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 two-dose dosage system (20) comprising: an attachment portion (21) which attaches to the piston rod (3), dose splitting means (24, 25) for separating the actuation stroke of the piston rod (3) into two half-strokes for dispensing a dose each, and energy accumulation means (26a, 27a; 26b, 27b), for generating a resistance during each actuation of the piston rod (3).

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. In addition, they are generally not reusable.

[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 US5951526, US9878104, US4153056 and

[0006] US2013043282 describes state-of-the-art devices.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device which do not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0008] 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.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide a two-dose dosing system which can be reused on several fluid product dispensing devices.

[0010] 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 the way in which the user operates the device.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 two-dose dosing system (20) comprising:

[0014] - a fixing part which is fixed on said piston rod,

[0015] - dose splitting means for separating the actuating stroke of said piston rod into two half-strokes, each for dispensing a respective dose, and

[0016] - energy accumulation means, to generate resistance during each actuation of said piston rod.

[0017] Advantageously, said fixing part comprises two half-shells pivoting on each other between an open position allowing assembly on said piston rod and a closed position in which said piston rod is enclosed between said two half-shells.

[0018] Advantageously, each half-shell comprises a projecting fin. Advantageously, said dose splitting means comprise a pivoting assembly comprising a removable snap-on ring secured to a dosing stop, said assembly being pivotable about an axis between an active position and an inactive position.

[0019] Advantageously, in said active position, said snap-on ring is removably snapped onto said piston rod or onto a portion attached to said piston rod, said metering stop extending radially outward from said piston rod, such that after dispensing a first dose, said metering stop abuts against said reservoir, preventing further actuation of said piston rod.

[0020] Advantageously, in said inactive position, said snap-on ring is unsnapped from said piston rod or from said part fixed to said piston rod, and the assembly formed by said snap-on ring and said metering stop is pivoted around said axis away from said piston rod.

[0021] Advantageously, said energy accumulation means comprise a first pair of diametrically opposed axial legs, each provided with a front end forming a first radial thickening, and a second pair of diametrically opposed axial legs, each provided with a front end forming a second radial thickening, said second axial legs being offset by 90° relative to said first axial legs, said first axial legs being longer than said second axial legs, so that said first axial legs generate an accumulation of energy for the first dose and said second axial legs generate an accumulation of energy for the second dose.

[0022] Advantageously, said first axial lugs are arranged in a first pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves of said piston rod such that only said front ends protrude radially out of said grooves, and said second axial lugs are arranged in a second pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves of said piston rod such that only said front ends protrude radially out of said grooves.

[0023] Advantageously, said two-dose dosing system is molded from a single piece.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a syringe-type reservoir, a piston mounted to slide in said reservoir, said piston being integral with a piston rod, said device comprising a two-dose dosing system as described above, said dosing system being assembled on said piston rod.

[0025] Advantageously, the device comprises a nasal spray head provided with a spray orifice mounted on said reservoir.

[0026] These and other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a fluid product dispensing device comprising a two-dose dosing system according to an advantageous embodiment,

[0028] Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view, showing the two-dose dosing system in a first position,

[0029] Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, showing the two-dose dosing system in a second position,

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a fluid product dispensing device,

[0031] Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, after assembly of the two-dose dosing system on the piston rod,

[0032] Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, before distribution of the first dose,

[0033] Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, after dispensing the first dose, Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, before dispensing the second dose, and

[0034] Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, after dispensing the second dose.

[0035] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis A of the dispensing device shown in Figure 4. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction of flow of the fluid product when the device is actuated.

[0036] The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment relating to a fluid product dispensing device 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.

[0037] Figure 4 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.

[0038] The reservoir 1 is preferably formed by a hollow cylinder provided with a collar 4 at its rear axial end edge which surrounds a rear opening of the reservoir.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The piston rod 3 has at its rear axial end edge a support flange 5 on which the user presses during actuation. The piston rod 3 has a cross-section, with a first pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves 3a and a second pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves 3b offset by 90° relative to the first pair of longitudinal grooves 3a. The function of these grooves 3a, 3b will be described below.

