Dispensing head and dispensing device for metered dispensing of liquid preparations and use thereof - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

To provide simplicity of a dispensing head, and an economical advantage in manufacture relating to it.SOLUTION: A dispensing head (1) for a dispensing device, and the dispensing device (100) comprising the dispensing head for measuring and dispensing a liquid preparation are provided. The dispensing head comprises a special valve (6) including at least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) capable of closing a passage channel (3) introduced to the dispensing head to dispense the liquid preparation. The present invention is characterized by simplicity of the dispensing head (1) and an economical advantage in manufacture relating to it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing head for a dispensing device and to a dispensing device comprising a dispensing head for metered dispensing of a liquid preparation, the dispensing head comprising a special valve including at least one sealing lip capable of closing a passage for dispensing the liquid preparation introduced into the dispensing head. The invention is characterized by the simplicity of the dispensing head and the associated economic advantages in production. [Background technology]

[0002] WO 2018 / 010889 relates to a pump head that allows for the metered dispensing of a fluid and a metering device that can be configured, for example, as a squeeze bottle and includes a correspondingly configured pump head. However, the pump head described therein is not sufficiently pressure sensitive, making it difficult to target the dispensing of a specific amount of the fluid to be metered. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing head for use in a dispensing device for metered dispensing of liquid preparations, or to provide a dispensing device that is as pressure-sensitive as possible and therefore facilitates the dispensing of accurately metered amounts of the liquid to be dispensed, in particular liquids with low surface tension such as aqueous solutions. The dispensing head is further provided with a valve of as simple a design as possible. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 relating to the dispensing head and by the features of claim 16 relating to the dispensing device. Possibilities for the use of the dispensing device are described in claim 19. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention relates to a dispensing head for use in a dispensing device for metered dispensing of a liquid formulation, the dispensing head comprising a passage channel having an inlet opening arranged on its inner surface and an outer dispensing opening for the liquid formulation. The inlet opening connects the interior space with the external environment via the passage channel. The dispensing head also comprises a valve having a valve body arranged on the interior space side above the inlet opening. The inlet opening is designed to reversibly seal the liquid formulation against the interior space. The valve body has at least one sealing lip formed on the side opposite the inlet opening, which seals the interior space against the inlet opening when the valve body closes the inlet opening.

[0005] The dispensing head thus comprises a passage channel through which the liquid formulation to be dispensed is dispensed from the inside (the side on which the valve is arranged) to the outside. For this purpose, the dispensing head comprises a passage channel having an inlet opening arranged on the inner surface and an outer dispensing opening. Here, the valve is configured such that it can independently close the inlet opening of the passage channel (and thus the complete passage channel) in several operating states of the dispensing head. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the invention, the valve body has at least one sealing lip, which makes it possible to effectively close the inlet opening of the passage channel, and the valve body itself is here configured to be movable relative to the inlet opening, so that in the open state of the valve, the liquid formulation to be metered can be dispensed into the inlet opening and thus into and out of the passage channel via the dispensing opening.

[0007] Thus, when the valve of the present invention is not pressed at all or is pressed with a sufficiently small force by the fluid to be dispensed into the inlet opening of the passage channel, the fluid to be dispensed can pass between the dispensing head and the at least one sealing lip or lips. When the pressure on the valve body (e.g., via the fluid to be dispensed) increases, or when a pressure increase occurs, as exemplified, the valve body with the at least one sealing lip is pressed sufficiently hard against the dispensing head, thereby reliably closing the inlet opening of the passage channel. In this operating state, the passage channel is closed by the valve.

[0008] Thus, when no pressure is applied to the squeeze bottle, the valve is open, and a narrow gap exists between at least one sealing lip of the valve body and the wall of the dispensing head. However, this gap is small enough that no fluid escapes even when a metering device having a dispensing head according to the present invention is positioned with the outlet opening facing downward (e.g., in a handbag or trouser pocket during transport or storage of the metering device). This is due to the small surface tension of the fluid and the small distance between the valve and the wall of the dispensing head. Dispensing of the metered fluid is performed by applying pressure to the fluid present inside the metering device, for example, by applying pressure to the squeeze bottle. Dispensing of the fluid is performed quantitatively until closure of the valve occurs. The valve is closed by pressure on the squeeze bottle, and is closed after dispensing a defined metered volume, in that continued pressure causes fluid closure of the outlet passage.

