Abstract:
A dispenser including a medium reservoir, a discharge opening, and a feeding device for feeding medium from the medium reservoir to the discharge opening, wherein an actuating handle is displaceable relative to the medium reservoir in an actuation direction to discharge medium. 
     The dispenser includes a protective device with two partial shells interconnected in a protective condition by a coupling device for repeated decoupling and coupling wherein the protective device is attachable to the feeding device in a protective position such that in the protective condition the accessibility and/or maneuverability of the actuating handle is prevented, and upon releasing the coupling device an enable condition of the protective device is achievable in which the partial shells are displaceable relative to another so that the protective device is removable from the feeding device, and thus accessibility or maneuverability of the actuating handle is obtainable thereby.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from German Application No. 10 2012 218 434.1, filed Oct. 10, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a dispenser for discharging a liquid or pulverulent medium comprising a medium reservoir, a discharge opening, and a feeding device for feeding of medium from the medium reservoir to the discharge opening. Therein, such a dispenser has an actuating handle of the feeding device, displaceable relative to the medium reservoir in an actuation direction to thereby effect a discharge of medium. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Such dispensers are generally known from the prior art. As an example, reference is made to DE 10 2004 050 679 A1 disclosing a nasal dispenser presenting the generic features. 
         [0004]    Such dispensers are used for discharging pharmaceutical media. It is often desirable to hinder accessibility of the medium for children so that they may not inadvertently have contact to potentially hazardous media during game-playing. 
         [0005]    There are various options for child-proof dispensers known from the prior art. Thus, DE 10 2009 049 903 A1, for example, proposes dispensers that, on the one hand, cannot be actuated with a cap placed-on, since the actuating handle is blocked by the cap. On the other hand, said document features cap designs that can be removed from the respective dispenser only by a sequence of sophisticated moves. 
         [0006]    Numerous of the known configurations for child-proof dispensers are related to dispensers that indeed have originally been designed to be child-proof dispensers. However, such child-proofed dispensers are comparatively expensive to manufacture, since the partial components thereof are for the most part not adaptable to other possibly not child-proof dispensers, so that specific tools are required for most of the components of such child-proof dispensers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The object of the invention is to provide an alternative thereto, namely configurations of child-proof dispensers that affect the basic structure of the dispenser merely to a minor extent so that the dispenser can be manufactured both as a child-proof dispenser and as a not child-proof dispenser with only minor adaptations. 
         [0008]    Said object is achieved according to the invention by three variants. 
         [0009]    According to a first variant of the invention, such a dispenser is provided with a protective device or child-proof lock that consists of at least two, and preferably exactly two, partial shells which in a protective condition are connected to one another by at least one coupling device for repeated decoupling and coupling in such a manner that they are immobilized relative to another. Thereby, the protective device is attachable to the feeding device of the dispenser in a protective position such that in the protective condition of the protective device with securely connected partial shells the accessibility and/or maneuverability of the actuating handle is prevented. Only upon releasing the coupling device an enable condition of the protective device is achievable, wherein the partial shells are displaceable relative to another so that the protective device previously surrounding the feeding device is removable from the feeding device, and thus accessibility and/or maneuverability of the actuating handle is obtainable. 
         [0010]    Just as with generic dispensers, it is provided with a dispenser according to the invention that it comprises said medium reservoir, in which the preferably liquid, however, optionally also pulverulent medium, is present prior to being discharged. The feeding device of such a dispenser connects the medium reservoir to a discharge opening through which the medium can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere, and thus in particular to body parts of a patient. Said feeding device is operable by means of an actuating handle, wherein the actuating handle is displaceable preferably along a defined, and in particular linear, path relative to the medium reservoir to cause the discharge procedure. An option for configuration of such a feeding device is the configuration of a piston pump capable of driving a partial portion of the medium outwards through the discharge opening by pressure application to the medium. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the actuating handle is designed in the type of a finger rest for application of one or two fingers. 
