FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fluid dispensing device (10) comprising: a housing (11) sized to accommodate a container (20) filled with a liquid substance (21), the container (20) comprising a cavity (22) confined by a shell (23), the shell (23) comprising at least a flexible shell portion (24); a discharge assembly (30) comprising a first member (40) and a second member (50), the first member (40) comprising a hollow tubular section (41) in flow communication with the cavity (22); and the first member (40) and the second member (50) being movable relative to each other along a first direction to discharge a dose of the liquid substance (21) from the cavity (22).

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing device comprising: a housing sized to accommodate a container filled with a liquid substance, the container comprising a cavity confined by a shell, the shell comprising at least a flexible shell portion, a discharge assembly comprising a first member and a second member, the first member comprising a hollow tubular section in flow communication with the cavity, and the first member and the second member being movable relative to each other along a first direction to discharge a dose of the liquid substance from the cavity.

2. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the second member comprises a hollow tubular section sized to slidably receive the hollow tubular section of the first member therein.

3. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular section of the first member comprises a tubular-shaped sidewall with at least one through opening.

4. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular section of the first member is axially confined by a closed wall

5. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular section of the first member is sheathed by a flexible tubular shaped seal.

6. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular section of the first member is in sealing engagement with the tubular section of the second member.

7. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular section of the second member comprises a dispensing chamber axially confined by the tubular section of the first member, wherein the size of the dispensing chamber is variable by moving the first member relative to the second member.

8. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the second member comprises an outlet at a longitudinal end of the hollow tubular section of the second member that faces away from the first member, wherein the outlet is sealed by a check valve or one-way valve.

9. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a flexible foil or is made of a flexible foil.

10. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein an interior of the hollow tubular section of the first member is in flow communication with a dip tube extending into the cavity of the container.

11. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 10, wherein the dip tube comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end, wherein the first longitudinal end is connected to the first member.

12. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 11, wherein the dip tube is pressure resistant at least with regard to the first direction and wherein the second longitudinal end of the dip tube is connected to a base or is operable engaged, wherein the base is movable relative to at least one of the housing and the second member along the first direction.

13. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 11, wherein the dip tube comprises a sidewall perforated by numerous through openings.

14. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical biasing member operably engaged with two of the first member, the second member and the housing, wherein the first member being movable relative to the second member along the first direction against a restoring force provided by the mechanical biasing member.

15. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 14, wherein the mechanical biasing member comprises a compression spring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is in abutment with the housing and wherein the second end is mechanically engaged with or is in mechanical abutment with the first member or the second member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107] In the following, nonlimiting examples of a fluid dispensing device and of a container for use inside a dispensing device are illustrated in greater detail by making reference to the drawings, in which:

[0108] FIG. 1 shows an example of a fluid dispensing device with a container assembled therein in an initial configuration;

[0109] FIG. 2 illustrates the device according to FIG. 1 during or after dispensing of a dose of the liquid absence;

[0110] FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated container in the initial configuration;

[0111] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the container of FIG. 3;

[0112] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a discharge assembly of a fluid dispensing device and/or of a container along a longitudinal cross-section;

[0113] FIG. 6 shows the first member of the discharge assembly surrounded or sheathed by the tubular shaped seal;

[0114] FIG. 7 shows schematically shows a spring biased arrangement of a base to the housing of the fluid dispensing device;

[0115] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the working principle of an inlet valve of the fluid dispensing device in an initial configuration;

[0116] FIG. 9 shows the valve according to FIG. 8 during a unidirectional flow of a liquid substance;

[0117] FIG. 10 shows another example of an outlet valve in an initial configuration;

[0118] FIG. 11 shows the valve according to FIG. 10 during a unidirectional flow of a liquid substance;

[0119] FIG. 12 shows another example of an outlet valve for use with the fluid dispensing device in an initial and hence sealing configuration;

[0120] FIG. 13 shows the valve of FIG. 12 during a unidirectional flow of the liquid substance; and

[0121] FIG. 14 shows another example of an inlet and outlet valve of a fluid dispensing device 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] In FIGS. 1-4, an example of a fluid dispensing device 10 is illustrated. The fluid dispensing device 10 comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 comprises a tipped applicator section 14 protruding outwardly from the housing 11. As illustrated the housing 11 may comprise a rectangular or cubic shape.

