Protective cap for a dispenser, and discharge device for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective cap for a dispenser, and to a dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids, wherein the dispenser has a liquid reservoir and an outlet opening through which the liquid can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere. The protective cap comprises an outer cap and an inner element inserted therein, wherein either at least one ventilation channel, which can be closed by means of a shut-off element and provides communication between an interior of the protective cap and an external environment, is formed between the outer cap and the inner element, or the inner element closes a ventilation opening of the outer cap.

Claims

1. A protective cap for a dispenser for discharging a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquid having a liquid reservoir and an outlet opening through which the liquid can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere, the protective cap comprising: an outer cap and an inner element inserted therein; at least one ventilation channel providing communication between an interior of the protective cap and an external environment formed between the outer cap and the inner element; and a tamper-evident safety device with a first segment which is to be removed irreversibly before a first use, wherein the first segment to be removed serves as a shut-off element which is to be separated irreversibly from the protective cap before the first use and by which the at least one ventilation channel is directly closed in an airtight and germproof manner by the first segment before removal of the first segment, wherein the shut-off element directly prevents airflow through the at least one ventilation channel before removal of the shut-off element.

2. The protective cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident safety device has the first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is connected to the second segment and to the outer cap by predetermined breaking points.

3. The protective cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner element has two sealing areas which are spaced apart in an axial direction and are for providing contact with the dispenser.

4. The protective cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective cap has an absorber element that rests on the outlet opening during use.

5. A discharge device comprising: a dispenser for discharging a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquid, the dispenser including a liquid reservoir and an outlet opening through which the liquid can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere; and a protective cap with an outer cap and an inner element inserted therein, wherein at least one ventilation channel providing communication between an interior of the protective cap and an external environment is formed between the outer cap and the inner element, and a tamper-evident safety device with a first segment which is to be removed irreversibly before a first use, wherein the first segment to be removed serves as a shut-off element which is to be separated irreversibly from the protective cap before the first use and by which the at least one ventilation channel is directly closed in an airtight and germproof manner by the first segment before removal of the first segment, wherein the shut-off element directly prevents airflow through the at least one ventilation channel before removal of the shut-off element.

6. The discharge device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first segment, before a removal, bears sealingly in the airtight and germproof manner on a housing of the dispenser such that the at least one ventilation channel is directly closed in the airtight and germproof manner by the first segment before removal of the first segment.

7. The discharge device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an outlet channel, which connects the liquid reservoir to the outlet opening, and an outlet valve, which opens depending on pressure or can be manually actuated and which is arranged in the outlet channel and, in a closed state, closes the outlet channel.

8. The discharge device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shut-off element is connected to the outer cap by predetermined breaking points.

9. A protective cap for a dispenser comprising: an outer cap and an inner element inserted therein; at least one ventilation channel providing communication between an interior of the protective cap and an external environment formed between the outer cap and the inner element; and a tamper-evident safety device with a first segment which is to be removed irreversibly before a first use of the protective cap, wherein the first segment to be removed serves as a shut-off element which is to be separated irreversibly from the protective cap before the first use and by which the at least one ventilation channel is directly closed in an airtight and germproof manner while the shut-off element is connected to the protective cap; wherein the shut-off element directly prevents airflow through the at least one ventilation channel before removal of the shut-off element.

10. The protective cap of claim 9, wherein the shut-off element is connected to the outer cap by predetermined breaking points.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become clear not only from the claims but also from the following description of preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. The same reference signs are used in the drawings for identical or similar components. Features described or shown as part of one illustrative embodiment can likewise be used in another illustrative embodiment in order to obtain a further configuration of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective overall view of a first embodiment of a discharge device comprising a dispenser and a protective cap,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the discharge device according to FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective overall view of a second embodiment of a discharge device comprising a dispenser and a protective cap, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the discharge device according to FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIG. 1 first shows a dispenser 2 for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids, which dispenser is suitable in particular for unpreserved ophthalmics.

(8) This dispenser 2 has a liquid reservoir 21 delimited by a container body 20. The liquid 4 is stored in the liquid reservoir 21. An outlet assembly 22 with a housing 220 is mounted on the container body 20, wherein the housing 220 in the illustrative embodiment shown is secured on the container body 20 by means of a latching connection. This outlet assembly 22 serves the purpose of conveying liquid from the liquid reservoir 21 through an outlet channel 23 to an outlet opening 24. The outlet opening 24 shown is designed as a drop-formation surface and widens conically in the discharge direction.

