Device for dispensing a fluid product

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product, the device comprising a reservoir (10) containing fluid product, and a dispensing head (20) provided with a dispensing opening (21), the reservoir (10) being axially movable relative to the dispensing head (20) during actuation, a first hollow insert (60) defining a central expulsion channel (61) being inserted and fastened in the dispensing head (20), a second insert (70) being arranged in the dispensing head (20) between the first insert (60) and the dispensing opening (21), the second insert (70) defining, in cooperation with a bottom wall (26) of the dispensing head (20), a spraying profile (80), the device comprising elastic biasing means (75) which elastically bias the second insert (70) axially in contact with the bottom wall (26).

Description

Fluid product dispensing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single-dose nasal dispensing device for dispensing a pharmaceutical fluid product into the nose of a user via a single nasal spray.

[0002] One disadvantage of existing nasal fluid delivery devices is the non-reproducibility of the spray, which can occur when the insert forming the spray profile upstream of the delivery orifice deforms or moves slightly, for example due to transport of the device or aging of the materials.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that avoids the risks of poor spray quality, particularly due to the transport of the device and / or the aging of the materials.

[0005] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which improves the reproducibility of the spray.

[0006] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0007] The present invention therefore relates to a fluid product distribution device comprising a reservoir containing fluid product and a distribution head provided with a distribution orifice, said reservoir being axially movable relative to said distribution head during actuation, a first hollow insert defining a central expulsion channel being inserted and fixed in said distribution head, a second insert being disposed in said distribution head, between said first insert and said distribution orifice, said second insert defining, in cooperation with a bottom wall of said distribution head, a spray profile, the device comprising elastic stressing means which elastically stress said second insert axially in contact with said bottom wall.

[0008] Advantageously, the said elastic stress means are formed on the said second insert.

[0009] Advantageously, said first insert comprises a hollow axial sleeve defining said expulsion channel, and an upper radial flange extending radially outwards from said hollow axial sleeve, said radial flange cooperating with at least one opening of said distribution head to fix said first insert in said distribution head.

[0010] Advantageously, each opening defines a lower radial shoulder onto which said upper radial flange is fixedly snapped.

[0011] Advantageously, the said distribution head has several openings, in particular three or four, distributed around its circumference.

[0012] Advantageously, said second insert includes a hollow sleeve defining a central axial passage connected on one side to said central expulsion channel of said first insert and on the other side to said spray profile.

[0013] Advantageously, said second insert is inserted into said first insert in a hermetic manner.

[0014] Advantageously, a piston-cap is movable in said reservoir to distribute fluid product through said distribution orifice upon actuation.

[0015] Advantageously, said reservoir is formed by a hollow and blind body, comprising a bottom and a single opening which, in the rest position, is hermetically sealed by said piston-plug.

[0016] Advantageously, said first insert includes a drilling point to pierce said piston-plug and thus connect said reservoir to said distribution orifice during actuation.

[0017] Advantageously, said drill point is made separately and then assembled in said first insert, in particular by press fitting or by overmolding.

[0018] Alternatively, said drill tip is molded as one piece with said first insert.

[0019] According to a first advantageous embodiment, said second insert comprises an external sleeve connected to said hollow sleeve by at least one bridge of deformable material forming said stressing means, said external sleeve resting on said radial flange of said first insert.

[0020] Advantageously, the said second insert includes several material bridges, notably three.

[0021] According to a second advantageous embodiment, said second insert comprises at least one elastically deformable lateral projection, forming said stressing means, formed on said hollow sleeve and which rests on said radial flange of said first insert.

[0022] Advantageously, the said second insert has several lateral projections, including three.

[0023] Advantageously, the said reservoir contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed in a single actuation.

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

[0025] This is a schematic perspective view, cut out, of a fluid product distribution device according to a first advantageous embodiment, in its rest position.

[0026] This is a schematic perspective view cut out of part of the device.

[0027] This is a schematic perspective view of the distribution head of the,

[0028] This is a schematic perspective view cut out of the first insert of the

[0029] This is a schematic perspective view of the second insert of the

[0030] This is a schematic perspective view cut out of the second insert of the

[0031] This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid product distribution device according to a second advantageous embodiment, in its rest position.

[0032] This is a schematic perspective view cut out of part of the device.

[0033] This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the, according to another cutting angle,

[0034] This is a schematic perspective view cut out of the first insert of the

[0035] This is a schematic perspective view of the second insert of the

[0036] This is a schematic perspective view cut out of the second insert of the...

[0037] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms "top", "bottom", "vertical", and "horizontal" refer to the upright position of the device as shown in Figures 1 and 7.

[0038] With reference to the figures, two advantageous embodiments of the present invention are shown. In both embodiments, the device is a single-dose unit, meaning that the reservoir contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed in a single actuation.

[0039] In a known manner, a reservoir 10 containing the fluid product to be dispensed, typically a liquid, is disposed inside a body forming a dispensing head 20. This dispensing head 20 has an axially oriented dispensing orifice 21. This dispensing orifice 21 serves to dispense a dose of the fluid product from said dispensing head 20 when the device is actuation by a user.

