Head for dispensing a liquid product into an anatomical cavity and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a head (10) for dispensing a liquid product into an anatomical cavity, the head being made in one piece and from a single material, the head being sealed and flexible and having a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 75. It has a tubular body with a flared shape, its end for dispensing a liquid product comprising a slot (14) comprising lips (15) configured to move apart under the pressure of the liquid product dispensed out of the reservoir and to return to an initial position when this pressure ceases. The lips (15) are shaped to form, in the initial position, a barrier to the continuous suction of fluid present in the anatomical cavity when the interior space of the body of the dispensing head is under negative pressure.

Description

Description Title: Distribution head for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity and its manufacturing process technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the distribution of liquid.

[0002] It relates more specifically to a distribution head for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, in particular an ear cavity of a human being or an animal, and to a manufacturing process for such a distribution head.

[0003] This head is intended to be fitted to a reservoir containing a liquid product to be dispensed, this reservoir being compressible or non-compressible. Previous technique

[0004] It is known to administer locally into the ear of a pet, such as a dog or cat, substances to clean the ear canal in order to remove excess earwax, or for the application of a therapeutic treatment.

[0005] For illustrative purposes only, in the latter case, it may involve the administration of one or more local antibiotics, particularly to treat otitis externa.

[0006] Various types of nozzles for dispensing liquid into an ear cavity are known.

[0007] Typically, such a dispensing nozzle has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a dispensing end with an orifice for dispensing a liquid, for example in the form of drops.

[0008] The end opposite the distribution end has a collar delimiting a liquid supply inlet.

[0009] Generally, such a dispensing nozzle is coupled to a deformable bottle-type reservoir. When the user squeezes the deformable bottle, the liquid passes through the liquid supply inlet into the volume delimited by the nozzle, reaching the dispensing end which, when sufficient pressure is applied, allows the liquid to pass through and be dispensed into the corresponding ear cavity.

[0010] Although it gives good results, such a state-of-the-art nozzle presents some problems.

[0011] Indeed, contamination can be observed in the dispensing nozzle after use.

[0012] This contamination results from the aspiration of debris, sweat or earwax accumulated in the ear cavity, through the opening placed at the dispensing end of the tip.

[0013] The suction effect here is generated by the vacuum created in the nozzle by the delivery of the liquid.

[0014] The lips defining the opening at the dispensing end of the nozzle normally serve to close this orifice when the liquid pressure ceases in the nozzle.

[0015] However, it is observed that these lips remain slightly open, or do not close completely, resulting in low or even zero suction resistance.

[0016] However, the aspiration of these contaminants, particularly biological contaminants, which contaminate the internal volume of the nozzle, compromises the asepsis of this dispensing nozzle.

[0017] This poses definite health risks, including the aggravation of an ear canal infection or a risk of cross-contamination.

[0018] There is therefore an urgent need for an ear tip, or ear cannula, whose original design overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above. Object of the invention

[0019] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a liquid distribution head that is both simple in its design and in its operating method, economical, and capable of significantly limiting, or even preventing, the aspiration of contaminants at its distribution end when the liquid distribution ceases.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is such a distribution head whose configuration reduces the risk of injury to the anatomical cavity into which it is introduced.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a distribution head, which is particularly simple and quick. Description of the invention

[0022] For this purpose, the invention relates to a distribution head for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, for example an ear cavity of a human or an animal, this distribution head being intended to be mounted on a reservoir containing the liquid product to be distributed. According to the invention, - the distribution head is made in one piece and of a single material, sealed, flexible and having a Shore A hardness between 60 and 75, preferably between 65 and 70, and even better equal to 70, - the dispensing head has a flared tubular body, its distal end, or liquid product dispensing end, comprising a slot with lips configured to spread apart under the pressure of the dispensed liquid product from the reservoir and to return to an initial position when this pressure ceases, and - the lips are shaped to form, in the initial position, a barrier to the continuous aspiration of fluid, for example, matter such as earwax and liquid such as sweat, present in said anatomical cavity, when the internal space of the body of the distribution head is under depression.

[0023] Shore A hardness values ​​are measured according to ASTM D2240, with a device designated as a "Type A Durometer".

[0024] This distributor head is advantageously manufactured by injection molding, so the slot is not formed by cutting the distributor end of the head with a sharp tool. Instead, this slot is created by injection molding simultaneously with the production of the distributor head. Since this distributor head is produced in a single operation, its manufacturing cost is minimized.

