Fluid product dispensing device and its assembly and actuation method

Abstract

A fluid product dispensing device comprising a dispenser (10) assembled on a reservoir (20) containing one or more doses of fluid product, said dispenser (10) comprising a body (11) containing a dosing chamber (12) receiving a first cap (35), a fixing ring (50) being fixed to said body (11) while being movable relative to said body (11) between an assembly position and a use position, said fixing ring (50) supporting a second cap (36), and a dispensing head (15) comprising a dispensing orifice (16) and a cannula (40), said dispensing head (15) being axially movable relative to said body (11), wherein, after assembly of said dispenser (10) on said reservoir (20), said dosing chamber (12) is connected to said reservoir (20) by an opening (120) of said dosing chamber,said opening (120) being open in said assembly position of said fixing ring (50) and being closed in said use position of said fixing ring (50) by said second plug (36), said fixing ring (50) being adapted to be moved into said use position after filling said dosing chamber (12) by gravity from said reservoir (20) in an inverted position. "figure for the abstract: figure 1",

Description

Title of the invention: Device for dispensing fluid product and its assembly and actuation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product, in particular for nasal dispensing of one or two doses of pharmaceutical fluid product. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling and actuating such a device.

[0002] A disadvantage of certain nasal fluid dispenser devices, in particular those using a pump with a metering chamber to define the volume of the dose dispensed at each actuation, concerns the requirement to prime the pump to replace the air initially contained in the metering chamber with fluid. This priming is generally carried out by one or more actuations of the device, with consequently a possible loss of fluid.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product dispensing device which does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0004] More particularly, the present invention aims to provide such a device which does not require any priming.

[0005] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0006] The present invention therefore relates to a device for dispensing fluid product comprising a dispenser assembled on a reservoir containing one or more doses of fluid product, said dispenser comprising a body containing a metering chamber receiving a first cap, a fixing ring being fixed to said body while being movable relative to said body between an assembly position and a use position, said fixing ring supporting a second cap, and a dispensing head comprising a dispensing orifice and receiving a hollow insert supporting a cannula, said dispensing head being axially movable relative to said body, in which, after assembly of said dispenser on said reservoir, said metering chamber is connected to said reservoir by an opening of said metering chamber,said opening being open in said assembly position of said fixing ring and being closed in said use position of said fixing ring by said second plug, said fixing ring being adapted to be moved into said use position after filling said dosing chamber by gravity from said reservoir in an inverted position.

[0007] Advantageously, said body is rotatably mounted on said fixing ring by means of suitable screw threads, so that the movement between said positions assembly and use is done by screwing said body onto said fixing ring.

[0008] Advantageously, when actuating the device, said dispensing head is moved axially relative to said body, so that said cannula pierces said first stopper, then said insert cooperates with said first pierced stopper to slide it into said dosing chamber.

[0009] Advantageously, said body comprises at least one vent adapted to evacuate the air contained in said metering chamber when said second stopper is moved in said body to close said opening.

[0010] Advantageously, the device comprises a removable protective cap connected in a captive manner to said dispensing head by a flexible connection.

[0011] Advantageously, said reservoir contains at least two doses of fluid product distributed in successive actuations, said device comprising dose separation means, to split the actuation stroke of said first cap.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling and actuating a fluid product dispensing device, comprising the following steps: - provide a tank containing at least one dose of fluid product, - provide a dispenser comprising a body containing a metering chamber in which a first stopper is arranged, and a dispensing head comprising a dispensing orifice and a cannula, said dispensing head being axially movable relative to said body during actuation, - providing a fixing ring fixed to said body while being movable relative to said body between an assembly position and a use position, said fixing ring supporting a second cap, said method comprising the following steps: - assembling said distributor on said tank, by fixing said body on said tank by means of said fixing ring in the assembly position, - inverting the assembled device to fill said dosing chamber by gravity from said reservoir through an opening in said dosing chamber, - moving said body relative to said fixing ring from the assembly position to the use position, to move said second cap into a position for closing said opening and isolating said dosing chamber from said reservoir, - actuating the device by axially moving said dispensing head relative to said body, so that said cannula pierces said first stopper, and said first stopper is axially moved in said dosing chamber to dispense a dose of fluid product.

