Fluid dispenser and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a fluid dispenser, and a fluid dispenser to be manufactured, that is low in cost and provides great flexibility in a design of an area of a delivery opening.SOLUTION: In a completed state, a fluid dispenser has a fluid reservoir and a delivery opening through which fluid is released into an environment in a delivery direction. The fluid dispenser has a housing component (14), the delivery opening is made therein, and the housing component (14) has a delivery structure (40) that forms and / or is adjacent to the delivery opening to affect a delivery feature. The housing component (14) is manufactured by first manufacturing a base body (14') by plastic injection molding in a mold and then applying mechanical forces in a region of a temporary delivery structure (40') of the base body (14'). The temporary delivery structure (40') is then deformed, thus producing the final delivery structure (40).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5D-5G

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fluid dispenser, and in particular to a fluid dispenser that can be manufactured by this method. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a fluid dispenser, which can be manufactured by the method of the present invention, is typically used for dispensing medicinal or cosmetic fluids. It has a fluid reservoir for storing the fluid before dispensing, and a dispensing opening through which the fluid can be released to the environment in a dispensing direction.

[0003] The suitable design of the delivery opening and the delivery structure surrounding and particularly located downstream of the delivery opening will depend on the nature of the dispenser and in particular the desired application regime.

[0004] Generally, fluid dispensers are manufactured by plastic injection molding at least in some or more of their components. This means that the plastic is introduced in liquid form into a cavity usually formed by a two-piece mold, where it cools and hardens, and then the mold is opened to allow the resulting plastic component to be removed. Unless specific measures are taken, such as the use of so-called slides, this type of production requires that, when the mold is opened, the resulting plastic component remains removable from the mold (i.e. that the plastic component does not have undercuts that would hinder or prevent its separation from one of the mold halves that form the cavity). This condition means that the components of the fluid dispenser (especially the plastic component in which the delivery opening is made) have limitations in their design, and in particular that designs with shapes that not only taper starting from the separation surface of the mold halves, but also widen in several places, are difficult to implement.

[0005] In the case of a fluid dispenser, this limits the design possibilities of the delivery structure in the region of the delivery opening. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a fluid dispenser and a fluid dispenser that can be manufactured using this method, which manufacturing method offers great flexibility at low cost in terms of the design of the area of ​​the dispensing opening.

[0007] For this purpose, a method is proposed for manufacturing a fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir and a dispensing opening through which the fluid can be released into the environment in a dispensing direction.

[0008] In particular, the present invention relates to the manufacture of a housing component having a delivery structure that is pierced by the delivery opening and that forms and / or closely surrounds the delivery opening in order to affect the delivery characteristics of the delivery opening. The housing component can be an external housing component, which has a coupling means, such as an internal thread or a locking edge, for coupling to a fluid dispenser, as well as the delivery opening. However, the housing component can also be a smaller housing component that is connected to another housing component to form the external surface of the delivery head.

[0009] The delivery structure of the housing component surrounds the discharge passage and influences the delivery characteristics, particularly by design downstream of the narrowest cross section of the discharge passage. In particular, for droplet formation purposes, the delivery structure can be designed such that the emerging fluid adheres to the delivery structure until the droplets break off in the form of a single droplet under gravity.

[0010] According to the invention, it is proposed that the housing pierced by the delivery opening is first produced in a first step by producing a base body by plastic injection molding in a mold. Here, preferably a mold is used which has two mold halves forming a cavity (i.e. no slides or the like to produce more complex designs). However, the use of slides is also possible in the method according to the invention. However, preferably, this is not done in the area of ​​the delivery structure.

[0011] In particular, the base body of the housing component (i.e. the housing component in its intermediate state after it is initially formed by plastic injection molding) has a design in which the housing component tapers in both directions starting from the separation boundary of the two mold halves and does not have any flares that would form undercuts that could hinder removal from the mold.

[0012] After completion of the plastic injection molding, in a second step, a mechanical force is applied to the as yet unfinished delivery structure, which force leads to a deformation of the base body and thus to the formation of a delivery structure having a defined design.

[0013] According to the invention, first the housing component with the delivery opening is conventionally manufactured by injection molding methods, and then a deformation of the plastic of the delivery structure is carried out, thereby influencing the delivery characteristics through the delivery opening.