[0025] The term "continuous suction" of fluid such as matter or liquid means an uninterrupted, or constant, suction of that matter or liquid as long as it is available and as long as the body of the distribution head is under vacuum, or negative pressure.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment of this distribution head, the distribution head is configured to prevent continuous fluid aspiration, when the lips are in the initial position, during a depressurization of the internal space of the distribution head body on the order of several tens of mbar, and even better on the order of several hundred mbar. As an example, the negative pressure value is 80 mbar, or -80 mbar, and even better between -200 and -400 mbar.

[0027] According to another particular embodiment of this distribution head, the slot is straight or cross-shaped. This slit forms a distribution orifice. A straight slot is also understood to be an I-shaped slot. The cross-shaped slit is obtained, for example, by two crossed straight slits.

[0028] According to yet another particular embodiment of this distribution head, the distal end having a disc-shaped part, the slot is formed in this part. Advantageously, this slot is placed in the center of the disc-shaped part. Preferably, the disc-shaped portion is extended with rounded edges to protect the anatomical cavity when the delivery head is introduced into the cavity. Thus, the distribution head is devoid of angular surfaces that could injure the auricular cavity.

[0029] According to yet another particular embodiment of this distribution head, the tubular body of the distribution head has a truncated cone shape. Such a configuration allows for a gradual introduction of the distribution head into the cavity and allows adaptation to the morphology of this cavity.

[0030] According to yet another particular embodiment of this distribution head, it is made of an elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer material. As an example, this head is made of silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer polymer material (TPE), preferably a SEBS - styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene. This distribution head is advantageously formed from a material with shape memory so that the lips are likely to return to their original shape after deformation.

[0031] According to yet another embodiment of this distribution head, the slot has a longitudinal dimension between 2.8 and 3.2 mm and a transverse dimension, or width, between 0.50 and 1.0 mm, and even better 0.75 and 1.00 mm.

[0032] According to yet another embodiment of this distribution head, the distal end has a thinner wall compared to the rest of the wall of the tubular body, said distal end having a wall thickness of between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.

[0033] According to yet another embodiment of this distribution head, the tubular body has a longitudinal dimension, or height, between 35 and 45 mm, preferably between 35 mm and 40 mm and even better between 37 mm and 39 mm.

[0034] According to yet another embodiment of this distribution head, the distribution head has a base comprising an annular ring intended to be trapped between a clamping ring screwed onto the tank and an annular edge delimiting the open end of the tank. This annular crown can be flat.

[0035] According to yet another embodiment of this distribution head, it includes one or more annular projections to locally stiffen the tubular body, said or at least one of said projections being intended to bear against a face of the clamping ring. Preferably, said or at least one of said projections is intended to bear against a face of the clamping ring in a position opposite to that of the collar with respect to said clamping ring or flange. Advantageously, this annular projection is frustoconical.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a distribution assembly for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, in particular an auricular cavity of a human or an animal, this distribution assembly comprising a reservoir containing said liquid product to be distributed and a distribution head as described above.

[0037] According to one embodiment of this liquid product distribution assembly within an anatomical cavity, the reservoir having an open end, said distribution assembly includes a sealing device for sealing this open end in a hermetic manner, said sealing device comprising: - a solid base from which rises a flared or bowl-shaped tubular piece, - a gripping element rising from the base and surrounded by said flared or bowl-shaped tubular piece, to allow manual pulling on this sealing device for its removal from the open end of the tank.

[0038] This tubular piece can therefore have an annular rim or ring to rest on the edge of the open end of the tank, delimiting the opening of this tank.

[0039] This gripping element can be raised from the central part of the base.

[0040] Preferably, this gripping element is a rigid tongue reinforced at its base by reinforcing ribs attached to this base.

[0041] Advantageously, this distribution head being mounted on a clamping ring having a thread for screwing it onto the tank, the sealing device is shaped so that its flared tubular or bowl-shaped piece is housed in the clamping ring and rests against one face of the clamping ring so as to be forced into said open end of the tank when screwing the clamping ring onto the tank.

[0042] According to another embodiment of this liquid product distribution assembly in an anatomical cavity, this distribution assembly includes said clamping ring.

[0043] According to another embodiment of this liquid product distribution assembly in an anatomical cavity, the obturation device is made in one piece of a single plastic material. The sealing device can be made in one piece by injection, for example in a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

[0044] According to yet another embodiment of this liquid product distribution system in an anatomical cavity, said reservoir is a compressible reservoir.

