WO2014128007A1

WO2014128007A1 - Childproof dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2014128007A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/052380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Szymiczek; Stefan Ritsche
Original assignee: Aptar Radolfzell Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2014-02-06
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Also published as: AR094765A1; DE102013202933B3

Abstract

Various variants for securing dispensers against the use by children are proposed for per se known dispensers for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids. These variants comprise a ratchet wheel which is rotatably mounted on the housing and which prevents, in particular mechanically, the actuation of the dispenser. These variants also comprise particular childproof caps which directly seal the dispensing opening and particular locking mechanisms for an actuation unit for locking said actuation unit against the rotatability relative to the housing required for the actuation.

Description

Child-secured discharge device

Scope and state of the art

The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids. Such dispensers usually have a housing with integrated or attached liquid storage, a movable relative to the housing operating unit with finger support surface which is subjected to force for the purpose of actuation manually and is operatively connected to an outlet valve or a feed pump, and via a discharge opening through which the liquid can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere. The donors described herein may, in particular, be designed as nasal dispensers intended for nasal administration of medicaments.

The liquids to be dispensed with generic dispensers also include liquids whose ingestion may be detrimental if not medically indicated. It is particularly problematic when, for example, out of curiosity or while playing, children use pharmaceutical dispensers and in doing so carry out and ingest liquid. Depending on the fluid, this can be associated with significant risks to the health of a child.

The given problem situation has led to legislative measures in many countries of the world, according to which for certain pharmaceutical liquids or active ingredients only donors may be used, which are usually not opened or operated by children, as children do not understand the operation of the commissioning.

Existing solutions for such child-resistant dispensers often require different components of donors to design in conventional dispensers. This leads to additional costs.

Task and solution

The object of the invention is to further develop generic dispenser to the effect that with a low design effort an effective child safety is achieved.

According to a first variant, it is provided here that a dispenser for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids has a housing and a discharge opening provided for discharging the liquid in the manner mentioned. In this case, a liquid storage is provided, which is fixed to the housing. On the side facing away from the liquid storage side of the housing, the actuating unit is provided, which is displaceable relative to the housing in an axial direction and having said finger support surface. By a displacement of the actuator unit relative to the housing liquid can be discharged from the liquid reservoir through the discharge opening.

Such a known dispenser according to the invention according to this first variant added to the effect that the housing is arranged on the outside accessible ratchet, which is rotatable relative to the housing between a blocking rotational position and an actuating rotational position about a parallel to the axial direction of the dispenser axis of rotation , wherein it prevents the discharge of liquid in the blocking rotational position and allows the discharge of liquid in the actuating rotational position.

In the case of the dispenser according to the first variant of the invention, a housing is thus provided, to which the liquid reservoir designed as a separate external liquid storage can be coupled, in particular by means of a thread. An actuating unit is displaced relative to the housing and in particular provided for linearly guided displacement. By depressing this actuating unit, an outlet valve can be opened or a pump device can be actuated, so that liquid is conveyed from the liquid reservoir to the discharge opening. The ratchet wheel is rotatably provided on the housing and surrounds this preferably completely encircling. Depending on the rotational position of the ratchet wheel relative to the housing a liquid discharge is possible or impossible.

It has been found that with the dispenser, the actuating mechanism of which provides for a depression of the actuating unit, it is seldom detectable by children that the possibility of this or the possibility of discharging fluid thereby is related to the rotational position of a ratchet wheel. This is especially given when the ratchet wheel is substantially rotationally symmetric, since the change of the rotational position for children is difficult to see. Unless children see turning the ratchet wheel when used by an adult, unlocking it by turning is usually not transparent to them. This can be promoted in particular by the fact that the ratchet wheel is made stiff.

The ratchet can prevent the discharge of liquid in various ways in its blocking rotational position. A comparatively complex possibility is that by turning the ratchet wheel, not the mobility of the operating unit is mechanically prevented directly, but the possibility to discharge liquid by this movement. This could for example be done by decoupling the actuator from a conveyor such as a piston pump. It could also happen that a switchable valve is provided in the dispenser, which is switched by turning the ratchet wheel. As an advantageous solution, however, is considered due to the structural simplicity, when the ratchet wheel in the blocking rotational position mechanically limits or prevents the displacement of the actuating unit relative to the housing. In such a design, the ratchet wheel limits the mobility of the actuator unit at least to the extent that no relevant amount of liquid can be discharged. This technical design is also advantageous because it is possible with her to provide conventional donors with minor structural changes with a child safety. This requires only the attachment of the locking ring and an additional stop on the actuating unit, which collides depending on the rotational position of the ratchet wheel in the course of the displacement relative to the housing before the success of a discharge with the ratchet wheel or a stopper portion provided thereon.

