Nasal spray and nasal spray loading procedure

Abstract

A method for loading a nasal spray (1) comprising a reservoir (2) with two compressible walls, an outlet (4), and a dosing device (6) fluidly connected to the reservoir (2) and the outlet (4). The method comprises: placing the nasal spray (1) in a first position where the reservoir (2) is above the dosing device (6), such that a liquid flows from the reservoir (2) to the dosing device (6) by gravity; moving the nasal spray (1) from the first position to a second position where the reservoir (2) is below the dosing device (6), such that the dosing device (6) retains a dose (L1) of the liquid by capillary action and allows a surplus (L2) of the liquid to flow back by gravity to the reservoir (2).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a nasal sprayer and a method for loading such a sprayer. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A conventional nasal spray consists of a reservoir storing a liquid to be administered and a nasal nozzle.

[0003] Some nasal sprays are used as follows: the user tilts their head back, places the nozzle in their nose, and expels some of the liquid from the spray by squeezing the reservoir. However, having to tilt the head back is uncomfortable. Furthermore, the amount of liquid dispensed depends on the pressure the user applies to the reservoir. Therefore, the amount dispensed is not precise.

[0004] Other sprayers can be used without the user having to tilt their head back. To allow for the expulsion of a precise dose of liquid, these sprayers incorporate complex mechanisms, typically using a dip tube. However, the complexity of these mechanisms makes the manufacture of these sprayers expensive.

[0005] Prior art sprayers are known from US documents 3,382,870 A, GB 1,184,065 A, US 4,564,129 A, US 2,583,821 A and US 3,369,713 A. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a nasal spray as defined in independent claim 6, and to a method of loading such a spray as defined in independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One aim of the invention is to precisely dose a liquid administered to a user in a manner comfortable for the user, using an inexpensive sprayer.

[0008] This goal is achieved by a method of loading a nasal spray, the nasal spray comprising: a liquid, a reservoir for storing the liquid, the reservoir comprising two walls adapted to be moved towards each other by elastic deformation, an outlet opening outside the nasal spray, and a metering device fluidly connected to the reservoir and the outlet such that: the liquid flows from the reservoir to the metering device by gravity, when the nasal spray is placed in a first position in which the reservoir is above the metering device; the metering device retains a dose of the liquid by capillary action and allows an excess amount of the liquid to flow back to the reservoir by gravity, when the nasal spray moves from the first position to a second position in which the reservoir is below the metering device;The dispenser expels the dose of liquid towards the outlet so that the dose of liquid leaves the sprayer through the outlet, when the two walls are displaced towards each other by elastic deformation while the nasal sprayer is in the second position; the nasal spray being characterized in that the liquid has a volume adapted so that the excess amount of liquid that has flowed back into the reservoir does not leave the nasal sprayer when the two walls are displaced towards each other by elastic deformation until they touch while the nasal sprayer is in the second position, during a user's first use of the nasal spray. Compressing the two walls towards each other causes the expulsion of the dose of liquid from the dispenser towards the outlet and then out of the nasal sprayer. The method comprises the following steps: grasp the nasal spray, place the nasal spray in a first position in which the reservoir is above the dispenser, so that liquid flows from the reservoir to the dispenser by gravity, move the nasal spray from the first position to a second position in which the reservoir is below the dispenser, so that the dispenser retains a dose of the liquid by capillary action and allows an excess amount of liquid to flow back by gravity to the reservoir.

[0009] The process may include the following optional features, taken alone or in combination whenever technically feasible.

[0010] Preferably, the process includes a step of shaking the nasal spray in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis along which the reservoir and the metering device are aligned, when the nasal spray is in the first position.

[0011] Preferably, the dispenser includes a storage space for the dose of liquid, and in which the liquid has a volume greater than twice the volume of the storage space.

[0012] Preferably, the dispenser includes a storage space for the dose of liquid, the storage space having a volume between 20 and 120 microlitres.