[0045] The present disclosure further relates to a method of manufacturing a delivery head for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, in particular an ear cavity of a human or an animal, as described previously.

[0046] According to the invention, this method comprises a molding step of the distribution head by injection in a mold of a single elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer material, having a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 75, preferably between 65 and 70, and even better equal to 70, said mold comprising a first part having a point intended to be pressed against one end of a second part, said first part being in contact with the second part by its point only during the molding step, the point of the first part forming a cross-shaped or I-shaped imprint to delimit a slot in the distribution head thus injected, each arm of said cross or I of said imprint being configured to define a dimension and a maximum spacing between two parallel lips placed next to each other in the slot, in the initial position thereof,so as to form a barrier to the continuous aspiration of fluid such as earwax, present in said anatomical cavity, when the internal space of the distribution head body is depressurized.

[0047] The second part has an external surface designed to define the shape of the distribution head body. Preferably, this second part has a flared shape, and even better a frustoconical shape, to give such a shape to the distribution head.

[0048] During molding, the tip of the first part is pressed against the flat end of the second, truncated cone-shaped part, defining a gap between this flat end and the tip of the first part. This gap determines the wall thickness of the distribution end of the distribution head. Preferably, this gap is chosen to be less than the wall thickness of the distribution head outside this area.

[0049] Preferably, each branch of the imprint has a straight cross-section of rectangular shape.

[0050] As an example, this distribution head is made of silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer polymer material (TPE), preferably a SEBS - styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene.

[0051] According to a particular embodiment of this manufacturing process for a liquid product distribution head, the distribution head is demolded after cooling by an axial displacement of one of the first and second parts relative to the other part. Preferably, after cooling of the part, the first part is moved in translation relative to the second part.

[0052] This disclosure also relates to the use of a delivery head as described above for the delivery of a liquid product into an ear cavity of a human or animal. Brief description of the drawings

[0053] Other advantages, purposes, and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0054] [Fig. f] is a perspective view of a unit for the distribution of a liquid product comprising a distribution head according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the protective cap having been omitted for clarity; Fig. 2

[0055] [Fig. 2] is a partially exploded view of the distribution unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3

[0056] [Fig. 3] is a cross-sectional view of the distribution unit of Fig. i; Fig. 4

[0057] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view of the distribution head of the unit illustrated in Fig. i; Fig. 5

[0058] [Fig. 5] is a partial schematic representation of a mold for making the distribution head of the unit illustrated in Fig. i; Fig. 6

[0059] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of a distribution assembly equipped with a distribution unit illustrated in Fig. i; Description of a method of implementation

[0060] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a definite nature. They can therefore not only serve to better explain the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0061] Firstly, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0062] Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrate a unit for the distribution of a liquid product according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] This dispensing unit includes a dispensing head 10, also called an ear cannula, a clamping ring 11 for mounting this dispensing unit on a reservoir 22 (Fig. 6) containing the product to be dispensed and a protective cap 12 surmounting the dispensing head.

[0064] The distribution head 10 has an upper distribution end 13 having a flat or substantially flat surface on which is provided an orifice 14 for the distribution of the liquid product, or slot 14.

[0065] This dispensing orifice, or slot 14, may have a general I-shaped form, delimited by two parallel lips 15. These lips 15 are configured to spread apart under the pressure of the liquid product dispensed from the reservoir and to return to their initial position when this pressure ceases. This slot 14 is therefore self-sealing in the absence of pressure.

[0066] The body of the distribution head 10, or nozzle, has a base 16 defining a mouthpiece, or inlet, from which the liquid product is introduced into the head, and a housing determined by a body 17 of generally elongated and flared tubular shape, and more precisely frustoconical, rising from this base 16. The smallest section of the body of the distribution head 10 is placed at the distribution end 13, or distal end with respect to the reservoir on which the distribution head 10 is mounted.

[0067] The distribution end 13, or distal end, may include a disc-shaped portion 18, in which the slot 14 is formed. This disc-shaped portion 18 is extended by rounded edges 19 to protect the anatomical cavity during the insertion of the distribution head into the cavity.

[0068] This distribution head 10 can have several annular projections 20 to locally stiffen the tubular body, one of these projections being for example intended to bear against a face of the clamping ring 11.

[0069] This distribution head 10 is made in one piece and from a single material, here by injection molding in a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, such as a SEBS.

