sprayer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sprayer (1) for a fluid (3) contained in a container (2), comprising a sprayer nozzle and a housing (7), wherein a pump body (8) having a first passage opening (9) having a first opening cross-sectional area is disposed within the housing (7), a hollow plunger (10) equipped with a check valve (11) and a filter element (12) are disposed within the first passage opening (9), a holding area (13) is also provided to hold the filter element (12) within the first passage opening (9) in the flow direction (r) of the fluid (3), a spray section (17) is also disposed downstream of the filter element (12) in the flow direction (r), and the spray section is housed in an extended area of ​​the pump body (8) adjacent to the first passage opening (9) in the flow direction (r). In a favorable embodiment, the filter element (12) is positioned in the first passage opening (9) upstream of the holding device (13) in the flow direction (r), where a second passage opening (16) is provided. The second passage opening (16) has a second opening cross-sectional area, which is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area. This ensures that the filter element is held securely while the flow is not obstructed as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an atomizer for a fluid in a container, comprising an atomizer nozzle and a housing, wherein a pump body having a first passage opening with a first opening cross-sectional area is disposed in the housing, a hollow plunger provided with a check valve and a filter element are disposed in the first passage opening, and further, a holding region for holding the filter element in the flow direction of the fluid in the first passage opening is also provided, and further, the atomizing portion is disposed downstream of the filter element in the flow direction and is accommodated in an extension region of the pump body continuing in the flow direction from the first passage opening.

Background Art

[0002] Prior Art

[0002] Atomizers of this type, also referred to as inhalers, are known, for example, from WO 2007 / 022898 A2 (US 7,823,584 B2), and further, for example, from WO 2012 / 160052 A1 (US 9,827,384 B2), or from WO 2017 / 080895 A1 (US 2017 / 0128681 A1).

[0003]

[0003] In the case of an atomizer known from WO 2012 / 007315 A1 (US 2016 / 0144138 A1), the filter part designed as a fine filter is made of metal and is disposed downstream of a plastic pre-filter in the passage opening in the flow direction.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Starting from the prior art described last, the present invention relates to the problem of defining an atomizer having a filter element in a favorable arrangement configuration with a favorable structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005]

[0005] This objective is achieved by the subject matter described in claim 1, in which the filter element is positioned in a first passage opening upstream of the retaining device in the direction of flow, therein a second passage opening provided, the second passage opening having a second opening cross-sectional area, and the aim is that the filter element is held securely while the flow is not obstructed as much as possible, since the second opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area.

[0006]

[0006] With respect to the required retention of the filter element, the second opening cross-sectional area may vary depending on the material used for the filter element. Possible materials are described in more detail below. When the filter material is relatively soft, the second opening cross-sectional area is preferably smaller than that of hard materials such as metal. The filter element is preferably a depth filter. Compared to a surface filter, a depth filter has a high filtration capacity and high pressure resistance, and preferably also has pressure resistance to and / or a lower effect on pressure drop due to an increase in the amount of filtered material.

[0007]

[0007] Since the retaining device is located downstream of the filter element in the flow direction, the filter element is held in the first passage opening in a preferred manner with a high support effect. The retaining device is preferably a plastic part or formed on a plastic part, particularly on the pump body. If the filter element is made of a relatively soft material, due to the pressure drop that occurs during suction or spray activation, the filter element may not be able to push forward through the second passage opening or be pushed out through the second passage opening. The filter element may preferably be an effective and optionally soft filter element as the only filter element, alongside a microfilter incorporated into the spray section in the nozzle area. In this case, in particular, the filter element is the only filter element upstream of the spray section. In such a case, it is correspondingly formed as a one-piece and exists as a one-piece filter element.

[0008]

[0008] The second opening cross-sectional area is smaller, but preferably selected so as not to create additional associated flow resistance to the maximum flow resistance in the spray section. For example, the spray section, and ultimately the nozzle outlet of the spray section, is about 50-120 μm 2 Preferably 90 μm 2 If there is only one opening area, the second opening cross-sectional area is preferably at least about 100 times the maximum assumed cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle outlet, i.e., 12,000 μm, for low flow resistance. 2 or 0.012 mm 2This should be the case, and this corresponds to a minimum diameter of approximately 0.12 mm for the second passage opening. From a manufacturing standpoint, this diameter can still be achieved by mechanical drilling or laser drilling. The upper limit of the second passage opening is determined by the strength of the filter. For soft PE filters having a diameter of preferably 1.3 to 1.8 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm, experience has shown that a passage opening of 20% to 40%, preferably 30%, of the filter diameter or the first passage opening has been successful. This preferably corresponds to a second passage opening diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, more preferably 0.4 mm. This range can also be controlled by injection molding.

