Two-dose dosage system for a fluid product dispensing device

Abstract

Disclosed is a two-dose dosage system (20) for a fluid product dispensing device, said device comprising a syringe-type reservoir (1) containing fluid product, and a piston (2) that is locked to a piston rod (3) and is slidably mounted in the reservoir (1) to dispense the fluid product, the dosage system (20) comprising a first dosing element (21), a second dosing element (22) and a third dosing element (23), the first dosing element (21) being axially non-movably attached to the piston rod (3) so as to axially move together therewith, the third dosing element (23) not being axially movable relative to the reservoir (1), the second dosing element (22) being placed between the first and third dosing elements (21, 23), the second dosing element (22) being slidable relative to the third dosing element (23) when the first dose is dispensed and relative to the first dosing element (21) when the second dose is dispensed.

Description

[0001] Double-dose dosing system for fluid product dispensing device

[0002] The present invention relates to a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device comprising such a two-dose dosing system.

[0003] Two-dose fluid dispensing devices are well known. They comprise a reservoir containing two doses of fluid to be dispensed in two successive actuations. When the reservoir is of the syringe type, with a piston secured to a piston rod that slides in a cylindrical reservoir, there are two-dose dosing systems that allow the piston stroke to be separated into two half-strokes, one for each dose. These dosing systems are often complex and therefore expensive to manufacture and assemble, and generally require modification of the syringe and / or the piston rod.

[0004] Furthermore, when a nasal spray head is associated with a syringe-type reservoir, a disadvantage of existing devices concerns the quality of the spray generated, which may depend on the actuation carried out by the user, in particular the speed and force of actuation, and differ between the two doses. However, to guarantee good reproducibility of the spray, it is desirable to generate a calibrated spray, i.e. one whose properties are substantially similar for the two doses, regardless of the way in which the user actuates the device.

[0005] Documents US10792433, AU2013238598 and US2019060578 describe prior art devices.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device which do not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0007] The present invention aims in particular to provide a two-dose dosing system which adapts to a fluid product dispensing device comprising a standard syringe-type reservoir, in particular without having to modify the reservoir and / or the piston rod.

[0008] The present invention also aims to provide a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device which make it possible to ensure a calibrated and reproducible spray for both doses, in particular regardless of how the user operates the device.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device which guarantee precise dosing for both doses.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device which are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0011] The present invention therefore relates to a two-dose dosing system for a fluid product dispensing device, said device comprising a syringe-type reservoir containing fluid product, a piston secured to a piston rod being slidably mounted in said reservoir to dispense said fluid product, said dosing system comprising a first dosing element, a second dosing element and a third dosing element, said first dosing element being fixed in an axially non-movable manner on said piston rod, so that it moves axially together with it, said third dosing element being axially non-movable relative to said reservoir, said second dosing element being arranged between said first and third dosing elements,said second dosing element sliding relative to said third dosing element when dispensing the first dose and relative to said first dosing element when dispensing the second dose.,

[0012] Advantageously, each dosing element is C-shaped, with an axial opening over its entire height allowing it to be placed around said piston rod.

[0013] Advantageously, said piston rod comprises at its rear axial end edge a support flange on which the user presses during actuation, said first dosing element comprising a housing adapted to be fixed on said support flange.

[0014] Advantageously, said reservoir is formed by a hollow cylinder provided with a collar at its rear axial end edge, said third dosing element comprising a front axial edge which, in use, rests on said collar.

[0015] Advantageously, said first and third dosing elements have approximately identical inner and / or outer diameters, said second dosing element having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said first and third dosing elements, so that said second dosing element slides inside said third dosing element when dispensing the first dose and inside said first dosing element when dispensing the second dose.

[0016] Advantageously, said third dosing element is removed from said piston rod after dispensing the first dose, to allow dispensing of the second dose.

[0017] Advantageously, said second dosing element is connected to said third dosing element by first resistance means and to said first dosing element by second resistance means.

[0018] Advantageously, said first resistance means generate a lower resistance than said second resistance means, so that upon actuation, it is first said first resistance means which are overcome to dispense the first dose.

[0019] According to a first advantageous embodiment, said first, second and third dosing elements are formed by three separate parts assembled together.

[0020] Advantageously, said first resistance means comprise an external radial projection of said second dosing element, extending radially outwards, which cooperates with an internal groove formed in said third dosing element.

