Distribution device subassembly and distribution device comprising such a subassembly

Abstract

Dispensing device subassembly and dispensing device comprising such a subassembly This dispensing device subassembly (100) comprises a body (101) configured to receive an element (50) in a housing (110), around which are arranged retaining members (114) each carrying at least one retaining relief (120) and which are divided into two categories of retaining members (114A; 114B). The retaining reliefs (120) include at least one lower relief (120A) and at least one upper relief (120B). The retaining reliefs (120) of one of the categories of retaining members, first or second, comprise only a single retaining relief, upper or lower.Alternatively, the retaining reliefs (120) of the first category of retaining members (114A) comprise an upper retaining relief (120B) and a lower retaining relief (120A), which are different in shape and / or dimension from the upper or lower retaining reliefs of the second category of retaining members (114B). Figure for abstract: Figure 2a).

Description

Title of the invention: Subassembly of a dispensing device and dispensing device comprising such a subassembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a device subassembly, in particular a device subassembly for dispensing a product, for example a pharmaceutical fluid product, and a dispensing device comprising such a device subassembly.

[0002] In the field of devices for dispensing a product, in particular in the field of devices for spraying a fluid product for medical use, it is common to have an element configured to be mechanically acted upon by a user, and a subassembly of the dispensing device to which this element is assembled in a movably manner. For example, the element may include a reservoir containing the product to be dispensed. The dispensing subassembly generally comprises a housing, which receives the element, and a dispensing orifice, for dispensing the product, for example by a mechanical action of the user on the element.

[0003] The element is generally mechanically attached to the subassembly in an assembled configuration of the dispensing device. The subassembly comprises retaining members, generally breakable bridges or clips formed by elastic arms, which are arranged around the housing and which cooperate, in particular by complementarity of shapes, with the element to maintain the latter in position, assembled to the device subassembly.

[0004] While a dispensing device in assembled configuration is made available to users, it is appropriate to prevent the untimely or intentional disassembly of the element which could render the device inoperable, in particular in the event of the dispensing device falling onto the ground or when a person pulls on the element. According to application examples, the retaining members must withstand a force greater than a predetermined value, called the extraction force, to prevent the untimely or intentional disassembly of the element.

[0005] Generally, during use, for example a first use, the dispensing device is activated by a mechanical stress exerted by a user directly or indirectly causing the transfer of the product from the reservoir to the dispensing orifice. The mechanical stress generally results in the application to the element of a force necessary to overcome the retaining members and allow the element to move to trigger the activation, this force is called the activation force. To facilitate the use of the dispensing device, it is appropriate for the activation force to be relatively small and stable from one dispensing device to another. the other. Conversely, before voluntary activation by the user, it is necessary to prevent accidental activation of the dispensing device, for example in the event of the dispensing device falling on the ground or during storage of the device, the activation force must therefore not be too weak.

[0006] Ideally, the retaining members must be sized so as to be able to obtain sufficient extraction force to avoid untimely or intentional disassembly of the element, and an activation force in the window allowing simple activation for the user but not too weak to avoid untimely activations.

[0007] Known dispensing devices do not allow easy dimensioning of retaining members in order to obtain correct extraction and activation forces. Indeed, it is observed that a change in the retaining members resulting in a variation of one of the extraction or activation forces also results in a change in the same direction of the other. For example, known retaining members do not allow the extraction force to be increased without also increasing the activation force and vice versa.

[0008] For example, we know from document WO99 / 24171A2 a dispensing device whose reservoir is included in a mobile element and connected to the dispensing device by frangible bridges which form the retaining members influencing the extraction and activation force. Thus, on this dispensing device, a modification of the frangible bridges with a view to adjusting one of the two extraction or activation forces will necessarily impact the other.

[0009] Also known from document EP0546607A1 is a dispensing device comprising a reservoir assembled in an element, itself assembled to a complementary dispensing part. The dispensing part comprises extension arms provided with upper and lower reliefs, which are offset so as to provide a recess between them. The element comprises a peripheral protuberance, which is received in the recess in an assembled configuration. With such a device, a modification of the extension arms with a view to adjusting one of the two extraction or activation forces will also necessarily impact the other.

[0010] It is these problems that the invention more particularly intends to remedy, by proposing a dispensing device in which the activation force and the extraction force are each adjustable with little impact on the other.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a device subassembly, the subassembly comprising a body, which is configured to receive an element in a housing, and retaining members, which are arranged at the periphery of the housing, which each carry at least one retaining relief, the retaining reliefs including at least one upper relief and at least one lower relief positioned one above the other on an internal face of the retaining members and along an axis of insertion of the element into the body, said retaining members being configured to cooperate with a relief carried by the element and are divided into two different categories of retaining members, the two categories of retaining members including a first category of retaining member and a second category of retaining member, a device subassembly, the subassembly comprising a body, which is configured to receive an element in a housing, and retaining members, which are arranged at the periphery of the housing, which each carry at least one retaining relief configured to cooperate with a relief carried by the element and which are divided into two different categories of retaining members, the two categories of retaining members including a first category of retaining member and a second category of retaining member.

