) covered by the cap body (40) can dry on account of the connection to the surrounding atmosphere, and d. the ventilation opening (42) is provided with a filter membrane (80) for filtering the air flowing through, characterized by the following features: e. the cap body (40) has two sub-bodies (46, 48) which conjointly form a receptacle space (82) for the filter membrane (80).

2. Liquid dispenser (10) according to Claim 1, characterized by the following features: a. a first sub-body (46) is a cap main body with a casing surface (46A) and an end surface (46B) with a first cut-out (46C), and b. the second sub-body (48) is an annular body which is able to be fastened to the first sub-body (46) in an encircling manner and has a second cut-out (48C) which then is co-aligned with the first cut-out (46C).

3. Liquid dispenser (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, with the following feature: a. the two sub-bodies (46, 48) are connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

4. Liquid dispenser (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, with the following feature: a. the two sub-bodies (46, 48) are connected to one another in a materially integral manner, in particular owing to the fact that the second sub-body (48) is integrally moulded on the first sub-body (46).

5. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, with the following feature: a. the first cut-out (46C) possesses an internal structure (46D) on which the filter membrane (80) rests and which sub-divides the cut-out (46C) into a plurality of partial cut-outs.

6. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, with the following features: a. the two sub-bodies (46, 48) have surfaces (46E, 48E) which point towards one another and between which is disposed the filter membrane (80) that is supported on both sides by the surfaces (46E,48E).

7. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, with the following features: a. provided on one of the sub-bodies (46) are elastically deflectable portions (46F) which are elastically deflected due to being joined to the filter membrane (80), or to the other sub-body (48), and effect a retaining force acting in the direction of the filter membrane (80).

8. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, with the following features: a. the filter membrane is designed as a microfiltration membrane and has a mean pore diameter between 0.1 µm and approx. 0.3 µm.

9. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, with the following features: a. an encircling peripheral region of the filter membrane is disposed between the sub-bodies of the cap body.

10. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following feature: a. the cap is made of plastics material.

11. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following feature: a. the liquid dispenser has a fluid reservoir (12) designed as a squeeze bottle.

12. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following feature: a. the discharge head comprises an outlet valve that opens as a function of pressure.

13. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following feature: a. the discharge head is designed to dispense individual drops.