Patent Publication Number: US-11390435-B2

Title: Liquid dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a divisional of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 15/592,909, filed May 11, 2017, which claims priority from German Application No. 10 2016 210 992.8, filed Jun. 20, 2016, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     SCOPE AND PRIOR ART 
     The cap bodies of liquid dispensers according to the invention have a ventilation opening so that, after they have been operated for the first time, an air exchange between the interior of the cap body and a surrounding atmosphere is possible. 
     DE 10 2013 226 250 A1 already discloses closing a ventilation opening in the cap body with an adhesive strip or an injection-moulded pull-off tab, which are removed during the course of the initial operation. 
     OBJECT AND ACHIEVEMENT 
     The object of the invention is to create a possibility which is favourable from a production point of view to ensure that no contamination passes to the discharge opening through the ventilation opening prior to the initial operation. 
     According to a first variant of the invention, a liquid dispenser according to the invention is realized as explained below. The liquid dispenser has a discharge head on which a discharge opening is provided, as well as a cap with a cap body which is fittable on the discharge head and is removable from the same and which, in the fitted state, covers the discharge opening. Said cap body has the named ventilation opening which connects a surrounding atmosphere to an interior of the cap body such that, once the liquid dispenser has been used for the first time and the cap body is fitted, the discharge opening, which is covered by the cap body, is able to dry off as a result of the connection to the surrounding atmosphere. 
     In addition, the cap has an injection-moulded pull-off portion which, in the delivery state, covers the ventilation opening and is connected to the cap body by way of a substance-to-substance bond, as well as a tamper-evident portion, which, with the dispenser in the delivery state, prevents the cap body from being detached until the tamper-evident portion has been removed from the cap body. According to the invention, the cap has a segment which is detachable as one unit from the cap body and includes said tamper-evident portion and the pull-off portion. 
     The cap, which is provided in the case of said first variant, accordingly has the named cap body, which is fittable on the discharge head so as to be re-usable in the intended manner and is held thereon in the fitted state in a positive locking or non-positive locking manner, as well as the segment which is detachable from said cap body and includes at least the tamper-evident portion and the pull-off portion. The tamper-evident portion, which is preferably designed in the form of a circumferential tamper-evident band which is injection moulded on the cap body in the delivery state, indicates that the dispenser has not yet been used as the cap cannot be detached until the tamper-evident portion has been detached. 
     The ventilation opening is a breakthrough in the cap body which, in the case said first variant of the invention, is preferably arranged in the lateral surface of the cap body. The pull-off portion closes said ventilation opening in the delivery state and is preferably integrally connected to an edge of the ventilation opening in a circumferential manner, the material, preferably a soft plastics material, being particularly thin in the connecting region between the cap body and the pull-off portion in order to facilitate the separation. 
     Designing the pull-off portion, which covers the ventilation opening in the delivery state, and the tamper-evident portion in a joint manner ensures that when the liquid dispenser is used for the first time in the intended manner, the pull-off portion is separated from the cap body and, in this connection, releases the ventilation opening. The risk of a user separating the detachable segment from the cap body only in the region of the tamper-evident portion, but leaving it untouched in the region of the ventilation opening is slight. 
     The detachable segment can have a free connecting portion, which is not integrally moulded on the cap body, between the pull-off portion and the tamper-evident portion. 
     The free connecting portion, which connects the pull-off portion and the tamper-evident portion together, allows the ventilation opening to be arranged at a comparatively large spacing from the tamper-evident portion. In addition, the proper manner in which the dispenser is used for the first time is very easily grasped as a result. The free connecting portion makes it immediately obvious that the pull-off portion and the tamper-evident portion are linked such that the user, even when using a dispenser according to the invention for the first time in the intended manner, notices how the initial operation is to be effected as a result of detaching the tamper-evident portion and the pull-off portion. 
     The detachable segment can have a grip portion which is attached in such a manner on the detachable segment that an application of force on the grip portion away from the cap body causes the pull-off portion to separate from the cap body first of all and only then the tamper-evident portion to separate from the cap body. 
