Device for dispensing a liquid product with dosage indicator

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid product dispensing device comprising a metering valve.

[0002] So-called metering valves, in which each time the valve is actuation, a precise dose of fluid product is dispensed, are well known in the state of the art, and are generally assembled on a reservoir containing the fluid product and a propellant gas used to expel the dose.

[0003] There are two main types of metering valves.

[0004] So-called retention valves have a valve which, in the rest position, partially closes the metering chamber. More precisely, the outside of the valve cooperates in a sealed manner with the chamber seal of the metering chamber, so that the metering chamber is connected to the reservoir, in this rest position, only via the internal channel of the valve.

[0005] The metering chambers of so-called non-priming valves are only filled just before actual actuation.

[0006] In both cases, the filling of the tank with the fluid product to be dispensed is generally done after assembling the dosing valve on the tank, through said dosing valve.

[0007] An important element for a metering valve is to be able to indicate to the user the filling status of the reservoir, to allow him to assess whether it will soon be empty. There are many very complex indicators or dose counters that are complicated and expensive to manufacture and assemble. However, in some cases, particularly with certain medications, an approximate indication may be sufficient, and the significant additional cost generated by existing devices is not justified.

[0008] Documents US2002189611, US2015157814, JPH0169786 and JP2007153415 describe prior art devices.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product dispensing device which does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] The present invention therefore aims to provide such a device which makes it possible to indicate to the user the filling level of the tank.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which allows the body and the indicator to be reused with different dispensers, regardless of the filling level of the tank, while ensuring a reliable indication of said filling level.

[0012] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and which operates reliably.

[0013] The present invention therefore relates to a fluid product dispensing device, comprising a body provided with a hollow axial sleeve receiving a fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir containing a fluid product and a metering valve, said fluid product comprising a liquid formulation consisting of one or more active principle(s) in suspension and / or in solution in a liquefied propellant gas, said body comprising an indicator for indicating to the user the quantity of fluid product remaining in the fluid product dispenser, said indicator comprising an indicator element arranged outside said hollow axial sleeve and axially movable relative to said hollow axial sleeve along indicator means arranged outside said hollow axial sleeve,said indicator element being moved at each actuation of the device in the absence of any mechanical contact between said indicator element and a part of the movable dispenser during actuation, such as said reservoir, said indicator element being connected by a link to an internal rod arranged inside said hollow axial sleeve, said link sliding in an axial groove made in said hollow axial sleeve, said internal rod forming or comprising a first magnet, said reservoir containing a follower piston and a piston spring which biases said follower piston axially in the direction of said metering valve, said follower piston being adapted to slide axially in said reservoir in a sealed manner after each actuation, to compensate for the volume of each dose dispensed, said follower piston containing a second magnet, so that at each axial movement of said follower piston after each actuation,this magnetically drives said internal rod and therefore said indicating element, which therefore moves axially along said axial groove.

[0014] Advantageously, said metering valve comprises a valve body containing a metering chamber, a valve sliding axially in said valve body between a rest position and a dispensing position, for dispensing the contents of said metering chamber, said valve being biased towards its rest position by a valve spring.

[0015] Advantageously, said propellant gas comprises an HFA gas, such as HFA 134a and / or HFA 227 and / or HFA-152a.

[0016] Alternatively, said propellant gas comprises HFO1234ze.

[0017] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which: There figure 1 is a schematic cutaway perspective view of a fluid product dispensing device, before the first actuation, The figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , after several actuations, with an almost empty tank, and The figure 3 is a schematic perspective view, showing the indicator as visible from the outside before the first actuation of the device.

[0018] In the following description, the terms "top", "bottom", "superior" and "lower" refer to the upright position shown in the figures, and the terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms "proximal" and "distal" refer to the dispensing tip.

[0019] The device shown in the figures comprises a body 100 receiving a fluid product dispenser.

[0020] The body 100 comprises a hollow axial sleeve 101 receiving the fluid dispenser and a dispensing tip 110, which in the example shown is a mouthpiece. It is however understood that the present invention could also be applied to a different dispensing tip, in particular of the nasal type. The dispensing tip 110 defines a dispensing orifice through which the user will inhale when using the device. The dispensing tip 110 can be made in one piece with the body 100. A removable protective cover (not shown) can be provided on said mouthpiece 110, in particular during storage periods, which the user will remove before use. The body 100 can be made in one piece or in several pieces assembled and fixed to each other.

[0021] The body 100 further comprises an indicator 200 to indicate to the user the quantity of fluid product remaining in the fluid product dispenser. This indicator will be described in more detail below.