[0012] According to the invention, the retaining reliefs of each retaining member of the second category of retaining member comprise only a lower retaining relief, and the retaining reliefs of each retaining member of the first category of retaining member comprise at least one upper retaining relief, or, still according to the invention, the retaining reliefs of each retaining member of the first category of retaining member comprise only an upper retaining relief, and the retaining reliefs of each retaining member of the second category of retaining member comprise at least one lower retaining relief, or, still according to the invention, the retaining reliefs of each retaining member of the first category of retaining member and of the second category of retaining member comprise an upper retaining relief and a lower retaining relief,said upper or lower retaining reliefs of the second category of retaining member being different in shape and / or dimension from the corresponding upper or lower retaining reliefs of the first category of retaining member.

[0013] Thanks to the invention, the two categories of retaining members are provided with different retaining reliefs, and consequently the activation and / or extraction forces associated with each category of retaining members are specific. For example, it is thus possible to specialize one of the two categories of retaining members to impact the activation force, while having little or no influence on the extraction force, while the other retaining members of the other category are specialized to impact the extraction force, while having little or no influence on the activation force. In comparison, in the prior art the retaining members are not differentiated, that is to say that the retaining members all have similar, or even identical, retention profiles, which limits the possibilities of adjusting the activation force and the extraction force independently of one another.

[0014] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a dispensing device may incorporate one or more of the following features taken alone or in any technically admissible combination.

[0015] Advantageously, the retaining reliefs are projections. In this way, the cooperation between the relief of the element and the retaining reliefs is improved.

[0016] Advantageously, the housing has a cylindrical portion configured to receive the element in a manner adjusted to the relief. The guidance of the element in the body is thus improved.

[0017] Advantageously, the device subassembly comprises four retaining members, two of which comprise only an upper retaining relief and two of which comprise a lower retaining relief and an upper retaining relief, configured such that the force required to pass the relief of the element beyond the lower retaining reliefs is greater than the force required to pass the relief of the element beyond the upper retaining reliefs.

[0018] Advantageously, the retaining members are elastic tabs extending from an edge of the housing along the insertion axis. This construction is simple and easy to manufacture.

[0019] Advantageously, the internal face of the elastic tabs has a radius of curvature identical to a radius of curvature of the housing. Thus there is continuity between the housing and the internal face of the elastic tabs allowing better guidance of the element in the housing.

[0020] Advantageously, the retaining reliefs are positioned on the internal face of the elastic tabs. Such a construction makes it possible to improve the cooperation between the retaining members and the relief of the element.

[0021] Advantageously, the lower retaining reliefs of the first category of retaining member are positioned at a free end of the elastic tabs.

[0022] Advantageously, the lower retaining reliefs of the second category of retaining member are positioned at a free end of the elastic tabs.

[0023] Advantageously, the lower retaining reliefs are positioned at a free end of the elastic tabs.

[0024] Advantageously, the retaining members of the second category are elastic tabs having a width greater than a width of the elastic tabs which constitute the retaining members of the first category. Thus, the retaining members of the second category are more rigid than the retaining members of the first category.

[0025] Advantageously, the retaining members of the second category are elastic tabs having an angle greater than an angle of the elastic tabs which constitute the retaining members of the first category. Thus, the retaining members of the second category are more rigid than the retaining members of the first category.

[0026] Advantageously, the retaining members of the second category are elastic tabs having a radial thickness greater than a radial thickness of the elastic tabs which constitute the retaining members of the first category. Thus, the retaining members of the second category are more rigid than the retaining members of the first category.

[0027] The radial thickness is defined by a thickness measured radially to the insertion axis.

[0028] Advantageously, the elastic tabs forming the retaining members of the second category each comprise two stiffening ribs extending parallel to the insertion axis.

[0029] Advantageously, the number of retaining members of the first category is equal to the number of retaining members of the second category, preferably the number equal to two.

[0030] Advantageously, the retaining members of the first category and the retaining members of the second category are distributed alternately and uniformly around the housing.

[0031] Advantageously, the retaining members of the first category are symmetrical with respect to the insertion axis.

[0032] Advantageously, the retaining members of the second category are symmetrical with respect to the insertion axis.

[0033] Advantageously, the subassembly comprises a distribution orifice.

[0034] Advantageously, the body comprises a dispensing orifice.

[0035] Advantageously, the body is configured to be inserted into the nostril of a patient.

[0036] Advantageously, the body has a generally cylindrical shape having an axis, and provided with a distal end and a proximal end. Preferably, the dispensing orifice is positioned at the distal end. Thus, the general cylindrical shape allows for easy insertion into the patient's nostril.

[0037] The term "distal" refers to that which is on the side of the dispensing orifice and the term "proximal" refers to the opposite side.

[0038] Advantageously, the insertion axis coincides with the axis of the body.

[0039] Advantageously, the distal end of the body is hemispherical in shape. Such a shape allows comfortable insertion into the patient's nostril.

[0040] Advantageously, the housing is at the proximal end of the body.

[0041] Advantageously, the subassembly comprises at least one bearing surface, preferably two bearing surfaces, configured to receive a finger of the user. Preferably, the subassembly comprises two radial protrusions each carrying a bearing surface for receiving a finger of the user.

[0042] Advantageously, the subassembly comprises a support member, preferably attached around the body, said support member comprising the support surface, preferably comprising the two radial protrusions.

[0043] Alternatively, the subassembly comprises a tip onto which the body is attached, said tip being configured to be inserted into the nostril of a patient.

[0044] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a dispensing device comprising the device subassembly as described above and an example of the element received in the housing, the element comprising a relief cooperating with the retaining reliefs of the device subassembly.

[0045] The product to be dispensed may be a liquid, such as a solution or suspension, or a solid, for example in powder form.

