EP2311575A2 - Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has a cap (70) and an operating handle (30) connected with each other such that displacement of the handle is mechanically blocked when the cap is arranged at a protecting position. A blocking member (32) is movably provided opposite to an outer housing (10), where movement of the blocking member is opposite to movement of the handle in the outer housing. The blocking member is extended in an operating condition of the handle through a recess (22) of the outer housing in the cap region, where the cap is arranged at the protecting position in the cap region.

Description

The invention relates to a discharge device for discharging in particular pharmaceutical liquids with an outer housing surrounding a housing, a liquid reservoir, a discharge opening, a conveyor for conveying liquid from the liquid storage to the discharge, a cap which covers the discharge opening in a patch on the outer housing protective position and an actuating handle for actuating the conveyor, which is displaceable relative to the outer housing between an unactuated relative position and an actuated relative position. The cap and the actuating handle cooperate in such a way that a displacement of the actuating handle is mechanically blocked as long as the cap is arranged in its protective position.

Generic discharge devices are known from the prior art. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that an actuation is not possible when the cap is attached. Thus, in particular, the accidental operation is effectively prevented.

A generic discharge device is for example from the EP 1 051 262 B1 known. The discharge device shown and described there comprises two extensions on a cap which extend through recesses of an outer housing of the discharge device into it and in the attached state of the cap block a displacement of the actuating handle at least to the extent that no complete discharge process is possible.

The discharge of the EP 1 051 262 B1 However, despite the anti-actuation effect of the cap, it is not suitable as effective protection against abuse by children because the extensions on the cap prevent the use of a more complex cap type, such as a child-proof screw cap. The danger is therefore great that children successfully loosen the cap from the outer housing or by applying a high force on the actuating handle lift the cap from its protective position and thus can get access to the then liquid pharmaceutical liquid.

Task and solution

The object of the invention is to further develop a generic discharge device that this provides a safer protection against misuse by children and / or allows a more flexible use of cap types.

According to the invention, this is achieved by providing at least one locking member that is displaceable relative to the outer housing, whose movement is forcibly coupled to the outer housing with the movement of the actuating handle, wherein this locking member is at least in the actuated position of the actuating handle extends through a recess of the outer housing in a cap region, in which the cap is arranged in its protective position.

In a design according to the invention, it is accordingly provided that the locking member, which serves for active coupling between the cap and the actuating handle, is not provided on the cap side, but is instead attached to the actuating handle or at least forcibly coupled thereto. After removal of the cap, the locking member thus remains at the then ready for use discharge and is at least partially protected by the outer casing of the discharge from being damaged.

The locking member and the recess in the outer housing, through which the locking member protrudes into the cap portion when the actuating handle is actuated, are adapted to the cap, that the locking member, when the cap is disposed in its protective position, collides with this, as soon as the Actuating handle is actuated and before a complete discharge process can be effected. As a protective position in the context of the invention, the end position of the cap when placed on the outer housing is considered. The recess preferably has a size which is only slightly larger than the cross section of the locking member, since the locking member is preferably only moved through the recess, without having to be movable transversely to the extension direction within the recess.

Due to the fact that the locking member is not provided on the cap, there is no special requirement for the cap. This can thus assume all customary from the prior art designs and in particular also be designed as to be placed by a non-linear movement on the outer housing and removed from it. For example, the cap may be formed as a threaded cap having an internal thread, with it can be screwed onto an external thread on the outer casing of the discharge. Such a threaded cap already represents a considerable hurdle for toddlers and, in particular due to the self-locking of the thread by a considerable application of force to the actuating handle can not be overcome.

The conveyor of a discharge device according to the invention is preferably designed as a pump, which has a pumping chamber, the content of which can be pressurized by a force applied to the actuating handle. The displacement of the actuating handle by the manual application of force is preferably carried out against the force of a return spring. The conveyor and the return spring may be part of a pump dispenser inserted in the discharge device.

