Atomiser

Abstract

The invention relates to an atomiser (1) for a fluid (3) located in a container (2), comprising an atomiser nozzle and a housing (7), wherein a pump body (8) with a first through-opening (9) having a first opening cross-sectional area is arranged in the housing (7), wherein a hollow piston (10) with a non-return valve (11) and a filter element (12) are arranged in the first through-opening (9), wherein a holding region (13) is also provided for holding the filter element (12) in a flow direction (r) of the fluid (3) in the first through-opening (9), wherein an atomising part (17) is also arranged downstream of the filter element (12) in the flow direction (r), which atomising part is accommodated in an extension region of the pump body (8) adjoining the first through-opening (9) in the flow direction (r). For an advantageous embodiment, the filter element (12) is arranged in the first through-opening (9) in the flow direction (r) upstream of the holding device (13), in which a second through-opening (16) is provided, with the second through-opening (16) having a second opening cross-sectional area, and the second opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area in such a way that the filter element is securely held while the flow is otherwise as unimpeded as possible.

Description

Field of technology

[0001] The invention relates to an atomiser for a fluid located in a container, with an atomiser nozzle and a housing, wherein a pump body with a first passage opening having a first opening cross-sectional area is arranged in the housing, wherein a hollow plunger with a non-return valve and a filter element are arranged in the first passage opening, wherein furthermore a holding area is also provided for holding the filter element in a flow direction of the fluid in the first passage opening, wherein furthermore an atomising part is arranged downstream of the filter element in the flow direction and is accommodated in an extension area of the pump body which follows on from the first passage opening in the flow direction. Prior art

[0002] Atomisers of the type in question, which are also referred to as inhalers, are known for example from WO 2007 / 022898 A2 (US 7 823 584 B2) and furthermore, for example, from WO 2012 / 160052 Al (US 9 827 384 B2) or from WO 2017 / 080895 Al (US 2017 / 0128681 Al).

[0003] In the case of an atomiser known from WO 2012 / 007315 Al (US 2016 / 0144138 Al), the filter part that is designed as a fine filter there is made of metal and is arranged downstream of a plastic pre-filter in the passage opening in the direction of flow. Summary of the invention

[0004] Starting out from the last-mentioned prior art, the invention is concerned with the task of specifying an atomiser which, with an advantageous construction, has a favourable arrangement of a filter element.

[0005] This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1, wherein the aim is that the filter element is arranged in the first passage opening upstream of the holding device in the direction of flow, in which a second passage opening is provided, wherein the second passage opening has a second opening cross-sectional area, and that the second opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area so that the filter element is securely held while the flow is otherwise as unimpeded as possible.

[0006] With regard to the required holding of the filter element, the second opening cross-sectional area can vary depending on the material used for the filter element. Possible materials are explained in more detail below. If the filter material is comparatively soft, the second opening cross-sectional area is preferably smaller than for a hard material such as a metallic material. The filter element is preferably a depth filter. Compared to surface filters, depth filters have a high filter capacity, while at the same time also having a high pressure resistance and preferably also pressure resistance and / or a lower impact on a pressure drop with an increasing amount of filtered-out substance.

[0007] Because the holding device is provided downstream of the filter element in the flow direction, the filter element is held in the first passage opening in a favourable manner with a high supporting effect. The holding device is preferably a plastic component or is formed on a plastic component, in particular the pump body. If the filter element is made of a comparatively soft material, it cannot push through the second passage opening or be extruded through it due to the pressure drop that occurs during inhalation or spray activation. It can, preferably, be an effective and optionally soft filter element as the sole filter element alongside the microfilter integrated in the atomising part in the nozzle area. In this case, in particular, it is a sole filter element upstream of the atomising part. In such a case, it is correspondingly formed in one piece and is present as a one-piece filter element.