[0021] Advantageously, said external radial projection is formed at a front axial edge of said second metering element, and said internal groove is formed near a rear axial edge of said third metering element, being defined between said rear axial edge and an internal radial projection of said third metering element.

[0022] According to a second advantageous embodiment, said first, second and third dosing elements are molded from a single piece.

[0023] Advantageously, said first resistance means are formed by one or more first breakable bridge(s), and said second resistance means are formed by one or more second breakable bridge(s).

[0024] Advantageously, said first and third dosing elements are connected to each other in a captive manner, in particular via a wire.

[0025] Advantageously, the first dose is defined by the axial displacement of said first dosing element, axially fixed relative to said piston rod, relative to said third dosing element, axially fixed relative to said reservoir.

[0026] Advantageously, the second dose is defined by the axial displacement of said first dosing element, axially fixed relative to said piston rod, relative to said second dosing element, when it is axially fixed relative to said reservoir.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a fluid product dispensing device comprising a syringe-type reservoir, a piston mounted to slide in said reservoir, said piston being integral with a piston rod, and a two-dose dosing system as described above, said dosing system being assembled on said piston rod.

[0028] Advantageously, the device comprises a nasal spray head provided with a spray orifice mounted on said reservoir.

[0029] These advantages and characteristics and others of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description, made with reference to the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fluid product dispensing device comprising a two-dose dosing system according to a first embodiment, in the rest position,

[0030] Figure 2 is a detail view of Figure 1, showing the double-dose dosing system,

[0031] Figure 3 is a detail view of Figure 2, showing the first means of resistance,

[0032] Figure 4 is a partial schematic exploded perspective view of a fluid product dispensing device comprising a two-dose dosing system according to a second embodiment, before assembly of the two-dose dosing system on the piston rod of the device,

[0033] Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, after assembly of the two-dose dosing system on the piston rod and before the first actuation,

[0034] Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, after dispensing the first dose,

[0035] Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, after distribution of the second dose,

[0036] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective detail view, illustrating a first breakable bridge forming first resistance means for the first dose,

[0037] Figure 9 is a detailed perspective diagram illustrating a second breakable bridge forming second resistance means for the second dose,

[0038] Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, showing an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, and

[0039] Figures 11 to 13 are views similar to that of Figure 10, showing respectively the positions after dispensing the first dose, before and after dispensing the second dose.

[0040] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis A of the dispensing device shown in Figure 1. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction of flow of the fluid product when the device is actuated.

[0041] The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments relating to fluid product dispensing devices provided with a spray head, but it is understood that other embodiments could be envisaged, in particular conventional injection syringes, comprising a needle for dispensing the fluid product.

[0042] Figure 1 very schematically represents a spray head 10 assembled on a reservoir 1 of the syringe type. A removable protective cover can be assembled on the spray head before using the device. The reservoir 1 contains two doses of fluid product, generally a liquid, which are dispensed in two successive actuations.

[0043] Conventionally, suitable dispensing means are provided in the reservoir 1 to dispense its contents. Typically, these dispensing means comprise a piston 2 slidably mounted in the reservoir and secured to a piston rod 3 actuated by the user at the time of actuation.

[0044] The reservoir 1 is formed by a hollow cylinder provided with a collar 4 at its rear axial end edge. The piston rod 3 has at its rear axial end edge a support flange 5 on which the user presses during actuation.

[0045] The spray head 10 may conventionally comprise a body provided with a spray orifice. Preferably, the spray head 10 is of the nasal type, with an elongated body for penetrating a nostril and the spray orifice arranged at the front axial end of said body, in the direction of flow of the fluid product during actuation. Advantageously, an insert may be arranged upstream of the spray orifice to generate a spray, for example by means of a well-known spray profile. Other types of spray head are also conceivable. According to the invention, a two-dose dosing system 20 is provided which is fixed to the piston rod 3, between the collar 4 of the reservoir 1 and the support flange 5 of the piston rod 3.

[0046] This dosing system 20 comprises a first dosing element 21, a second dosing element 22 and a third dosing element 23. Each dosing element 21, 22, 23 is advantageously C-shaped, comprising an axial opening over its entire height allowing it to be placed around the piston rod 3.

[0047] The first metering element 21 is fixed in an axially non-movable manner on the piston rod 3, so that it moves together with it. Advantageously, it comprises a housing 25 adapted to receive the support flange 5 of the piston rod 3.

[0048] The third dosing element 23 is axially non-movable relative to the reservoir 1. Advantageously, it comprises a front axial edge 24 which, in use, rests on the collar 4 of the reservoir 1 in the form of a syringe.