It is particularly advantageous if the threaded cap is designed as a safety threaded cap and as such has an inner threaded portion and an externally accessible outer portion, the outer portion being axially rotatable relative to the inner portion for rotationally fixed coupling with the inner portion. As a result, an increased level of security is achieved, which makes it particularly difficult for children and especially infants to discharge medium from the discharge device.

It is furthermore of particular advantage if the blocking member is designed such that it is arranged at least in sections in the recess of the outer housing, both in the actuated and in the unactuated relative position of the actuating handle to the outer housing. As a result, the recess is always closed, so that penetration of dirt is prevented. In particular, is achieved by such a permanent arrangement of the locking member in the recess, which after the introduction of the locking member in the Recess during the assembly process no further insertion operations are required during operation, so that any tilting of the locking member to the recess is not to be feared.

The locking member can be moved indirectly by the actuating handle, for example, to have a deviating from the actuating handle movement speed or a different direction of movement. However, it is considered to be particularly advantageous if the blocking member is attached stationary to actuating handle and this is even integrally formed on a main portion of the actuating handle, since thus a particularly direct effect of the cap is achieved in its protective position on the mobility of the actuating handle. In such designs, the locking member always follows directly the movement of the actuating handle. As soon as the locking member can not be moved further due to an attached cap, the possibility also ends that the actuating handle continues to move, so that a discharge process can not be achieved.

Of particular advantage is further, if two locking members are provided which extend at least in the actuated position of the actuating handle in each case by relative to the discharge opening opposite recesses in the outer housing. This design with two locking members a higher degree of security is achieved. Of particular advantage is a design in which the outer housing relative to the discharge opening opposite each other two finger support surfaces are provided, wherein the finger support surfaces are arranged offset in the circumferential direction to the recesses, preferably offset by 90 °.

The invention further relates to a generic discharge device, wherein it is provided that at least one of the cap is provided in a stripping direction of the cap extending locking extension, which extends in the protective position of the cap by a recess in the outer housing to cause in the interior of the blocking of the mechanical handle. In this case, the barrier extension is adapted to the recess, that starting from the protective position, a complete separation of the cap from the outer housing in the stripping direction is only possible if previously the cap relative to the outer housing relative to an orthogonal plane, which is aligned orthogonal to the peeling, from one of Guard position corresponding blocking position has been moved to a release position.

This design of the invention can thus the design of the aforementioned EP 1 151 262 B1 resemble. In particular, to make it difficult for children to remove the cap and thus the actuation of the actuator, however, it is provided that a removal of the cap by peeling in a preferably the main extension direction of the discharge corresponding stripping direction is not possible without in the course of a displacement transverse to the peeling perform. Thus, it may be provided, for example, that the cap and with it the barrier extension first has to be displaced translationally in a direction lying parallel to the orthogonal plane in order to permit removal in the removal direction only subsequently. The displacement of the cap parallel to the orthogonal plane is understood to mean a displacement in which, in a non-destructive manner, at least all cap parts which are accessible from the outside are displaced together and to the same extent as a whole. However, it may be provided that cap parts which protrude into the outer housing of the discharge device are displaced by deflection to a lesser extent. This will be explained below.

The barrier extension according to this design assumes a dual function according to the invention. He serves the one according to the EP 1 151 262 B1 the blocking of the actuating handle. For another, he is up the recess adapted so that the removal of the cap from the outer housing requires a difficult to be surveyed for children complex movement.

Particularly preferred is a design in which the barrier extension has a main portion which is aligned in the locking position of the cap with respect to the removal direction with the recess, and attached to the locking extension, preferably integrally formed, undercut portion which related in the blocking position of the cap on the removal direction not aligned with the recess. Thus, an undercut section is provided on the barrier extension, which forms an undercut together with the outer housing or stationary sections, which precludes the pure removal of the cap in the withdrawal direction without movement of the cap in the orthogonal plane. Only when the undercut paragraph is aligned with the recess, a removal of the cap is possible.