[0013] A nasal spray is also proposed, comprising: a liquid, a reservoir for storing the liquid, the reservoir having two walls adapted to be moved towards each other by elastic deformation, an outlet opening to the outside of the nasal spray, and a metering device. The metering device is fluidly connected to the reservoir and the outlet such that: The liquid flows from the reservoir to the dispenser by gravity. When the nasal spray is placed in a first position in which the reservoir is above the dispenser, the dispenser retains a dose of the liquid by capillary action and allows an excess amount of the liquid to flow back to the reservoir by gravity. When the nasal spray moves from the first position to a second position in which the reservoir is below the dispenser, the dispenser expels the dose of liquid towards the outlet so that the dose of liquid leaves the sprayer through the outlet. When the two walls are moved towards each other by elastic deformation while the nasal spray is in the second position.

[0014] The liquid has a volume adapted so that the excess amount of liquid that has flowed back into the reservoir does not leave the nasal sprayer when the two walls are moved towards each other by elastic deformation until they touch while the nasal sprayer is in the second position, during a first use of the nasal spray by a user.

[0015] The sprayer may include the following optional features, taken alone or in combination whenever technically possible.

[0016] Preferably, the reservoir, the metering device, and the outlet are aligned along a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the nasal spray comprises a bottle, the bottle comprising a barrel forming the reservoir and a neck forming the metering device.

[0017] Preferably, the nasal spray includes a nozzle in which the outlet is formed, the nozzle being detachable from the dispenser and / or the reservoir.

[0018] Preferably, the doser includes a storage space for the dose of liquid having a first diameter, the sprayer also including a channel to convey the dose of liquid from the doser to the outlet, the channel having a second internal diameter smaller than the first diameter. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which: There figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nasal spray according to one embodiment. figure 2 is a cross-sectional view detailing part of the sprayer of the figure 1 . There figure 3a , there figure 3b , there figure 3c and the figure 3d are cross-sectional views of the sprayer of the figure 1at different stages of a nasal spraying process.

[0020] Across all figures, similar elements bear identical references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 1) Nasal spray

[0021] With reference to the figure 1 , a nasal spray 1 includes a reservoir 2, an outlet 4 opening outside the nasal spray 1, and a metering device 6 fluidly connected to the reservoir 2 and to the outlet 4.

[0022] Reservoir 2 is used to store a liquid intended to be sprayed into a user's nose. Reservoir 2 includes a main storage compartment 8 for this liquid.

[0023] The dosing unit 6 is fluidly connected to the reservoir 2. The dosing unit 6 includes a secondary storage space 10. The secondary storage space 10 has a smaller volume than the main storage space 8. Consequently, the dosing unit 6 has a smaller capacity than the capacity of the reservoir 2.

[0024] In this disclosure, "liquid dose" refers to a quantity of liquid that can be stored in dispenser 6.

[0025] There figure 1 shows the sprayer positioned in a so-called "upward" position, in which the reservoir 2 is below the doser 6.

[0026] The sprayer can also be positioned in a so-called "downward" position, in which the tank is above the metering unit 6 (see figure 3b ).

[0027] In the downward position, liquid initially contained in reservoir 2 can flow from reservoir 2 to dispenser 6 by gravity alone. In this way, a portion of the liquid from reservoir 2 can reach dispenser 6.

[0028] If the total quantity of liquid stored in the sprayer 1 exceeds the capacity of the dosing hopper 6, then the liquid dose represents only a fraction of this total quantity. Thus, in the first position, an excess portion of this total quantity of liquid remains outside the dosing hopper 6.

[0029] If, on the other hand, the total quantity of liquid stored in the sprayer 1 has a volume less than or equal to the capacity of the dispenser 6, then it is possible to transfer all the liquid into the dispenser 6, and the dose of liquid then corresponds to the total quantity of liquid stored in the sprayer 1. In this case, there is no excess portion of liquid outside the dispenser 6, when the sprayer 1 is in the first position.