[0123] Optionally, the housing 11, in particular the tipped applicator section 14 thereof, may be covered by a detachable protective cap (not illustrated). The housing 11 comprises a rigid structure. The tipped applicator section 14 may be sized and shaped to enter a nostril of a person or patient. At a distal end, hence at an upper end of the tipped applicator section 14 there is provided a spray nozzle 12. The spray nozzle 12 serves to atomize a liquid substance 21 provided through a discharge channel 13 in flow communication with the spray nozzle 12 and located upstream of the spray nozzle 12.

[0124] The fluid dispensing device 10 further comprises a container 20. The container 20 comprises a cavity 22 that is confined by a shell 23. The shelf 23 comprises at least a flexible shell portion 24. Typically, the flexible shell portion 24 is elastically and/or plastically deformable. The container 20 may be filled with a liquid substance 21. The liquid substance 21 may contain a pharmaceutically active component. The fluid dispensing device 10 further comprises a discharge assembly 30. The discharge assembly 30 is configured and operable to discharge a well-defined portion of the liquid substance, e.g. a dose of predefined size via the discharge channel 13 towards and through the spray nozzle 12.

[0125] The discharge assembly 30 comprises a first member 40 and a second member 50. The first member 40 and the second member 50 are movable relative to each other along a first direction 1 and/or along a second direction 2 in order to discharge a dose of the liquid substance 21 from the cavity 22. The second direction 2 is opposite to the first direction 1.

[0126] With the present example the first member 40 is displaceable relative to the second member 50 along the first direction 1 for dispensing of a dose of the liquid substance. The first member 40 is displaceable relative to the second member 50 along the second direction 2 for returning into an initial configuration.

[0127] In FIG. 2, the discharge assembly 30 is illustrated during or after dispensing of a dose of the liquid substance 21. Here, compared to the initial configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 the first member 40 has been moved relative to the second member 50 along the first direction 1, which, in the present example coincides with a longitudinal distal direction. As illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 the first member 40 comprises a hollow tubular section 41 that is in flow communication with the cavity 22. The hollow tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is slidably received inside a hollow tubular section 51 of the second member 50. Accordingly, the hollow tubular section 51 of the second member is open towards the second direction or proximal direction 2 in order to slidably receive a distal end of the hollow tubular section 41 of the first member 40.

[0128] As further illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the tubular section 41 of the first member 40 comprises a tubular-shaped sidewall 42. Inside the sidewall 42 there is provided at least one through opening 43. The through opening 43 provides a flow communication between the interior of the hollow tubular section 41 of the first member 40 and an outside of the first member 40. As shown in FIG. 4, there may be provided numerous through openings 42 extending through the tubular-shaped sidewall 42. Numerous through openings 43 may be distributed around the outer circumference of the tubular section 41 or of the tubular-shaped sidewall 42.

[0129] An axial end, typically a distal end of the hollow tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is axially confined by a closed wall 44. The closed wall 44 forms a distal end of the tubular section 41 of the first member 40. In this way, the liquid substance 21 located inside the cavity 22 and being in flow communication with the interior 46 of the tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is only allowed to escape from the interior 46 of the hollow tubular section 41 via the at least one through opening 43 provided in the tubular-shaped sidewall 42. As becomes particularly apparent from FIGS. 4-6, the tubular-shaped sidewall 42 is sheathed by a flexible tubular shaped seal 45. The seal 45 is made of an elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. It may comprise a polymeric material. The flexible tubular shaped seal 45 may comprise a rather closed tubular-shaped structure. However, it is open towards the distal end. The tubular shaped seal 45 may be tightly fitted around the outer circumference of the tubular-shaped sidewall 42 of the tubular section 41 of the first member 40. The tubular shaped seal 45 covers and closes the at least one through opening 43 of the tubular-shaped sidewall 42. In this way, a kind of a passive self-closing inlet valve 47 for the discharge assembly 30 can be provided. The flexible tubular shaped seal may be at least slightly stretched in radial direction so as to fit over the outside circumference of the tubular section 41 of the first member 44.