Particularly advantageous is a design in which a Kraftbeaufschlagungsmittel is provided, in particular a resilient Kraftbeaufschlagungsmittel, which exerts a displacement of the cap from the locking position in the release position opposite counterforce on the cap. This in particular prevents the cap from becoming self-acting, i. For example, by acting on the entire discharge device forces in the movement of the discharge, relocated to their release position and then to open in a simple way even by a child. Such drag is a serious obstacle for a toddler to remove the cap from the outer housing.

It is particularly preferred if the force-applying means is provided as an elastically deflectable web which is attached either to the outer housing or stationary thereto or else to the cap. From It is particularly advantageous if the force application means is provided as elastically deflectable web on the locking extension of the cap. This deflectable web is elastically deflected in a displacement of the cap from the locking position in the release position, in particular by a stationary outer housing to the opposite section. However, it is also conceivable that the stationary attached counter section is elastically imaginable. Such a design with an elastically deflectable web is particularly easy to produce, since it requires no separate components for this.

Particularly advantageous is a design in which the cap and the outer housing are adapted to each other in such a way that a displacement of the cap from the locked position into the release position is only possible if the cap has been displaced from the protective position initially in stripping direction. This can be achieved for example by the shape of the barrier extension or else by other form-fitting a displacement counteracting portions of the cap on the one hand and the outer housing on the other. Advantage of this design is that it is particularly difficult for a child, especially a toddler to see through, when a cap in three different phases of motion must first be moved while retaining their blocking position in stripping, then spent in the orthogonal plane in the release position before a continued shift in withdrawal direction is possible. Preferably, the cap has to be moved relative to the outer housing by at least 2 mm, preferably by at least 4 mm, while maintaining the blocking position, in order subsequently to be movable in the orthogonal plane and thus brought into the release position. Since the lifting of the cap by the mentioned 2 mm or 4 mm already leads to a limited mobility of the actuating handle with respect to the outer housing, it is considered preferable if this displacement distance is dimensioned such that that a displacement of the actuating handle from its unactuated state by this distance still causes no discharge.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention a plurality of locking extensions are provided on the cap, which is associated with a respective recess on the outer housing. It is preferred that the locking projections are each adapted to the associated recesses, that by turning the cap about a parallel to the withdrawal axis of rotation all the locking extensions relative to the respective recesses from their locking position are displaced into their release position. Such a configuration can be achieved, for example, in that undercut sections on the locking extensions extend in the opposite direction in the case of two locking projections which are arranged on opposite sides of the discharge opening on the cap. Thus, it can be achieved by a rotational movement for the transfer of the cap from the locking position in the release position at the same time for all undercut sections that they are aligned with the respective recesses, so that the removal of the cap is then possible. A rotational movement is above all advantageous because it can be done in the same direction, preferably viewed from the cap in a clockwise direction, regardless of how a patient keeps the discharge straight.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer ersten Ausführungs- form einer erfindungsgemäßen Austragvorrichtung der Erfindung,

Fig. 2a bis 2c

die Austragvorrichtung der Fig. 1 in einem gesicherten Zustand, einem ungesicherten unbetätigtem Zustand und einem betätigtem Zustand,

Fig. 3

eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemä- ßen Austragvorrichtung,

Fig. 4a bis 4d

die Austragvorrichtungen der Fig. 3 in verschiedenen Stadien vom gesicherten Zustand bis zum entsicher- ten Nutzzustand.

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

Fig. 1

an exploded view of a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention of the invention,

Fig. 2a to 2c

the discharge of the Fig. 1 in a secured state, an unsecured unactuated state and an actuated state,

Fig. 3

A second embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention,

Fig. 4a to 4d

the discharge of the Fig. 3 in various stages from the secured state to the unlocked state of use.

Detailed description of the embodiments

The Fig. 1 and 2a to 2c show a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention.

