Nasal attachment piece and nasal dispensing device comprising such an attachment piece

Abstract

The invention relates to a nasal attachment piece (10) suitable for engaging with a dispensing head (1) of a device for nasally dispensing a fluid or powder product, the dispensing head (1) being suitable for being at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation, the nasal attachment piece (10) comprising a first curved bearing area (11) that is suitable for engaging with the nasal septum, which separates the openings of the two nostrils, and with each outer lateral ala of the two nostrils, and a second bearing area (12) that is angled with respect to the first bearing area (11) and is suitable for engaging with the upper lip.

Description

[0001] Nasal support tip and nasal dispensing device comprising such a tip

[0002] The present invention relates to a nasal support tip and a nasal dispensing device comprising such a tip. More particularly, the invention relates to such a tip adapted to define the insertion depth of the head and the direction of dispensing of the fluid or powder product into a nostril.

[0003] Nasal dispensing devices are well known and used in various applications. These devices generally comprise a dispensing head incorporating the dispensing orifice of the product, at least a portion of said head being intended to be inserted into the user's nostril when dispensing the product.

[0004] The user then operates the device to expel a dose of fluid or powdered product into the nostril.

[0005] In some applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical field, the products dispensed by nasal dispensing devices can be expensive and / or must be dosed very precisely. Therefore, the aim is to achieve maximum efficiency in the dose of product dispensed into the nostril with each actuation.

[0006] Currently, most nasal dispensing devices expel the dose of product in a direction very roughly parallel to the nasal septum, towards the superior turbinate of the nostril.

[0007] However, it has been found that for a certain number of fluid or powdery products, particularly in the field of pharmacy, the parts of the nasal cavity most effective for assimilation of the product may consist of parts other than the superior turbinate, in particular the inferior turbinate, the floor, the frontal sinuses, the sphenoid sinus, or the olfactory zone, in particular the ethmoids.

[0008] There are support tips that are used to determine the insertion depth of the head and its orientation in the nostril. Documents EP0988079 and US2021196653 describe such tips. However, these devices have the disadvantage that they do not allow effective support on a user's nose. In particular, they do not define a single optimal insertion position, and the user is still able to change the orientation of the head in the nostril despite the presence of the support tip.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tip and a nasal dispensing device which do not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a nasal tip which allows, when the device is actuated, to distribute the fluid or powdered product into the area of ​​the nostril where assimilation of the product is most effective.

[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a nasal dispensing device of the aforementioned type which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0012] It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a nasal dispensing device which is simple and reliable to use for any user.

[0013] The present invention therefore relates to a nasal support tip adapted to cooperate with a dispensing head of a nasal dispensing device for a fluid or powdered product, said dispensing head being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation, said nasal support tip comprising a first curved support zone adapted to cooperate with the central wall of the nose which separates the entrances of the two nostrils and with each external lateral wing of the two nostrils, and a second support zone, inclined relative to said first support zone and adapted to cooperate with the upper lip.

[0014] Advantageously, the nasal support tip comprises at least one ring arranged in use around said dispensing head.

[0015] Advantageously, the nasal support tip comprises two rings, one for each nostril. Advantageously, a central part of said first support zone cooperates with the central wall of the nose, and two lateral parts each cooperate with a lateral wing of a respective nostril.

[0016] Advantageously, said second support zone is curved to match the rounded shape of an upper lip.

[0017] Advantageously, said nasal support tip defines a total contact surface with the user's face of at least 1,000 mm 2 , in particular of about 1,500 mm 2 .

[0018] Advantageously, said second support zone comprises two lateral plates which extend in the position of use on each side of the nose on the external lateral parts of the upper lip.

[0019] Advantageously, each side plate of said second support zone defines a contact surface with the upper lip of at least 300 mm 2 , preferably about 350 mm 2 .

[0020] Advantageously, said second support zone comprises a single plate which extends in the use position under the nose, resting on the upper lip.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a device for nasal dispensing of a fluid or powdered product, comprising a dispensing member on which is mounted a dispensing head adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril when the device is actuated, the device comprising a nasal support tip as described above.