(9) In the view in FIG. 1, the sectional plane means that only a final portion of the outlet channel 23 is shown. Arranged in the outlet channel 23 is an outlet valve 25 which, in a closed state, closes the outlet channel 23, such that liquid located downstream of the outlet valve 25 in the discharge direction cannot pass back into the liquid reservoir 21. The outlet valve 25 shown comprises a valve body 27, which is adjustable counter to the force of a restoring spring 26 and which cooperates with a valve seat 28 formed on a housing wall. An inward flow of air into the liquid reservoir 21 for pressure compensation takes place via a pressure compensation opening 29 and a filter element 290, wherein the pressure compensation opening 29 communicates with the filter element 290 via a channel (not shown). In advantageous embodiments, the filter element 290 comprises a liquid filter pointing toward the liquid reservoir 21, and a bacterial filter pointing away from the liquid reservoir 21 and having a separation limit of ca. 0.2 m, such that bacteria measuring ca. 0.2 to ca. 5 m are safely held back by the bacterial filter.

(10) The dispenser 2 shown is designed as a squeeze bottle. This dispenser 2 is used by turning it over with the outlet opening 24 facing downward. Walls of the container body 20 are then squeezed together in order to apply pressure to the liquid 4 in the liquid reservoir 21. This pressure causes the outlet valve 25 to open. More exactly, as soon as the liquid pressure in a portion of the outlet channel 23 upstream of the outlet valve 25 is high enough, the valve body 27 is shifted by this pressure counter to the force of the restoring spring 26 and clears the way for the liquid in the direction of the outlet opening 24.

(11) After a discharge, the outlet valve 25 is closed again. Generally, a residue of the liquid, the so-called residual drop, remains on the outlet opening 24, designed as drop-formation surface, and in a portion of the outlet channel 23 assigned to the outlet opening 24 and downstream of the outlet valve 25 in the discharge direction. A return flow into the liquid reservoir 21 is not possible on account of the outlet valve 25 that opens depending on pressure. Without fitting a protective cap, the residual drop can quickly dry up.

(12) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a perspective overall view and a sectional view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a discharge device 1 comprising a dispenser 2 according to FIG. 1 and a protective cap 3 with an irreversibly removable shut-off element. For a description of the dispenser 2, reference is made to the above.

(13) The protective cap 3 has a tamper-evident safety device 30, an outer cap 31 formed in one piece with the tamper-evident safety device 30, and an inner element 32 inserted into the outer cap 31. Between the outer cap 31 and the inner element 32 inserted therein, a ventilation channel 33 is formed so as to bring an interior of the protective cap 3 into communication with an external environment and thus permit rapid drying even when a protective cap 3 is fitted. An air stream through the ventilation channel 33 is indicated schematically by an arrow I. The ventilation channel 33 is formed preferably by a channel or groove on the outer cap 31 and/or on the inner element 32, which channel or groove is closed by the second element. In one embodiment, a multiplicity of channels or grooves are provided which extend in the axial direction of the dispenser 2 and which form a multiplicity of parallel ventilation inserted.

(14) The outer cap 31 has a sleeve-shaped portion 310 and a cover element 311. The inner element 32 shown is designed as an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is inserted into the sleeve-shaped portion 310 of the outer cap 31 and is latched onto the outer cap 31 at an end directed away from the container body 20. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the outer cap 31 for this purpose has an annular web 312 protruding from the cover element 311. The web 312 forms, with the sleeve-shaped portion 310, a slit into which an end of the inner sleeve is inserted.

(15) At the end of the inner element 32 directed away from the container body 20, an absorber element 5 is also provided which, as is shown, rests on the outlet opening 24 during a use of the protective cap, wherein the absorber element 5 closes the inner element 32 in an air-permeable manner in the direction of the ventilation channel 33.

(16) The tamper-evident safety device 30 shown has a first segment 301 to be removed irreversibly before a first use, and a second segment 302 connected to the dispenser 2 such that the connection cannot be undone without destruction. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the second segment 302 has slits 303 into which detent springs (not shown) of the dispenser 2, more precisely of the housing 220 of the outlet assembly 22, engage. The detent springs are designed in such a way that, during a movement in a fitting direction when mounting the protective cap 3 onto the outlet assembly 22, the detent springs are latched into the slits 303, wherein the detent springs, after latching, prevent a movement counter to the fitting direction. A movement of the second segment 302 and thus of the outer cap 31 for detachment of the protective cap 3 is thus possible only with at least partial destruction of the second segment 302 and/or of the detent springs. If detachment of this kind takes place improperly, this is therefore immediately apparent from the partial destruction of the component parts. In other embodiments, other elements are provided for connecting the second segment 302 to the outlet assembly 22 such that the connection cannot be undone without destruction. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the second segment 302 is additionally connected to the housing 220 by a latching geometry 304.