         [0012]    The protective device provided according to said first variant of the invention comprises said two partial shells which in the coupled protective condition thereof cause the non-maneuverability or inaccessibility of the actuating handle. For this purpose, they can surround the feeding device and the actuating handle as a whole in such a manner that before separating the protective device from the feeding device not even the presence of the actuating handle is visible from the outside. In a simplified configuration, the actuating handle is visible with the protective device installed, however, either not accessible or blocked by the protective device, preferably by positive locking, such that it cannot be displaced relative to the medium reservoir to a sufficient extent that a significant feeding of medium can be caused thereby. The two partial shells can be coupled to another and decoupled from another repeatedly so that in each case before use of the dispenser, decoupling of the coupling device and removal of the protective device are performed, while after completed use of the dispenser both the partial shells are again coupled to another in the protective position, and thus prevent handling by children. 
         [0013]    The protective device is matched to the shape design of the dispenser in such a manner that it cannot be removed without previous decoupling. 
         [0014]    In the protective condition of the protective device, wherein the partial shells are immobilized relative to another, said shells form a sleeve open at least on one side, and surrounding the dispenser not more than partially in the vicinity of the feeding device and as the case may be up to the discharge opening. In one configuration, in which the discharge opening is not intended to be surrounded, said sleeve formed by the two partial shells may be open on both sides. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the two partial shells of the protective device have about the same size, this means that each of the partial shells surrounds the preferably approximately rotationally symmetric feeding device over an angle of about 180° (+/−10°). However, configurations other than the above indicated one are conceivable, wherein significantly different sizes are provided, with the smaller of the partial shells surrounding not more than an angular range between 90° and 170°. 
         [0016]    All technically, the configuration is operable with only one coupling device, since the partial shells preferably are not completely separated from another even in the decoupled condition, but merely are maneuverable relative to another in a defined way. To that effect, in particular a hinge connection, particularly a connection using an integral hinge, may be provided between the partial shells. However, generally, even two completely separate partial shells, and preferably two opposite coupling devices, may be provided which are interconnected only in the protective condition. 
         [0017]    In particular with a configuration of the protective device, in which the discharge opening is covered therewith as well, it is difficult for children to comprehend that the protective device has to be removed and that at first a decoupling of the partial shells is required for this purpose. Safety is further increased in particular in that the coupling device is preferably configured such that it is difficult to handle for children. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the at least one coupling device comprises two positive fitting coupling portions on the two partial shells which by sectionally deforming of one or both partial shells can be transferred from the coupled to the decoupled condition. For that purpose, it may in particular be required to deflect at least one coupling portion of one or both partial shells in a radial direction. 
         [0019]    However, it is considered to be advantageous that at least two separately operable coupling devices are provided on the same side of the protective device that require a more complex relative movement of partial sections of the partial shells for the purpose of decoupling. Thus, on the one hand may be provided that by deforming coupling portions of both partial devices in the same direction decouplability may be obtained. This is to mean that in the vicinity of a contact line of the partial shells, there are provided two coupling devices offset one from the other, and each is decoupled by deforming coupling portions provided on the two partial shells in identical direction. As an alternative thereto may be provided that two coupling portions on the same partial shell have to be displaced in opposite directions, to allow decouplability. Thus, one of said partial portions can be movable radially in the direction of the feeding device and the other partial portion radially away from the feeding device. 
         [0020]    Another adequate way for production of a coupling device that is difficult to handle for children is achievable in that the coupling device includes a coupling opening on a partial shell and a coupling prolongation on the other partial shell penetrating the coupling opening in the coupled condition, wherein the coupling prolongation is designed such that for passing through the coupling opening for the purpose of decoupling, said prolongation has to be twisted. It was observed that the twisting move of the coupling prolongation is a manipulation that is difficult to comprehend for children and demands too advanced motor skill abilities. 