This will first be analyzed with regard to your subcomponents Fig. 1 and 2a explained. The discharge device according to the invention has a housing 10, which consists of two firmly connected to each other sections 12, 14. In this housing, an actuating portion 30, consisting of two mutually stationary in operation sections 30a, 30b, slidably disposed in the direction of an arrow 2. The actuating handle 30 has an approximately cup-shaped shape and accommodates a pump dispenser 50, which has a liquid reservoir 52, a pumping device 54 and a fluid reservoir 52 displaceable outlet port 56 in a manner not shown. The pumping device 54 is adapted to be displaced by a relative displacement of the outlet nozzle 56 against the Force to be actuated in the direction of the liquid reservoir 52 provided in the pump dispenser return stroke. The outlet port 56 is inserted into an extension piece 16, which is integrally formed on the housing 10. Within the extension piece 16, a liquid channel 18 which leads to a discharge opening 20 extends.

The discharge device is designed such that by means of a manual application of force caused displacement of the actuating handle 30 and thus the liquid reservoir 52 of the pump dispenser 50 relative to the housing 10 and thus the housing 10 fixed fixed outlet nozzle 56 a discharge process is achieved. As a result of the progressive displacement of the actuating handle, a pumping chamber in the pump dispenser 50 is continuously compressed, so that fluid is forced out of the pumping chamber in the direction of the outlet connection 56. The discharged through the outlet port 56 liquid flows into the channel 18 and is thus conveyed to the discharge opening 20.

As in particular from the representation of Fig. 1 and the Fig. 2a Left side, are shown, two extensions 32 are integrally mounted on the actuating portion 30, which extend in the direction of recesses 22 of the housing 10. In the secured state of Fig. 2a as well as in the unlocked and unactuated state of Fig. 2b these projections 32 do not protrude beyond the recesses 22 to the outside.

To secure the discharge of the Fig. 1 and 2a to 2c a safety cap 70 is provided. This is designed as a screw cap and has for this purpose an internal thread 72, which is designed to cooperate with an external thread 24 provided on the housing 10.

The internal thread 72 is provided on an inner component 74 of the cap 70. The inner component is not directly accessible from the outside, but shielded by an outer member 76. This outer component 76 is displaceable in the direction of the arrow 4 relative to the inner component 74. On the end face 75 of the inner member 74 and the corresponding inner side 78 of the outer member 76 positively co-operating projections and recesses are mounted, which cause a positive engagement with force of the outer member 76 in the direction of the inner member 74 through which the two components 74, 76 are rotatably connected to each other , so that by rotating the outer member 76 about the axis defined by the arrow 4 and the inner member 74 can be rotated and the cap 70 can thus be unscrewed in its entirety from the external thread 24 of the housing 10.

The inner component 74 has on its side facing the housing 10 a circumferential securing flange 77. This comes in the secured state of Fig. 2a To the concern on the surface of the housing 10. In this case, the flange is shaped so that it in the protective position of the cap 70 of Fig. 2a is arranged directly above the recesses 22.

This causes in the in Fig. 2a illustrated protective position of the cap 70 is a movement of the actuating portion 30 in the direction of the arrow 2a with respect to the housing 10 is blocked. A displacement of the actuating portion 30 is thereby prevented that in the course of such a displacement, the extensions 32 with the cap 70, more precisely with the securing flange 77, collide. When attached cap 70 thus no discharge operation is to effect.

Only when the cap 70 has been unscrewed and thereby the state of Fig. 2b achieved, it is possible by a force application of the actuating portion 30 in the direction of the arrow 2a to shift the actuating portion 30 relative to the housing 10, so that in this way a discharge process is achieved in the manner described above, so a spray 8 is carried out through the discharge opening 20. Like the left illustration of the Fig. 2c shows, during the Austragvorgangs the locking members 32 are pushed up out of the recesses 22, which is possible due to the removed cap 70 unhindered.

The Fig. 3 and 4a to 4d show a second embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention. First, this is based on the representations of the Fig. 3 and 4a the basic structure of the second embodiment of the discharge illustrated.