[0014] The resulting housing component is usually combined with further components, in particular components forming a fluid reservoir and further components of a delivery head (e.g. valve or pump components), which are not of essential importance in the context of the present invention. In particular, a delivery head provided with a delivery opening in a housing component manufactured according to the present invention can comprise an additional external housing, which has an opening at its end face, into which the housing component formed as a fluid discharge is inserted.

[0015] The method according to the invention offers two main advantages:

[0016] Firstly, the housing components with the end flares and the resulting undercuts can be manufactured without the need for particularly complex moulds, for example without slides that can be moved separately.

[0017] Secondly, various delivery structures can be made without the need for separate molds. Instead, a uniform mold is used for two different designs of delivery structures, and after the production of the base body by injection molding, delivery structures with different delivery characteristics can be made by starting from the base body of the same design and applying different forces to the delivery structures that are originally identical up to this point. Therefore, it is proposed in particular to produce housing components with different delivery structures starting from the same base body.

[0018] The mechanical force is preferably applied by a die, which presses the delivery structure after the initial production. In particular, it can be a metal die, which is part of the production system and can automatically act on the delivery structure with defined force / travel parameters during the production process. Preferably, the mechanical force can be applied by a die, which is advanced to the base body in the direction of the main extent of the delivery opening and there presses on the delivery structure from the inside or in particular from the outside, in particular pressed on the base body against the later exit direction of the fluid.

[0019] The die, or another element for the purpose of force application according to the invention, can in particular have an expansion structure, so that on its approach to the delivery structure it can come into contact with the delivery structure in a continued progression and significantly expand the latter. The shape of the delivery structure of the base body preferably already has an internal conical or cylindrical form before the deformation takes place in the second step, which is then expanded in a second step, in particular by said expansion die or another force application element.

[0020] Preferably, at the distal end of the delivery structure, the expansion which occurs in the second step expands the cross-sectional area of ​​the net inner diameter by at least 10%, preferably at least 20%.

[0021] The aim of the force application is a permanent change of the delivery structure, i.e. a plastic deformation of the plastic material. To achieve this, the force is preferably applied by a heated component. Depending on the plastic used, the temperature of the component at the time of deformation is preferably at least the Vicat softening temperature. For most plastic materials, this temperature is between 60°C and 160°C. The method is in principle applicable to all plastics conventionally used for fluid dispensers.

[0022] The application of force with a heated component can be achieved by a force being applied to the delivery structure by a die, in particular when the base component is still warm after injection moulding. Alternatively or additionally, the force can be applied directly with a heated die. In particular, for this purpose the die can be fitted with a heating element.

[0023] As well as using residual heat from injection moulding and using a heated die, it is of course also possible to heat the base component as a whole in a separate heating step after injection moulding and apply the force in a heated state.

[0024] Heating the delivery structure during forcing, and in particular the use of a heated die for forcing purposes, also offers the advantage that flash remaining in the region of the delivery opening from the injection moulding can thereby be reduced or eliminated, which is a considerable advantage, especially in the manufacture of eye drop dispensers.

[0025] The application of force to the delivery structure and the associated deformations do not necessarily have to be performed by a separate tool such as the die, but may use elements of the fluid dispenser itself. In particular, the mechanical application of force and the associated deformations can be performed using a protective cap of the fluid dispenser, which has on its inside an expansion structure tapering from the outside in the direction of the delivery opening, which is adapted to the provisional shape of the outlet structure of the base body after the initial shaping, so that this delivery structure is widened in the manner of a cup.

[0026] Such a procedure simplifies the method, since the second step (deformation of the delivery structure) is associated with the step of applying the cap. Preferably, the protective cap is a second component separate from the housing component, which is preferably manufactured in particular separately. After the initial shaping of the housing component with the delivery structure and possibly the assembly of this housing component with other housing components, such as for example a fluid reservoir or a valve pump component, the protective cap is then applied. During application of the protective cap, a force is applied to the delivery structure, in particular the delivery structure is expanded in the radial direction. In particular, the delivery structure is preferably heated at this time, in order to achieve the desired plastic deformation of the delivery structure by the protective cap and the expanded structure applied thereon. By using the protective cap as an element influencing the delivery structure, the same dispenser can be provided with different delivery structures by different protective caps.

[0027] As well as said manufacturing method, the invention also relates to a fluid dispenser which can in particular be manufactured using this method. In particular, this is preferably a droplet dispenser for delivering separate individual droplets. Such a droplet dispenser has a delivery structure which has a droplet-forming surface on which the released fluid remains in the region of the delivery opening. Only when a fluid volume corresponding to one droplet has been reached does this droplet leave the delivery structure under the force of gravity.

