Liquid dispenser

Abstract

A liquid droplet dispenser (10) for dispensing liquid in droplets, in particular for dispensing medicinal liquid in droplets, comprising: (a) the liquid droplet dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (14) for storing liquid prior to the dispensing process; (b) the (10) having a discharge opening (16) associated with a droplet forming geometry (18); (c) the (10) having a pumping device (40) by which liquid is pumped from the liquid reservoir (14) out to the discharge opening (16) so that the liquid can collect on (18) and is sufficiently once a sufficient amount of liquid has been collected, it can be separated from (18); and further characterized in that (d) (10) has a flat housing (12) within which the liquid reservoir and pumping device are disposed, the outer profile of (12) having a maximum width perpendicular to a major axis (2) of the housing, said maximum width being at least 25% greater than a maximum thickness of the outer profile of (12) perpendicular to the major axis and perpendicular to the width; (e) an actuation handle (24) capable of being depressed is provided on a side of (12) for actuating the pumping device (40).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drop dispenser for dispensing liquids in droplets, in particular for dispensing medicinal liquids in droplets. Such a drop dispenser can be used, for example, for ophthalmic purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] A droplet dispenser according to the invention, such as a droplet dispenser of the type in question, comprises a liquid reservoir for storing liquid prior to the dispensing process, and a pumping device by means of which the liquid can be pumped out of the liquid reservoir to a dispensing opening of the droplet dispenser, the dispensing opening being associated with a droplet formation geometry so that the liquid can collect on this droplet formation geometry and, once a sufficient amount of liquid has been collected, can leave the droplet formation geometry as individual droplets.

[0003] Such drop dispensers allow for precisely metered delivery of liquid. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a droplet dispenser that is easy and safe to carry and easy to use in everyday life.

[0005] According to the present invention, a droplet dispenser of the type in question is proposed for this purpose, which comprises the described components of a liquid reservoir, a pump device, and a discharge opening. When prepared for sale, the liquid reservoir is preferably filled with a medicinal liquid. In particular, the liquid can be a preservative-free liquid, and the droplet dispenser is designed for use with preservative-free liquids, so that the entry of germs from the outside is effectively prevented, in particular by a safety-closing discharge valve and / or by a ventilation passage provided with a sterilizing filter (which removes at least 99.9% of germs from the incoming air). The ventilation passage can also be provided with a ventilation valve.

[0006] The discharge opening is provided in an area of ​​suitable droplet-forming geometry for forming individual droplets of substantially reproducible size. For example, it can be a substantially flat droplet-forming surface or a cup-shaped droplet-forming surface surrounded by a separating edge. When not in use, the discharge opening and droplet-forming geometry are preferably protected by a protective cap that can be pressed onto the housing.

[0007] A particularly compact design is primarily proposed in which the drop dispenser has a flat housing, which contains the liquid reservoir and at least the essential parts of the pump device, all structurally significant parts of the dispenser that remain stationary relative to one another even in operation are considered as housing within the meaning of the present invention.

[0008] A flat design is understood to mean a design in which the maximum width of the housing exceeds the maximum thickness of the housing by at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably 100% or more. In particular, it is preferred that the housing is twice as wide as it is thick. It is preferred that the length of the housing exceeds the width, particularly preferably by at least 50%.

[0009] Such a flat housing is comfortable to carry, particularly suitable for tucking into a trouser pocket. Preferably, it is a relatively small dispenser, preferably having a width of 3.6 cm or more, but particularly preferably less than 6 cm. The thickness of the housing is preferably 1.8 cm, particularly preferably 1.5 cm or less. The length of the housing is preferably at least 4 cm, but particularly preferably 5 cm or more. The length preferably does not exceed 10 cm, and particularly preferably 8 cm or less.

[0010] The major axis of the droplet dispenser according to the invention runs from the reservoir bottom to the discharge opening and / or is defined by the orientation of the discharge opening or the central axis of the liquid reservoir.