In a dispenser according to the invention according to this first variant, various options with regard to the coordination of the blocking rotational position and the actuating rotational position are possible. For example, a design can be selected in which takes place at a complete rotation of the actuator unit relative to the housing by 360 °, the majority of this rotation in the locked state. Thus, in an unintentional, for example, unintentional rotation of the ratchet wheel would take place with great likelihood no unlocking. In a further development of the angular range within which actuation is possible and thus defines the actuation rotational positions, preferably less than 90 °, in particular preferably less than 45 °, so that with far more than likely probability free rotation of the ratchet wheel not to a Actuating rotary position leads. However, conversely, it is also possible that only in a defined and preferably then also separately marked rotational position, the ratchet wheel prevents liquid discharge and thus is in the blocking rotational position. For example, over an angular range of less than 45 °, in particular dere be given less than 30 ° such a blocking rotational position, while the actuating rotation position is otherwise given, which makes a liquid discharge possible. The respective specific embodiment depends on the angular range in which the blocking is caused in particular in a mechanical manner by colliding slinging means on the housing and the actuating unit.

In a development of this first variant of the invention, the ratchet wheel can be additionally secured in the blocking rotational position. Thus, for example, be provided that starting from the blocking rotational position, first an axial displacement of the actuating unit or the ratchet wheel relative to the housing is required before the ratchet wheel can be rotated in the actuation rotational position.

In a second variant of the invention, it is provided that a dispenser according to the invention has a housing, a discharge opening and an actuating unit displaceable relative to the housing for the purpose of discharging liquid in an axial direction, on which the discharge opening is provided. Furthermore, a protective cap is provided which can be attached to the actuating unit in such a way that it covers the discharge opening.

The protective cap has a special design. Corresponding to an external thread on the actuating unit, the protective cap has an inner cap and an outer cap, wherein a female thread corresponding to the outer thread is provided on the inner cap. The inner cap and the outer cap are rotatable relative to each other and, depending on the design of the cap by axial or radial application of force to the outer cap in the direction of the inner cap can be positively coupled to then rotate together. The inner cap is sufficiently far screwed onto the operating unit, that the discharge opening is sealed by the inner cap closed. In a dispenser according to this second variant thus a discharge opening is provided, which is displaceable together with the actuating unit relative to the housing. In order to prevent a discharge, said two-part cap is provided, which coincides in its basic structure with known safety caps. It has an inner cap and an outer cap, with only the outer cap is directly accessible with attached protective cap. The inner cap and the outer cap are normally rotated against each other, so that not easily the inner cap with internal thread of the actuator unit with external thread can be solved. However, it can be made by axial or radial application of force to the outer cap a positive connection between the outer cap and inner cap, through which the two partial caps are rotatable together. The protective cap can then be unscrewed from the operating unit. Such a two-part cap with intended axial application of force is known, for example, from DE 102009049902 A1, the relevant disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in the present disclosure.

In principle, it is problematic in the use of such two-piece caps that they must be subjected to force for the purpose of common twisting both partial caps. In the case of a dispenser having a protective cap screwed to the actuating unit, unscrewing this two-part protective cap in the case of intended axial application of force is thus only possible in such a way that a force is applied, which would in principle also be suitable for actuating the dispenser. Even with a cap with producible by radial force fit positive locking is in principle the risk that unintentionally this also takes place an axial displacement of the actuator unit. In order nevertheless to ensure that the protective cap is attached and in the course of unscrewing this protective cap, that the liquid does not escape accidentally, the inner cap of the protective cap can be unscrewed so far that it closes off the discharge opening movable with the actuating unit. When force applied to the cap thus no liquid can escape.

In the simplest case, an inner end face of the inner cap abuts against the discharge opening in the fitted state of the inner cap and thereby closes it. The inside end face may optionally have a survey that comes into abutment. Increased safety can be ensured if an extension is provided on the inner cap, preferably in the region of the inside end face, which engages in the discharge opening when the protective cap is screwed onto the actuating unit. By such an extension, a reliable seal can be achieved quite reliably.

An alternative to this provides that on an inner end face of the inner cap, an annular sealing surface is provided which comes when tightening the cap on the actuator in annular contact with a surface surrounding the discharge, wherein a limited by the annular sealing surface volume beyond the discharge at attached cap is a maximum of 100 μΙ, preferably a maximum of 20 μΙ, is.

Such an annular sealing surface can be brought in an individual case more easily in a sealing position as provided on the inner cap extension. The annular sealing surface sets when screwed in an annular region surrounding the discharge opening on. Liquid can then pass through the discharge opening although in an inner region within the annular sealing surface. However, since this is limited in terms of its volume and In addition, the liquid can not get past the annular sealing surface, this design is appropriate.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the dispenser is provided that this has a piston pump with a pump cylinder and a pump piston, which together define a pump chamber and by applying force to the actuator unit for the purpose of Flüssigkeitsaustrages while reducing a volume of the pumping chamber from a Ausgangsrelativlage to a Endrelativlage are displaced. In this case, a return flow channel is provided, which connects the pumping chamber with the liquid reservoir after exceeding an intermediate relative position.

