EP1616631A2 - Dosing dispenser for fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has an applicator, which has a metering opening, having a pump device, which has a pump which can move in the axial direction relative to one another in order to deliver medium out of a reservoir to the metering opening. A metering chamber has an inlet valve which has a manually operable actuator, which is operatively connected to the pump in order to achieve a pump stroke. A spring accumulator is pre-stressed by movement of the actuator and released by a triggering unit as a function of an actuating stroke of the actuating device in order to enable a metering stroke of the pump device to be carried out. The pump has a buffer chamber which, in the event of an actuating stroke, receives a metered volume from the metering chamber and out of which the metered volume is discharged to the metering opening during a metering stroke. The volume of the buffer chamber can be changed by a metering piston, to which the spring accumulator is operatively connected. The metering chamber is configured as an annular chamber of variable volume which coaxially surrounds the buffer chamber. The spring accumulator is arranged axially between the metering opening and the reservoir.

Description

The invention relates to a metering device for media with an applicator having at least one metering opening, with a pumping device having axially movable pump parts relative to each other to achieve a medium delivery from a medium storage to the metering, with a metering chamber, with an inlet valve, with a manually operable actuator, which is in operative connection with the pumping means to achieve a pumping stroke, as well as a spring accumulator which is biased by a movement of the actuator and releasable by a release unit depending on a Betätigungshub the actuator to perform a Dosierhub the pumping device can ,

Such a metering device is known from DE 102 20 557 A1. Duch the known metering results in a user-independent function by the medium discharge is not dependent on the operating force of the operator, but only by the spring force of the spring accumulator. The actuation stroke caused by the operator merely serves to preload the spring accumulator. The trip unit releases the spring accumulator, in particular after completion of the effective actuation stroke, so that the metering stroke can cause the pumping device for discharging the medium from the metering opening. The pump device including the corresponding pump parts and the spring accumulator and a return spring arrangement are housed in a housing portion of the metering device, which protrudes into the medium reservoir.

The object of the invention is to provide a metering device of the type mentioned, which allows a compact and with respect to a related to their pumping axis length a relatively short design.

This object is achieved in that the pumping device comprises a buffer chamber, which receives a metering volume from the metering chamber during an actuating stroke, and from which the metering volume is discharged to the metering opening during a metering stroke. Preferably, the buffer chamber has only one chamber opening, which forms both an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the metering volume. During an actuating stroke, the metering volume from the metering chamber is thus initially transported into the buffer chamber. In a subsequent Dosierhub the medium is conveyed out again by appropriate reversal of the flow direction from the chamber opening of the buffer chamber and discharged via the metering. The solution according to the invention is particularly suitable for metering devices which are used for pharmaceutical or cosmetic purposes. The metering device according to the invention is used in particular for dispensing liquid or flowable media such as gels, foams, suspensions and the like. Preferably, the metering device is suitable for nasal applications. Other embodiments provide other types of applications.

In an embodiment of the invention, the buffer chamber is volume changeable by a metering piston, with which the spring accumulator in operative connection stands. The metering piston serves to dispense the metered medium volume in the direction of the metering opening.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the metering chamber is designed as a variable-volume annulus, which surrounds the buffer chamber coaxially. This is a particularly space-saving variant.

The problem underlying the invention is also achieved in that the spring accumulator is arranged axially between the metering and a media storage. This makes it possible to set up the metering device on the medium storage and still achieve a user-independent dosage.

The problem underlying the invention is for the metering device of the type mentioned above, wherein the actuating device and / or the pumping device is associated with a return spring arrangement for returning the pump parts to a starting position, also solved in that the spring accumulator and the return spring arrangement are at least partially coaxially superimposed , The coaxial superimposed arrangement of spring and return spring arrangement allows a relatively short design of the metering without the corresponding spring functions are impaired.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a ventilation device for the medium reservoir is assigned to a housing part of the dosing device which can be connected to the medium reservoir. This allows a constant atmospheric pressure in the medium storage.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the spring accumulator and the return spring arrangement are formed by a common coil spring. The coil spring is in their spring characteristic so on the different Feather functions tuned that they can take over both the function of the spring accumulator and the return spring assembly. In addition, the coil spring is also supported on the corresponding pump components of the pumping device in a suitable manner in order to achieve the desired functions can.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the common coil spring also includes a spring function for closing an outlet valve in the region of the metering opening. As a result, the coil spring takes over another spring function and is tuned in their spring characteristic and their design according to this triple function.

In a further embodiment of the invention, all the spring elements including spring storage, return spring arrangement and closing spring for the outlet valve are arranged outside the flow path of the medium. This is particularly advantageous if the spring elements are made of metal. An impairment of the properties of the medium by the spring elements can be excluded thereby.