[0130] As becomes immediately apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular section 51 of the second member 50 is axially confined in distal direction by an end wall 56. Through the end wall 56 there extends an outlet 53 that is in flow communication with the discharge channel 13. In or across the outlet 53 there is provided an outlet valve 57. The outlet valve 57 is configured or implemented as a unidirectional check valve 54. Hence, the outlet valve 57 only allows and supports dispensing of the liquid substance 21 from the interior of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50 into and towards the discharge channel 13.

[0131] In the initial configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, there is formed or provided a dispensing chamber 55 between the end wall 56 of the second member 50 and the closed wall 44 of the first member 40. The dispensing chamber 55 is confined in radial direction by the sidewall 52 of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50. As the tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is moved in longitudinal direction relative to and inside the hollow tubular section 51 of the second member 50 the size of the dispensing chamber 50 can be varied accordingly. For dispensing of a liquid substance 21 located inside the dispensing chamber 55 through the outlet 53 the tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is moved in longitudinal direction, e.g. along the first direction 1 towards the distal end of the housing 11.

[0132] Since the outside of the tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is in sealed engagement with an inside of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50 the distally directed sliding movement of the first member 40 relative to the second member 50 leads to a pressure build-up inside the dispensing chamber 50. A liquid substance 21 located inside the dispensing chamber 55 will then be urged through the outlet 53 and through the outlet valve 57 into and through the discharge channel 13 so as to become atomized when further urged or expelled through the spray nozzle 12.

[0133] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outlet valve 57 comprises a base portion 84 assembled and fixed inside or to the second member 50. The outlet valve 57 further comprises at least a first and a second flap section 85, 86 that may be integrally formed with the base portion 84. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flap sections 85, 86 extend at a predefined angle in a downstream direction, hence towards the discharge channel 13. The downstream end of the downstream end of the flap sections 85, 87 are located radially inwardly compared to the base portion 84. In this way and as a pressure inside the upstream dispensing chamber 55 exceeds a predefined threshold the skewed or tilted orientation of the flap sections 85, 86 leads to a radially outwardly directed movement of the radially inwardly located ends of the flap sections 85, 86, thus giving way for the liquid substance 21 to pass through the outlet valve 57. In the opposite configuration and when a pressure inside the upstream dispensing chamber 55 should be lower than a pressure downstream of the outlet valve 57, such a pressure will tend to bring the inner ends of the flap sections 85, 86 closer and/or tighter together, thus increasing the sealing capability and sealing effect of the outlet valve.

[0134] Generally, there may be provided a large variety of outlet valves 57, such as illustrated in FIGS. 10-13. for such modified outlet valves 57 the second member 50 may be geometrically adapted, such as indicated in FIG. 5.

[0135] As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4, on the inside of the sidewall 52 of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50 there are provided annular protrusions 58, 59. The annular protrusion 59 is located at a predefined axial or longitudinal distance from the annular protrusion 58. Both annular protrusions 58, 59 are in direct sealing engagement with the tubular shaped seal 45 surrounding the outer circumference of the tubular section 41 and hence of the tubular sidewall 42 of the first member 40. In this way, the assembly of the first tubular section 41 and the tubular shaped seal 45 is and remains in e.g. permanent sealing engagement with the interior of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50. Typically, the annular protrusions extend uninterrupted all over the inner circumference of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50.

[0136] Accordingly and when the first member 40 is subject to a movement along the second direction 2, hence from the dispensing configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2 towards the initial configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 there may arise a negative pressure inside the increasing dispensing chamber 55. Since the outlet 53 is effectively sealed by the valve 57 and since the sliding engagement between the second member 50 and the first member 40 is leakage-proof there will evolve a negative pressure inside the dispensing chamber 55. The negative pressure inside the dispensing chamber 55 is at a pressure level that is lower than a pressure level inside the cavity 22, which is in flow communication with the interior of the tubular section 41 of the first member 40.