[0046] Advantageously, the dispensing device is a spraying device, in particular a nasal spraying device, preferably configured to dispense the product in the form of a spray, a jet or even an aerosol. A product presented in this form is easier to reach the targeted area.

[0047] Advantageously, the product is distributed in the form of a spray.

[0048] The term "aerosol" designates the dispersion of particles of a liquid, a solution or of a solid in a gas.

[0049] The term "spray" refers to a type of aerosol in which the dispersion is approximately in the form of a cone. Typically, the cone of a spray has an opening angle of between 0 degrees and 120 degrees.

[0050] The expression “between... and...” must be understood as including the limits of the interval thus defined.

[0051] The term "jet" refers to a spray in which the dispersion cone has a narrow opening angle, preferably between 0 degrees and 15 degrees. The particles, in this case, may be fused or joined in a continuous line of material.

[0052] Advantageously, the dispensing device may comprise, for example, a stopper sliding in the reservoir, a pump, a valve, or a system delivering a gas and the product to be dispensed, or any other liquid or powder dispensing mechanism known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] A pump is understood to mean a device capable of sucking and discharging a fluid.

[0054] A valve is understood to mean a device capable of selectively retaining and releasing a fluid, especially a pressurized fluid. The valve may be metering if, during the action releasing the fluid, the quantity of fluid released is independent of the duration of valve actuation, while the valve is said to be continuous if the quantity of fluid released depends on the duration of valve actuation.

[0055] Advantageously, the body of the device subassembly is provided with a dispensing orifice and configured to be inserted into the nostril of a patient, and wherein the element comprises a reservoir containing a product to be dispensed and is configured to be pressed by a user's finger to trigger dispensing of the product from the reservoir to the patient's nostril via the dispensing port.

[0056] Advantageously, the element has a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0057] Advantageously, the element is configured to translate in the body in a direction parallel to the insertion axis.

[0058] Alternatively, the insertion axis has an angle with the axis of the body, preferably is perpendicular to the axis of the body.

[0059] Alternatively, the element is an activation button independent of the tank.

[0060] Alternatively, the element is a button provided with a tip for piercing a reservoir containing a powder.

[0061] Alternatively, the element is a protective cap covering an activation button.

[0062] The user may be the patient or another person, for example a healthcare professional.

[0063] A patient is defined as an individual whose nostrils receive the dispensing device.

[0064] A user is defined as the individual who takes control of the dispensing device and activates the device to trigger dispensing.

[0065] In most cases, the user is also the patient.

[0066] It may happen that the user is a different person from the patient, for example in the case where the patient requires assistance.

[0067] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of several embodiments of a dispensing device, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0068] - [Fig.l] Figures 1a) and 1b) represent respectively a perspective view and a longitudinal section of a dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device comprising a body and an element assembled to the body;

[0069] - [Fig.2] Figures 2a) and 2b) respectively represent a perspective view exploded view of the body and the element of [Fig.l], and a detail of the body represented on a larger scale;

[0070] - [Fig.3] Figures 3a), 3b) and 3c) represent respectively, a top view of the body of figure 2b), a longitudinal section of the body along a first section plane IIIB-IIIB identified in figure 3a), and another longitudinal section of the body along a second section plane IIIC-IIIC identified in figure 3a), the second section plane IIIC-IIIC being orthogonal to the first section plane IIIB-IIIB;

[0071] - [Fig.4] Figures 4a) and 4b) represent respectively a partial and a perspective of a body belonging to a dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the invention, and a top view of this body;

[0072] - [Fig.5] Figures 5a) and 5b) represent respectively a partial and a full view perspective of a body belonging to a dispensing device according to a third embodiment of the invention, and a top view of this body, and

[0073] - [Fig.6] figures 6a), 6b) and 6c) respectively represent a detail of the element of [Fig.l], a detail of an element belonging to a dispensing device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and a longitudinal section of a body belonging to a dispensing device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0074] A dispensing device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3. The dispensing device 10 here comprises a device subassembly 100 and an element 50, which is configured to be assembled to the device subassembly 100. The device subassembly 100 and the element 50 are shown in isolation in [Fig.2] a).

[0075] The dispensing device 10 is here a device configured to dispense, in the form of a spray, a jet or even an aerosol, a product contained in the element 50. In this embodiment, the product to be dispensed is a fluid product but could also be in powder form. The element 50 here comprises a reservoir 52 visible in FIG. 1b), containing a fluid product to be dispensed, the reservoir 52 being closed by a cap 54 and is fitted into the element 50. The fluid product contained in the reservoir 52 is referenced 55. The fluid product is generally a liquid of the solution or suspension type. Alternatively, the fluid product is a gel or a powder.

[0076] The dispensing device 10 is in particular a nasal spray device configured to dispense the product in the form of a spray.

[0077] The products, in particular pharmaceutical products, capable of being distributed by the distribution device 10 are, for example, formulations containing at least one active ingredient such as peptides, proteins, hormones, active ingredients of biological origin such as, for example, inactivated live viruses, virus proteins, viral vectors and viral subunits, active ingredients based on nucleotides, such as, for example, DNA, RNA or oligonucleotides, active ingredients with a molecular weight up to 1500 Da, polysaccharides, vaccines, enzymes, antibodies, nutritional formulas or other active substances or their mixture.