         [0021]    According to a second variant of the invention a generic dispenser is provided comprising a protective device which disposes of a main segment and a switch segment. The main segment per se has a base portion and at least one protective arm which is pivotable relative to the base portion. Thereby, the switch segment is displaceable relative to the main segment between a protective position and an enable position. Thereby, the switch segment limits maneuverability of the protective arm of the main segment in the protective position, while in the enable position there is no functional limiting obtained. Said protective device in total is attachable or fixedly attached to the feeding device such that upon securing of the main segment by means of the switch segment, the accessibility and/or maneuverability of the actuating handle relative to the medium reservoir is prevented, and/or the protective device is not removable from the feeding device. In contrast, by displacing the switch segment to the enable position and the thus achievable maneuverability of the protective arm relative to the base segment, accessibility or maneuverability of the actuating handle is obtainable and/or is in total removable from the feeding device according to a configuration of the protective device. 
         [0022]    Thus, the protective device provided according to the second variant comprises two main components, namely the main segment and the switch segment. The base portion of the main segment may be attached to the dispenser fixed in position relative to the actuating handle or the medium reservoir. The protective arm which is pivotable in relation thereto may then in a pivoted position, by the ways and means as described, prevent maneuverability or accessibility of the actuating handle by cooperating with the actuating handle or other components of the dispenser. In another pivoted position relative thereto, said prevention is not obtained. By means of the switch segment which is displaceable relative to the main segment of the protective device, in particular moveable, the pivotability of the protective arm can be prevented so that said arm is fixed in said position in which it prevents maneuverability or accessibility of the actuating handle or prevents removability of the protective device. What is required is initially displacing of the switch segment, to subsequently allow pivoting of the protective arm and thereby obtain usability of the dispenser. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the switch segment is translationally slideable relative to the base portion of the main segment, wherein said movability is limited preferably in both moving directions by stops on the main portion. 
         [0024]    It was observed that the causality that at first the switch segment has to be displaced or moved to ensure usability of the dispenser is usually difficult to comprehend for children. Thus, the switch segment presents an effective way for a child-proof feature. 
         [0025]    It is of particular advantage, when the base portion of the main segment is annular, wherein in particular it may be designed such that it rests on the actuating handle in the protective position. The at least one protective arm of the main segment is preferably hinged on the main segment to be pivotable about a tangential axis. 
         [0026]    The main segment and the at least one protective arm are preferably formed in one piece and interconnected via an integral hinge. 
         [0027]    Particularly advantageous is a design, wherein a plurality of protective arms is provided which are pivotable about differing pivot axes relative to the base portion. The plurality of protective arms, preferred are two or three protective arms, are preferably distributed over the circumference of the base portion. 
         [0028]    Particularly advantageous therein is that the maneuverability of the plurality of protective arms is limitable conjointly by the one switch segment. This is achieved in particular in that the switch segment also has an annular design and in the protective position thereof surrounds the plurality of protective arms so that they cannot be deflected outwards and diverge. 
         [0029]    Both the first and the second variant of the invention may be configured such that they do not adopt a cap function, but merely restrict maneuverability or accessibility of the actuating handle relative to the medium reservoir in the mentioned manner. However, of particular advantage is in each case a configuration, wherein even the discharge opening is covered by the protective device so that an additional protection is obtained. The said protective devices preferably prevent movement of the actuating handle by positive fitting. In the case of the second variant, this may be achieved, for example, in that on the main segment both for the actuating handle and for components of the dispenser fixed in position to the medium reservoir, for example, a base body of the feeding device, stop surfaces are provided to ensure a defined spacing of the actuating handle from the medium reservoir, as long as the protective arms are retained by the switch segment in their defined protective pivot position. 
