Squeeze Bottle Dispenser with Safety Control

Abstract

A squeeze bottle dispenser (10) with safety controls, (a) (10) having a liquid reservoir (20) designed as a squeeze bottle; (b) (10) having a discharge head (12) with a discharge opening (16); (c) (10) having a protective sleeve (30) captively connected to (20) and displaceable relative to (20) in a translational movement, or a superposition of translational and rotational movements, or a sequence of translational and rotational movements about a main axis (2) between a protected position and a released position; (d) in the protected position, (30) prevents or impedes the application of manual force to (20) and thus the discharge of liquid; (e) in the released position, (30) does not prevent or impede the application of manual force to (20), thus allowing the discharge of liquid.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates primarily to a squeeze bottle dispenser with a safety control device, in particular a child-proof device. A squeeze bottle dispenser in the sense of the present invention is a liquid dispenser, for example for administering a medicinal liquid, which has a dimensionally stable liquid reservoir, the walls of which can be at least partially pressed in an elastic manner, such that pressure can be exerted thereby on the liquid in the liquid reservoir. [Background technology]

[0002] The reduction in the volume of the liquid reservoir caused by actuation and the associated increase in pressure forces liquid into the discharge head of the squeeze bottle dispenser and to a discharge opening provided therein. In squeeze bottle dispensers according to the invention of the type in question, an outlet valve which opens in the event of sufficient liquid pressure is generally located upstream of the discharge opening.

[0003] Squeeze bottle dispensers of the type in question are widely available. In particular, they are used for medicinal liquids, for example eye drop liquids. A squeeze bottle dispenser of the mentioned type is disclosed, for example, in the document DE102016210992B3.

[0004] In particular, with squeeze bottle dispensers containing medicinal liquids, it is important that the liquid is not accidentally released by a playing child or otherwise.

[0005] A squeeze bottle dispenser having a child resistant feature is disclosed in published European patent application 21155900.0. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a squeeze bottle dispenser which provides a high level of safety against inadvertent actuation and / or actuation by children playing with it.

[0007] A squeeze bottle dispenser is proposed for this purpose, which has a liquid reservoir designed as a squeeze bottle and a discharge head with a discharge opening. Preferably, the discharge head is manufactured as a separate assembly and is connected to the liquid reservoir, for example by a latch or screw connection. However, designs in which the discharge head and the liquid reservoir, or at least their outer surface, are formed by an integral component are also possible.

[0008] The liquid dispenser is preferably filled with a medicinal liquid, for example a liquid containing an imidazoline for the relief of conjunctivitis. The liquid reservoir preferably has an internal volume of less than 50ml, especially less than 20ml.

[0009] The liquid reservoir is configured as a squeeze bottle. Preferably, the squeeze bottle body is configured with an inherent rigidity such that the application of a pressure of 20 Newtons on each side reduces the internal volume by at least 5%. The walls of the liquid reservoir are preferably manufactured from a soft plastic material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), or cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).

[0010] Various types of liquid discharge are possible. Thus, the dispenser according to the invention can be configured to dispense a jet or a spray of liquid. Preferably, however, the squeeze bottle dispenser is configured as a droplet dispenser. For this purpose, the squeeze bottle dispenser preferably has droplet forming means in the region of the discharge opening, in particular in the form of a droplet forming surface surrounding the discharge opening, where the discharged liquid is collected until the amount of liquid is sufficient for the formation of droplets which fall away from the droplet forming means.

[0011] According to the invention, the squeeze bottle dispenser according to the invention has a protective sleeve that is captively connected to the liquid reservoir. With respect to the main axis of the dispenser defined by the discharge direction of the dispenser and / or the central axis of the liquid reservoir, the protective sleeve is axially displaceable with respect to the liquid reservoir repeatedly between a protective position and a release position. The displacement can be purely translational. However, the protective sleeve can also be displaced with a translational and a rotational movement, for example superimposed movements in the manner of a screw movement or subsequently in the manner of a plugging movement.

[0012] A captive attachment of the protective sleeve to the squeeze bottle dispenser is understood in the sense of the present invention to mean that in normal use the protective sleeve cannot be detached from the squeeze bottle dispenser, although detachment is possible with the application of some force, which is not inconsistent with a captive attachment in the sense of the present invention.

[0013] In the protective position, the protective sleeve is positioned against the liquid reservoir such that it completely prevents compression of the liquid reservoir, or at least largely impedes this by covering access to the outer wall of the liquid reservoir. Escape of liquid is thereby prevented.

[0014] In the release position, however, the protective sleeve compresses the liquid reservoir and thus allows the release of liquid, for which purpose the protective sleeve is displaced far enough relative to the liquid reservoir so that it does not represent any obstruction or at least allows simple application of a force to the liquid reservoir to the protective position.

[0015] The protective sleeve is at least translationally displaceable relative to the liquid reservoir for the described purposes. The range of axial displacement relative to the main axis is preferably at least 20 mm, particularly preferably at least 30 mm. This amount represents the distance traveled by the protective sleeve on the axial path between the opposite end portions, i.e. between the end portion assigned to the release position and the end portion assigned to the protection position.

