Closure device for a pressure accumulator, set consisting of a closure device and a discharge head, and pressure accumulator and liquid dispenser having a pressure accumulator

Abstract

The invention relates primarily to a closure device (50) for a container closure of a liquid-filled pressure accumulator (30) for attaching at an opening of an accumulator body (40) of the pressure accumulator (30). The closure device (50) has an inwardly directed first coupling structure (72A) on the outside. The closure device (50) also has a peripheral sealing surface (62A) for sealing at the opening of the accumulator body (40). The first coupling structure (72A) of the closure device (50) is at least partially made of plastics material, which is mechanically loaded under the effect of a positive pressure in the liquid accumulator. The peripheral sealing surface (62A) defines an effective loading surface by means of which the pressure in the accumulator body (40) acts on the closure device (50) in a separating direction, said effective loading surface being smaller than 380 mm2, preferably smaller than 320 mm2, more preferably smaller than 220 mm2.

Description

[0001] Locking device for a pressure accumulator, set consisting of a locking device and a

[0002] Discharge head, pressure reservoir, and liquid dispenser with a pressure reservoir

[0003] SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0004] The invention relates to a closure device for a container closure of a liquid-filled pressure accumulator, a set consisting of such a closure device and a discharge head, as well as a pressure accumulator and a liquid accumulator with such a pressure accumulator.

[0005] Typical closure devices are designed for attachment to an opening in the storage body of a pressure accumulator. Liquid is stored under overpressure in this pressure accumulator until it is discharged. The pressure accumulators are part of a liquid dispenser, which also includes a discharge head.

[0006] For attachment to the storage body, the locking device has an inwardly directed first coupling structure on its outer surface, which is connected to a corresponding outwardly directed coupling structure on the storage body by means of a snap connection. This first coupling structure absorbs the forces acting on the locking device due to the pressure in the pressure accumulator.

[0007] Typical closure devices have a circumferential sealing surface for sealing the opening of the storage body and feature a passage channel through which liquid can escape from the storage body to the outside. A switching valve is provided within the passage channel, which can be moved from a closed to an open state by external force.

[0008] Typical shut-off devices usually interact with a dispensing head of the respective liquid dispenser. The dispensing head has an outlet opening and an actuating surface for manual operation. The force exerted on the actuating surface is transmitted to the switching valve of the shut-off device, opening the valve so that the liquid flows from the pressure reservoir through the flow channel of the shut-off device to the outlet opening of the dispensing head and is dispensed through it.

[0009] Closure devices of the type described are used in a wide variety of liquid dispensers for personal care or pharmaceutical applications, filled with the corresponding liquids. In the past, the pressure reservoirs of such liquid dispensers and their closure devices were mostly made of metal. In recent years, to improve recycling, it has been proposed to eliminate metallic components and instead increasingly manufacture closure devices from plastic.

[0010] However, due to the relaxation tendency of plastics, it is difficult to keep pressure accumulators with plastic closures permanently leak-proof and to maintain the overpressure introduced during manufacturing over long periods. The pressure in the accumulator body, which constantly acts on the closure, promotes rapid leakage of the pressure accumulator in the area of ​​the closure.

[0011] TASK AND SOLUTION

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a closure device for pressure accumulators that combines good recyclability with sufficient long-term stability under pressure.

[0013] According to the invention, a closure device is proposed which is designed in a manner typical of the type for attachment to an opening of a storage body of the pressure accumulator. Together with the storage body, the closure device defines an interior space of a pressure accumulator which, in the delivered state of the pressure accumulator, is pressurized and contains the fluid to be discharged.

[0014] For mounting purposes, the locking device has an inwardly directed first coupling structure on its outer surface, designed to be attached to a corresponding outwardly directed coupling structure of the storage body by means of a snap connection. In particular, this first inwardly directed coupling structure has a number of locking lugs which, when pressed onto the storage body, snap into place with an outwardly directed coupling structure of the storage body, especially a circumferential locking ridge on the storage body.

[0015] The closure device has a circumferential sealing surface for sealing against the opening of the storage body. The closure device also has a flow channel through which liquid can be discharged from the storage body to the outside. The aforementioned switching valve is provided in the flow channel, which can be moved from a closed to an open state by applying force from the outside. This force is applied by a discharge head that can be attached to the closure device and has an actuating surface which, when actuated, particularly when pressed down, acts on the switching valve.

[0016] According to the invention, the first coupling structure of the closure device is at least partially made of plastic, wherein the plastic material of the coupling structure is subjected to mechanical stress under the influence of overpressure in the liquid reservoir, in particular tensile, compressive, or shear stress. The force flow of the compressive force, which acts on the closure device from within due to the internal pressure in the reservoir body, thus places plastic parts of the closure device under a permanent state of stress.