By this particular embodiment with a piston pump which opens a return flow before reaching the Endrelativlage and thereby allows a backflow of liquid from the pump chamber into the liquid storage, a displacement of the actuator and the housing for the purpose of unscrewing the 2-piece cap into a Defined end position possible because the fluid pressure in the pump chamber does not oppose. This makes it much easier to remove the cap.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that there is no or no relevant overpressure in the pump chamber in this stop position, so that there is no need to worry that a liquid discharge takes place directly as a result of the removal of the cap.

The said design with reflux channel is also very well suited to possibly remove after the manufacture, transport and storage of the dispenser still located in the pump chamber air from this. For this purpose, a plurality of pump strokes can be carried out with attached cap and thus prevented Flüssigkeitsaustrag, in the course of which there is a backflow of the medium from the Pump chamber comes into the liquid storage. As a result, the air can be gradually removed from the pump chamber, so that after subsequent removal of the cap directly not disturbed by air in the pump chamber discharge process is possible.

The in the simplest case provided on the inside end face of the inner cap surface which closes the discharge or the said extension or said annular sealing surface may be provided in one simple configuration of the inner cap in one piece with the other components, in particular their internal thread. In order to improve the sealing effect, it may be expedient to use another material on the inner cap in the region of the discharge opening. In an advantageous embodiment, it is therefore provided that the inner cap has such a separate sealing element, which comes into contact with the discharge opening or with the surface surrounding the discharge opening when the protective cap is screwed on. In this case, such a separate sealing element may be substantially planar, form said annular sealing surface or also form the extension on the inner end face of the inner cap. The material of the sealing element is preferably of lower rigidity than the material of the inner cap, in order to apply sealingly in the region of the discharge opening or the nosepiece.

In a third variant of the invention, it is provided that a dispenser according to the invention has a housing, a discharge opening and an actuating unit with a finger support surface displaceable in an axial direction relative to the housing for the purpose of discharging liquid.

It is provided that the actuating unit is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation extending in the axial direction, wherein the actuating unit in at least one blocked blocking rotational position is not axially displaceable relative to the housing and in at least one unblocked actuation rotational position is axially displaceable relative to the housing. In this case, the actuating unit in the blocking rotational position on the housing by a locking device against rotation can be locked.

In a dispenser according to the invention according to this third variant of the invention, starting from a secured state, the locking device must first be unlocked, so that subsequently a rotational movement of the actuating unit relative to the housing becomes possible. Only by this rotational movement an actuating rotary position is reached, in which the axial displacement of the actuating unit relative to the housing and thus the liquid discharge is possible. This process is difficult for children to see through. In the secured position, in which the operating unit is locked against rotation, initially neither an axial movement nor a rotational movement is possible. Only by unlocking the condition is created to bring the actuator unit required in the actuation actuation rotational position.

There are various possibilities with regard to the type of locking, wherein it has proved particularly expedient to design the locking device in such a manner that the unlocking can be achieved by applying force to at least one unlocking surface of the actuating unit itself. This is preferably done in that the application of force to the unlocking surface causes a radial displacement of a locking portion of the actuating unit, whereby it comes to unlocking.

The arrangement of the unlocking directly on the actuator unit has the consequence that the operation for an adult is hardly associated with additional effort and yet remains difficult to see through a child. The unlocking surface is provided by its arrangement on the actuator unit, together with this Be actuation unit to be axially displaceable relative to the housing. The displaceability of the unlocking surface for the purpose of unlocking is preferably a radial displacement. In particular, this displacement of the unlocking surface preferably also causes a radial displacement of a locking section of the actuating unit, which is arranged in the unlocked unlocking surface in such a way that it counteracts a positive displacement of the actuating unit.

In particular, it is advantageous if the finger support surface, the unlocking surface and the locking portion are formed as a one-piece component. In this case, this one-piece component is produced either from a uniform material or in the multi-component injection molding process from a plurality of different plastics, which may differ in particular with regard to their strength. The unlocking surface, which in principle could also be formed as a separate component, is in this embodiment integrally connected to the finger support surface, but against this preferably displaced by elastic deformation of the common one-piece component. In particular, it is advantageous if the unlocking surface is provided on the outside of a deformable circumferential jacket of the actuating unit, wherein preferably the locking portion is provided on the inside of this jacket. Such a jacket is in particular preferably provided underneath the finger support surface of the actuating unit and arranged such that it covers the housing and in particular the portion of the housing which cooperates with the locking portion both when the dispenser is actuated and when it is not actuated.