[0028] The fluid dispenser according to the invention has a fluid reservoir and a delivery opening through which the fluid can be discharged in a delivery direction into the environment. This delivery opening is preferably provided on a delivery head that is configured to be coupled to the fluid dispenser. The fluid dispenser can in particular be configured as a pump dispenser or a squeeze bottle dispenser. When configured as a pump dispenser, the dispenser has a pump device with a pump chamber, which is provided with a valve on the inlet side and on the outlet side, which can be operated by a control device, in particular by a knob provided on the side of the housing of the delivery head, to deliver fluid from the pump chamber and to aspirate fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir. In the case of a squeeze bottle dispenser, no pump device is provided. Instead, pressure is applied, which causes the fluid dispenser as a whole to be elastically compressed, thereby forcing the pushed fluid through the delivery opening. In both pump and squeeze bottle dispensers, a delivery valve is preferably connected immediately upstream of the delivery opening, which opens under positive pressure and thus allows the discharge.

[0029] A fluid dispenser comprises a housing component, in particular the outer housing of a delivery head or a fluid delivery part inserted therein, through which a delivery opening passes and which has a delivery structure forming the delivery opening and / or adjacent to the delivery opening. The delivery structure may in particular form the above-mentioned droplet formation surface, be provided downstream of the delivery opening and have the role of influencing the delivery characteristics. Said droplet formation is one example of this. However, this delivery structure may also have a different design, for example to create a fluid jet.

[0030] A feature of the fluid dispenser according to the invention is that the delivery structure has a circumferential recess on its outside. Compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the delivery structure at the downstream distal end, the cross-sectional area of ​​the delivery structure in the region of the circumferential recess is reduced in a constricting manner. In the case of a droplet dispenser, the distal end is preferably formed with an outer diameter of at least 1 mm and / or at most 3 mm, preferably at least 1.5 mm and / or at most 2.5 mm. In the region of the circumferential recess below this, the outer diameter is preferably at least 10% smaller, more preferably at least 20% smaller.

[0031] The size of the diameter of the distal end, in particular for the purpose of droplet ejection, depends on the desired droplet volume, taking into account the fluid, its viscosity and density, as well as the properties of the material of the delivery structure. The diameter should be selected so as to ensure that a droplet of the desired volume is formed here and that, when this volume is reached, it leaves the delivery structure under gravity, and preferably a cup shape is formed here. Starting from a base component of identical form after injection molding, the method according to the invention allows the manufacture of different delivery structures, each with a design ideally adapted to the respective fluid, by subsequent transformation, in particular widening of the distal end of the delivery structure.

[0032] The cup shape resulting from the circumferential recess under the distal end of the delivery structure leads to an advantageous geometrical condition at the upper end of the cup for preventing the escape of fluid from inside the delivery structure during droplet formation. On the outside of the delivery structure, it preferably has an external flaring area which is continuously widened in the delivery direction, which extends from the circumferential recess to the distal end of the delivery structure. The angle between the surface of the external flaring area (i.e. a straight line in the plane of the flaring area) and the delivery direction is preferably greater than 20°, particularly preferably greater than 30° or 40°.

[0033] Preferably, the flat or internally conical droplet forming surface formed by the delivery structure is defined on the outside of the distal end of the delivery structure by a parting edge that prevents the escape of fluid. In particular, the parting edge can be formed with a radius of curvature larger than 0.05 mm, in particular larger than 0.1 mm, to avoid damage from the parting edge.

[0034] Preferably, the delivery structure has no burrs in the area of ​​the recess. Burrs in the area of ​​the delivery structure should be avoided as they pose a danger in the case of medicines applied to the eye. If a sharp-edged burr comes into contact with the eye, it can cause injury.

[0035] The absence of flash in the area of ​​the recess can be achieved in particular by the above-mentioned method: while using conventional methods during the shaping of a delivery structure with a circumferential recess, this can only be achieved if a parting line of the mould halves is provided in the area of ​​the recess or if a mould with a slide is used, the method according to the invention allows the circumferential recess to be produced by the above-mentioned two-stage method (i.e. in a first injection moulding step, the base form is produced without a recess, which is then formed by subsequent enlargement of the delivery structure over the recess).