[0017] With regard to favorable recycling properties, it is particularly proposed that the material of the first coupling structure, and especially the material of a first support component described below on which the coupling structure is provided, is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a polyolefin.

[0018] To limit the aforementioned stress state in the plastic material, it is proposed to keep the effective load area, defined by the circumferential sealing surface, relatively small. This area, across which the pressure in the storage body acts on the closure device in a separation direction, ensures that high pressures in the storage body result in only comparatively low stress states in the plastic material, thus preventing critical relaxation.

[0019] It is proposed that the effective load-bearing area be reduced to a size of less than 380 mm. 2 to limit, preferably to less than 320 mm 2 , particularly preferably to less than 220 mm 2 .

[0020] The standard clear opening width of pressure accumulators is one inch, or 25.4 mm, according to the prior art. This results in an effective bearing area of ​​at least 500 mm². 2The effective load-bearing area reduced according to the invention is 380 mm². 2With a suitable arrangement of the sealing surface, this is achieved even with a reduction in the diameter of the effective actuating surface to 22 mm. Further reductions in the diameter of the effective actuating surface to 20 mm or 16 mm allow the effective load areas specified above as preferred to be achieved. Reducing the effective load area primarily enables a significant reduction in the force acting on the first coupling device. This leads to lower stress in the plastic material, which in turn reduces the material's tendency to relax. Since relaxation in the material is a major cause of long-term leaks, this design considerably reduces the risk of leakage in the pressure accumulator.A design with such a reduced effective load-bearing area thus ensures significantly higher reliability and longevity of the pressure accumulator by reducing the mechanical stress and the associated relaxation.

[0021] As explained at the beginning, the closure device can be provided for the attachment of a dispensing head, which in turn has an actuating surface and an outlet opening, particularly when the dispensing head is designed for nasal application at a distal end of a nasal applicator.

[0022] It is therefore proposed that the closure device have an outwardly directed second coupling structure for attaching a discharge head, in particular in the form of a locking tab, which is designed as a continuous or interrupted locking tab and is intended to lock onto a corresponding inwardly directed coupling structure on the discharge head.

[0023] It is particularly preferred that the outer diameter of the second coupling structure and in particular of the said locking web is at least 30 mm, in particular between 31 mm and 33 mm and / or that the outer diameter of the second coupling structure is at least 50% larger than the diameter of the effective load-bearing surface.

[0024] The outer diameter dimension of the outwardly directed coupling structure for locking the discharge head, of slightly more than 30 mm, corresponds to the dimension commonly used here for locking devices for storage body openings of one inch in the area of ​​locking devices for metallic storage bodies.

[0025] It is therefore specifically proposed that, despite the reduction in the effective load-bearing area of ​​the closure device, the external coupling structure retains its usual dimensions, so that discharge heads known from the field of metallic storage bodies can continue to be used. This offers the particular advantage that existing discharge heads adapted to this dimension of the closure device's outer diameter of more than 30 mm can continue to be used. Thus, no specially adapted discharge heads are required for use with closure devices according to the invention.

[0026] In addition, the plastic walls of the discharge head can have an increased thickness due to a comparatively slim section of the closure device that protrudes into the opening of the storage body and the comparatively large outer diameter of the closure device, which can also serve the purpose of counteracting a critical stress state in the plastic and thus reducing the tendency to relax.

[0027] A particularly advantageous design of the closure device provides that the closure device has a first support component which includes both the coupling structure for connecting to the storage body and an opening for liquid extraction. The opening is dimensioned such that a passage plunger belonging to the closure device can protrude through it, by means of which the switching valve is opened, or that a plunger belonging to the discharge head can protrude through an opening into the closure device in order to act on a valve body and thereby open the switching valve.

[0028] In particular, the closure device preferably comprises a second support component which is attached to the first support component and / or secured to the opening of the storage body by means of the first support component, and which, in particular, together with the first support component, defines a valve chamber in which a valve body of the switching valve, deflectable against a spring force, is received. This second support component is preferably the component on which the circumferential sealing surface for sealing against the opening of the storage body is provided, as will be explained further below.

[0029] One method for sealing the closure device to the storage body involves an axial seal along a principal axis of the closure device, with the circumferential sealing surface being formed by the closure device sealing against an annular, outwardly facing end face of the storage body that surrounds the opening. The principal axis, as defined by the invention, is the central axis of the sealing surface of the closure device. When the closure device is attached to the storage body, the principal axis typically also corresponds to the central axis of the storage body.According to one embodiment of the invention, the circumferential sealing surface can be provided by means of a sealing ring made of elastic material, which is clamped between a contact surface of a carrier of the closure device pointing towards the end face of the storage body and the end face of the storage body and whose inner diameter is 22 mm or less.