The interaction of the displacement of the unlocking surface on the one hand and the displacement of the bolt spacing on the other hand can be achieved in the simplest case, that the locking portion and the unlocking surface are provided stationary to each other, so that the latch portion is displaced to the same extent and in the same direction as the unlocking surface relative to the housing. An advantage is the design in which is offset on the said jacket of the locking portion relative to the unlocking surface in the circumferential direction, in particular by 60 ° to 120 °. In this way, it can be achieved that a force application of the unlocking surface or the preferably two opposing unlocking surfaces causes a radially outward deflection of the at least one locking portion radially outward. Since it is structurally simpler to provide a locking device in which a displacement of the locking portion radially outwardly causes the unlocking, such a design is considered advantageous.

The three mentioned variants of donors according to the invention can be designed as donors of various types, for example as donors for the oral administration of liquid or for the topical administration of liquids. The embodiment of dispensers according to the invention is considered particularly expedient as a nasal dispenser for the nasal administration of fluids. Such a dispenser preferably has a nose olive, at the distal end of the discharge opening is provided, wherein the nosepiece is preferably provided stationary to the actuating handle. Dispensers according to the invention are particularly useful in the case of pharmaceutical fluids whose intake is associated with considerable danger. These include, for example, painkillers. Also, a use of a dispenser according to the invention with pharmaceutical liquids / formulations with nasal decongestants such as imidazoline is useful.

Brief description of the drawings

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description Embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to FIGS. Showing:

Figures 1 a and 1 b a dispenser according to the first variant of

Invention,

2a to 2c different embodiments of a dispenser according to the second variant of the invention,

3a to 3c and 4 a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the second variant of the invention,

5a to 5d a dispenser according to the third variant of

Invention,

6a to 6e another dispenser according to the third variant of the invention and

Fig. 7a and 7b another dispenser according to the third variant of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Figures 1 a and 1 b show a dispenser according to the first variant of the invention.

This dispenser 100 has a housing 1 10, to which an external liquid storage 120 is coupled by means of a threaded connection 122. On the side facing away from the liquid storage 120 side of the housing 1 10, an actuating unit 130 is provided, which has a finger support surface 132. At this actuating unit 130, a nose olive 140 is further provided, at the distal end of which a discharge opening 142 is arranged. The actuating unit 130 is basically opposite the housing 1 10 in one Axial direction 2 displaceable, wherein for the purpose of discharging liquid, a displacement of the actuating unit 130 in the direction of 2a on the housing 1 10 is required.

Within the housing 1 10, a pumping device 150 is provided, the inlet channel 152 protrudes into the liquid storage 120, wherein a provided for sucking liquid riser is not shown in the figures. In contrast, the outlet channel 154 of the pump device 150 is fastened to the inside of the nose olive 140. The main body 158 of the pumping device 150 is fixed in position between the liquid storage 120 and the housing 1 10. By displacing the actuating unit 130 in the direction 2a, the outlet channel 154 of the pumping device 150 can be displaced, whereby liquid is conveyed to the discharge opening 142. This is achieved by means of an internal piston pump, not shown, within the pumping device 150. Alternatively, it could also be provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir 120 is pressurized and instead of the pumping device, a switchable valve device controls the discharge.

In a manner not shown, the actuating unit 130 against rotation of the housing 1 10 is secured. A relative rotation of the actuating unit 130 is therefore not possible with respect to the housing 110.

In order to enable a backup of the dispenser 100, a blocking section 136 is provided on the actuating unit 130. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, this blocking section 136 forms an inwardly directed thickening of a jacket-like ring 134, which is provided below the finger support surface 132.

This blocking portion 136 may cooperate with a ratchet wheel 160, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation 3 relative to the housing 120. This ratchet wheel 160 has one with a serrated As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1 b, the blocking ring 164 has an outer radius with respect to the axis of rotation 3 over almost the entire circumference, which is greater than the spacing of the axis of rotation Blocking portion 136 of the rotation axis 3. Only in a comparatively small angular range of about 15 ° is a recess 164a provided in the locking ring 164.

Only when the ratchet wheel 160 is in a rotational position relative to the housing 1 10 and the actuating handle 130, in which the blocking portion 136 is aligned with this recess 164a, a depression of the actuating unit 130 in the direction of the arrow 2a and thus a liquid discharge is possible. However, if the ratchet wheel 160 is rotated relative to this position, the blocking portion 136 strikes the locking ring 164 when the actuating unit 130 is pressed down, before a liquid discharge occurs. The liquid discharge is prevented.

By means of the ratchet wheel 160 can thus be placed in a blocked or a released state in a simple manner, the donor.

Figures 2a to 2c show dispensers according to the second variant of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 2a, such a dispenser has a housing 210 and an actuating unit 230 displaceable relative to it in the axial direction 2. The latter in turn has a finger rest 232 and a nose olive 240, at the distal end of which a discharge opening 242 is provided. The liquid storage and the pumping means are not shown in the illustrations of Fig. 2a to 2c. They are speak structurally those components that are shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 a and 1 b.