[0070] This 10 distribution head is advantageously flexible and has a Shore A hardness between 60 and 75, preferably between 65 and 70, and even better equal to 70.

[0071] These lips 15 are shaped to form, in the initial position, a barrier to the continuous aspiration of fluid such as earwax or dust particles, present in said anatomical cavity, when the internal space of the body of the distribution head is under depression. More specifically, this slot 14 can have the following parameters: - The length of slot 14 is 3 + / - 0.2 mm, - the width of slot 14 is approximately 1 mm, - the spacing between the lips 15 delimiting the slot 14 is less than or equal to 0.075 mm + / - 0.025 mm. The thickness of the disc-shaped part 18 in which the slot 14 is placed is less than the wall thickness of the rest of the distribution head 10, which is for example 1 mm.

[0072] The distribution end 13 of the distribution head 10 may have a circular section with a diameter of approximately 6 mm while the height of the housing may be approximately 38.15 mm.

[0073] Comparative tests carried out by the applicant showed that the distribution head 10 made from a SEBS resin having a shore A hardness of 70 and having at its distribution end, an I-shaped slot, guaranteed the best stability and reproducibility of results and the best anti-return effect.

[0074] While all the competitor nozzles tested massively and continuously drew in fluid as soon as they were put into slight depression (-80 mbars), the present distribution head 10 shows no continuous suction up to negative pressure values ​​of around 400 to 450 mbars in the internal volume delimited by the body of the distribution head.

[0075] As an example, a fluid used to carry out these comparative tests was a dessert cream with a viscosity between 0.1 Pa.s and 1 Pa.s (10 and 1000 centipoise).

[0076] These results are observed while ensuring a good flow rate of liquid product at the outlet of the slot. For example, flow rates exceeding 200 ml / min have been measured with a dispensing head according to the invention at a liquid pressure of approximately 150 mbar.

[0077] The test results obtained for a cross-shaped slot 14 with the same Shore A hardness of 70 are very similar (no continuous fluid aspiration at negative pressure values ​​of around 280 mbar). However, the results are less reproducible (standard deviation of around 43 mbar in the measurements obtained).

[0078] Figure 2 shows a sealing device 21 for hermetically sealing the open end, or neck, of a reservoir 22, as shown in Fig. 6, on which the dispensing unit is mounted. This reservoir 22 is intended to contain a liquid or viscous substance to be dispensed.

[0079] This shuttering device 21 comprises: - a solid base 23 from which rises a tubular piece 24 in the shape of a bowl intended to be inserted, or pushed in, into the open end, or neck, of the tank 22 to ensure sealing, - a gripping element 25 rising from the base 23 and surrounded by said tubular piece 24 in the shape of a bowl, to allow manual pulling on this sealing device 21 for the purpose of its removal from the open end of the reservoir 22.

[0080] This gripping element 25 is here a rigid tongue reinforced at its base by reinforcing ribs 26 which are integral with the base 23.

[0081] Figure 5 is a schematic and partial representation of a mold for the production of the unit's distribution head as illustrated above.

[0082] This mold includes in particular a first part 30 and a second part 31, the first part 30 being movable in translation relative to the second part 31.

[0083] This second part 31 has a flared shape, here truncated cone, to define the shape of the tubular body of the distribution head 10.

[0084] This first part 30 has a point 32 intended to be pressed against an end 33 of the second part 31, this first part 30 thus being in contact with the second part 31 by its point 32 alone during the injection molding step.

[0085] This point 32 is placed in projection from a flat or substantially flat end 34 of the first part 30 so that a spacing 35 is formed between the flat or substantially flat end 34 of the first part 30 and the flat or substantially flat end 33 of the second part 31, this spacing 35 corresponding to the thickness of the disc-shaped part 18 in which the slot 14 is placed.

[0086] This point 32 defines a cross-shaped or I-shaped imprint to delimit in the distribution head 10 which will be obtained by molding, a slot 14.

[0087] Each arm of this cross, or of this I, is configured to define a dimension and maximum spacing between two parallel lips 15 placed next to each other of the slot 14 of the distribution head 10, in the initial position thereof, so as to form a barrier to the continuous aspiration of matter such as cerumen and liquid such as sweat, present in said anatomical cavity, when the internal space of the body of the distribution head is under depression.

