Oral dispenser for liquids, particularly nicotine or cannabis-containing liquids

Abstract

An oral dispenser (10) for dispensing a liquid, particularly containing nicotine or cannabis, in aerosol form, the dispenser having a liquid reservoir (20) of variable internal volume for containing the liquid prior to dispensing; the dispenser having a spring mechanism (30) whereby, when the spring mechanism (30) is loaded, the liquid in the dispenser is permanently under positive pressure; the dispenser has a pressure of up to 0.002 mm 2 and a spray nozzle unit (40) having at least one nozzle opening (44) having a net cross-sectional area of ​​0.04 mm or less in total. 2 (10) has an outlet passage (92) connecting (20) to the spray nozzle unit (40); in (92) an outlet valve (50) is provided which can be in an open or closed state; (10) has a mouthpiece (12) for inhalation of the liquid sprayed by (40); (10) has (60) which is separate from (40) and connected to (20), and (30) is loaded with liquid supplied into (20) through (60).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral dispenser for dispensing a liquid in the form of an aerosol, and in the present invention particularly relates to such a dispenser for dispensing a liquid containing nicotine or cannabis. [Background technology]

[0002] Such dispensers are particularly used to quit smoking or as a substitute for smoking. They typically have an elongated shape similar to a cigarette and a mouthpiece that allows the user to inhale vaporized or atomized liquid. Nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquids, as well as other liquids containing substances for breaking addiction, can be dispensed with dispensers according to the invention. Furthermore, dispensers according to the invention can also be used for the prevention or treatment of acute or chronic respiratory disorders or diseases.

[0003] Known types of cigarette-shaped dispensers are based in particular on the electrical vaporization of nicotine-containing liquids. Such dispensers are equipped with batteries or accumulators that must be replaced or recharged.

[0004] Dispensers in which a nicotine-containing liquid is atomized without electricity using a propellant gas are also known. Document GB2530980A, for example, discloses such a dispenser. A disadvantage of these dispensers is that the user also absorbs the propellant gas when using the dispenser. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative dispenser by which liquids, in particular nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquids, can be dispensed in a spray form by the user.

[0006] For this purpose, an oral dispenser of the type mentioned at the outset is proposed, which has a liquid reservoir of variable internal volume for containing the liquid before it is dispensed.

[0007] An oral dispenser in the sense of the present invention is a dispenser by which an atomized liquid is applied to the mouth, the target of the liquid may be, for example, the oral cavity itself, the throat area, the larynx, the bronchi or the lungs. Preferably, the oral dispenser according to the present invention is configured as an inhalation dispenser, in which the user inhales during the release of the liquid and thus draws the atomized liquid into the respiratory tract.

[0008] According to a preferred area of ​​application, the oral dispenser is preferably filled with a nicotine- or cannabis-containing liquid, thereby constituting a corresponding substitute for tobacco. However, the dispenser according to the invention may also be used for other applications, for example as a dispenser for asthma or COPD medication, which are usually dispensed by MDI dispensers.

[0009] The oral dispenser according to the present invention has a spring mechanism, which, when the spring mechanism is loaded, causes the liquid in the liquid reservoir to be under permanent positive pressure. This spring mechanism can be a conventional spring, for example a coil spring. However, in the sense of the present invention, the spring mechanism can also include spring mechanisms that can store energy in other ways, such as by compressing a gas or by deforming an elastically deformable material.

[0010] To achieve smaller dispenser sizes, it is preferable to make the liquid reservoir considerably smaller. Preferably, it has a volume of at most 10 ml, particularly preferably at most 5 ml or at most 3 ml. This volume is the difference between its maximum liquid content and its residual liquid content, which can no longer be released for structural reasons.

[0011] The pressure exerted by the spring mechanism on the liquid in the liquid reservoir serves to atomize the liquid. For this purpose, the oral dispenser according to the present invention has an atomizing nozzle unit, which has at least one very small nozzle opening, preferably a plurality of nozzle openings. The net cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one nozzle opening is at most 0.002 mm. 2 , preferably in particular up to 0.001 mm 2 or maximum 0.0005mm 2 The total area of ​​the net cross-sectional area of ​​all nozzle openings is preferably a maximum of 0.04 mm 2 The nozzle opening is preferably rounded.

[0012] Under sufficiently high pressure, a small nozzle size leads to fine atomization of the liquid. The spring mechanism is configured to exert a force that, when fully loaded, places the liquid in a completely filled liquid reservoir under a pressure of at least 4 bar, preferably 6 bar, and particularly preferably 8 bar. Furthermore, even after gradual evacuation of the liquid reservoir, and therefore even with the spring mechanism no longer fully loaded, it is preferred that the spring mechanism can generate at least 2 bar, preferably at least 3 bar, in the liquid at any time. This can be achieved by structurally preventing complete release of the spring mechanism, thereby achieving a minimum volume for the liquid dispenser, for example, while the spring device can still generate a pressure of at least 2 bar, preferably at least 3 bar, in the liquid.

[0013] If multiple nozzle openings are provided, they are preferably provided as openings in a common nozzle plate, which can be fixed to a sleeve-like carrier made of plastic, which is fixed to an internal component of the oral dispenser, in particular the oral dispenser. The nozzle plate can be configured as, for example, a plastic plate, a metal nozzle plate, or a silicon plate. It can be convex, so that the nozzle openings can be oriented in divergent directions.

[0014] To prevent particles in the liquid from blocking the nozzle openings, a liquid filter, in particular a membrane filter, is provided in the outlet passage, preferably upstream of at least one nozzle opening.