[0030] To further reduce the effective load-bearing area and thus the stress state in the sealing device caused by the internal pressure in the pressure accumulator, a radial seal is considered advantageous. In this design, the circumferential sealing surface of the sealing device is achieved by sealing against a cylindrical inner surface of the accumulator's opening. This ensures that the effective load-bearing area corresponds to the clear diameter of the cylindrical inner surface of the opening and is therefore relatively small.

[0031] With such a design, it is possible to also provide the sealing surface on a separate sealing ring, which is arranged between the aforementioned cylindrical inner surface and an outer surface of a support component of the closure device.

[0032] In particular, however, the radially acting circumferential sealing surface can be provided on a support component, especially on the aforementioned second support component, which is firmly connected to the first support component and / or is secured to the storage body by means of the first support component.

[0033] Preferably, the circumferential sealing surface is provided on a sealing lip projecting outwards from a support component of the closure device. The corresponding support component is preferably made of a relatively soft plastic to improve the one-piece formation of a sealing lip. LDPE is a preferred material choice for the support component with the sealing lip.

[0034] The sealing lip is preferably arranged such that an overpressure prevailing in the storage body presses it against the cylindrical inner surface of the opening of the storage body. Thus, the seal is improved by the higher pressure.

[0035] Preferably, the sealing lip is designed as a flat sealing lip, the length of which, from the support component to the sealing surface provided at a distal end, is at least twice as long as the mean thickness of the sealing lip perpendicular to its length, and preferably at least three times as long, based on a cross-section along the main axis. The closure device preferably has a coupling ring which, when coupled to the storage body, is located on the outside of an outlet section of the storage body and on the inside of which the first coupling structure for coupling to the outlet section is provided. The coupling ring preferably forms the outer end of the first support component described above.

[0036] The first coupling structure for connecting the locking device to the storage body preferably comprises inwardly directed locking lugs for engaging with an outer locking edge of the storage body. Although two locking lugs may generally suffice for fastening, it is preferred that the number of locking lugs be at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. The locking lugs are preferably provided on elastically deflectable locking lug carriers, which are deflected when the locking device is pressed onto the storage body and then snap into place beyond a locking edge of the storage body.

[0037] Basically, there are two ways the liquid can be stored in the pressure accumulator. The first option involves a liquid bag inside the accumulator. This bag is attached to the closure device, allowing the liquid to flow directly from the bag into an inlet of the closure device. A pressurized gas is present between the outside of the liquid bag and the inside of the accumulator body. When the switching valve is open, this gas forces the liquid in the bag into the inlet.

[0038] However, it has been found that attaching a liquid bag to the inlet of the closure device can be difficult due to the reduced installation space, and handling the liquid bag during assembly can also be hampered by the liquid bag itself. Therefore, in the context of the present invention, it is preferred that no liquid bag is provided and instead the liquid is located directly in the interior space formed by the inside of the storage body and is in contact with the inside of the storage body. In this case, the pressurized gas is stored together with the liquid.

[0039] In the case of such a bagless design, it is preferred that the closure device has a suction tube extending into the reservoir, preferably to its base opposite the closure device. The suction tube preferably has a length of at least 80 mm, and more preferably at least 100 mm or at least 120 mm. The suction tube enables the dispensing of liquid when the liquid dispenser, equipped with the pressure reservoir, is used in an upright position with the closure device pointing upwards.

[0040] It is considered particularly advantageous if the intake pipe forms an intermediate storage reservoir in which liquid is temporarily stored for one or more discharge operations, but from which it can no longer escape, or only to a limited extent, into the primary liquid reservoir. In particular, the intake pipe can be closed at a distal end and have a pipe wall that allows the passage of liquid. The pipe wall can be formed, at least partially, by a hydrophilic material. A particularly preferred material for such an intake pipe is a mixture of polyethersulfone (PES) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The wall material causes liquid to be drawn from the storage body into the intake pipe.Regarding the design of such an intake pipe, reference is made to European Patent EP 2342146 Bl, the disclosure of which relating to the design of the intake pipe is made by reference to the disclosure of this invention description.

[0041] The design of the suction tube as an intermediate reservoir, from which the liquid cannot flow back to the primary liquid reservoir, ensures that liquid is available for one or a limited number of dispensing operations. This liquid can be dispensed even if the dispenser is oriented unfavorably, in which case the intake tube is no longer, or only partially, in contact with the liquid in the primary reservoir. This compensates for the structural disadvantage resulting from the omission of a liquid bag with regard to reliable, orientation-independent liquid suction.

[0042] Preferably, the intake pipe, together with a liquid chamber of the closure device up to a sealing point of the switching valve, has an internal volume of at least 500 pl, in particular at least 1000 pl or at least 2000 pl. 500 pl represents a typical discharge quantity for the discharge of a saline solution in sprayed form, which is particularly central to the present invention. A liquid quantity of 2000 pl thus corresponds to approximately four discharge cycles.