         [0030]    In a third variant of the invention is provided that a generic dispenser has an advanced configuration in that to the actuating handle is assigned a locking device, which is displaceable relative to the medium reservoir together with the actuating handle. Said locking device can prevent movement of the actuating handle relative to the medium reservoir in a locking condition and permit said movement in an enable condition. To obtain the enable condition, the locking device has two compressible unlocking surfaces opposite to another and orthogonal to the actuation direction, wherein by compressing said unlocking surfaces the locking device is transferable into the enable position thereof. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the locking device is configured in a ring surrounding the feeding device at least sectionally, wherein the unlocking surfaces are provided on the exterior of the ring, and wherein at least one stop surface is provided which is offset circumferentially relative to the unlocking surfaces, and which for locking actuation in the locking condition of the locking device abuts on a countersurface fixed in position relative to the medium reservoir. Said stop surface of the locking device may be displaced radially outwards by radial compressing of the unlocking surfaces to be moved away from the region of said countersurface and thus produce the enable condition. 
         [0032]    A particular advantage is when the locking device therefor has a one-piece, deformable annular component on which both the unlocking surfaces and the stop surface are provided. The effect of said configuration in an annular component is that by compressing and radially approaching of said unlocking surfaces, simultaneously also a radial outwards deflection of the stop surface is caused. 
         [0033]    The locking device may be an integral constituent of the actuating handle and be formed in one piece with the handle. Optionally, with such a configuration it may be an advantage to produce said component constituting the actuating handle and the locking device by two-component injection molding, to ensure sufficient deformability of the locking device. 
         [0034]    However, a particularly advantageous configuration is considered in that the locking device is configured in a separate component relative to the actuating handle, which is coupled to the actuating handle by form fitting or force fitting. Thus, the locking device may be mounted as an additional component to a dispenser that for the rest is almost unvaried as compared to conventional dispensers, to ensure the desired child-proof function. 
         [0035]    Preferably, for all variants is provided that all the components described, in particular all components of the protective devices, are synthetic material components. 
         [0036]    Since a dispenser according to the invention serves for discharging pharmaceutical liquids, it is preferably filled with such a liquid in the condition as supplied to the customer. In particular the use of a dispenser according to the invention is intended for pharmaceutical liquids, where the risk for children is particularly high. For example, there may be analgetics involved in this case. However, a dispenser according to the invention is appropriate for all other types of liquid and pulverulent medicaments available on prescription. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and also from the description below of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings show in: 
           [0038]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  a dispenser according to a first variant of the invention in a non-sectional and a partially sectional view; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  the protective device of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  in the decoupled condition; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  variants of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b , and  2 ; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 4 and 5  a dispenser according to a second variant of the invention in a partially sectional view of the protective condition of the dispenser and a non-sectional view of the unlocked condition; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  a variant of the dispenser of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  a dispenser according to a third variant of the invention in a partially sectional view and a non-sectional view; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  a sectional view through the locking device of the dispenser of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    The  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show an embodiment of the first variant of the invention. Referring to the partial sectional view of  FIG. 1   b , a dispenser is used which is comparable as regards the basic structure thereof to well-known dispensers. Said basic structure comprises a medium reservoir  12 , a feeding device  14  attached on a neck  12   a  of the medium reservoir  12  including an actuating handle  16  for actuating the feeding device  14 , and a discharge opening  20  in the present case provided on the distal end of a nose olive  18 . By displacement of the actuating handle  16  in the direction of the arrow  2   a , a piston pump, not illustrated in detail, provided within the feeding device  14  can be activated to feed liquid medium from the medium reservoir  12  to the discharge opening  20 . 
         [0046]    To prevent any improper use of the dispenser by children, a protective device  30  is provided. Said protective device  30  disposes of two partial shells  32 ,  34  interconnected by an integral hinge  33 . In the manner as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , said integral hinge  33  allows pivoting of the partial shells relative to another to provide the opened condition of the protective device  30 . In the closed condition, illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the partial shells  32 ,  34  are pivoted by 180° as compared to the condition of  FIG. 2 , and secured in the closed condition by two coupling devices  40 ,  42 . 