(17) The first segment 301, the second segment 302 and the outer cap 31 are formed in one piece, wherein the first segment 301 is arranged between the second segment 302 and the outer cap 31. The first segment 301 is connected to the outer cap 31 and to the second segment 302 by means of predetermined breaking points 305, 306. On the first segment 301, there is also a tear-open tab 307 that can be gripped by a user, and, by application of a force on the tear-off tab 307, the first segment 301 is separated at the predetermined breaking points 305, 306 from the outer cap 31 and from the second segment 302 and thus removed irreversibly. After removal of the first segment 301, the second segment 302 remains on the housing 220 but is no longer connected to the outer cap 31. The protective cap 3 can thus be detached after removal of the first segment 301. The protective cap 3 is designed in such a way that said cap 3 can be repeatedly detached from and clamped back onto the dispenser 2. For this purpose, the protective cap 3 is slightly deformed when fitted, such that the elastic restoring forces of a protective cap 3 made from plastic generate a clamping action. In other embodiments, latching elements are provided for this purpose. The outer cap 31 has grip areas 313 to allow better gripping and better application of a force.

(18) The first segment 301 serves as a shut-off element and, in the original state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, i.e. before a removal of the first segment 301, the ventilation channel 33 is closed in an airtight and germproof manner by the first segment 301. For this purpose, the first segment 301 bears sealingly on the housing 220. This prevents germs from collecting in an interior of the protective cap 3 before a first use. After the first segment 301 has been removed, the ventilation channel 33 or ventilation channels are cleared, thereby ensuring that the outlet opening 24 dries off.

(19) The inner element 32 shown also has two sealing areas 321, 322 which are spaced apart in the axial direction and at which the inner element 32 bears sealingly on the housing 220. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the pressure compensation opening 29 is arranged between the sealing areas 321, 322 during a use of the protective cap 3. With the protective cap 3 fitted in place, the pressure compensation opening 29 is thus sealed off both from the environment and also from the outlet opening 24. Diffusion of the liquid 4 is thereby prevented.

(20) FIGS. 4 and 5 show a perspective overall view and a sectional view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a discharge device 1 comprising a dispenser 2 according to FIG. 1 and a protective cap 3, with an inner element 32 that is rotatable relative to the protective cap. The protective cap 3 is used similarly to the protective cap 3 in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the same reference signs are used for identical or similar components. For a description of the dispenser 2, reference is made to the above.

(21) The protective cap 3 has a tamper-evident safety device 30, and an outer cap 31 formed in one piece with the tamper-evident safety device 30. The outer cap 31 has a sleeve-shaped portion 310 and a cover element 311. The inner element 32 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is designed as an inner cap and is inserted into the sleeve-shaped portion 310 of the outer cap 31.

(22) The outer cap 31 and the inner element 32 designed as an inner cap each have an aperture 315, 325. If the apertures 315, 325 are brought into coincidence, an interior of the protective cap 3 communicates with an external environment via the apertures 315, 325, in order thereby to permit rapid drying of a residual liquid even when the protective cap 3 is fitted in place. In the state shown, the apertures 315, 325 are not coincident, and an interior of the protective cap 3 is closed in an airtight and germproof manner.

(23) At an end of the inner element 32 directed away from the container body 20, an absorber element 5 is provided which, as is shown, bears on the outlet opening 24 during a use of the protective cap. The absorber element 5 is locked onto the inner element 32 by means of a peripheral projection 326.

(24) The tamper-evident safety device 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a segment 302 which is connected to the dispenser 2 in such a way that the connection cannot be undone without destruction, and which prevents detachment of the protective cap 3. The segment 302 is secured on the housing 220 analogously to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, and reference is made to the above for a description. The segment 302 and the outer cap 31 are formed in one piece, wherein a predetermined breaking point 305 is provided between the segment 302 and the outer cap 31. By application of a torque on the outer cap 31, the outer cap 31 is separated from the first segment 301 at the predetermined breaking points 305. The outer cap 31 is adjusted relative to the inner element 32, to be more exact rotated about the longitudinal axis, such that the apertures 315, 325 come into coincidence. Preferably, it is possible to pull off the protective cap 3 only when the apertures 315, 325 have come into coincidence. Grip areas 313 are provided to allow better gripping of the outer cap 31.