[0009]

[0009] In harder filter materials such as ceramics and glass, the cross-section of the second passage opening is also close to the cross-section of the first passage opening, preferably less than or equal to about four-fifths of the cross-sectional area of ​​the first passage opening. This corresponds to the second opening having a diameter of preferably about 1.3 mm, compared to the first opening having a diameter of preferably 1.5 mm in the above example.

[0010]

[0010] When approximately 200 sprays were performed or the corresponding dose was delivered, no significant pressure loss due to displacement of any of the microfilters incorporated in the spray unit was detected.

[0011]

[0011] For example, a dose of 200 doses corresponds to a standard one-month supply. This result is also evident when using an ethanol solution as the active ingredient.

[0012]

[0012] Therefore, according to one embodiment, the selection of material for the filter element is not restricted. In particular, it may also be a soft material. As described in the prior art, the metal filter element is not necessarily required upstream of the spray section in the flow direction.

[0013]

[0013] The filter element can be conveniently designed to meet filtration requirements. In particular, it can be integrally formed in one piece from a relatively soft porous material. However, the filter element can also be made from materials such as glass, ceramic, plastic, metal, or semiconductors such as silicon. As for its manufacture, it can be sintered from powder, woven as fleece, and structured by etching or ion bombardment. Finally, it can also be manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0014]

[0014] The retaining region can be designed only as a taper incorporated into the pump body relative to the second passage opening. Here, the taper can be designed in a stepped or, for example, conical shape. With respect to the manufacturing process of the pump body, which is usually an injection molding process in large quantities, if the resulting passage opening as a combination of the first passage opening and the second passage opening is unfavorably small (and long) for a given length, firstly, the portion can be designed to be manufactured without the second passage opening, having the cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening, and then inserted into an injection-molded part in the process of further processing using material removal processes such as drilling, laser cutting, and punching.

[0015]

[0015] In one embodiment, a separate retaining part may also be provided. This is particularly advantageous if we assume that the injection molding pump body does not need to be manufactured with a significantly reduced or transiently complex opening, with a relatively long passage opening in mind.

[0016]

[0016] The retaining part is preferably a plastic part. The retaining part may also be manufactured by injection molding, for example, from polypropylene. It is preferable that nothing flows through the retaining part except for the second passage opening. The retaining part may be essentially cylindrical or conical. However, the retaining part may also be in the form of a washer or, regardless of the particular design, may be designed in the form of a mesh as a permeable support structure. The retaining part is preferably a plastic part, but may be a metal part, a ceramic part, a glass part, a silicon part, etc.

[0017]

[0017] The retaining portion can be placed within the tapered region of the first passage opening. However, since the retaining portion further reduces the size of the first passage opening despite the tapered region, the first tapered region can still be formed relatively inexpensively on the pump body using injection molding technology.

[0018]

[0018] The retaining portion is more preferably placed in the first passage opening, preferably in the tapered region mentioned, by press-fitting or intermediate fitting.

[0019]

[0019] Therefore, the retaining part is preferably placed inside the first passage opening like a plug.

[0020]

[0020] With regard to assembly, the retaining part can be inserted into the first passage opening from below. It can then be pushed into the final position accordingly.

[0021]

[0021] As outlined above, the filter element is the only separate filter element of the sprayer, except for the microfilter incorporated into the spray section. It can be designed in multiple stages, for example, with different porosity, such that the porosity decreases in the flow direction.

[0022]

[0022] It is possible to achieve a cost-effective sealing design while simultaneously having a convenient number of components. The tolerance chain for preloading the nozzle seal becomes smaller. The pressurized surface of the nozzle holder can also be conveniently made smaller.

[0023]

[0023] When the holding area is integrally formed within the pump body, the components involved in filtration, that is, other than the nozzle holder, the spraying element, and the screw cap, can be reduced to the following three parts: a filter element, a nozzle seal, and the pump body itself. When adding a holding part (made of plastic), there are four parts.