[0030] The dispenser 6 is configured to retain a dose of the liquid it stores by capillary action when the sprayer 1 moves from the downward to the upward position. If the total volume of liquid stored in the sprayer 1 exceeds the capacity of the dispenser 6, then the dispenser 6 allows an excess amount of liquid to flow back into the reservoir 2 by gravity alone.

[0031] The dosing unit 6 is also fluidly connected to the outlet 4 of the sprayer 1.

[0032] The dispenser 6 is arranged between the reservoir 2 and the outlet 4. In this way, a liquid initially stored by the reservoir 2 passes through the dispenser 6 before reaching the outlet 4, and this liquid is expelled from the nasal spray 1 by this outlet 4 (we will detail later how this expulsion is carried out).

[0033] The nasal spray 1 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X. The reservoir 2, the metering device 6 and the outlet 4 are aligned along this longitudinal axis X. Thus, when liquid flows from the reservoir to the metering device or from the metering device to the outlet, the average direction of flow of this liquid is parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0034] Nasal spray 1 includes a bottle 12 and a nasal tip 14.

[0035] The bottle 12 and the nozzle 14 constitute two parts of the sprayer 1 which can be joined together and detached from each other.

[0036] Bottle 12 has an elongated shape along the longitudinal axis X.

[0037] The bottle 12 comprises a body 16 and a neck 18. The body 16 and the neck 18 are connected by a shoulder 20, so that the neck 18 has an internal diameter smaller than that of the body 16.

[0038] Barrel 16 forms tank 2, discussed previously.

[0039] Tank 2 includes a base 22 and two deformable walls 24, 26 delimiting between them the main storage space 8.

[0040] The base 22 is a wall extending transversely to the longitudinal axis X. The base 22 has an internal surface forming the bottom of the main storage space 8, and an external surface opposite the internal surface, this external surface constituting a lower end of the bottle 12 when the bottle 12 is placed in the upward position (represented in figure 1 ).

[0041] The two deformable walls 24, 26 have a rest position in which the two walls are a distance apart. For example, in this rest position, the two deformable walls 24, 26 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0042] The two deformable walls 24, 26 can be compressed towards each other in a transverse direction (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X), and thus move closer to each other by elastic deformation.

[0043] Under the effect of such compression, the two deformable walls 24, 26 are able to move from their rest position to a deformed position in which the two deformable walls 24, 26 are in contact. During this elastic deformation, the volume of the main storage space is reduced, and this allows the liquid contained in the reservoir 2 to be expelled from the bottle 12 (and even from the nasal spray 1), as will be seen in more detail later.

[0044] Bottle 12 is a single piece.

[0045] Bottle 12 is preferably made of an elastomer.

[0046] Bottle 12 can be obtained by a form-fill-seal process or by other plastics engineering techniques, such as injection, injection-blowing, or extrusion-blowing.

[0047] The neck 18 defines an outlet orifice of the bottle 12 (this orifice is a top orifice when the sprayer is in the second position shown in figure 1 ).

[0048] The neck 18 has an internal surface 28 extending around the longitudinal axis X. The internal surface 28 of the neck 18 delimits the secondary storage space 10 for storing a dose of liquid.

[0049] The internal surface 28 of the neck 18 is, for example, frustoconical or cylindrical.

[0050] The neck 18 also includes an external surface 30 opposite the internal surface 28.

[0051] Bottle 12 also includes an external thread. The external thread is formed in the external surface of the neck 18. The external thread is designed to cooperate with the nasal tip 14.

[0052] The dosing unit 6 discussed previously is formed by the neck 18 of the bottle 12. The secondary storage space 10, intended to receive a dose of liquid, is delimited by the internal surface of the neck 18.