[0043] Preferably, the intake pipe has an inner diameter of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, and particularly preferably at least 4 mm over at least the majority of its length, in order to provide the desired volume of the intermediate storage tank thereby formed. The invention relates not only to the closure device itself, but also to a set comprising such a closure device and a discharge head. The discharge head is designed for snap-fit ​​coupling to the closure device and has an actuating surface by means of which the switching valve of the closure device can be opened, as well as an outlet opening through which liquid flowing through the flow channel can be discharged. In particular, the discharge head has a plunger for actuating the switching valve, which projects into the closure device through an opening and can thereby actuate a valve body of the switching valve.

[0044] Despite the reduced effective load-bearing area of ​​the closure device, the discharge head preferably corresponds in its dimensions to known discharge heads. In particular, it preferably has a coupling ring with locking lugs or a locking edge on its inner side for engaging with the outer second coupling structure of the closure device. The locking lugs or the locking edge are arranged such that they can engage with a second coupling structure on the closure device with an outer diameter of at least 30 mm. This means that the locking lugs or the locking edge are arranged such that they would no longer be able to engage if the outer diameter of the closure device were less than 30 mm.

[0045] The present invention relates in particular to the field of application of nasal application of liquids, especially the nasal application of saline liquids for the relief of respiratory problems.

[0046] The dispensing head therefore preferably has an elongated nasal applicator extending upwards from a base of the dispensing head, particularly obliquely upwards at an angle between 5° and 45° to the main axis, and whose shape allows for convenient insertion into a nostril. Preferably, the dispensing head has an asymmetrical design in which the nasal applicator, when coupled, is arranged eccentrically to a central axis of the closure device, and the actuating surface for opening the switching valve is located next to it.

[0047] The invention further relates to a pressure accumulator equipped with a storage body and a closure device for closing an opening of the storage body as described above. The storage body is preferably designed as a rotationally symmetrical storage body. The storage body, together with the closure device, preferably defines an internal volume of 300 ml or less, in particular an internal volume of 250 ml or less.

[0048] The storage body preferably has an outlet section with a substantially cylindrical inner surface against which the sealing device rests in a sealing manner.

[0049] In its initial filled state, at least 30% of the internal volume is preferably filled with the liquid to be discharged, and in particular at least 50%. Additionally, the pressure accumulator is filled with a pressurized gas, in particular air or nitrogen, which has a maximum overpressure of 8 bar in the initial state. In a design with a liquid bag, the pressurized gas can be located between the outside of the liquid bag and the wall of the accumulator. In a design without a liquid bag, the pressurized gas is contained within the accumulator along with the liquid.

[0050] To reduce the mechanical stress on the plastic of the closure device, it is preferred that the initial overpressure in the pressure reservoir be less than 8 bar. In particular, an overpressure of a maximum of 6 bar, a maximum of 4 bar, or especially a maximum of 2.5 bar, in the delivery condition is considered preferred. Since this pressure decreases when the liquid dispenser is used due to liquid dispensing, the initial pressure must be selected such that even when the pressure reservoir is almost empty, sufficient pressure remains to dispense the liquid in the desired form, in particular to produce a spray jet of fine droplets. All pressure specifications in this description refer to room temperature (20°C).Preferably, the overpressure in the pressure reservoir is selected and adapted to the amount of liquid such that when the liquid reservoir is almost completely discharged, the residual overpressure is still at least 1 bar, preferably at least 2 bar.

[0051] The invention further relates to a liquid dispenser comprising such a pressure reservoir. In addition to the pressure reservoir, this liquid dispenser has a dispensing head of the type already described above.

[0052] The pressure reservoir is preferably filled with a saline solution for the relief of respiratory ailments. The dispensing head is preferably designed for nasal application and features an excellent nasal applicator with an outlet opening at its distal end. The dispensing head is preferably designed to deliver this liquid in the form of a spray jet of fine individual droplets, which can be achieved in particular by means of a suitable geometry of the outlet opening and the liquid supply to the outlet opening, and by means of a sufficiently high liquid pressure.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a liquid dispenser with a pressure reservoir.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows the liquid dispenser and in particular a closure device of the liquid dispenser in a sectional view.

[0057] Fig. 3 largely corresponds to Fig. 2 and serves to illustrate significant dimensions of the locking device.

[0058] Fig. 4 shows the components of the locking device in an exploded view.

[0059] Figures 5A to 5C show different variants of a first support component of the locking device.

[0060] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0061] Fig. 1 shows a liquid dispenser 10 designed for dispensing a liquid. The liquid dispenser 10 has a pressure reservoir 30 for receiving the liquid and a dispensing head 100 for manually operating the liquid dispenser 10 and dispensing the liquid, depending on the specific design of the dispensing head, in liquid form as a jet, in foamed form, or as a spray of individual droplets.