[0016] The protective sleeve is sufficiently rigid so that application of force to the protective sleeve does not significantly reduce the internal volume of the fluid reservoir.

[0017] Preferably, the protective sleeve is made of a hard plastic material, in particular glycol modified polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCTG), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or hard polyethylene (HDPE). The protective sleeve does not need to be made of a harder material than the liquid reservoir to achieve its stability. Alternatively, greater stability can be achieved by a greater wall thickness.

[0018] To allow a guided displacement of the protective sleeve, the squeeze bottle dispenser has at least one guide surface along which the protective sleeve can be displaced in a guided manner. In principle, it is possible to directly use the outer surface of the liquid reservoir as the guide surface. However, designs in which a component separate from the liquid reservoir provides the guide surface are preferred.

[0019] One possible design is to provide at least one guide surface on the outer surface of a guide ring, which is fixed to the liquid reservoir or to the discharge head or to an intermediate area located therebetween. The inner surface of the guide ring is configured such that the ring cannot be axially displaced or can hardly be displaced relative to the liquid reservoir. On its outer surface, the guide ring has a sliding surface along which the protective sleeve can be slidably displaced.

[0020] Particularly advantageous is a design in which a guide ring is fixed to the tapered neck region of the liquid dispenser. Its internal diameter is in this case smaller than the diameter of the liquid reservoir and the discharge head on either side of the tapered neck region. The mounting of such a ring can be performed by placing the guide ring in the neck region before the discharge head is fixed to the liquid reservoir.

[0021] However, in order to make the mounting sequence more flexible, it is considered advantageous if the guide ring is designed in such a way that it can be mounted even when the dispenser head is already mounted on the bottleneck. This can be achieved, for example, by a guide ring interrupted by a separating groove and temporarily widened in the axial direction or from the side intended for its mounting. In particular, the guide ring can be configured as an interrupted guide ring with an interruption in one area that widens by a maximum of 120°, preferably by a maximum of 10°. Such an interruption or at least a grooved design of the ring structure is advantageous in order to allow the guide ring to be expanded during automated mounting. Preferably, the guide ring provided with an interruption or groove and the protective sleeve held thereby are adapted to one another in such a way that the guide sleeve prevents an expansion of the guide ring that would be sufficient to pull the guide ring on the liquid reservoir or on the dispenser head and thus detach the protective sleeve from the squeeze bottle dispenser.

[0022] An alternative design of the guide ring is to configure it as a multi-part guide ring, in particular a two-part guide ring, which has at least two guide ring sections, which are connected together to form a joined guide ring at least at one end, preferably at both ends respectively, in particular preferably by a latch connection. In such a design, the guide ring is assembled from the guide ring sections only in the neck region of the liquid reservoir.

[0023] In order to press the protective sleeve onto the guide ring when mounting, a lead-in chamfer is preferably provided on the protective sleeve or on the guide ring. Preferably, when mounting, the protective sleeve is pressed from the side facing away from the discharge opening. The lead-in chamfer is in this case provided on the upper edge of the protective sleeve or on the lower edge of the guide ring.

[0024] The guide ring can have at least one guide structure on its outer surface, for example in the form of a short longitudinal groove, which extends in the direction of movement of the protective sleeve, allowing the protective sleeve, which is provided with a guide structure facing inwards corresponding to said groove, to be guided by the guide in a longitudinally movable manner, but at the same time the guide ring is held fixed with respect to rotation. It has been shown that this allows a great stability of the guide and a reduction in the tendency to tilt to be achieved.

[0025] The guide ring preferably further forms a stop limiting the displacement of the protective sleeve in at least one direction of movement. The guide ring may also form a latching edge of an anti-displacement device, which will be described in more detail below.

[0026] An alternative design of the guide surface is to provide at least one guide surface on the inner surface of a guide sleeve which surrounds the protective sleeve. This guide sleeve can be held on the liquid reservoir or on the discharge head or between the liquid reservoir and the discharge head, in particular by using an interposed intermediate ring. The guide sleeve surrounds the liquid reservoir and is either axially fixed to it or axially slightly movable relative to it. The guide sleeve has at least one recess, through which the liquid reservoir can be compressed. Preferably, two opposing recesses are provided. The recess has an axial extent of at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm.

[0027] In such a design, the protective sleeve can be arranged between a guide sleeve, which is substantially axially fixed relative to the liquid reservoir, and an outer wall of the liquid reservoir. If the protective sleeve is in its protective position, it is located in the area of ​​the at least one recess and thus is unable to exert a force on the liquid reservoir. If the protective sleeve is in its release position, it is at least partially removed from the recess and thus able to compress the squeeze bottle reservoir.

[0028] As already explained, the fixing of the guide sleeve to the squeeze bottle dispenser is preferably performed by means of an intermediate ring. As already mentioned above for the guide ring, the intermediate ring can also be configured as a grooved ring or as a ring with interruptions to facilitate mounting. Guide rings consisting of several ring sections are also possible in the described manner.