According to the invention, in a metering device for media with an applicator for a medium discharge, with a pumping device having axially movable pump parts relative to each other to achieve a medium delivery from a medium storage to a metering of the applicator, as well as provided with the media storage ventilation device that the ventilation device is designed as a ventilation valve in the form of a lip seal, which encloses a ring-shaped outside in the medium reservoir in the intake manifold. As a result, a desired pressure equalization of the medium storage is achieved with appropriate actuation or Dosierhüben the metering device. In addition, there is an improved water vapor barrier in the presence of a filter to reduce the Durchtrittrate the filter.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the intake manifold on an annular shoulder, which forms a valve seat, and the annular lip seal has a radially projecting to the pump axis sealing sleeve, which includes a conically tapered sealing surface on the inside. As a result, a particularly simple and yet reliable ventilation valve is achieved. The ventilation valve in the form of the annular lip seal is preferably an integral part of a sealing ring between the metering device and the medium reservoir.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the annular shoulder forms a rectangular stepped shoulder, abuts the circumferential tapered edge of the conical tapered sealing surface at an acute angle. As a result, an almost linear contact between the valve seat serving as a stepped shoulder and serving as a valve disc sealing surface is created.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved for the metering device of the type mentioned above in that the release unit is designed as an outlet valve, which is provided for a temporary closure of one of the metering chamber associated with the metering medium channel connected to the pumping device. The exhaust valve thus has the task of releasing the actuation energy contained in the prestressed spring accumulator upon reaching a predeterminable energy level and, in synchronism with this, allowing the medium pressurized in the metering chamber to flow out into the medium channel in the direction of the metering opening. By this synchronization function designed as an outlet valve trip unit allows a medium discharge from the metering chamber, which takes place precisely in a constructive predetermined position of the pumping device and thereby ensures that requirements with regard to a spray strength and / or atomization of the discharged medium exactly reached can be. The medium channel at least temporarily closed by the outlet valve can open directly into the metering opening or be temporarily closed by a metering valve which, in addition to the outlet valve, enables control of the medium to be discharged and thereby contributes to an advantageous discharge process.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the outlet valve is formed from a metering chamber associated dosing and a movable relative to the metering pump plunger. In this way, a medium channel provided in the pump plunger and connected to the metering opening can be closed in the metering chamber until reaching a medium pressure in the metering chamber which is dependent on an actuation path and the spring force of the spring accumulator of the pump device. The dosing may be arranged in the metering chamber and are in operative connection with the pump tappet that he also allows a path-dependent release of the spring accumulator. This can be achieved by a dosing of the dosing is carried out so that a medium flow through the medium channel is made possible only when a Mindestbetätigungsweges.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a ventilation device is provided, which comprises a vent valve in the form of a lip seal, which surrounds a projecting into the medium reservoir intake manifold outside annularly. As a result, a desired pressure equalization of the medium storage is achieved with appropriate actuation or Dosierhüben the metering device. In addition, there is an improved water vapor barrier in the presence of a filter to reduce the Durchtrittrate the filter.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the outlet valve has a valve body and a spring device associated with the valve body on, which is designed for the application of a valve closing force. The valve body, which may in particular have an at least partially conical or spherical shape, forms a closable valve gap together with a valve seat assigned to the pump device. The valve gap allows in an open position an outflow of the medium into the medium channel. In order to prevent the medium from flowing off even at a small pressure difference between metering chamber and medium channel, a spring device is associated with the valve body, which presses the valve body into a closed position with the valve seat. This allows a displacement of the valve body in the open position and a release of the valve gap only when a predeterminable pressure levels in the metering chamber is exceeded. The constructive design of the outlet valve ensures a minimum pressure level for the outflow of the medium from the metering chamber. As a result, a predeterminable pressure level for the medium between the medium channel and surrounding is also given at the metering opening, so that the medium can be discharged in the desired manner, in particular sprayed.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the spring device is designed as a compression spring. Thus, an advantageous and compact structural design of the pumping device and the associated valve device with the valve body and the spring device can be ensured. In a preferred embodiment, the spring device is designed as a plastic compression spring, which can be produced in particular as a plastic injection molded part at low production costs. Due to the inert properties of the plastic material, the plastic compression spring can also be easily arranged in the medium channel, without causing adverse effects on the medium to be discharged, such as corrosion phenomena. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring device is designed as a plastic pressure spring designed as one piece with the valve body.

Thus, a particularly advantageous design of the valve body and the spring device can be selected, since they can be matched to each other in a favorable manner. Furthermore, can be achieved by a one-piece design, an advantageous mounting of the valve body with the spring device on the exhaust valve.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the medium channel opens frontally from one of the pumping device associated pump plunger in the metering chamber and the valve body is received for the closure of the frontal mouth of the medium channel in the pump plunger. By such an arrangement of the medium channel in the pump plunger, a particularly slim design of the pumping device can be ensured, since the pump plunger is provided for a sliding bearing of a sealing collar and thereby in any case has a particular cylindrical contour. In the slim contour of the pump plunger, the medium channel and the outlet valve can be arranged without taking up additional space. By an end-side arrangement of the mouth of the medium channel in the pump tappet, a particularly advantageous inflow of the pressurized in the metering chamber by the pump tappet or the associated sealing sleeve medium into the medium channel can be ensured. Furthermore, the end-side arrangement of the mouth of the medium channel on the pump tappet allows alignment of the outlet valve in the direction of a central longitudinal axis of the pump tappet, which also corresponds to a direction of movement of the pump tappet in the metering chamber for compression of the medium.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the valve body on a projection which projects in a rest position of the exhaust valve on one of the metering chamber facing end side of the pump plunger out into the metering chamber and the opposite for an operative connection with one of the end face of the pump plunger wall portion of Dosing is provided. This can be realized in a simple manner, a path-controlled actuation of the exhaust valve and thus a release of the spring device. The pump plunger, which is moved during the pumping operation in the direction of its central longitudinal axis in the metering chamber, in this movement approaches an opposite wall portion of the metering chamber. The protrusion provided on the valve body of the outlet valve can thus come into contact with the wall section of the metering chamber during this approach and, with further movement of the pump plunger, permit a displacement of the valve body from the valve seat. As a result, the valve gap is opened, through which the pressurized medium which has flowed into the metering chamber can flow out into the medium channel. Since the outlet valve is directly actuated by the contact with the wall portion of the metering chamber by the user applied to the pumping means operating force, the spring means of the outlet valve can be designed so that the outlet valve does not open solely by the set in the metering chamber under pressure medium. Rather, a reliable closure of the medium channel is ensured by the exhaust valve to the impact of the projection on the wall portion of the metering chamber.
In a further embodiment of the invention, an inlet valve assigned to the dosing chamber is designed as a diaphragm valve for a closure of a medium channel connected to the medium reservoir. By a diaphragm valve, which can be designed in particular as a flat sealing plate of flexible material, a particularly compact and easy to manufacture inlet valve can be realized. Such a diaphragm valve ensures a reliable closure of the metering chamber in the direction of a medium channel connected to the medium reservoir. In addition, the diaphragm valve allows a substantially planar design of a wall portion opposite the pump tappet, so that the function of the exhaust valve with respect to the operative connection between the valve body and wall section can be ensured.

