Nasal support tip and nasal dispensing device comprising such a tip

Abstract

A nasal support tip (10) adapted to cooperate with a dispensing head (1) of a nasal dispensing device for a fluid or powdered product, said dispensing head (1) being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation, said nasal support tip (10) having a first curved support area (11) adapted to cooperate with the central wall of the nose separating the entrances of the two nostrils and with each external lateral wing of the two nostrils, and a second support area (12), inclined relative to said first support area (11) and adapted to cooperate with the upper lip. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Nasal support tip and nasal dispensing device comprising such a tip

[0001] 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 depth of insertion of the head and the direction of dispensing of the fluid or powder product into a nostril.

[0002] 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.

[0003] The user then operates the device to expel a dose of fluid or powdered product into the nostril.

[0004] In certain applications, particularly in the field of pharmacy, the products dispensed by nasal dispensing devices can be expensive and / or must be dosed very precisely. It is therefore sought to obtain maximum efficiency of the dose of product dispensed into the nostril with each actuation.

[0005] Currently, most nasal dispensing devices expel the dose of product in a direction very substantially parallel to the nasal septum, towards the upper turbinate of the nostril.

[0006] 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 which are most effective for assimilation of the product may consist of parts other than the superior turbinate, particularly the inferior turbinate, the floor, the frontal sinuses, the sphenoid sinus, or the olfactory zone, particularly the ethmoids.

[0007] 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 modify the orientation of the head in the nostril despite the presence of the support tip.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tip and a nasal dispensing device which do not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tip nasal which allows, when the device is activated, to distribute the fluid or powdered product in the area of ​​the nostril where the assimilation of the product is most effective.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] Advantageously, the nasal support tip comprises at least one ring arranged in use around said dispensing head.

[0014] Advantageously, the nasal support tip comprises two rings, one for each nostril.

[0015] 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 mm2, in particular approximately 1,500 mm2.

[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 mm2, preferably approximately 350 mm2.

[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 upon actuation of the device, 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 between 30° and 70°, advantageously between 50° and 55°, preferably 52.5°, vertical insertion angle [3 between 0° and + / -20°, advantageously between + / -3° and + / -7°, preferably + / -5°, and an insertion depth between 0 and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm.

[0024] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which

[0025] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a dis tribute provided with a nasal support tip according to a first advantageous embodiment, said device being partially inserted into a nostril,

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view, which shows the insertion angle ho rizontal a,

[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a detailed view from below, which shows the vertical insertion angle [3,

[0028] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the support tip of Figures 1 to 3,

[0029] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view of a dis tribute provided with a nasal support tip according to a second advantageous embodiment, said device being partially inserted into a nostril,

[0030] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view of a dispensing device provided with a nasal support tip according to another advantageous embodiment, and

[0031] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the support tip of [Fig.6].

[0032] 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.

[0033] With reference to the figures, the nasal dispensing device comprises a nasal dispensing head 1 comprising an insertion end 1' 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. nasal 1 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 when the device is actuated.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Advantageously, the second support zone 12 is curved to match the rounded shape of an upper lip.

[0038] Advantageously, the nasal support tip 10 defines a total contact surface with the user's face of at least 1,000 mm2, in particular approximately 1,500 mm2.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Advantageously, each side plate 12' of the second support zone 12 defines a contact surface with the upper lip of at least 300 mm2, preferably approximately 350 mm2.

[0041] 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 [Fig.5].

[0042] As visible 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 [3 (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°, advantageously of between + / -3° and + / -7°, preferably + / -5°. Finally, the insertion depth is between 0 and 30 mm, advantageously of between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm. 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.

[0044] Advantageously, the dispensing head 1 comprises at least one finger rest surface 15. In the example of FIGS. 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, for example circular, could be imagined.

[0045] The operation of the device is as follows.

[0046] 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.l]. 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.

[0047] The user then activates the device and the dose of fluid or powdered product is distributed in the desired area.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The presence of the two rings 13 makes it possible to guarantee perfect positioning of the device in each nostril.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 powdered 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. A nasal support tip (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one ring (13) disposed in use around said dispensing head (1).

3. A 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 resting tip (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein said second resting 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 mm2, in particular about 1500 mm2.

7. A nasal support tip (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein said second support area (12) comprises two side plates (12') which extend in the use position on each side of the nose on the outer lateral portions of the upper lip.

8. A nasal rest tip (10) according to claim 7, wherein each side plate (12') of said second resting area (12) defines an upper lip contact surface of at least 300 mm2, preferably about 350 mm2.

9. A nasal support tip (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

10.

11.

12. 6, wherein said second support zone (12) comprises a single plate which extends in the use position under the nose, resting on the upper lip. 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. Device according to claim 10, in which said tip (10) is removably attached to said head (1). 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 [3 of between 0° and + / -20°, advantageously of between + / -3° and + / -7°, preferably + / -5°, and an insertion depth of between 0 and 30 mm, advantageously of between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm. * * *

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