Dispensing head and dispensing device for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations and possible uses

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing head for a dispensing device or a dispensing device equipped with the dispensing head for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations. The dispensing head comprises a special valve that includes at least one sealing lip, with which a passage channel provided in the dispensing head for dispensing the liquid preparation can be closed. The present invention is characterized by the simplicity of the dispensing head and the associated economic advantages in manufacturing.

[0002] WO 2018 / 010889 relates to a pump head that enables the metered dispensing of fluids, as well as a dispensing device that can be designed, for example, as a squeeze bottle, wherein the dispensing device comprises a correspondingly designed pump head. However, the pump head described therein is not sufficiently pressure-sensitive, making the targeted, metered dispensing of a specific volume of a fluid to be dispensed difficult. Other known documents are US2761591A, EP1213003A1, DE20209615U1, and DE29714031U1.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing head for a dispensing device for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations or a corresponding dispensing device that is as pressure-sensitive as possible and thus facilitates the dispensing of a precisely metered quantity of a fluid to be dispensed—particularly liquids with low surface tension, such as aqueous solutions. The dispensing head should also have a valve that is as simple as possible. This object is achieved with regard to a dispensing head having the features of patent claim 1, and with regard to a dispensing device having the features of patent claim 12. Possible uses of the dispensing device are specified in claim 15.

[0004] The present invention thus relates to a dispensing head according to claim 1 for a dispensing device for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations, comprising a through-channel which has an inlet opening arranged on the inside and an outer dispensing opening for liquid preparations, wherein the inlet opening connects an interior space to an external environment via the through-channel, and a valve comprising a valve body which is arranged on the side of the interior space above the inlet opening and the inlet opening is designed to be reversibly sealingly closable with respect to an interior space for the liquid preparation, wherein the valve body has at least one sealing lip which is formed on a side of the valve body facing the inlet opening and seals the interior space with respect to the inlet opening when the valve body closes the inlet opening.

[0005] The dispensing head thus has a through-channel through which the liquid preparation to be dosed can be dispensed from an inner side (on which the valve is located) to the outer side. For this purpose, the dispensing head comprises a through-channel with an inlet opening located on the inside and an outer dispensing opening. The valve is designed in such a way that, in certain operating states of the dispensing head, it can automatically close the inlet opening of the through-channel (and thus the entire through-channel).

[0006] According to the invention, the valve body has at least one sealing lip, which makes it possible to effectively close the inlet opening of the through-channel. The valve body itself is designed to be movable relative to the inlet opening, so that when the valve is open, the liquid preparation to be dosed can be discharged into the inlet opening and thus into the through-channel inlet and outward via the discharge opening.

[0007] The valve according to the invention thus enables the fluid to be dispensed to pass between the dispensing head and the at least one or more sealing lips in the event that the valve body is not pressed against the inlet opening of the through-channel at all or is pressed with a sufficiently small pressure force by the fluid to be dispensed. In the event that the pressure on the valve body increases (for example via the fluid to be dispensed), or in the exemplary case that a pressure increase occurs, the valve body with the at least one sealing lip arranged thereon is pressed sufficiently forcefully against the dispensing head and thus reliably closes the inlet opening of the through-channel. In this operating state, the through-channel is closed by the valve.

[0008] The valve is therefore open when no pressure is exerted on the squeeze bottle; there is then a narrow gap between the at least one sealing lip of the valve body and the wall of the dispensing head. However, the gap is dimensioned so small that no fluid can escape, even if the dosing device with the dispensing head according to the invention is positioned with the outlet opening facing downwards (e.g. during transport or storage of the dosing device in a corresponding position, such as in a handbag or trouser pocket). This is due to the surface tension of the fluid and the small distance between the valve and the wall of the dispensing head. The fluid to be dosed is dispensed by exerting pressure on the fluid inside the dosing device, for example by exerting pressure on a squeeze bottle. The fluid is dispensed in a metered manner until the valve closes.The valve is closed by applying pressure to the squeeze bottle and after the defined dosage volume has been dispensed, by fluidically sealing the outlet channel, even if the pressure continues.