[0137] Due to this pressure gradient the liquid substance 21 located inside the hollow tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is withdrawn through the through opening 43 of the sidewall 42 and flows between the outside surface of the sidewall 42 and an inside surface of the flexible tubular shaped seal 45 until it reaches and seals the dispensing chamber 55. When a pressure equilibrium has been reached between the dispensing chamber 55 and the interior of the tubular section 41, a respective flow of the liquid substance 21 from the interior of the tubular section 41 towards the dispensing chamber 55 will stop.

[0138] Since the flexible tubular shaped seal 45 covering and effectively closing the through opening 43 in the sidewall 42 the tubular shaped seal 45 forms a kind of a passive self-closing inlet valve 47 providing a unidirectional flow of the liquid substance 21 from the cavity 22 towards and into the dispensing chamber 55. An increase of the liquid pressure inside the dispensing chamber 55 up to a level above the pressure level inside the cavity does not lead to a substantive leakage or backflow of the liquid substance from the dispensing chamber 55 towards and into the hollow tubular section 41.

[0139] It should be further noted, that the radially inwardly extending protrusions 58, 59 each may serve as or may constitute a sealing lip providing a smooth sliding displacement of the tubular section 41 inside the tubular section 51. The two protrusions 58, 59 provide the benefit that the assembly of the tubular section 41 and the surrounding seal 45 is mechanically supported at least twice, thus providing a tilt free sliding displacement of the tubular section 41 inside the tubular section 51. Moreover, with the protrusions 58, 59, e.g. implemented as an annular protruding portion of limited size in longitudinal direction a smooth sliding displacement between the tubular section 41 and the tubular section 51 can be obtained.

[0140] As further shown in FIG. 4, the proximal end of the flexible tubular shaped seal 45 is in abutment with a radially outwardly extending flange portion 48 at the proximal end of the first member 40. In this way, at least a unidirectional axial abutment can be provided between the tubular section 41 and the flexible tubular shaped seal 45. A distal end of the seal 45 is located close to the distal end face, hence close to the closed wall 44 of the tubular section 41. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the closed wall 44 and hence the distal end of the tubular section 41 slightly protrudes from the distal end of the flexible tubular shaped seal 45. In this way, an unobstructed flow of the liquid substance 21 through the inlet valve 41 can be provided.

[0141] The at least one through opening 43 or several circumferentially distributed through openings 43 extending through the tubular-shaped sidewall 42 of the first member 40 is/are typically located in close vicinity to the distal end of the flexible tubular shaped seal 45. In this way, the inlet valve 47 may provide a respective flow of the liquid substance 21 even at a comparatively low-pressure gradient between the dispensing chamber 55 and the interior of the hollow tubular section 41.

[0142] As is further apparent from FIGS. 1-4, a proximal end of the first member 40 is located inside the cavity 22 of the container 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cavity 22 is confined by a flexible shell 23. The flexible shell 23 comprises at least one or numerous flexible shell portions 24. For instance, the flexible shell portion 24 may comprise a flexible foil 25. As further indicated in FIG. 1 the second member 50 is connected to the shell 23 or forms part of the shell 23. Here, the second member 50, e.g. made of a rigid material comprises a shoulder portion 80 extending radially outwardly from a proximal end section of the tubular section 51 of the second member 50.

[0143] The shoulder portion 80 may comprise a somewhat circular or disc like shape extending radially outwardly from the tubular section 51 of the second member 50. Here, an outer rim or a rim portion 81 of the shoulder portion 80 can be connected to the flexible shell portion 24 of the container 20. The radially outwardly located rim portion 81 may be integrally formed with the flexible shell portion. When the shoulder portion 80 and the flexible shell portion 24 should be made of different materials, the flexible shell portion 24 may be connected or fixed to the rim portion in a sealed manner. For instance, the rim portion 81 and the flexible shell portion 24 may be mutually bonded or welded to provide an air- and/or liquid-proof seal. The shoulder portion 18 may form or constitute a first longitudinal end of the shell 23.