[0040] The dispensing head 20 comprises an elongated nasal tip 22 having at its upper axial end the dispensing orifice 21, and a lateral body 24 connected to the nasal tip 22 at a radial shoulder 23. The lateral body 24 extends at its lower axial edge into a radial surface 25 extending radially outwards from the lateral body 24, and forming a support surface for the user's fingers when actuating the device. This support surface 25 may be concave, as shown in the figure, but it could also be flat, convex, or of a complex shape, for example, with a flat portion and another convex or concave portion.

[0041] The distribution head 20 has a central expulsion channel 61 connected on one side to said distribution orifice 21 and which on the other side terminates at its lower end by a drilling point 40.

[0042] The reservoir 10 is advantageously formed by a hollow, blind body, having a single opening defining a neck 11 and closed by a piston-plug 50. In the examples shown, which depict a single-dose unit, the reservoir 10 contains a single dose of fluid product to be dispensed by a single actuation of the device. The piston-plug 50 is movable within the reservoir 10 between a rest position and an actuation end position to dispense the fluid product through the dispensing orifice 21 upon actuation.

[0043] An actuation body 30 can advantageously be provided to allow the actuation of the device.

[0044] This actuating body 30 is then movable relative to the distribution head 20, said actuating body 30 supporting said reservoir 10 to move it axially relative to the distribution head 20, in the direction of the distribution orifice 21. The actuating body 30 has a bottom wall 32.

[0045] To actuate the device, the user presses axially on the actuator body 30, moving it together with the reservoir 10 axially into the dispensing head 20. This causes the drill bit 40 to pierce the piston-plug 50 and dispense the fluid dose through the dispensing orifice 21. During such an actuation, the reservoir 10 is pushed axially towards the dispensing orifice 21, so that the drill bit 40 pierces the piston-plug 50. The contents of the reservoir 10 are then connected to the dispensing orifice 21, and pressing the actuator body 30 moves the piston-plug 50 into the reservoir 10 to dispense the fluid.

[0046] It should be noted that the present invention could also be applied to devices without a drilling point adapted to drill a piston plug, such as described for example in documents WO2019122671, WO2021069823, WO2022090675, WO2022101589, WO2022208014.

[0047] In a known manner, a first hollow insert 60 is disposed in the distribution head 20, said hollow insert 60 defining said central expulsion channel 61.

[0048] According to the invention, a second insert 70 is disposed in the distribution head 20, between said first insert 60 and said distribution orifice 21.

[0049] The second insert 70 defines, in cooperation with the bottom wall 26 of the distribution head 20, a spray profile 80 (not detailed in the drawings) directly upstream of said distribution orifice 21. The shape and structure of this spray profile can be arbitrary.

[0050] The drill tip 40 can be molded as a single piece with the first insert 60, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Alternatively, it can be made separately, for example in metal or another synthetic material than that of the first insert 60, and then assembled in said first insert 60, for example by press fitting or overmolding, as seen in the.

[0051] The first insert 60 may include a hollow axial sleeve 62 defining the expulsion channel 61, and an upper radial flange 63 extending radially outwards from said sleeve 62. This radial flange 63 cooperates with at least one opening 29 of the distribution head 20 to fix said first insert 60 in the head.

[0052] As can be seen on the figure, each opening 29 defines a lower radial shoulder 28 onto which said upper radial flange 63 is fixedly snapped into place.

[0053] Advantageously, as can be seen on the figure, the head 20 has several openings 29, for example three or four, distributed around its circumference.

[0054] The second insert 70 may include a hollow sleeve 71 defining a central axial passage 72 connected on one side to the central expulsion channel 61 of the first insert 60 and on the other side to the spray profile 80 and then to the distribution orifice 21.

[0055] The second insert 70 can be inserted into the first insert 60 in a watertight manner. Alternatively, sealing means can be interposed between the first and second inserts 60, 70.

[0056] According to the invention, the device includes elastic stressing means 75 which elastically stress said second insert 70 axially upwards, in contact with the bottom wall 26 of the distribution head 20. This makes it possible to compensate for the manufacturing tolerances of the different parts by always guaranteeing optimal contact between the second insert 70 and the bottom wall 26 of the head 20, which guarantees the geometry of the spray profile, and consequently the stability and reproducibility of the spray delivered by the device.

[0057] Preferably, these elastic stress means 75 are formed on the second insert 70.

[0058] Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 6 illustrate a first advantageous embodiment.

[0059] In this first embodiment, the second insert 70 comprises an external sleeve 74 connected to the hollow sleeve 71 by at least one bridge of deformable material 752 forming the stress means 75. This external sleeve 74 rests on the radial flange 63 of the first insert 60.

[0060] Advantageously, there are several bridges of material 752, for example three as illustrated on the.

[0061] During the assembly of the first and second inserts 60, 70 in the distribution head 20, each material bridge 752 is elastically deformed to thus axially stress the second insert 70 upwards, in contact with the bottom wall 26 of the distribution head 20.