[0013] Advantageously, said reservoir contains at least two doses of fluid product which are loaded into the dosing chamber, said device comprising means for se preparation of doses to split the actuation stroke of said first cap, to dispense said fluid product into at least two doses.

[0014] These and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description, given with reference to the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device for distribution of fluid product according to a first advantageous embodiment, after assembly of the dispenser on the tank and before actuation,

[0016] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l], after closing the pump chamber and before actuation,

[0017] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2], showing a fluid product dispensing device according to a second advantageous embodiment,

[0018] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l], after closing the pump chamber and before distribution of the first dose,

[0019] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of a fluid product dispensing device according to the invention, before assembly of the dispenser on the reservoir,

[0020] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], after assembly of the distributor on the tank,

[0021] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6], in the inverted position of loading the fluid into the metering chamber,

[0022] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7], after closing the metering chamber,

[0023] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8], during distribution of the first dose,

[0024] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to that of [Fig.9], after dispensing the first dose and before dispensing the second dose, and

[0025] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 10], during the dispensing of the second dose.

[0026] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of fluid flow upon actuation. The terms "top", "bottom", "upper" and "lower" refer to the upright position of the device shown in [Fig.4].

[0027] The present invention applies to a single-dose device containing only a single dose of fluid product in the reservoir 20, but it is particularly suitable for so-called double-dose devices, where the reservoir 20 contains two doses of fluid product, dispensed in two successive actuations. The various examples shown in the drawings relate to double-dose devices. Optionally, the reservoir 20 could contain more than two doses, for example three or four doses.

[0028] According to the invention, the device comprises a dispenser 10 assembled on a reservoir 20 containing fluid product to be dispensed, typically a pharmaceutical type liquid.

[0029] The reservoir 20 is advantageously formed by a hollow, blind body, comprising a single opening and containing one or more doses of fluid product to be dispensed. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the reservoir 20 contains two doses of fluid product.

[0030] The dispenser 10 comprises a body 11 containing a metering chamber 12, and a dispensing head 15 comprising a dispensing orifice 16, preferably oriented axially. This dispensing orifice 16 is used to dispense a dose of fluid product out of said dispensing head 15 when the device is actuated by a user. The dispensing head 15 is axially movable relative to the body 11.

[0031] At rest, a removable protective cap 18 may be arranged on the dispensing head 15, as seen in FIGS. 3 to 11. Advantageously, the cap 18 is captive and is connected to the dispensing head 15 by a flexible connection 17. In addition, the protective cap 18 may include a first-use indicator, for example fixed to the dispensing head 15, and which detaches from the cap 18 when the latter is removed from said head. In a known manner, this first-use indicator may be connected to the cap 18 by breakable bridges which break when the cap 18 is removed.

[0032] According to a first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing head 15 comprises an elongated nasal tip 151 comprising at its axial end said dispensing orifice 16, as well as a lateral body 152, connected to said nasal tip 151 by an approximately radial flange 153 forming a finger rest during actuation.

[0033] According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the elongated nasal tip 151 ends axially at the bottom by the radial flange 153. In this variant, the dispensing head 15 does not have a lateral body.

[0034] A hollow insert 30 is arranged in the dispensing head 15.

[0035] Advantageously, the insert 30 defines upstream of the dispensing orifice 16 a spray profile 19. This spray profile 19 is preferably provided between said insert 30 and the axial bottom wall of the dispensing head 15. This insert 30 then makes it possible not only to limit the dead volume, but also to achieve good spraying through the dispensing orifice 16.

[0036] A cannula or needle 40 is fixed in the insert 30, with a piercing tip 41 at its lower axial end.