[0144] At an oppositely located second longitudinal end of the shell 23 or container 20 there may be provided a base 64. The base 64 may also comprise a rigid material. It may be made of a plastic material, e.g. a thermoplastic injection moldable material. The base 64 may be slidably guided inside a guiding structure 15 of the housing 11 as illustrated in FIG. 7. For this, the guiding structure 15 may comprise a recessed portion in a sidewall of the housing 11. The guiding structure 15 may comprise a sidewall 16 extending from the sidewall of the housing 11 into the interior of the housing 11. An inner end of the sidewall 16 of the guiding structure 15 may be terminated by a further inwardly extending flange 17 that provides an abutment for a mechanical biasing member 70.

[0145] The mechanical biasing member 70 comprises a compression spring 73 having a first end 71 in longitudinal or axial abutment with the flange 17. The compression spring 73 further has a second end 72 opposite the first end 71. The second end 72 is in engagement or in longitudinal abutment with the base 64. In this way, the base 64 is movable from an initial configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 into a depressed or inwardly shifted position or configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2 against the restoring action of the compression spring 73.

[0146] The base 64 comprises an outer edge or a rim portion 68, which is in engagement or in abutment with the mechanical biasing member 70. Additionally and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the outer edge or rim portion 68 is connected to or fixed to the flexible shell portion 24 at the second end of the container 20. The base 64 may be connected to the flexible shell portion 24 in the same manner as the shoulder portion 80. It may be welded or bonded to the flexible shell portion 24. The base 64 integrated into the shell 23 may form or constitute a second longitudinal end of the shell 23 and hence of the container 20.

[0147] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 64 is rigidly connected to a dip tube 60. The dip tube 60 comprises a first longitudinal end 61 connected to and fixed to the first member 40. An interior of the dip tube 60 is in flow communication with an interior 46 of the hollow tubular section 41 of the first member 40. The dip tube 60 further comprises an opposite, hence a second longitudinal end 62 rigidly connected and fixed to the base 64. The dip tube 60 is made of a rigid material and the dip tube is rigid in compression as seen in longitudinal direction, hence as seen along the first or second directions 1, 2, respectively.

[0148] The dip tube 60 comprises a sidewall 65, e.g. of tubular shape. The sidewall 65 may comprise a circular or an elliptical diameter or cross-section. The sidewall 65 of the dip tube 60 may comprise numerous through openings 66 distributed all across the sidewall 65 of the dip tube 60.

[0149] Typically, the base 64 is accessible from outside the housing 11 of the fluid dispensing device 10. The base 64 is rigidly connected to the first member 40 via the dip tube 60. In this way, a user may induce a distally directed movement of the first member 40 relative to the second member 50 by applying an inwardly directed pressure onto the base 64. The second member 50 is typically fixed inside the housing 11 of the fluid dispensing device 10.

[0150] A user aiming to produce a spray discharge of the liquid substance 21 through the discharge channel 13 and hence through the spray nozzle 12 may urge the base 64 into the housing 11, typically along the first direction 1. The movement of the base 64 is transferred to the dip tube 60 and hence to the first member 40, all of which being rigidly connected to each other. Since the second member 50 is rigidly connected to the housing 11 the longitudinal sliding displacement of the base 64 relative to the housing 11 induces a distally directed movement of the first member 40 relative to the second member 50. A liquid substance 21 located inside the dispensing chamber 55 will be urged through the outlet valve 57 into the discharge channel 13 and through the spray nozzle 12. Consequently, a spray or an atomized cloud of an aerosol will be discharged from the spray nozzle 12.