[0011] Preferably, relative to the line of sight of the main axis, the cross section of the housing is provided with a substantially elliptical cross section in a partial region, preferably at least 40% of the length of the housing, which is understood to mean that the cross section is rectangular with rounded corners in the shape of a quarter circle, or is not designed to be rectangular, but corresponds to an ellipse and has large, non-uniform radii of curvature in the front and rear regions relative to the short sides.

[0012] This oval shape is particularly advantageous in compact dispensers of the type according to the present invention, because the rear surface can be pressed firmly against the user's index, middle, and ring fingers in a correspondingly gently rounded shape when the actuation surface located opposite the front surface is pressed, facilitating the ability to simultaneously correctly position the droplet dispenser and actuate it reliably and sensitively.

[0013] However, the compact external dimensions of the housing are preferably still combined with a relatively large liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir preferably has an internal volume of at least 5 ml, particularly preferably at least 10 ml. The liquid reservoir preferably has an internal volume of 30 ml or less.

[0014] Preferably, the internal volume of the liquid reservoir, possibly with the protective cap removed, is at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, of the volume enclosed by the external shape of the droplet dispenser. Preferably, at least half of the volume of the droplet dispenser is formed by the internal volume of the liquid reservoir. The volume enclosed by the external shape of the droplet dispenser without the cap is preferably at least 10 cm. 3 ~60cm 3 , especially 15cm 3 ~30cm 3 is.

[0015] This aspect of the invention regarding the ratio between internal volume and external volume can also be advantageous without the flat design described, and the further sub-aspects described in this dispenser description can also be provided in such dispensers without a flat design.

[0016] In order to achieve a large liquid reservoir volume relative to the volume of the external shape, it may be advantageous for the liquid reservoir to extend into the area of ​​the pump device in the direction of the main axis so that the pump device, and in particular its pump chamber, is located at the same level as the liquid reservoir relative to the main axis. In particular, relative to the width of the housing, the liquid reservoir may have a partial portion of its internal volume on the left-hand side and on the right-hand side of the pump chamber, respectively. In addition to the overlapping design allowing for optimal use of the available installation space, a very wide inlet into the pump chamber can also be achieved very simply by the pump chamber overlapping with the liquid reservoir, which helps to prevent air from collecting therein and hindering the suction of liquid by the pump device. The inlet between the liquid reservoir and the pump chamber should be 2 mm at its narrowest point. 2 It is preferable that this is equal to or greater than this.

[0017] In the droplet dispenser according to the invention, the ejection is effected by the above-mentioned pump device, which is provided inside the housing and is actuated by an actuation handle, which is preferably depressible and pivotably movable. If the droplet dispenser has a protective cap, this is preferably adapted so that, in the deployed state, it covers the actuation handle or otherwise prevents undesired actuation of the actuation handle.

[0018] The actuation handle can be provided on the side that spans the thickness of the dispenser. This design can be advantageous with respect to the design of the pump device, since the pump device can be designed very simply with a piston that is laterally movable and therefore allows for a relatively large piston stroke.

[0019] However, to facilitate a compact design and comfortable operation of the dispenser, it is preferred that the actuation handle be provided on the front surface of the wide housing, in particular in a central location. The actuation handle provided here can be relatively large despite the flat design of the dispenser, thus enabling comfortable and accurately metered operation. The actuation handle is preferably located on the front surface in a central location relative to the width. It is preferred that the actuation handle occupies more than half of the available space on the front surface relative to the width. In particular, it is preferred that the width of the actuation handle is at least 20 mm, in particular at least 25 mm. In particular, for relatively large actuation handles located on the front surface, it is preferred that a protective cap cover the actuation handle in a protective manner and is sufficiently rigid to prevent undesired actuation of the actuation handle when the protective cap is in place.