[0053] Preferably, the secondary storage space 10 has a volume between 20 and 120 microlitres. To obtain such a volume while obtaining a capillary effect in this secondary storage space 10, from outlet 4 to retain a dose there, the person skilled in the art will take into account mainly the following parameters: diameter of the space delimited by the internal surface (this diameter being measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X), and length of this space (measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X), viscosity of the liquid.

[0054] The nasal tip 14 includes an internal surface 32 defining a cavity to receive the neck 18 of the bottle 12. The internal surface 32 extends around the longitudinal axis X.

[0055] The nasal tip 14 also includes an internal thread. This internal thread is formed in the external surface 32 and is adapted to engage with the external thread of the bottle 12. To assemble the bottle 12 and the nasal tip 14, the user screws the nasal tip 14 around the neck 18, engaging the internal and external threads. This screwing is achieved by rotating the tip 14 relative to the bottle 12 around the longitudinal axis X.

[0056] Tip 14 has a distal end designed to be inserted into a user's nose. Outlet 4, discussed previously, is formed at this distal end.

[0057] The nasal tip 14 also includes a channel 34 connecting the cavity to the outlet 4. The channel 34 is straight. It extends along the longitudinal axis X.

[0058] When the nasal tip 14 and the bottle 12 are assembled, the channel 34 is in fluidic communication with the doser 6: this channel 34 thus extends the secondary storage space 10 delimited by the doser 6. More precisely, the channel 34 is aligned with the outlet 4 of the bottle 12.

[0059] Channel 34 has an internal diameter smaller than that of the doser (i.e., the diameter of the secondary storage space 10 delimited by the internal surface 18).

[0060] Bottle 12 shown on the Figures 1 And 2is in an open state (liquid can escape from the bottle through the neck 18). However, the neck can be sealed by a sealing portion before its first use (item shown). The sealing portion is designed to be broken by a user, for example, by a rotating motion, and thus detached from the rest of the bottle 12 to form an opening in the neck, providing access to the inside of the bottle 12 from the outside. The bottle is then in an open state. Once opened, the bottle 12 can be engaged with the nozzle 14 as described previously, by means of the aforementioned threads. 2) Nasal spray loading procedure

[0061] A method for loading the sprayer 1 described previously includes the following steps. The purpose of loading is to prepare a dose of liquid within the sprayer 1.

[0062] We assume that bottle 12 contains a liquid L whose volume is greater than N doses of liquid, with N≥1, preferably N>1, or even N>2.

[0063] A user picks up sprayer 1. We initially assume that the sprayer is in the upward position (see figure 3a ). Liquid L is then located at the bottom of reservoir 2, and the dispenser 6 is empty.

[0064] The user places the sprayer in the downward position (see figure 3bReservoir 2 is then positioned above the metering device 6. Liquid L then flows from reservoir 2 to metering device 6 by gravity, so metering device 6 fills with liquid. Liquid does not flow from the metering device to outlet 4 by gravity. A dose L1 of liquid L enters metering device 6. An excess quantity L2 of liquid L remains outside metering device 6, in reservoir 2. At this stage, there is no physical separation between the dose L1 and the excess quantity L2 (which is reflected by the horizontal dashed line on the diagram). figure 3b ).

[0065] Advantageously, the user shakes the nasal spray 1 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis X when the nasal spray 1 is in the downward position. This shaking helps to expel any air bubbles from the dispenser 6 into the reservoir 2, ensuring that the dispenser 6 receives precisely a dose L1 of liquid, and not a quantity of liquid less than a dose due to the presence of air bubbles in the secondary storage space 10. Thus, shaking helps to make the dose of liquid administered to the user more accurate.

[0066] The user then moves the sprayer 1 from the downward position to the upward position (see in figure 3c). The reservoir 2 passes below the doser 6. The doser 6 retains the dose L1 of the liquid by capillary action and allows the excess quantity L2 of the liquid to flow back by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir 2. The liquid L contained in the sprayer 1 is then separated into two portions: on the one hand, the dose of liquid L1 remains in the doser 6, and on the other hand the excess quantity of liquid L2, which rests at the bottom of the reservoir 2, with a space between the two aforementioned portions.

