Spray head for fluid product dispensing device

Abstract

Spray head (10) for a fluid product dispensing device, comprising a body (11) having a spray orifice (12), said spray head (10) comprising a connecting member (15) integral with said body (11), said connecting member (15) defining a central axial channel (16), said spray head (10) comprising at least one valve (20; 40) forming pre-compression means for generating a calibrated spray through said spray orifice (12). "Figure for abbreviation: Figure 1"

Description

Title of the invention: Spray head for a fluid product dispensing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a spray head, in particular of nasal type, and a fluid product distribution device comprising such a spray head.

[0002] Spray heads for fluid product dispensing devices are well known. Generally, spray heads are mounted on piston rods or valve stems to guide the product, which is dispensed from a pump or valve, to the spray orifice. However, it has also been proposed to place a spray head directly on the outlet of a syringe-type reservoir to spray the contents of said syringe rather than injecting it through a needle. Document WO0071263 describes such a device.

[0003] One disadvantage of a spray head assembled on a syringe-type reservoir concerns the risks of re-aspiration of liquid into the reservoir, particularly due to a vacuum generated in the reservoir.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a spray head that prevents any re-aspiration of liquid towards the reservoir, particularly at the end of actuation.

[0005] Another drawback of certain spray heads concerns the quality of the generated spray, which can depend on the user's actuation, particularly the speed and force of the actuation. To ensure good spray reproducibility, it is desirable to generate a calibrated spray, that is, one whose properties are substantially similar regardless of how the user actuates the device.

[0006] The present invention also aims to provide a spray head that enables correct and reproducible spraying.

[0007] In general, the present invention aims to provide a spray head for a fluid product distribution device that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] The present invention also aims to provide such a spray head which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0009] The present invention therefore relates to a spray head for a fluid product distribution device, comprising a body having a spray orifice, said spray head comprising a connecting member integral with said body, said connecting member defining a central axial channel, said head of spray comprising at least one valve forming pre-compression means enabling the generation of a calibrated spray through said spray orifice.

[0010] Advantageously, at least one valve forms anti-re-aspiration means preventing any re-aspiration of liquid towards said reservoir.

[0011] According to a first advantageous variant, the same valve forms said anti-re-aspiration means preventing any re-aspiration of liquid towards said reservoir and said pre-compression means enabling the generation of a calibrated spray through said spray orifice.

[0012] According to a second advantageous variant, a first valve forms said anti-re-aspiration means preventing any re-aspiration of liquid towards said reservoir and a second valve forms said pre-compression means enabling the generation of a calibrated spray through said spray orifice.

[0013] Advantageously, said central axial channel of said connecting member comprises a valve including a valve seat cooperating with a movable and / or deformable valve element between a rest position and an actuation position.

[0014] Advantageously, said valve element cooperates in the actuation position with a valve seat having axial projections separated by at least one groove, the fluid product being able to pass around said valve element and into said at least one groove to flow towards said spray orifice.

[0015] Advantageously, said valve element cooperates in the actuation position with a valve seat having axial projections separated by at least one groove, the fluid product being able to pass around said valve element and into said at least one groove to flow towards said spray orifice.

[0016] Advantageously, said valve element and said valve seat are made in such a way that the displacement and / or deformation of said valve element towards its actuation position occurs only from a predetermined pressure of the fluid product flow.

[0017] Advantageously, said valve element cooperates in its rest position in a sealed manner with an internal shoulder of said central axial channel and is movable and / or deformable towards its actuation position.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment, an intermediate member is interposed between said connecting member and said body, said intermediate member being hollow and having an opening leading into said connecting member, a sleeve being mounted to slide within said connecting member around said intermediate member between an open position and a closed position, an elastic element, such as a spring, forcing said sleeve towards its closed position in which it closes said opening, said sleeve being moved towards its position opening when actuation from a predetermined pressure of the fluid product flow.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a device for dispensing fluid product, comprising a syringe and a spray head as described above, said spray head being assembled on said syringe.

[0020] Advantageously, said spray head includes said fastening means which cooperate with a standard Luer type fastening provided on a front end of said syringe.

[0021] Advantageously, said fastening means comprise at least one external radial projection adapted to cooperate with an internal screw thread of said standard Luer-type fastening.

[0022] Advantageously, said syringe contains fluid product, a piston attached to an actuating rod being provided to distribute said fluid product.