Fig. 1

zeigt in einer Schnittdarstellung eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Dosiervorrichtung in unbelasteter Ausgangslage,

Fig. 2

die Dosiervorrichtung nach Fig. 1 kurz vor Beendigung eines Betätigungshubes,

Fig. 3

die Dosiervorrichtung nach den Fig. 1 und 2 nach Beendigung eines Austragvorganges,

Fig. 4

in einer Schnittdarstellung eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Dosiervorrichtung in unbelasteter Ausgangslage,

Fig. 5

die Dosiervorrichtung nach Fig. 4 kurz vor Beginn des Austragvorganges,

Fig. 6

die Dosiervorrichtung nach den Fig. 4 und 5 nach Beendigung des Austragvorganges,

Fig. 7

die Dosiervorrichtung nach den Fig. 4 bis 6 mit Verschlussdeckel und Betätigungssperre,

Fig. 8

eine Dosiervorrichtung ähnlich Fig. 7, jedoch mit einem modifizierten Belüftungsventil für einen Mediumspeicher,

Fig. 9

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Dosiervorrichtung in unbelasteter Ausgangslage,

Fig. 10

die Dosiervorrichtung nach Fig. 9 kurz vor einem Austragvorgang und

Fig. 11

die Dosiervorrichtung nach den Fig. 9 und 10 nach Beendigung des Austragvorgangs,

Fig. 12

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Dosiervorrichtung mit einem federvorbelasteten Aulöseventil in unbelasteter Ausgangslage,

Fig. 13

die Dosiervorrichtung nach Fig. 12 kurz vor einem Austragvorgang und

Fig. 14

die Dosiervorrichtung nach den Fig. 12 und 13 nach Beendigung des Austragvorgangs

Fig. 15

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Dosiervorrichtung gemäß der Fig. 12 bis 14 mit einer Ringlippendichtung.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated by the drawings.

Fig. 1

shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a metering device according to the invention in unloaded starting position,

Fig. 2

the metering device according to FIG. 1 shortly before the end of an actuating stroke,

Fig. 3

the metering device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 after completion of a discharge process,

Fig. 4

in a sectional view of another embodiment of a metering device according to the invention in unloaded starting position,

Fig. 5

the metering device according to FIG. 4 shortly before the start of the discharge process,

Fig. 6

the metering device according to FIGS. 4 and 5 after completion of the discharge process,

Fig. 7

the metering device according to FIGS. 4 to 6 with closure lid and actuating lock,

Fig. 8

a metering device similar to FIG. 7, but with a modified venting valve for a medium reservoir,

Fig. 9

a further embodiment of a metering device according to the invention in an unloaded starting position,

Fig. 10

the metering device of FIG. 9 just before a discharge and

Fig. 11

the metering device according to FIGS. 9 and 10 after the end of the discharge process,

Fig. 12

A further embodiment of a metering device according to the invention with a spring-loaded release valve in unloaded starting position,

Fig. 13

the metering device of FIG. 12 just before a discharge and

Fig. 14

the metering device according to FIGS. 12 and 13 after completion of the discharge process

Fig. 15

a modified embodiment of the metering device according to FIGS. 12 to 14 with a ring lip seal.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 shows a metering device 1, which can be screwed by means of a closure part 2 on a medium storage, not shown. The closure part 2 is designed like a cap and coaxially surrounds a base region 3 of the metering device 1, the base region 3 of the metering device 1 extending upward along a pump axis P. The base portion 3 is designed sleeve-like and has a lower annular shoulder, a Ventilation filter 22 carries and positively held between a support shoulder of the closure part 2 and a sealing ring 19 in the screwed on the medium reservoir position of the closure part 2 is held. The vent filter 22 is designed as a germ filter to allow germ-free ventilation of the medium storage. The for a pressure equalization after a medium discharge in the medium storage by the ventilation filter 22 inflowing, gaseous medium is filtered germ-free.