[0036] The delivery structure preferably has a cup-shaped expansion at each of the outer and inner flaring regions. Preferably, the angle between the plane of the outer flaring region and the delivery direction is smaller than the angle between the plane of the inner flaring region and the delivery direction. The cup-shaped wall of the delivery structure preferably tapers towards the distal end.

[0037] As already mentioned above, it is possible to use the manufacturing method according to the invention in such a way that the plastic deformation of the delivery structure starting from a base form is carried out using a protective cap as force-applying element.

[0038] Therefore, the fluid dispenser according to the invention has a removable and reattachable protective cap, which preferably covers the dispensing opening when the protective cap is attached, and which preferably has an expansion structure on its inside which presses against the inside of the dispensing structure when the protective cap is attached. The design of the dispensing structure is determined during manufacturing by the expansion structure, the inside of the expansion structure and the dispensing structure being particularly close together when the protective cap is attached. This also constitutes the advantage that in later operation, fluid residues from the dispensing structure can be very reliably expelled when the protective cap is reattached to the fluid dispenser after use.

[0039] It can be advantageous if the housing component in which the delivery opening is made and the protective cap or at least its expansion structure consist of different plastic materials. In particular, the expansion structure can be made from a harder material and / or a material with a higher softening temperature.

[0040] The deformation of the delivery structure intended to occur upon initial application of the protective cap or use of the die is at least partially plastic, so that residual deformation occurs, however, it can be provided and achieved by suitable process parameters, in particular a suitably selected temperature, that the deformation is partially elastic, so that the delivery structure is under elastic tension when the protective cap is applied.

[0041] It is preferred that the protective cap is not simply a push-on cap, but rather one that is snap-fit ​​to resist falling off, which can be achieved by a locking lip specifically on the protective cap or by designing the protective cap with threads for coupling to the outer housing of the delivery head.

[0042] The delivery openings and delivery structures of fluid dispensers usually have a rotationally symmetrical design. However, this is not essential. It may also be advantageous to provide them with non-rotationally symmetrical shapes, for example polygonal cross sections or cross sections with a pronounced bulge in the circumferential direction. In the case of droplet dispensers, this may affect the tendency of the droplets to break off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] Further advantages and aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth below with reference to the drawings, and from the claims.

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows in cross-section a fluid dispenser according to the present invention.

[0045] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the area of ​​the dispensing opening of the fluid dispenser.

[0046] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows one orientation of the use of the fluid dispenser. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows another orientation of the use of the fluid dispenser.

[0047] [Figure 5A-5C] 5A-5C illustrate a method for manufacturing the liquid dispensing portion 14 of the dispenser 10. FIG. [Fig. 5D-5G] 5D-5G illustrate a method for manufacturing the liquid dispensing portion 14 of the dispenser 10. FIG.

[0048] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a fluid dispenser that is manufactured in part by an alternative method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a fluid dispenser 10 (for example a drop dispenser in this example) extending linearly in the direction of a main extent axis 2. The fluid dispenser 10 has a delivery head 11, to which a fluid reservoir 12 is coupled by a locking connection. In the delivery head 11, a pump device 16 is provided, which can be activated by an activation button 17 provided on the side of the outer housing 13 of the delivery head 11, which, when activated, draws fluid from the fluid reservoir 12 and conveys it in the direction of a delivery opening 30. Fig. 2 shows the area of ​​the delivery opening 30 in an enlarged view.

[0050] The delivery opening 30 is part of the overflow discharge 14. It is attached to the internal component 18 of the dispenser 10 and defines a fluid path to the delivery opening 30. It has a sleeve-like portion which passes through an opening in the outer housing 13 and at its end is provided with a delivery structure 40, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0051] Inside the outflow discharge 14 a valve body 19 is provided which is pressed by a coil spring 20 in the direction towards the delivery opening 30 and in the closed state closes the delivery opening 30. Only when the fluid pressure in the area between the pump device 16 and the delivery opening 30 reaches a sufficient pressure level can the outlet valve be opened by displacing the valve body 19 against the spring force of the coil spring 20 and allow the fluid to leave.

[0052] 2 clearly shows the delivery structure 40 in the area of ​​the delivery opening 30. By delivery structure 40 is meant the geometry of the area of ​​the overflow discharge 14, which area surrounds or adjoins the delivery opening 30 and influences the form of delivery.

[0053] In the present case, the delivery structure 40 is designed for ejecting droplets. The delivery structure is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the main extent axis 2 and has a substantially cup-shaped design. It is defined by an inner extension region 52, which extends mainly in the direction of the delivery direction 2A, and an outer extension region 50, which extends towards the delivery direction 2A.