[0049] Thus, when the dosing system 20 is arranged on the piston rod 3 of the dispensing device, the position of the piston 2 in the reservoir 1 is determined precisely and reproducibly, since the dosing system 20 rests on the one hand on the collar 4 of the reservoir 1 and receives on the other hand the support flange 5 of the piston rod 3.

[0050] The second dosing element 22 is arranged between the first and third dosing elements 21, 23.

[0051] Advantageously, the second dosing element 22 is connected to the third dosing element 23 by first resistance means 26 and to the first dosing element 21 by second resistance means 27. These first and second resistance means 26, 27 make it possible to accumulate energy in the user's hand during actuation, which is suddenly released when they are overcome, which guarantees good dispensing of the entirety of each dose.

[0052] The first resistance means 26 generate a lower resistance than the second resistance means 27, so that upon actuation, it is first the first resistance means 26 which are overcome to dispense the first dose.

[0053] The first and third dosing elements 21, 23 have approximately identical inner and / or outer diameters, while the second dosing element 22 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first and third dosing elements 21, 23. Thus, the second dosing element 22 can slide inside the third dosing element 23 when dispensing the first dose and inside the first dosing element 21 when dispensing the second dose.

[0054] Thus, at the start of actuation, the first resistance means 26 are overcome when the axial force exerted by the user on the piston rod 3 reaches a first predetermined threshold, so that the unit formed of the first dosing element 21 and the second dosing element 22 slides relative to the third dosing element 23. Figures 1, 2, 5 and 10 illustrate the position before the first actuation and Figures 6 and 11 the position after dispensing of the first dose.

[0055] The first and third dosing elements 21, 23 having an approximately identical diameter, the end of the actuation stroke for the first dose is defined by the stop of the front axial edge of the first dosing element 21 on the rear axial edge of the third dosing element 23, as visible in Figures 6 and 11. The first dose is therefore defined by the axial displacement of the first dosing element 21, axially fixed relative to the piston rod 3, relative to the third dosing element 23, axially fixed relative to the reservoir 1.

[0056] Furthermore, in the position after dispensing the first dose, the front axial edge 28 of the second dosing element 22 abuts the collar 4 of the reservoir 1, like the front axial edge 24 of the third dosing element 23.

[0057] In order to be able to dispense the second dose, the user must remove the third dosing element 23 from the piston rod 3, as illustrated in Figure 12. When the user presses the piston rod 3 again, the second resistance means 27 are overcome when the axial force exerted by the user on the piston rod 3 reaches a second predetermined threshold, so that the first dosing element 21 slides around the second dosing element 22. The end of the actuation stroke for the second dose is defined by the stop of the front edge of the first dosing element 21 on the collar 4 of the reservoir 1, as visible in Figures 7 and 13.

[0058] The axial lengths of the dosing elements 21, 22, 23 determine the volumes of the two doses. Thus, by varying these lengths, these volumes can be adjusted.

[0059] Preferably, the two doses have the same volume, and in this case, the dosing elements 21, 22, 23 have substantially identical lengths. Alternatively, two doses of different volumes could be produced by producing dosing elements 21, 22, 23 of different lengths.

[0060] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first advantageous embodiment of the two-dose dosing system 20 in which the first, second and third dosing elements 21, 22, 23 are formed by three separate pieces assembled together.

[0061] Figure 3 shows an example for the first resistance means 26. In this example, an external radial projection 26' of the second metering element 22, extending radially outwards, cooperates with an internal groove 23' formed in the third metering element 23.

[0062] The external radial projection 26' is formed at the front axial edge 28 of the second metering element 22.

[0063] The internal groove 23' is formed near the rear axial edge of the third metering element 23, being defined between said rear axial edge and an internal radial projection 23" of said third metering element 23.

[0064] Thus, to overcome the first resistance means 26, the external radial projection 26' of the second dosing element 22 must deform and pass over the internal radial projection 23" of the third dosing element 23. Advantageously, the second resistance means 27 are produced in a similar manner, however with a greater resistance requiring the application of a greater force to be overcome compared to the first resistance means 26.

[0065] Figures 4 to 9 illustrate a second embodiment, in which the first, second and third metering elements 21, 22, 23 are molded in a single piece. In this case, the first and second resistance means 26, 27 which are advantageously formed by one or more first and second breakable bridges.