[0062] The liquid could be a personal care or cosmetic product such as a deodorant. However, it could also be a medication intended for oral or topical application, including sprayed saline solution for the relief of respiratory problems.

[0063] The fluid dispenser 10 described herein serves the stated purpose of dispensing a saline solution to alleviate respiratory distress. The fluid dispenser 10 according to Fig. 1 is made entirely or almost entirely of plastic. The reservoir 40 visible in Fig. 1 consists of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0064] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show the liquid dispenser 10 in a cutaway view, whereby the protective cap shown in Fig. 1 is not shown in the figures.

[0065] The pressure accumulator 30 comprises, in addition to the aforementioned accumulator body 40, a closure device 50 which is attached to a bottleneck-like outlet section 44 of the accumulator body 40. The individual components of the closure device 50 are shown again in Fig. 4.

[0066] The main components of the closure device 50 are two support components, namely an inner component 60 and a mounting component 70. Together with a valve component 82 and a sealing element 86, they form the four parts of the closure device 50. Although other designs are conceivable, in particular those in which the inner component 60 and the mounting component 70 are realized as a single component and / or in which the valve component 82 is subdivided into two components, the design of the closure device 50 consisting of a total of four components 60, 70, 82, 86 is considered optimal.

[0067] The internal component 60 is made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and thus of a comparatively soft material, but in the majority of its sections it has a wall thickness that resists significant deformation. These sections include a central support structure 63, which, among other things, defines an intake pipe penetrated by a flow channel.

[0068] The inner component 60 has thinner walls on the outer side, particularly a sealing collar arranged below a support collar 64, which forms a sealing lip 62. The sealing lip 62 and the support collar 64 project outwards in a Y-shape as two extensions relative to the cross-section. The sealing lip 62 is easily deformable due to the choice of LDPE material and its thin-walled design.

[0069] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the support collar 64 rests on an end-face support surface 44C of the outlet section 44 of the storage body 40 in the assembled state. The sealing lip 62 simultaneously rests with a distal sealing surface 62A against a cylindrical inner surface 44A of the outlet section 44.

[0070] The sealing lip 62 is arranged such that the pressure prevailing in the pressure accumulator can press from the inside against its relatively long inner surface, thereby pressing the sealing lip 62, and in particular its sealing surface 62A, against the inner surface 44A. As shown in Fig. 4, the sealing lip 62 is slightly conical in its unassembled state. In the assembled state shown in Fig. 2, its distal sealing surface 62A therefore presses against the inner surface 44A independently of the pressure.

[0071] The cylindrical inner surface 44A preferably has a length in the axial direction 2 of at least 3 mm. In this case, its length is 5 mm. It ensures that even if the closure device 50 is not in its intended position axially, the sealing of the interior of the storage body 40 is guaranteed.

[0072] For the permanent attachment of the internal component 60 to the outlet section 44 of the storage body 40, the second structural component of the closure device 50 is provided, namely the fastening component 70 mentioned above. This component is preferably made of polyethylene enterephthalate (PET) or a polyolefin. The fastening component 70 has an external coupling ring 72, which, in the assembled state, is located outside the outlet section 44 and has an internal first coupling structure that snaps into an outer surface 44B of the outlet section 44.

[0073] This coupling structure is formed by locking lugs 72A, which interact to create a snap-fit ​​connection with a circumferential locking edge 46 on the outlet section 44.

[0074] The fastening component 70 extends inwards from the coupling ring 72 and forms a cover surface which is centrally penetrated by an opening 74 that forms part of the passage channel 54. Part of this cover surface is a clamping surface 75, which is arranged above the bearing surface 44C and thus presses the bearing collar 64 of the inner component 60 against the bearing surface 44C, thereby securing the inner component 60.

[0075] Together, the internal component 60 and the mounting component 70 define a valve chamber in which the aforementioned valve component 82 is arranged. The valve component 82 comprises a valve body and a valve return spring. In this case, it is a one-piece component, preferably made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, designs are also possible in which the valve body and the valve return spring are formed as separate components and may be made of different materials.

[0076] The valve return spring rests at its lower end against a constriction in the flow channel 54 and thereby pushes the valve body upwards. The valve return spring is designed as a cage spring. It therefore has a casing wall with openings completely surrounded by material of the valve return spring. In this case, the valve return spring is constructed from a number of ring segments connected to each other by offset axial webs.

[0077] A sealing element 86 is arranged between the inner component 60 and the mounting component 70. This sealing element is a perforated sealing disc, preferably made of a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). This sealing element 86 performs several functions: In the assembled state shown in Fig. 2, the sealing element 86 is located at the base of a downwardly open cylindrical recess in the mounting component and is fixed in place from below by a cylindrical section of the inner component 60. This arrangement prevents fluid from entering an external gap between the mounting component 70 and the inner component 60. Furthermore, the sealing element 86 also forms the annular contact surface against which the valve body rests when it is pressed into its closed position by the valve return spring.