[0029] While the described guide ring serves for the sliding guidance of the protective sleeve, the intermediate ring is preferably configured for axial fixation relative to the guide sleeve. Preferably, the intermediate ring and the guide sleeve are positively latched together, in particular a groove is provided on one part and a projection engaging therein is provided on the other part.

[0030] In the simplest case, the guidance of the protective sleeve can be carried out by a guide ring or a guide sleeve, so that the outer surface of the guide ring and the inner surface of the protective sleeve or the outer surface of the protective sleeve and the inner surface of the guide sleeve have a substantially coincident cylindrical shape.

[0031] However, it is preferred that interlocking guide structures are provided on the guide surface and vice versa on the protective sleeve, whereby the protective sleeve is guided in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the guide surface, or the protective sleeve is movable in a rotationally and translationally guided manner relative to the guide surface, for example with a screwing or plugging movement.

[0032] In particular, it is possible to provide a recessed guide groove on one side, into which a guide projection or a guide cam on the opposing side engages. Such a construction leads to a more reliable guidance, in which tilting can be effectively avoided. If the guide groove has a helical shape at least in one part, the above-mentioned screwing movement is achieved. This makes it possible to displace the protective sleeve between the release position and the protective position by application of a torque and, indirectly, the axial displacement caused thereby.

[0033] The guide groove may have at one end, or at both axially spaced ends, a partial portion extending circumferentially relative to the main shaft, so that the partial portion does not extend in the axial direction of the main shaft. The protective sleeve and the liquid reservoir may be held in a protective or release position by these ends.

[0034] Since the liquid dispenser according to the invention requires an initial displacement of the protective sleeve into the release position before use, a great deal of safety against inadvertent actuation is achieved. To further increase this safety, particularly in designs acting as a child safety device, a displacement prevention device can be provided, by which the protective sleeve can be fixed against displacement in its protective position. To be transferred to the release position, the displacement prevention device must first be released by another hand movement.

[0035] In particular, the displacement prevention device may have at least one resiliently deflectable latch element, which is stationary relative to the liquid reservoir and the guide sleeve or relative to the protective sleeve, which in the protective position cooperates with a latch element provided at the respective other end, thus preventing translational or rotational movements and thus indirectly the translational movements of the protective sleeve relative to the liquid reservoir. In order to move the liquid dispenser to the release position, the user must first deflect the latch element by indirect application of a manual force, so that it can be guided beyond the latch edge.

[0036] The elastically deflectable latching element can in particular be attached to the protective sleeve or to the guide sleeve, in particular as an integral part connected to the surrounding wall of the sleeve via an elastically deformable material bridge. In particular, it is preferred if the deflectable latching element is provided on the protective sleeve itself. If the protective sleeve can be displaced inside the guide sleeve, a corresponding latching edge is preferably provided on the guide sleeve, in particular as an edge of a through opening against which the latching element can be pressed. This through opening can be identical to a recess, through which the application of force to the squeeze bottle takes place in the released state. If the protective sleeve is displaced with a guide surface provided on the inner surface of a guide ring, the latching edge is preferably provided on this guide ring.

[0037] In particular in designs with guide rings, it is preferred to configure the resiliently deflectable latch element as a rocker element with two opposing arms on either side of the tilt axis. One of the arms can serve for latching onto the latch edge, while the other arm is manually actuated for release. The rocker element thus provides a change of direction for release purposes.

[0038] In the protective position, the protective sleeve surrounds the liquid reservoir at least in the area that may be accessible from the outside. In the release position, the protective sleeve is displaced in a translational manner relative to the liquid reservoir. Designs are conceivable in which the translational displacement of the protective sleeve takes place towards the discharge opening or away from the discharge opening.

[0039] In the first mentioned case, the protective sleeve is closer to the release opening in the release position than in the protection position. This makes it possible to use the upper edge of the protective sleeve as a support surface that is placed on the area of ​​the skin where the liquid is to be applied. In the case of eye drops, for example, the support surface is placed in the eyebrow area, allowing a particularly safe and reproducible release.

[0040] Here, it is advantageous if, in the release position, the support surface of the protective sleeve is arranged relative to the main axis at a distance of a maximum of 15 mm from the discharge opening, particularly preferably such that it protrudes beyond the discharge opening.

[0041] Such a design is particularly preferred for the guidance of the protective sleeve on the inner guide ring. Preferably, retention means are provided in the form of stops on the guide ring and on the protective sleeve, preventing removal of the protective sleeve from the guide ring.

[0042] The further design, in which the protective sleeve is displaced away from the discharge opening in the release position, is preferably implemented by the described guide sleeve, which can hold the protective sleeve displaced away from the discharge opening firmly. The extension of the dispenser as a whole is brought about by the displacement of the protective sleeve, which can provide significant advantages in handling.

[0043] Preferably, retention means are also provided in such a design, by which removal of the protective sleeve against the direction of the discharge opening is prevented. In particular, the retention means can be a stop on the protective sleeve and on the guide sleeve. A particularly advantageous design is one in which the stop is formed on the side of the guide sleeve by an edge which defines the actuation recess.