[0078] The products, in particular pharmaceutical products, capable of being distributed by the distribution device 10 are for example formulations containing as active ingredient midazolam, benzodiazepines, morphine, naloxone, su- fentanil, fentanyl, epinephrine, adrenaline, ketamines including esketamine, norketamine, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, decongestants, vasoconstrictors, nalmefene, salbutamol, ipratropium, montelukast, anesthetic agents, antihistamines, antiemetics, desmopressin, oxytocin, GnRH analogues, nafarelin, busurelin, calcitonin, insulin, su-matriptan, zolmitriptan, dihydroergotamine, metoclopramide, ondansetron, bevacizumab, zavegepant, nicotine, corticosteroids, steroids, sedatives, dexmedetomidine, ketorolac, lorazepam, lidocaine or xylocaine, or combinations thereof.

[0079] The device subassembly 100 comprises a body 101 having a distal portion 102, which is provided with a dispensing orifice 104, through which the fluid is dispensed in the form of droplets forming a spray. The distal portion 102 is here configured to be inserted into the nostril of a patient, so that the fluid exiting through the dispensing orifice 104 is sprayed into the nostril and more precisely into the nasal cavity of the patient. The body 101 is advantageously made in one piece, for example by an injection molding process of a thermoplastic polymer material.

[0080] The dispensing device 10 here comprises a passage channel, here formed by a hollow needle 106, which is integral with the body 101 and which comprises a first end fluidly connected to the dispensing orifice 104, and a second end, opposite the first end, which is configured to pierce the stopper 54, so as to put the reservoir 52 and the dispensing orifice 104 into fluid communication.

[0081] In Figure 1b), the dispensing device 10 is shown in a standby configuration, in which the stopper 54 is not yet pierced by the needle 106. This standby configuration corresponds for example to the configuration in which the dispensing device 10 is made available to users after manufacturing, assembly, filling and packaging. The body 101 comprises a needle support 108 comprising a housing in which the needle 106 is fixedly contained, said needle support 108 also comprising a proximal abutment surface, which is oriented towards the stopper 54 and which is configured to abut against a distal surface of the stopper 54.

[0082] With reference to [Fig.2], the element 50 generally has the shape of a cylinder of revolution around an element axis A50. The element 50 comprises a cylindrical portion 58 centered on the element axis A50. The element 50 also comprises a relief 60, which is here formed as a continuous circumferential projection on the cylindrical portion 58 extending radially to the element axis A50.

[0083] The body 101 provides a housing 110 which is configured to receive the element 50. The housing 110 generally has a shape of revolution around an insertion axis A1 10. The housing 110 is configured to receive the element 50 according to a translational movement parallel to the insertion axis A1 10, the element axis A50 being merged with the insertion axis A1 10 when the element 50 is received in the housing 110.

[0084] The element 50 is configured to be pressed by a finger, for example a thumb, of a user to bring the stopper 54 closer to the needle 106 and the needle support 108 in a so-called activation movement taking place in the distal direction. The element 50 comprises for this purpose a bearing surface 56, which is here located opposite the distal portion 102 along the insertion axis A1 10 when the dispensing device 10 is in the assembled configuration.

[0085] When the user presses on the bearing surface 56 and pushes the element 50 into the body 101, the needle 106 approaches the stopper 54 and pierces it, fluidly connecting the reservoir 52 to the dispensing orifice 104, then the proximal stop surface of the needle support 108 abuts against the distal surface of the stopper 54 so that the stopper 54 slides in the reservoir 52 to expel the product 55 through the needle 106, so as to trigger the dispensing of the product 55 from the reservoir 52 towards the patient's nostril via the dispensing orifice 104.

[0086] In the example illustrated, the dispensing device 10 also comprises a support member 20, which provides two support surfaces 22A and 22B extending radially relative to the axis of the body 101 and configured to receive fingers, preferably the index finger and the middle finger, of the user when holding and actuating the dispensing device 10.

[0087] Preferably, the housing 110 comprises a cylindrical portion 112, which is configured to receive the relief 60 of the element 50 in an adjusted manner. By "adjusted manner", it is meant that, when the element 50 is received in the housing 110, the movements of the element 50 relative to the body 101 are limited, within manufacturing tolerances and assembly clearances, to pivot-sliding type movements along the insertion axis A1 10. In other words, the cylindrical portion 112 of the housing 110 forms a sleeve, centered on the insertion axis A1 10, which is configured to receive the element 50 in an adjusted manner. The use of the dispensing device 10 is thus facilitated, by avoiding unwanted movements of the element 50 relative to the subassembly 100 during activation of the dispensing device 10.Preferably, the housing 110 may comprise a guide portion 113 of cylindrical shape or comprising guide ribs and configured to receive in an adjusted manner the cylindrical portion 58 of the element 50, said guide portion 113 being on the distal side of the cylindrical portion 112.

[0088] The body 101 also comprises retaining members 114, which are arranged at the end edge of the housing 110. Each retaining member 114 comprises an internal face 116, which is oriented towards the insertion axis A1 10, the retaining members 114 comprising retaining reliefs 120, which are provided on the internal faces 116 of the retaining members 114. The retaining reliefs 120 are advantageously projections, which are provided on the internal faces 116 of the retaining members 114, as in the example illustrated. The retaining reliefs 120 are visible in section in Figures 3b) and 3c).