[0008] Although the second opening cross-sectional area is smaller, it is preferably selected such that no additional, relevant flow resistance arises relative to the greatest flow resistance in the atomising part. For example, if the atomising part, ultimately the nozzle outlet of the atomising part, has (only) one opening area between approximately 50 and 120 pm2, preferably 90 pm2, then the second opening cross-sectional area should, in the interest of low flow resistance, preferably be at least approximately 100 times the largest assumed cross-section of the nozzle outlet, i.e., 12,000 pm2 or 0.012 mm2, which would correspond to a minimum diameter of the second passage opening of approximately 0.12 mm. From a manufacturing perspective, this diameter can still be achieved by mechanical drilling or laser drilling. The upper limit of the second passage opening is determined by the strength of the filter. Experience has shown that for soft PE filters with a diameter between preferably 1.3 and 1.8 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm, a passage opening of 20% to 40%, preferably 30% of the filter diameter or the first passage opening has proven successful. This preferably corresponds to second passage opening diameters of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, more preferably 0.4 mm. This range is also manageable in injection moulding.

[0009] For harder filter materials such as ceramic and glass, the cross-section of the second passage opening can also be close to the cross-section of the first one and preferably approximately four-fifths or less of the first opening cross-sectional area. This would correspond to a diameter of the second opening of preferably approximately 1.3 mm compared to a diameter of the first opening preferably of 1.5 mm in the above example.

[0010] With a number of approximately 200 sprays carried out or doses delivered, no significant pressure loss could be detected due to any displacement of the microfilter integrated in the atomising part.

[0011] For example, 200 doses correspond to a standard one-month supply. This result is also evident when ethanolic solutions are used as the active ingredient.

[0012] According to one aspect, the choice of material for the filter element is accordingly subject to very few restrictions. In particular, it can also be a soft material. A metallic filter element is not necessarily required upstream of the atomising part in the flow direction, as described in the prior art.

[0013] The filter element can advantageously be designed to meet a filtration requirement. In particular, it can be formed integrally in one piece from a relatively soft, porous material. However, the filter element can also be made of a material such as glass, ceramic, plastic, metal, or a semiconductor such as silicon. Regarding its manufacture, it can be sintered from a powder, woven as a fleece, and structured by etching or ion bombardment. Last but not least, it can also be produced by additive manufacturing.

[0014] The holding area can be designed solely as a taper integrated into the pump body in relation to the - second - passage opening. Here, the taper can be designed to be stepped or, for example, conical. With regard to a manufacturing process for the pump body, which for large quantities is usually an injection moulding process, if the resulting passage opening, as a combination of the first and second passage openings, is disadvantageously small (and long) for the given length, it can also be designed such that first of all, the part is manufactured without the second passage opening, with the second opening cross-sectional area, and this is then inserted into the injection-moulded part in the course of further processing using material-removing processes such as boring, laser cutting, punching, or the like.

[0015] In one embodiment, a separate holding part can also be provided. This is particularly advantageous, bearing in mind the comparatively long passage opening, given that the injection-moulded pump body does not also have to be manufactured with a significantly reduced or transitionally complex opening.

[0016] The holding part is preferably a plastic component. It can also preferably be manufactured by injection moulding, for example from polypropylene. Apart from the second passage opening, it preferably does have anything flowing through. The holding part can be essentially cylindrical or conical. However, it can also be in the form of a washer, or, regardless of the specific design, designed as a permeable support structure and in the form of a mesh. Although it is preferably a plastic component, it can also be a metal part, a ceramic part, a glass part, a silicon part, or the like.

[0017] The holding part can sit in a tapered area of the first passage opening. However, since the holding part further reduces the first passage opening despite a tapered area, the first tapered area can still be formed comparatively inexpensively on the pump body using injection moulding techniques.

[0018] The holding part more preferably sits with a press fit or transition fit in the first passage opening and preferably also in the tapered area mentioned.

[0019] The holding part accordingly preferably sits like a plug in the first passage opening.

[0020] In terms of assembly, the holding part can be inserted into the first passage opening from below. It can then be pressed into its final position accordingly.

[0021] As outlined above, the filter element is the only discrete filter element of the atomiser besides the microfilter integrated in the atomising part. It can be designed in multiple stages, with different porosities, e.g., with decreasing porosity in the flow direction.

[0022] A cost-effective, sealed design can be achieved while simultaneously having an advantageous number of components. The tolerance chain for preloading the nozzle seal is reduced. The pressurised surfaces of the nozzle holder can be advantageously reduced.