[0054] On the outside there is provided a circumferential recess 42 which is of a contracting nature and from which the outflow discharge 14 expands in both directions.

[0055] 3, the inner flaring region 52 forms the droplet formation surface 44. Fluid discharged through the delivery opening 30 is initially deposited in this flaring region 52 until the resulting droplets form a mass under gravity that separates it from the delivery structure 40. The flaring region 52 and the end surface of the delivery structure 40 together form the droplet formation surface 44.

[0056] The circumferential recess 42 allows the outward angle B of the distal end of the outflow discharge 14 to be provided, as shown. This angle B is preferably smaller than the angle A between the main extent axis 2 and the inner flaring region 52. This angle B is advantageous for preventing fluid from collecting in the flaring region 52 and on the end face, as well as from moving around the distal outer edge into the outer flaring region 50. This ensures that the fluid volume of the droplet 100 does not deviate from the intended fluid volume.

[0057] 4 shows that angle A plays a large role when the droplet dispenser is held at an angle during droplet emission. When this is the case, there is an increased tendency for fluid to move from the inner droplet formation surface 44 to the outer spreading region 50. The larger the angle A, the less risk there is of failing to achieve uniform droplet volume due to such an oblique orientation.

[0058] The described design of the delivery structure 40 cannot be achieved by plastic injection molding alone.

[0059] 5A-5F show a possible sequence for the manufacture of the spill discharge portion 14. FIG.

[0060] First, the base body 14' is manufactured. This is achieved by plastic injection molding. As shown in Fig. 5A, a casting tool 200 is used that has two mold halves 202A and 202B. In the closed state of Fig. 5B, the two mold halves 202A, 202B form a cavity 204 that has a negative shape of the base body 14'. Liquid plastic is injected into this cavity 204, as shown in Fig. 5C.

[0061] After the plastic has hardened, the casting tool is opened and the base body 14' can be removed. As is evident from Fig. 5A, the two mould halves 202A, 202B are formed so that there are no undercuts that would prevent the removal of the base body 14' from the mould. It can therefore be removed without deformation.

[0062] Figure 5D shows the base body 14' after injection molding. Since the separation boundary 206 is on the far side of the delivery structure 40', which is still provisional in the state of Figure 5D, it is free of any flash.

[0063] Starting from the situation of Fig. 5D, the second step in the manufacture of the outflow discharge 14 is carried out: a die 220 with a conical tip is advanced from the outside in the direction of the main area axis 2, as shown in Fig. 5E.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 5F, the die 220 presses the provisional delivery structure 40' outwards and plastically deforms it. In particular, the base body 14' may be heated at this time, either by a previous injection molding process or by separate heating, which may increase the tendency of the delivery structure 40 to plastically deform. In addition to or as an alternative to the previous heating of the base body 14', it is also conceivable to heat the die 220 itself.

[0065] The temperature chosen here depends on the plastic used. Preferably, the temperature is above the softening temperature of the respective plastic. In the case of polypropylene, this temperature is, for example, around 150° C.

[0066] As soon as the plastic deformation has taken place, the die 220 can be removed again. This leaves the now complete overflow ejection 14, whose delivery structure 40 has the shape already shown in Figure 2. The cup-like expansion allows a particularly precise dosing, since the ejected droplets differ only very slightly in their fluid volume.

[0067] 6 shows an alternative design, the defining feature here being that the spill outlet 14 first takes the shape of the base body 14' and the plastic deformation is induced by the protective cap 60.

[0068] For this purpose, the protective cap 60 has on its inside an expansion structure 62. Preferably, the protective cap as a whole, or at least the expansion structure 62, is made of a material that is harder than the material of the outflow discharge 14 or that has a higher softening temperature than the material of the outflow discharge 14.

[0069] When the protective cap 60 is first attached to the dispenser, preferably by screwing, this expansion structure 62 presses the delivery structure 40 outwards, causing a plastic deformation, as in the die 220 in the case of Figures 5A-5F. Preferably, this shaping is performed under the influence of heat. In particular, the spill discharge 14 may be at least partially heated when the protective cap 60 is attached.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a fluid dispenser having the following characteristics: (a) The fluid dispenser (10) has a fluid storage section (12) and a discharge opening (30), and the fluid can be discharged into the environment in the discharge direction (2A) through the discharge opening (30). (b) The fluid dispenser (10) has a housing component (14) through which the housing component (14) is penetrated by a dispensing opening (30), and the housing component (14) has a dispensing structure (40) that forms and / or is adjacent to the dispensing opening (30) to affect the dispensing characteristics. (c) The housing component (14) that is penetrated by the delivery opening (30) is manufactured by first producing the base body (14') by plastic injection molding in a mold (200), then applying mechanical force in the area of ​​the temporary delivery structure (40') of the base body (14') to deform the temporary delivery structure (40'), and thus creating the final delivery structure (40).