[0037] The dosing chamber 12 is open on its two axial sides. On the upper axial side, it is closed by a first plug 35 intended to be pierced by the cannula 40 during the first actuation. On the lower axial side, the dosing chamber 12 has an opening 120 connected to the reservoir 20. This opening 120 is open at at the time of assembly of the distributor 10 on the tank 20, and it is closed before the first actuation by means of a second cap 36, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0038] The fixing of the distributor 10 on the reservoir 20 is carried out with a fixing ring 50 fixed on the one hand to the body 11 and which is fixed on the other hand to a neck of the reservoir. Optionally, a neck seal is interposed between the fixing ring 5 and the reservoir 20.

[0039] The fixing ring 50 supports the second plug 36, as seen in Figures 1 to 4.

[0040] The body 11 is axially movable relative to the fixing ring 50 between an assembly position, in which the second plug does not close the opening 120 of the metering chamber 12, and a use position, in which the second plug closes the opening 120 of the metering chamber 12, advantageously by penetrating into the lower axial opening of the metering chamber, as visible in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0041] In the second embodiment of figures 3 and 4, the body 11 comprises at least one vent 120', preferably made in the body 11 near the opening 120. This at least one vent 120' serves to evacuate the air contained in the metering chamber 12 when the second plug 36 is inserted into the lower axial opening which forms the opening 120.

[0042] In both embodiments of Figures 1 to 4, the body 11 is rotatably mounted on the fixing ring 50 by means of appropriate screw threads, so that the axial movement of the body 11 relative to the fixing ring 50 is achieved by rotation of one on the other. Alternatively, a different movement could be envisaged, for example in translation, or a combination of translation and rotation.

[0043] Thus, the invention makes it possible to produce a device without priming.

[0044] Figures 5 to 11 illustrate an assembly and actuation cycle for a double-dose device.

[0045] When assembling the distributor 10 on the reservoir 20, shown in [Fig. 5], the second cap 36, fixed to the fixing ring 50, does not close the opening 120 of the metering chamber 12, as visible in Figures 1 and 3. During this assembly, the device is in the upright position, with the reservoir 20 arranged under the distributor 10, to avoid any loss of fluid product.

[0046] After assembly of the distributor 10 on the reservoir 20, shown in [Fig. 6], the device is reversed into an inverted position, as seen in Figures 1, 3 and 7, to allow the fluid contained in the reservoir 20 to flow by gravity into the metering chamber 12 through the open opening 120.

[0047] After filling the dosing chamber 12, the user moves the body 11 by relative to the fixing ring 50, thereby closing the opening 120 with the second plug 36, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The arrows in Figures 3 and 8 illustrate the axial displacement of the body 11 relative to the fixing ring 50 to thereby axially displace the second plug 36 relative to the metering chamber 12, but as explained previously, this axial displacement can be achieved by means of a screwing rotation. In this position, the metering chamber 12 is completely isolated from the reservoir 20 and from the atmosphere and contains the quantity of fluid that will be dispensed during the actuation(s).

[0048] For the first actuation, illustrated in [Fig.9], the user removes the protective cap 18, places two fingers on the radial flange 153 formed on the dispensing head 15, and presses with the thumb on the bottom of the reservoir 20. During such an actuation, the dispensing head 15 is moved axially relative to the body 11, so that the cannula 40 pierces the first stopper, then the insert 30 cooperates with the first pierced stopper 35 to slide it into the metering chamber 12. Fluid product contained in the metering chamber 12 is thus dispensed through the cannula 40 towards the dispensing orifice 16.

[0049] Alternatively, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first plug 35 may already be pierced by the cannula 40 before the second plug 36 is moved to close the opening 120.

[0050] If the device is a single-dose device, the entire fluid product contained in the dosing chamber 12 is dispensed in a single actuation.