[0009] When the metering device is stored face down (i.e., when the valve is positioned above the passage channel), the fluid to be metered can enter the passage channel because the valve is open. When the metering device is activated (i.e., when pressure is applied to the fluid stored therein, such as when a squeeze bottle is pressed), metered dispensing of fluid occurs through the valve until the passage channel closes. The amount metered is therefore determined by the metering stroke of the valve.

[0010] If there is air between the valve and the liquid, i.e., if the metering device is stored upright (i.e., the valve is positioned below the passage channel), gravity will cause the liquid to flow back into the storage container, and only air will be present in the passage channel. Therefore, when pressure is applied, only the amount of air required for one stroke will be released.

[0011] The invention is particularly characterized by the simplicity of the valve, which can be made, for example, in one piece and placed in the dispensing head, in that no additional fixing means for the valve are required, and therefore both the dispensing head and the valve can be produced equally from a single material, without the need for extraneous elements such as metal or complex mechanical components.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body comprises at least two sealing lips, an inner sealing lip and an outer sealing lip.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one sealing lip, in particular the inner sealing lip and the outer sealing lip, are arranged concentrically in the valve body, such that the inlet opening is formed as an equal circle in cross section with respect to the passage channel (optionally also circular), e.g., is securely enclosed and sealed against the interior space.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous for the manufacture of the valve if the valve body and the at least one sealing lip are formed in one piece.

[0015] It is further preferred if the at least one sealing lip has a height in the direction of the inlet opening of 0.05 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0016] At least one sealing lip (7a, 7b) may have a width of, for example, 0.05 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

[0017] It is further preferred if the at least one sealing lip is made from a thermoplastic or elastomeric plastic, in particular a polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or a polyamide such as PA6, PA66, PA12.

[0018] It is likewise possible for the valve to comprise a frame which has at least one fastening element to which the valve body is fixed and which is fastened to the dispensing head.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the valve body, the frame and the at least one fastening element are formed in one piece.

[0020] In the above embodiment, it is further preferable if the dispensing head has a notch that fits into the frame having the valve body so as to transmit force or to match the shape.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the valve is loosely received in a cutout in the dispensing head and is configured to be vertically movable within the cutout.

[0022] In particular, the above embodiment has the advantage that the valve body is dimensioned to allow the liquid formulation to flow between the valve body and the wall bounding the cutout.

[0023] This is particularly preferred if the valve body is loosely placed in the cutout for fixing the valve or valve body, whereby the cutout has a boundary that prevents the valve from being completely guided out of the cutout in the vertical direction.

[0024] Additionally, the valve body preferably has a guide extension that fits into the passage channel and has a smaller cross section than the passage channel.

[0025] It can be particularly advantageous if the guide extension and the valve body are formed integrally.

[0026] The invention further relates to a dispensing device for metered dispensing of liquid preparations, comprising a dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims and a flexible storage container, the dispensing head being mounted in a fluid-tight manner on the storage container.

[0027] The storage container is in particular configured as a pressure-actuable squeeze bottle.

[0028] The storage container here may be made of a material selected from the group comprising thermoplastics and elastomeric plastics, in particular polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyamides such as PA6, PA66, PA12.

[0029] The present invention further relates to the use of the dispensing device according to the invention, which may be used in the storage and / or dispensing of ophthalmic products (especially eye drops), nasal products (especially nose drops), fluids, gels, creams, pastes, foods and food supplements.