[0066] Figure 8 shows an example of a first breakable bridge forming the first resistance means 26, arranged between the second and third dosing elements 22, 23.

[0067] Figure 9 shows an example of a second breakable bridge forming the second resistance means 27, arranged between the first and second dosing elements 21, 22.

[0068] Preferably, the force required to break the first breakable bridge(s) is less than that required to break the second breakable bridge(s).

[0069] Figures 10 to 13 illustrate a variant of the second embodiment of Figures 4 to 9, in which the third dosing element 23 is captively connected to the first dosing element 21, for example by a wire 29. It should be noted that this variant could also be applied to the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. The wire 29 may be co-molded, overmolded or fixed in any suitable manner to the first and third dosing elements 21, 23.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, it is understood that it is not limited by the embodiments described and shown in the drawings, but that on the contrary a person skilled in the art can make any useful modifications thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Two-dose dosing system (20) for a fluid product dispensing device, said device comprising a reservoir (1) of the syringe type containing fluid product, a piston (2) secured to a piston rod (3) being slidably mounted in said reservoir (1) to dispense said fluid product, characterized in that said dosing system (20) comprises a first dosing element (21), a second dosing element (22) and a third dosing element (23), said first dosing element (21) being fixed in an axially non-movable manner on said piston rod (3), so that it moves axially together with it, said third dosing element (23) being axially non-movable relative to said reservoir (1), said second dosing element (22) being arranged between said first and third dosing elements (21, 23),said second dosing element (22) sliding relative to said third dosing element (23) when dispensing the first dose and relative to said first dosing element (21) when dispensing the second dose., 2. System according to claim 1, in which each dosing element (21, 22, 23) is C-shaped, with an axial opening over its entire height allowing it to be placed around said piston rod (3).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, in which said piston rod (3) comprises at its rear axial end edge a support flange (5) on which the user presses during actuation, said first dosing element (21) comprising a housing (25) adapted to be fixed on said support flange (5).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reservoir (1) is formed by a hollow cylinder provided with a collar (4) at its rear axial end edge, said third metering element (23) having a front axial edge (24) which, in use, bears on said collar (4).

5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and third dosing elements (21, 23) have approximately identical inner and / or outer diameters, said second dosing element (22) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said first and third dosing elements (21, 23), such that said second dosing element (22) slides inside said third dosing element (23) when dispensing the first dose and inside said first dosing element (21) when dispensing the second dose.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said third dosing element (23) is removed from said piston rod (3) after dispensing the first dose, to allow dispensing of the second dose.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second dosing element (22) is connected to said third dosing element (23) by first resistance means (26) and to said first dosing element (21) by second resistance means (27).

8. System according to claim 7, wherein said first resistance means (26) generate a lower resistance than said second resistance means (27), so that upon actuation, it is first said first resistance means (26) which are overcome to dispense the first dose.

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first, second and third dosing elements (21, 22, 23) are formed by three separate pieces assembled to each other.

10. System according to claim 9, wherein said first resistance means (26) comprise an external radial projection (26') of said second dosing element (22), extending radially outwards, which cooperates with an internal groove (23') formed in said third dosing element (23).

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said outer radial projection (26') is formed at a front axial edge (28) of said second metering element (22), and said inner groove (23') is formed near a rear axial edge of said third metering element (23), being defined between said rear axial edge and an inner radial projection (23") of said third metering element (23).

12. System according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first, second and third dosing elements (21, 22, 23) are molded in a single piece.

13. System according to claim 12, wherein said first resistance means (26) are formed by one or more first breakable bridge(s), and said second resistance means (27) are formed by one or more second breakable bridge(s).

14. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and third dosing elements (21, 23) are connected to each other in a captive manner, in particular via a wire (29).

15. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first dose is defined by the axial displacement of said first dosing element (21), axially fixed relative to said piston rod (3), relative to said third dosing element (23), axially fixed relative to said reservoir (1).

16. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second dose is defined by the axial displacement of said first dosing element (21), axially fixed relative to said piston rod (3), relative to said second dosing element (22), when it is axially fixed relative to said reservoir (1).

17. Device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a reservoir (1) of the syringe type, a piston (2) slidably mounted in said reservoir (1), said piston (2) being integral with a piston rod (3), and a two-dose dosing system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, said dosing system (20) being assembled on said piston rod (3).

18. Device according to claim 17, comprising a nasal spray head (10) provided with a spray orifice mounted on said reservoir (1).

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