[0009] When the dosing device is positioned facing downwards (i.e., when the valve is positioned above the through-channel), the fluid to be dosed can flow into the through-channel due to the fact that the valve is open. When the dosing device is actuated (i.e., when pressure is exerted on the stored fluid, e.g., by squeezing a squeeze bottle), a metered release of the fluid occurs until the through-channel is closed by the valve. The metered amount of fluid is thus defined by the valve's metering stroke.

[0010] If there is air between the valve and the fluid, for example, when the dosing device is mounted facing upwards (i.e., when the valve is positioned below the through-channel), only air is present in the through-channel, as the fluid flows back into the reservoir due to gravity. Thus, when pressure is applied, only a small amount of air escapes.

[0011] The present invention is particularly characterized by the simplicity of the valve, which can, for example, be formed as a single piece and inserted into the dispensing head. No additional fastening means are required for the valve, and both the dispensing head and the valve can be manufactured from a single material, thus eliminating the need for external materials such as metals or complex mechanical constructions.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body comprises at least two sealing lips, an inner sealing lip and an outer sealing lip.

[0013] It is further preferred that the at least one sealing lip, in particular the inner sealing lip and outer sealing lip, are arranged concentrically on the valve body. Due to the concentric design, for example, the inlet opening, which is also circular in cross-section, for the through-channel (which may also be circular in cross-section) can be securely enclosed and thus separated from the interior. Particularly for the manufacture of the valve, it is advantageous if the valve body and the at least one sealing lip are formed in one piece. Furthermore, it is preferred if the at least one sealing lip has a height of 0.05 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm, in the direction of the inlet opening.

[0014] For example, the at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) can have a width of 0.05 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

[0015] It is further preferred if the sealing lip and the at least one sealing lip are formed from a thermoplastic or elastomeric plastic, in particular from a polyolefin, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or a polyamide, such as PA6, PA66, PA12.

[0016] According to the invention, the valve comprises a frame having at least one fastening element to which the valve body is fixed, wherein the frame is fastened to the dispensing head.

[0017] It is intended that the valve body, the frame and the at least one fastening element are formed in one piece.

[0018] It is further preferred in the aforementioned embodiment if the dispensing head has a recess into which the frame with the valve body is fitted in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner.

[0019] A further preferred embodiment provides that the valve is loosely received in a recess of the dispensing head and is designed to be vertically movable in the recess.

[0020] In the aforementioned embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the valve body is dimensioned such that the liquid preparation can flow between the valve body and a wall delimiting the recess.

[0021] Particularly in the case where the valve body is loosely inserted into the recess, it is preferable to secure the valve or the valve body. According to this preferred embodiment, the recess has a limitation that prevents the valve from being completely removed vertically from the recess.

[0022] It is further preferred that the valve body has a guide extension which engages in the through-channel and has a smaller cross-section than the through-channel.

[0023] In particular, it can be advantageous if the guide extension and valve body are formed as one piece.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a dispensing device for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations, comprising a dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims, and a flexible storage container, wherein the dispensing head is mounted on the storage container in a fluid-tight manner.

[0025] The storage container is designed in particular as a squeeze bottle that can be actuated by pressure.

[0026] The storage container can be made of a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and elastomeric plastics, in particular of a polyolefin, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or a polyamide, such as PA6, PA66, PA12.

[0027] The invention further relates to the use of a dispensing device according to the invention. The possible uses according to the invention include the storage and / or metered dispensing of ophthalmic products, in particular eye drops; rhinological products, in particular nasal drops; fluids, gels, creams, pastes, foods, and dietary supplements.

[0028] The present invention has been explained in more detail with reference to the following figures and embodiments, without limiting the invention to the specific facts shown. Here we show:

[0029] Figure 1: a first embodiment of a dispensing head or a dispensing device according to the invention in the open state. Figure 2a: the dispensing device according to the first embodiment - after the dosing volume has been dispensed and the valve has thus been closed. Figure 2b: the dispensing device according to the first embodiment in the pressure equalization state, i.e. when the suction tension in the squeeze bottle is equalized by the inflow of air. Figure 3: a second embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention in the open state. Figure 4a: the dispensing device according to the second embodiment after the dosing volume has been dispensed and the valve has thus been closed. Figure 4b: the dispensing device according to the second embodiment in the pressure equalization state, i.e. when the suction tension in the squeeze bottle is equalized by the inflow of air.