[0030] The invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following figures and embodiments, without being limited to the particular situations presented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1]1 shows a first embodiment of a dispensing head and dispensing device of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 2a] 1 shows the dispensing device according to the first embodiment after the dispensing of the metered volume has been completed, i.e. after the valve has been closed. [Figure 2b] 1 shows the dispensing device according to the first embodiment in a pressure equalization state, i.e., a state in which the suction force in the squeeze bottle due to the air inflow is uniform. [Figure 3] 1 shows a second embodiment of a dispensing head and dispensing device of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 4a] 10 shows the dispensing device according to the second embodiment after the dispensing of the metered volume has been completed, i.e. after the valve has been closed. [Figure 4b] 1 shows the dispensing device according to the second embodiment in a pressure equalization state, i.e., a state in which the suction force in the squeeze bottle due to the air inflow is uniform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a dispensing device 100 according to the invention, which comprises a dispensing head 1 according to the invention. On the right side of Figure 1, the dispensing device 100 is shown as a whole in the state in which a metered dispense of a fluid 2 stored in a reservoir 20 is taking place. The reservoir 20 is here connected to the dispensing head 1 according to the invention, for example via a snap or another mechanical fastening method. The dispensing head has a dispensing opening 5, through which the liquid formulation 2 can be dispensed. The dispensing opening 5 communicates via a passage channel 3 with an inlet opening 4, through which the liquid formulation 2 can move from an interior space 8 through the passage channel 3 in the direction of the dispensing opening 5.

[0033] The storage container 20 is in particular formed as a squeeze bottle that can be squeezed and actuated by pressure (see arrow on the right in FIG. 1).

[0034] Section A (bottom left of FIG. 1 ) shows a detailed embodiment of a valve 6 that can reversibly close the inlet opening 4 of the passage channel 3. Section B also shows an enlarged view of the valve 6, selectively shown in cross section (top section B) and in plan perspective (bottom section B).

[0035] Here, the valve 6 has a valve body 7 with two concentric sealing lips 7a, 7b on its underside (i.e., the side facing the inlet opening 4 of the passage channel 3). The metered volume is first dispensed at high pressure. After the desired volume has been dispensed, the valve 6 is closed by increasing pressure. The valve body 7 is pressed against the inlet opening 4 of the passage channel 3 by the pressure applied to the squeeze bottle, particularly via the sealing lips 7a, 7b. This creates a fluid-tight seal, forming a temporary impermeable barrier to the fluid 2 between the wall of the dispenser head 1 against which the valve body 7 is pressed and the inlet opening 4 of the passage channel 3. This differs from conventional squeeze bottles, in which a fixed-volume dispense is not performed, but rather dispensing stops only when the squeeze bottle pressure is terminated. In this way, the dispensed volume can be metered independently of the pressure applied to the squeeze bottle and is therefore always equal.

[0036] In the exemplary case of Fig. 1, the valve 6 is configured here such that the valve body 7 (together with the sealing lips 7a, 7b located thereon) is fastened to a frame 9b via retaining arms 9a. All the above-mentioned parts form the valve 6. This valve 6 can be inserted into a receiving opening 10 in the dispensing head 1 provided for receiving this valve 6 and can be fixed in said receiving opening without the need for fixing it in the dispensing head 1 using additional mechanical means (e.g. via a corresponding dimensional design of the receiving opening 10 in the dispensing head and of the valve 6).

[0037] Figure 2a shows the dispensing device 100, as already shown in Figure 1. For the sake of clarity, the reference symbols of identical components are not shown in Figure 2. Detail I shows the valve body 7 fully pressed against the inlet opening 4 of the passage channel 3, which is closed by the valve body 7.

[0038] 2b shows the pressure equalization state, i.e. when the dispensing device 100 is set to the storage state after dispensing has taken place. In this case, the dispensing device is placed on the base of the storage container 20. A reversible expansion of the squeeze bottle 20 takes place, and the volume previously dispensed as liquid 2 is replaced by air (shown in detail II) which flows into the interior space 8 via the passage channel 3. In this way, pressure equalization takes place inside by sucking in air. Note that the position of the squeeze bottle plays no role here.