[0015] The liquid flow rate of the liquid emitted by the spray nozzle unit is preferably relatively small. If the liquid pressure present in the spray nozzle unit is 4 bar and the outlet valve is fully open, the liquid flow rate reaches 5 μl / s to 30 μl / s, particularly preferably 10 μl / s to 20 μl / s. This small liquid flow rate has been found to be particularly preferable for tobacco imitation dispensed by an oral dispenser. The subjective perception of such a liquid flow rate is similar to that of tobacco.

[0016] The liquid reservoir is connected to the spray nozzle unit via an outlet passage. An outlet valve is provided therein, which can be in an open state and a closed state, and in particular a valve orifice element having a valve orifice is moved between a position that interrupts the outlet passage and a position that opens the outlet passage. Preferably, the outlet valve is configured so that it also allows intermediate positions that lead to a reduced volumetric flow rate.

[0017] The liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle unit enters the mouthpiece which, when used correctly, is surrounded by the user's mouth before the outlet valve is opened.

[0018] In addition to the spray nozzle unit configured for discharging into the mouthpiece, at least one air passage is preferably provided through which air can flow into the mouthpiece when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. Thus, the user inhales the air and the spray liquid. Preferably, multiple air passages are provided, particularly preferably two, three, or four air passages, which are distributed around the periphery inside the mouthpiece. These can open into the mouthpiece through a portion of the air passage configured as a ring. Thus, the inhaled air acts as a surrounding air curtain, preventing the spray liquid from adhering to the inside of the mouthpiece.

[0019] Preferably, at least one inlet into the air passage is not provided directly on the outside of the mouthpiece, but on a part of the housing widened thereto, to prevent the risk of the user's lips covering the inlet. The inlet may be oriented radially or axially, in particular relative to the inhalation direction.

[0020] The oral dispenser according to the present invention is preferably configured as a refillable dispenser and has a refill opening for this purpose. However, it is also desirable to configure this type of oral dispenser as a single-use dispenser without refilling the liquid into the liquid reservoir. In such a case, a refill opening is not required. However, it is considered advantageous if the oral dispenser is provided for refilling. For this purpose, it has a refill opening separate from the spray nozzle unit and connected to the liquid reservoir, and the spring mechanism can be loaded by supplying liquid through the refill opening into the liquid reservoir.

[0021] The refill opening is preferably provided with an inlet valve that can be opened by external positive pressure and / or by the mechanical pressure of a refill connector. Unless the refill connector of the refill dispenser is provided, the inlet valve is pushed into its closed position by the internal pressure.

[0022] The oral dispenser according to the present invention is preferably designed to be similar in handling to a cigarette. Therefore, it preferably has an elongated shape oriented in the main range direction. In particular, its external shape is preferably completely or approximately rotationally symmetrical, meaning that the operating elements for controlling the mouthpiece and / or the outlet valve may deviate from the rotational symmetry. The external housing of the oral dispenser preferably has a maximum diameter perpendicular to the main range direction of 16 mm, ignoring the movable operating element for the outlet valve that protrudes beyond the external housing. The length in the main range direction, including the mouthpiece provided at the proximal end, is preferably at least 80 mm.

[0023] In the case of the elongated configuration, the spray nozzle unit and / or mouthpiece are provided at the proximal end of the oral dispenser, which supports the tobacco substitute function, and the refill opening is preferably provided at the opposite distal end of the oral dispenser, which is structurally the simplest to implement.

[0024] The liquid reservoir has a variable volume, which means that extraction of liquid does not lead to a reduced pressure in the liquid reservoir, which does not have to be compensated for by air flowing in. Instead, the volume enclosed by the walls of the liquid reservoir decreases during liquid release.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid reservoir is at least partially defined by a flexible wall. The spring mechanism is configured to exert a force on the flexible wall oriented in a direction that reduces the size of the liquid reservoir. Both embodiments are conceivable, in which the flexible wall itself constitutes the spring mechanism, and in which the spring mechanism is provided separately from the wall and exerts a force thereon. Combinations of these embodiments are also conceivable. A design with a separate spring mechanism can be formed by a gas pressure chamber separated from the liquid reservoir by a flexible or displaceable wall. In this gas pressure chamber, a pressure of, for example, 3 bar can prevail at the minimum liquid reservoir volume, which rises to 4 bar upon filling of the liquid reservoir.

[0026] Preferably, the wall of the flexible form is elastically deformable, and for this reason, in particular, it can be made from an elastomer, such that when stretched by deformation, such an elastic wall pressurizes the liquid in the liquid reservoir and thus forms itself a spring mechanism or part of a spring mechanism.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible form wall is configured as an elastically expandable hose surrounding the liquid reservoir, the hose being stretched tangentially when the liquid reservoir is filled.

[0028] It is particularly preferred to provide a central mandrel surrounded by an elastic hose. In such a design, the liquid reservoir is at least partially provided as a ring between the outer surface of the central mandrel and the inside of the hose. The central mandrel can in particular ensure that a sufficiently high liquid pressure is present even during increased discharge of the liquid reservoir, since it limits the volumetric loss of the liquid reservoir. As soon as the hose lies directly outside the central mandrel, no further volumetric loss is possible, even if the hose is still under tangential stress.

[0029] In particular, so that the hose can be fitted for such a configuration, the central mandrel is at least partially, preferably over most of its length, conically shaped, which allows the hose to be pushed in the direction of the maximum circumference of the central mandrel, where tangential stresses occur or are increased during application.

