LIQUID DISPENSER

Abstract

Liquid dispensers (10) for dispensing liquids, particularly pharmaceutical liquids, are known, comprising a dispensing head (20) and a cap (30) whose cap body (40) has a vent opening (42). It is proposed to provide an injection-molded pull-off section (62) which, in the as-delivered state, covers the vent opening (42) and is metallurgically bonded to the cap body (40). This pull-off section, together with a tamper-evident section (64) which, in the as-delivered state of the dispenser, prevents the cap body (40) from being removed, forms part of a common segment (60) that is separable from the cap body (40) of the cap (30). In an alternative design, the vent opening (42) is provided with a filter membrane (80) for filtering the air flowing through it, the cap body (40) having two sub-bodies (46, 48) which together form a receiving space (82) for the filter membrane (80).

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquids, particularly pharmaceutical liquids, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 7. Such a liquid dispenser has a dispensing head with a dispensing opening and a cap with a cap body that protects the dispensing opening when in place.

[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. TASK 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 a first embodiment of the invention, a liquid dispenser according to the invention 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 that, when placed on the head, covers the dispensing opening. This cap body has the aforementioned ventilation opening, which connects the surrounding atmosphere with an interior space of the cap body, so that, after the liquid dispenser is put into operation with the cap body in place, the dispensing opening covered by the cap body can dry out through contact with the surrounding atmosphere.

[0006] The cap further comprises an injection-molded peel-off section which, in the delivered state, covers the vent opening and is bonded to the cap body, as well as a tamper-evident section which, in the dispenser's delivered state, prevents removal of the cap body until the tamper-evident section has been removed. According to the invention, the cap has a segment that can be separated from the cap body as a whole and which includes this tamper-evident section and the peel-off section.

[0007] The cap provided in this first variant therefore comprises the aforementioned cap body, which is designed to be reusable and placed on the dispensing head, where it is held in place by a force-fit or form-fit connection, as well as the detachable segment, which includes at least the tamper-evident section and the pull-off section. The tamper-evident section, which is preferably designed as a circumferential tamper-evident band molded onto the cap body in its delivered state, indicates that the dispenser has not yet been used, since the cap can only be removed after the tamper-evident section has been detached.

[0008] The ventilation opening is a perforation in the cap body, which in this first embodiment of the invention is preferably arranged in the outer surface of the cap body. In the delivered state, the pull tab closes this ventilation opening and is preferably integrally connected to an edge of the ventilation opening, wherein the material, preferably a soft plastic, is particularly thin in the connection area between the cap body and the pull tab to facilitate separation.

[0009] The joint design of the peel-off section, which covers the ventilation opening in its delivered state, and the tamper-evident section ensures that, when the liquid dispenser is put into operation as intended, the peel-off section is separated from the cap body, thereby releasing the ventilation opening. The risk is low that a user will only detach the separable segment from the cap body in the area of ​​the tamper protection, but leave it attached in the area of ​​the ventilation opening.

[0010] The separable segment may have a free connecting section between the peel-off section and the tamper-evident section that is not molded onto the cap body.

[0011] The free connecting section, which links the pull-off section and the tamper-evident section, allows the ventilation opening to be positioned at a relatively large distance from the tamper-evident section. Furthermore, this makes the intended method of commissioning the dispenser very easy to understand. The free connecting section makes it immediately obvious that the pull-off section and the tamper-evident section are connected, so that even when using a dispenser according to the invention for the first time, the user understands how to commission it by separating the tamper-evident section and the pull-off section.

[0012] The separable segment may have a gripping section which is attached to the separable segment in such a way that applying force to the gripping section away from the cap body first causes a separation of the peeling section from the cap body and only subsequently a separation of the tamper-evident section from the cap body.

[0013] The gripping section is a portion of the segment separable from the cap body, suitable for grasping, particularly with the thumb and forefinger. The gripping section can be identified as such by its shape and a surface area of ​​preferably at least 8 mm x 8 mm. Additionally, knurling or a similar feature may be provided to clarify its function. The user grasps the separable segment at this gripping section and then applies force to it against the cap body to separate the segment. Because the gripping section is positioned closer to the peel-off section than to the tamper-evident section, the ventilation opening opens first, and only then does the tamper-evident section detach.This effectively prevents a user from mistakenly separating only the tamper-evident section, leaving the segment, which is completely separable from the cap body, attached to the cap body in the area of ​​the peel-off section, thus failing to open the ventilation opening.