[0044] In the case of designs with a guide sleeve, the user must be able to grip the protective sleeve, which is arranged inside the guide sleeve, in order to be able to displace it into the release position. This can be done through a recess. However, in order to facilitate handling of the protective sleeve, the protective sleeve can have a distal end which protrudes beyond the lower guide sleeve in the protective position of the protective sleeve. In the case of designs with a closed base, the additional length of the protective sleeve can be used to position electronic dispenser components, such as for example a counter, in the thus defined receiving space.

[0045] The protective sleeve covers the liquid reservoir at least in stages. However, to facilitate reading any printed text that may be present on the liquid reservoir, the protective sleeve can be manufactured from a transparent plastic material. In this way, printed text on the outer surface of the liquid reservoir, or on a label fixed to the outer surface, can be read through the protective sleeve. If a guide sleeve is provided, this can also be manufactured from this transparent plastic material.

[0046] It is also possible to use a protective sleeve, or optionally a guide sleeve, to provide printed text thereon, optionally in the form of a printed label.

[0047] On the other hand, it is also possible to provide printed texts on the protective or guide sleeve and also on the liquid reservoir, which can be used, for example, to attach operating instructions or the like to the liquid reservoir, which can only be seen in the release position, which is not yet required in the protective position of the protective sleeve.

[0048] Preferably, the squeeze bottle dispenser has a protective cap, which in the deployed state protects the discharge opening, and which can be removed to use the dispenser and then replaced again. Such a protective cap can in particular be a protective cap with at least one ventilation opening, which is preferably still closed at the time of shipment.

[0049] The protective cap, by cooperating with the protective sleeve, can represent an additional safety measure, in that when the protective cap is positioned, or at least when the protective cap has not yet been opened for the first time, displacement of the protective sleeve is prevented in particular by the protective cap being positioned in such a way that the protective sleeve has to be displaced for displacement to the release position.

[0050] The above mentioned designs in which the protective or guide sleeve is displaceably or fixedly held by a guide or intermediate ring also represent another aspect of the invention. This relates to a liquid dispenser which is not necessarily designed as a squeeze bottle dispenser. The liquid dispenser has a dispensing head with a dispensing opening and a liquid reservoir in the form of a bottle body.

[0051] The liquid dispenser also has an outer sleeve which at least temporarily surrounds the bottle body. In particular, this can be the above-mentioned protective sleeve or the above-mentioned guide sleeve. A ring element is provided for fixing or guiding the outer sleeve on the bottle body, the outer sleeve being fixedly or displaceably fixed to the outer surface of the ring element.

[0052] The ring element is configured as a separate component from the housing of the discharge head. Preferably, the ring element can be configured as a grooved or interrupted ring element having an interruption in one area that extends by a maximum of 120°, preferably by a maximum of 10°. This allows the ring element to be fitted by temporary expansion. Once the ring element is in place, the outer sleeve can be pushed on.

[0053] The above-mentioned outer sleeve is preferably provided for a retained attachment to the discharge head by means of a ring element. It is therefore not intended for the user to completely detach the discharge head and the liquid reservoir with one hand and the outer sleeve with the other. Preferably, a stop on the ring element and a stop on the outer sleeve are provided for this purpose, both of which together define an end beyond which the outer sleeve cannot be displaced relative to the ring element.

[0054] The ring element is secured by the outer sleeve against expansion, so that it cannot be pulled onto the bottle body or onto the discharge head and therefore cannot be detached from the liquid reservoir. If the ring element is pulled onto the outer sleeve towards the discharge head or towards the base of the liquid reservoir, the ring element enters with a larger diameter into the area of ​​the discharge head or liquid reservoir and is therefore expanded until it presses against the inner surface of the outer sleeve and further displacement is thereby prevented.

[0055] A liquid reservoir according to this alternative aspect of the invention may also further satisfy any or all of the features described above for the squeeze bottle dispenser. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0056] Further advantages and aspects of the present invention will be found in the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments thereof, as illustrated below with reference to the drawings, and in the claims.

[0057] [Figure 1-2] Figure 1-2 shows a droplet dispenser of the type in question, on the basis of which the design of a squeeze bottle dispenser of the type in question will be explained.

[0058] [Figure 3-5] 3-5 show a first exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 6A-6B] 6A-6B illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention.

[0059] [Figure 7A-7B] 7A-7B show a variation of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0060] [Figure 8-9] 8-9 show a second exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention.

[0061] [Figure 10-12] 10-12 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 13A-13B] 13A-13B show a third exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention.

[0062] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows an alternative design of a guide ring for a liquid dispenser according to a third exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] 1 and 2 initially show a squeeze bottle dispenser 10 without a safety control, which is further developed with add-ons to form a liquid dispenser with a safety control in accordance with the present invention.

[0064] The squeeze bottle dispenser 10 has a dispensing head 12 having an outer housing 14 which is pierced at its distal end by a dispensing opening 16 .