A nose applicator 4 serves as a housing for a pump device described in more detail below and has a dome-like design. At an upper end face of the nose applicator 4, a metering opening 8 is provided, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a spray nozzle. The nose applicator 4 is connected by combined positive and non-positive connection - in this case by pressing in conjunction with a Ringrastprofilierung - fixed to an intermediate sleeve 5, which is guided by means of guide webs 11 coaxially with the pump axis P limited to the base portion 3 linearly movable. The guide webs 11 have latching lugs, which interact with corresponding stop areas of the base area 3. An upper stop area is formed by an annular shoulder 12, a lower stop area by an unspecified, radially projecting and circumferential projection.

On the intermediate sleeve 5, a finger rest 10 is fixed, which is axially movable together with the intermediate sleeve 5 and the nose applicator 4.

Coaxially within the base region 3, a cylinder sleeve 9 is fixed, which is preferably also held by pressing force fit in the sleeve-shaped portion of the base portion 3. The cylinder sleeve 9 projects beyond the base region 3 upwards and into the nasal applicator 4. In the cylinder sleeve 9, a metering piston 23 is guided longitudinally displaceably, which is supported circumferentially close to an inner wall of the cylinder sleeve 9 in the manner of a sealing sleeve. The metering piston 23 is pressurized by a spring accumulator 17 in the direction of the closure part 2 and thus according to the embodiment shown below. The spring accumulator 17 is designed in the illustrated embodiment as a helical spring which is supported on the one hand on the metering piston 23 and on the other hand on a guide member 6 which is fixedly arranged in the nose applicator 4. The spring memory 17 also serves as a return spring for resetting the nose applicator and the finger rest in an upper starting position after a pumping stroke was done. The fixed arrangement is effected by a locking of the guide member 6 in the nose applicator 4 according to the recognizable with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 locking profiles.

In a lower region, the base region 3 has an unspecified intake manifold, which forms an intake passage for the pumping device, optionally with the aid of a flexible intake hose inserted from below, in order to convey medium from the medium reservoir into the pumping device. The intake passage is closable in an upper front end region of the intake manifold by a check valve, which is designed as a ball valve 25 in the illustrated embodiment. In non-illustrated embodiments, other types of check valves are provided. The ball valve 25 is associated with a safety cage 24 which is integrally formed on a lower end region of the cylinder sleeve 9. The safety cage 24 is designed so that it allows opening of the ball valve 25, but at the same time forms a captive for the ball valve 25.

The guide member 6 forms in its lower end region a sealing jacket, which encloses an outer jacket of the cylinder sleeve 9 tight. At the top, the guide part 6 forms a further annular jacket which tightly encloses a cylinder section of an outlet valve 7. The outlet valve 7 is axially movably guided by means of the annular jacket in the guide part 6 and serves to close and open the metering opening 8, in this case the spray nozzle. The exhaust valve 7 is spring-loaded in the closing direction by an unspecified return spring, which is designed as a helical spring. The return spring is disposed within the exhaust valve 7 and thus does not come into contact with the medium. Further details can be taken from the drawings.

Between an outer cylinder wall of the cylinder sleeve 9 and a cylindrical inner wall of the intermediate sleeve 5 a metering chamber is formed in the manner of an annular space, which is limited axially upwards by a sealing sleeve 13. The sealing collar 13 is positively fixed between a stepped shoulder of the nose applicator 4 and an upper end edge of the intermediate sleeve 5 and is sealingly nestled against the outside cylinder wall of the cylinder sleeve 9. At its lower edge region, the sealing collar 13 has a circumferential sealing lip 14, which achieves the sealing effect with the cylinder sleeve 9. The sealing lip 14 is designed elastically yielding. Moreover, an inner jacket of the sealing collar 13 is designed with a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the cylinder wall of the cylinder sleeve 9, so that with radial elastic deflection of the sealing lip 14, a narrow, medium-guiding annular gap between the sealing sleeve 13 and cylinder sleeve 9 can be formed.

Down the metering chamber is limited by a further sealing sleeve 15, which between an upper annular shoulder of the base portion 3 immediately above the stop shoulder 12 and the cylinder sleeve 9 - in this case by frictional jamming - fixed.

Starting from a lower end edge of the cylinder sleeve 9, a plurality of axially extending longitudinal grooves 16 are provided in the outer cylinder wall of the cylinder sleeve, which begin at a lower end edge and extend up to the outwardly projecting part of the lower sealing sleeve 15. Through these longitudinal grooves 16 flow paths from the inlet port and the ball valve 25 are formed to the metering chamber.

In a manner not shown in a non-illustrated embodiment outside of the base portion 3 in a cavity 18 of the closure part 2, a return spring is supported, the nose applicator 4 and the finger rest 10 in an upper initial position analogue Fig. 1 resets or holds in this starting position. At the top, this return spring is supported on the finger rest 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, this function assumes a return spring of the spring accumulator 17, which thus has a double function.

Above the upper sealing collar 13, flow paths 26 are formed toward the metering opening 8. The flow paths extend between an outer contour of the guide part 6 and an inner wall of the nose applicator 4 up to the outlet valve 7.

In order to allow a pressure equalization in the medium storage, not shown, after a medium discharge, on the one hand provided with the filter 22 ventilation opening in the base region 3 is provided. On the other hand, between an outside annular shoulder of the inlet nozzle and an annular sealing lip extension of the sealing ring 19 formed a vent valve that works like a hose valve. The sealing lip extension 20 has a conical - axially from top to bottom - tapered inner contour which rests in unloaded initial position on the annular shoulder 21 of the inlet nozzle. Further details can be taken from the drawings according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The pumping device of the metering device 1 thus comprises on the one hand in particular the metering chamber between the lower sealing collar 15 and the upper sealing collar 13, the longitudinal grooves 16, the flow paths 26, the outlet valve 7, the inlet valve 25, the cylinder sleeve 9, the metering piston 23 and one below the Metering piston 23 formed buffer chamber.