[0089] The retaining reliefs 120 include at least one upper retaining relief 120A and at least one lower retaining relief 120B, which is different from the at least one upper retaining relief 120A. In the illustrated example, the retaining reliefs 120 include two upper retaining reliefs 120A and four lower retaining reliefs 120B. The notions of lower and upper are given with reference to the distal and proximal sides of the device subassembly 100. More specifically, “upper” means an element closer to the distal side than to the proximal side, and “lower” means an element closer to the proximal side than to the distal side.

[0090] The at least one upper retaining relief 120A and the at least one lower retaining relief 120B are positioned one above the other along the insertion axis A1 10, in other words the upper 120A and lower 120B retaining reliefs are offset along the insertion axis A1 10, so as to provide a receiving space V120 for the relief 60 of the element 50 when the element 50 is received in the housing 110. The upper retaining reliefs 120A and the lower retaining reliefs 120B are then located, along the insertion axis A1 10, on either side of the relief 60 of the element 50. The element 50 is then in a so-called “waiting” position relative to the body 101 corresponding to the assembled position of the element 50 in the body 101, the distribution device 10 being in standby configuration.

[0091] The retaining reliefs 120 are configured to cooperate with the relief 60 of the element 50, in particular by complementarity of shapes, so as to limit or prevent the movements of the element 50 relative to the body 101, in particular when the dispensing device 10 is in the standby configuration. The retaining members 114 each carry at least one retaining relief 120.

[0092] When the element 50 is in the waiting position relative to the body 101, it is understood that the upper retaining reliefs 120A cooperate with the relief 60 of the element 50 to prevent the element 50 from being inserted further, i.e. in the distal direction, into the housing 110, according to the activation movement. Conversely, the lower retaining reliefs 120B cooperate with the relief 60 of the element 50 to prevent the element 50 from being extracted from the housing 110, according to an extraction movement, i.e. in the proximal direction, which is opposite to the activation movement.

[0093] In the preferred example illustrated, the retaining members 114 are advantageously preferably elastic tabs 118, which extend from an edge of the housing 110 along the insertion axis Al 10. Each elastic tab 118 has an annular sector section centered on the insertion axis Al 10 and comprises a captive end 119A, by which this elastic tab 118 is connected to the rest of the body 101, and a free end 119B, located opposite the captive end 119A along the insertion axis Al 10. Each elastic tab 118 has a height, which is equal to a distance measured parallel to the insertion axis Al 10 between the captive end 119A and the free end 119B. In a mode not shown, each elastic tab may have a rectangular section.

[0094] The internal face 116 of the retaining members 114 thus forms an internal face of the elastic tabs 118, the retaining reliefs 120 being positioned on the internal face of the elastic tabs 118. Each elastic tab 118 also comprises an external face 124 and two lateral faces 125, the external face 124 being oriented opposite the internal face 116 of the corresponding elastic tab 118, while the two lateral faces 125 are substantially included in two planes including the insertion axis A1 10 and connect the internal face 116 to the external face 124.

[0095] The retaining members 114 are divided into two different categories of retaining members 114, the two categories of retaining members 114 including a first category and a second category. In this example, the first category of retaining member and the second category of retaining members each comprise several retaining members 114. The retaining members of the first category are designated by the reference 114A, while the retaining members of the second category are designated by the reference 114B. The retaining members of the first category 114A are visible in section in Figure 3c), while the retaining members of the second category 114B are visible in section in Figure 3b).

[0096] For each elastic tab 118, an angle of this elastic tab is defined as being the angle between the two lateral faces 125 of this elastic tab projected onto a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis A1 10. Thus, each elastic tab 118 of a retaining member of the first category 114A has an angle denoted A125A, while each elastic tab 118 of a retaining member of the second category 114B has an angle denoted A125B. In the first embodiment of the invention, the angle A125A of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the first category 114A is equal to the angle A125B of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the second category 114B.

[0097] For each elastic tab, a width of this elastic tab 118 is defined as being a minimum distance, measured orthoradially to the insertion axis A1 10, between the two lateral faces 125 of this elastic tab 118. By definition, a direction orthoradial to a given axis is a direction which is orthogonal to a plane radial to this axis but without intersecting this axis. Each elastic tab 118 of a retaining member of the first category 114A has a width denoted L125A, while each elastic tab 118 of a retaining member of the second category 114B has a width denoted L125B. In the first embodiment of the invention, the width L125A of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the first category 114A is equal to the width L125B of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the second category 114B.

[0098] Preferably, the internal face 116 of the elastic tabs 118 has a radius of curvature identical to a radius of curvature of the housing 110 and coincides with the diameter of the housing 110, to promote the guiding of the element 50 during the activation of the distribution device 10, and thus reduce the dispersion of the force to be exerted for activation.

[0099] In the illustrated example, the device subassembly 100 comprises four retaining members 114, two of which comprise a single retaining relief 120, here a lower relief 120B, and two of which comprise both an upper retaining relief 120A and a lower retaining relief 120B, the retaining members 114 being configured such that the force required to pass the relief 60 of the element 50 beyond the lower retaining reliefs 120B is greater than the force required to pass the relief 60 of the element 50 beyond the upper retaining reliefs 120A.

[0100] For each retaining member of the first category 114A, the retaining reliefs 120 comprise both an upper retaining relief 120A and a lower retaining relief 120B.

[0101] In the illustrated example, for each retaining member of the second category 114B, the retaining reliefs 120 comprise only a lower retaining relief 120B. In other words, each retaining member of the second category 114B does not comprise an upper retaining relief. It is understood that, compared to the dispensing devices of the prior art, the absence of an upper retaining relief makes it possible to reduce the activation force of the dispensing device 10, without having a significant impact on the extraction force of the dispensing device 10.