[0022] Advantageously, said tip is removably attached to said head.

[0023] Advantageously, said nasal support tip defines a horizontal insertion angle a of between 30° and 70°, advantageously of between 50° and 55°, preferably 52.5°, vertical insertion angle P of between 0° and + / -20° 0 , advantageously between + / -3° and +1-7°, preferably + / -5°, and an insertion depth of between 0 and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm. These and other characteristics and advantages 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

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing device provided with a nasal support tip according to a first advantageous embodiment, said device being partially inserted into a nostril,

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic side view, showing the horizontal insertion angle a,

[0026] Figure 3 is a detailed view from below, showing the vertical insertion angle P,

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the support tip of Figures 1 to 3,

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing device provided with a nasal support tip according to a second advantageous embodiment, said device being partially inserted into a nostril,

[0029] Figure 6 is a side view of a dispensing device provided with a nasal support tip according to another advantageous embodiment, and

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the bearing tip of Figure 6.

[0031] In the description, the terms "upper" and "lower" refer to an upright position of the device, with the dispensing head arranged above the reservoir. The term "axial" refers to the longitudinal central axis X of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0032] With reference to the figures, the nasal dispensing device comprises a nasal dispensing head 1 comprising an insertion end T provided with a dispensing orifice 9 and intended to penetrate into the nostril during use. This dispensing head 1 is mounted on a dispensing member (not shown), such as a pump or a valve, mounted on a reservoir 2 containing the fluid or powdered product to be dispensed. The present invention in fact applies to all nasal dispensing devices, and only the external parts of the device involved in the present invention are shown in the drawings and described below.

[0033] A nasal support tip 10 is provided to cooperate with the nasal dispensing head 1 by being removably arranged around said insertion end 1' of the head, so that the head 1 passes through said tip 10. The insertion end 1' extends axially beyond said nasal support tip 10 and is adapted to be inserted into the nostril upon actuation of the device.

[0034] According to the invention, said nasal support tip 10 comprises a first curved support zone 11 adapted to cooperate with the central wall of the nose which separates the entrances of the two nostrils, also called columella, and with each external lateral wing of the two nostrils. Thus, a central part 11' of the first support zone 11 cooperates with the columella, and the two lateral parts 11" each cooperate with a lateral wing of a respective nostril.

[0035] Furthermore, the nasal support tip 10 also comprises a second support zone 12, inclined relative to the first support zone 11 and which is adapted to cooperate with the upper lip.

[0036] Advantageously, the second support zone 12 is curved to match the rounded shape of an upper lip.

[0037] Advantageously, the nasal support tip 10 defines a total contact surface with the user's face of at least 1000 mm 2 , in particular of about 1,500 mm 2 .

[0038] Preferably, the second support zone 12 comprises two side plates 12' which extend in the use position on each side of the nose on the external lateral parts of the upper lip. Each side plate 12' can be solid, as in the figures, or hollowed out in the center, in particular to save material.

[0039] Advantageously, each side plate 12' of the second support zone 12 defines a contact surface with the upper lip of at least 300 mm 2 , preferably about 350 mm 2 . Alternatively, the second support zone 12 could be formed from a single plate extending under the nose and resting on the upper lip and possibly on the mouth, as seen in Figure 5.

[0040] As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the nasal support tip 10 with its first and second support zones 11, 12, defines a horizontal insertion angle a (angle between the longitudinal central axis X of the device and a horizontal plane P1 when the user is standing) of between 30° and 70°, advantageously of between 50° and 55°, preferably 52.5°. Similarly, the vertical insertion angle P (angle between the longitudinal central axis X of the device and a vertical plane P2 when the user is standing) is between 0° and + / -20 0, advantageously between + / -3° and +1-7°, preferably +1-5°. Finally, the insertion depth is between 0 and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm.