In the dispenser 200 according to FIG. 2 a, a direct mechanical blocking of the actuating unit 230 is not provided. In order to prevent unwanted liquid discharge, for example by playing children, a protective cap 270 is instead provided, which can be attached to a thread 244 of the nosepiece 240.

This protective cap 270 has an outer cap 272 and an inner cap 274 with an internal thread. In known manner, the inner cap 274 and the outer cap 272 in the axial direction 2 are mutually displaceable. They have a coupling mechanism 276, which, although counteracts a complete separation of the inner cap 274 and the outer cap 272, the said axial displaceability but allows. In the non-mutually kraftbeaufschlagten state, the inner cap 274 and the outer cap 272 are also rotated about the rotation axis 3 against each other, so that a manual rotation of the outer cap 272 initially causes no rotation of the inner cap 274 and thus not directly unscrewing the cap 270 of the nosepiece 240 allowed. To achieve this, the outer cap 272 must be pressed against the inner cap 274 in the direction 2a. As a result, interlocking means 274a, 272a are positively joined together in the end region of the cap, so that then a common rotation of the inner cap 274 and the outer cap 272 is possible.

In order to prevent this force exerting the outer cap 272 in the direction of the arrow 2a, which is required to unscrew the cap 270, causing an immediate discharge of liquid, the inner cap 274 is dimensioned and sufficiently screwed onto the nose olive 240 in such a way that it is screwed on which can be seen in Fig. 2a, the discharge opening 242 with its inside end face 274b closes. For this purpose, a survey is provided, the immediate comes to the discharge 274 to the plant. Depression of the outer cap 272 thus causes no liquid discharge.

In order to achieve an increased safety against liquid discharge compared with the embodiment of FIG. 2a, the embodiments of FIGS. 2b and 2c are provided. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2b, instead of the elevation, a circumferential ring 274d is provided, which circumferentially surrounds the discharge opening 242 when the cap 270 is attached. Thus, although a small amount of liquid in an intermediate region 273 between the inner cap and the ring 274 d and the discharge port 242 reach. However, before the cap 270 has been removed, this small amount of liquid does not escape to the outside.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2c, it is provided that a sealing section 278 made of a different material is fastened to the inner cap 274. This is in particular a softer material, which can adapt flexibly to the distal end of the nose olive 240 and thereby reliably close the discharge opening. Due to the increased flexibility of this material can be achieved that the discharge opening when screwing the cap 270 is already sealed significantly before the engagement of the interlocking means 274a, 272a.

In embodiments which are not illustrated, the sealing ring 274d of the embodiment of FIG. 2b can also be brought about by a component which is separated from the inner cap 274 in order to use a material which is ideal for sealing purposes.

3a to 3c show a further embodiment of a dispenser 200 according to the invention, which is identical to the embodiment of Fig. 2a in view of the operation and shape of the cap. The peculiarity in the embodiment of Figures 3a to 3c is the peculiarity of the pumping device 250th This pumping device is in the manner of a Together, the cylinder 252 and the piston 254 limit the majority of a pumping chamber 253. The liquid flow into the pumping chamber 253 is effected through an access channel 255 in the piston 254. Between the access channel 255 and the pumping chamber

253, an inlet valve 256 is arranged, in the present case in the form of a ball valve acting as a check valve. Furthermore, the pump device 250 has an outlet valve 257, which is formed, on the one hand, by the nasal olive 240 penetrated by the discharge opening 242 and, on the other hand, by a valve pin 252a. The piston cylinder 252 together with the valve pin 252a terminating at the end thereof can be displaced in the axial direction 2 relative to the housing 210 of the dispenser and with respect to the actuating unit 230. Between the case

210 of the dispenser 200 and the cylinder 252 is a coil spring

21 1 is provided, which counteracts a displacement of the cylinder 252 in the direction of arrow 2a.

The basic mode of operation of this pump device 250 provides that the nose olive 240 is pressed down together with the actuating unit 230 in the direction of the arrow 2a, as is illustrated in FIG. 3b. As a result, the cylinder 252 is opposite the piston

Pressed down 254 so that in the pumping chamber 253, a pump pressure is built up, which is able to push the cylinder member 252 also opposite the actuator unit 230 in the direction of arrow 2a further down, so that the discharge port 242 is released from the valve pin 252a and a discharge process is basically possible. However, this is prevented by the cap when attached.

A peculiarity of the pumping device 250 is that if the displacement of the cylinder 252 and the piston 254 relative to one another in the direction of a volumetric reduction of the pumping chamber 253 is sufficiently long, the pressure in the pumping chamber 253 is determined. according to the rules. This is the case as soon as the piston 254 has reached the area of two recesses 252b and thereby has lost the peripheral contact with the cylinder component 252. The recesses 252b allow the liquid to pass from the pumping chamber 253 on the outside of the piston 254 past into a return flow channel 258, through which it can pass back into the liquid reservoir (not shown).