[0039] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a dispensing head 1 according to the invention, with an alternative valve 6. In the case of Figure 3, the valve 6 has a valve body 7, on the underside of which two sealing lips 7a and 7b are arranged (but is otherwise similar to the valve 6 according to Figure 1). The valve body 7 further has a guide extension 7c. The valve 6 is received in a receiving opening 10 of the dispensing head 1, where it is vertically movable (indicated by arrow v). Receiving opening 10 Wall 11 The valve 6 may be configured, for example, in the form of a protrusion and / or a constriction in the opening 10 so that the valve 6 does not come off the receiving opening 10 when the device is in an activated state or when the metering device is placed upside down on the base of the squeeze bottle 20. do.

[0040] The valve body 7 is dimensioned so that the fluid 2 can always flow in the direction of the inlet opening 4 or through the passage channel 3 between the wall of the receiving opening 10 and the tip of the valve body 7 .

[0041] The guide extension 7c shown in the exemplary case of Figure 3 is here configured to fix the valve 6 in a horizontal position relative to the passage channel 3 or inlet opening 4, so that a reliable sealing of the inlet opening 4 is always ensured via the sealing lips 7a, 7b.

[0042] The function of the valve 6, in particular with regard to the pressure for reversible closure of the inlet opening 4, is in all other respects identical to the embodiment of FIG.

[0043] Figure 4a, like Figure 2a, shows the dispensing device 100 in state I in which the inlet opening 4 of the passage channel 3 is completely closed by the valve 6. This state occurs when pressure is applied to the squeeze bottle 20 and the valve reaches the rear.

[0044] FIG. 4b shows the dispensing device 100 in state II, where the volume of the previously dispensed liquid formulation 2 has been replaced with air L and the squeeze bottle 20 has returned to its original state (see arrow).

Claims

1. A dispensing head (1) for use in a dispensing device (100) for metered dispensing of a liquid formulation (2), comprising: a passage channel (3) having an inlet opening (4) arranged on its inner surface and an outer dispensing opening (5) for the liquid formulation; a valve (6) having a valve body (7) arranged on the side of the interior space (8) above the inlet opening (4); Equipped with the inlet opening (4) connects the internal space (8) with an external environment via the passage channel (3) and is configured to reversibly seal the liquid formulation (2) against the internal space (8); The valve body (7) has at least two sealing lips, including one inner sealing lip (7a) and one outer sealing lip (7b), which are formed on the side facing the inlet opening (4) and seal the internal space (8) against the inlet opening (4) when the valve body (7) closes the inlet opening (4); the valve (6) is loosely received in a receiving opening (10) of the dispensing head (1) and is configured to be vertically (v) movable within the receiving opening (10); the valve body (7) is dimensioned so that the liquid formulation (2) flows between the valve body and the wall (11) of the receiving opening (10); The valve body (7) has a guide extension (7c) that fits into the passage channel (3), and the guide extension has a cross section that is smaller than the passage channel (3).

2. 2. Dispensing head (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner sealing lip (7a) and the outer sealing lip (7b) are arranged concentrically on the valve body (7).

3. 3. Dispensing head (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve body (7) and the at least two sealing lips (7a, 7b) are formed in one piece.

4. Dispensing head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least two sealing lips (7a, 7b) have a height in the direction of the inlet opening (4) of 0.05 to 1 mm.

5. Dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two sealing lips (7a, 7b) have a width of 0.05 to 1 mm.

6. Dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (7) and the at least two sealing lips (7a, 7b) are made from a thermoplastic or elastomeric plastic.

7. A dispensing head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wall (11) of the receiving opening (10) is configured to prevent the valve (6) from being guided completely out of the receiving opening (10) in the vertical (v) direction.

8. 8. Dispensing head (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide extension (7c) and the valve body (7) are formed in one piece.

9. A dispensing device (100) for metered dispensing of a liquid formulation (2), comprising: A dispensing head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a flexible storage container (20); The dispensing device (100) is characterized in that the dispensing head (1) is mounted on the flexible storage container (20) in a fluid-tight manner.

10. 10. The dispensing device (100) of claim 9, wherein the flexible storage container is a pressure-activated squeeze bottle.

11. 11. Dispensing device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the flexible storage container (20) is made from a material selected from the group comprising thermoplastics and elastomeric plastics.

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