         [0047]    The coupling devices  40 ,  42  are of similar structure, however, differ in regard to distribution thereof on the partial shells  32 ,  34 . In the case of the coupling device  40 , a coupling portion  40   a  elastically deflectable relative to the partial shell  34  is provided with a latch portion  40   b  on the partial shell  34 , while on the other partial shell  32  a recess  40   c  for the latch portion  40   b  is provided. In contrast, in the case of the second coupling device  42 , the elastically deflectable portion  42   a  with the latch portion  42   b  is provided on the partial shell  32 , while the corresponding recess  42   c  is provided on the second partial shell  34 . 
         [0048]    As a result, said configuration requires that for separating the protective device  30  from the feeding device  14  and the actuating handle  16 , both mutually offset coupling portions  40   a ,  40   b  have to be pressed down simultaneously. Only when this has been done, can the partial shells  33 ,  34  be pivoted relative to another, to allow their separation from the feeding device  14  and the actuating handle  16 , and thus reestablish accessibility to the actuating handle  16 . In particular young children have first of all difficulty to comprehend that the protective device  30  cannot simply be pulled off, due to the fact that it engages behind a lower rim  36  of the feeding device  14 , but instead has to be pivoted over. In addition, in particular young children have difficulty to perform, as regards the motion sequence, simultaneous pressing of the two decoupling surfaces  40   a ,  42   a  and then the required pivot over move. 
         [0049]    While the configuration of  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  2  provides that not only the feeding device  14  and the actuating handle  16 , but also the nose olive  18  and thus also the discharge opening  20  are covered by the protective device, alternative configurations are conceivable as well, wherein the two partial shells  32 ,  34  in the coupled condition form a common protective sleeve which is open at both ends and with the nose olive  18  extending outwards therefrom. However, in the case of such a configuration, an advantage is when on the interior surface of the partial shells  32 ,  34  a prolongation  38  is provided, illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 1   b , said prolongation together with prolongations  39 , that are equally facing the interior and sitting on a stop surface of the feeding device  14 , mechanically preventing displaceability of the actuating handle  16 . 
         [0050]    The  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show alternative embodiments of the coupling device. 
         [0051]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 3   a , there are as well two coupling devices  140 ,  142  provided, wherein each of said devices comprises a pivot leg  140   a ,  142   a  attached to the partial shell  32  and including recess  140   b ,  142   b . On the other partial shell  34  are provided corresponding cams which in the coupled condition of the partial shells  32 ,  34  as illustrated are disposed in the recesses  140   a ,  142   b  of the pivot legs  140   a ,  142   a . For decoupling, the pivot legs  140   a ,  142   a  have to be approached in the direction of the arrows  4 . 
         [0052]    In the configuration according to  FIG. 3   b , a coupling device  240  including coupling flanges  241 ,  242  is provided on the partial shells  32 ,  34 , wherein in the coupling flange  241  a recess  241   a  is provided, and wherein on the other coupling flange  242  a coupling prolongation  242   a  including a flared end zone  242   b  is provided. In the coupled condition of  FIG. 3   b , the coupling prolongation  242   a  projects through the coupling perforation  241   a . Since the flared end zone  242   b  in the untwisted condition of the prolongation  242   a  is wider than the width of the perforation  241   a , a reliably coupled condition is achievable thereby. For decoupling, the end zone  242   b  of the coupling prolongation  242   a  has to be twisted by about 90°, for the flared end zone  242   b  to pass through the perforation  241   a . Such a torsional move is difficult to realize for children both in regard to comprehension and also in regard to motor skill abilities. 
         [0053]    The  FIGS. 4 and 5  show a dispenser according to a second variant of the invention. The basic structure of said dispenser comprising medium reservoir  12 , feeding device  14 , actuating handle  16 , and nose olive  18  having a discharge opening  20  on the distal end thereof is comparable to the dispenser of the previous figures. However, the protective device  60  according to the dispenser of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is of a significantly different type. Said protective device  60  comprises two separate components, namely a main segment  62  and a switch segment  68 . The main segment  62  has a base portion  64  fixedly connected to the actuating handle  16 , as clearly apparent from  FIG. 4 . The base portion  64  is annular in shape. On the lower end of the base portion  64 , there is a total of three pivotable protective arms  66 , each pivoting about tangential axes  6  by means of integral hinges  65  on the base portion  64 . 