[0102] In a variant not illustrated, for each retaining member of the first category 114A, the retaining reliefs 120 comprise only an upper retaining relief 120A. In other words, each retaining member of the first category 114A does not comprise a lower retaining relief. It is understood that, compared to the dispensing devices of the prior art, the absence of a lower relief makes it possible to reduce the extraction force of the dispensing device 10, without having a significant impact on the activation force of the dispensing device 10.

[0103] Preferably, the device subassembly 100 comprises at least two retaining members of the first category 114A. Preferably, the subassembly of device 100 comprises at least two retaining members of the second category 114B. Preferably, the device subassembly 100 comprises as many retaining members of the first category 114A as retaining members of the second category 114B. Preferably, the retaining members of the first category 114A and the retaining members of the second category 114B are regularly distributed around the insertion axis Al 10, so as to keep the element 50 aligned on the insertion axis Al 10 during activation or extraction movements.

[0104] Preferably, the retaining members of the first category 114A and the retaining members of the second category 114B are distributed alternately around the insertion axis Al 10 so as to balance the activation or extraction force around the insertion axis Al 10.

[0105] Preferably, each lower retaining relief 120B of the retaining members of the first category 114A is positioned at the free end 119B of the corresponding elastic tab 118. Preferably, each lower retaining relief 120B of the retaining members of the second category 114B is positioned at the free end 119B of the corresponding elastic tab 118.

[0106] For each retaining member 114, it is understood that when a force is applied to a retaining relief 120 of this retaining member so as to move this retaining relief 120 away from the insertion axis, the elastic tab 118 tends to deform preferentially at its captive end 119A, in other words the bending of the elastic tab 118 is preferentially located at its captive end 119A.

[0107] Advantageously, for each second category retaining member 114B, the body 101 also comprises stiffening ribs 122, which extend projecting from the external face 124 of the corresponding elastic tab 118.

[0108] Each rib 122 extends parallel to the insertion axis A1 10 so as to stiffen and limit the bending of the elastic tab 118 when this elastic tab is subjected to a force tending to move it away from the insertion axis A1 10. Preferably, each rib 122 connects the associated elastic tab 118 to the rest of the body 101 so as to further increase the rigidity and the bending resistance of the elastic tab 118 considered. Each rib 122 extends at least, from the captive end 119A of the elastic tab 118 considered, in the direction of the free end 119B. Preferably, each rib 122 extends continuously over at least 80% of the height of the elastic tab 118 considered, preferably over 100% of the height of the elastic tab considered.

[0109] Preferably, each rib 122 extends, along the insertion axis A1 10, at least up to the level of the lower reliefs 120B. In the example illustrated in Figures 4a), 5a) and 6c), the lower retaining reliefs 120B are positioned at the free end 119B of the elastic tabs 118, so the ribs 122 extend from preferably up to the free end 119B. More specifically, each rib 122 is configured to increase a quadratic bending moment of the elastic tab 118 on which this rib 122 is located, so as to increase the activation or extraction force generated by the upper retaining reliefs 120A or the lower retaining reliefs 120B located on this elastic tab.

[0110] In the example illustrated, each rib 122 comprises two opposite lateral faces 126A and 126B, which extend on either side of a mean plane containing the insertion axis A1 10, and a rear face 128, which connects the two lateral faces 126A and 126B of the rib 122 in question to each other.

[0111] Each rib 122 has a radial thickness E128, which is measured radially to the insertion axis A110 between the rear face 128 of this rib 122 and the external face 124 of the corresponding elastic tab 118. The radial thickness E128 is variable here, as illustrated in FIG. 3b). Preferably, the radial thickness E128 decreases as one moves away from the captive end 119A of the elastic tab 118.

[0112] Each rib 122 has a width L126, which is measured orthogonally to the mean plane associated with this rib 122 between the two lateral faces 126A and 126B of this rib 122, the width L126 being measured at the level of the connection between the elastic tab 118 and the corresponding rib 122. Preferably, the width L126 of each rib 122 is between 0.75 millimeters and 2 millimeters, preferably between 0.9 millimeters and 1.3 millimeters.

[0113] In the example illustrated, the elastic tabs 118 forming the second category retaining members 114B each comprise two ribs 122. The ribs 122 thus make it possible to increase the force to be applied to the lower retaining reliefs 120B present on the retaining members of the second category 114B to move these lower retaining reliefs 120B away from the insertion axis A1 10. Since the retaining members of the second category 114B do not comprise an upper relief, the presence of these ribs 122 only increases the extraction force without impacting the activation force.

[0114] Preferably, for each second category retaining member 114B, the associated elastic tab 118 has a substantially symmetrical shape relative to a plane of symmetry including insertion axis A1 10. This ensures that the resulting force exerted by all of the second category retaining members 114B on the element 50, during activation or extraction movements, remains substantially aligned with the insertion axis A1 10.

[0115] In the example illustrated, one of the lateral faces 126A or 126B of the ribs coincides with one of the lateral faces 125 of the corresponding elastic tab 118.

[0116] Alternative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 4 to 6.

[0117] In alternative embodiments of the invention, elements similar to those of the other embodiments bear the same references and operate in the same way. In the following, only the differences between each embodiment and the previous one(s) will be described.