In connection with the cap already explained in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2a to 2c, such a described pump device 250 with reflux option is of particular advantage. For releasing the cap an axial force is applied to the outer cap 272 relative to the inner cap 274 in the manner already mentioned. The design of the pumping device 250 in such a way that, when the operating unit 230 is displaced further relative to the housing 210, the pressure in the pumping chamber 253 collapses, the actuating unit 230 can be pressed against a stop for the purpose of releasing the cap in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3c by the fully compressed spring 21 1 is formed. Since the liquid pressure in the pump chamber 253 has already collapsed in the state of FIG. 3c and since, moreover, the outlet valve is closed in the state of FIG. 3c, the cap can be removed without undesired leakage.

The type of pump described, which provides for the pressure in the pump chamber 253 to be eliminated at the end of the pump stroke and at least partial return flow of the medium from the pump chamber 253 into the fluid reservoir, is also advantageous because it makes priming possible. With attached cap and thus independent of the position of the outlet valve 257 prevented discharge, by simple or multiple lifting movement of the actuator unit 230 relative to the housing 210 gradually a Um- be achieved rolling of the medium from the pump chamber 253. As a result, air from the pump chamber, which has accumulated here, for example, during prolonged storage or during the manufacture of the dispenser, can escape into the liquid store, so that a complete dispensing operation is possible immediately after the cap has been released.

Fig. 4 shows a section through a two-part cap, which can be used as an alternative to the caps of Fig. 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c in one of these donors use. The peculiarity of the schematically illustrated in Fig. 4 cap, which coincides in terms of the basic shape of the inner cap 274 and the outer cap 272 with the caps of Figures 2a to 3c, lies in the fact that the positive connection between the caps produced not by axial but by radial application of force becomes. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the outer cap 272 and the inner cap 274 have teeth 272d, 274d facing each other. With undeformed outer cap 272, these teeth 272d, 274d are not in engagement with each other, so that a release of the cap is not possible. Only by a radial application of force to the outer cap 274, which is illustrated by the arrows 4, the teeth 272 d, 274 d engage such that a common rotation of the outer cap 272 and the inner cap 274 is possible.

The teeth 272d, 274d are shaped in such a way that they have bevels 272e, 274e which abut each other when the cap with deformed outer cap 274 is unscrewed and, due to their shape, render the teeth sliding against each other more likely. It is therefore for unscrewing the cap a particularly strong application of force in the manner indicated by the arrows 4. Since each opposite to the bevels 272e, 274e approximately radially aligned edges 272f, 274f are provided, which are intended to rest when screwing the cap together this requires a much lower radial force application. FIGS. 5a to 5d show the third variant of the invention. In the case of the illustrated dispenser 300, in turn, only the housing 310 and the actuation unit 330 together with the nosepiece 340 and the discharge opening 342 are shown. The pumping device and the liquid storage again correspond to those in the embodiment of Fig. 1 a and 1 b.

The peculiarity of this third variant of the invention is that the actuating unit 330 is basically rotatable about the axis of rotation 3 relative to the housing 310. In a blocking rotational position, which is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, however, a depression of the actuating unit 330 in the direction 2a is not possible since a blocking web 312 is attached to the housing 310. As can be seen in particular with reference to FIG. 5b, this blocking web 312, together with a corresponding blocking section 336 of the actuating unit 330, prevents the depression of the actuating unit 330 and thus the discharge of the liquid.

However, starting from the locked position of FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, rotation of the actuating unit 330 relative to the housing 310 is initially not possible. As can be seen in particular with reference to FIG. 5b, two locking webs 314 are provided on both sides of the blocking web 312. These extend in the radial direction less far outward than the blocking rib 312. However, they extend with respect to the axial direction 2 further than the blocking rib 312 in the direction 2b and thus initially prevent the rotation of the actuating unit 330 about the axis of rotation. 3

In order to effect an unlocking, it is provided that the user presses on two unlocking surfaces 338 of a circumferential jacket 334 of the actuating unit 330 in the radial direction 4. The jacket 334 thereby deforms into an oval shape, wherein the tion arranged offset by 90 ° blocker portion 336 in the direction of the arrow 6 is moved radially outward.

Although this movement radially outwards is not sufficient to push the blocking section 336 over the blocking web 312 in the direction 2a. The deflection is sufficient, however, to twist the actuator unit 330 as a whole when the jacket 334 is deformed.

Figs. 5c and 5d show the state of the dispenser 300 after this twisting. The blocking section 336 is now offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the blocking web 312 and with respect to the locking webs 314. Starting from the state of FIGS. 5c and 5d, the actuating unit 330 can now be pressed down in the direction of the arrow 2a and thus a liquid discharge be effected.

After the liquid discharge, the dispenser 300 can again be brought into the locked state 5a and 5b. To facilitate this, the locking webs 314 are preferably formed like a ramp, so that starting from the state of Fig. 5c and 5d, a transfer to the state of Figs. 5a and 5b is possible solely by rotating the actuator 330 relative to the housing 310, without it requires a force application of the unlocking surfaces.