[0030] Furthermore, the central mandrel may be provided with a central liquid passageway, particularly extending in the direction of the main extent of the oral dispenser. This liquid passageway may form part of an outlet passageway connecting the liquid reservoir to the spray nozzle unit. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid passageway may form or part of a refill passageway, which connects the refill opening to the liquid reservoir. The central mandrel may have radial openings to connect the outlet passageway and / or the refill passageway to a ring region of the liquid reservoir outside the central mandrel.

[0031] In a particularly advantageous design of the central mandrel, it is formed in two pieces, in particular by an inner mandrel component and an outer mandrel component. The two mandrel components, preferably the inner and outer mandrel components, are designed so that, by axial displacement relative to one another, they expand their total circumference during installation. Such a design allows for an advantageous installation in which first one, in particular the outer mandrel component, is inserted into the hose, and then the other, in particular the inner mandrel component, is inserted onto or into the previously inserted mandrel component, thus increasing their common circumference and thereby expanding the hose tangentially.

[0032] In dispenser designs having an inlet valve at the refill opening, it is advantageous for at least one valve face of the inlet valve to be formed by a component that integrally forms the elastic hose of the liquid reservoir.

[0033] An alternative variant of the conventional dispenser according to the invention has, instead of a flexible wall, a displaceable wall that at least partially defines the liquid reservoir. This displaceable wall is preferably inserted in the manner of a piston into a cylinder and seals against the latter in the edge region. A spring mechanism is configured to exert a force on the displaceable wall oriented in this case in a direction that reduces the size of the liquid reservoir. The displaceable wall is preferably displaceable in the main range direction, and is preferably loaded by the spring mechanism in particular in the direction of the proximal end of the oral dispenser. The spring device is preferably formed by a gas pressure chamber or a coil spring.

[0034] Like the central mandrel already mentioned, the oral dispenser can have a guide mandrel. Here, the liquid reservoir is at least partially provided as a ring between the outer surface of this guide mandrel and the inside of the outer wall. The guide mandrel ensures a reproducible, tilt-free shift of the displaceable wall. It also allows for the provision of a central liquid passage inside the guide mandrel, thus extending through the liquid reservoir. This can constitute an outlet passage and / or a refill passage. In particular, the liquid passage in the guide mandrel preferably extends as a refill passage from the distal end to the end of the liquid reservoir facing the proximal end, where it is connected to the liquid reservoir by a radial opening.

[0035] To use an oral dispenser, the user encloses the mouthpiece with their lips and upon inhalation the outlet valve opens and the liquid is sprayed by the atomizing nozzle unit. Various configurations are preferred for the design of the outlet valve.

[0036] In a particularly simple design, the outlet valve is configured as a manually operable outlet valve (i.e., operated by hand by the user). Particularly preferred here is a design with an actuating pusher on the outside of the oral dispenser, in particular on the surface of the oral dispenser casing, by which the outlet valve can be brought into a closed and open state. Manual pressure on the actuating pusher, in particular against the force of a return spring, opens the outlet valve. Preferably, the actuating pusher can move linearly.

[0037] A design with a manually operable outlet valve having a rotatable actuating element is also possible, whereby the outlet valve can be brought into a closed and an open state, the actuating element being preferably rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the main extent direction, for example the front and rear parts of the elongate dispenser can be rotated relative to each other about this axis of rotation to open the outlet valve configured as a rotary valve.

[0038] In an alternative design of the outlet valve, the outlet valve is configured as a lip-actuable outlet valve. A user can open the outlet valve by compressing their lips. To this end, an actuation surface is provided on or in an area of ​​the mouthpiece that, when force is applied by the user's lips, transitions the outlet valve from a closed state to an open state.

[0039] This can be achieved, for example, by the outlet valve having a pivotally movable actuating lever that is pivotable by applying a force against an actuating surface and a valve orifice element is provided against the actuating lever, the valve orifice element being movable from a closed position to an open position by pivotal movement of the actuating lever.

[0040] A further alternative design of the outlet valve is configured as a breath-controllable outlet valve. For this purpose, it has a vacuum chamber communicating with the mouthpiece. When the user inhales on the mouthpiece, this creates a reduced pressure in this chamber. The vacuum chamber is particularly preferably provided with a displaceable chamber wall that is itself or entirely deformable against the force of a return spring. The displacement of the chamber wall acts on a valve element, for example a valve orifice element in the outlet passage, and thus the reduced pressure in the vacuum chamber causes the outlet valve to transition from a closed state to an open state.

[0041] The outlet valve is preferably configured so that the type of switching of the valve (i.e., manual switching, lip switching, and suction on the mouthpiece) allows partial opening of the valve in each case. Preferably, only slight manual actuation, slight lip pressure, and slight suction on the mouthpiece cause a correspondingly reduced release of the spray liquid. Thus, the user can control the flow rate of the spray liquid. In particular, this can be achieved by a valve orifice element, which is moved to different extents from the outlet passage depending on the actuation, and thus variably acts as a restrictive obstruction.

[0042] The oral dispenser preferably has an outer housing, which also forms the mouthpiece, in which at least one component is arranged. In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing can be formed by two half shells, between which at least one internal component is provided. A design with an internal component having a valve recess is preferred, in which a valve orifice element of the outlet valve is movably mounted, and / or the valve recess forms an outlet passage in multiple parts, and / or the valve recess forms a guide mandrel or a central mandrel.