[0067] The loading of sprayer 1 is now complete. 3) Nasal spray method

[0068] A nasal spray procedure using the loaded sprayer 1 as described above includes the following steps.

[0069] The user places nozzle 14 into their nose.

[0070] The user then presses on the deformable walls 24, 26 of the tank 2, so as to bring them closer together by elastic deformation in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X (see the two white arrows shown on the figure 3d This elastic deformation reduces the volume of the main storage space 8 and causes overpressure in the reservoir. This pressure drop causes the retained dose in the metering unit 6 to be expelled through the outlet 4, via channel 34 (this expulsion being shown in the diagram). figure 3d (by a black arrow at the level of channel 34).

[0071] The user presses on the deformable walls 24, 26 until the dose initially contained in the dispenser leaves the entire unit of the spray 1 through the outlet 4 and enters their nose. The user can apply this pressure, for example, with their thumb and forefinger. The user can optionally feel with their fingers when the dose has finished being expelled from the outlet 4. Alternatively, the user can press on the deformable walls 24, 26 until the walls touch each other.

[0072] During elastic deformation, the liquid level at the bottom of the tank is likely to rise (see the lower black arrow on the figure 3d ), towards exit 4.

[0073] When the user stops pressing on the deformable walls 24, 26, these walls 24, 26 move apart from each other by elastic return and return to their rest position, at a distance from each other. The main storage space then returns to its initial volume.

[0074] If there is enough liquid left in the sprayer, the user can repeat the preceding steps to administer another dose of liquid.

[0075] The fact that the user presses on the two deformable walls 24, 26 while the sprayer 1 is in the upward position, in which the dispenser 6 is above the reservoir 2, contributes to the precise administration of a dose to the user. Indeed, it is in this position that there is a physical separation between the dose retained in the dispenser 6 and the excess quantity of liquid that has flowed back into the reservoir 2, as shown in figure 3cApplying pressure to the two deformable walls 24, 26 while the sprayer 1 is in the upward position has the added advantage of being comfortable for the user, as it allows a dose of liquid to be administered into the user's nose without the user having to tilt their head back.

[0076] One situation that should be avoided is expelling not only the dose contained in the dispenser 6 but also part of the excess quantity of liquid L2 in the reservoir 2. This could occur if the user did not feel by touch that the dose of liquid L2 has completely left the sprayer 1, and continued to press the walls 24, 26 together, so that the rise of liquid L2 would continue until it reached the outlet 4. In such a situation, an overdose could be administered to the user.

[0077] To avoid such a situation, the volume of liquid contained in the sprayer 1 is adjusted so that the excess portion of liquid L2 which has flowed back into the tank 2 does not leave the sprayer 1 when the two walls are moved towards each other by elastic deformation into the deformed position in which the two walls touch.

[0078] This feature advantageously guarantees to avoid the administration of an overdose of liquid, because the deformed position constitutes an extreme position for the walls, which the user is able to clearly feel with his fingers.

[0079] According to the invention, this condition is ensured to be satisfied on the first use of the sprayer 1 by a user (i.e. during the first implementation of the steps set out above).

[0080] In one embodiment, the liquid volume is strictly less than five doses. This implies that the spray can only be used to administer four doses, each with a volume corresponding to the dispenser's storage capacity, for example, two doses per nostril. Excess liquid may remain in the reservoir after the fourth dose is administered, but this excess is insufficient to completely fill the dispenser and thus hold a fifth dose with the same volume as the four doses already administered.

[0081] In another embodiment, the volume of liquid in the spray is strictly less than three doses. This means that the nasal spray can be used to administer two doses, each with a volume corresponding to the reservoir capacity of the dispenser—for example, a single dose per nostril. Some excess liquid may remain in the reservoir after the second dose is administered, but this excess is insufficient to refill the dispenser and thus hold a third dose with the same volume as the two doses already administered.