Figures 6a to 6e show an alternative embodiment of a dispenser according to the third variant of the invention. The pumping device 350 of this dispenser is configured in the same way as in the dispenser according to FIGS. 3a to 3c.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a to 5 d, it is provided in the dispenser of FIGS. 6 a to 6 e that, starting from the initial position, which is illustrated in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, a discharge process is only possible when the actuation unit 330 is opposite the Housing 310 has been rotated about the axis of rotation 3. Such a rotation about the turning Axis 3 is sufficiently possible, however, only if previously unlocking has taken place. In the locked state of FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, a blocking section 336 provided on a jacket 334 of the actuating unit 330 is arranged beyond a locking web 314 which is provided on the outside of the housing 310. Based on the representation of FIG. 6a, a rotational movement of the actuating unit 330 relative to the housing 310 in the clockwise direction is limited thereby. In the opposite direction, a rotational movement is prevented by subsequently described attacks. However, it could also be a second in the circumferential direction relative to the first locking web 314 spaced second locking web 314 provided for this purpose.

In the locked relative position between the actuation unit 330 and the housing 310, an actuation, ie a displacement of the actuation unit 330 in the direction of the arrow 2a relative to the housing 310, by means of radially outwardly pointing webs 335a on an inner tube 335 of the actuation unit 330 shown in FIG prevented, which rest on a circumferential, but non-continuous, blocking ridge 316 of the housing 310. Stops 316a which have already been mentioned and which, starting from the locked position of FIG. 6a, prevent a rotational movement of the actuating unit 330 relative to the housing 310 in the counterclockwise direction, are also provided on this blocking ridge 316.

In a similar manner as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a to 5 d, a radial application of force must take place in order to unlock the dispenser, which is directed in the direction of the arrows 4. As a result of this radial application of force in the area of gripping surfaces on the casing 334, the blocking section 336, which is offset by approximately 90 ° relative to the gripping surfaces, is pushed outwards in the direction of the arrow 6, so that it then rotates the operating unit 330 relative to the housing 310 about the axis of rotation 3 Clockwise with respect to Fig. 6a allowed. Of the This initially achievable state is that of Fig. 6c, in which the webs 335 in cooperation with the web 316 still prevent a depression of the actuator unit 330 relative to the housing 310. Only when the rotational movement is continued until the state of Fig. 6d is reached, a discharge operation is possible. In this state of Fig. 6d, the webs 335 are arranged on the actuating unit 330 in the region of recesses 316b of the web 316, so that the Abdrückdrücken in the manner illustrated by Fig. 6e is possible and thereby a discharge operation can be caused.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a further embodiment of a dispenser, of which only the housing 310 and the actuation unit 330 together with the nosepiece 340 are shown in the illustrations. All other components are substantially identical to those components of the dispenser of Figs. 6a to 6e. The peculiarity of this embodiment of FIGS. 7 a and 7 b is that the unlocking that is required before the actuator unit 330 can be rotated relative to the housing 310 can not be released by radially compressing the jacket 334. The locking is effected in the embodiment of Fig. 7a and 7b by the inside of the jacket 334 provided webs 337 which abut in the unactuated rest position of the dispenser to an annular stop 313 of the housing. At this annular stopper 313, a locking cam 313 a is further attached, which counteracts the rotation of the actuator unit 330 relative to the housing 310.

The position of the web 337 in the locking position is illustrated in Fig. 7a by dotted lines. In order to achieve unlocking, the actuator unit 330 must be displaced slightly axially in the direction of the arrow 2a relative to the housing 310, with the associated mobility first being limited to a very small distance, preferably less than 2 mm. Only if, according to the dashed representation of the web 337, this unlocking stroke is provided. has been taken, the web 337 can be displaced in the direction of arrow 7 in Fig. 7a, so that in an analogous manner as in Fig. 6d and 6e illustrates the actuator 330 and the housing 310 can be rotated against each other until the discharge stroke is possible , Unlocking is facilitated by a bevel provided on the locking cam 313a.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Dispenser (100) for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids

a housing (1 10),

a discharge opening (142),

a liquid reservoir (120) attached to the housing and

an actuation unit (130) with a finger rest surface (132) which is arranged on the side of the housing (1 10) facing away from the liquid storage (120) and can be displaced relative to the housing (1 10) in an axial direction (2), wherein by means of the actuation unit (130). Liquid originating from the liquid reservoir (120) can be released into a surrounding atmosphere through the discharge opening (142),

characterized in that

An externally accessible ratchet wheel (160) is arranged on the housing (1 10), which can be rotated relative to the housing (1 10) between a blocking rotational position and an actuating rotational position about an axis of rotation parallel to the axial direction, whereby it is in the blocking position Rotary position prevents the discharge of liquid and enables the discharge of liquid in the actuating rotation position.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the ratchet wheel (160) in the blocking rotational position mechanically limits or prevents the displacement of the actuating unit relative to the housing.