[0062] In this first embodiment, the first insert 60 receives in the central expulsion channel 61 a third insert 69, in particular to limit the dead volume.

[0063] In this first embodiment, the drill point 40 is molded as one piece with the first insert 60.

[0064] Figures 7 to 12 illustrate a second advantageous embodiment.

[0065] In this second embodiment, the second insert 70 includes at least one elastically deformable lateral projection 751, forming said stress means 75, formed on the hollow sleeve 71 and which rests on the radial flange 63 of the first insert 60.

[0066] Advantageously, there are several lateral projections 751, for example three as illustrated on the.

[0067] During the assembly of the first and second inserts 60, 70 in the distribution head 20, each lateral projection 751 is elastically deformed so as to axially stress the second insert 70 upwards, in contact with the bottom wall 26 of the distribution head 20.

[0068] In this second embodiment, the drill point 40 is made separately, for example in metal or another synthetic material than that of the first insert 60, and then assembled in said first insert 60, for example by press fitting or by overmolding.

[0069] The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for the following substances and treatments: - substances such as: insulin, oxytocin, olanzapine, cannabinoids (THC, CBD), topiramate, dopamine, L-DOPA, epinephrine, endorphins, sumatriptan, Imitrex, Migranal, zolmitriptan, Zomig, fentanyl, ketamine, midazolam, morphine, naloxone, Narcan, esketamine, levomethadyl acetate, loperamide, meperidine, methadone, tramadol, diazepam; - substances targeting the brain, such as: neurotransmitters, substances for Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, antiepileptics, analgesics, relaxants, psychedelics (such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 5-MeO-DMT, psilocybin, ayahuasca, etc.), to reduce addictions, stress, anxiety or schizophrenia and other behavioral or motor disorders; - substances to treat allergic rhinitis, such as: fluticasone, mometasone, fluticasone furoate, budesonide, beclometasone, azelastine fluticasone, azelastine, tixocortol, triamcinolone acetonide, ipratropium bromide, prednisolone, ciclesonide, flunisolide, levocabastine, azelastine fluticasone furoate, olopatadine, azelastine mometasone, mometasone olopatadine, fluticasone olopatadine; - substances for vaccination, in particular for: anthrax, hepatitis B, tetanus, coronavirus, influenza, etc.

[0070] Of course, other embodiments are also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Fluid product distribution device comprising a reservoir (10) containing fluid product and a distribution head (20) having a distribution orifice (21), said reservoir (10) being axially movable relative to said distribution head (20) during actuation, a first hollow insert (60) defining a central expulsion channel (61) being inserted and fixed in said distribution head (20), characterized in that a second insert (70) is disposed in said distribution head (20), between said first insert (60) and said distribution orifice (21), said second insert (70) defining, in cooperation with a bottom wall (26) of said distribution head (20), a spray profile (80), the device comprising elastic stressing means (75) which elastically stress said second insert (70) axially in contact with said bottom wall (26). Device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic stress means (75) are formed on said second insert (70). Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first insert (60) comprises a hollow axial sleeve (62) defining said expulsion channel (61), and an upper radial flange (63) extending radially outwards from said hollow axial sleeve (62), said radial flange (63) cooperating with at least one opening (29) of said distribution head (20) to fix said first insert (60) in said distribution head (20). Device according to claim 3, wherein each opening (29) defines a lower radial shoulder (28) onto which said upper radial flange (63) is fixedly snapped. Device according to claim 4, wherein said distribution head (20) has several openings (29), in particular three or four, distributed over its circumference. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second insert (70) comprises a hollow sleeve (71) defining a central axial passage (72) connected on one side to said central expulsion channel (61) of said first insert (60) and on the other side to said spray profile (80). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second insert (70) is inserted into said first insert (60) in a sealed manner. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a piston stopper (50) is movable in said reservoir (10) to distribute fluid product through said distribution orifice (21) upon actuation. Device according to claim 8, wherein said reservoir (10) is formed by a hollow, blind body, comprising a bottom and a single opening which, in the rest position, is sealed tightly by said piston-plug (50). Device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said first insert (60) has a drilling point (40) for drilling said piston stopper (50) and thus connecting said reservoir (10) to said distribution orifice (21) during actuation. Device according to claim 10, wherein said drill tip (40) is made separately and then assembled in said first insert (60), in particular by press fitting or by overmolding. Device according to claim 10, wherein said drill tip (40) is molded as one piece with said first insert (60). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second insert (70) comprises an external sleeve (74) connected to said hollow sleeve (71) by at least one bridge of deformable material (752) forming said stressing means (75), said external sleeve (74) resting on said radial flange (63) of said first insert (60). Device according to claim 13, wherein said second insert (70) comprises several material bridges (752), in particular three. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said second insert (70) comprises at least one elastically deformable lateral projection (751), forming said stressing means (75), formed on said hollow sleeve (71) and which rests on said radial flange (63) of said first insert (60). Device according to claim 15, wherein said second insert (70) comprises several lateral projections (751), in particular three. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reservoir (10) contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed in a single actuation.

Images