[0082] The sprayer 1 described above may be subject to variations.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the sprayer comprises only two parts (the bottle 14 and the nozzle 16). In other embodiments, the sprayer 1 comprises a different number of parts. For example, the reservoir 2, the outlet 4, and the metering unit 6 can be formed from three separate parts that can be assembled.

[0084] Furthermore, other means than threads can be provided to connect the bottle 12 with the nozzle 14.

Claims

1. Method for loading a nasal spray (1) according to claim 6, the method comprising the following steps: • grasping a nasal spray (1) according to claim 6, • placing the nasal spray (1) in a first position in which the reservoir (2) is above the dispenser (6), so that liquid flows from the reservoir (2) to the dispenser (6) by gravity, • moving the nasal spray (1) from the first position to a second position in which the reservoir (2) is below the dispenser (6), so that the dispenser (6) retains a dose (L1) of the liquid by capillary action and allows an excess quantity (L2) of the liquid to flow back by gravity to the reservoir (2),2. Method according to the previous claim, in which the volume of liquid is strictly less than five doses, or even strictly less than three doses.

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising shaking the nasal spray (1) in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis (X) along which the reservoir (2) and the dispenser (6) are aligned, when the nasal spray (1) is in the first position.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (6) comprises a storage space (10) for the dose of liquid, and wherein the liquid (L) has a volume greater than twice the volume of the storage space (10).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (6) comprises a storage space (10) for the dose of liquid, the storage space (10) having a volume between 20 and 120 microlitres.

6. Nasal spray (1) comprising: • a liquid (L), • a reservoir (2) for storing the liquid, the reservoir (2) comprising two walls capable of being moved towards each other by elastic deformation, • an outlet (4) opening to the outside of the nasal spray (1), • a dispenser (6) fluidically connected to the reservoir (2) and to the outlet (4) such that: • the liquid flows from the reservoir (2) to the dispenser by gravity when the nasal spray (1) is placed in a first position in which the reservoir (2) is above the dispenser, • the dispenser retains a dose (L1) of the liquid by capillary action and allows an excess quantity (L2) of the liquid to flow back to the reservoir (2) by gravity, when the nasal spray (1) moves from the first position to a second position in which the reservoir (2) is below the dispenser, • the dispenser expels the dose of liquid towards the outlet (4) so that the dose of liquid leaves the sprayer through the outlet (4), when the two walls are moved towards each other by elastic deformation while the nasal sprayer (1) is in the second position, the nasal sprayer being characterised in that: • the liquid (L) has a volume adapted so that the excess quantity (L2) of liquid that has flowed back into the reservoir (2) does not leave the nasal spray (1) when the two walls are moved towards each other by elastic deformation until they touch while the nasal spray (1) is in the second position, during a first use of the nasal spray by a user.

7. Nasal spray (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the volume of liquid is strictly less than five doses, or even strictly less than three doses.

8. Nasal spray (1) according to any of claims 6 and 7, wherein the reservoir (2), the metering device and the outlet (4) are aligned along a longitudinal axis (X).

9. Nasal spray (1) according to any of claims 6 to 8, comprising a bottle (12), the bottle (12) comprising a barrel (16) forming the reservoir (2) and a neck (18) forming the dispenser (6).

10. Spray according to the previous claim, wherein the bottle (12) is obtained by a form-fill-seal process.

11. Nasal spray (1) according to any of claims 6 to 10, comprising a nozzle (14) in which the outlet (4) is formed, the nozzle (14) being detachable from the dispenser (6) and / or the reservoir (2).

12. Nasal spray (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the dispenser (6) comprises a storage space (10) for the dose of liquid having a first diameter, the spray lso comprising a channel (34) for conveying the dose of liquid from the dispenser to the outlet (4), the channel (34) having a second internal diameter smaller than the first diameter.

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