Bi-dose dosing system for liquid product dispensing device
The bidose dosage system addresses manufacturing complexity and spray inconsistency by using a three-element design with varying resistances to achieve precise and reproducible dose delivery in standard syringe-type tanks, ensuring consistent spray quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001329
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing bidose fluid product distribution devices, particularly those with syringe-type tanks, are complex and expensive to manufacture and assemble, require modifications, and suffer from inconsistent spray quality due to user-dependent activation, lacking reproducibility and calibrated distribution of doses.
A bidose dosage system comprising a first, second, and third dosage element, each in the shape of a C with axial openings, where the first and third elements have similar diameters and the second has a smaller diameter, allowing for precise dosage and reproducible spray by varying resistance levels, adaptable to standard syringe-type tanks without modification.
Ensures a simple, cost-effective, and reproducible spray with calibrated doses, independent of user activation, by utilizing distinct resistance levels to define and deliver each dose accurately.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Two-dose dosing system for fluid product dispensing device
[0001] The present invention relates to a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device comprising such a two-dose dosing system.
[0002] Two-dose type fluid product dispensing devices are well known. They comprise a reservoir containing two doses of fluid product to be dispensed in two successive actuations. When the reservoir is of the syringe type, with a piston secured to a piston rod which slides in a cylindrical reservoir, there are two-dose dosing systems which make it possible to separate the piston stroke into two half-strokes, one for each dose. These dosing systems are often complex and therefore expensive to manufacture and assemble, and generally, they require a modification of the syringe and / or the piston rod.
[0003] 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, that is to say one whose properties are substantially similar for the two doses, independently of the way in which the user actuates the device.
[0004] The present invention aims to provide a two-dose dosing system and a fluid product dispensing device which do not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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 independently of the way in which the user operates the device.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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 to assemble.
[0009] 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.
[0010] Advantageously, each metering element is C-shaped, with an axial opening over its entire height allowing it to be placed around said piston rod.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] Advantageously, said third dosing element is removed from said piston rod after dispensing the first dose, to allow dispensing of the second dose.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] According to a first advantageous embodiment, said first, second and third dosing elements are formed by three separate parts assembled together.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] According to a second advantageous embodiment, said first, second and third dosing elements are molded in a single piece.
[0021] 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).
[0022] Advantageously, said first and third dosing elements are connected to each other in a captive manner, in particular via a wire.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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, and a two-dose dosing system as described above, said dosing system being assembled on said piston rod.
[0026] Advantageously, the device comprises a nasal spray head provided with a spray orifice mounted on said reservoir.
[0027] These and other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description, made with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:
[0028] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a dis delivery of fluid product comprising a two-dose dosing system according to a first embodiment, in the rest position,
[0029] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detail view of [Fig.l], showing the double-dose dosing system,
[0030] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a detail view of [Fig.2], showing the first means of resistance,
[0031] [Fig.4] [Fig.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,
[0032] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], after assembly of the double-dose dosing system on the piston rod and before the first actuation,
[0033] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], after distribution of the first dose,
[0034] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6], after distribution of the second dose,
[0035] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a schematic perspective detail view, illustrating a first breakable bridge forming first means of resistance for the first dose,
[0036] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a detailed perspective diagram illustrating a second breakable bridge forming second means of resistance for the second dose,
[0037] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], showing an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, and
[0038] [Fig.11] Figures 11 to 13 are views similar to that of [Fig.10], showing respectively the positions after dispensing the first dose, before and after dispensing the second dose.
[0039] [Fig. 12] cf [Fig. 11]
[0040] [Fig. 13] cf [Fig. 11]
[0041] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis A of the dispensing device shown in [Fig.l]. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction of flow of the fluid product when the device is actuated.
[0042] 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.
[0043] [Fig. 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.
[0044] Conventionally, suitable dispensing means are provided in the reservoir 1 for dispensing 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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 in a reproducible manner, 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.
[0052] The second dosing element 22 is arranged between the first and third dosing elements 21, 23.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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 by 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] Furthermore, in the position after dispensing the first dose, the front axial edge 28 of the second dosing element 22 is in abutment on the collar 4 of the reservoir 1, like the front axial edge 24 of the third dosing element 23.
[0059] In order to dispense the second dose, the user must remove the third dosing element 23 from the piston rod 3, as illustrated in [Fig. 12].
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] Preferably, the two doses have the same volume, and in this case, the dosing elements 21, 22, 23 have substantially identical lengths. Alternatively, one could produce two doses of different volumes by producing dosing elements 21, 22, 23 of different lengths.
[0063] 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.
[0064] [Fig. 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.
[0065] The external radial projection 26' is formed at the front axial edge 28 of the second metering element 22.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] Advantageously, the second resistance means 27 are produced in a similar manner, with however a higher resistance requiring the application of a higher force to be overcome compared to the first resistance means 26.
[0069] 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.
[0070] [Fig.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.
[0071] [Fig.9] shows an example of a second breakable bridge forming the second means of resistance 27, arranged between the first and second dosing elements 21, 22.
[0072] Preferably, the force required to break the first breakable bridge(s) is less than that required to break the second breakable bridge(s).
[0073] 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.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments lisation 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 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, wherein 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. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said reservoir (1) is formed by a hollow cylinder provided with a collar (4) at its rear axial end edge, said third dosing 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) during dispensing. of 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 plunger rod (3) after dispensing the first dose, to allow dispensing of the second dose.
7. A system according to any preceding claim, 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. A system according to claim 7, wherein said first resistance means (26) generates 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. A system according to claim 9, wherein said first resistance means (26) comprises 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 proximate 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. A 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. A system according to any preceding claim, in 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, wherein 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. A device according to claim 17, comprising a nasal spray head (10) provided with a spray orifice mounted on said reservoir (1). * * *