[0078] For drawing liquid from the pressure accumulator 30, the closure device 50 has a suction pipe 90. This extends to the bottom of the pressure accumulator 30.

[0079] The intake pipe 90 can be designed as a conventional intake pipe with an open end. However, in this case, the intake pipe has a closed end, so that liquid cannot flow in in the usual way. Instead, the intake pipe is provided with a pipe wall 92 formed by a hydrophilic wall material that allows liquid to pass through. In particular, the intake pipe can be made of a material mixture of polyethersulfone (PES) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

[0080] This material of the pipe wall 92 ensures that, regardless of the activation of the liquid dispenser, liquid is continuously drawn into the intake pipe, which thus forms a kind of intermediate reservoir. For the intake to occur, it is sufficient if a small portion of the intake pipe is in contact with the liquid. The intake pipe preferably has an internal volume of approximately 2000 pl, which corresponds to roughly four typical dispensing cycles.

[0081] The use of a suction tube instead of the liquid bags typically used with pressure accumulators of the type described significantly simplifies assembly. It has been shown that reducing the opening of the pressure accumulator to a smaller inner diameter of approximately 20 mm considerably complicates the use and, in particular, the installation of a liquid bag. The use of a suction tube, especially a 90° suction tube of the type described, allows the dispenser to be used without a liquid bag and still permits its use in an orientation where the bottom of the pressure accumulator is not facing downwards.

[0082] A discharge head 100 is snap-fitted to the locking device 50. In the present design, the discharge head 100 is composed of three parts, but it could also be designed as a two-part or even a single-piece design. A key feature of the discharge head 100 is that it has a liquid channel 102 extending from a nozzle 104 to an outlet opening 103.

[0083] The inlet nozzle 104 protrudes through the passage in the mounting component 70 into the area of ​​the valve body, so that pressing down on the inlet nozzle 104 can open the switching valve 80.

[0084] The outside of the inlet nozzle 104 is matched to the sealing element 86 in such a way that, when the inlet nozzle 104 is depressed and thus when the switching valve 80 is open, fluid cannot escape between the inside of the sealing element 86 and the outside of the inlet nozzle 104.

[0085] The discharge head 100 has a coupling ring 110 with internal locking elements 112. This snap-fit ​​geometry secures the discharge head 100 to the pressure accumulator, specifically to its locking device 50. To achieve this, a locking lug 52, interrupted by openings 72B, is provided on the outside of the mounting component 70. During assembly, the locking elements 112 snap into place behind this lug. The coupling ring 72 thus fulfills a dual function: it serves both for internal snap-fit ​​with the accumulator body 40 and for external snap-fit ​​with the discharge head 100.

[0086] The discharge head also features an actuating surface 106, which, in the design shown here, is formed integrally with the coupling ring 110, but can also be provided as a separate component. In the present integral design, the actuating surface 106 can be depressed while the corresponding component of the discharge head 100 is simultaneously elastically deformed.

[0087] When the actuating surface 106 is pressed down, the inlet nozzle 104, which is integrally molded onto it, is also pressed down, thereby opening the switching valve 80. Fluid can now flow under the influence of the existing pressure in the pressure accumulator 30 through the outlet channel into the fluid channel 102 and up to the outlet opening 103.

[0088] There, the liquid is discharged into an environment, whereby the design of the outlet opening 103 and an upstream geometry of the liquid channel 102 can be used to influence the discharge, for example, to discharge a spray jet or an unatomized jet. In the design shown here, the outlet opening 103 is provided on a separate discharge element 108, which is movable and thus allows for the discharge to be selectively atomized or unatomized and / or different discharge opening angles.

[0089] Fig. 3 shows the liquid dispenser again in a cutaway view and serves to illustrate essential dimensions of the liquid dispenser and in particular the closure device 50.

[0090] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the inner diameter of the inner surface 44A is labelled with the dimension LI. This dimension LI, as the diameter of the contact surface for the sealing surface 62A, also defines the effective load-bearing area over which the pressure in the pressure accumulator 30 acts on the closure device 50.

[0091] The diameter LI of the illustrated pressure accumulator is 20 mm. The effective load-bearing area is therefore approximately 315 mm². 2 Compared to pressure accumulators known from the prior art with an effective load-bearing area of ​​over 500 mm² 2 This results in a significant reduction, which manifests itself through a corresponding reduction in the forces acting on the locking lugs 72A. Therefore, failure of the coupling structure 72A formed by the locking lugs 72A is not to be feared.

[0092] The diameter L2 in Fig. 3 denotes the outer diameter of the outwardly directed second coupling structure 52. The locking means 112 of the discharge head are designed such that they can lock onto the second coupling structure 52.