[0023] If the holding area is formed in one piece in the pump body, the components involved in the filtering, i.e. without the nozzle holder, atomising element and screw cap, can be reduced to three parts: the filter element, the nozzle seal and the pump body itself. If a holding part (made of plastic) is added, there are four parts. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention is explained below with reference to the attached drawing, which, however, represents only one design example. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows the atomiser in a perspective view, with the covering cap fitted on; Fig. 2 shows the atomiser in a cross-section along the plane II-II in Figure 1; Fig. 3 shows an enlarged upper area of the illustration according to Figure 2, in a first embodiment; Fig 4 shows the enlarged upper part of the illustration according to Figure 2, in a second embodiment; pig 5 shows the enlarged upper part of the illustration according to Figure 2, in a third embodiment; $ shows the enlarged upper part of the illustration according to Figure 2, in a fourth embodiment. Description of the embodiments

[0025] What is shown and described is an atomiser 1 for spraying a fluid 3 stored in a container 2.

[0026] The atomiser 1 is preferably designed as a portable inhaler, more preferably with an elongated design that is round or oval in cross-section. Viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis x of the housing, the atomiser 1 can have a length of approximately 80 to approximately 200 mm. The length is preferably approximately 100 to approximately 150 mm. A width or diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing can be in the range of 20 to 60 mm, preferably approximately 25 to 50 mm. The atomiser 1 can thus be held and used in one hand to carry out an inhalation procedure.

[0027] The fluid 3 is preferably a therapeutic or pharmaceutical product to be inhaled by the user during an inhalation procedure. More preferably, such inhalation occurs without propellant gas. The fluid 3 is preferably drawn from the container 2 into a pressure chamber 4 and, as a result of pressurisation, expelled in an atomised form via a mouthpiece 5. The atomisation procedures carried out can be counted using a counting mechanism 6 arranged on the side of the housing.

[0028] In the design of the atomiser 1 described here, the fluid 3 is preferably present as an ethanolic solution, alternatively also as an aqueous solution.

[0029] The atomiser 1 furthermore comprises a housing 7 in which a pump body 8 (Figure 2) is arranged. The pump body 8 has a first passage opening 9. A hollow plunger 10, a non-return valve 11, and a filter element 12 are arranged in the first passage opening 9 (see also Figures 3 and 4). The hollow plunger 10 is such as is known and customary for such atomisers.

[0030] Furthermore, a holding area 13 is provided for holding the filter element 12 upstream of a nozzle holder 14 in a flow direction r of the fluid 3 expelled for atomisation, wherein furthermore arranged downstream of the filter element 12 in the flow direction r there is an atomising part 17 with an integrated microfilter which is accommodated in an extension area of the pump body 8 following on from the first passage opening 9. The atomising part 17 is held in the mouthpiece 5 by the nozzle holder 14, preferably a metal part. The nozzle holder 14 can also be a plastic component. The nozzle holder 14, in turn, is covered by a screw cap 19 which is preferably held on the pump body 8. The nozzle holder 14 furthermore covers a sealing element 15 made of plastic or elastomer which is preferably seated with a certain radial and axial preload between the nozzle holder 14, the pump body 8 and the atomising part 17.

[0031] The holding area 13 can preferably be designed to be integrated into the pump body 8. This is illustrated in Figure 5.

[0032] A second passage opening 16 is formed in the holding area 13.

[0033] Preferably, as shown in the embodiments in particular in Figures 3 and 4, a holding part 18 is provided for holding the filter element 12 upstream of the atomising part 17 in the flow direction r of the fluid 3 expelled for atomisation.

[0034] The filter element 12 is accommodated in the first passage opening 9 upstream of a holding area 13 in the flow direction r. The holding area 13 can, as already stated, be formed by the pump body 8 itself or by the holding part 18 accommodated in the first passage opening 9. The holding area 13 or the holding part 18 has the second passage opening 16. If the holding area 13 is formed in one piece with the pump body 8, the second passage opening 16 is a continuation of the first passage opening 9, i.e., a sub-area thereof. The second passage opening 16 has a second opening cross-sectional area that is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area. The difference is selected to ensure secure holding of the filter element while otherwise ensuring the most unimpeded flow possible. For this purpose, the second opening cross-sectional area can correspond to four-fifths or less of the first cross-sectional area. For example, two-thirds or less of a first opening cross-sectional area of the first passage opening 9 also corresponds. The first or second opening cross-sectional area is the free area of the first or second passage opening 9, 16, respectively, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x of the housing.