[0022] The fluid product dispenser comprises a reservoir 1 containing the fluid product, and a metering valve 10. This metering valve 10 is assembled on the reservoir 1, preferably by means of a fixing element 2, which can be a crimped, screwed or snap-on cap, and advantageously with the interposition of a neck seal 3. Optionally, a ring 4 can be assembled around the body 11 of the metering valve 10, in particular to reduce the dead volume in the inverted position and to limit the contact of the fluid product with the neck seal 3. This ring 4 can be of any shape, and the example in the figures is not limiting. The fluid product can be a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or perfumery product.In particular, the reservoir 1 may contain the fluid product and the propellant gas, in particular a liquid formulation consisting of one or more active ingredient(s) in suspension and / or in solution in a liquefied propellant gas, as well as possibly excipients. The propellant gas advantageously comprises an HFA gas, for example HFA 134a and / or HFA 227. Preferably the propellant gas comprises HFA-152a. Alternatively, other gases that are not harmful to the environment may be used, such as HFO1234ze. The fluid product contained in the reservoir is thus pressurized.

[0023] The metering valve 10 comprises a valve body 11 extending along a longitudinal central axis. Inside said valve body 10, a valve 20 slides between a rest position, which is that shown in the figures 1 et 2 , and a dispensing position in which the valve 20 is pressed inside the valve body 11.

[0024] The valve 20 is biased towards its rest position by a valve spring 12, which is arranged in the valve body 11 and which cooperates on the one hand with this valve body 11, and on the other hand with the valve 20, preferably with a radial collar 21 of the valve 20. A metering chamber 30 is defined inside the valve body 11, said valve 20 sliding inside said metering chamber 30 to allow the contents thereof to be dispensed when the metering valve is actuated.

[0025] In a known manner, the valve 20 can be made in two parts, namely an upper part (also called the valve top) and a lower part (also called the valve bottom).

[0026] Conventionally, during actuation, the valve 20 is fixed relative to the body 100, and it is the reservoir 1 which is moved axially relative to the body 100 between a distal position, which is the rest position, and a proximal position, which is the actuation position.

[0027] The outlet orifice of the valve 20 is connected via a channel to said dispensing tip 110, through which the user inhales the dispensed product. In known manner, said valve 20 is received in a valve well 120 which at least partially defines said channel.

[0028] The metering chamber 30 is preferably defined between two annular seals, a valve seal 31 and a chamber seal 32, in a well-known manner.

[0029] THE figures 1 et 2 represent the metering valve in the upright storage position, i.e. the position in which the metering chamber 30 is arranged above the reservoir 1.

[0030] The reservoir 1 contains a follower piston 5 and a piston spring 6 which biases the follower piston 5 axially upwards towards said metering valve 10. Thus, the follower piston 5 is subjected on one side to the pressure exerted on it by the pressurized fluid product, and on the other side to the pressure exerted on it by the piston spring 6. The follower piston 5 is adapted to slide axially in the reservoir 1 in a sealed manner after each actuation, to compensate for the volume of each dose dispensed.

[0031] The insertion of the follower piston 5 into the reservoir can for example be carried out through an open bottom of the reservoir closed, after insertion, by fixing a suitable closing element. Alternatively, this insertion could also be carried out through an open top of the reservoir followed by the fixing of a reservoir neck portion.

[0032] Advantageously, the piston spring 6 exerts a low pressure, sufficient to compensate for each decrease in fluid product after each actuation, but without exerting too much pressure on the follower piston, which could prevent or complicate the filling of the reservoir 1. The choice of the piston spring 6 and its properties therefore depends on the parameters of the device, such as the dimensions of the reservoir 1, the volume of each dose, the type of formulation, the pressure of the propellant gas, etc.

[0033] Before filling the reservoir 1 with the fluid product, the follower piston 5 is therefore pushed by the piston spring 6 close to the metering valve 10, as seen in the figure 2 .

[0034] During filling, the fluid product pushes the follower piston 5 axially downwards, compressing the piston spring 6 and the air disposed between the follower piston 5 and the bottom of the reservoir 1, until a pressure balance is achieved between the upper part 7 of the reservoir containing the fluid product in liquid form and the lower part 8 of the reservoir containing the compressed air and the piston spring 6. This end of filling position is shown in the figure 1 .

[0035] After each actuation, following the dispensing of a dose of fluid product from the reservoir, the volume of the upper part 7 decreases, and the piston spring 6 pushes the follower piston 5 axially upwards to compensate for this decrease in volume without substantial modification of the pressure in the upper part 7 of the reservoir. Thus, the fluid product always remains in liquid form, which eliminates or at least greatly reduces the risks of "drain back".