[0041] 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 disposed at the front axial end of said body, in the direction of flow of the fluid product during actuation. Advantageously, an insert may be disposed 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.

[0042] According to the invention, a two-dose dosing system 20 is provided which is fixed to the piston rod 3, outside the reservoir 1.

[0043] This two-dose dosing system 20 comprises a fixing part 21 which is fixed on the piston rod 3. Preferably, this fixing is removable to allow reuse of the dosing system 20.

[0044] In the example shown, which is not limiting, this fixing part 21 comprises two half-shells 22, 22' pivoting on each other between an open position allowing assembly on the piston rod 3 and a closed position in which the piston rod 3 is enclosed between the two half-shells. Each half-shell 22, 22' comprises a projecting fin 23, 23' to facilitate the handling of the fixing part 21 and its assembly on the piston rod 3.

[0045] The two-dose dosing system 20 comprises dose splitting means 24, 25 for separating the actuation stroke of the piston rod 3 into two half-strokes, each for dispensing a respective dose.

[0046] In the example shown, which is not limiting, these dose splitting means comprise a pivoting assembly comprising a removable snap-on ring 24 secured to a dosing stop 25. This assembly is pivotable about an axis X between an active position, shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, and an inactive position, shown in Figures 3, 5, 8 and 9. In the active position, the snap-on ring 24 is removably snapped onto the piston rod 3 or onto a part of the two-dose dosing system 20 which is fixed to the piston rod 3. In this active position, the dosing stop 25 extends radially outwards from the piston rod 3, so that after dispensing a first dose, it abuts against the collar 4 of the reservoir 1, as visible in Figure 7, preventing the continuation of the actuation stroke of the piston rod 3.

[0047] In the inactive position, the snap-on ring 24 is disengaged from the piston rod 3 or from the part of the two-dose dosing system 20 which is fixed to the piston rod 3, and the assembly formed by the snap-on ring 24 and the dosing stop 25 is pivoted about the axis X away from the piston rod 3. In this inactive position, the dosing stop 25 no longer abuts against the collar 4 of the reservoir 1, as visible in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the actuating rod 3 can be actuated over a second part of the stroke to dispense the second dose.

[0048] The two-dose dosing system 20 comprises energy accumulation means 26a, 27a, 26b, 27b, to generate resistance to the actuation of the piston rod 3. The user must therefore apply to the piston rod 3 a force at least equal to a predetermined threshold, which generates an accumulation of energy in his hand which will be released suddenly at the moment when this resistance is overcome. This makes it possible to guarantee, at each actuation, a distribution of the complete dose with reproducible distribution parameters.

[0049] In the example shown, which is not limiting, these energy accumulation means comprise a first pair of diametrically opposite axial lugs 26a, each provided with a front end forming a first radial thickening 27a. These first axial lugs 26a are arranged in the first pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 3a of the piston rod 3 in such a way that only the front ends 27a project radially out of said grooves 3a, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 5. Correspondingly, the energy accumulation means comprise a second pair of diametrically opposite axial lugs 26b, each provided with a front end forming a second radial thickening 27b. These second axial lugs 26b are offset by 90° relative to the first axial lugs 26a.Thus, these second axial legs 26b are arranged in the second pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 3b of the piston rod 3 such that only the front ends 27b protrude radially out of said grooves 3b. Of course, the first axial legs 26a are longer than the second axial legs 26b, so that the first axial legs 26a generate an accumulation of energy for the first dose and the second axial legs 26b generate an accumulation of energy for the second dose.

[0050] Alternatively, the energy storage means could comprise only one first axial leg and one second axial leg. Other implementations are also possible.

[0051] Advantageously, the two-dose dosing system 20 is molded from a single, single-piece piece.

[0052] The operation of the invention will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 9 which illustrate an actuation sequence.

[0053] In Figure 4, the reservoir 1 of the dispensing device has been filled with fluid product.

[0054] The user then assembles the two-dose dosing system 20 onto the piston rod 3, preferably in abutment with the support flange 5 of the piston rod 3, as shown in Figure 5.