[0118] A device subassembly 200 belonging to a dispensing device 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in [Fig. 4]. The device subassembly 200 comprises a body 201 with ribs 222, which have a different shape from the ribs 122 of the device subassembly 100 of the first embodiment. More precisely, whereas in the first embodiment, the section of each rib 122 in a plane including the insertion axis A1 10 is partly triangular on the proximal portion, in the second embodiment, the rear face 128 of each rib 222 comprises a proximal portion 228, which is geometrically carried by a cylinder centered on the insertion axis A1 10. Alternatively, the rear face 128 may be geometrically carried by a plane orthoradial to the insertion axis 110.In other words, in the first embodiment the radial thickness of the ribs 122 is reduced continuously as one approaches the free end 119B of the corresponding elastic tab 118, while in the second embodiment, the radial thickness E128 of the proximal portion 228 is substantially constant.

[0119] The fact of providing the proximal portion 228 with a constant radial thickness El28 makes it possible to further increase the bending rigidity of the corresponding elastic tab 118 compared to the first embodiment, and thus to further increase the extraction force, without having an impact on the activation force, since the retaining members of the second category 114B do not here comprise an upper retaining relief 120A.

[0120] A subassembly of device 300 belonging to a distribution device 10 according to a third embodiment of the invention is represented in [Fig.5].

[0121] In the third embodiment of the invention, the width L125A of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the first category 114A is advantageously less than the width L125B of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the second category 114B. In other words, the retaining members of the second category 114B are elastic tabs 118 whose width L125B is advantageously greater than the width L125A of the elastic tabs 118 which constitute the retaining members of the first category 114A. Similarly, the angle A125A of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the first category 114A is advantageously less than the angle A125B of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the second category 114B. In other words, the retaining members of the second category 114B are elastic tabs 118 whose angle A125B is advantageously greater than the angle A125A of the elastic tabs 118 which constitute the retaining members of the first category 114A. Preferably, the angle A125B is between 50 degrees and 120 degrees, preferably between 70 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0122] The resulting extraction force generated by the second category retaining members 114B of the third embodiment of the invention is thus greater than the resulting extraction force generated by the second category retaining members 114B of the first embodiment of the invention and of the second embodiment, and this without impact on the activation force, since the second category retaining members 114B here do not comprise an upper retaining relief 120A.

[0123] With reference to [Fig. 6], the relief 60 of the element 50 of the previous embodiments is shown on a larger scale in FIG. 6a). A relief 460 of an alternative shape to the relief 60 of the element 50 is shown in FIG. 6b). A device subassembly 400 belonging to a dispensing device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6c).

[0124] With reference to figure 6a), the relief 60 comprises a distal face 62A, which faces towards the upper retaining reliefs 120A when the relief 60 is received in the reception space V120, and a proximal face 62B, which faces towards the lower retaining reliefs 120B when the relief 60 is received in the reception space V120.

[0125] In the illustrated example, the distal face 62A is geometrically carried by a frustoconical surface centered on the element axis A50, while the proximal face 62B is substantially carried by a plane orthogonal to the element axis A50. The relief 60 here comprises a peripheral face 62C, which connects the distal face 62A to the proximal face 62B. The peripheral face 62C here has the shape of a cylinder of revolution around the element axis A50.

[0126] The peripheral face 62C is connected to the distal face 62A by a connector 63, which is represented by an edge in FIG. 6a). In practice, since the element 50 is generally manufactured by an injection molding process of a thermoplastic polymer material, a radius of curvature of less than 0.1 millimeter is considered to constitute an edge.

[0127] With reference to Figure 6b), the relief 460 comprises a connection 463, which connects the distal face 62A to the peripheral face 62C. The connection 463 is tangent to the distal face 62A and to the peripheral face 62C.

[0128] The distal face 62A, the connector 463 and the peripheral face 62C thus form a curved and continuous surface, which does not have an edge. The absence of an edge on the connector 463 makes it possible to reduce the friction of the relief 460 against the upper retaining reliefs 120A during the activation movement of the element 50, which reduces the reliability of the activation force, and facilitates activation of the dispensing device 10 by the user. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the connector 463 is greater than 0.5 millimeters, preferably greater than 1 millimeter. In a variant not shown, the peripheral face 62C is omitted.

[0129] By extension, the distal face 62A extends continuously from the cylindrical portion 58 of the element 50 to the proximal face 62B, with a radius of curvature greater than 0.5 millimeters, preferably greater than 1 millimeter. The absence of an edge on the activation face 62A makes it possible to reduce the friction of the activation face 62A against the upper retaining reliefs 120A during the activation movement of the element 50, which reduces the variability of the activation force, and facilitates the activation of the spray device 10 by the user.

[0130] With reference to Figure 6c), for each retaining member 114A of the first category, the device subassembly 400 comprises notches 402, which are arranged in the body 101 so as to extend the lateral faces 125 of the associated elastic tab 118. The notches 402 here extend parallel to the insertion axis A1 10. The height of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the first category 114A is thus greater than the height of the elastic tabs 118 of the retaining members of the second category 114B.

[0131] As a result, the quadratic bending moment of the elastic tab 118 of the retaining members of the first category 114A is thus less than the quadratic bending moment of the retaining members of the second category 114B. The activation force generated by the upper reliefs 120A is less when the notches 402 are provided compared to the situation without notches in the other embodiments.