[0043] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention further relates to an oral dispenser for dispensing a liquid containing nicotine or cannabis, which may comprise some or all of the above-mentioned features individually or in combination or in partial combination.

[0044] The oral dispenser according to the second aspect of the invention comprises a liquid reservoir for containing the nicotine or cannabis-containing liquid prior to release. At the time of delivery, the liquid reservoir is preferably already filled with the corresponding liquid.

[0045] The liquid reservoir is configured as a pressure reservoir, meaning that the liquid is stored in the liquid reservoir under pressure. Pressurization can be achieved, for example, by a propellant gas or by a spring mechanism as described above.

[0046] The oral dispenser has a spray nozzle unit, which can be designed in various ways. In the simplest case, it has a swirl chamber, by means of which the spray is achieved. However, it can also be provided with one or more very fine nozzle openings, as described above. The individual nozzle openings here have a maximum size of 0.002 mm. 2 The entire nozzle preferably has a net cross-sectional area of ​​at most 0.04 mm 2 Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the pores is 0.05 mm.

[0047] The oral dispenser has an outlet passage connecting a liquid reservoir to a spray nozzle unit. An outlet valve is provided in the outlet passage, which can be in an open or closed state. When the outlet valve is open, the liquid flows from the pressure reservoir toward the nozzle unit, where it is released in a sprayed form through the mouthpiece of the dispenser. The outlet valve can be provided, for example, in the form of a movable valve orifice element provided with an orifice. If the valve orifice element, and therefore the orifice, is moved upstream and downstream relative to the outlet passage, the flow can be terminated. If the orifice is shifted by displacement of the valve orifice element so that it is aligned with the outlet passage, the liquid can flow out.

[0048] A feature of this second aspect of the invention is that the outlet valve is configured as a mechanically lip-actuable outlet valve, whereby an actuation surface is provided on or in an area of ​​the mouthpiece that mechanically causes the application of force from the user's lips to transition the outlet valve from a closed state to an open state.

[0049] This method of actuation is highly intuitive and therefore particularly suitable for nicotine or cannabis dispensers that are used frequently, and it is therefore desirable that release not be associated with difficult operations, but instead be as intuitive as possible. Lip actuation has been found to be particularly advantageous for the user to timely coordinate inhalation with the release of the atomized liquid initiated by the lips. Oral dispensers are particularly advantageous in that they have an air inlet passage in the mouthpiece, through which the user can inhale air even before the start of release, and then initiate release by the force exerted by the lips during this inhalation.

[0050] The actuation surface is preferably less than 20 mm, particularly preferably less than 15 mm, from the distal end of the mouthpiece. When a user places the mouthpiece in their mouth and surrounds it with their lips, one of their lips, preferably the upper lip, rests on this actuation surface. The actuation surface is particularly depressible radially, i.e., toward the mouthpiece. Thus, the user can open the valve by compressing their lips. The return to the closed starting state is preferably achieved by a spring force. Particularly preferably, the valve is configured to allow partial opening. This allows the user to regulate the flow rate by applying force with their lips, thereby determining the amount of nicotine or cannabis inhaled in a manner similar to inhaling tobacco with variable force.

[0051] In the above method, the liquid reservoir can be configured with a variable internal volume, which decreases in size as liquid is released. If the dispenser is configured as a single-use dispenser, it is discarded after the contents of the liquid reservoir have been expelled. However, in the above method, it can also be configured as a refillable dispenser. In this case, again, it is preferred that the dispenser has a refill opening separate from the spray nozzle unit, which is connected to the liquid reservoir, and the spring mechanism is loaded by liquid supplied to the liquid reservoir through the refill opening.

[0052] The present invention relates not only to oral dispensers, but also to inhalation systems having oral dispensers, which further include a refill dispenser in which a pressurized or pressurizable liquid is stored and which is configured for connection to a refill opening of the oral dispenser. Preferably, the oral dispenser is filled with the pressurized liquid without a propellant, and the liquid can be extracted through a switchable release valve. This valve is preferably provided with a refill connector that is adapted to the refill opening of the oral dispenser and can be inserted therein. Insertion opens the release valve of the refill dispenser and the inlet valve of the oral dispenser, so that the liquid can flow into the liquid reservoir of the oral dispenser, reloading the spring device there. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0053] Further advantages and aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which is set forth below with reference to the drawings, and from the claims. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an oral dispenser according to a first preferred design in perspective view. [Figures 1A-1C] 1A-1C show the oral dispenser of FIG. 1 in other perspective views. [Figure 2A-2B] 2A-2B show the oral dispenser from FIG. 1 in two cross-sectional views. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C shows an enlarged view of the spray nozzle unit of the oral dispenser. [Figure 3A-3B] 3A-3B show the loading of the oral dispenser. [Figure 3C-3D] 3C-3D show the use of the oral dispenser. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an oral dispenser according to the second proposed design in perspective view. [Figure 5A-5B] 5A-5B show the oral dispenser from FIG. 4 in two cross-sectional views. [Figure 6-7] 6-7 show two alternative concepts for implementing the outlet valve that can be used in both oral dispenser designs according to FIGS. [Figures 8A-8C] 8A-8C show alternative forms of a central mandrel for an oral dispenser according to FIGS. 1-3D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] 1-3D show a first embodiment of an oral dispenser according to the present invention.

[0055] 1 shows, in perspective, an oral dispenser 10. The oral dispenser 10 has an elongated housing oriented in a main extent direction 2, at its proximal end 10A of which is provided a mouthpiece 12. An actuation pusher 52 is provided on the casing surface in this exemplary embodiment, by means of which a further outlet valve 50 (described below) can be opened.