Claims

Demands

1. A dispensing head (10) for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, for example an auricular cavity, this dispensing head being intended to be mounted on a reservoir (22) containing the liquid product to be dispensed, characterized in that - the distribution head (10) is made in one piece and of one material, sealed, flexible and having a Shore A hardness between 60 and 75, preferably between 65 and 70, and even better equal to 70, - it has a tubular body (17) of flared shape, its distal end, or liquid product distribution end, comprising a slot (14) having lips (15) configured to spread apart under the pressure of the liquid product dispensed from the reservoir and to return to an initial position when this pressure ceases, and in that - the lips (15) are shaped to form in the initial position, a barrier to the continuous aspiration of fluid such as cerumen, present in said anatomical cavity, when the internal space of the body of the distribution head is under depression.

2. Distribution head according to claim 1, characterized in that said distribution head is configured to prevent continuous fluid aspiration, when the lips (15) are in the initial position, when the internal space of the distribution head body is depressurized by several tens of mbars, and even better by several hundred mbars.

3. Distribution head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slot (14) is straight or cross-shaped.

4. Distribution head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the distal end having a disc-shaped part (17), the slot (14) is formed in the disc-shaped part.

5. Distribution head according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said disc-shaped portion (18) is extended by rounded edges (19) to protect the anatomical cavity during the introduction of the distribution head into said cavity.

6. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body of the distribution head (10) has a frustoconical shape.

7. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of an elastomer or elastomer-thermoplastic material.

8. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (14) has a longitudinal dimension between 2.8 and 3.2 mm and a transverse dimension, or width, between 0.50 and 1.0 mm, and even better 0.75 and 1.00 mm.

9. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said distal end (13) has a thinner wall compared to the rest of the wall of the tubular body, said distal end having a wall thickness (e) of between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.

10. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body has a longitudinal dimension, or height, between 35 and 45 mm, preferably between 35 mm and 40 mm and even better between 3 mm and 39 mm.

11. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution head (10) has a base (16) comprising an annular ring intended to be trapped between a clamping ring (11) screwed onto the reservoir and an annular edge delimiting the open end of the reservoir.

12. Distribution head according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises one or more annular projections (20) to locally stiffen the tubular body, said or at least one of said projections (20) being intended to bear against a face of the clamping ring (11).

13. A distribution assembly for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, in particular an auricular cavity, this distribution assembly comprising a reservoir (22) containing said liquid product to be distributed and a distribution head (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Distribution assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the reservoir (22) has an open end, said distribution assembly comprises a sealing device (21) for sealing this open end in a leak-proof manner, said sealing device (21) comprising: - a solid base (23) from which rises a flared or bowl-shaped tubular piece (24), - a gripping element (25) rising from the base (23) and surrounded by said flared or bowl-shaped tubular piece (24), to allow manual pulling on this closure device (21) for the purpose of removing it from the open end of the reservoir (22).

15. Distribution assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said gripping element (25) is a rigid tongue reinforced at its base by reinforcing ribs (26) integral with said base (23).

16. Distribution assembly according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said distribution head (10) being mounted on a clamping ring (11) having a thread for screwing it onto the tank, said sealing device (21) is shaped so that its flared or bowl-shaped tubular piece (24) is housed in said clamping ring (11) and bears against a face of the clamping ring so as to be forced into said open end of said tank when screwing said clamping ring onto said tank.

17. Distribution assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that said sealing device (21) is made in one piece of a single plastic material.

18. Distribution assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that said reservoir (22) is a compressible reservoir.

19. A method for manufacturing a dispensing head for a liquid product in an anatomical cavity, in particular an auricular cavity, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a molding step of the dispensing head by injection into a mold of a single elastomer or elastomer-thermoplastic material, having a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 75, preferably between 65 and 70, and even more preferably equal to 70, said mold comprising a first part (30) having a tip (32) intended to be pressed against an end (33) of a second part (31), said first part (30) being in contact with the second part (31) by its single tip (32) during the molding step, the tip (32) of the first part (30) forming a cross-shaped or I-shaped indentation to delimit in the dispensing head thus injected a slot (14),each arm of said cross or of said I of said imprint being configured to define a dimension and a maximum spacing between two parallel lips (f 5) placed side by side of the slot (14), in the initial position thereof, so as to form a barrier to the continuous aspiration of fluid such as cerumen, present in said anatomical cavity, when the internal space of the body of the distribution head is under negative pressure.

20. Method of manufacturing a distribution head for a liquid product according to claim 39, characterized in that the distribution head (10) is demolded after cooling by an axial displacement of one of the first and second parts (30, 31) relative to the other part.

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