[0065] The squeeze bottle dispenser 10 also has a liquid reservoir 20 configured as a squeeze bottle so that its walls can be compressed to reduce the internal volume of the liquid reservoir 20 and correspondingly increase the pressure. A dispensing head is secured to the open end of the liquid reservoir 20.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, when the discharge opening is directed downwards, the pressure of the liquid reservoir 20 upon compression forces the liquid contained therein towards the discharge head and moves to the discharge opening 16 after the pressure-induced opening of the discharge valve 18.

[0067] The squeeze bottle dispenser 10 can be, for example, a liquid drop dispenser, particularly for ophthalmic applications, the discharge opening of which is configured for the discharge of liquid drops, particularly with a peripheral sharp-edged tear-away edge, by a drop-forming surface surrounding the discharge opening 16 on its outer surface.

[0068] The dispenser 10 may include a protective cap 22 to protect the discharge opening 16. The protective cap is provided with ventilation openings to allow rapid drying of the droplet forming surface after use.

[0069] Figures 3-6B show a first exemplary embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention, which is based on the liquid drop dispenser of Figure 1, to which the components 70, 50, 30 have been added, which can be clearly seen in Figure 5. Figures 3 and 4 show the liquid dispenser 10 in the assembled state, before and after removal of the protective cap 22.

[0070] The additional components 30, 50, 70 represent components of a safety device intended to prevent the inadvertent release of liquid. In particular, the components together form a child safety device, which is difficult for a small child to overcome.

[0071] The child safety device comprises a protective sleeve 30 which is inserted into a guide sleeve 50. The guide sleeve 50 is provided with recesses 54 in its lateral areas on opposite sides, through which the application of force to the liquid reservoir 20 takes place as intended. This application of force is, however, prevented when the protective sleeve 30 is fully inserted into the guide sleeve 50. In this state, the protective sleeve 30 blocks the recesses 54, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0072] The guide sleeve 50 is provided on its inner surface with opposing guide surfaces 52 in the form of two guide grooves 53 extending in the direction of the main axis 2. Correspondingly, guide projections 33 are provided on the outer surface of the protective sleeve 30. In the inserted state in the guide sleeve 50, the protective sleeve 30 can therefore be moved exclusively in a translational motion. On both sides of the upper edge, the protective sleeve 30 has outwardly projecting stop projections 37, which prevent the protective sleeve 30 from being completely pulled out of the guide sleeve 50. If the protective sleeve 30 is pulled until the stop projections 37 rest against the lower edge of the recess opening 54, which forms a further stop, the protective sleeve 30 cannot be pulled out any further.

[0073] The guide sleeve 50 has a latch through opening 59, the lower end edge of which forms a latch edge 64. A latch element 62 is correspondingly provided which can be biased inwards in a resilient manner and which is an integral part of the protective sleeve 30 in the manner of a U-shaped tongue-like cutout.

[0074] The combination consisting of the guide sleeve 50 and the protective sleeve 30 inserted therein is fixed to the liquid reservoir 20 of the liquid dispenser 10 by means of an intermediate ring 70. As can be seen in figure 5, the intermediate ring 70 is designed not to be closed around and is provided with an interruption 74. This interruption 74 makes it possible to press the intermediate ring from above or below, but in particular from one side onto the tapered region 20B of the liquid reservoir 20. It can then be compressed to a sufficient extent that the combination consisting of the guide sleeve 50 and the protective sleeve 30 can be pressed from below.

[0075] 6A shows the child safety device in cross-section when fitted. It can be seen that grooves 78 on the outer surface of intermediate ring 70 are used to secure inwardly facing retaining lugs 58 of guide sleeve 50.

[0076] 6A shows the protective position of the protective sleeve 30. As already explained above, in this position, the protective sleeve 30 blocks the recess 54 of the fluid reservoir 20 so that the user cannot compress it.

[0077] To prepare the dispenser for operation, the user must first press the latching element 62 in an elastic manner. Once this has been done by applying a force to the protective sleeve 30, the user can pull it down against the guide sleeve 50 or the discharge head 12, so as to reach the state of FIG. 6B. The downward displacement is limited by the stops 37, 57. In the position of FIG. 6B, the dispenser is significantly elongated as a whole so that it can be more conveniently handled and safely placed, for example, on the eye to be treated. If a force is applied on both sides of the liquid reservoir through the recesses 54, the pressure in the liquid reservoir is increased so that the discharge valve 18 opens and the liquid is discharged through the discharge opening 16.

[0078] After use, the user slides the protective sleeve 30 back again. The chamfers on the latching elements 62 indirectly bias the protective sleeve inwardly in a resilient manner until it springs back into the through opening 59 and the protective condition is re-established.

[0079] The design of Figures 7A and 7B differs from Figures 3-6B in that the protective sleeve is extended at its lower end, so that even in the protective position of Figure 7A the protective sleeve projects downwardly beyond the guide sleeve 50. This may facilitate the transition to the released position of Figure 7B.

