System comprising a nozzle and a fixing means therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a nozzle system for a delivery device for liquids, wherein the nozzle system comprises a nozzle and a device which fixes the nozzle in the delivery device. The delivery device, an atomiser, has a liquid reservoir from which a liquid is forced through the nozzle under pressure. The nozzle fixing means may itself be secured by a second fixing, e.g., in the form of a check nut, or the fixing may itself be a check nut. According to the invention the fixing means on the nozzle outlet side has a specific geometry which minimises the proportion of dispensed liquid deposited on the fixing means. Preferably, the present invention is part of a propellant-free device for nebulising pharmaceutical liquids.

1 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) which consists of a nozzle ( 3 ) having at least two nozzle apertures ( 11 ) and a nozzle holder ( 4 ) and optionally a check nut ( 2 ), wherein 
 the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) or the nozzle channels ( 9 ) opening into the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) are arranged so that the jets leaving the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) are aimed towards one another at an angle α,    the nozzle ( 3 ) is arranged in the nozzle holder ( 4 ) and this is optionally fixed by a check nut ( 2 ),    in the assembled state the nozzle holder ( 4 ) or the check nut ( 2 ) or both extend at least partially into the area in front of the nozzle apertures ( 11 ),    characterised in that    in the assembled state the nozzle holder ( 4 ) or, if the nozzle system ( 1 ) has a check nut ( 2 ), the nozzle holder ( 4 ) together with the check nut ( 2 ) has an inner recess,    which begins on the side adjacent to the end face of the nozzle ( 3 ) and extends as far as the outside of the nozzle holder ( 4 ) parallel thereto or, in the case of a check nut ( 2 ), as far as the outside thereof parallel to the end face of the nozzle,    which, viewed from the end face of the nozzle ( 3 ), widens out steadily and continuously in the direction of the outside of the nozzle holder ( 4 ) parallel thereto or, in the case of a check nut ( 2 ), the outside of said check nut parallel thereto.    
     
     
         2 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a check nut ( 2 ) is provided.  
     
     
         3 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the recess ( 5 ) is funnel-shaped or conical.  
     
     
         4 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the recess ( 5 ) of conical construction has a cone angle 2θ in the range between 55° and 155°.  
     
     
         5 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the recess ( 5 ) of conical construction has a cone angle 2θ in the range between 70° and 140°.  
     
     
         6 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the recess ( 5 ) of conical construction has a cone angle 2θ in the range between 70° and 85°.  
     
     
         7 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the recess ( 5 ) of conical construction has a cone angle 2θ in the range between 95° and 140°.  
     
     
         8 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the recess ( 5 ) of conical construction has a cone angle 2θ in the range between 105° and 125°.  
     
     
         9 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the point of collision ( 10 ) where the jets meet has a height of impact h above the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) which is in the range between 20 μm and 85 μm.  
     
     
         10 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the point of collision ( 10 ) where the jets meet has a height of impact h above the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) which is in the range between 25 μm and 75 μm.  
     
     
         11 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the point of collision ( 10 ) where the jets meet has a height of impact h above the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) which is in the range between 35 μm and 75 μm.  
     
     
         12 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the angle α is in the range between 50° and 110°.  
     
     
         13 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the angle α is in the range between 65° and 95°.  
     
     
         14 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 13 , characterised in that the angle α is in the range between 75° and 90°.  
     
     
         15 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the spacing a of the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) is in the range between 40 μm and 125 μm.  
     
     
         16 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 15 , characterised in that the spacing a of the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) is in the range between 50 μm and 115 μm.  
     
     
         17 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 15 , characterised in that the spacing a of the nozzle apertures ( 11 ) is in the range between 60 μm and 105 μm.  
     
     
         18 . Nozzle system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that in the assembled state only the nozzle holder ( 4 ) extends into the area in front of the nozzle apertures ( 11 ).  
     
     
         19 . Nozzle system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the nozzle is formed from at least two construction units.  
     
     
         20 . Nozzle system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the nozzle is formed from at least two superimposed plates, at least one of the plates having a second microstructure so that the plates lying one on top of the other define, on one side, a liquid inlet connected to a channel system and/or a filter system which then opens into one or more liquid outlets.  
     
     
         21 . Delivery device for liquids, characterised in that it comprises a nozzle system according to one of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         22 . Delivery device according to  claim 21 , characterised in that it is an atomiser for pharmaceutical liquids.  
     
     
         23 . Delivery device according to  claim 21 , characterised in that the device comprises a lower and an upper housing part mounted to be rotatable relative to one another, the upper part of the housing containing a spring housing with spring which is tensioned by rotating the two housing parts by means of a locking clamping mechanism preferably in the form of a screw thread or gear and is released by pressing a release button on the upper part of the housing, the spring meanwhile moving a power take-off flange connected to a hollow piston on the lower end of which a container can be fitted and at the upper end of which are found a valve and a pressure chamber which is connected for fluid transmission to the nozzle or the nozzle system formed in the upwardly open part of the upper housing part.  
     
     
         24 . Delivery device according to  claim 23 , characterised in that the device is an inhaler or some other atomiser for medicinal liquids.