The operation of the dosing device 1 is as follows:

After screwing the closure part 2 on the medium storage takes place at start-up of the metering device 1, first, a so-called priming. In this case as long medium is pumped into the flow paths of the metering device 1 by a plurality of pumping operations until the air in the metering device 1 is completely escaped within the flow paths. A pumping stroke is generated by pushing down the finger rest 10, whereby the entire nose applicator 4 including the guide member 6 and the intermediate sleeve 5 are moved axially downwards. The provision of the finger rest 10 and the other moving parts of the metering device is achieved by the spring accumulator 17. By several pump strokes inevitably escapes the air in the metering device through the metering 8 upwards, and the metering chamber between the lower sealing sleeve 15 and the upper sealing sleeve 14 is filled.

Once the priming is completed, a desired medium dosage can take place. In the present case is as a medium a pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquid. After completion of the priming this liquid is shown in FIG. 1 both in the described metering chamber, as well as in the flow paths 26 to the metering 8 and in the flow channels formed by the longitudinal grooves 16 and in a lower end edge region of the cylinder sleeve. 9 in the vicinity of the ball valve 25th

As soon as a pressure load is exerted downward on the finger rest 10, the dosing chamber is compressed by moving the nose applicator 4 including the upper sealing collar 13 downwards. The sealing collar 13 acts as a thrust piston. Since the liquid is incompressible, it deviates downwards over the longitudinal grooves 16 and is pressed into a buffer chamber from below inside the cylinder sleeve 9, which is bounded above by the metering piston 23 acting as a buffer piston. The spring force of the spring accumulator 17 is dimensioned such that the spring accumulator 17 can escape at a corresponding actuation stroke of the finger rest 10 by enlarging the buffer chamber upwards. The stroke of the upper sealing collar 13 from the starting position of FIG. 1 to the region according to FIG. 2, to which the sealing lip 14 of the upper sealing collar 13 arrives at an upper edge of the longitudinal grooves 16, serves as dosing. As soon as the sealing lip 14 has passed over the upper edge or the upper end edge of the longitudinal grooves 16, radial flow forces of the liquid acting on the sealing lip 14 starting from the longitudinal grooves 16 can act, which press the sealing lip 14 radially outward. As a result, the annular gap between the upper sealing collar 13 and the outer cylindrical surface of the cylinder sleeve 9 is released (FIG. 3), so that the liquid can escape upwards into the flow channels 26. The driving over the upper end edges of the longitudinal grooves 16 through the sealing lip 14 thus forms the triggering operation for the prestressed spring memory 17. This can relax again by the decaying pressure in the buffer chamber, whereby the metering piston 23 is pushed back into its lower starting position. The liquid in the buffer chamber is conveyed via the longitudinal grooves 16 and the annular gap between the cylinder sleeve 9 and the sealing collar 13 into the flow channels 26, whereby the media pressure within the flow channels 26 is necessarily increased. The increased medium pressure leads to an opening of the outlet valve 7, so that a corresponding spraying process can take place through the metering opening 8 designed as a spray nozzle to the outside. The corresponding metering or spraying takes place independently of the pressure force and acceleration or speed of the operating stroke of the operator exclusively by the compression spring force of the spring accumulator 17. The metering volume is formed by the filled volume of the buffer chamber, which necessarily corresponds to the metering volume of the metering chamber. After the metering piston 23 is moved to emptying the buffer chamber back to its lower starting position, the discharge process is completed. The exhaust valve 7 closes by the restoring force of its return spring. As soon as the operator removes the pressure load on the finger rest 10, the spring accumulator 17 presses the finger rest 10 and the nasal applicator 4 back into the initial position according to FIG. 1, whereby the upper sealing cuff 13 with its sealing lip 14 is also moved back axially into the sealing state ,

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 - as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 - by a metering device 1 a likewise a user-independent metering achieved. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 14 described below, an outlet valve is provided in the metering chamber. In the metering devices 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, the outlet valve has a fixedly provided in the metering dosing, while in the metering device 12 to 14 a spring-loaded valve body is provided in a medium channel of a pump plunger according to FIGS.

The metering device 1a has a closure part 2a, which can be fixed in a manner not shown on a medium storage. A base region 3a is fastened in a form-fitting manner on the medium reservoir by the closure part 2a. The base portion 3a has a ventilation opening for the medium storage, which is acted upon by a filter not specified. Below the base region, a sealing ring 19a is arranged, which is recessed in the region of the ventilation filter in such a way that it allows permanent ventilation of the medium reservoir.

A lower section of the base region 3a facing the medium reservoir is provided with an intake stub, in which a flexible intake hose is inserted from below. The intake manifold has a check valve in the form of a ball valve 25a, which is secured upwardly by a cage portion of a metering spigot 27, which has the function of a control pin for the metering control.

The base portion 3a has a coaxial with the pump axis upwardly projecting cylinder portion. The metering pin 27 is fixedly disposed within the base portion 3a and projects coaxially to the pump axis upwards. The metering pin 27 is rotationally symmetrical only in its upper end region. Down to the front end region then it is recessed eccentrically to form a metering edge 28.