[0080] The design of figures 8 and 9 is very similar to the previous figures 3-7B. The essential difference is that here a pure translational movement of the protective sleeve 30 is not provided, but rather a superposition of translational and rotational movements. A guide groove 35 is provided for this purpose on the outer surface of the protective sleeve 30, which is substantially helical and only at its ends transitions into a horizontal partial section. A guide cam 55, provided on the inner surface of the guide sleeve 50, is located inside the groove.

[0081] The latch element 62 must first be pressed in the manner already described in order to move it from the protective position of FIG. 8 to the released position of FIG. 9 by means of the spiral guide groove 35, but then the protective sleeve 30 is not immediately pulled out, but instead is released in a rotating manner by a rotational and translational movement which is indirectly caused by the pressing.

[0082] The design of figures 10-13B has a fundamental difference from the previous exemplary embodiment. As can be seen in figure 12, only two additional components are provided here to achieve a safety control device: a guide ring 40, which is pressed from above or below, like the intermediate ring 70, but in particular from the side, onto the tapered region 20B of the liquid reservoir 20, and a protective sleeve 30, which is pressed onto the liquid reservoir 20 surrounding the guide ring 40. A lead-in chamfer 38 is provided on the upper edge of the guide sleeve 30, said lead-in chamfer 38 ensuring that the guide ring 40 is temporarily compressed when the protective sleeve 30 is fitted in order to be able to expand again under the guide chamfer 38.

[0083] As can be seen from Figures 13A and 13B, the guide ring 40 fulfills several functions. From the protective position of Figure 13A, it is not possible to pull down the protective sleeve 30, because the chamfer previously used during mounting only acts in the opposite direction. Furthermore, it is not possible to displace the protective sleeve 30 upwards at first, because the latch element 62 designed as a rocker element presses its upper edge against the latch edge 64 of the guide ring 40. Only when the lower half of the latch element 62 is pressed, the upper half is tilted outwards and thus the protective sleeve can be displaced upwards. The end part is reached in the position seen in Figure 13B, in which the stop 64 of the guide ring 40 comes to bear against the inwardly facing stop 31 of the protective sleeve 30.

[0084] Fig. 13B shows a release position in which a force can be applied to the liquid reservoir 20. Contrary to Fig. 13B, this force is applied when the dispenser is in an angled position with the downward facing discharge opening 16 facing downwards. The upper end edge of the protective sleeve 30 can be used in this release position with a support surface 34 where it rests against an area of ​​the user's skin to enable droplet discharge as accurately as possible. In particular, the support surface 34 can be placed against the user's eyebrow, for example.

[0085] Figure 14 shows an alternative design of the guide ring 40. This guide ring is not provided with an interruption 44 allowing enlargement, but is formed from two ring sections 40A, 40B which can be connected together via cooperating coupling means 41. This makes it possible to mount the guide ring of Figure 14 after the liquid reservoir 20 and the discharge head 12 have been connected together by the two ring sections which are fed from opposite sides at the tapered region 20B and latched to encircle the bottle neck.

[0086] The guide ring 40 of Fig. 14 also has guide structures 48 on its outer surface, which include short longitudinal grooves. These grooves cooperate with corresponding projections on the inner surface of the protective sleeve 30, so that the protective sleeve 30 cannot be rotated relative to the guide ring around the main axis 2. This makes it possible to achieve a safe guiding and a reduced tendency to tilt.

Claims

Claim 1 A squeeze bottle dispenser (10) having safety control, comprising: (a) the squeeze bottle dispenser (10) has a liquid reservoir (20) designed as a squeeze bottle; (b) the squeeze bottle dispenser (10) has a discharge head (12) having a discharge opening (16); (c) the squeeze bottle dispenser (10) has a protective sleeve (30), the protective sleeve (30) being tethered to the liquid reservoir (20) and displaceable relative to the liquid reservoir (20) in a translational motion, or a combination of translational and rotational motions, or a sequence of translational and rotational motions along the main axis (2) between a protective position and a release position; (d) in the protective position, the protective sleeve (30) prevents or hinders the application of a hand force to the liquid reservoir (20), and thus prevents or hinders the discharge of the liquid; (e) in the release position, the protective sleeve (30) does not prevent or hinder the application of a hand force to the liquid reservoir (20), and thus enables the discharge of the liquid. A squeeze bottle dispenser (10) characterized by the above. Claim 2 The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1, further comprising the following features: (a) the squeeze bottle dispenser (10) has a discharge direction defining the main axis (2), and / or the liquid reservoir (20) has a wall that is at least partially cylindrical, particularly cylindrical, and whose central axis defines the main axis (2); (b) the translational motion of the protective sleeve (30) is along the main axis (2), and / or the rotational motion of the protective sleeve (30) is around the main axis (2). Claim 3 The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following features: (a) the squeeze bottle dispenser (10) has at least one guide surface (42, 52) along which the protective sleeve (30) can be displaced in a guided manner. Claim 4 (a) at least one guide surface (42) is provided on the outer surface of a guide ring (40), the guide ring (40) being mounted on the liquid reservoir (20) or in an intermediate region between the liquid reservoir (20) and the discharge head (12) or on the discharge head (12). The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 3, Preferably, (b) The guide ring (40) is configured as a grooved or intermittent guide ring (40), and the guide ring (40) has an interruption (44) in one area that extends up to a maximum of 120°, preferably up to a maximum of 10°, or (c) The guide ring (40) is configured as a multi-part guide ring (40), in particular at least at one end, preferably at each of both ends, and particularly preferably as a guide ring made of two guide ring areas (40A, 40B) that are connected together to form the guide ring, in particular by a latch connection, and / or (d) The guide ring (40) is configured such that during attachment onto the guide ring (40), the protective sleeve (30) can be pushed from the side facing away from the discharge opening (16), and it is preferred that an introduction chamfer (38) is provided on the guide ring (40) and / or on the protective sleeve (30) to facilitate the pushing procedure, and / or (e) The guide ring (40) has on its outer surface at least one guide structure (48) that extends in the direction of movement of the protective sleeve (30), and the protective sleeve (30) has a corresponding facing inner guide structure. Squeeze bottle dispenser (10).