         [0054]    While  FIG. 4  shows a protective pivot position of the protective arms  66 ,  FIG. 5  shows an unlocked pivot condition. With reference to  FIG. 4 , it is readily apparent that on the interior side of the protective arms  66  support surfaces  66   a  are provided and cooperating with the base body of the feeding device  14  in the protective condition of  FIG. 4  in such a manner that displacement of the actuating handle  16 , which can be displaced only together with the base portion  64 , in the direction of the arrow  2   a  is not feasible. Such a movement is permitted only after the protective arms  66  have assumed the position as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the protective condition of  FIG. 4  said pivoting is prevented by the switch segment  68 . The switch segment  68  is in the shape of a ring which is provided on the exterior of the main segment  62 , and is movable between an upper end position in  FIG. 5  and a lower end position in  FIG. 4 . In the lower end position of  FIG. 4 , the switch segment  68  secures the protective arms  66  and prevents outwards deflection thereof. Initially, it is necessary to displace the switch segment  68  in the direction of the arrow  2   b  upwards, up to the switch assuming the position of  FIG. 5 . Only after that the protective arms  66  can be pivoted outwards and subsequently permit an unhindered actuation by displacement of the actuating handle and the entire protective device  60  in the direction of the arrow  2   a.    
         [0055]    The complex motion sequence is difficult to accomplish at least for young children, in particular since the direction of move of the switch segment  68  for unlocking the protective device  60  has to be performed in a direction  2   b  opposite to the actual direction of actuation  2   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows a modification of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , differing in that herein the base portion  364  of the main segment  362  of the protective device  360  is not fixedly connected to the actuating handle  16 . Instead, in the case of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the protective device comprises also a cap portion  370  covering the discharge opening  20 . Said configuration provides that after unlocking, in a manner as described in relation to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the protective device  360  as a whole unit and including the cap portion  370  is removed, to then permit a discharge procedure. 
         [0057]    The  FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  8  show an embodiment of the third variant of the invention. Therein,  FIG. 7   a  shows a partially sectional illustration for explanation. Again, the basic structure of the dispenser exhibits the same features as the previous dispensers, namely a medium reservoir  12 , adjoined by a feeding device  14 , a respective actuating handle  16 , and a nose olive  18  including a discharge opening  20 . 
         [0058]    The specific feature of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  8  is in a locking device  80  attached to the actuating handle  16 . Said locking device  80  has an annular structure, as apparent from  FIG. 7   a , with a latch  82  having a stop surface  84  provided on the interior surface thereof. As apparent from the sectional view of FIG.  8 , said latch  82  and the stop surface  84  cover a stop surface  14   b  of the feeding device  14  in the locked initial condition of the locking device  80 . As a result, pressing down the actuating handle  16  is not possible. 
         [0059]    To effect a discharge procedure by pressing down the actuating handle  16  in the direction of the arrow  2   a , the locking device  80  needs to be deformed. For that purpose, unlocking surfaces  86  are provided on opposite sides of the exterior surface of the locking device  80 . By applying force to said unlocking surfaces for approaching, deforming of the locking device  80  is caused, as illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 8 . The movement of the unlocking surfaces  86  in approaching direction  8   a  simultaneously results in a diverging movement of the latches  82  in the direction of the arrows  8 . Thereby, the latches  82  are displaced sufficiently far outwards that subsequently pressing down the actuating handle  16  is permitted. 
         [0060]    Although the conception of said locking device is very simple, it is very difficult to handle for children. In particular this is due to the fact that at least young children would need both hands to press the locking surfaces  86  to make them approach. However, they would not succeed, upon unlocking achieved in such a manner, to press down the actuating handle  16  together with the locking device  80 , to the effect that a discharge procedure is not accomplished.