[0151] The distally directed displacement of the base 64 relative to the housing 11 comes along with energy accumulation in the mechanical biasing member 70. When a user releases the base 64, the mechanical biasing member 70 releases previously stored mechanical energy and serves to return the base 64 into the initial configuration as shown in FIG. 1. The proximally directed movement of the base 64 is stopped by a stop face 18 of the housing, which stop face at least slightly protrudes inwardly from the sidewall 16 of the guiding structure 15. For the purpose of a smooth assembly of the base 64 into the guiding structure 15 of the housing 11 the radially inwardly facing sidewall of the radially inwardly protruding stop faces 18 comprises a beveled section 19.

[0152] The return motion of the base 64 into the initial position or initial configuration as provided by the mechanical biasing member 70 equally transfers to the dip tube 60 and to the tubular section 41 of the first member 40. Accordingly, and due to the proximally directed movement of the first member 40 relative to the second member 50, the size and volume of the dispensing chamber 55 will increase again. Due to the sealing engagement of the first and second members 40, 50 a negative pressure will build up inside the dispensing chamber 55 thus leading to a repeated ingress of the liquid substance 21 into the dispensing chamber 55.

[0153] Since the shell 23 of the container 20 is at least in portions flexible, ingress of the liquid substance 21 into the dispensing chamber 55 is accompanied by at least a slight inwardly directed deformation of the flexible shell portion 24. Typically, the flexible shell portion is plastically deformable rather than elastically deformable. The flexible shell portion 24 does not provide or generate substantial restoring forces. Moreover, the cavity 22 may be entirely filled with the liquid substance, e.g. with a liquid medicament effectively free of any gaseous components. In this way a highly effective withdrawal of the liquid substance 21 from the cavity 22 into the dispensing chamber 55 and further into the discharge channel 13 can be provided irrespective of an orientation of the fluid dispensing device.

[0154] Moreover and since the dip tube 60 is perforated all along its longitudinal direction, a rather homogeneous withdrawal of the liquid substance from almost any volumetric portion of the cavity 22 can be provided.

[0155] Since the shell 23 is at least in sections flexible, it will be subject to a stepwise deformation each time a dose of the liquid substance 21 has been withdrawn from the cavity 22. Due to the plastic deformation capability of the flexible shell portion(s) 24 the cavity 22 can remain gas-less during and/or after repeated dispensing operations thus allowing for an orientation invariant withdrawal of the liquid substance 21 from the cavity 22.

[0156] In FIGS. 8 and 9 the working principle of the inlet valve 47 is schematically illustrated. In the configuration of FIG. 8, a pressure P2 inside the tubular section 41 of the first member 40 is equal to or smaller than a pressure P1 inside the dispensing chamber 55. As a consequence, and even if the first member 40 should be subject to an axial or longitudinal displacement, thereby reducing the volume of the dispensing chamber 55 the inlet valve 47 will remain closed. A backflow of the liquid substance 21 from the dispensing chamber 55 through a non-existing gap between the outside surface of the tubular-shaped sidewall 42 and an inside surface of the flexible tubular shaped seal 45 can be effectively prevented.

[0157] In FIG. 9 another configuration is illustrated, wherein a pressure P2 inside the hollow tubular section 41 and hence inside the sidewall 42 is larger than the pressure inside the dispensing chamber 55. Then and due to the elastic behavior of the flexible tubular shaped seal 45 a streamlet of the liquid substance 21 is allowed to flow through the at least one through opening 43 of the tubular-shaped sidewall 42 and hence through a gap formed between an inside surface of the slightly deformed tubular shaped seal 45 and an outside surface of the tubular-shaped sidewall 42. The flow of the liquid substance 21 automatically stops, when an equilibrium between the pressure P1 and P2 is obtained. This will be typically the case, when the dispensing chamber 55 is effectively or entirely filled with the liquid substance 21. In FIGS. 10 and 11 another example of an outlet valve 57 is illustrated. This outlet valve 57 is also implemented as a check valve It may be used instead of the outlet valve 57 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0158] With the example of FIG. 10, a kind of an umbrella outlet valve 57 is implemented. The outlet valve 57 also comprises and forms a check valve 54. Here, the outlet 53 comprises an annular shaped discharge outlet extending through the end wall 56 of the second member 50. Alternatively, there are provided numerous discharge outlets 53 located radially outwardly with regards to a mount 91 extending through the end wall 56. The end wall 56 comprises a central mount 91 comprising a through opening 92 in which a base portion 93 of the outlet valve 57 is fixed. The base portion 93 comprises a radially outwardly extending bulged portion or a radially outwardly extending protrusion 94 gripping under the proximal side of the end wall 56.