[0051] If the device is a two-dose or multi-dose device, the device comprises dose separation means, for stopping the actuation stroke of the first cap after the first dose. Thus, if the device is a two-dose device, the actuation stroke of the first cap 35 is stopped approximately halfway through so that half of the fluid product contained in the dosing chamber 12 is dispensed during the first actuation, and the other half during a second actuation.

[0052] Optionally, the first actuation stroke corresponding to the first dose is slightly greater than the actuation strokes of the other doses, to take into account the dead volume formed by the cannula 40 and the spray profile 19, which is filled with air before the first actuation.

[0053] In the example of Figure 10, the dose separation means require a rotation of the dispensing head 15 relative to the reservoir 20, but other variant embodiments are possible.

[0054] After actuation of the dose separation means, the user can dispense the second dose, as illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0055] Of course, alternative embodiments are conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A fluid product dispensing device comprising a dispenser (10) assembled on a reservoir (20) containing one or more doses of fluid product, said dispenser (10) comprising a body (11) containing a dosing chamber (12) receiving a first cap (35), a fixing ring (50) being fixed to said body (11) while being movable relative to said body (11) between an assembly position and a use position, said fixing ring (50) supporting a second cap (36), and a dispensing head (15) comprising a dispensing orifice (16) and receiving a hollow insert (30) supporting a cannula (40), said dispensing head (15) being axially movable relative to said body (11), characterized in that after assembly of said dispenser (10) on said reservoir (20), said dosing chamber (12) is connected to said reservoir (20) by an opening (120) of said dosing chamber,said opening (120) being open in said assembly position of said fixing ring (50) and being closed in said use position of said fixing ring (50) by said second plug (36), said fixing ring (50) being adapted to be moved into said use position after filling said dosing chamber (12) by gravity from said reservoir (20) in an inverted position.,

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said body (11) is rotatably mounted on said fixing ring (50) by means of suitable screw threads, so that the movement between said assembly and use positions is done by screwing said body (11) onto said fixing ring (50).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the device is actuated, said dispensing head (15) is moved axially relative to said body (11), so that said cannula (40) pierces said first plug (35), then said insert (30) cooperates with said first pierced plug (35) to slide it into said dosing chamber (12).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (11) comprises at least one vent (120') adapted to evacuate the air contained in said dosing chamber (12) when said second plug (36) is moved in said body (11) to close said opening (120).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a removable protective cap (18) captively connected to said dispensing head (15) by a flexible connection (17).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said reservoir (20) contains at least two doses of fluid product dispensed in successive actuations, said device comprising dose separation means, for splitting the actuation stroke of said first cap (35).

7. Method for assembling and actuating a fluid product dispensing device, comprising the following steps: - providing a reservoir (20) containing at least one dose of fluid product, - providing a dispenser (10) comprising a body (11) containing a dosing chamber (12) in which a first cap (35) is arranged, and a dispensing head (15) comprising a dispensing orifice (16) and a cannula (40), said dispensing head (15) being axially movable relative to said body (11) during actuation, - providing a fixing ring (50) fixed to said body (11) while being movable relative to said body (11) between an assembly position and a use position, said fixing ring (50) supporting a second cap (36), characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - assembling said dispenser (10) on said reservoir (20),by fixing said body (11) on said reservoir (20) by means of said fixing ring (50) in the assembly position, - inverting the assembled device to fill by gravity said dosing chamber (12) from said reservoir (20) through an opening (120) of said dosing chamber (12), - moving said body (11) relative to said fixing ring (50) from the assembly position to the use position, to move said second cap (36) into a position for closing said opening (120) and isolating said dosing chamber (12) from said reservoir (20), - actuating the device by axially moving said dispensing head (15) relative to said body (11), so that said cannula (40) pierces said first cap (35), and said first cap (35) is axially moved in said dosing chamber (12) to dispense a dose of fluid product.,

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said reservoir (20) contains at least two doses of fluid product which are loaded into the dosing chamber (12), said device comprising dose separation means for splitting the actuation stroke of said first cap (35), to dispense said fluid product into at least two doses. * * *

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