[0014] The gripping section can be designed as a flat, extended section. The gripping section is then preferably connected to the peeling section by means of a spacer section at least 1 mm long, which is oriented orthogonally to the gripping section.

[0015] In this design, the flat gripping section forms a shell on the outside of the peeling section and is connected to it via the aforementioned spacer section, which is preferably rigid enough that a tilting movement of the gripping section causes an almost identical tilting movement of the peeling section. This makes opening the ventilation opening easy. A tilting movement of the gripping section causes the connection area between the cap body and the peeling section to tear in the desired manner, so that complete separation of the peeling section is then easily possible.

[0016] The peelable section is preferably bonded to an inner edge of the ventilation opening along a continuous separation line. The separation line has a pointed shape on one side.

[0017] A pointed shape means that the dividing line between the peeling section and the surrounding wall of the cap body forms an acute angle at the intended point of separation. At the apex, the dividing line has a very small radius of curvature, so that the tearing begins at a single point. This facilitates separation.

[0018] According to a second embodiment of the invention, a liquid dispenser according to the invention is designed as described below. The liquid dispenser also 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 that, when placed on the head, covers the dispensing opening. This cap body has the aforementioned ventilation opening, which connects the surrounding atmosphere with an interior space of the cap body, so that, after the liquid dispenser is put into operation with the cap body in place, the dispensing opening covered by the cap body can dry out through contact with the surrounding atmosphere.

[0019] 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.

[0020] In this second embodiment of the invention, 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 in which the filter membrane is located before commissioning, for example, by a pull-off section of the type described above. However, such a seal can be omitted 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 a mean pore diameter between 0.1 µm and 0.3 µm. The two sub-bodies provide a manufacturing advantage, enabling the integration of a comparatively large-area membrane into the cap body in an automated manufacturing process.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The first perforation may have an internal structure that divides the perforation into several partial perforations, on which the filter membrane rests.

[0025] The internal structure can be, for example, grid-like or spoke-like. Particularly in the described embodiment, 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The caps according to both described variants are preferably made of plastic, for example polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] A dispenser according to the invention can in particular be designed as a dropper for dispensing eye drops.

[0034] 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

[0035] 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 according to the invention 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 a second 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 EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0036] The Figs. 1A to 3B show a first embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the invention.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a second 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 those of the embodiment described above.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The ring-shaped sub-body 48 can be formed by means of a force-fit connection on the inside of the sub-body 48 and the outside of the sub-body 46. Alternatively, a snap-fit ​​connection can be provided.

[0046] A particularly advantageous design involves first producing the sub-body 46 during the injection molding process. After it has solidified, the filter membrane 80 is placed on its end face. The second sub-body 48 can then be produced by injection molding it 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, thus preventing bacterial penetration. 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.

[0047] 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 dispensing liquids, in particular pharmaceutical liquids, with the following features: a. the liquid dispenser (10) has a dispensing head (20) on which a dispensing opening (22) is provided, and b. the liquid dispenser (10) has a cap (30) with a cap body (40) which can be placed on and removed from the dispensing head (20) and which, when placed on the cap body, covers the dispensing opening (22), and c. the cap body (40) has a ventilation opening (42) which connects an ambient atmosphere with an interior of the cap body (40), so that, after commissioning of the liquid dispenser with the cap body (40) in place, the dispensing opening (22) covered by the cap body (40) can dry out through contact with the ambient atmosphere, and d.The cap (30) has an injection-molded pull-off section (62) which, in the delivery state, covers the ventilation opening (42) and is materially bonded to the cap body (40). characterized by the following features: e. the cap (30) has a tamper-evident section (64) which, in the dispenser's delivery state, prevents the cap body (40) from being removed until the tamper-evident section (64) has been removed from the cap body (40), and f. the cap (30) has a segment (60) which can be separated as a whole from the cap body (40) and which includes the tamper-evident section (64) and the peel-off section (62).

2. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 1 with the following features: a. the separable segment (60) has a free connecting section (66) not formed on the cap body between the peel-off section (62) and the tamper-evident section (64).

3. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2 with the following features: a. the separable segment (60) has a gripping section (68) which is attached to the separable segment (60) in such a way that a force applied to the gripping section (68) away from the cap body (40) first causes a separation of the pull-off section (62) from the cap body (40) and subsequently a separation of the tamper-evident section (64) from the cap body (40).

4. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 3 with the following features: a. the gripping section (68) is designed as a planar extended section, and b. the gripping section (68) is connected to the dispensing section (62) by means of a spacer section (70) of at least 1 mm length, which is aligned orthogonally to the gripping section (68).

5. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims having the following features: a. the pull-off section (62) is connected circumferentially along a separating line (43) to an inner edge of the ventilation opening (42) in a material-bonded manner, and b. the separating line (43) has a tapered shape on one side.

6. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims with at least one of the following features: a. the tamper-evident section (64) is designed as a circumferential tamper-evident strip, and / or b. in the delivered state, the tamper-evident section (4) connects a retaining section (24) remaining on the dispensing head and the cap body (40), and / or c. the cap body (40) has a lateral surface (40A) and an end surface (40B), wherein the ventilation opening (42) penetrates the lateral surface (40A).

7. Liquid dispenser (10) for dispensing liquids, in particular pharmaceutical liquids, with the following features: a. the liquid dispenser (10) has a dispensing head (20) on which a dispensing opening (22) is provided, and b. the liquid dispenser (10) has a cap (30) with a cap body (40) which can be placed on and removed from the dispensing head (20) and which, when placed on the cap body, covers the dispensing opening (22), and c. the cap body (40) has a ventilation opening (42) which connects an ambient atmosphere with an interior (44) of the cap body (40), so that, after commissioning of the liquid dispenser with the cap body (40) in place, the dispensing opening (22) covered by the cap body (40) can dry out through contact with the ambient atmosphere, and d. The ventilation opening (42) is provided with a filter membrane (80) for filtering the air flowing through it, characterized bythe features: e. the cap body (40) has two sub-bodies (46, 48) which together form a receiving space (82) for the filter membrane (80).

8. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 7, characterized by the features: a. first subbody (46) is a cap main body with a lateral surface (46A) and an end surface (46B) with a first opening (46C), and b. second subbody (48) is a ring body which can be attached circumferentially to the first subbody (46) and has a second opening (48C) which is aligned with the first opening (46C).

9. Liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 7 or 8, comprising one of the following features: a. the two partial bodies (46, 48) are positively and / or force-fit connected to each other or b. the two partial bodies (46, 48) are materially bonded to each other, in particular by the fact that the second partial body (48) is injection-molded onto the first partial body (46).

10. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of claims 8 and 9 having the following features: a. the first perforation (46C) has an internal structure (46D) dividing the perforation (46C) into several partial perforations, on which the filter membrane (80) rests.

11. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of claims 7 to 10 with the following features: a. the two partial bodies (46, 48) have surfaces (46E, 48E) facing each other, between which the filter membrane (80) is arranged, which is supported on both sides by the surfaces (46E, 48E).

12. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of claims 7 to 11 with the following features: a. elastically deflectable sections (46F) are provided on one of the partial bodies (46), which are elastically deflected by joining with the filter membrane (80) or the other partial body (48) and exert a holding force in the direction of the filter membrane (80).

13. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of claims 7 to 12 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 approximately 0.3 µm, and / or b. a circumferential edge region of the filter membrane is arranged between the sub-bodies of the cap body.

14. Liquid dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims with at least one of the following features: a. the cap is made of plastic, and / or b. the liquid dispenser has a liquid reservoir (12) designed as a squeeze bottle, and / or c. the dispensing head comprises a pressure-dependent opening outlet valve, and / or d. the dispensing head is designed to dispense individual drops.