[0036] Another advantage of this implementation is the possibility of actuating the valve in any orientation, since the regulation of the volume and pressure in the upper part 7 of the reservoir by the follower piston 5 and its piston spring 6 not only prevents "drain back" but also ensures good filling of the metering chamber 30 after each actuation.

[0037] According to the invention, the indicator 200 comprises an indication element 201 arranged outside the hollow axial sleeve 101 of the body 100, and axially movable relative to said hollow axial sleeve 101 along indication means 208 arranged outside said hollow axial sleeve 101.

[0038] In the example shown in the figures, the indicating means 208 comprise a colored triangle narrowing upwards, but any type of indicating means 208 is conceivable, for example alphanumeric markers.

[0039] According to the invention, the indicator element 201 is connected by a link 203 to an internal rod 202 arranged inside said hollow axial sleeve 101. Said link 203 slides in an axial groove 205 made in said hollow axial sleeve 101, as visible in the figure 3 .

[0040] According to the invention, the indicator element 201 is moved each time the device is actuation in the absence of any mechanical contact between said indicator element 201 and a part of the mobile device during actuation, such as for example the reservoir 1 or the fixing element 2. The indicator 200 is therefore completely independent of the metering valve 10. In addition, the body 100 and the indicator 200 are easily reusable by replacing the fluid dispenser.

[0041] According to the invention, said internal rod 202 forms or comprises a first magnet. In parallel, the follower piston 5 contains a second magnet 210. Thus, with each axial movement of the follower piston 5 after each actuation, the latter magnetically drives the internal rod 202 and therefore the indicator element 201, which therefore moves axially along the axial groove 205.

[0042] The choice of the first and second magnets is made to, on the one hand, guarantee reliable actuation of the indicator 200 without, on the other hand, generating too much friction which could impact the proper functioning of the device and / or the indicator. The properties of these magnets (dimensions, weight, strength, etc.) are adjusted according to the specificities, in particular the dimensions, of the device.

[0043] A particular advantage of an indicator element 201 which magnetically follows a follower piston 5 in the tank is that in the event of replacement of the distributor, the indicator element 201 automatically positions itself opposite the follower piston 5, with a reliable indication concerning the filling of the tank. This makes it possible to reuse the body 100 and its indicator 200 with different distributors, whatever the filling level of the tank, without risking providing an erroneous indication of this filling level.

[0044] Various alternative solutions could be envisaged for moving the indicator element 201 without contact at each actuation, for example a float provided with a magnet. Alternatively, provision could be made to arrange inside the body 100 an electromagnet activated at each actuation, for example by a contactor triggered by the reservoir 1 or the fixing element 2 in the actuation position, this electromagnet when activated acting on an internal part of the indicator element to move it a short distance at each actuation. Other variants are also possible.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is understood that it is not limited by the example shown. On the contrary, those skilled in the art may make any useful modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fluid product dispensing device, including a body (100) provided with a hollow axial sleeve (101) receiving a fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir (1) containing a fluid product and a metering valve (10), said fluid product comprising a liquid formulation consisting of one or more active ingredient(s) in suspension and / or in solution in a liquefied propellant gas, said body (100) including an indicator (200) to indicate to the user the amount of fluid product remaining in the fluid product dispenser, said indicator (200) including an indication element (201) disposed outside said hollow axial sleeve (101) and axially movable relative to said hollow axial sleeve (101) along indication means (208) disposed outside said hollow axial sleeve (101), said indication element (201) being moved each time the device is actuated in the absence of any mechanical contact between said indication element (201) and a part of the dispenser that is movable during the actuation, such as said reservoir (1), said indication element (201) being connected by a link (203) to an inner rod (202) disposed inside said hollow axial sleeve (101), said link (203) sliding in an axial groove (205) made in said hollow axial sleeve (101), said inner rod (202) forming or including a first magnet, said reservoir (1) containing a follower piston (5) and a piston spring (6) which biases said follower piston (5) axially towards said metering valve (10), said follower piston (5) being adapted to slide axially in said reservoir (1) in a sealed manner after each actuation, to compensate for the volume of each dispensed dose, said follower piston (5) containing a second magnet (210), so that at each axial displacement of said follower piston (5) after each actuation, the latter magnetically drives said inner rod (202) and therefore said indication element (201), which therefore axially moves along said axial groove (205).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said metering valve (10) comprises a valve body (11) containing a metering chamber (30), a valve (20) axially sliding in said valve body (11) between a rest position and a dispensing position, for dispensing the contents of said metering chamber (30), said valve (20) being biased towards its rest position by a valve spring (12).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said propellant gas comprises an HFA gas, such as HFA 134a and / or HFA 227 and / or HFA-152a.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said propellant gas comprises HF01234ze.