Like the first embodiment described above, the second discharge device also has a housing 110, in which an actuating section 130 is displaceably mounted in the direction of the arrow 102a. Furthermore, the housing 110 likewise has a discharge opening 120, which can be connected to a media store 152 via a connecting channel 118. The promotion takes place deviating from the design of the Fig. 1 not by means of a piston pump, but by the liquid storage 152 is displaced by the actuating portion 130 and with the interposition of an intermediate piece 160 in the direction of arrow 102a upwards, whereby thereby a fixed to the discharge opening 120 provided hollow needle pierces through a plug 158 of the liquid storage 152 and continued Displacement of the liquid reservoir 152 of the plugs 158 reduces the volume of the liquid storage reduced 152 and thereby causes the discharge operation through the discharge port 120.

As with the design of the Fig. 1 and 2 has the discharge of the Fig. 3 and 4a to 4d a cap 170 formed therefor is to cooperate with the actuating portion 130 such that when the protective cap 170 is in its mounted protective position, a discharge operation can not be effected. To achieve this, two locking extensions 172 are attached to the cap 170, to each of which corresponding recesses 122 are provided on the housing 110. In Fig. 2a the recess defining portions of the housing are shown highlighted in the left side view. These locking projections extend with their lower end to the actuating handle 130 and thus hinder a displacement of the actuating handle in the state of Fig. 2a , in which the cap is arranged in its protective position.

How the particular Fig. 3 can be seen, the locking extensions 172 have a main portion 174, the width of which is not greater than the width of the recesses 122 and which is attached to the cap 170 so that it in the protective position of the cap with the respective associated recess 122 in the housing 110th flees. At the main portion 174, a recess 174a is laterally provided. Due to the eccentric arrangement of this recess 174a, it divides the main section 174 into a main bar 174b, which is barely deformable due to its width, and a narrow spring bar 174c. On the main web 174b, an undercut portion 176 is laterally formed, which is not aligned in the protective position of the cap 170 on the housing 110 with the corresponding recess 122, as will be explained below.

Again Fig. 3 can be seen, both barrier extensions 172 are designed according to the above description. However, they are each aligned with respect to a main axis 101 so that in a plan view, the undercut portions 176 each rise in the counterclockwise direction over the main sections.

An additional safeguard against removal of the cap 170 is provided by mirror-image mounted lateral recesses 124 on the housing 110, in which protrude with the cap 170 attached to the cap 170 and inwardly facing projections 178 protrude. The extensions 178 can be moved out of the depressions 124 by pressing the short sides 170a of the cap 170 toward each other, so that the long sides 170b and thus also the projections 178 escape outward.

The Fig. 4a to 4d illustrate the aggravation caused by the locking projections 172 when removing the cap 170, which prevents children, especially infants, from being able to deduct the cap successfully.

Fig. 4a shows a starting position in which the cap 170 is in its mounted protective position on the housing 110. An immediate removal of the cap 170 from this initial position in the direction of the arrow 2a is not possible because the undercut portion 176 rests in this state on a housing-fixed portion 122a at the edge of the recess 122.

A removal of the cap 170 is only possible if the undercut portions 176 were displaced transversely to the stripping 102a relative to the housing-fixed portion 122a in the direction of the arrow 106a. For this purpose, the cap 170 is rotated substantially as a whole in a clockwise direction about the main axis 101. During torsion, the extensions 178 move on the cap 170 within the recesses 124 of the housing, but do not leave the recesses 124 in the process.

As it turned out Fig. 4b results, the rotation of the cap 170 about the axis 102 is possible only against a counter force. This is done by a Elastic deformation of the web 174c is effected when this against a receiving opening, based on the Fig. 4a to 4d Right side limiting portion 122 b, is pressed.

If this twisted state of Fig. 4b is reached, with simultaneous application of force to the short sides 170a and thus effected lifting out of the extensions 178 from the recesses 124 of the rear portion 176 on the left-side portion 122a of the recess 122 are passed and the cap 170 thus substantially in stripping 102a while turning back relative to the housing 110 are removed. This is in the Fig. 4c and 4d clarified. After removing the cap 170, the discharge can be done in the manner described above.