[0159] The base portion 93 of the sealing body 95 extends through the through opening of the central mount 92. On a distal side of the end wall 56, the valve body 95 comprises a radially outwardly extending and proximally directed flange section 96. The flange section 96 is oriented radially outwardly and proximally. An outer end of the flange section 96 is in a sealing engagement with a distal side of the end wall 56. The size and the radial extent of the flange section 96 is larger than the diameter or cross-section of the outlet 53 extending through the end wall 56.

[0160] In an initial configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the flange section 96 of the sealing body 95 effectively seals the outlet 53. If a pressure on the proximal, hence on the upstream side of the outlet valve 57 should be larger than a pressure at a distal and hence at the downstream side of the outlet valve 57 the increased pressure will lead to a reversible deformation of the flange section 96 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Accordingly, the flange section will become subject to an elastic deformation thereby disengaging from the outlet 53 and giving way for the liquid substance 21 discharging into the discharge channel 13. In the opposite scenario and when the pressure on a downstream side of the outlet valve 57 should be larger than on an upstream side, such an increased pressure will only tend to bring the flange section 96 in a tighter sealing engagement with the distal side of the end wall 56, thereby increasing the sealing capability and sealing functionality of the outlet valve 57. The outlet valve 57 as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be used instead of the outlet valve 57 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

[0161] The outlet valve 57, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, and, hence, the sealing body 95 may be made or provided as a single unitary piece of an elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. It may provide excellent sealing capability with a neglectable degree of backflow. Moreover, such a sealing body 95 exhibits a desired long-term stability and is available at moderate or low costs.

[0162] In FIGS. 12 and 13 another example of an outlet valve 57 is schematically illustrated. Here, the outlet valve 57 comprises an elastic disc 110. The elastic or flexible disc 110 is located and supported by a support 104 axially or longitudinally protruding from a distal side of the end wall 56. The support 104 is typically in longitudinal alignment with the outlet 53 extending through the end wall 56. The support 104 may be provided by a cylindrical protrusion extending distally from the distal side of the end wall 56. The support 104 provides a longitudinal abutment for a radial central portion of the flexible disc 110. The flexible sealing disc 110 comprises an outer radial edge 112. The outer edge 112 protrudes radially outwardly from the support 104 of the end wall 56.

[0163] The outer edge 112 is in abutment with a further support 105 of a mount 101 connected and fixed to the distal side of the end wall 56. The support 105 provides a distal support for the outer edge 112 of the flexible disc 110. The mount 110 comprises an outlet 102 extending in longitudinal direction through the mount 101. A proximal end of the outlet 102 terminates or merges into a receiving space 103, in which the flexible disc 110 is arranged and mounted.

[0164] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the support 105 of the mount 101 is in sealing engagement or is at least in abutment with the distal side of the outer edge 112 of the flexible sealing disc 110. The support 104 of the end wall 56 protruding longitudinally in distal direction from the end wall 56 is in abutment with a proximal side of the flexible disc 110 at a radial distance from the outer edge 112.

[0165] In situations, in which a pressure downstream of the flexible sealing disc 110 is larger than upstream of the flexible sealing disc 100, hence in situations where a pressure in the region of the outlet 102 is larger than in the region of the outlet 53, the pressure gradient serves to press the flexible disc 110 in tight or even tighter mechanical engagement with the radial innermost support 104. Ingress of gaseous substances or of impurities from the outlet 102 into the outlet 53 is therefore effectively blocked and prevented.