     The grip portion is a portion of the segment which is detachable from the cap body, which portion is suitable to be gripped, in particular, by the thumb and forefinger. In particular, the grip portion can be recognizable as the grip portion by its shape and by a surface of preferably at least 8 mm×8 mm. In addition, fluting or the like can also be provided in order to illustrate the method of operation. The detachable segment is gripped in the intended manner by the user at said grip portion and then is used to separate the detachable segment as a result of applying force to the cap body. By the grip portion being arranged closer to the pull-off portion than to the tamper-evident portion, the ventilation opening is opened first of all and only then is the tamper-evident portion detached. As a result, a user is effectively prevented from wrongly separating only the tamper-evident portion, then leaving, however, the segment, which is fully detachable from the cap body, on the cap body in the region of the pull-off portion and consequently not opening the ventilation opening. 
     The grip portion can be realized as a flatly extended portion. The grip portion is then preferably connected to the pull-off portion by means of a spacer portion which is at least 1 mm long and is aligned orthogonally with respect to the gripper portion. 
     In the case of said design, it is provided that the flat grip portion forms a shell which is on the outside with respect to the pull-off portion and is connected to said pull-off portion by means of the named spacer portion which is preferably rigid in such a manner that a tilting movement of the grip portion causes an almost identical tilting movement of the pull-off portion. As a result, opening the ventilation opening is simple. As a result of a tilting movement at the grip portion, the connecting region between the cap body and the pull-off portion begins to tear in the desired manner such that complete separation of the pull-off portion is then easily possible. 
     The pull-off portion is preferably connected by way of a substance-to-substance bond to an inside edge of the ventilation opening in a circumferential manner along a separation line. The separation line comprises a shape which runs to a point on one side. 
     A pointed shape is to be understood as the separation line between the pull-off portion and the surrounding wall of the cap body forming an acute angle at the point where the separation between the pull-off portion and the cap body is to be effected in the correct manner. At the point, the separation line comprises a very small radius of curvature such that the tearing starts as it were at one point. This facilitates the separation. 
     According to a second variant of the invention, a liquid dispenser according to the invention is realized as explained below. The liquid dispenser also has a discharge head on which a discharge opening is provided, as well as a cap with a cap body which is fittable on the discharge head and is removable from the same and which, in the fitted state, covers the discharge opening. Said cap body has the named ventilation opening which connects a surrounding atmosphere to an interior of the cap body such that, once the liquid dispenser has been used for the first time and the cap body is fitted, the discharge opening, which is covered by the cap, is able to dry off as a result of the connection to the surrounding atmosphere. 
     The ventilation opening is provided with a filter membrane for filtering the air which flows through it. The cap body comprises two part-bodies which together form a receiving space for the filter membrane. 
     In the case of said second variant of the invention, its unique feature is that the cap body is assembled from two part-bodies, between which the named filter membrane is arranged. In principle, it can additionally be provided that the ventilation opening, in which the filter membrane is provided, is additionally closed prior to the first operation, for example by means of a pull-off portion of the type described above. Where a filter membrane is present, it is also possible, however, to dispense with such a closure as the ingress of contaminants is effectively prevented by means of the filter membrane. Said filter membrane preferably comprises an average pore diameter of between 0.1 μm and 0.3 μm for this purpose. From a manufacturing point of view, the two part-bodies create an advantageous option for providing a comparatively large-surface membrane on the cap body in an automated production process. 
     It is particularly advantageous when the first part-body forms a cap main body with a lateral surface and an end face with a first breakthrough. The second part-body can then be realized as a ring body which is fastenable on the first part-body in a circumferential manner and comprises a second breakthrough which is in alignment with the first breakthrough. 
     In this connection, a first option of the design provides that the two part-bodies are manufactured separately and are connected together by means of a non-positive locking or in particular positive locking coupling, the membrane being placed between them and preferably clamped in that position. 
     An alternative design provides that the part-bodies are connected together by way of a substance-to-substance bond. In this connection, one variant, in particular, is deemed to be advantageous where, within the framework of the manufacturing process, the first part-body, which forms the cap main body, is produced first of all by means of injection moulding, the membrane is then placed into the mould and then the second part-body is injection moulded onto the first part-body. During said injection moulding process, part of the membrane surface has to be kept free of plastics material. Where the membrane is covered by plastics material as intended during the injection moulding process, an inside join between the second part-body and the membrane is formed, as a result of which a path which surrounds the membrane, through which bacteria or other contaminants could ingress, is effectively prevented from remaining open. 