[0020] The actuation handle preferably acts on a pump device having a piston unit that can move perpendicular to the main axis and perpendicular to the width. This allows for a thin design of the space for such a pump device, especially since the pump stroke is very limited here. However, the small discharge volume per actuation, preferably between 5 μl and 30 μl, allows for a convenient pump arrangement despite the flat design. The piston unit can be a piston unit with a piston sliding on a cylindrical surface. However, due to the small installation space available, a piston unit as a membrane made at least partially from an elastically deformable material is advantageous. The peripheral edge of the membrane is attached to the pump chamber component so that, in particular, its central region can be pushed toward the opposing rear surface by the action of the actuation handle. The pump device preferably has an inlet valve and an outlet valve, especially in the form of valves that open as a function of pressure. Corresponding passages, i.e., inlet and outlet passages, are preferably provided on the inside of the rear surface of the housing.

[0021] The piston unit preferably has an elastically deformable compensating piston, by means of which a connection is formed with the actuation handle, so that a pivoting movement of the actuation handle can be converted into a translational movement of the piston.

[0022] The actuation handle itself may move in a purely translational motion or in a pivotal motion relative to the housing. Preferably, the actuation handle stands out in terms of color relative to the housing, and in particular the surrounding housing shell.

[0023] The actuation handle can be formed by a single component which is connected to the housing part via a multi-part hinge or a film hinge. Embodiments with a multi-part actuation handle are also possible. Not only an exterior which can be designed in particular from an aesthetic point of view, but also an interior which can serve in particular for coupling to the piston unit and is designed primarily from a technical point of view can be provided. If the actuation handle is designed in multiple parts, in particular the exterior can be integrally connected to the housing part and / or the interior can be connected to the housing by a multi-part hinge.

[0024] Various aspects relating to the housing itself are considered particularly preferred.

[0025] Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the pump device has a pump chamber defined at least in part by a pump chamber component, which preferably at least partially defines the inlet from the liquid reservoir and the passage between the pump chamber and the discharge opening, the pump chamber component being integrally constructed with a reservoir wall component that at least substantially forms the defining wall of the liquid reservoir. This common integral component therefore represents the main component of the dispenser and in particular ensures a perfect seal between the wall and the pump chamber component. Furthermore, such an integral design facilitates ideal use of the interior of the housing as a liquid reservoir.

[0026] This aspect of the integrated pump chamber and reservoir component can also be advantageous without the flat design described, and the further sub-aspects described in the dispenser description can also be provided in such dispensers without the flat design.

[0027] Preferably, in embodiments with an integrated pump chamber and reservoir component of the type described in particular, the droplet dispenser has a housing shell that is separate therefrom and is pressed onto the pump chamber component, in particular from the side of the discharge opening. The housing shell can have a through-passage, in particular for the discharge opening, and if the discharge opening is not formed directly by the housing shell, it is preferred that it is formed by the pump chamber and reservoir component projecting through the through-passage, or by a further separate housing component. As a result, it is possible to achieve embodiments in which the separate housing shell does not intentionally come into contact with the liquid, and therefore, for example, no conditions for the selection of materials have to be met in this regard.

[0028] If the actuation handle is constructed integrally with the housing part, this can in particular be the above-mentioned housing shell to which the actuation handle is pivotally articulated by means of a film hinge. Alternatively, the actuation handle can be designed in such a way that it is pivotable by means of a multi-part hinge, in which the hinge parts are provided on the housing side of the outer surface of the pump chamber component, in particular below the described housing shell.

[0029] The intermediate space between the outer surface of the pump chamber component and the inner surface of the housing shell can have additional functions. In particular, a return spring can be arranged there to return the actuation handle to a position offset, in particular with respect to the pump chamber. The intermediate space can also be used to provide a ventilation passage therein. In particular, this can be a passage that is at least partially defined around its periphery by the pump chamber component and the housing shell. Therefore, a design in which a groove is provided on the outer surface of the pump chamber component, said groove being closed by the inner surface of the housing shell and forming a ventilation passage, in particular a capillary passage, and thus a passage is formed.