[0030] Figure 1shows a first embodiment of a dispensing device 100 according to the present invention, which comprises a dispensing head 1 according to the invention. In Figure 1 The entire dispensing device 100 is shown on the right in the state in which a metered dispensing of a fluid 2 stored in a storage container 20 takes place. The storage container 20 is connected to a dispensing head 1 according to the invention, for example via a snap closure or other mechanical fastening. The dispensing head has a dispensing opening 5 through which liquid preparation 2 can be dispensed. The dispensing opening 5 communicates via a through-channel 3 with an inlet opening 4 through which liquid preparation 2 can pass from an interior space 8 via the through-channel 3 toward the dispensing opening 5.

[0031] The storage vessel 20 is designed in particular as a squeeze bottle, which is pressurized (see in Figure 1arrows shown on the right) and can thus be activated.

[0032] The valve 6, which can reversibly close the inlet opening 4 of the through-channel 3, is shown in detail in section A ( Figure 1 , bottom left). A further enlarged view of the valve 6 can be seen in section B, which selectively shows the valve 6 in a lateral carved drawing (section B, top) and in a perspective top view (section B, bottom).

[0033] The valve 6 has a valve body 7 which has two concentric sealing lips 7a, 7b on its underside (i.e. the side facing the inlet opening 4 of the through-channel 3). At high pressure, the metered volume is initially dispensed. After the defined volume has been dispensed, the valve 6 is then closed by the increasing pressure. The pressure exerted on the squeeze bottle presses the valve body 7 onto the inlet opening 4 of the through-channel 3, in particular via the sealing lips 7a, 7b, and a fluidic closure occurs, in which a barrier that is temporarily impenetrable for the fluid 2 is formed between the wall of the dispensing head 1, against which the valve body 7 is pressed, and the inlet opening 4 of the through-channel 3. This is in contrast to conventional squeeze bottles, where no metered dispensing takes place, but rather the dispensing is only stopped when the pressure on the squeeze surface is released.This means that the dispensed volume can be dosed independently of the pressure exerted on the squeeze bottle and therefore always the same.

[0034] In the example case of Figure 1 The valve 6 is designed such that the valve body 7 (with sealing lips 7a, 7b located thereon) is fastened to a frame 9b via holding arms 9a. All of the aforementioned components form the valve 6. This valve 6 can be inserted into a receiving opening 10 in the dispensing head 1 provided for receiving this valve 6 and fastened therein (for example, merely by appropriately designing the receiving opening 10 in the dispensing head and the valve 6), without it being necessary to use additional mechanical means for fastening the valve 6 in the dispensing head 1.

[0035] In Figure 2a is the dispensing device 100, as in Figure 1already shown. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols of the essentially identical components are shown in Figure 2 listed. Detail I shows the state in which the valve body 7 is completely pressed against the inlet opening 4 of the through-channel 3 and thus the through-channel 3 is closed by the valve body 7.

[0036] Figure 2bshows the pressure equalization state, i.e., when the dispensing device 100 is placed into a storage state after dispensing. The dispensing device is placed on the bottom of the storage container 20. A reversible expansion of the squeeze bottle 20 occurs; the volume previously dispensed in the form of liquid 2 is replaced by air L (shown in detail II), which can flow into the interior 8 via the through-channel 3. Thus, pressure equalization occurs within the interior by the intake of air. The position of the squeeze bottle is irrelevant.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a dispensing head 1 according to the invention with an alternative valve 6. In the case of Figure 3 The valve 6 has a valve body 7, to which - otherwise in analogy to the valve 6 according to Figure 1- two sealing lips 7a and 7b are arranged on the underside. In addition, the valve body 7 has a guide extension 7c. The valve 6 is received in a receiving opening 10 of the dispensing head 1 and is movable vertically there (indicated by the arrows by the arrow v). The receiving opening 10 has a boundary 11, which can be designed, for example, in the form of a projection and / or a constriction of the opening 10, in order to prevent the valve 6 from filling out of the receiving opening 10 in the operating state or in the state in which the dosing device is placed upside down on the bottom of the squeeze bottle 20.

[0038] The valve body 7 is measured in such a way that fluid 2 can flow between the wall of the receiving opening 10 and the tips of the valve body 7 at any time in the direction of the inlet opening 4 or the through-channel 3.