2. The method according to claim 1, having the following further features: (a) A mechanical force is applied by the protective cap (60) of the fluid dispenser, the protective cap (60) having an expanding structure (62) on the inside, the expanding structure (62) tapering outwards toward the dispensing opening, and the expanding structure (62) is adapted to the provisional shape of the dispensing structure (40') of the base body (14') so that the dispensing structure (40') of the base body (14') expands in the manner of a cup.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, having the following further features: (a) Mechanical force is applied by a die (220), preferably a metal die (220).

4. The method according to claim 3, having the following further features: (a) A mechanical force is applied by the heated die (220) and / or after the housing component (14) has been heated, such that the temperature of the die (220) or the housing component (14) is preferably at least the Vicar softening temperature of the material of the housing component (14).

5. A fluid dispenser (10) having the following features, particularly in the form of a droplet dispenser: (a) The fluid dispenser (10) has a fluid storage section (12) and a discharge opening (30), and the fluid can be discharged into the environment in the discharge direction (2A) through the discharge opening (30). (b) The fluid dispenser (10) has a housing component (14) through which the housing component (14) is penetrated by a discharge opening (30), and the housing component (14) has a discharge structure (40) adjacent to the discharge opening (30) that surrounds the discharge passage, in order to affect the discharge characteristics. (c) The dispensing structure (40) has a circumferential recess (42) on its outer surface.

6. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5, having the following further features: (a) The fluid dispenser (10) is formed as a droplet dispenser. (b) The discharge structure (40) forms a droplet-forming surface (44), and the fluid discharged through the discharge opening (30) adheres to it to form a droplet (100), and then the droplet (100) separates under gravity. Preferably (c) The droplet-forming surface (44) has an outer diameter of at least 1 mm and / or at most 3 mm, preferably at least 1.5 mm and / or at most 2.5 mm.

7. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having the following further features: (a) The droplet-forming surface (44) is defined on the outer surface by a separation edge (46) which is formed with a radius of curvature greater than 0.05 mm, and especially greater than 0.1 mm.

8. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having the following further features: (a) The discharge structure (40) has an external spreading region (50) that extends outward and continuously in the discharge direction (2A), Preferably (b) The angle (B) between the surface of the outer spreading region (50) and the delivery direction (2A) is greater than 20°, preferably greater than 30°, and particularly preferably greater than 40°.

9. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having the following further features: (a) The discharge structure (40) has an internal spreading region (52) that extends inward and upward in the discharge direction (2A), Preferably (b) The angle (B) between the surface of the outer spreading region (50) and the discharge direction (2A) is smaller than the angle (A) between the surface of the inner spreading region (52) and the discharge direction (2A).

10. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having the following further features: (a) The fluid dispenser (10) has a removable and reattachable protective cap (60) such that when the protective cap (60) is attached, the protective cap (60) covers the dispensing opening (30). (b) The protective cap (60) has an inwardly pointed expansion structure (62) which presses against the inside of the dispensing structure (40) when the protective cap (60) is attached. Preferably (c) The protective cap (60) is formed as a screw cap, and / or (d) The dispensing structure (40) is held under elastic tension by the expansion structure (62) when the protective cap (60) is attached.

11. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having the following further features: (a) The discharge opening (30) and / or the discharge structure (40) have a shape that deviates from rotational symmetry.

12. The fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having the following further features: (a) The fluid dispenser (10) is configured as a pump dispenser and has a manually operated pump device (16) having a pump chamber, an inlet valve and an outlet valve, or (b) The fluid dispenser (10) is configured as a squeeze bottle dispenser and has a squeeze bottle as the fluid dispenser that can be manually compressed for dispensing purposes.

13. A fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 5 or 6, having at least one of the following further features: (a) The fluid storage unit (12) is filled with a pharmaceutical fluid, and / or (b) The fluid storage section (12) has an internal volume of less than 200 ml, and especially less than 100 ml.

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