[0166] In the other situation as illustrated in FIG. 13 and when a pressure on the upstream side of the outlet valve 57 is larger than on the downstream side, hence when the pressure in the region of the outlet 53 is larger than in the region of the outlet 102, the flexible disc 110, in particular a central portion thereof, will be subject to a distally directed deformation. Hence, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a radial inner portion of the flexible sealing disc 110 starts to move and to deform into the receiving space 103 of the mount 101.

[0167] This pressure-induced local deformation of the flexible sealing disc 110 leads to a counter movement of the outer edge 112 towards the proximal direction because a radial middle portion 111 of the flexible sealing disc 110 is in longitudinal or axial abutment with the support 104. The flexible deformation of the flexible sealing disc 110 then leads to a disengagement of the outer edge 112 of the flexible sealing disc 110 from both, the distally facing support 104 previously in engagement with a proximal side of the sealing disc and from the proximally facing support 105 previously in sealing engagement with a distal side of the outer edge 112 of the flexible sealing disc 110.

[0168] Consequently, a flow of the liquid substance 21 from the interior of the dispensing chamber 55 towards and into the outlet 102 and hence into the discharge channel 13 will be provided and supported.

[0169] In FIG. 14, another example of the fluid dispensing device 10 is illustrated. Here, and contrary to the example of FIGS. 1-4 the container 20 is connected and fixed to the first member 40. The tubular section 41 and hence the sidewall 42 of the first member 40 may reach through or may penetrate the shell 23 of the container 20. The first member 40 may be in sealing engagement with the shell 23. In this way, the interior 46 of the first member 40 is in direct and permanent fluid communication with the cavity 22 of the container 20.

[0170] With the example of FIG. 14, the outlet 53 of the fluid dispensing device 10 is sealed by an outlet valve 157 implemented as a one-way valve 154. Basically, the outlet valve 157 comprises the same construction and follows the same working principle as the inlet valve 47. Regarding the shape, construction and working principle of the outlet valve 157, reference can be made to the inlet valve 47, accordingly. Hence, all features, benefits, and effects as described in connection with the inlet valve 47 equally apply to the outlet valve 157.

[0171] The outlet valve 157 comprises a tubular part or section 141, which is axially confined by a closed wall 144 towards the discharge channel 13. The tubular section 41 and hence the tubular-shaped sidewall 142 is sheathed by a flexible tubular shaped seal 145. There are further provided at least one or numerous through openings 143 extending radially through the sidewall 142. The seal 145 effectively seals the through openings 143.

[0172] In the event that a pressure inside the interior 146 of the tubular section 141 is larger than in the adjacent discharge channel 13 the liquid substance contained in the dispensing chamber 55, which is in permanent fluid communication with the interior 146, is expelled through the through openings 143, thereby at least temporally and radially outwardly deforming the tubular seal 143.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1 distal direction 2 proximal direction 10 fluid dispensing device 11 housing 12 spray nozzle 13 discharge channel 14 applicator section 15 guiding structure 16 sidewall 17 flange 18 stop face 19 beveled section 20 container 21 liquid substance 22 cavity 23 shell 24 flexible shell portion 25 flexible foil 30 discharge assembly 40 first member 41 tubular section 42 sidewall 43 through opening 44 closed wall 45 seal 46 interior 47 inlet valve 48 flange portion 50 second member 51 tubular section 52 sidewall 53 outlet 54 check valve 55 dispensing chamber 56 end wall 57 outlet valve 58 protrusion 59 protrusion 60 dip tube 61 longitudinal end 62 longitudinal end 64 base 65 sidewall 66 through opening 68 rim portion 70 mechanical biasing member 71 first end 72 second end 73 spring 80 shoulder portion 81 rim portion 84 base portion 85 flap section 86 flap section 91 mount 92 through opening 93 base portion 94 protrusion 95 sealing body 96 flange section 101 mount 102 outlet 103 receiving space 104 support 105 support 110 flexible disc 111 middle portion 112 outer edge 114 tubular section 142 sidewall 143 through opening 144 closed wall 145 seal 146 interior 154 one-way valve 157 outlet valve