[0030] One possible embodiment is that the pump device has a pump chamber defined at least in part by a pump chamber component, and the droplet dispenser is defined by a wall at least substantially formed by the reservoir wall component, preferably by one of two reservoir wall components, where the pump chamber component and the at least one reservoir wall component are formed by at least two separate components, i.e., three separate components in the case of two reservoir wall components. This makes it possible, in particular, to use pump chamber components used in the same way in different dispensers, while the reservoir wall component(s) are specifically adapted to the desired planar shape of the dispenser.

[0031] In particular, the pump chamber component can be formed at least in part by a component having a rotationally symmetrical external shape, in particular in the region of the pump chamber relative to the cross section, so that free spaces facing each other on both sides remain between the inner surface of the flat housing and the outer surface of the pump chamber component.

[0032] Such pump chamber components having a rotationally symmetrical external shape in cross section can therefore also be used in conventional dispensers having a substantially rotationally symmetrical external housing, while their use in a flat dispenser according to the invention creates the above-mentioned free space.

[0033] The pump chamber component and at least one reservoir wall component, or one reservoir wall component, preferably have an interlocking shape, in particular a positive interlocking shape, in the region of the fluid connection, so that the two components are directly connected to each other, preferably in a peripheral fluid-tight connection, so that a fluid passage is provided from the reservoir into the pump chamber.

[0034] However, if an integrated pump chamber and reservoir component is provided, it is also possible to provide a separate reservoir bottom that is tightly connected to the reservoir wall component. The reservoir bottom, which is extended due to the shape of the housing, terminates the liquid reservoir on the bottom side. The reservoir bottom can represent a closure element that is fixed to the reservoir component after the liquid reservoir has been filled. However, preferably, the reservoir bottom is firmly connected to the reservoir component by welding or adhesive bonding, in particular even before the filling procedure. The reservoir bottom can be used for the ventilation passage instead of the pump chamber component.

[0035] In addition to designs with integral pump chamber and reservoir components, designs in which the reservoir wall component and the pump chamber component are constructed as separate components and are again connected to each other around the periphery by adhesively bonded or welded connections may also be advantageous. A separate reservoir bottom component is not required in such embodiments. Thus, the bottom can be integrally formed with the peripheral wall of the reservoir wall component.

[0036] It is advantageous if the reservoir wall component has a fill opening at its bottom facing the pump chamber component, which preferably is round and is left open during manufacture of the dispenser and is closed only after the liquid reservoir has been filled, preferably by a closure element which snaps onto the edge of the fill opening.

[0037] The reservoir wall component, which at least partially surrounds the liquid reservoir, is preferably manufactured at least in part from a transparent plastic material. In particular, the reservoir wall component can have uniform material properties, so that the entire wall formed thereby is light-transmitting. Both transparent and opaque embodiments are possible, as well as white or different colors. Transparency makes it easy to check the filling level in the liquid reservoir. The housing shell described above can realize a light-opaque embodiment of the housing above the liquid reservoir.

[0038] In particular, polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are suitable materials for the reservoir component and the integrated pump chamber and reservoir component. Preferably, substantially all other components of the droplet dispenser, particularly all of the housing portion, are made from these or other plastics. If the spring is also made from plastic, all of these parts can be plastic components. Preferably, the plastic portion is made from a plastic that is processed through common recycling processes.