[0093] The diameter L2 of the illustrated pressure accumulator is 32 mm. This dimension corresponds to the standard dimension for accumulator bodies with an outlet section whose inner diameter is one inch (25.4 mm).

[0094] The comparatively small outer diameter of the locking device 50 in its area

[0095] The sealing surface 62A and of the storage body 40 in the area of ​​its outlet section 44, as well as the comparatively large outer diameter L2, which is defined by the coupling structure 52, enables an advantageous thick wall thickness of the closure device 50 in the area of ​​the coupling ring 72.

[0096] Together, the measures described ensure that the closure device 50 can be stored under internal pressure for extended periods without leakage due to relaxation.

[0097] Preferably, to achieve the desired long-term shelf life, the pressure in the pressure accumulator is reduced compared to the previously standard maximum pressure of 8 bar. For example, it is proposed that the pressure accumulator be delivered 60% full of liquid and 40% full of gas at an overpressure of 2.5 bar. The overpressure then decreases as the liquid is withdrawn until the gas ultimately occupies approximately 100% of the volume. The remaining overpressure is then 0.4 bar, which, while not ideal for spray application, is functional. Alternatively, the pressure accumulator could be delivered with an overpressure of 6 bar and 50% full. In this case, the overpressure shortly before complete emptying of the pressure accumulator is 2.5 bar, which is sufficient to produce a fine spray jet.

[0098] Figure 5A shows the fastening component 70 again in a separate illustration. It can be seen that the coupling ring 72 is designed with a total of six radial openings 72B. The locking lugs 72A are arranged circumferentially, corresponding to the openings 72B, and longitudinally below the openings 72B. This design promotes the deformability of the coupling ring 72 in the area of ​​the locking lugs 72A and thus facilitates the snap-fit ​​process.

[0099] Figures 5B and 5C show alternative designs of the fastening component 70 and, in particular, of the coupling ring 72. In the design shown in Figure 5B, a total of eight openings 72B are provided in the coupling ring 72, with support arms 72C being provided here, in contrast to the design described above, which extend into the openings 72B and at the distal end of which the locking lug 72A is provided on the inside.

[0100] In the design shown in Fig. 5B, openings 72B and support arms 72C with internal locking lugs 72A are again provided, with the support arms 72C projecting into the openings 72B from below. In the designs shown in Figs. 5A to 5C, the openings 72B primarily enable the internal locking lugs 72A to be attached in a manner that ensures deflection and, in particular, allows for targeted adjustment of the size and shape of the openings 72B and the design of the support arms 72C, even with an otherwise thick-walled coupling ring 72.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Closure device (50) for a container closure of a liquid-filled pressure accumulator (30) with the following features: a. the closure device (50) is designed for attachment to an opening of an accumulator body (40) of the pressure accumulator (30), and b. the closure device (50) has an inwardly directed first coupling structure (72A) on its outer surface for being attached to a corresponding outwardly directed coupling structure (46) of the accumulator body (40) by means of a snap connection, and c. the closure device (50) has a circumferential sealing surface (62A) for sealing against the opening of the accumulator body (40), and d. the closure device (50) has a passage channel (54) through which liquid can be discharged from the accumulator body (40), and e.The closure device (50) has a switching valve (80) in the passage channel (54), which can be switched from a closed state to an open state by applying force from the outside, characterized by the following further features: f. the first coupling structure (72A) of the closure device (50) is at least partially made of plastic, which is mechanically stressed under the influence of an overpressure in the liquid reservoir, and g. the circumferential sealing surface (62A) defines an effective load area over which the pressure in the reservoir body (40) acts on the closure device (50) in a separation direction, wherein this effective load area is less than 380 mm. 2 is preferably smaller than 320 mm 2 , in particular preferably smaller than 220 mm 2 .

2. Locking device (50) according to claim 1 with the following further feature: a. the locking device (50) has an outwardly directed second coupling structure (52) for attaching a discharge head (100), wherein the second coupling structure (52) has an outer diameter of at least 30 mm, in particular between 31 mm and 33 mm, preferably with the following additional feature: b. the second coupling structure (52) has an outer locking lug (52) which defines a locking outer diameter of at least 30 mm, in particular between 31 mm and 33 mm.

3. Closure device (50) according to claim 1 or 2 with the following further features: a. the closure device (50) has a first support component (70) which carries the coupling structure (72A) for coupling to the storage body (40) and has an opening (74) for liquid extraction, and b. the first support component (70) is made entirely of plastic.

4. Closure device (50) according to one of the preceding claims with the following further feature: a. the circumferential sealing surface (62A) of the closure device (50) is provided by sealing contact with a cylindrical inner surface (44A) of the opening of the storage body (40), preferably with the following additional feature: b. the circumferential sealing surface (62A) is provided on a support component (60), in particular on a second support component (60), which is firmly connected to a first support component (70), on which the coupling structure (72A) for coupling to the storage body (40) is provided.