5. (a) At least one guide surface (52) is provided on the inner surface of the guide sleeve (50), and the guide sleeve (50) is mounted on the liquid reservoir (20) or in an intermediate region between the liquid reservoir (20) and the discharge head (12) or on the discharge head (12), preferably by using an intervening intermediate ring (70), and the guide sleeve (50) surrounds the liquid reservoir (20) and the protective sleeve (30) on the outer surface. (b) The guide sleeve (50) has at least one recess (54), and through the recess (54), application of force to the liquid reservoir (20) is possible when the protective sleeve (30) is in the release position, and the recess (54) is at least partially closed when the protective sleeve (30) is in the protective position. The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 3, Preferably, (c) The guide sleeve (50) has at least two opposing recesses (54). Squeeze bottle dispenser (10).

6. (a) An intermediate ring (70) is provided, and a guide sleeve (50) is thereby mounted on the liquid reservoir and / or the discharge head. The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 5, Preferably, (b) The intermediate ring (70) is configured as an intermittent intermediate ring (70), and the intermediate ring (70) has an interruption (74) in one area that extends at most 120°, preferably at most 10°. And / or (c) The intermediate ring (70) is configured as an intermediate ring (70) consisting of multiple parts, especially at least at one end, preferably at each of both ends, and particularly preferably made of two intermediate ring areas that are connected together to form the intermediate ring by a latch connection. And / or (d) The intermediate ring (70) and the guide sleeve (50) are securely latch-connected to each other. Preferably, a retaining groove (78) that opens inward or outward is provided on the intermediate ring (70) or on the guide sleeve, and the retaining projection (58) of the guide sleeve (50) or the intermediate ring projects therein. The squeeze bottle dispenser (10). [

7. ] (a) An interlocking guide structure (33, 53, 35, 55) is provided on the guide surface (52) and on the protective sleeve (30), and the protective sleeve (30) is thereby guided with respect to the guide surface in a rotationally fixed manner, or the protective sleeve (30) is thereby guided with respect to the guide surface (52) by an overlap of rotational and translational movements or a continuity of rotational and translational movements. The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 5, Preferably (b) The guide surface (52) is formed by a guide groove (53), and a guide protection part (33) or a guide cam of the protective sleeve (30) engages therein. Or (c) The guide surface (52) has a guide protection part or a guide cam (55), which engages in the guide groove (35) of the protective sleeve (30). And / or (d) The guide groove (35) has a helical shape at least in part, so that the movement of the protective sleeve (30) with respect to the guide surface (52) is performed by an overlap of rotational and translational movements. And / or (e) The guide groove (35) has a partial portion that extends circumferentially with respect to the main axis (2) at least at one end, and the partial portion does not extend axially with respect to the main axis (2). The squeeze bottle dispenser (10).

8. The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further having the following features: (a) A displacement prevention device (60) is provided, whereby the protective sleeve (30) can be secured against displacement in its protective position.

9. (a) The displacement prevention device (60) includes at least one elastically deflectable latch element (62), which, in the protective position of the protective sleeve (30), cooperates with a latch edge (64) that is translationally and / or rotationally fixed to the liquid reservoir (20) or to the protective sleeve (30), preventing translational and / or rotational movement of the protective sleeve (30). The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 8, Preferably, (b) The elastically deflectable latch element (62) is attached to the protective sleeve (30) or the guide sleeve (50), and the latch element (62) is preferably an integral part of a component that substantially forms the protective sleeve (30) or the guide sleeve (50), and / or (c) The latch edge (64) is provided on the guide sleeve (50), and / or (d) The latch edge (64) is provided on the guide ring (40), and / or (e) In the protective position, the latch element (62) attached to the protective sleeve (30) is arranged in the region of the recess (54), and the latch edge (64) is formed by the edge of the recess (54), and / or (f) The elastically deflectable latch element (62) is configured as a rocker element having two opposing arms on both sides of the tilt axis. Squeeze bottle dispenser (10).