[0024] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the drawings only represent one design example.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] A perspective view shows the atomizer with the cover cap attached. [Figure 2] A sectional view along the II-II plane of FIG. 1 shows the atomizer. [Figure 3] In the first embodiment, an enlarged upper region of the figure according to FIG. 2 is shown. [Figure 4] In the second embodiment, an enlarged upper part of the figure according to FIG. 2 is shown. [Figure 5] In the third embodiment, an enlarged upper part of the figure according to FIG. 2 is shown. [Figure 6] In the fourth embodiment, an enlarged upper part of the figure according to FIG. 2 is shown.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Description of the Embodiment

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

[0027]

[0026] The sprayer 1 is preferably designed as a portable inhaler and more preferably has an elongated design with a circular or elliptical cross-section. Viewed from the direction of the longitudinal axis x of the housing, the sprayer 1 may have a length of about 80 to about 200 mm. The length is preferably about 100 to about 150 mm. The width or diameter across the longitudinal axis of the housing may be in the range of 20 to 60 mm, preferably about 25 to 50 mm. Therefore, the sprayer 1 can be held and used with one hand to perform an inhalation procedure.

[0028]

[0027] The fluid 3 is preferably a therapeutic or pharmaceutical product inhaled by the user during the inhalation procedure. More preferably, such inhalation is performed without propellant gas. The fluid 3 is preferably drawn from the container 2 into the pressure chamber 4 and, as a result of pressurization, is released in atomized form through the mouthpiece 5. The atomized procedures performed can be counted using a counting mechanism 6 located on the side of the housing.

[0029]

[0028] In the design of the sprayer 1 described herein, the fluid 3 is preferably present as an ethanol solution or as an aqueous solution.

[0030]

[0029] The sprayer 1 further comprises a housing 7 in which a pump body 8 (Figure 2) is disposed. The pump body 8 has a first passage opening 9. A hollow plunger 10, a check valve 11, and a filter element 12 are disposed within the first passage opening 9 (see also Figures 3 and 4). The hollow plunger 10 is of a type known and customary for such sprayers.

[0031]

[0030] Furthermore, a holding area 13 is provided upstream of the nozzle holder 14 in the flow direction r of the fluid 3 released for atomization to hold a filter element 12, and further downstream of the filter element 12 in the flow direction r, a spray section 17 incorporating a microfilter is located, which is housed in an extended area of ​​the pump body 8 that extends from the first passage opening 9. The spray section 17 is held in the mouthpiece 5 by the nozzle holder 14, preferably a metal part. The nozzle holder 14 may also be a plastic part. Furthermore, the nozzle holder 14 is covered by a screw cap 19 which is preferably held by the pump body 8. The nozzle holder 14 is further covered by a sealing element 15 made of plastic or elastomer, which is preferably installed between the nozzle holder 14, the pump body 8 and the spray section 17 with a certain radial and axial preload.

[0032]

[0031] The holding area 13 may preferably be designed to be incorporated into the pump body 8. This is shown in Figure 5.

[0033]

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

[0034]

[0033] Preferably, as shown in the embodiments in Figures 3 and 4 in particular, the holding portion 18 is provided to hold the filter element 12 upstream of the spray portion 17 in the flow direction r of the fluid 3 released for atomization.

[0035]

[0034] The filter element 12 is housed in the first passage opening 9 upstream of the retaining region 13 in the flow direction r. The retaining region 13 can be formed by the pump body 8 itself or by a retaining portion 18 housed in the first passage opening 9, as previously described. The retaining region 13 or retaining portion 18 has a second passage opening 16. If the retaining region 13 is formed as a single piece with the pump body 8, the second passage opening 16 is a continuation of the first passage opening 9, i.e., a sub-region thereof. The second passage opening 16 has a second opening cross-sectional area smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area. This difference is chosen to ensure the greatest possible unobstructed flow while ensuring secure retention of the filter element. For this purpose, the second opening cross-sectional area may be no more than four-fifths of the first cross-sectional area. For example, it may also be no more than two-thirds of the first opening cross-sectional area of ​​the first passage opening 9. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first or second opening is the open area of ​​the first passage opening 9 or the second passage opening 16, respectively, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x of the housing.