[0039] In addition to the valve of the pump device, the dispenser according to the invention preferably has an outlet valve arranged upstream of the discharge opening, which prevents the ingress of bacteria. Preferably, the outlet valve is pressed in its closing direction by a closing spring and opens when the liquid pressure is sufficiently high. Preferably, it has a length of at least 50 mm. 2 The relatively large pressure-effective valve surface is provided to allow a relatively strong closing spring to be used and to allow the valve to open for liquid discharge when the liquid pressure is low. Preferably, the outlet valve is configured to open at a liquid pressure of less than 1000 mbar, particularly preferably at a pressure of less than 800 mbar or less than 600 mbar. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] Further advantages and aspects of the present invention will be found in the claims and in the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention which are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows in an overall view a first exemplary embodiment of a droplet dispenser according to the present invention.

[0042] [Figure 2A-2B] 2A-2B show cross-sectional views of the droplet dispenser of FIG. 1, respectively.

[0043] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the droplet dispenser of FIG. 1 made up of individual housing parts.

[0044] [Figure 4A-4B] 4A-4B show the integral pump chamber and reservoir wall components in non-cutaway and cross-sectional views, respectively.

[0045] [Figure 5A-5B] 5A-5B each illustrate, in cross-sectional view, a second exemplary embodiment of a droplet dispenser according to the present invention.

[0046] [Figure 6-7] 6-7 show a third exemplary embodiment of a droplet dispenser according to the present invention with the protective cap removed and with the protective cap in place, respectively.

[0047] [Figure 8-9] 8-9 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a droplet dispenser according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] 1 to 4B show a first embodiment of a droplet dispenser according to the present invention.

[0049] In Figure 1, the droplet dispenser 10 can be seen in full view, with the protective cap 90 indicated by the dotted line.

[0050] The droplet dispenser 10 has a housing 12. The housing has a length 5 of about 8 cm along a major axis 2. The width 4 of the housing 12 is about 4 cm. The thickness 3 of the housing is 1.8 cm. The housing 12 encloses a liquid reservoir 14 and a pumping device 40 in a manner not visible in FIG. 1 .

[0051] A pivotally movable actuation handle 24 is provided on the front face 12A of the housing 12 for actuating the pumping device 40. By pushing the actuation handle 24 to an overhead position, liquid can be pumped from the liquid reservoir 14 to the discharge opening 16. The discharge opening is surrounded by a droplet forming geometry in the form of a droplet forming annulus, so that liquid discharged therein can be collected until the amount of liquid is sufficient to cause droplets of the droplet dispenser 10 to leave the droplet forming geometry 18.

[0052] The housing 12 has an oval cross-section over the greatest portion of its length 5. Thus, both the front surface 12A and the opposite rear surface are configured to gently convex toward the sides. The housing 12 therefore sits comfortably in the user's hand, particularly the ring, middle, and index fingers, and the actuation handle can be actuated by the thumb in a simple, reliable manner and with precise metering.

[0053] 2A and 2B show the droplet dispenser 10 in cross-section, from which it can be seen that the liquid reservoir 14 occupies most of the interior of the housing 12. As can be seen in FIG. 4B, the liquid reservoir extends in the direction of the main axis 2 towards the discharge opening 16 and is therefore configured to partially overlap with the pump device 40. The two portions 14A, 14B of the liquid reservoir extend to the height of the pump chamber 42 of the pump device 40.

[0054] 2A and 2B, it can be clearly seen that the pump device 40 has a piston unit 48, which can be arranged perpendicular to the front face 12A and is configured as a membrane piston unit. This means that, as will be explained in detail below, the piston unit 48 is partially made of an elastically deformable material and is fixed in an edge region to the housing 12, in this case to the pump chamber component 20A. The piston unit 48, together with the pump chamber component 20A, defines the above-mentioned pump chamber 42. Pump valves are provided in the region of the inlet 44 and outlet 46 on the inlet and outlet sides of the pump chamber 42.

[0055] If, with reference to FIG. 2B, the actuation handle 24 is pressed against the force of the return spring 53 , the piston unit 48 is thereby pressed downwards and the liquid is then forced in the direction of the discharge opening 16 .