[0056] 1A-1C, it can be seen that at the proximal end of mouthpiece 12 is disposed spray nozzle unit 40, which comprises nozzle plate 42 having a plurality of nozzle openings 44. On the outer periphery of generally cylindrical mouthpiece 12, a ring passage 82 is also provided, through which air can be drawn through mouthpiece 12. For this purpose, air is drawn through inlet 84.

[0057] A refill opening 60 is provided at the opposite distal end 10B of the oral dispenser 10.

[0058] 1A, the outer housing 70 of the oral dispenser 10 includes two half shells 70A, 70B. These half shells contain several components (described below) that aid in fitting and targeted dispensing of the liquid.

[0059] 2A and 2B show oral dispenser 10 in cross-sectional views, the cross-sections being offset 90 degrees from one another.

[0060] It is clear from the figure that three internal components 72, 73, and 74 are provided inside the outer housing 70. The internal component 72, at its right-hand end in FIG. 2A, forms a central mandrel 76, which extends almost to the distal end 10 of the oral dispenser 10. An elastomeric hose-like component 32 is pressed over this central mandrel 76. The space between the outside of the central mandrel 76 and the inside of this hose 32 forms the liquid reservoir 20. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, this liquid reservoir is unfilled. The liquid reservoir is connected by radial openings 77 to liquid passages 90 and 92 that extend through the central mandrel 76 in the main extent direction 2.

[0061] 2A and 2B form part of the outlet passage 92. Starting from the liquid reservoir 20, the outlet passage 92 leads to the outlet valve 50. In the design of FIGS. 1-3D, in addition to the actuation pusher 52, a valve orifice element 54 having an orifice 54A is mounted on the outlet valve 50 so as to be movable inside the valve recess 72A. The actuation pusher 52 is urged into the position of FIG. 2A by a return spring. When pressed down against the force of the return spring, the orifice 54A can be brought into alignment with the outlet passage 92 so that the liquid flows through the valve orifice element 54 to the right-hand side. On the right-hand side, therefore downstream of the outlet valve 50, a liquid filter 46 is first provided, which is configured as a membrane filter and is inserted into and preferably enclosed by the internal component 73. Therefore, the liquid flowing through the outlet valve 50 is free of any contaminants that could interfere with the functioning of the spray nozzle unit 40 .

[0062] The above-mentioned spray nozzle unit 40 is positioned downstream of the membrane filter 46. Its main component is a thin nozzle plate, for example made from silicon, which is pierced by a plurality of nozzle openings 44. The nozzle plate 42 is fixed to a sleeve-shaped plastic carrier 43, which is then inserted into corresponding recesses in the internal component 74.

[0063] Upstream of the aforementioned liquid reservoir 20 is a refill passage 90, which is provided in the central mandrel 76 and extends to the refill opening 60. However, the liquid reservoir 20 is usually isolated from the external environment, since the inlet valve 62 is provided in the form of an overpressure valve, which is pressed to its closed position under the positive pressure normally prevailing in the oral dispenser 10. For this reason, the valve body of the inlet valve 62 is pressed against an elastically deformable ring area formed by components of the hose 32. This will be explained below with reference to FIG. 3B.

[0064] As is apparent from FIGS. 2B and 1C, and as already mentioned in this context, the oral dispenser 10 has two air passages 80, each of which opens into the aforementioned ring passage 82, which itself opens into the mouthpiece 12.

[0065] 2C shows an enlarged view of the spray nozzle unit 40. It shows a sleeve component 41 surrounding a passageway, in which is provided a nozzle plate 42 having nozzle openings 44. The nozzle openings are each 100 μm 2 In the present exemplary embodiment, 25 such nozzle openings 44 are provided.

[0066] 3A and 3B illustrate a method of filling the oral dispenser 10. To fill the oral dispenser 10, a refill dispenser 110 is provided, which together with the oral dispenser 10 forms an inhalation system 100.

[0067] The refill dispenser 110 has a pressure reservoir with an outlet valve 114 at its upper end, which can be opened by a valve connector. The valve connector forms a refill connector 112 for insertion into the refill opening 60 of the oral dispenser 10. If the oral dispenser 10 is pressed down onto the refill opening 60 after application of the refill connector 112, as shown in FIG. 3B, the outlet valve 114 of the refill dispenser 110 is opened, and the application of force by the refill connector 112 also opens the inlet valve 62 of the oral dispenser 10.

[0068] As 8 bar pressure prevails in the refill dispenser 110, liquid passes through the refill connector 112 into the refill passage 90 and into the oral dispenser's liquid reservoir 20. Liquid path 4 illustrates this.

[0069] Thus, under the pressure prevailing in the refill dispenser 110, the hose 32 is expanded and thereby elastically deformed, and after removal of the oral dispenser 10 from the refill dispenser 110 and the resulting closure of the inlet valve 62, it exerts a pressure of approximately 4 bar on the liquid present in the liquid reservoir 20.

[0070] FIG. 3C shows the oral dispenser 10 now loaded with the hose 32 extended.

[0071] Now, as shown in Fig. 3D, if the outlet valve 50 is opened by pressing the actuation pusher 52, the liquid flows from the liquid reservoir 20 along the liquid path 6 through the orifice 54A of the valve orifice element 50 to the spray nozzle unit 40, which performs spraying as shown by the dotted arrow in Fig. 3D. At the same time, the user inhales on the mouthpiece 12, whereby an external air jacket is generated in the mouthpiece 12 through the air passage 80, and is inhaled by the user together with the sprayed liquid.