A nose applicator 4a together with a guide sleeve 5a and the finger rest 10a is guided axially movably relative to the cylinder portion of the base region 3a. An axial stroke of the finger rest 10a and the nose applicator 4a relative to the cylinder portion of the base portion 3a is limited by latching profiles on guide webs 11a and corresponding guide grooves on the cylinder portion of the base portion 3a. The nose applicator 4a has an inner part 29 fixedly arranged in the nose applicator 4a, which is hollow-cylindrical in a lower region and serves as an axial guide for an outlet valve 7a in an upper region. The exhaust valve 7a is analogous to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 provided with an integrated return spring. The metering opening 8a is also carried out according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 as a spray nozzle. The metering device 1 a serves - as the metering device 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 - for discharging a liquid medium in the form of a pharmaceutical or a cosmetic liquid. Flow channels 26a are formed in the inner part 29 in order to be able to convey the liquid to be discharged through the interior of the inner part 29 to the outlet valve 7a. The course of the flow paths 26a and the design of the hollow chamber can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. 4 to 6 can also be seen that the inner part 29 is not made in one piece, but rather consists of a hollow cylindrical lower portion and an upper guide and support area, which are firmly connected to each other in particular by pressing. Details on this are the drawings according to FIGS. 4 to 6 can be removed.

On the outer jacket of the hollow cylinder portion of the inner part 29, a sealing collar 32 is guided longitudinally displaceable, which is sealed on the inside with the hollow cylindrical portion of the inner part 29. On the outside, the sealing collar 32 is applied circumferentially tight on the inner wall of the cylinder portion of the base portion 3a. The sealing collar 32 serves - as will be described in more detail below - as metering piston for discharging the liquid medium from the metering opening 8a. The sealing collar 32 is pressurized by a spring accumulator 17a down, wherein the spring accumulator 17a as coaxial with the hollow cylindrical portion of the inner part 29 surrounding coil spring is trained. The spring accumulator 17a is supported on the top of the inner part 29 from.

Coaxially outside the spring accumulator 17a, a further helical compression spring 30 is arranged coaxially superimposed on the spring accumulator 17a as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The helical compression spring 30 serves as a return spring for the nose applicator 4a and the finger rest 10a and is supported at the top on the inner part 29 and at the bottom on an annular shoulder of the base region 3a (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

The metering pin 28 protrudes in the mounted starting position of the metering device 1 a in the hollow chamber of the hollow cylindrical portion of the inner part 29 from below into it. The hollow chamber is - seen axially - provided with two cylinder sections with different diameters. A lower, lower cylinder section merges in the region of a stepped shoulder 31 into an upper, larger cylinder section. The upper end face region of the dosing pin 27 forms a piston section that terminates tightly with the lower cylinder section of the hollow chamber of the inner part 29.

The operation of the metering device 1a according to FIGS. 4 to 6 is as follows:

Also in the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6, priming analogously to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 must be carried out after initial startup in order to allow air to escape from the flow paths of the metering device in one or more pumping strokes and to allow liquid medium to be conveyed , Once the priming is completed, all flow paths within the metering device 1 a are filled with liquid medium. If now, in the starting position according to FIG. 4, an operator by applying a pressure force the finger rest 10 a and the nose applicator 4 a relative to the closure part 2a moves downwardly, the hollow cylindrical portion of the inner part 29 inevitably moves relative to the fixed dosing 27 also down. Due to the medium pressure already present in the metering chamber below the sealing collar 32, the sealing collar 32 remains in its initial position according to FIGS. 4 and 5 until the metering edge 28 passes over the stepped shoulder 31 within the hollow chamber of the inner part 29 (corresponds approximately to the position shown in FIG. 5). As soon as the metering edge 28 has passed over the stepped shoulder 31, liquid medium can escape from the metering chamber into the hollow chamber and up to the flow paths 26a, whereby the liquid medium already in these flow paths 26a and in the region of the outlet valve 7a must be displaced. This can take place exclusively in that the outlet valve 7a is placed down against the spring force of its return spring under pressure, whereby it opens and the liquid medium can escape via the metering opening 8a designed as a spray nozzle into the environment. A medium discharge takes place exclusively by the compression spring force of the spring accumulator 17a, since with release of the flow path in the region of the metering edge 28 and the stepped shoulder 31, the medium pressure in the metering chamber is lower and consequently the spring force of the spring accumulator 17a, the sealing sleeve 32 to the end position of FIG .. 6 can push down. The previously tensioned spring accumulator thus relaxes. With the striking of the sealing collar 32 at the bottom region of the metering chamber, the discharge process is completed. An escape of the liquid in the medium storage is not possible because the ball valve 25a prevents backflow into the medium reservoir. This also applies to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Now, as soon as the operator removes the pressure from the finger rest 10a, the return spring 30, the nasal applicator 4a including finger rest 10a back to its original position upwards Reset. In this case, the inner part 29 is inevitably moved upward with it. A lower end edge region of the inner part 29 is provided with an unspecified, integrally formed driving plate, which engages axially and / or radially positively with the sealing sleeve 32 and this takes against the pressure force of the spring memory 17a with upwards. By retracting the sealing collar 32 is formed in the metering chamber, which inevitably increases its volume again, a negative pressure, which leads to an opening of the ball valve 25a and to a Nachfördern liquid from the medium reservoir. As soon as the nasal applicator 4a and the finger rest 10a have arrived in their upper end position limited by latching profiling of the guide ribs 11a, the starting position of the dosing device 1a is again achieved as shown in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 7, the metering device 1 a according to FIGS. 4 to 6 is shown in a not yet put into operation, but already mounted ready for use rest position. Here, a protective cap 33 is placed on the nose applicator, which is releasably latched by means of a latching edge 34 on a circumferential latching shoulder 35 of the finger rest 10a. The closure part is associated with an actuation lock 36 which blocks an axial stroke of the finger rest 10a at least in an effective region. The actuation lock 36 also allows the assembly of the snap housing 2a with already mounted finger rest 10a.