5. Closure device (50) according to claim 4 with the following further features: a. the circumferential sealing surface (62A) is provided on a sealing lip (62) projecting outwards from a support component (60) of the closure device (50), and b. the sealing lip (62) is arranged such that an overpressure prevailing in the storage body (40) presses the sealing lip (62) against the cylindrical inner surface (44A) of the opening of the storage body (40), preferably with at least the following additional feature: c. the sealing lip (62) is designed as a flat sealing lip (62) whose length from the support component (60) to the sealing surface (62A) provided at a distal end is at least twice as large as a mean thickness of the sealing lip (62) perpendicular to the length, preferably at least three times as large.

6. Locking device (50) according to one of the preceding claims with the following further feature: a. the first coupling structure (72A) comprises inwardly directed locking lugs (72A) for locking with an outer locking edge (46) of the storage body (40), preferably with the following further feature: b. the number of locking lugs (72A) is preferably at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.

7. Closure device (50) according to one of the preceding claims with the following further features: b. the intake pipe (90) has a length of at least 80 mm, preferably at least 100 mm or at least 120 mm, and / or c. the intake pipe (90) has a pipe wall (92) which is formed at least partially by a hydrophilic wall material which allows the passage of liquid, and / or d. the intake pipe (90) and a fluid area of ​​the closure device (50) up to a sealing point of the switching valve (80) together have an internal volume of at least 500 pl, in particular at least 1000 pl or at least 2000 pl, and / or e. the intake pipe (90) has an internal diameter of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, and in particular preferably at least 4 mm, at least over the majority of its length.

8. Closure device (50) according to one of the preceding claims with the following further feature: a. the coupling structure (72A) of the closure device (50) is at least partially made of a polyolefin material or of PET.

9. Set comprising a closure device (50) and a discharge head (100) with the following further features: a. the closure device (50) is designed for attachment to an opening of a storage body (40) of a pressure accumulator (30) and has a switching valve (80) by means of which a flow channel (54) of the closure device (50) can be opened, and b. the discharge head (100) is designed for latching coupling to the closure device (50) and has an actuating surface (106) by means of which the switching valve (80) of the closure device (50) can be opened, as well as an outlet opening (103) through which liquid flowing through the flow channel (54) can be discharged, characterized by the following further feature: c. the closure device (50) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Set according to claim 9 with the following additional features: a. the discharge head (100) has a coupling ring (110) on the inside of which locking means (112) are provided for locking with the second coupling structure (52) of the closure device (50), and b. the locking means (112) are designed such that they can be locked to a second coupling structure (52) on the locking device (50) with an outer diameter of at least 30 mm.

11. Set according to claim 9 or 10 with the following additional feature: a. the dispensing head (100) is designed for nasal application and has a slim nasal applicator (105), preferably with the following additional feature: b. the nasal applicator (105) extends at an angle to a principal axis (2) of the closure device (50).

12. Pressure accumulator (30) for storing and dispensing liquid, in particular for use as part of a pharmaceutical or cosmetic dispenser, comprising the following features: a. the pressure accumulator (30) has a storage body (40), and b. the pressure accumulator has a closure device (50) by means of which an opening of the storage body is closed and which has a switching valve (80) for dispensing liquid, characterized by the following further feature: c. the closure device (50) is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. Pressure accumulator (30) according to claim 12 with the following further features: a. the pressure accumulator (30) has an outlet section (44) with a substantially cylindrical inner surface (44A), and b. the closure device (50) is in a sealing position against the inner surface (44A).

14. Pressure accumulator (30) according to one of claims 12 or 13 with the following further features: a. the pressure accumulator (30) is filled with a liquid which, in a filled initial state, occupies at least 30% of the internal volume of the accumulator body (40), and b. the liquid in the pressure accumulator (30) is under an overpressure of a maximum of 6 bar, preferably a maximum of 4 bar, and in particular preferably a maximum of 2.5 bar, in the filled initial state.

15. Liquid dispenser (10) for dispensing pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids, comprising the following features: a. the liquid dispenser (10) has a pressure reservoir (30), and b. the liquid dispenser (10) has a dispensing head (100) having at least one outlet opening (103) and an inlet connectable to an outlet of the pressure reservoir (30), and c. the dispensing head (100) has an actuating surface (106) coupled to a nozzle (104) by means of which a switching valve (80) of a closure device (50) of the pressure reservoir (30) can be opened, characterized by the following further feature: d. the pressure reservoir (30) is configured according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, preferably with the following additional features: e. the pressure reservoir (30) is filled with a saline solution, and f.The dispensing head (100) is designed for nasal application and has an excellent nasal applicator (105) at the distal end of which the outlet opening (103) is provided.

Images