[0072] 4, 5A, and 5B show an alternative construction of the oral dispenser 10. The main difference between this design and the construction of the previous figures is that in this design, the liquid reservoir 20 is defined by a displaceable wall in the form of a piston 36, which is guided by a central guide mandrel 78 and is permanently force-loaded toward the mouthpiece 12 by a spring mechanism 30 formed as a coil spring. When the liquid reservoir 20 is filled, due to the spring mechanism 30, the liquid is under a sufficiently high pressure that spraying occurs at the spray nozzle unit 40 in the manner described above. As the release of liquid from the liquid reservoir 20 progresses, the piston 36 is moved further toward the mouthpiece.

[0073] When the refill dispenser 110 is applied with this design, the liquid reservoir 20 is now refilled while the piston 36 is further biased against the force of the spring mechanism 30. This causes liquid to flow from the refill opening 60, through the inlet valve 62 (here formed as an overpressure valve), into the refill passage 90, and through the radial openings 74 in the guide mandrel 78 into the liquid reservoir 20.

[0074] 6 and 7 show an alternative design of the outlet valve that can be equally implemented in both of the above-described embodiments of the liquid reservoir.

[0075] 6, lip actuation of the outlet valve 50 is provided. For this purpose, an actuating lever 56 is provided which is pivotable about a pivot axis 57, the proximal end of said lever having an actuating surface 55 which is depressed in correct use by compression of the user's lips. An orifice 54A of the valve orifice element 54 is provided on the opposite leg of the actuating lever 56. When the actuating surface 55 is depressed, the orifice 54A is raised so that it is aligned with the adjacent portion of the outlet passage 92, and thus liquid is transferred from the liquid reservoir 20 to the spray nozzle unit 40.

[0076] An air inlet opening 13 is provided on the mouthpiece 12. This allows the user to enclose the mouthpiece and actuation surface 55 with their lips and then inhale air through the air inlet opening 13 even before actuation of the actuation surface 55. In this manner, release of the liquid containing nicotine or cannabis can be initiated by compressing the user's lips and thus depressing the actuation surface 55. By judicious application of force, the user can also only partially align the orifice 54A with the outlet passage 92, thereby achieving release of only small amounts of liquid. Thus, in a manner similar to a cigarette, the user can control the release according to their desires.

[0077] 7 is a design with breath actuation of the outlet valve 50. When the user inhales on the mouthpiece 12, this not only serves to aspirate air through the air passage 80 already described, but also extracts air from the vacuum chamber 58 of the outlet valve 50 through an additional air passage 86, so that the flexible chamber wall 59 of the vacuum chamber 58 serves to press the valve orifice element 54 downwards. In this way, the orifice 54A in the valve orifice element 54 communicates with the adjacent part of the outlet passage 92, and the liquid flows to the spray nozzle unit 40.

[0078] In the example of Figure 7, the vacuum chamber is connected to the environment via opening 53. The flow resistance through the opening is greater than the flow resistance through passage 86. A vacuum is therefore created in vacuum chamber 58. An additional air passage corresponding to air passage 80 described above is not necessary in this design, as air reaches the mouthpiece through opening 53 and air passage 86.

[0079] In an alternative design, the openings 53 can also be omitted and instead said air passages 80 can be provided. By suitable design of the closing effect of each of the openings, a vacuum can be created in the vacuum chamber 59.

[0080] 8A-8C show a particular design of the central mandrel 76 and the associated mounting. The central mandrel 76 is here divided into two mandrel components 76A, 76B. The inner mandrel component 76A has a slightly conical form. The outer mandrel component 76B has a plurality of ribs that are distributed around the periphery and connected together by a thin connecting web. The ribs themselves are formed on the inside with a conical profile that corresponds to the conical profile of the inner mandrel component 76A.

[0081] To attach the two-piece central mandrel to the hose 32, the outer mandrel component 76B is first inserted into the hose 32, according to Figure 8B. This presents no problem, since in the starting state of Figure 8A, the outer diameter of the outer mandrel component 76B is smaller than the inner diameter of the hose 32.

[0082] The assembly of hose 32 and outer mandrel component 76B is then pressed onto conical inner mandrel component 76A, which thereby expands, and with it, hose 32, so that hose 32 is placed under the desired tension.

[0083] This configuration of the liquid reservoir constitutes an improved approach to installation compared to the central mandrel 76 design of Figures 1-3D.

Claims

1. An oral dispenser (10) for dispensing a liquid in the form of an atomized spray, in particular for dispensing a liquid containing nicotine or cannabis, having the following characteristics: (a) an oral dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (20) of variable internal volume for containing liquid prior to release; (b) the oral dispenser (10) has a spring mechanism (30) whereby the liquid in the liquid reservoir (20) is permanently under positive pressure when the spring mechanism (30) is loaded; (c) The oral dispenser (10) has a maximum size of 0.002 mm ２ and a spray nozzle unit (40) having at least one nozzle opening (44) having a net cross-sectional area of ​​at most 0.04 mm; preferably a plurality of nozzle openings (44) are provided, the net cross-sectional areas of which together amount to a maximum of 0.04 mm. ２ reached, (d) the oral dispenser (10) has an outlet passage (92) connecting the liquid reservoir (20) to the spray nozzle unit (40); (e) providing an outlet valve (50) in the outlet passage (92) that can be in an open or closed state; (f) the oral dispenser (10) has a mouthpiece (12) for inhalation of the liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle unit (40); (g) the oral dispenser (10) has a refill opening (60), the refill opening (60) being separate from the spray nozzle unit (40) and connected to a liquid reservoir (20), the spring mechanism (30) being capable of being loaded by liquid supplied into the liquid reservoir (20) through the refill opening (60); and (h) Pressurization of the liquid, activation of the outlet valve, and dispensing of the atomized liquid are achieved by mechanical means.