     The first breakthrough can have an inside structure which divides the breakthrough into several part breakthroughs and on which the filter membrane rests. 
     The inside structure can be, for example, grid-shaped or spoke-like. In particular, in the case of the design described where the membrane is inserted once the first part-body has been injected, it is advantageous when the named inside structure is present so that the filter membrane retains its position during the injection moulding and, in particular, so that it is possible to prevent the filter membrane being completely covered by a mould-side displacement body which, for this purpose, is pressed against the membrane which, in turn, is supported on said inside structure. In addition, said inside structure is also advantageous during the use of the product as it prevents the filter membrane from being pressed inadvertently into the cap as a result of the application of force. 
     For forming the receiving space, the two part-bodies comprise surfaces which point to one another, between which is arranged the filter membrane which, in this case, is supported on both sides by the surfaces. 
     The surfaces which point to one another on the two part-bodies preferably form, in particular, a circumferential chamber which is open on one side and in which the edge region of the membrane is inserted. As already mentioned, during the injection moulding of the second part-body, the surface which is provided on its side can form an inside connection to the membrane, which results in particularly good sealing. 
     Resiliently deflectable portions, which are resiliently deflected as a result of being assembled with the filter membrane or with the other part-body and bring about a holding force in the direction of the filter membrane, can be provided on one of the part-bodies. 
     The named resiliently deflectable portions can be deflected and consequently tensioned by means of the inserted filter membrane during the production of the cap such that, once the second part-body has been added, they push the membrane against said second part-body and consequently secure the position of the filter membrane in an additional manner. 
     The caps according to the two described variants are preferably produced from plastics material, for example from polypropylene or polyethylene. 
     The design of the dispenser is basically flexible. It can be a dispenser with a pump or a switchable outlet valve, by means of which previously pressurized liquid is able to be discharged in a targeted manner. Especially advantageous, however, is a design with a squeeze bottle as a liquid reservoir. In the case of such a design, it is preferably additionally provided that an outlet valve which opens in dependence on pressure is provided in the discharge head, said outlet valve only opening when the pressurization of the liquid, in particular in the squeeze bottle, is sufficient and consequently allowing liquid to be discharged. 
     The cap according to the invention can additionally be used with dispensers with different discharge characteristics, thus, for example, in the case of spray dispensers. Provided in particular, however, is use in the case of dropper dispensers, as such dropper dispensers have a drop-forming surface surrounding the discharge opening, on which drop-forming surface the discharged liquid collects in an intended manner before the drop is released. Precisely in the case such dispensers, it is advantageous to enable drying off after use as a result of a cap with a ventilation opening. 
     A dispenser according to the invention can be realized, in particular, as a dropper dispenser for delivering eye drops. 
     The term liquid dispenser within the meaning of said invention includes both dispensers for low-viscosity liquids similar to water and dispensers for high-viscosity, more paste-like liquids. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and aspects of the invention are produced from the claims and from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention which are explained below by way of the Figures. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a first exemplary embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention in the delivery state. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the cap of the dispenser according to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in the course of transferring the dispenser into the useful state. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the dispenser of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in the useful state. 
         FIG. 4  shows a second exemplary embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C and 6A and 6B  illustrate the design of the cap of the dispenser of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A to 3B  show a first exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispenser according to the invention. 
     In this case,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show the liquid dispenser  10  in the delivery state. The liquid dispenser  10  has a liquid reservoir  12 , which is realized as a squeeze bottle, and a discharge head  20  which is fitted thereon with a discharge opening  22  which is not shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  and is protected by a cap body  40 . Said cap body  40  is part of a cap  30  which, in the delivery state, additionally includes a detachable segment  60  which is to be detached from the cap body  40  for the purposes of the initial operation of the liquid dispenser  10 . Said detachable segment  60  includes a circumferential tamper-evident portion  64  in the form of a ring which is connected in connecting regions  64 A,  64 B on one side to the cap body  40  and on the other side to a ring-shaped holding portion  24  which is fastened on the discharge head  20 . Said tamper-evident portion  64  prevents removal of the cap body  40  from the discharge head  20  initially in the delivery state. 