[0056] The outlet valve 70 is arranged downstream of the discharge opening 16. The main function of this valve is to prevent the ingress of bacteria. The outlet valve 70 comprises an outlet valve nozzle 72 forming part of the housing 12, and a resiliently deformable valve body 74 arranged in the outlet valve nozzle and biased towards a closed position by a relatively strong valve spring 76. The valve body 74 has a pressure collar which is 100 mm 2 It has a larger surface area and is therefore able to open when liquid pressure is applied against the force of the valve spring 76. The pressure required to open the outlet valve 70 is preferably less than 1000 mbar, particularly preferably less than 600 mbar.

[0057] The basic structure of the housing 12 of the first exemplary embodiment can be seen in Figures 2A and 2B. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 to 4A, the housing 12 has a common pump chamber and reservoir wall component 20. This component includes, firstly, a pump chamber component 20A that at least partially defines the pump chamber, and secondly, a component on which the return spring 53 of the actuation handle 24 and the valve spring 76 of the outlet valve 70 are supported. The reservoir wall component 20B, which is configured integrally with the pump chamber component 20A, forms a cylindrical wall annulus that substantially defines, in particular, the liquid reservoir 14. A reservoir bottom component 26 is provided on the bottom side, which is inserted into the reservoir wall component 20B and is preferably welded or adhesively bonded thereto. In this exemplary embodiment, a ventilation passage 50 is provided in the reservoir bottom component 26 for introducing compensation air into the liquid reservoir 14 after the liquid is discharged from the liquid reservoir 14. The liquid dispensed by a droplet dispenser 10 of the type described is preferably preservative-free, and therefore the ventilation passage 50 is configured with a sterile filter 54 .

[0058] The main components of the housing 12 are once again described with reference to Figure 3. The housing 12 comprises the previously described pump chamber and reservoir wall component 20, together with its sub-portions 20A and 20B. The outlet valve nozzle 72 of the housing 12 is stationary relative to this component and is fixedly connected to the pump chamber component 20A. A recess is provided in the outer surface of the pump chamber component 20A in which the piston unit 48 and the interior 24B of the actuation handle 24 are located.

[0059] Furthermore, the housing 12 has a housing shell 22 onto which the exterior 24A of the actuation handle 24 is integrally provided via a film hinge 23A. At the opposite end, the housing shell 22 has a through passage for the discharge opening or outlet valve nozzle 72, or an opening through which the pump chamber and reservoir wall component 20 can be pressed into the housing shell 22. Preferably, the components 20, 22 are latched together in a joined state.

[0060] In the joined state, the outer surface of the pump chamber component 20A and the inner surface of the housing shell 22 define a protected intermediate space 52 in which the return spring 53 is located and the piston unit 48 is fixed around its periphery.

[0061] Figures 4A and 4B show the pump chamber and reservoir wall component 20 in another view. In Figure 4A, the component is not shown in cross section. It is possible to see the shaft that opens towards the front and forms the pump chamber 42 after the addition of the piston unit 48, the retaining pin for the return spring 53, and part of the hinge 23B. The sections 14A, 14B that extend relative to the main shaft 2 in the area of ​​the pump chamber 42 can be seen from the cross section in Figure 4B.

[0062] 5A and 5B show an alternative design, in which the reservoir wall component 20B is not manufactured integrally with the pump chamber component 20A, but rather the components are connected together at the joining region 21, in particular by welding or adhesive bonding. In such an embodiment, the separate reservoir bottom component 26 can be dispensed with.

[0063] Figures 6 and 7 show a third exemplary embodiment of a droplet dispenser 10. This droplet dispenser is configured substantially like the droplet dispenser 10 of Figures 5A and 5B. Differences also lie in the general shape, particularly in the actuation handle 24. A filling opening 80 is also provided at the bottom of the reservoir wall component 22B, which can be closed after the filling procedure by snapping into a closure element 82. The closure element 82 can include a ventilation passage 50 and a sterilizing filter 54 inserted therein.