[0041] Advantageously, the nasal support tip 10 comprises at least one ring 13 which is arranged around the dispensing head 1. Preferably, the nasal support tip 10 comprises two rings 13, one for each nostril, and the user moves the dispensing device from one to the other to dispense a dose of fluid or powdered product into each nostril. Said at least one ring 13 may have any suitable shape, for example cylindrical.

[0042] Advantageously, the dispensing head 1 comprises at least one finger rest surface 15. In the example of figures 1 to 3, there is an oval-shaped finger rest surface with two diametrically opposite parts on each side of the head 1, but any shape could be imagined, for example circular.

[0043] The operation of the device is as follows.

[0044] The user fits said tip 10 onto the head 1. In the preferred embodiment with two rings 13, the user fits the ring 13 corresponding to the first nostril to be treated onto the head 10. The user then inserts the insertion end 1' of the head 1 into the nostril. During this operation, the first support zone 11 of the tip 10 comes to bear against the columella and the two lateral wings of the nose, and the second support zone 12 of the tip 10 comes to bear on the upper lip, as visible in FIG. 1. The shapes of the first and second support zones 11, 12, impose the positioning of the device in the nostril with an optimal orientation and define the depth of insertion of said head 1 into the nostril.

[0045] The user then activates the device and the dose of fluid or powdered product is distributed in the desired area.

[0046] The user then removes the dispensing device from the nasal support tip 10, and inserts the head 1 into the second ring 13, corresponding to the second nostril to be treated, then proceeds in the same manner.

[0047] The presence of the two rings 13 ensures perfect positioning of the device in each nostril.

[0048] The present invention therefore makes it possible to provide a nasal dispensing device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. This device is also simple and reliable to use by everyone, the different support zones of the tip requiring the user to insert the head into the nostril in an optimal direction and with an optimal depth to dispense the dose of product into the desired area of ​​the nostril.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments, it is understood that it is not limited by the examples described. On the contrary, those 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. Nasal support tip (10) adapted to cooperate with a dispensing head (1) of a nasal dispensing device for a fluid or powdery product, said dispensing head (1) being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation, characterized in that said nasal support tip (10) comprises a first curved support zone (11) adapted to cooperate with the central wall of the nose which separates the entrances of the two nostrils and with each external lateral wing of the two nostrils, and a second support zone (12), inclined relative to said first support zone (11) and adapted to cooperate with the upper lip.

2. Nasal support tip (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one ring (13) arranged in use around said dispensing head (1)- 3. Nasal support tip (10) according to claim 2, comprising two rings (13), one for each nostril.

4. Nasal support tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a central portion (11') of said first support zone (11) cooperates with the central wall of the nose, and two lateral portions (11") each cooperate with a lateral wing of a respective nostril.

5. A nasal support tip (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein said second support area (12) is curved to conform to the rounded shape of an upper lip.

6. A nasal support tip (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein said nasal support tip (10) defines a total contact surface with the user's face of at least 1000 mm 2 , in particular of about 1,500 mm 2 .

7. Nasal support tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said second support zone (12) comprises two side plates (12') which extend in the use position on each side of the nose on the external lateral parts of the upper lip.

8. Nasal support tip (10) according to claim 7, wherein each side plate (12') of said second support zone (12) defines a contact surface with the upper lip of at least 300 mm 2 , preferably about 350 mm 2 .

9. Nasal support tip (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which said second support zone (12) comprises a single plate which extends in the use position under the nose, resting on the upper lip.

10. Device for nasal dispensing of a fluid or powdered product, comprising a dispensing member on which is mounted a dispensing head (1) adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril when the device is actuated, characterized in that the device comprises a nasal support tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Device according to claim 10, in which said tip (10) is removably attached to said head (1).

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said nasal support tip (10) defines a horizontal insertion angle a of between 30° and 70°, advantageously of between 50° and 55°, preferably 52.5°, vertical insertion angle P of between 0° and + / -20 0, advantageously between + / -3° and +1-7°, preferably +1-5°, and an insertion depth of between 0 and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm. * * *

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