2. 10. The oral dispenser (10) of claim 1, having at least one of the following features: (a) the liquid reservoir (20) is filled with a nicotine-containing liquid; and / or (b) A liquid reservoir (20) is filled with a cannabis-containing liquid.

3. 3. The oral dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has the following characteristic (a), and preferably further characterized in that it has the following characteristic (b): (a) the spring mechanism (30) is configured to exert a force, when fully loaded, that places the liquid in the fully filled liquid reservoir (20) under a pressure of at least 4 bar, preferably 6 bar, and particularly preferably 8 bar; (b) the spray nozzle unit (40) is configured such that at an internal liquid pressure of 4 bar, a liquid flow rate of 5 μl / sec to 30 μl / sec, preferably 10 μl / sec to 20 μl / sec is dispensed by the spray nozzle unit (40);

4. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having the following characteristic (a), and in particular having at least one of the following characteristics (b) to (d): (a) the oral dispenser (10) has an elongated configuration oriented in a primary extent direction (2); (b) the outer housing (70) of the oral dispenser (10) has a maximum diameter perpendicular to the main extent direction (2) of 16 mm and / or a minimum length in the main extent direction (2) of at least 80 mm; (c) a spray nozzle unit (40) and / or a mouthpiece (12) is provided at the proximal end (10A) of the oral dispenser (10); (d) A refill opening (60) is located at the distal end (10B) of the oral dispenser (10).

5. An oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having the following characteristics (a) and (b), and preferably having one of the following characteristics (c) and (d): (a) a liquid reservoir (20) at least partially defined by a flexible form wall (32); (b) a spring mechanism (30) configured to exert a force on the flexible form wall (32) in a direction to reduce the size of the liquid reservoir (20); (c) the spring mechanism (30) includes a gas pressure chamber (34) acting on a flexible form wall (32); (d) the flexible form wall (32) is elastically deformable such that when it is stretched by deformation, the liquid in the liquid reservoir (20) is pressurized, thereby at least partially forming itself as a spring mechanism (30).

6. The oral dispenser (10) of claim 5 further comprising: (a) A flexible form wall (32) is configured as an elastically expandable hose (32) surrounding a liquid reservoir (20).

7. The oral dispenser (10) according to claim 6, having the following characteristic (a), and preferably having one of the following characteristics (b) to (d): (a) the oral dispenser (10) has a central mandrel (76) surrounded by an elastic hose (32), the liquid reservoir (20) being at least partially provided as a ring between the exterior surface of the central mandrel (76) and the interior of the elastic hose (32); (b) the central mandrel (76) is formed in a conical shape; (c) the central mandrel (76) is provided with central liquid passages (90, 92), which preferably at least partially define a refill passage (90) connecting the refill opening (60) to the liquid reservoir (20); (d) A central mandrel (76) is formed in two pieces, having an inner mandrel component (76A) and an outer mandrel component (76B) configured to expand their common circumferential area by axial displacement relative to each other in an installed state.

8. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having the following characteristics (a) and (b), and preferably having at least one of the following characteristics (c) and (d): (a) a liquid reservoir (20) at least partially defined by a displaceable wall (36); (b) a spring mechanism (30) configured to exert a force on the displaceable wall (36) oriented in a direction to reduce the size of the liquid reservoir (20); (c) the displaceable wall (36) is displaceable in the primary extent direction (2), and preferably a spring mechanism (30) loads the displaceable wall (36) with a force directed toward the proximal end of the oral dispenser (10); (d) The oral dispenser (10) has a guide mandrel (78), the liquid reservoir (20) being at least partially formed as a ring between the outer surface of the guide mandrel (78) and the inside of the outer wall, and in particular the guide mandrel (77) being provided with a central liquid passageway (90, 92).

9. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having the following characteristic (a), and in particular having at least one of the following characteristics (b) to (f): (a) a plurality of nozzle openings (44) are provided, which are configured as openings in a common nozzle plate (42); (b) the nozzle plate (42) is fixed in a plastic sleeve-like carrier, which is preferably inserted into the internal component (74) of the oral dispenser (10); (c) the nozzle plate (42) is configured as a plastic plate (42); (d) the nozzle plate (42) is configured as a metal plate (42); (e) the nozzle plate (42) is configured as a silicon nozzle plate (42); (f) The nozzle plate (42) is preferably a nozzle plate (42) having at least one nozzle opening (44) extending in the direction of discharge and convex in the direction of discharge.

10. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has the following characteristic (a), and in particular one of the following characteristics (b) and (c): (a) the outlet valve (50) is configured as a manually operable outlet valve (50); (b) the manually operable outlet valve (50) has an actuation pusher (52) on the exterior of the oral dispenser (10) by which the outlet valve (50) can be brought into an open state and a closed state, the actuation pusher (52) preferably being provided on a casing surface of the oral dispenser (10) and / or being linearly movable and / or being provided with a return spring; (c) The manually operable outlet valve (50) has a rotatable actuating element whereby the outlet valve can be brought into a closed state and an open state, the actuating element being rotatable about an axis of rotation preferably parallel to the main range direction.

11. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it has the following characteristic (a), and in particular the following characteristic (b): (a) the outlet valve (50) is configured as a lip-actuable outlet valve (50) and has an actuation surface (55) on or in the region of the mouthpiece (12), the actuation surface (55) moving the outlet valve (50) from a closed state to an open state when a force is applied by the lips of the user; (b) The outlet valve (50) has a pivotally movable actuating lever (56), the actuating lever (56) is pivotable by a force load on the actuating surface (55), a valve orifice element (54) is provided in contact with the actuating lever (56), and the valve orifice element (54) can be moved from a closed position to an open position by the pivoting movement of the actuating lever (56).

12. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: (a) The outlet valve (50) is configured as a breathably controllable outlet valve (50) and has a vacuum chamber (58) in communication with the mouthpiece (12), and is provided with a displaceable chamber wall (59) that moves the outlet valve (50) from a closed state to an open state by vacuum-induced displacement.

13. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, having at least one of the following characteristics (a) to (e): (a) the refill opening (60) is provided with an inlet valve (62), which can be opened by external positive pressure and / or by mechanical pressure of the refill connector (112) and is pressed to its closed position by internal pressure, preferably at least one valve face of the inlet valve (62) being formed by a component integrally forming the elastic hose (32) of the liquid reservoir (20); (b) the oral dispenser (10) has an outer housing (70), preferably formed by two half shells (70A, 70B), with at least one inner component (72, 73, 74) provided inside the outer housing (70); (c) the oral dispenser (10) has an internal component (72), the internal component (72) having a valve recess (72A) in which a valve orifice element (54) of the outlet valve (50) is movably mounted, and / or the internal component (72) defines an outlet passageway (92) in multiple sections, and / or the internal component (72) defines a guide mandrel (78) or a central mandrel (76); (d) the liquid reservoir (20) has a maximum volume of at most 10 ml, preferably at most 5 ml, particularly preferably at most 3 ml; (e) A liquid filter (46), in particular a membrane filter (46), is arranged in the outlet passage (92) upstream of the spray nozzle unit (40).

14. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, having the following characteristic (a), and preferably having one of the following characteristics (b) to (d): (a) at least one air passage (80) is provided through which air can flow into the mouthpiece (12) to inhale the atomized liquid; (b) a plurality of air passages (80) are provided; (c) at least one air passage (80) opens into a ring passage (82) surrounding the spray nozzle unit (40); (d) The air passage (80) has an inlet on the exterior of the oral dispenser (10), the inlet being oriented radially or axially relative to the direction of inhalation.

15. An inhalation system (100) having an oral dispenser (10) and a refill dispenser (110) having the following features (a) and (b): (a) an inhalation system (100) comprising an oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; (b) The inhalation system (100) has a refill dispenser (110), the refill dispenser (110) containing a pressurized or pressurizable liquid and configured to mate with the refill opening (60) of the oral dispenser (10).

16. An oral dispenser (10) for discharging a liquid containing nicotine or cannabis in the form of an aerosol, having the following characteristics: (a) an oral dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (20) for containing a nicotine or cannabis-containing liquid prior to release; (b) the liquid reservoir (20) is formed as a pressure reservoir in which liquid is stored under positive pressure; (c) the oral dispenser (10) has a spray nozzle unit (40); (d) the oral dispenser (10) has an outlet passage (92) connecting the liquid reservoir (20) to the spray nozzle unit (40); (e) providing an outlet valve (50) in the outlet passage (92) that can be in an open or closed state; (f) the oral dispenser (10) has a mouthpiece (12) for inhalation of the liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle unit (40); (g) the outlet valve (50) is configured as a mechanically lip-actuable outlet valve (50) having an actuation surface (55) on or in the region of the mouthpiece (12), the actuation surface (55) moving the outlet valve (50) from a closed state to an open state under a force load from the user's lips.

17. 17. The oral dispenser (10) of claim 16, having the following features: (a) The outlet valve (50) has a pivotally movable actuating lever (56), the actuating lever (56) being pivotable by the force load of an actuating surface (55), and a valve orifice element (54) is provided in contact with the actuating lever (56) that can be moved from a closed position to an open position by the pivoting movement of the actuating lever (56).

18. 18. The oral dispenser (10) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it has the following characteristics (a), and in particular one of the characteristics (b) and (c): (a) the oral dispenser (10) has an air inlet passage (13) through which ambient air can be drawn; (b) an air inlet passage (13) is provided downstream of the spray nozzle unit (40); (c) An air inlet passage (13) is provided as an opening in the mouthpiece (12).

19. The oral dispenser (10) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, having at least one of the following features: (a) the liquid reservoir (20) has a variable internal volume; (b) the oral dispenser (10) has a spring mechanism (30) whereby the liquid in the liquid reservoir (20) is permanently under positive pressure when the spring mechanism (30) is loaded; (c) The spray nozzle unit (40) has a maximum diameter of 0.002 mm ２ Preferably, a plurality of nozzle openings (44) are provided, the total net cross-sectional area of ​​which is at most 0.04 mm ２ reached, (d) the oral dispenser (10) has a refill opening (60), the refill opening (60) being separate from the spray nozzle unit (40) and connected to a liquid reservoir (20), and the spring mechanism (30) can be loaded by liquid supplied into the liquid reservoir (20) through the refill opening (60); (e) A liquid reservoir (20) is filled with a nicotine or cannabis-containing liquid.

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