[0132] In all the embodiments illustrated, each retaining member of the second category 114B comprises only one retaining relief 120, here the lower relief 120B, the absence of upper relief 120A making it possible to reduce the force necessary for activating the dispensing device 10. Other means are of course possible for reducing the activation force compared to the dispensing devices of the prior art.

[0133] According to a first variant not illustrated, the retaining members of the second category 114B comprise, in addition to the lower retaining reliefs 120B, upper retaining reliefs 120A, which however have a shape and / or dimensions different from the upper retaining reliefs 120A of the retaining members of the first category 114A. According to a first example, the upper retaining reliefs 120A of the retaining members of the second category 114B extend in projection, on the internal face 116 of the elastic tabs 118, over a radial dimension smaller than that of the upper retaining reliefs 120A of the retaining members of the first category 114A. According to a second example, the angles of the bearing faces, configured to cooperate with the relief 60 of the element 50, are different.

[0134] In all the illustrated embodiments, the reduction of the activation force relative to the extraction force for the spraying devices is mainly considered. The principles of the invention are of course transposable to the case where it is desired to increase the activation force relative to the extraction force. It is sufficient to reverse the notions of higher and lower with respect to the drawings.

[0135] More generally, for each retaining member of the second category 114B, the retaining reliefs 120 include an upper retaining relief 120A and a lower retaining relief 120B, the upper or lower retaining reliefs of the second category of retaining member being different in shape and / or in size from the corresponding upper or lower retaining reliefs of the retaining members of the first category 114A.

[0136] The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400), the subassembly comprising a body (101), which is configured to receive an element (50) in a housing (110), and retaining members (114), which are arranged at the periphery of the housing (110), which each carry at least one retaining relief (120), the retaining reliefs (120) including at least one upper relief (120A) and at least one lower relief (120B) positioned one above the other on an internal face (116) of the retaining members (114) and along an insertion axis (A1 10) of the element (50) in the body (101), said retaining members (114) being configured to cooperate with a relief (60; 460) carried by the element (50) and are distributed in two different categories of retaining members, the two categories of retaining members including a first category of retaining member (114A) and a second category of retaining member (114B),characterized in that the retaining reliefs (120) of each retaining member of the second category of retaining member (114B) comprise only a lower retaining relief (120A), and the retaining reliefs (120) of each retaining member of the first category of retaining member (114A) comprise at least one upper retaining relief (120B), or in that the retaining reliefs (120) of each retaining member of the first category of retaining member (114A) comprise only an upper retaining relief (120A), and the retaining reliefs (120) of each retaining member of the second category of retaining member (114B) comprise at least one lower retaining relief (120B), or in that the retaining reliefs (120) of each retaining member of the first category of retaining member (114A) and of the second category of retaining member (114B) comprise a relief upper retaining relief (120A) and a lower retaining relief (120B),said upper (120A) or lower (120B) retaining reliefs of the second category of retaining member (114B) being different in shape and / or dimension from the corresponding upper (120A) or lower (120B) retaining reliefs of the first category of retaining member (114A).,

2. A dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining reliefs (120) are projections.

3. A dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the housing (110) has a cylindrical portion configured to receive the element (50) in a manner adjusted to the relief (60; 460).

4. A dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising four retaining members (114), two of which comprise a single retaining relief (120B) and two of which comprise a lower retaining relief (120B) and an upper retaining relief (120A), configured such that the force required to force the relief (60; 460) of the element (50) past the lower retaining reliefs (120B) is greater than the force required to force the relief (60; 460) of the element (50) past the upper retaining reliefs (120A).

5. Dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the retaining members (114) are elastic tabs (118) extending from an edge of the housing (110) along the insertion axis (A1 10).

6. A dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 5, wherein the inner face (116) of the elastic tabs (118) has a radius of curvature identical to a radius of curvature of the housing (110).

7. Dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the retaining reliefs (120) are positioned on the internal face (116) of the elastic tabs (118).

8. Dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the lower retaining reliefs (120B) of the first category of retaining member (114A) are positioned at a free end (119B) of the elastic tabs (118).

9. Dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the lower retaining reliefs (120B) of the second category of retaining member (114B) are positioned at a free end (119B) of the elastic tabs (118).

10. A dispensing device subassembly (300) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the retaining members of the second category (114B) are elastic tabs (118) having a width (L125B) greater than a width (L125A) of the elastic tabs (118) which constitute the retaining members of the first category (114A).

11. A dispensing device subassembly (300) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the retaining members of the second category (114B) are elastic tabs (118) having an angle (A125B) greater than an angle (A125A) of the elastic tabs (118) which constitute the retaining members of the first category (114A).

12. Dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, in which the elastic tabs (118) forming the retaining members of the second category (114B) each comprise two stiffening ribs (122) extending parallel to the insertion axis (A1 10).

13. A dispensing device (10), comprising the dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and an element (50) received in the housing (110), the element (50) comprising a relief (60; 460) cooperating with the retaining reliefs (120) of the dispensing device subassembly.

14. A dispensing device (10) according to claim 13, wherein the dispensing device is a spray device, in particular a nasal spray device.

15. A dispensing device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the body of the dispensing device subassembly (100; 200; 300; 400) is provided with a dispensing orifice (104) and configured to be inserted into a patient's nostril, and wherein the element (50) comprises a reservoir (52) containing a product (55) to be dispensed and is configured to be pressed by a user's finger to trigger dispensing of the product from the reservoir (52) to the patient's nostril via the dispensing orifice (104).

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