[0036]

[0035] The filter element 12 is preferably a depth filter, and more preferably designed as a sintered portion having a certain degree of porosity. Not only common thermoplastic materials such as HT (high temperature) thermoplastics such as PP, PBT, or PEEK, but also corrosion-resistant and inert materials such as glass, ceramics, or metals (VA, titanium) are suitable.

[0037]

[0036] The holding part 18 is preferably a plastic part manufactured by injection molding, for example from PP, or incorporated into the pump body, but it can also be made from other materials such as HT thermoplastics, preferably PEEK (polyether ether ketone). The pump body 8 can be manufactured in the same manner.

[0038]

[0037] The retaining portion 18 is preferably located within the tapered region of the first passage opening 9.

[0039]

[0038] The retaining portion 18 is also preferably formed to match the shape of the tapered region of the first passage opening 9. As shown in Figure 3, the retaining portion may have an outer contour that is essentially tapered conically in the flow direction, just as the tapered region of the first passage opening 9 is preferably formed to be tapered conically in this case. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the retaining portion may also have a stepped tapered outer contour, which is provided as a shape that matches the inner contour of the first passage opening 9 in a defined limit stop portion of the retaining portion 18 or in this region.

[0040]

[0039] Preferably, the retaining portion 18 is press-fitted into the first passage opening 9 in order to be fixed in the axial direction.

[0041]

[0040] The filter element 12 is more preferably provided as the only filter element, except for the microfilter incorporated into the spray section 17 of the sprayer 1. A stepped design with different porosity is also possible.

[0042]

[0041] The nozzle seal 15 and / or nozzle holder 14 are placed directly on the end face of the pump body 8 to form a seal. Intervening O-rings and the like are preferably not provided.

[0043]

[0042] Referring to Figure 6, the embodiment shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 is shown in a more enlarged view, where the retaining portion 18 is formed like a washer. The left half shows a stepped design, and the right half shows a conical design with respect to the longitudinal axis x of the housing, i.e., corresponding in principle to Figure 4 or Figure 3. Preferably, even with such a washer-shaped design of the retaining portion 18, the design is uniformly stepped or uniformly conical. In this regard, the dashed line indicates that a conical design corresponding to Figure 3 may also be provided instead of the specifically drawn stepped design of the pump body 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] List of reference symbols 1 sprayer 2 containers 3 fluid 4. Pressure Chamber 5 Mouthpiece 6. Counting mechanism 7 Housing 8 Pump body 9. First passage opening 10 Hollow plungers 11. Check valve 12 filter elements 13 Holding area 14 Nozzle holder 15 Nozzle seal 16. Second passage opening 17 Spray section 18 Holding part 19 Screw cap r Flow direction x Longitudinal axis of the housing

Claims

1. A sprayer (1) for a fluid (3) in a container (2), comprising a sprayer nozzle and a housing (7), wherein a pump body (8) having a first passage opening (9) having a first opening cross-sectional area is disposed within the housing (7), and a hollow plunger (10) comprising a check valve (11) and a filter element (12) is disposed within the first passage opening (9), further comprising a holding region (13) for holding the filter element (12) within the first passage opening (9) in the flow direction (r) of the fluid (3), and further comprising a spray section (17) located downstream of the filter element (12) in the flow direction (r) and housed within an extended region of the pump body (8) extending from the first passage opening (9) in the flow direction (r), The sprayer is characterized in that the filter element (12) is positioned in the first passage opening (9) upstream of the holding device (13) in the flow direction (r), and a second passage opening (16) is provided therein, and the second passage opening (16) has a second opening cross-sectional area, and the second opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the first opening cross-sectional area, so that the filter element is held firmly while the flow is not obstructed as much as possible.

2. The sprayer according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening corresponds to four-fifths or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening.

3. The sprayer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding device (13) has a holding portion (18) installed in the first passage opening (9).

4. The sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding part (18) is a plastic part.

5. The sprayer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the holding portion (18) is placed within the tapered region (19) of the first passage opening (9).

6. The sprayer according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding portion (18) is formed in a shape that conforms to the tapered region (19) of the first passage opening (9).

7. The sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the filter element (12) is provided as the only filter element of the sprayer (1), except for the microfilter incorporated in the spraying unit (15).

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