Claims (12)

Discharge device for discharging liquids with an outer housing (10, 110) surrounding an inner space, a liquid reservoir (52; 152), a discharge opening (20; 120), - a conveyor (54) for conveying liquid from the liquid storage (52, 152) to the discharge opening (20, 120), - A cap (70; 170), which covers the discharge opening (20; 120) in a protective position placed on the outer housing (10; - an actuating handle (30, 130) for actuating the conveyor (54) which is displaceable relative to the outer housing (10, 110) between an unactuated relative position and an actuated relative position,
in which the cap (70; 170) and the actuating handle (30; 130) cooperate in such a way that a displacement of the actuating handle (30; 130) is mechanically blocked when the cap (70; 170) is arranged in its protective position, characterized in that
at least one against the outer housing displaceable locking member (32) is provided, whose movement relative to the outer housing (10) is positively coupled with the movement of the actuating handle (30), said locking member (32) at least in the actuated position of the actuating handle (30) a recess (22) of the outer housing (10) extends into a cap region, in which the cap (70) is arranged in its protective position. Discharge device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the cap (70) is designed as a threaded cap (70), in particular as a safety threaded cap (70) with an internally threaded portion (74) and an externally accessible outer portion (76) axially fixed to the inner portion for rotationally fixed coupling Inner portion (72) is displaceable. Discharge device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the locking member is designed such that it is arranged at least partially in the recess of the outer housing both in the actuated and in the unactuated relative position of the actuating handle. Discharge device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the locking member (32) is integrally formed on a main portion (30b) of the actuating handle (30). Discharge device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
two locking members (32) are provided which extend at least in the actuated position of the actuating handle (30) by relative to the discharge opening opposite recesses (22) in the outer housing (10). Discharge device according to claim 5,
characterized in that
on the outer housing (10) relative to the discharge opening opposite each other two finger support surfaces are provided, wherein the finger support surfaces are arranged circumferentially offset from the recesses (22), preferably offset by 90 °. Discharge device according to the preamble of claim 1,
characterized in that
on the cap (170) at least one in a stripping direction (102a) of the cap (170) extending the locking extension (172) is provided, which extends in the protective position of the cap (170) through a recess (122) in the outer housing (110) in order to effect the blocking of the mechanical handle (130) in the interior, wherein the locking extension (172) is adapted to the recess (122) such that, starting from the protective position, a complete separation of the cap (170) from the outer housing (110) Abziehrichtung (102 a) is only possible if previously the cap (170) relative to the outer housing (110) relative to an orthogonal plane which is aligned orthogonal to the peeling (2a), was shifted from a protective position corresponding blocking position in a release position. Discharge device according to claim 7,
characterized in that - The locking extension (172) has a main portion (174) which is in the blocking position of the cap (170) in the withdrawal direction (2a) aligned with the recess, and - A Hinterscheidungsabschnitt (176) is provided on the locking extension (172), which in the blocking position of the cap (170) in the removal direction (2a) relative to the recess (122) is not aligned. Discharge device according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that
a force-applying means (174c) is provided, in particular a resilient force-applying means (174c), which is a displacement of the cap (170) from the locking position in the release layer opposite counterforce on the cap (170) exerts. Discharge device according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the force-applying means (174c) is provided as elastically deflectable web (174c) on the cap (170), in particular on the locking extension (172) of the cap (170), which in the displacement of the cap (170) from the locked position to the release position a stationary to the outer housing counter portion (122b) is elastically deflected. Discharge device according to one of claims 7 to 10,
characterized in that
the cap and the outer housing are adapted to each other in such a way that a displacement of the cap from the locking position into the release position is only possible if the cap has been displaced initially starting from the protective position in the stripping direction. Discharge device according to one of claims 7 to 11,
characterized in that
a plurality of locking extensions (172) on the cap (170) are provided, each associated with a recess (122) on the outer housing (110), wherein the locking extensions (172) are each adapted to the associated recess, that by turning the cap ( 170) about a pull-off direction (102a) parallel to the axis of rotation (101) all the locking extensions (172) relative to the recesses (122) from its locking position into its release position are displaced.

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