10. (a) The translational displacement of the protective sleeve (30) from the protective position to the release position is performed in the direction of the discharge opening (16). The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, Preferably, (b) The upper edge of the protective sleeve (30) forms a support surface (34) for placement against the area of the skin at least in part, and / or (c) In the release position, the support surface (34) is arranged such that the support surface (34) is positioned relative to the main axis (2) at a maximum distance of 15 mm from the discharge opening (16), and / or (d) Holding means (31, 46) are provided on the protective sleeve (30) and the guide ring (40), particularly in the form of stops (31, 46), preventing removal of the protective sleeve (30) in the direction of the discharge opening (16). Squeeze bottle dispenser (10). **Claim 11** (a) The translational displacement of the protective sleeve (30) from the protective position to the release position is performed away from the discharge opening (16), The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, Preferably, (b) Holding means (37, 57) are provided on the protective sleeve (30) and the guide sleeve (50), especially in the form of stop portions (37, 57), and the removal of the protective sleeve (30) is thereby prevented against the direction of the discharge opening (16). In particular, the stop portion (57) of the guide sleeve (50) is preferably formed by an edge defining a recess (54), and / or (c) The protective sleeve (30) has a distal end portion (32) protruding beyond the guide sleeve (50) at the lower end of the protective position of the protective sleeve (30), and the distal end portion (32) defines a receiving space in which the electronic components of the dispenser are arranged, Squeeze bottle dispenser (10). **Claim 12** The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further having at least one of the following features: (a) The protective sleeve (30) is made of a transparent plastic material, and in particular, a printed text that can be seen through the protective sleeve (30) is provided on the outer surface of the liquid reservoir (20) even when the protective sleeve (30) is in the protective position, or (b) The printed text is applied to the protective sleeve (30), and no printed text is applied to the outer surface of the squeeze bottle, or (c) Printed texts are provided on both the protective sleeve (30) and the outer surface of the liquid reservoir (20). **Claim 13** The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further having the following features: (a) The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) has a removable and replaceable protective cap (22), and (b) The protective cap (22) cooperates with the protective sleeve (30) so that the displacement of the protective sleeve (30) is prevented when the protective cap (22) is in place or when the protective cap (22) has not been opened for the first time. **Claim 14** The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) The squeeze bottle dispenser (10) is configured as a droplet dispenser, and the droplet forming means is provided in the region of the discharge opening (16), in particular provided as a droplet forming surface surrounding the discharge opening, and / or (b) The liquid reservoir (20) is manufactured from a flexible plastic material, in particular from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, or cyclic olefin copolymer, and / or (c) The protective sleeve (30) is manufactured from a rigid plastic material, in particular from glycol-modified polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, cyclic olefin polymer, polyethylene terephthalate, or rigid polyethylene, and / or (d) The liquid reservoir (20) is filled with a liquid, preferably a pharmaceutical liquid, particularly preferably an imidazoline-containing liquid, and / or (e) The discharge head and the liquid reservoir are formed by separate components and are preferably connected together by a latch connection, and / or (f) The discharge head and the liquid reservoir are integrally formed by one component, and / or (g) The discharge head (12) includes a discharge valve (18), and / or (h) The liquid reservoir has a tapered neck region, and an intermediate ring (70) or a guide ring (40) is provided in this tapered neck region. Squeeze bottle dispenser (10).

15. A liquid dispenser (10) having the following characteristics: (a) The liquid dispenser (10) has a liquid reservoir (20) in the form of a bottle body (20), and (b) The liquid dispenser (10) has a discharge head (12) having a discharge opening (16), and (c) The liquid dispenser (10) has an outer sleeve (30, 50) that at least temporarily surrounds the bottle body (20), and (d) Ring elements (40, 70) are provided for fixing or guiding the outer sleeve (30, 50) onto the bottle body, and the outer sleeve (30, 50) is fixedly attached or displaceably fixed to its outer surface.

16. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 15, further having the following characteristics: (a) The outer sleeve (30, 50) is provided for latching attachment to the discharge head (12) by the ring elements (40, 70), and (b) The stop portion (64) of the ring element (40) and the stop portion (31) of the outer sleeve (30) together define an end, beyond which the outer sleeve (30, 50) cannot be displaced relative to the ring element (40, 70).

17. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 15 or 16, further having the following features; (a) The ring element (40, 70) is configured as a component separated from the housing (14) of the discharge head (12).

18. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 15 or 16, further having the following features: (a) The ring element (40, 70) is configured as an intermittent ring element (40, 70), which has interruptions (44, 74) in one area that extends up to 120°, preferably up to 10°.

19. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 15 or 16, further having the following features: (a) The liquid reservoir has a tapered neck region (20B), and the intermediate ring (70) or the guide ring (40) is provided in this tapered neck region (20B).

20. The liquid dispenser (10) according to claim 15 or 16, further having the following features: (a) The ring element (40, 70) is secured against expansion by the outer sleeve (30, 50), so that the ring element (40, 70) cannot be pulled on the bottle body or on the discharge head.

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