[0039] In the exemplary case of Figure 3The guide extension 7c shown is designed in such a way that the valve 6 is secured in a horizontal position with respect to the through-channel 3 or the inlet opening 4, so that a reliable sealing of the inlet opening 4 via the sealing lips 7a, 7b is always ensured.

[0040] The functioning of the valve 6, in particular as regards the pressures for the reversible closing of the inlet opening 4, is otherwise identical to the design of Figure 1 .

[0041] Figure 4a shows the dispensing device 100 - in an analogous manner to Figure 2a - in a state I, in which the inlet opening 4 of the through-channel 3 is completely closed via the valve 6. This state occurs when sufficiently high pressures are exerted on the squeeze bottle 20 at the rear.

[0042] Figure 4bshows the dispensing device 100 in a state II in which the previously dispensed volume of the liquid preparation 2 is replaced by air L and the squeeze bottle 20 returns to the original state (see indicated arrows).

Claims

1. A dispensing head (1) for a dispensing device (100) for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations (2), comprising a through channel (3), which has an inlet opening (4) arranged on the inner side and an outer dispensing opening (5) for liquid preparations, wherein the inlet opening is configured such that it connects an inner space (8) to an outer environment via the through channel (3), and a valve (6), comprising a valve body (7), which is arranged on the side of the inner space (8) above the inlet opening (4), and the inlet opening (4) is configured to be reversibly closable in a sealing manner from an inner space (8) for the liquid preparation (3), characterized in that the valve body (7) has at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) which is formed on a side of the valve body (7) facing the inlet opening (4) and wherein the sealing lip (7a, 7b) is configured such that it seals the inner space (8) from the inlet opening (4) when the valve body (7) closes the inlet opening (4), wherein the valve (6) comprises a frame (9b) which has at least one fastening element (9a) to which the valve body (7) is fixed, wherein the frame (9b) is secured to the dispensing head (1), wherein preferably the valve body (7), the frame (9b) and the at least one fastening element (9a) are configured in one piece, and the valve (6) is configured such that the valve body (7), in the event that the pressure on the valve body (7) is increased, closes the inlet opening (4) of the through channel (3).

2. The dispensing head (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve body (7) comprises at least two sealing lips, an inner sealing lip (7a) and outer sealing lip (7b).

3. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b), in particular the inner sealing lip (7a) and outer sealing lip (7b), are arranged concentrically on the valve body (7).

4. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (7) and the at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) are formed in one piece.

5. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) has a height in the direction of the inlet opening (4) of 0.05 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

6. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) has a width of 0.05 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

7. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (7) and the at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) are made from a thermoplastic or elastomeric plastic, in particular from a polyolefin, such as e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or a polyamide, such as e.g. PA6, PA66, PA12.

8. The dispensing head (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing head (1) comprises a recess (10), into which the frame (9b) with the valve body (7) is fitted in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.

9. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (6) is mounted loosely in a recess (10) of the dispensing head (1) and is configured to move vertically (v) in the recess (10), wherein preferably the valve body (7) is dimensioned such that the liquid preparation (2) can flow between the valve body and a wall delimiting the recess (10) and / or the recess (10) has a delimitation (11) which prevents a fully vertical (v) removal of the valve (6) out of the recess (10).

10. The dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (7) has a guide extension (7c) which is configured to engage in the through channel (3) and has a smaller cross-section than the through channel (3).

11. The dispensing head (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that guide extension (7c) and valve body (7) are configured in one piece.

12. A dispensing device (100) for the metered dispensing of liquid preparations (2), comprising a dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a flexible storage container (20), wherein the dispensing head (1) is mounted in a fluid-tight manner on the storage container (20).

13. The dispensing device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible storage container is a squeeze bottle that can be actuated by pressure.

14. The dispensing device (100) according to any one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the storage container (20) is made from a material selected from the group including thermoplastics and elastomeric plastics, in particular from a polyolefin, such as e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or a polyamide, such as e.g. PA6, PA66, PA12.

15. Use of a dispensing device (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14 for the storage and / or metered dispensing of ophthalmic products, in particular eye drops; rhinological products, in particular nose drops, fluids, gels, creams, pastes, foods and food supplements.