     Over and above this, the detachable segment  60  has a pull-off portion  62 , which closes a ventilation opening  42  and, to this end, is connected integrally to the lateral surface of the cap body  40  along a circumferential separating line  43 . The plastics material of the cap  30  is designed in a very thin manner in the region of said separating line such that a tear line is produced here. 
     The pull-off portion  62  and the tamper-evident portion  64  are connected together by means of a connecting portion  66 , in the region of which the detachable segment  60  is not connected to the lateral surface  40 A of the cap body  40 . The connecting portion  66  is designed in a comparatively thick-walled manner just as a grip portion  68  such that when the detachable segment  60  is handled in the correct manner no substantial deformation occurs. 
     For the first operation of the dispenser the detachable segment  60  is gripped in the region of the grip portion  68  and tilted in the direction of the arrow  2 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the effect this has first of all is that the pull-off portion  62  releases the ventilation opening  42 . This is promoted by a rigidly realized spacer portion  70  which brings about a comparative high lever force, by means of which the connection between the pull-off portion and the lateral surface is detached in the tapered left-hand region of the ventilation opening with reference to  FIG. 2B . It is then possible to remove the pull-off portion  62  completely from the ventilation opening using a small amount of force. As the detachable segment  60  continues to move, the tamper-evident portion  64  is detached from the holding portion  24  and from the cap body  40  such that the cap body  40  is then removed and is able to be refitted once the dispenser has been used. The discharge head  20  and the cap body  40  are matched to one another in such a manner that the cap holds in a non-positive locking manner on the discharge head. 
       FIG. 4  shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, said second exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment only in the design of the cap  30 . The liquid dispenser  12  and the discharge head  20 , in contrast, are identical to the previously described exemplary embodiment. 
     As already indicated in  FIG. 4 , the cap  30  here consists of two part-bodies  46 ,  48 , between which a filter membrane  80  is arranged. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the design in section. The part-body  46  forms the cap main body with a lateral surface  46 A and an end face  46 B, over which an inside structure  46 D extends, in which breakthroughs  46 C are provided for the purposes of ventilation. The filter membrane  80  is positioned, and in a preferred manner the second part-body  48 , which is designed in a ring-shaped manner and has a breakthrough  48 C, is fitted on said end face and the inside structure  46 D. The filter membrane  80  is effectively fixed in position, in this case, as a result of resiliently deflectable claw-like elements  46 F. In addition, its edge is clamped in the manner shown in  FIG. 6B  in a circumferential receiving space  82  which is formed by the two part-bodies  46 ,  48 . The different stages during the production of the cap  30  are illustrated by way of  FIGS. 5A to 5C . 
     The ring-shaped part-body  48  can be formed in a non-positive locking manner by means of a press fit on the inside surface of the part-body  48  and the outside surface of the part-body  46 . It is also possible to provide a snap-type connection here. 
     A particularly advantageous design provides that during the injection moulding process the part-body  46  is created first of all and, once it has set, the filter membrane  80  is placed on the end face. The second part-body  48  can then be created as a result of injection moulding onto the first part-body. As a result, on the one hand, a particularly solid connection is created between the part-bodies as a result of a substance-to-substance bond. On the other hand, the downwardly turned face  48 E on the second part-body  48  also establishes a particularly strong connection here to the end regions of the filter membrane  80  such that bacteria passing through is not something to be feared. On the underside of the filter membrane  80 , which rests on the end face  46 B and there on the surface  46 E, there is no such strong connection. 
     It would certainly also be conceivable, in principle, to inject the two part-bodies  46  and  48  together instead of the above. However, this would be accompanied by a very complicated mould in order to be able to hold the filter membrane  80  in position in the meantime and inject around it. Consequently, the method according to the invention with placing the membrane on the first part-body  46  is advantageous.