[0035] The filter element 12 is preferably a depth filter, more preferably designed as a sintered part with a certain porosity. Common thermoplastics such as PP, PBT or HT (high-temperature) thermoplastics such as PEEK, but also corrosion-resistant, inert materials such as glass, ceramics, or metals (VA, titanium) are suitable.

[0036] The holding part 18 is preferably a plastic component, manufactured by injection moulding, e.g. from PP or integrated in the pump body, but can also be made of other materials, such as HT thermoplastics, preferably PEEK (polyether ether ketone). The pump body 8 can be manufactured in the same way.

[0037] The holding part 18 is preferably located in a tapered area of the first passage opening 9.

[0038] The holding part 18 is also preferably formed to match the shape of the tapered area of the first passage opening 9. As shown in Figure 3, it can have an outer contour that tapers essentially conically in the flow direction, just as the tapered area of the first passage opening 9 is preferably formed to taper conically in this case. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, it can also have a step-like taper of the outer contour, provided as a defined limit stop of the holding part 18 or a shape that matches the inner contour of the first passage opening 9 in this area.

[0039] Preferably, the holding part 18 is press-fitted into the first passage opening 9 in order to be axially secured.

[0040] The filter element 12 is further preferably provided as the sole filter element besides the microfilter integrated in the atomising part 17 of the atomiser 1. A stepped design with different porosities is also possible.

[0041] The nozzle seal 15 and / or the nozzle holder 14 sit directly on an end face of the pump body 8, forming a seal. An interposed O-ring or the like is preferably not provided.

[0042] With reference to Figure 6, an embodiment according to Figure 3 or Figure 4 is shown, further enlarged, in which the holding part 18 is formed in the manner of a washer. In the left half, a stepped design is shown, and in the right half, a conical design is shown with respect to the longitudinal axis x of the housing, i.e., in principle, corresponding to Figure 4 or Figure 3. Preferably, even with such a washer-shaped design of the holding part 18, the design is uniformly stepped or uniformly conical. It is indicated by dashed lines that, instead of the specifically drawn stepped design of the pump body 8 in this regard, a conical design can also be provided, corresponding to Figure 3. List of reference symbols 1 Atomiser 2 Container 3 Fluid 4 Pressure chamber 5 Mouthpiece 6 Counting mechanism 7 Housing 8 Pump body 9 First passage opening 10 Hollow plunger 11 Non-retum valve 12 Filter element 13 Holding area 14 Nozzle holder 15 Nozzle seal 16 Second passage opening 17 Atomising part 18 Holding part 19 Screwcap r Flow direction x Longitudinal axis of the housing

Claims

1. Atomiser (1) for a fluid (3) located in a container (2), with an atomiser nozzle and a housing (7), wherein arranged in the housing (7) is a pump body (8) with a first passage opening (9) having a first opening cross-sectional area, wherein arranged in the first passage opening (9) is a hollow plunger (10) with a non-retum valve (11) and a filter element (12), wherein furthermore a holding area (13) is provided to hold the filter element (12) in a flow direction (r) of the fluid (3) in the first passage opening (9), wherein furthermore an atomising part (17) is arranged downstream of the filter element (12) in the flow direction (r) and is accommodated in an extension area of the pump body (8) that follows on from the first passage opening (9) in the flow direction (r), characterised in thatthe filter element (12) is arranged in the first passage opening (9) upstream of the holding device (13) in the direction of flow (r), in which a second passage opening (16) is provided, wherein the second passage opening (16) has a second opening cross-sectional area, and that the second opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area so that the filter element is securely held while the flow is otherwise as unimpeded as possible.

2. Atomiser according to claim 1, characterised in that the second opening cross-sectional area corresponds to four fifths or less of the first opening cross-sectional area.

3. Atomiser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding device (13) has a holding part (18) that is set into the first passage opening (9).

4. Atomiser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding part (18) is a plastic component.

5. Atomiser according to one of the claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the holding part (18) sits in a tapered area (19) of the first passage opening (9).

6. Atomiser according to claim 5, characterised in that the holding part (18) is formed in a shape adapted to the tapered area (19) of the first passage opening (9).

7. Atomiser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filter element (12) is provided as the sole filter element of the atomiser (1) besides a microfilter integrated in the atomising part (15).

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