[0064] Figures 8 and 9 show in cross-section a fourth exemplary embodiment of a droplet dispenser 10 according to the present invention. The particularity of this embodiment is that separate components 20A, 20B, 20C form the pump chamber component 20A and the reservoir wall components 20B and 20C. The reservoir wall components 20B and 20C are provided with a flat, preferably oval, cross-section, which corresponds approximately to the embodiment of Figures 5A and 5B and corresponds to the flat shape of the dispenser. However, the pump chamber component 20A, which defines the pump chamber 42, has a substantially rounded outer shape, as can be seen from Figure 9.

[0065] As a result, it is possible to use pump chamber components 20A with different dispensers, particularly dispensers having an outer housing with a round cross section, which reduces manufacturing costs because different pump chamber components 20A do not need to be provided for different dispensers.

[0066] This design results in free spaces 25 being created between the external shape of the pump chamber component 20A and the housing shell 22, offset laterally relative to the pump chamber component 20A. These free spaces represent unused space, which, if not used for liquid storage, results in a comfortable low center of gravity during handling.

[0067] The reservoir wall component 20B and the pump chamber component 20A are directly attached to one another. Preferably, these components are connected in the region of the fluid connection 27, which is located below the cut plane of FIG. 8, by interlocking features 27A, 27B. Preferably, these features provide an active bond, which resists separation of the components 20A, 20B.

Claims

1. A droplet dispenser (10) for dispensing liquid in droplets, comprising: (a) a droplet dispenser (10) having a liquid reservoir (14) for storing liquid prior to the dispensing process; (b) a droplet dispenser (10) having a discharge opening (16) surrounded by a droplet forming annulus (18); (c) the droplet dispenser (10) has a pumping device (40) by which liquid is pumped from the liquid reservoir (14) out to the discharge opening (16), so that the liquid can collect on the droplet forming ring (18) and, once a sufficient amount of liquid has been collected, can be released from the droplet forming ring (18); It is characterized by the fact that (d) the pumping device (40) has a pumping chamber (42) defined at least in part by a pumping chamber component (20A); (e) a liquid reservoir (14) is defined by a wall formed by at least a reservoir wall component (20B); (f) A common component (20) is provided that integrally forms the pump chamber component (20A) and the reservoir wall component (20B). A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

2. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1, (a) a droplet dispenser (10) comprising a flat housing (12) in which a liquid reservoir and a pumping device are disposed, the flat housing (12) having an outer profile with a maximum width perpendicular to a major axis (2) of the housing, said maximum width being at least 25% greater than a maximum thickness of the outer profile of the housing (12) perpendicular to the major axis and perpendicular to the width; (b) an actuation handle (24) that can be depressed is provided on the side of the housing (12) to actuate the pump device (40); A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

3. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the liquid reservoir (14) extends into the area of ​​the pump device (40) so as to overlap in the direction of the main axis (2); (b) relative to the width of the housing, the liquid reservoir (14) has partial portions (14A, 14B) of the internal volume of the liquid reservoir (14) on the left and right hand sides of the pump chamber (42), respectively; A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

4. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the internal volume of the liquid reservoir (14) is at least 50% of the volume enclosed by the external shape of the droplet dispenser (10); A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

5. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) A droplet dispenser (10) having a housing shell (22) that presses over a pump chamber component (20A); (b) the housing shell (22) has a through passage (22A) for the discharge opening (16); It is characterized by the fact that, further, (c) the actuation handle (24) is an integral part of the housing shell (22); and / or (d) an actuation handle (24) is mounted on the housing shell (22) or on the exterior surface of the pump chamber component (20A); and / or (e) the outer surface of the pump chamber component (20A) and the inner surface of the housing shell (22) define an intermediate space (52) in which a return spring (60) is disposed to return the actuation handle; and / or (f) the droplet dispenser has a ventilation passage formed at least in part by the pump chamber component (20A) and the housing shell (22), the ventilation passage being circumferentially defined at least in part by the pump chamber component and the housing shell; A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

6. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) a droplet dispenser (10) having a reservoir wall component (20B) circumferentially surrounding a liquid reservoir (14); (b) the droplet dispenser (10) has a reservoir bottom (26) that is tightly connected to the reservoir wall component (20B); (c) the reservoir bottom (26) is connected to the reservoir wall component (20B) by an adhesively bonded or welded connection; and / or (d) the reservoir bottom (26) is pierced by a ventilation passage (50); A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

7. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) a droplet dispenser (10) having a reservoir wall component (22B) at least partially surrounding a liquid reservoir (14); (b) the reservoir wall component (22B) is at least partially fabricated from a transparent material; (c) the reservoir wall component (22B) has polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as its main material; A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

8. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the housing (12) of the droplet dispenser (10) has a maximum width (4) of at least 2.5 cm and a maximum thickness (3) of at most 2 cm; (b) the housing (12) has a maximum width (4) of at least 3.6 cm; and / or (c) the housing (12) has a maximum thickness (3) of at most 1.8 cm; and / or (d) the housing (12) has a length (5) of between 4 cm and 10 cm; and / or (e) the maximum width (4) of the housing (12) is at least 50% greater than the maximum thickness of the housing (12); A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

9. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the pump device (40) has a piston unit (48) movable perpendicular to the main axis (2); (b) the piston unit (48) is at least partially manufactured as a membrane part from an elastically deformable material and is fixed at its peripheral edge to the pump chamber component (20A); and / or (c) the piston unit (48) has an elastically deformable compensation piston, the connection being made with the actuation handle (24); and / or (d) the pumping device (40) has an inlet (44) from the liquid reservoir (14) which is divided at its narrowest side into a plurality of sub-inlets acting parallel to one another, the sub-inlets being at least 2 mm apart; ２ having a net cross-sectional area of A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

10. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the actuation handle (24) includes an outer portion (24A) and an inner portion (24B); and / or (b) the actuation handle (24) is pivotally articulated relative to the housing (12); and / or (c) the actuation handle (24) or its exterior (24A) is integrally connected to the housing shell (22) of the housing (12) via a hinge; and / or (d) the actuation handle (24) or its interior portion (24B) is pivotally articulated to the housing (12) by a multi-part hinge; and / or (e) the actuation handle (24), or at least the exterior of the actuation handle, has a different color than the surrounding wall of the housing; and / or (f) the actuation handle (24) has a width of at least 20 mm, and / or the actuation handle (24) has a width at its widest point that is at least 50% of the width of the housing; A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

11. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the cross section of the housing (12) is given an elliptical cross section in at least a partial region; (b) the cross section of the housing (12) is provided with a uniform elliptical cross section over at least a partial area of ​​at least 40% of the length (5) of the housing, the cross section of the housing tapering from this partial area to the discharge opening (16); A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

12. A droplet dispenser (10) according to claim 1 or 2, (a) the housing (12) is made from a plastic material that is difficult to deform; and / or (b) the liquid reservoir (14) is connected to the ambient atmosphere via a ventilation passage (50), the ventilation passage (50) being provided with a sterile filter (54) and / or a ventilation valve; and / or (c) an actuation handle (24) is provided on the front surface (12A) in a central location and spanning a width (4); and / or (d) the droplet dispenser (10) has a removable protective cap (90), which in the deployed state covers the actuation handle (24); and / or (e) the droplet dispenser (10) has an outlet valve (70), the outlet valve (70) being configured to open at a liquid pressure of less than 10 5 Pa; and / or (f) the liquid reservoir has a fill opening (80), the fill opening (80) having a round shape and capable of being closed by a closure element (82); and / or (g) the fluid reservoir (14) is filled with a medicinal fluid; A droplet dispenser (10) characterized in that:

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