3. Dispenser according to claim 2,

characterized in that Blocking sections (136, 164) are provided on the actuating unit (130) and on the ratchet wheel (160), which are arranged in alignment with one another in the blocking rotational position with respect to the axial direction and which are arranged offset from one another in the actuating rotational position.

4. Dispenser (200) for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids

a housing (210),

a liquid storage (220),

a discharge opening (242),

an actuating unit (230) which is displaceable relative to the housing (210) in an axial direction (4) for the purpose of discharging liquid and on which the discharge opening (242) is provided, and

a protective cap (270) which can be attached to the actuation unit (230) in such a way that it covers the discharge opening (242),

characterized in that

an external thread (242) is provided on the actuation unit (230) and a corresponding internal thread is provided on the protective cap (270),

the protective cap (270) has an inner cap (274) and an outer cap (272), the internal thread being provided on the inner cap,

the inner cap (274) and the outer cap (272) can be rotated relative to one another and can be positively coupled by applying axial or radial force to the outer cap (272) in the direction of the inner cap (274) in order to be rotatable together, and the inner cap (274) can be screwed onto the actuating unit (230) to such an extent that the discharge opening (242) can be closed in a sealed manner.

Dispenser (200) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

An extension is provided on the inner cap (274), which engages in the discharge opening when the protective cap (270) is screwed onto the actuating unit (230).

Dispenser (200) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

An annular sealing surface (274d) is provided on an inner end face of the inner cap (274), which comes into annular contact with a surface surrounding the discharge opening (242) when the protective cap (270) is screwed onto the actuating unit (230), with a through the annular sealing surface limited volume (273) beyond the discharge opening (242) with the protective cap (270) in place is a maximum of 100 μΙ, preferably a maximum of 20 μΙ.

Dispenser according to one of claims 4 to 6,

characterized in that

the inner cap (274) has a separate sealing element (278) which comes into contact with the discharge opening (242) or with the surface surrounding the discharge opening (242) when the protective cap (270) is screwed on.

Dispenser according to one of the claims

characterized in that

the dispenser has a piston pump (250; 350) with a pump cylinder (252) and a pump piston (254), which together delimit a pump chamber (253) and which can be relatively displaced from an initial relative position to a final relative position by applying force to the actuating unit (230) for the purpose of discharging liquid while simultaneously reducing a volume of the pump chamber (253), a return flow channel (258) being provided after exceeding an intermediate relative position, the pump chamber (253) connects to the liquid storage.

9. Dispenser (300) for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids

a housing (310),

a discharge opening (342) and

an actuating unit (330) which can be moved relative to the housing (342) in an axial direction (2) for the purpose of discharging liquid and has a finger support surface (332),

characterized in that

the actuating unit (330) can be rotated relative to the housing (310) about an axis of rotation (3) extending in the axial direction (2), wherein the actuating unit (330) cannot be axially displaceable relative to the housing (310) in at least one blocked blocking rotational position and can be displaced axially relative to the housing (310) in at least one unblocked actuating rotational position,

the actuating unit (330) can be locked against rotation in the blocking rotational position on the housing (310) by a locking device (336, 312, 314; 314, 336, 316a; 337, 313a, 316a).

10. Dispenser according to claim 9,

characterized in that the locking device (337, 313a, 316a) is designed to be unlocked by an axial displacement of the actuating unit (330) relative to the housing (310), wherein an axial displacement in the locked state is only possible to an extent that does not result in a discharge process is caused.

1 1. Dispenser according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the locking device (336, 312, 314; 314, 336, 316a) is designed to be unlockable by applying force to an unlocking surface (338) of the actuating unit (330) and thereby causing a radial displacement of a locking section (336) of the actuating unit (330). .

12. Dispenser according to claim 1 1,

characterized in that

the finger support surface (332), the unlocking surface (338) and the locking section (336) are designed as a one-piece component.

13. Dispenser according to claim 1 1 or 12,

characterized in that

the unlocking surface (338) is provided on the outside of a deformable circumferential casing (334) of the actuating unit (330), the locking section (336) preferably being provided on the inside of this casing (334).

14. Dispenser (300) according to claim 13,

characterized in that the locking section (336) is offset in the circumferential direction relative to the unlocking surface (338), so that applying force to the unlocking surface (338) radially inwards causes a deflection of the locking section (336) radially outwards.

Dispenser (100; 200; 300) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the dispenser is designed as a nasal dispenser for the nasal administration of a liquid medium and for this purpose has a nasal olive (140; 240; 340), at the distal end of which the discharge opening (142; 242; 342) is provided, the nasal olive preferably being stationary in relation to the actuating unit ( 130; 230; 330) is provided.