The metering device 1b according to FIG. 8 substantially corresponds to the metering device 1a described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. The only difference is that here in the region of the closure part, a disc-like sealing ring 19b is provided, which is provided according to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 with an integrally formed sealing lip extension 20b. The sealing lip extension 20b, together with an annular shoulder 21b of the intake manifold, forms a ventilation valve which functions in the manner of a hose valve. The Detailed embodiment of the sealing lip extension 20b and the annular shoulder 21b corresponds to the analogous embodiment of the metering device 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3, so that reference is made to this for a more detailed explanation. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the annular shoulder 21 b forms an approximately rectangular support edge on which an acute sealing surface of the inner contour of the sealing lip extension 20b rests at an acute angle. The sealing lip extension 20b is elastically yielding radially outwardly and axially downwards and, in the unloaded initial position, returns to the sealing closed position according to FIG. The axial end face of the annular shoulder 21 b is very sensitive to pressure differences and thus opens very easily.

The dosing device 1c according to FIGS. 9 to 11 corresponds essentially to the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6 with respect to its functional structure. The essential difference is that here the entire pumping device protrudes downwards from the closure part 2c and thus into a corresponding one Mediumspeicher protrudes. For a better understanding functionally identical parts of the metering device 1 c are provided with the same reference numerals as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 7, but with the addition of the letter c. The dosing device 1c is not intended exclusively for a nasal application, but can also be used for a differently designed application. In addition, the metering device 1c is provided in particular for the application of non-liquid, but flowable media such as gels, foams, suspensions and the like. Accordingly, the component provided with the reference numeral 4c does not necessarily already constitute an applicator with a corresponding metering opening, but may form an intermediate part, onto which a suitable applicator for the respective desired application is placed. The base portion 3c here forms the housing of the pumping device and immersed in the assembled state in the medium storage. The operation corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6, so that the disclosure the operation of the metering device 1 a can be referenced. Also in the metering device 1c according to FIGS. 9 to 11, the spring accumulator 17c and the return spring 30c for the pumping device are superposed coaxially on each other. Movable pump part is the component 4c, which is set in a suitable manner from above, preferably by an applicator head, not shown, under pressure and allows the previously described operation.

The metering device 1d according to FIGS. 12 to 14 essentially corresponds to the metering device 1a described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In contrast to the metering device described therein, a pump plunger 40 provided with an outlet valve 43 is provided in the metering device 1d according to FIGS. 12 to 14. The pump tappet 40 is constructed from a filling piece 41 and the hollow-cylindrical inner part 29d fitted onto a sleeve-shaped section of the filling piece 41 and has a medium channel designed as a flow channel 26d for discharging the medium from the metering chamber 42. The filling piece 41 is received in the nose applicator 4d and serves as a repository for the outlet valve 7d. While the outlet valve 7d at least temporarily separates the medium channel from the metering opening 8d, the outlet valve 43, which is designed as a triggering device for the spring accumulator 17, is provided on an end region of the pump tappet 40 facing the metering chamber 42. The outlet valve 43, which is designed as a one-piece arrangement of a plastic compression spring portion 44 and a valve body 45, forms a temporarily closable valve opening with a valve seat 46 provided in the pump tappet 40. For actuation of the outlet valve 43, the valve body 45 projects beyond an end face of the pump tappet 40 with a projection 48 into the metering chamber 42.

As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the outlet valve 43 is pressed by the plastic compression spring portion 44, which is supported on the sleeve-shaped extension of the filler 41 in the valve seat 46 and thus closes the medium channel even with increase in pressure on the medium in the Dosing 42 reliable. However, since with increasing actuation force of the pump plunger in the direction of a central longitudinal axis 47 of the pumping device is moved to the medium storage, not shown, projecting into the metering chamber 42 projection 48 of the valve body 45 can impinge on a bottom portion 49 of the metering chamber. A further approach of the pump plunger 40 to the bottom portion 49 of the metering chamber 42 leads to a pushing back of the valve body 45 against the closing force of the plastic compression spring portion 44. As a result, an annular valve gap is formed between the valve seat 46 and the valve body 45, which is an outflow of the medium from the metering chamber 42 allows in the direction of the flow channels 26d.

Only by pushing the valve body 45 back out of the valve seat 46 is the actuation energy stored in the spring accumulator 17d by elastic deformation of the spring windings released, so that the sealing collar 32d can be displaced along the sliding guide formed by the inner part 29d in the direction of the bottom section 49 and thus the in the metering chamber 42 trapped medium in the flow channels 26 d pressed.