[0055] To calibrate the dosage to be dispensed during two successive actuations, the piston rod 3 is moved axially relative to the reservoir 1 to bring the front end 27a of the first axial tabs 26a into abutment against the rear opening of the reservoir, at the level of the collar 4. It should be noted that figures 4 and 5 are not necessarily to scale, and the axial movement of the piston rod 3 to bring the first axial tabs 26a into abutment against the reservoir may be very short. Figure 6 shows the device in position before dispensing the first dose. In this position, the dose splitting means are in the active position.

[0056] To dispense the first dose, the user presses

[0057] The end of the first actuation stroke is formed by the dosing stop 25 which cooperates with the collar 4 of the reservoir 1, as visible in figure 7.

[0058] Simultaneously, the front end 27b of the second axial legs 26b comes into abutment against the rear opening of the tank, at the level of the collar 4.

[0059] To be able to dispense the second dose, the user must then move the dose splitting means to the inactive position, as seen in Figure 8.

[0060] The user then presses again on the support flange 5 of the piston rod 3 to move it into the reservoir 1. When this support force reaches the predetermined threshold, the second thickenings 27b of the second axial tabs 26b deform to penetrate into the reservoir 1, allowing axial movement of the piston rod 3 and therefore of the piston 2, generating the dispensing of the second dose.

[0061] The end of the second actuation stroke is formed by the half-shells 22, 22' which come into contact with the collar 4 of the tank 1, as visible in figure 9.

[0062] If desired, the two-dose dosing system 20 can be removed from the device of FIG. 9, and assembled on another fluid product dispensing device.

[0063] 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 two-dose dosing system (20) includes: - a fixing part (21) which is fixed on said piston rod (3), - dose splitting means (24, 25) for separating the actuating stroke of said piston rod (3) into two half-strokes, each for dispensing a respective dose, and - energy accumulation means (26a, 27a; 26b, 27b), for generating resistance during each actuation of said piston rod (3).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said fixing part (21) comprises two half-shells (22, 22') pivoting on each other between an open position allowing assembly on said piston rod (3) and a closed position in which said piston rod (3) is enclosed between said two half-shells.

3. System according to claim 2, in which each half-shell (22, 22') comprises a projecting fin (23, 23').

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said dose splitting means comprise a pivoting assembly comprising a removable snap-on ring (24) secured to a dosing stop (25), said assembly being pivotable about an axis (X) between an active position and an inactive position.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein, in said active position, said snap-on ring (24) is removably snap-on to said piston rod (3) or to a portion attached to said piston rod (3), said metering stop (25) extending radially outwardly from said piston rod (3), such that after dispensing a first dose, said metering stop (25) abuts against said reservoir (1), preventing further actuation of said piston rod (3).

6. System according to claim 5, wherein, in said inactive position, said snap-on ring (24) is disengaged from said piston rod (3) or from said part fixed to said piston rod (3), and the assembly formed by said snap-on ring (24) and said metering stop (25) is pivoted about said axis (X) away from said piston rod (3).

7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said energy accumulating means comprises a first pair of diametrically opposed axial legs (26a), each provided with a front end forming a first radial thickening (27a), and a second pair of diametrically opposed axial legs (26b), each provided with a front end forming a second radial thickening (27b), said second axial legs (26b) being offset by 90° relative to said first axial legs (26a), said first axial legs (26a) being longer than said second axial legs (26b), such that said first axial legs (26a) generate energy accumulation for the first dose and said second axial legs (26b) generate energy accumulation for the second dose.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein said first axial legs (26a) are arranged in a first pair of grooves. longitudinal (3a) diametrically opposed to said piston rod (3) such that only said front ends (27a) protrude radially out of said grooves (3a), and said second axial legs (26b) are arranged in a second pair of longitudinal grooves (3b) diametrically opposed to said piston rod (3) such that only said front ends (27b) protrude radially out of said grooves (3b).

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said two-dose dosing system (20) is molded as a single, one-piece unit.

10. 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), characterized in that said device comprises 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).

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

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