[0023] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and on which

[0024] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a head of spraying according to a first embodiment, assembled on a syringe-type reservoir,

[0025] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1], showing a head of spraying according to a second embodiment,

[0026] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray head of the [Fig.1],

[0027] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic detail view of a portion of the valve head of the spraying of figures 1 and 3, before and / or after actuation,

[0028] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 4], during actuation,

[0029] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective cut-out view of the valve seat figures 4 and 5,

[0030] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a detailed view from below of the valve seat of Figures 4 and 5,

[0031] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], illustrating a portion of a valve according to a second embodiment,

[0032] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a detailed view of [Fig.8] during actuation, and

[0033] [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the underside of the valve seat of Figures 8 and 9.

[0034] The present invention will be described below with reference to three embodiments, but it is understood that other embodiments could be envisaged.

[0035] With reference to figures 1 and 3 to 7, a first advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a spray head 10 assembled on a syringe-type reservoir 1. Preferably, the reservoir 1 contains a single dose of fluid product, generally a liquid, which is dispensed in a single actuation. The present invention therefore relates primarily to single-use devices, and the following description will be given with reference to a reservoir formed by a single-dose syringe. It should be noted, however, that the reservoir could contain more than one dose, for example, two doses, with dose-splitting means for dispensing the reservoir contents in several successive actuations.

[0037] Conventionally, suitable dispensing means can be provided in the syringe 1 to dispense its contents. Typically, these dispensing means comprise a piston 2 attached to an actuating rod 3, which is operated by the user at the time of dispensing. Of course, different dispensing means could be considered, for example, automatic dispensing means of the auto-injector type. However, since these dispensing means are not directly involved in the present invention, they will not be described in further detail below.

[0038] The spray head 10 comprises a body 11 having a spray orifice 12. Preferably, as shown in the drawings, the spray head 10 is of the nasal type, with an elongated body 11 to penetrate a nostril and the spray orifice 12 disposed at the distal axial end of said body, in the direction of flow of the fluid product during actuation. Advantageously, an insert 13 is disposed upstream of the spray orifice 12 to generate a spray, for example by means of a well-known spray pattern (not shown in the drawings).

[0039] The body 11 is integral with a connecting member 15, which defines a central axial channel 16 and which includes fastening means 17 for attaching to a reservoir 1, in particular a syringe body as shown in [Fig. 1]. Preferably, the body 11 is fixed to the connecting member 15, but these two parts could also be formed as a single monobloc piece, for example by additive manufacturing.

[0040] Advantageously, the fastening means 17 are adapted to cooperate with a standard Luer 5 type fastening provided on the front end of the syringe 1. In a well-known manner, and as seen in [Fig. 1], these fastening means 17 comprise at least one external radial projection adapted to cooperate with an internal thread (not shown) of said standard Luer 5 type fastening of the syringe 1.

[0041] To prevent the spray head 10 from being easily removed from the syringe 1, the spray head 10 may advantageously include a ring An external ring 30 is mounted to rotate around the connecting member 15 in a ratchet-like manner. When assembling the spray head 10 onto the syringe 1, the external ring 30 is turned clockwise, allowing the connecting member 15 to be screwed into the standard Luer 5-type fitting of the syringe 1. When the external ring 30 is turned counterclockwise, it spins freely, thus preventing the spray head 10 from being removed from the syringe 1.

[0042] According to the invention, the spray head comprises at least one valve 20, 40 forming pre-compression means enabling the generation of a calibrated spray through the spray orifice 12.

[0043] In the first advantageous embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 7, the central axial channel 16 includes a valve 20 comprising a valve seat 22 cooperating with a movable and / or deformable valve element 21 between a rest position and an actuation position.

[0044] The valve element 21 is made of deformable material, for example rubber, and cooperates in the actuation position with a valve seat 22 having axial projections 23 of frustoconical shape, each having a flat apex 24 and separated by at least one groove 25. When the device is actuation, the fluid product flowing along arrow F in [Fig.5] deforms the valve element 21 from its rest position, visible in [Fig.4], to its actuation position, visible in [Fig.5]. In the actuation position, the valve element folds back and presses against the valve seat 22, with the fluid able to pass around the valve element 21 and into at least one groove 25 to flow towards the spray orifice 12. The valve element 21 and the valve seat 22 are made such that the deformation of the valve element 21 occurs only from a predetermined liquid flow pressure F.Until this predetermined pressure is reached, the valve element 21 does not deform towards its actuation position. Thus, regardless of the speed or force of actuation exerted by the user, the pre-compression generated by the valve 20 ensures a calibrated and reproducible spray, independent of how the user operates the device.