The plastic compression spring portion 44 is designed as a substantially cylindrical sleeve and has orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis 47 introduced slots, which ensure flexibility in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 47 and thus allow a spring action. Since the exhaust valve 43 formed of the plastic compression spring portion 44 and the valve body 45 is located directly in the medium channel, is a one-piece design of a plastic material advantageous because suitable plastic materials are inert to the medium and cause no unwanted change in the medium.

As the inlet valve 25d, a diaphragm valve made of a flexible plate is provided in the metering device according to FIGS. 12 to 14, which closes a medium channel connected to the medium reservoir (not shown) when an overpressure is established during a compression phase of the spring device 17d.

The metering device 1 e according to FIG. 15 corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 12 to 14, with the difference that ventilation of the medium reservoir is realized by means of a lip seal. Reference is made to the description of FIG. 8 for the function of the annular lip seal.

In an embodiment of the invention, not shown, the valve body is designed separately from the plastic compression spring portion, wherein the plastic compression spring portion is formed as a helical spring, whereby a modified valve characteristic can be realized.

Claims (20)

Dosing device for media with an applicator (4) having at least one metering opening (8), with a pumping device having axially movable pump parts relative to each other to achieve a medium delivery from a medium storage to the metering, with a metering chamber, with an inlet valve (25), with a manually operable actuator (10), which communicates with the pump means for achieving a pumping stroke in operative connection, and with a spring accumulator (17) by a movement of the actuating device prestressed and by a triggering unit depending on a Betätigungshub the actuator is releasable to perform a Dosierhub the pumping device,
characterized in that
the pumping device comprises a buffer chamber which receives a metering volume from the metering chamber during an actuating stroke and from which the metering volume is discharged to the metering opening (8) during a metering stroke. Dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the buffer chamber by a metering piston (23) is volume variable, with which the spring accumulator (17) is in operative connection. Dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering chamber is designed as a variable-volume annulus, which surrounds the buffer chamber coaxially. Dosing device according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the spring accumulator (17, 17a, 17b) is arranged axially between the metering orifice (8, 8a, 8b) and a medium reservoir. Dosing device according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the actuating device (10a, 10b, 10c) and / or the pumping means is associated with a return spring arrangement (30, 30c) for returning the pump parts to a starting position, characterized in that the spring accumulator (17a, 17c) and the return spring arrangement (30, 30c) are at least partially arranged coaxially superimposed. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ventilation device (20, 20b, 21, 21b, 22) for the medium reservoir is associated with a housing part (3, 3a) of the dosing device (1, 1a, 1b) which can be connected to the medium reservoir. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring store and the return spring arrangement are formed by a common helical spring. Dosing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the common helical spring also comprises a spring function for closing an outlet valve in the region of the metering opening. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the spring elements including spring storage, return spring arrangement and closing spring for the outlet valve are arranged outside the flow path of the medium. Metering device for media with an applicator for a medium discharge, with a pumping device having axially movable pump parts relative to each other to achieve a medium delivery from a medium storage to a metering of the applicator, as well as with a medium storage associated ventilation device, characterized in that the ventilation device a ventilation valve (20, 21, 20b, 21b) in the form of a ring lip seal, which encloses an outside in the form of a ring-shaped suction nozzle projecting into the medium reservoir. Dosing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the intake manifold has an annular shoulder (21, 21b) which forms a valve seat, and in that the annular lip seal has a sealing collar (20, 20b) projecting in particular radially to the pump axis, which has a conically tapered sealing surface on the inside , Dosing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the annular shoulder (21, 21b) forms a rectangular stepped shoulder, at the peripheral edge of which the conically tapered sealing surface of the sealing collar (20, 20b) abuts at an acute angle. Dosing device for media with an applicator (4) having at least one metering opening (8), with a pumping device having axially movable pump parts relative to each other to achieve a medium delivery from a medium storage to the metering, with a metering chamber, with an inlet valve (25), with a manually operable actuator (10) connected to the pump means to achieve a pumping stroke is in operative connection, as well as with a spring memory (17) which can be biased by a movement of the actuating device and is releasable by a triggering unit depending on an actuating stroke of the actuating device in order to perform a Dosierhub the pumping device,
characterized in that
the trip unit is designed as an outlet valve (43) which is provided on the pump device for a temporary closure of one of the dosing chamber (42) associated with the metering port associated medium channel (26). Dosing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the outlet valve is formed from a metering chamber associated dosing (27a) and a relative to the metering movable pump plunger. Dosing device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a ventilation device is provided, which comprises a vent valve in the form of a lip seal, which surrounds a projecting into the medium reservoir intake manifold outside annular. Dosing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the outlet valve has a valve body (45) and a valve body associated spring means (44) which is designed for the application of a valve closing force. Dosing device according to claim 16, characterized in that the spring device is designed as a compression spring, preferably as a plastic compression spring, in particular designed as one piece with the valve body plastic pressure spring. Dosing device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the medium channel at the front side of one of the pumping means associated pump plunger (40) opens into the metering chamber and the valve body is accommodated for the closure of the frontal mouth of the medium channel in the pump plunger. Dosing device according to claim 18, characterized in that the valve body has a projection (48) which protrudes in a rest position of the outlet over a dosing chamber facing the end of the pump plunger out into the metering chamber and for operative connection with one of the end face of the pump plunger opposite wall portion (49) of the metering chamber is provided. Dosing device according to claim 13, characterized in that one of the metering chamber associated inlet valve is designed as a diaphragm valve (25d) for a closure of a medium channel connected to the medium reservoir.

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