[0045] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate another embodiment, in which the valve element 21 is axially movable under the effect of the liquid flow F. At rest, it rests on an internal shoulder 26 of the central axial channel 16 and seals the passage to the reservoir 1. When the liquid flow F arrives, the valve element 21 is moved towards the valve seat 22 to allow the liquid to be expelled. Here, the valve seat 22 also has axial projections 23 separated by at least one groove 25, and during actuation, the valve element 21 presses against the seat of the valve 22, with the liquid able to pass around the valve element 21 and into at least one groove 25 to flow towards the spray orifice 12. At the end of the actuation, the valve element 21 returns to its rest position, notably by gravity. Here, in the event of a vacuum in the reservoir 1 at the end of the actuation, the valve element 21 will be pressed against the internal shoulder 26 and thus prevent any backflow of liquid towards the reservoir 1.

[0046] It should be noted that the embodiment of figures 4 to 7 can also incorporate this anti-re-aspiration function, with an internal shoulder 26 cooperating with the valve element 21 at rest and in case of depression in the reservoir 1, as seen in figures 4 and 5. In this case, a single valve 20 is sufficient in the spray head to perform both the pre-compression function and the anti-re-aspiration function.

[0047] Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which there are two valves, a first valve 20 to perform the anti-re-aspiration function and a second valve 40 to perform the pre-compression function.

[0048] The first valve 20 can be identical to that described above with reference to figures 8 to 10.

[0049] The second valve 40 is formed by a sleeve 40 mounted to slide between an open position and a closed position in said connecting member 15 around an intermediate member 14. This intermediate member 14 is interposed between the connecting member 15 and the body 11. The intermediate member 14 is hollow and has an opening 14' leading, in particular laterally, into said connecting member 15. An elastic element 41, such as a spring, forces said sleeve 14 towards its closed position in which it closes said opening 14', said sleeve 40 being moved towards its open position upon actuation from a predetermined pressure of the flow of fluid product F. Here, it is therefore the spring 41 that determines the pre-compression threshold above which the valve opens.

[0050] Optionally, the second valve 40 could also act as an anti-re-aspiration valve, and in this case, the single valve 40 would be sufficient to perform both the pre-compression function and the anti-re-aspiration function.

[0051] 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 represented in the drawings, but that, on the contrary, a person skilled in the art may make any useful modifications to it, without going out of the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Spray head (10) for a fluid product distribution device, comprising a body (11) having a spray orifice (12), said spray head (10) comprising a connecting member (15) integral with said body (11), said connecting member (15) defining a central axial channel (16), said spray head (10) comprising at least one valve (20;40) forming pre-compression means for generating a calibrated spray through said spray orifice (12), characterized in that an intermediate member (14) is interposed between said connecting member (15) and said body (11), said intermediate member (14) being hollow and having an opening (14') leading into said connecting member (15), a sleeve (40) being mounted to slide in said connecting member (15) around said intermediate member (14) between an open position and a closed position, an elastic element (41), such as a spring, forcing said sleeve (14) towards its closed position in which it closes said opening (14'), said sleeve (40) being moved towards its open position upon actuation from a predetermined pressure of the flow of fluid product (F).;

2. Head according to claim 1, wherein at least one valve (20; 40) forms anti-re-aspiration means preventing any re-aspiration of liquid towards said reservoir (1).

3. Head according to claim 2, wherein a first valve (20) forms said anti-re-aspiration means preventing any re-aspiration of liquid towards said reservoir (1) and a second valve (40) forms said pre-compression means enabling the generation of a calibrated spray through said spray orifice (12).

4. Head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said central axial channel (16) of said connecting member (15) comprises a valve (20) including a valve seat (22) cooperating with a valve element (21) movable and / or deformable between a rest position and an actuation position.

5. Head according to claim 4, wherein said valve element (21) cooperates in the actuated position with a valve seat (22) having axial projections (23) separated by at least one groove (25), the fluid product being able to pass around said valve element (21) and in said at least one groove (25) to flow towards said spray orifice (12).

6. Head according to claim 5, wherein said valve element (21) and said valve seat (22) are made such that the displacement and / or deformation of said valve element (21) towards its actuation position occurs only from a predetermined pressure of the fluid product flow (F).

7. Head according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said valve element (21) cooperates in its rest position in a sealed manner with an internal shoulder (26) of said central axial channel (16) and is movable and / or deformable towards its actuation position.

8. Fluid product dispensing device, comprising a syringe (1) and a spray head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, said spray head (10) being assembled on said syringe (1).

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein said spray head (10) comprises said fastening means (17) which cooperate with a standard Luer type fastening (5) provided on a front end of said syringe (1).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said fastening means (17) comprise at least one external radial projection adapted to cooperate with an internal screw thread of said standard Luer type fastening (5).

11. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said syringe (1) contains fluid product, a piston (2) integral with an actuating rod (3) being provided for dispensing said fluid product.

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